augustus-8

Now about the movie..its pretty bad not because of the politics...Mind you I like movies even if I dont agree with their political views(Redfords Sneakers for eg).The movie is just too boring..Its vast potential of excitement and intrigue have been squandered by heavy handed political correctness and an incredibly dull romance betweeen Brad Pitt and whatsherface.I detested the predictable political correctness and its juvenile moral posturing.We are supposed to feel sympathy for that leftist lady who was once a terrorist herself but ridiculously disapproves of American intervention in Lebanon!!Of course she is portrayed in a positive light because of her leftist views!!Brad Pitt's character was a complete dumbass who didnt belong in the job in the first place.I wouldve liked to see them both rot in that Chinese jail for the rest of their lives. The CIA is portrayed unfairly,forget about the Chinese trade connection,they shouldve let him rot in jail just because he doesnt know how to follow orders!!He is also a goddamn idiot!Who needs such a person in the CIA?!Tony Scott should be ashamed.Shame Shame on you Tony Scott!Why dont you just quit and let your brother Ridley make films that are unapologetically heroic and noble(Black Hawk Down).

I am glad to see that at least one person 9Mr/Ms Gislef) has noticed the dream sequence in this film.The finesse the director has displayed with in that scene in my opinion is worthy of comparison to say David Lynch.Few directors get the 'feel' of a dream and know how to portray.Michael Ritchie has succeeded admirably in conveying a sense of subtle and not so subtle incoherence and ominosity that leaves the viewer unnerved.Also the film has made interesting use of Tibetan mythology to create interesting situations and great comedy.I think this is Eddie Murphy's best film.

I may be biased since this movie takes place in my home city of Hyderabad,AP in Southern India.The western(esp US) viewer may be bewildered that the film is about political rivalries in college as is very much the case in most parts of India esp my state.One can draw a vague parallel to the student movements of the sixties in U.S.Now if u can ...politicize them even more,strip them of any socially redeeming value and make them a ruthless power hungry grab for turf and dont forget to place in India of the late 80's where the youth are slowly but steadily realizing the sterility of Gandhi's nonviolent policies which had for long enough demoralized the nation and was witnessing the slow and painful death of his beloved dynastic,tyrannical regime of Congress(I). That being said.This is Varma's first film made when he was in his mid 20's.The violence in this film is excruciatingly brutal and graphic.Like the scene where a rival gang proceeds to systematically bash a student leader head with hockey stick and finishes the act by smashing his face on a rock.Another student's face was sliced in half by an axe.Nagarjuna who stars as shy newcomer turned student leader turned mobster is nothing short of brilliant.His eyes wonderfully express his cold ruthless fury.Not to be upstaged is his psychotic nemesis Bhavani portrayed eerily by Raghuvaran.The ending is kinda disturbing but is good because its uncompromising and refrains from a feel good sort of sentiment so prevalent in Indian films. Also this film was kind of a pioneer in technical acheivement esp in sound and photography.It was similar to other films of the seventies and eighties in the sense that it was action film with a social message.But rarely have films with the exception of Satya(also by Varma) get any dark and intense than this.What I find this esp disturbing is that now its mostly love stories ,'family values' and assorted chick flicks that get the most award and box office returns.These are dark days for our film industry!!

I personally feel like many other level headed people(likely to be labelled cynical and unromantic by fans of this simplistic,sappy movie) that this film was highly overrated.The films casting also left to be desired.Leo just doesnt cut it as an all American son of the soil Midwestern boy. That said,the film does have some positive points.Of course the photography ,special effects and editing are magnificient.I would recommend watching the film once(only once!) ,if only for Rose and Jack's beautiful exploration of the ship in the 1st 45 minutes of the movie.Inspite of its cheap Mills and Boon type(my sister used to have these books,I peaked okay!) romantic setting with its stock bad rich people and sweet poor people,time somehow passes mainly due to Kathy Bates and Kate Winslet who manage to rise above the sloppy script.I found it embarrassing that most people in the theater in tears toward the end,not just women!I was not embarrassed due to a show of emotion but that the audience had reserved their tears for some fifth rate schlock like this.Would they have a similar reaction to emotionally and contentwise richer films like Amistad and Kundun(released the same year).Hell no! Finally how in the world did James Horners cheesy theme manage to score over Philip Glass vastly superior Kundun.What the hell is wrong with the Academy?

Like the previous two commentators,I remember watching this series when I was a kid and I absolutely enjoyed it.Glen Larson who I understand was the exec producer of this show also the driving force behind Knight Rider and also went ballistic with Automan and perhaps other sitcoms with unusual style of fighting crime. Getting back to the show,the casting was perfect esp Simon McCorkindale as the charming,slick Prof JC who at least is in control of his metamorphosis unlike the Incredible Hulk where Bill Bixby transforms in a green troll even if he stubs his toe on the coffee table!The plots were mildly intriguing.Sure it was cheesy and sometimes downright ridiculous but hey it was the 80's,what do expect in retrospect?I can think of worse shows that hit the jackpot.Also what was irritating was the requisite chemistry between prof and his pretty police associate.But whats important is that they are not trying to redo Kafka!This was a lot of fun and did not deserve to die so quickly.