Tag Archives: Paul Giamatti

Straight Outta Compton (2015)

Straight Outta Compton review

written by Souranath Banerjee

Another take on reality but from a fresh perspective altogether. 

My Ratings: 4/5.

Remember F. Gary Gray, the guy who did the The Italian Job (I mean who directed it), and this time he has come up with the highest-grossing musical biopic ever in the history of Hollywood – Straight Outta Compton.

This is the unique true story of the pioneers of gansta rap, an Straight-Outta-Compton-poster4American hip hop group from Compton (California), who shot to fame around the mid 80s and called themselves N.W.A – Niggaz Wit Attitudes!

Their rap music was famous for its explicit lyrics about drug, crime and women, and also for their hatred of the police system. Thus one of their most controversial songs was ‘Fuck tha police‘. And such was the popularity of that lyrics that FBI send a special letter warning N.W.A not to perform that song in public, which fortunately attracted more publicity to the group!

The core members of N.W.A were legendary rap artists Dr. Dre, Eazy-E, Ice Cube, DJ Yella and MC Ren. And the film Straight Outta Straight-Outta-Compton-poster3Compton (which was also the name of their debut studio album) showed how N.W.A started off, they formed their group and teamed up with their manager Jerry Heller, their huge success, and then their internal rivalry regarding contracts, and eventually their break up in around 1991. The film ended with the AIDS-related death of Eazy-E in 1995.

A well documented biopic of all these musicians, well enacted by O’Shea Jackson Jr. (who played his father Ice Cube in the film),  Corey Hawkins (Dr. Dre),  Jason Mitchell (Eazy-E), Neil Brown Jr. (DJ Yella), Aldis Hodge (MC Ren) and of course Paul Giamatti as the sly manager Jerry Heller.

Straight-Outta-Compton-poster5But Straight Outta Compton is not only a film about music.

It portrays the overall social scenario of that time in US where some black musicians trying to rap their way up was definitely not considered as art or them as artists. It was the time when the young colored people had to endure unnecessary police harassment on numerous occasions; it was the time of the infamous 1992 Los Angeles riots AKA (Rodney King riots).

An essay of the social life of the 80s America, seen through the eyes of some young black kids who wanted to create music. And they did.

A hip hop fan or not, this film is surely worth a watch.

Poster courtesy: www.impawards.com

Best Animated Films of 2015 (10+1list)

Best Animated Films of 2015.

written by Souranath Banerjee

Quality animation films are always a treat to watch; they are probably the only perfect definition of family entertainers that brings a smile to each of our faces regardless of our age.

A glance ahead confirms that 2016 promises some of the best yet-to-release animated films such as Kung Fu Panda 3, Finding Dory, The Secret Life of PetsMoanaKubo and the Two StringsThe Red TurtleZootopia and Ice Age: Collision Course.

But before we take the leap into the future, let’s appreciate our present and be thankful for the Best Animated Films of 2015!

And the list begins.

10. Shaun the Sheep Movie

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQvwiOWpj7o

shaun-the-sheep-movie-posterFrom Aardman Animations, the animation studio that earlier gave us the adventures of Wallace & GromitChicken Run and also Shaun the Sheep (TV Series).

Directed by Mark Burton and Richard Starzak, a film that continues the legacy of Shaun (who is ‘the sheep’ of course).

Highly entertaining without having a single dialogue (only animal sounds), and it’s made over a period of six years by twenty animators each producing two-second footage per day!

9. Battle of Surabaya

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jar7zUU_Kls

Battle-of-Surabaya-posterDirected by Aryanto Yuniawan, it’s about (as the title suggests) the historic battle of Surabaya, more of a dramatic version of it punched with a romantic side line.

Shown from the view point of a patriotic young lad named Musa, and his heroic adventures during the time of war.  

Superb animation, brilliant music and a decent story line, an Indonesian animation feature with great promise.

8. The Prophet aka ‘Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet’

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwQbMxDcRGE

Prophet-poster8 segments directed by 8 different directors including Roger Allers (the director of popular films like The Lion King and Open Season).

The film as the name suggests is a take on Kahlil Gibran’s best seller book ‘the Prophet’.  Though not as inspiring as the book, but definitely it’s worth a watch.

