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Reviews
Oppenheimer (2023)
Brilliant acting in a deeply absorbing story of J.R. Oppenheimer
This is a great film in all respects whether acting, cinematography, or music. It's a slow burn though and builds up to a crescendo till the main event --the A bomb explosion.
The film presents a raw and gripping portrayal of the ethical dilemmas faced by someone whose choices hold significant ramifications for the world around them.
Through a riveting performance by Cillian Murphy , combined with stellar direction and a compelling script, the film succeeds in exploring the internal struggle faced by a complicated character caught between something necessary --building the A-bomb before the Nazis get it--and the potential fallout--the means of wiping out humanity.
The last hour (out of the 3 hours running length) is mostly a post-script to the reasons for denying Oppenheimer a security clearance. This is where Robert Downey Jr excels as the scheming and envious Lewis Strauss--an Iago like character who hates Oppenheimer because of his fame and holds a personal grudge as JRO had earlier publicly and openly ridiculed one of his proposals when he was head of the Atomic Energy Commission. This last hour is a means of getting the audience to get some closure and see some retribution for the rough treatment meted out to JRO by a panel set up by the US AEC.
While Cillian Murphy is magnificent in the title role, the only actor I could think of that would equal or surpass Murphy in the title role is Montgomery Clift. But he's been dead a long time so this is just an academic point.
Up in the Air (2009)
Capitalism at its rawest
This film is about how soul destroying some jobs can be like the Clooney character logging in air mile after air mile just to tell people they are deadwood and surplus to the future of the company that's indifferent to their plight if it doesn't add to the bottom line. One of the most moving scenes I've seen in films is when the new trainee played by Anna Kendrick has to fire a 57 year old company veteran a certain Mr. Samuels over a video link. The latter conveys all the desperation and angst of a person who has nothing to look forward to in his life--he might as well be dead. This is so powerful a scene that I could watch it time and again and I'd like to congratulate the gentleman playing the role of Samuels for a wonderful performance albeit only for a minute or two on screen.
Ghabrana Nahi Hai (2022)
Good solid entertainment
I thoroughly enjoyed Ghabrana Nahin Hai. It has a simple story line that reflects the lawlessness of our society in which land grabbers and qabza groups rule the roost at the expense of those who play by the rules. Acting by Saba Qamar, Zahid Ahmed, Syed Jubran and Afzal Khan is top class. The only downside for me was the villain's role played by Nayyar Ejaz. He appeared to be a cartoon version of a villain and twitched and emoted to such an extent that I wanted to laugh and/or throw up each time he appeared on the screen. The character may be modeled on a real life thug now based in London but this portrayal doesn't work for me. I wanted to see someone that could inspire fear not ridicule for his appearance and tone of speaking. A bad case of miscasting in an otherwise very good movie. GHN is comparable to anything offered by Bollywood so kudos to the cast and crew for their work. Saba is an accomplished actress and very good looking to boot but the real finds are Zahid Ahmed and Syed Jibran who've both done a wonderful job. I hope to see more of them in the future.
Mission: Impossible - Fallout (2018)
Spectacular action with a top rate cast
Enjoyed every minute of this movie which I found to be the best in the franchise. Cruise gives it all and more. Bravo.
After watching this movie I feel that Henry Cavill should be the next James Bond after Craig retires. He certainly fits the secret agent part perfectly in this film.