Thankyou for Smoking (2005)

Aaron Eckhart made his first big-screen impression in Neil LaBute's 1997 flick "In the Company of Men". Since then, he not been given good enough leading man roles, but luckily, this time was not the case as he stars as Nick Naylor, tobacco industry lobbyist extraordinaire, in first-time director/writer Jason Reitman's (later directed  Juno and Up in the Air) wonderfully acerbic comedy about the power of media spin around the availability of cigarettes despite inescapable evidence that smoking kills. Nick's two lobbyist buddies are played with barbed precision by David Koechner as the Bush-sound-alike firearms specialist and the wonderful Maria Bello as the sharp-tongued alcohol representative. The film's perspective is ruthlessly cynical and most of the characters are morally ambiguous, but those are the primary reasons why this movie sizzles full of shrewd insights about political gamesmanship in both the public and private sectors.

Aaron Eckhart is used to great measure to portray a character who has a moral black hole and an eager disposition to show just how black it is.Nick's lobbying powers make him a god in his world. He cannot do wrong, he flies coach and mingles with the people (and induces them to smoke), and he's become the favorite of the tobacco czar (Robert Duvall) who is using his own money to bribe a former Marlboro man dying of cancer, played by Sam Neill, not to talk against the industry and to use the money for a charity. He's also trying to negotiate a smart move (against his bosses’ wishes) with a Hollywood super-agent (Rob Lowe) to re-introduce smoking in films because nowadays, only Europeans and psycho-villains smoke -- it's deglamorized Hollywood. They suggest bringing Brad Pitt and Catherine Zeta-Jones in a movie about smoking in space. (Listen to them talk, and listen to how they would resolve the "minor" issue that smoking cannot be done in space.)

Beginning with the inventive artwork of the opening credits, the plot goes in unexpected directions, and while the ending is a bit soft, overall the movie satisfies. The smart, provocative characters really make you think about the persistent hypocrisy of big business and government in refreshing ways that are not remotely disdainful. . Don’t miss the scenes involving MOD Squad and how Katie Holmes exploits Nick. Even the comparatively soft-centered scenes of Nick with his son have a nice edge, and with his translucent blue eyes, Cameron Bright strikes the right, non-judgmental notes as Joey. Reitman seems fully capable of bringing an acidic flavor to the most Capra-esquire situation.

Reitman has recruited a first-class cast to bring his brittle satire to life starting with a superb turn by Eckhart, who alternates easily between unapologetically smug and begrudgingly likable..

My Rating- 9/10

When Harry Met Sally (1989)

Director : Rob Reiner

Starcast : Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan
Highlight : Went on to be a Trend Setter among Romantic Comedies

"When Harry Met Sally..." is one of those rare, one in a million motion pictures that becomes a cultural icon. It's been needlessly ripped off, and endlessly spoofed since its release in 1989.
There have been romantic comedies that don't quite appeal to me, but When Harry Met Sally is just wonderful. It is for me everything a romantic comedy should be, funny, witty and charming. The screenplay from Nora Ephron got nominated for an Oscar, and so it should have done. There were times when I laughed out loud (I'll have what she's having), and other times when I was like "that's really sweet". The direction is wonderfully astute and detailed, as is often the case with Rob Reiner ( Director of The Bucket List and A Few Good Men). It’s a wonderful romantic comedy about a man and a woman who struggles to keep their relationship afloat after the threat of sex endangers it. Two perfectly cast stars benefit from a sharp script that deeply explores friendship, romance, and the differences between men and women.

The New York locations are really beautiful, and the soundtrack is awesome. The lovely story argues the question of whether men and women can ever have a friendship without sex, and there are so many funny and charming scenes, particularly the fake-orgasm set piece. And of course the acting is outstanding. Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan(at her prettiest I think, though she was stunning in Sleepless in Seattle as well) are perfect together, while Carrie Fisher and Bruno Kirby give a real sense of edge to their supporting performances.
Overall, a delightful romantic comedy. Highly Recommended!!
My Rating - 9/10

Good Will Hunting (1997)

Director: Gus Van Sant

Starring: Matt Damon, Ben Affleck and Robin Williams

Highlight: Nominated for 9 Oscars and won two Oscars that includes Oscar for  Best Supporting Actor (Robin Williams) and Best Screenplay (Matt Damon and Ben Affleck)

Good Will Hunting proved to be a rise to Stardom for Matt Damon

This is an intelligent film about Will Hunting (Matt Damon) a young genius, who because of his disadvantaged and abusive childhood, ends up as a janitor at MIT where he could easily be the head of the Mathematics department. Though the story is a bit far stretched (it is hard to believe a kid this bright wouldn't have been noticed by someone who would have guided him towards higher education), once you put that aside, it is a fascinating character study of a very complex and dynamic young man.

