X-Men: First Class

The prequel to the X-Men series unpeels the back stories of Professor X, Magneto and few of our other mutant friends with style and more than a dash of panache. Charles Xavier (James McAvoy) and Erik Lensherr (Michael Fassbender) start of as close friends and allies as they attract mutants from around the world to join them. The problem is getting the rest of mankind to accept them as a part of society and not as an external threat. The film gives you the background that causes the rift between the two and contrasting philospohies that form the backbone of the "later" films. And strangely the fourth film in the series turns out to be the most engaging and strongest of the lot.

Rating: * * *

Super 8

A throwback to early days of my film-watching: ET, Goonies, Stand By Me. Bunch of kids who have their adventure gene on turbo boost and deal with issues that adults struggle to - in this case an extra-terrestrial creature thats gone nuts. Super 8 starts promisingly, progresses steadily and then it dissolves into a rather sugary end. Wouldn't know if I would have enjoyed it any more if I had watched this in the 80s. Why should I care, I am not the producer.


Rating: * *

Kung Fu Panda 2

Sequel victim - below par humour & action. Mind numbing.

Rating: * +

Biutiful

Only an Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu and Javier Barden combination can use a beautiful city like Barcelona as the canvas to tell a story of abject poverty and dying hope. Nothing from the very outset prepares the viewer for anything but darkness and in an intense manner plots the story of Uxbal. His broken family, his African goons, the Chinese labour racket he is part of and his own mortality. Whilst the detail & reality in the story telling is well crafted and top notch, there is something amiss. And I still can't seem to put a finger on it. Its the spontaniety in the story telling possibly.


Rating: * * +

District 9

To think that this film was vying for the Best Picture award last year along with Avataar and didn't get a word in. What a tragedy - but appropriate that Avataar didn't get it eventually either, which would have been a greater tragedy. A far superior movie is District 9, a story of the rehabilitation of aliens in Jo'burg that goes totally wrong, but at another level, goes totally as per the usual human plan. Neill Blomkamp's first feature that's strong in its depth and accompanied by brilliant acting by Sharlto Copley & the various prawns. Backed up by fine action, effects and cinematography - and avoiding cheesy love stories & moralising of any kind - especially the nauseating "green" variety. Look forward to many more films from the duo.

Rating : * * * +