Voiced by celebrities like Liam NeesonAlfred Molina and Salma Hayek (she is also one of the producers of the film).

7. April and the Extraordinary World

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-39w9wsaq4s

April-Extraordinary-World-posterDirected by Christian Desmares and Franck Ekinci, this film has the most unique tale to tell.

In the 1941 France, the scientists are getting disappeared and thus the world is deprived of it’s inventions!

A young girl Avril (voiced by Marion Cotillard) is in search of her scientist parents and tries to solve the entire mystery.

6. The Peanuts Movie

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8pCoVQDD-OY

peanut-movie-posterThe disastrous Charlie Brown and the ever-confident Snoopy – you simply can’t get enough of them.

A hilarious and charming story of the beloved ‘Peanuts’ gang, presented by Blue Sky Studios (the creators of Ice AgeHorton Hears a Who! and Rio).

Directed by Steve Martino, this is the first theatrical ‘Peanuts’ film after 35 years, since the death of creator Charles M. Schulz in 2000.

5. The Good Dinosaur

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=daFnEiLEx70

good-dinosaur-posterDirected by Peter Sohn, this is the unique story of an Apatosaurus named Arlo who strays away from the comfort of his home and in his quest to return back he makes new friends and experience life in his own way. 

From mega studios Pixar Animation Studios and  Walt Disney Pictures, this is a film full of joy, warmth and inspiration. 

Nothing new in the story though but told with great style and conviction. A visual treat.

4. The Little Prince

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fEPqgSNLfK8

Little-Prince-Poster

A French production, the film is an adaptation of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry‘s The Little Prince.

A beautiful story about a little girl who is preparing herself for the grown-up world!

Directed by Mark Osborne, and voiced by famous stars like Rachel McAdamsPaul RuddJeff BridgesMarion CotillardJames FrancoBenicio Del ToroPaul Giamatti and Vincent Cassel. 

3. The Boy and the Beast

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uifJLWoWv8c

boy-and-beast-posterWritten and directed by Mamoru Hosoda, this one is a brilliant fantasy film from Japan.

 A Studio Chizu production who gave us Wolf Children in 2012, this is the story of a boy who is trained in the arts of fighting by a beast (from an imaginary world) and it’s also about the special bonding they share.

Breezy story telling, classy animation and a few moments of pure emotions.

2. Inside Out

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=seMwpP0yeu4

Inside-Out-Poster1Joy, Fear, Anger, Disgust and Sadness – the ultimate conflict of emotions inside the head of a young girl and much more.

(Click for the review)

Directed by Pete Docter and Ronnie Del Carmen, and presented by Walt Disney Pictures and  Pixar Animation Studios, this one is a must-watch for all film lovers.

For me, the film has by far the best concept for any animated film ever.

  1. Anomalisa

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DT6QJaS2a-U

anomalisa-posterDirected by Duke Johnson and Charlie Kaufman, this film is a rare gem that needs to be cherished and relished to its maximum potential.

(Click for the review)

A man bored with his life is seeking for some excitement, some incentive to go on. And then he meets a girl who seems to be the solution of his problem!

A highly sensitive yet melancholic film with the best stop motion animation till date!

and (The ‘+1′ film is not necessarily the best but certainly the most innovative one. A must watch).

+1. Extraordinary Tales

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j4IDwG_FMpM

Extraordinary-Tales-posterDirected by Raul Garcia, this is an animated anthology of 5 dark and haunted stories, all of which are adapted from the works of the brilliant writer Edgar Allan Poe.

The film has great animation and visual story telling and the stories can’t be any better (since written by Poe).

Something different from what you generally expect from an animation feature. Worth a watch.

And finally, a few entertaining films of 2015 that didn’t make the list: Minions, Hotel Transylvania 2Asterix and Obelix: Mansion of the GodsHomeAdamaStrange MagicThe SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water and Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection ‘F’.

Similar Interest: Best Animated Short Films (10+1list)

Poster courtesy: www.impawards.comwww.flickeringmyth.comca-tsuka.tumblr.comwww.goldposter.comwww.cartoonbrew.com, variety.comwww.peanutsmovie.comwww.rotoscopers.comwww.flickeringmyth.com, hype.mywww.imdb.com.  

