A Christmas Carol

Based on the legendary tale by Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol is a perfect Christmas film. It tells the story of Ebenezer Scrooge who doesn't believe in goodness of Christmas and calls the celebration humbug. Also, the people who go bananas over Christmas are nothing more than fools to him. Money is all he cares about. To teach him a lesson, he is visited by three spirits on Christmas eve who take him on a journey of Christmas in past, present and future. This makes him realize his mistakes and he is guilt-ridden for ignoring the true spirit of Christmas all his life. Scrooge is a changed man the next morning. He is warm-hearted, kind and does all he can for people around him. Everyone starts liking and praising him. This brings forward the real meaning of Christmas for him and thats also the message of the tale.

Now the things that I liked about the film. The cast of the film has one name that says it all. Jim Carrey. He is a perfectionist when it comes to voice modulation and proper diction for a character. With the character of Scrooge the actor has once again proved his mettle. The accent that he has pulled off is just brilliant. He doesn't miss even a single emotion with the voice-over. The sequence that shows Scrooge as a changed man has rapid change in tone and mood of the voice which is performed  marvelously  by Carrey. The voices for Scrooge, Ghosts of past, present and future are all done by Jim Carrey. Whereas Gary Oldman has lend his voice for the characters of Bob Cratchit and Jacob Marley.

Next comes the animation. With Walt Disney pictures you cannot expect anything short of perfect. A Christmas Carol too shows their trademark work. Fine and detailed animation makes it a delight to watch. The animated characters seem real at points and the expressions are beautifully captured. The scene where Scrooge asks his nephew that why did he get married, the expression and look on Scrooge's (Jim Carrey) face on hearing the answer describes the effort put into details. The director Robert Zemeckis (Forrest Gump fame) succeeds in keeping the originality of the Charles Dickens story and yet presents it in a very unique manner.  

The movie was released in 3D and it has its fair share of  moments to shake you from your chair. Being an animated film, it is not meant only for kids and lower age groups. It is because of the fact that it does get scary at places. For example, when ghost of Jacob Marley is about to enter and ghost of future appears. I would say, it is rather a good watch for people from all age groups because of its subject- Christmas. 

Other cast members are Gary Oldman, Colin Firth, Robin Wright Penn, Bob Hoskins, Cary Elwes and Fionnula Flanagan.

So if you are in a mood for a nice movie to make you feel good then it is your best pick. Packed with amazing visual effects and superb animation along with Jim Carrey's incredible performance, A Christmas Carol is what you need to rekindle that divine Christmas spirit in you.

A Mighty Heart

Based on the kidnapping and murder of the Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl by terrorist group Al Qaeda, A Mighty Heart is a strong film in my opinion. The reason for me saying this is the subject and the way it is dealt with by the director Michael Winterbottom. The edge of the seat curiosity keeps the viewer glued throughout the film. The look of the film is more like a documentary but that just adds to the authentic feel of the entire tense episode. Angelina Jolie plays the role of Mariane Pearl (Daniel's wife) and has delieverd one of her best performances here. Though the film did not rule the box-office but it received rave reviews from the critics. Fortunately, the Jolie's star power does not overshadow the storyline and she is very believable in her character. Irrfan Khan as the investigating officer does justice to the role.

 It is a first rate film you should watch for its unusual subject and for the fact: It Really Happened With Someone.

The Pursuit Of Happyness

It is based on a true story about a man named Christopher Gardner. Gardner (Will Smith) has invested heavily in a device known as a "Bone Density scanner". He feels like he has made these devices. However, they do not sell as they are marginally better than the current technology at a much higher price. On top of that, one of these does not work. As Gardner tries to figure out on how to fix the faulty one and sell the others, his wife leaves him, he loses his house, his bank account, and credit cards. Forced to live out in the streets with his son (Jaden Smith), Gardner is now desperate to find a steady job; he takes on a job as a stockbroker, but before he can receive pay, he needs to go through 6 months of training, and to sell his devices. A brilliant flick that touches the heart.

School Of Rock

This one stars Jack Black, Mike White, Joan Cusack and is directed by Richard Linklater. Its a comic-drama thats very funny at places. Its about a person (Jack Black) who loves n lives ROCK MUSIC. But gets kicked out of his own band.Then he prepares a bunch of school children to form a band. The whole movie focuses on how he struggles to get the best out of these children and comes out with flying colors. Jack Black is very much believable in the role.This one is really a NICE movie to watch.

Forrest Gump

This is one of my personal favorites. Forrest Gump is an inspirational story about a man named Forrest Gump (Tom Hanks). He plays the character of a guy with lower brain activity but a heart of gold. He accepts what life offers ever questioning or reasoning it. Living his life as his 'mama' (Sally Field) taught him, Forrest always misses his childhood pal Jenny (Robin Wright Penn) who becomes a hippie over the years. With low IQ levels he still achieves great things in life. Finally the destiny brings her back to him and he stands by her side as she leaves this world. But, life still carries on with him taking care of his son. The last sequence where he talks to Jenny in front of her grave is touching. Tom Hank's performance is par excellence and director Robert Zemeckis has done an amazing job. No doubt, this one won six Oscars. I will simply call this film-Beautiful.

Atonement

In 1935, 13-year-old fledgling writer Briony Tallis (Saoirse Ronan) and her family live a life of wealth and privilege in their enormous mansion. On the warmest day of the year, the country estate takes on an unsettling hothouse atmosphere, stoking Briony's vivid imagination. Robbie Turner (James McAvoy), the educated son of the family's housekeeper, carries a torch for Briony's headstrong older sister Cecilia (Kiera Knightley). Cecilia, he hopes, has comparable feelings; all it will take is one spark for this relationship to combust. When it does, Briony - who has a crush on Robbie - is compelled to interfere, going so far as accusing Robbie of a crime he did not commit. Cecilia and Robbie declare their love for each other, but he is arrested - and with Briony bearing false witness, the course of three lives is changed forever. Briony continues to seek forgiveness for her childhood misdeed. Through a terrible and courageous act of imagination, she finds the path to her uncertain atonement, and to an understanding of the power of enduring love.

The Prestige

Alfred Borden and Robert Angier are two rival magicians, always trying to outperform each other's tricks. Their rivalry starts when Robert's wife dies accidentally during a stage show and he blames Alfred for her death. Their quest for best magic tricks turns into an intense battle of egos. The attempts to sabotage each other's shows and to disclose the secrets of magic tricks leads to an ugly outcome for both the magicians. Directed by Christopher Nolan, The Prestige stars Hugh Jackman (as Robert Angier) and Christian Bale (as Alfred Borden) along with the likes of Michael Caine and Scarlett Johansson. This one keeps the viewer glued till the last moment and the climax is as interesting as the entire film. Cinematography is commendable and screenplay does justice to the theme. Catch up on this one as soon as you can.

Malena

Here, presenting you the very first movie!!

It stars Monica Bellucci, Giuseppe Sulfaro, Luciano Federico and Matilde Piana and directed by Giuseppe Tornatore. Its about a teenage boy who has feelings for the much talked about lady of the town-Malena. The movie depicts the hypocrite nature of the society towards a beautiful woman. The boy dreams about her all the time and sympathizes with her secretly.The story has marvelous blend of emotional and pictorial sequences. The stir of emotions in a young boy has been beautifully depicted. This one is a must watch.

WARNING: This one has many adult and nude scenes.