Will is discovered after solving a math challenge left on a blackboard by the head of the math department at MIT. This throws his life into turmoil, as the mathematicians want to make him into a prodigy. He also begins seeing a therapist (Robin Williams) who forces him to confront many deep emotions and experiences he had been repressing. The effect this has on him, and his relationship with his friends is powerful and makes for an engrossing tale.

The cast is well-assembled with Matt Damon delivering a fine performance which snagged him his only Oscar nomination till date. Minnie Driver, as Will's love interest, also landed out with an Oscar nomination. Robin Williams won his first Oscar for his role after three previous nominations. The rest of the cast is solid, particularly the under-appreciated Stellan Skarsgård

The story is interesting and quite entertaining .The comedy is done well and placed well throughout the film. I do have a complaint about the film that is the absurd amount of swearing in the film. I agree that sometimes it is necessary, but there is a truly unnecessary amount of language in the film. But please, don't let that discourage you from seeing the film; it is a great film to watch.

Overall, "Good Will Hunting", despite the incredibly precious title, is worthwhile a film. Fine performances and a compelling (Oscar-winning) script combine to produce a memorable film that should be fondly remembered for years to come.

My Rating - 8/10

Rescue Dawn (2006)

Director:  Werner Herzog

Star Cast:  Christian Bale, Steve Zahn, Jeremy Davies

Highlight: Based on the True story of U.S. Navy Pilot Dieter Dengler , who escaped  after being  taken as hostage during Vietnam War

Adapted from a documentary, Little Dieter Needs to Fly , starring Dengler himself

One of the best movies of last decade and possibly the best survival-drama with theme of war ever made, that's exactly what 'Rescue Dawn' is, 2 hours of pure "tour de force" covered by terrifying acting and characteristic landscape of Vietnam. Even if this movie's story and plot isn't the same as the plot of movies like 'Cast Away' and 'Robinson Crusoe' , still it is great to watch the  "survival" aspect, it's so much more realistic, after all this is based on a true story which just makes this movie more exciting, amazing and definitely inspiring. Christian Bale shows up his star acting capabilities while his acting and impression just glows throughout the movie.

This movie also shows incapability and ignorance of U.S. army towards their soldiers that have been made hostages, and a man's will and power to keep hope, make a plan and escape from hopeless situation. Many movies I saw and I’m sure many movies that still are to be made will try to compete with this story and this film, those movies that came before 'Rescue Dawn' failed to deliver what this movie did, and those movies that are still to come will have to offer something amazing to even get in a same sentence with this film. Wherever you are, whatever you do, whatever your opinion on war may be and whether you're pacifist or no, you should watch this movie as soon as possible, because it's been made for absolutely everyone!

My Rating -  8/10

In regards to the efforts of Director Werner Herzog, there has been much discrimination against his treatment with the movie,

For More Info visit

http://rescuedawnthetruth.com/

The Cider House Rules (1999)

Director: Lasse Hallstrom (Director of What’s Eating Gilbert Grape)

Star cast: Tobey Maguire (Spider man fame) , Charlize Theron (Hancock, Italian job) , Michael Caine

 

Highlight: Nominated for 7 Academy Awards including Best Picture; Won Academy Awards for Best Adapted Screenplay (John Irving) and Best Supporting Actor (Michael Caine)

Based on John Irving’s novel “The Cider House Rules”

The Cider house Rules is an engrossing and heartfelt drama that will have you crying and at the same time making you feel so good about life, and yourself. Tobey Maguire plays Homer Wells an orphan nobody wants. Homer has spent most of his life in an orphanage, under the care of the kind but strict Dr. Larch. Homer learns everything about brig a doctor form Larch, and Larch one day hopes that Homer will take over for him when he's gone, but Homer has other plans he doesn't want to stay in the orphanage he wants to go see the world experience new things, and his dreams of seeing a world outside the orphanage come true when he meets a man and his girlfriend looking to abort her pregnancy. Homer takes a leap of faith and asks to come along with them, and that's when one man’s journey begins to see the world for what it is. The cider house rules will have you wanting to see it again as soon as it's over, it's an inspiring movie that shows you if you even stay away from your old way of life you will always have a place to come home to.

Tobey Maguire was perfectly casted for this movie, they couldn't have found someone more suitable for the job than him. Michael Caine, brilliant as always, won't disappoint either. The always very beautiful Charlize Theron is very lovable and sweet. Maybe less famous is Paul Rudd (maybe you saw him as Phoebe's boyfriend in "Friends"), but he's always very enjoyable; a fine actor!

You can do whatever you like in life; there are no rules at the point of action. The kicker is that you must accept two downstream effects: You must not only accept the foreseen consequences of your actions, but you must equally accept the unforeseen consequences.

My Rating - 8/10