Best Biopics on Musicians (10+1list)

Best Biopics On Musicians

written by Souranath Banerjee

While watching the recent biopic Love & Mercy (2014) based on
Beach Boys lead singer Brian Wilson’s life (starring John Cusack,
love-and-mercy-posterElizabeth BanksPaul Dano and Paul Giamatti), I had this observation that the more famous the artist, the more is the chance for them to be vulnerable and gullible in their personal life.

The extremely talented Musicians who are superstars on the stage, with all the money and fame in the world but in their real life, most of them are so alone and disturbed and emotionally unstable.

Either their family lives are torn apart as a direct side-effect of fame (too much of drugs, sex and ego) or else they are being bullied, cheated, harassed or exploited by none other than their close friends and relatives.

These films in the list are some of the Best Biopics on Musicians across the world, the lives of the crazy and the genius.

Let the music flow!

10. Amadeus (1984)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yIzhAKtEzY0

amadeus-poster1‘I am a vulgar man but i assure you my music is not’ – Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

Directed by Milos Forman, an epic biopic made on the life of arguably the best composer ever existed. 

Mozart, Music and Murder -a colorful masterpiece, nominated for 11 Oscars and won eight of them, including best picture, actor and director!

9. The Doors (1991)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rU0tR0EjAXA

doors-posterJim Morrison, the God of Rock – the story of his eccentric life; the madness and the genius.

Starring Val Kilmer and Meg Ryan, the film perfectly captures the energy, the style and the vibrant personality of the ‘Electric Poet’. 

Directed by brilliant Oliver Stone, a visual treat and for me, in the rock n’ roll genre this is the best biopic ever made. Watch it.

8. I’m Not There. (2007)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MFUEofAr9GA

im-not-there-poster1

Christian BaleCate BlanchettHeath LedgerRichard GereBen Whishaw and Marcus Carl Franklin – six actors, six characters, one life, one artist – Bob Dylan!

Soaked in Dylan’s soulful music, it is made in a non-linear and avant garde fashion, a complete original take by director Todd Haynes

Challenging but certainly not mainstream. 

7. Walk the Line (2005)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GsvZGwd8vrI

walk-the-line-posterDirected by James Mangold, this one is a biopic on country music legend Johnny Cash’s life.

His fame and family, his love and addiction, his depression and his will to survive; his ultimate success.

Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon both were Oscar nominated for their outstanding performances and Reese finally won the award.

6. Coal Miner’s Daughter (1980)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pivm4oMEDRs

coal-miners-daughter-posterThe legendary singer Loretta Lynn and how she changed the rhythm and style of country-music forever.  

From poverty to worldwide fame, her life  and her musical career is a story to be told. Starring Sissy Spacek (oscar winning role)Tommy Lee Jones and Levon Helm.

Directed by Michael Apted, this biography deserves much more attention than it received.

5. Nowhere Boy (2009)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I0Qu62_vPbo

Nowhere-boy-posterDirected by Sam Taylor-Johnson, this biopic focuses on the early life of musical sensation John Lennon.

Lennon’s relationship with his aunt Mimi and his mother Julia, his love for music and how he met his friends Paul McCartney and George Harrison!

Experience the evolution of the revolution, the man behind the most popular band ever – The Beatles.

4. Ray (2004)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jVHCQfcugdw

ray-poster1Directed by Taylor Hackford, this one tells the story of Ray Charles, the legendary rhythm and blues musician of the 60s.

At the age of seven he lost his eyesight but still with his gifted voice and compositions, and his brilliance in playing the piano he became one of the most successful musicians of the time.

Jamie Foxx won Oscar for his role.

3. Control (2007)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7c2_B_cWK_M

control-posterA biography of the famous lead singer of the band Joy Division – Ian Curtis.

Directed by Anton Corbijnthe film depicts the troubled life of the musical genius which ended at the young age of 23 (he committed suicide).

The film is a simple yet stylized series of black and white visuals shot brilliantly by Martin Ruhe.

2. What’s Love Got to Do with It (1993)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nbzbd2wUGao

whats-love-got-to-do-with-it-posterIt’s a biopic on Tina Turner’s courageous life, both stage and personal.

