Journey to a surreal world

I took a lot of convincing to watch the movie ICE AGE 3. I consider myself a movie buff but was never interested in any animation movies. They were left alone for the kids to enjoy. But 2 of my friends argued otherwise and we ended up booking for show in one of the multiplexes. In truth, kids were in less numbers and the average age in the theatre was around 30+. I didn’t have any expectations of how the movie would be when ushered into our seats.

Once the title cards rolled, I was glued to the screen and soon was transported to a different world. Only the projectionist had the efficacy to bring us all back to senses when he unceremoniously interrupted the show for a break. I realized in contrary to my earlier opinion about animation movies that I had shamelessly enjoyed it. Intermission is something that is meant for Indian movies when the director dishes out those suspense scenes to be continued in the later part. Intermissions look awkward in a 90 minute movie or in any Hollywood movies and who do we blame but the theatre bosses for their marketing strategy to sell those awful samosas and popcorns for an inflated price. When the movie resumed after 10 minute recess, the joy ride continued for another half an hour before a happy ending. It was a worthwhile 90 minute entertainment.

When it was time to leave, I knew I had enjoyed the movie to the fullest but then who would not. There was only one botheration though, we missed watching the movie in 3-D.

The ice never melts in this part of the world!

The Devilish Al

I watched the Al Pacino/Keanu Reeves/Charlize Theron starrer Devil’s Advocate last Wednesday and what a movie it was. Rating given at the IMDB website was around 7.2 but that didn’t deter me from watching a Pacino movie. I am a self confessed Pacino fan and probably what I write might be a bit biased but definitely can’t help that.

It is always going to be a monstrous effort to share the screen space with geniuses but with Al at his devilish best, it could no more be a litmus test for Keanu. To be fair to Keanu, he didn’t do a bad job either given the challenge but avoiding comparisons is inevitable. It is all the way a Keanu’s show until the last half hour with Al filling in and out but the final scenes where Keanu confronts Al; it was a display of a master at work. I didn’t keep counting but I would have watched the last half hour for a dozen times since.

People are not called Geniuses just like that and to supplement the theory, Al has 7 academy awards nominations and a win. An actor needs a right platform to display his armory which I believe was provided in Godfather and there was no turning back for this devil.

Once the movie gets over, what remains at the viewer’s heart would the portrayal of “Satan” by Al and won’t you call that mesmerizing. To recall a quote from the scene where Al boasts of himself to Keanu, “Who, in their right frame of mind Kevin could possibly deny the 20^th century was entirely mine.” That may be from the Satan’s standpoint but I would ask “Who in their right frame of mind could possibly deny the last quarter of the 20^th century was, though not entirely but to a considerable percentage Pacino’s.” Mind you, I forewarned me being a Pacino fanatic.

Vanity……. is definitely my favorite sin.