The way she shot to stardom and became famous, the tough years when she was traumatized by her abusive husband Ike Turner and finally how she managed to break free.

Directed by Brian Gibson, a film that every woman should see and take inspiration from.

  1. Shine (1996)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vTt4Ar6pzO4

shine-posterPiano player David Helfgott, a child prodigy who had a breakdown early in his life but later came back and became popular. 

Directed by Scott Hicks, a film that is so intense and yet so satisfying, so true to the life of the artist.  

The prime reason to watch this biopic is for Geoffrey Rush‘s brilliant performance for which he won the Oscar that year!

and now, (The ‘+1′ film is not necessarily the best but certainly the most innovative one. A must watch).

+1. La Vie en Rose (2007)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uzEJ7NV_g98

vie-en-rose-posterA superb biopic on Édith Piaf‘s life, the famous French singer.

With the ever-beautiful Marion Cotillard in the lead, the film takes us into a nonlinear journey of the vulnerable yet talented singer’s childhood, then her rise to fame and the various ups and downs of her life. 

Directed by Olivier Dahan, a great work of passion and emotion.

Poster courtesy: www.impawards.comwww.festivalinla.com.

San Andreas (2015)

San Andreas film review.

My Ratings: 3.5/5.

San Andreas staring Dwayne Johnson and Carla Gugino is the latest ‘disaster flick’ in town.

A deadly combination of earthquake, tsunami and VFX; our mother-earth opening up and swallowing it’s children, skyscrapers tumbling down without the slightest hesitation, gigantic waves sweeping away the secondary characters, cities wrecked, people slaughtered.

san-andreas-poster2Directed by Brad Peyton San Andreas is the perfect picture of havoc and destruction and we, the audience are thrilled by it.

Actually such ‘disaster’ films give us the satisfaction of experiencing a carnage without actually being a part of it; one feels the relief of being safe and acknowledges the somewhat unconscious gratification of leading a comfortable life.

But then again, these catastrophic films always tend to follow a few common plot points for success and San Andreas is no exception. For example:

1. Preference of muscles over emotions: A protective husband, an emotional father, a loving and caring man who can do anything for his family when put in crisis – that’s all fine but do you have enough muscles?

In order to rescue your family-members in time of such epic natural adversities, you must cast people who are ‘Rock’ solid in the muscle department (who better than Dwayne Johnson). I personally feel sorry for all those real-life fathers who wish to protect their children but doesn’t go to the gym that often!

2. A love story in the midst of all the danger: A smart/sexy girl gets stuck, desperately needs help and eventually gets rescued by her super-daddy (of course). But before all that drama, she has to fall in love with a guy (who generally is the helpful-decent type) and their sweet love story will give the audience the much needed breathing space from all the tension and destruction around. Alexandra Daddario is the perfect young, sexy girl in trouble and Hugo Johnstone-Burt becomes the dependable chap to fall for.  

3. The geeky narrator: There will be this guy (generally some professor or computer expert by profession) whose role is to predict the intensity of the disaster and keep on repeating how epic and dangerous the situation can get; basically scaring the shit out of the audience. In San Andreas we have Paul Giamatti doing exactly that. He also takes great catches when small children are thrown at him!

san-andreas-poster34. A selfish guy who is really selfish: Have to have a character who will be a complete contrast to the protagonist. He will only think of himself and even deliberately put other’s lives in danger; basically an asshole. These characters elevate the intensity of the selfless acts and gestures put together by our Hero. Ioan Gruffudd is that guy who gets to take the blame in San Andreas.

5. The VFX becomes a primary character: The use of visual effects in almost each and every shot has become a necessity for such modern-day ‘disaster’ film’s success. The realistic feel of danger and calamity can only be experienced with the help of such super-detailed effects punched with loud background music (chance of a mild headache after the show). And then the 3D glasses enhance the experience further.

Stereotyped may be, logical may not be, but at the end of the day San Andreas (which is actually the name of a earthquake-porne fault line that runs through California) is exactly the film that it promises to be. Tension, action, effects and a racy story line – overall a good entertainer.

If you like this genre, you will definitely like San Andreas.