Carlos Escobar was the world’s most
dreaded drug lord from Medellin. Andres Escobar was a gifted and loved Columbian
football defender. Fate crossed their paths and tragedy ensued. 1970’s was a
time when Columbia was a shining example of social inequality where the rich
grew richer and poor were left to rot. This created a perfect setup for crime
and young Carlos took it upon himself to steal from the rich. Coming from a
poverty ridden family he couldn’t bear to see how the rich never gave anything
back to help the society, stealing from them was the only right path he could
think of. What started with car thefts moved on to Kidnapping and finally drug trafficking.
He went on to become one of the wealthiest men in the world and the most feared
druglord there was.
Andres Escobar was a soft
spoken, shy by nature football played hailing from Medellin, fondly nicknamed as
the “Gentleman of Football” by fans. Started his pro career with playing for Atlético Nacionalat 18, went on to
captain his national team which was then at its very peak. He was loved by the Columbian
people and commanded respect from players. Always the one to think how football
can heal the society he lived in, how it can grow to be more than just a game.
Carlos had his own way of giving
back, other than slaughtering his rivals and channelling 80% of the world’s
cocaine at that time, he helped the poor by fulfilling their basic needs and
nurturing football at grassroots. He had a deep love for football and this led him
to pump money into initially creating football grounds for locals to later
funding Atletico Nacional team, team for which Andres played, which in turn
served as a perfect cover for his drug money laundering operation. Eventually
Carlos grew so big with drugs that the world, especially US DEA, took notice
and started a hunt for his head by calling for his extradition.
The documentary goes on to say how these two people completely unrelated
by blood, nature or what they represented to the world had an effect on others
lives in the most unthinkable ways. How what started as a totally unrelated
incident resulted in the death of people who had nothing to do with it, along
with ones who did, and also the death of a country’s passion and hope. A
brilliant documentary which keeps the viewer engrossed in a story that seems so
unreal and completely scripted.
Quite a few teen comedies have been a part of the pop culture in the last few decades. But, 'American Pie' stands out. People loved the movie and laughed their guts out at the way Jim(Jason Biggs) made a jackass out of himself or how Stifler(Sean William Scott) walked around being a jerk pissing others off and lots of other hilarious characters/scenes. The 2 movies that followed were good too and then the series lost the plot.
They have now tried to get their act together with the basic story revolving around the reunion of the familiar faces that made the first 3 movies tick. They bank on nostalgia and come up with this movie that carries the mood forward.
All the 5 central characters, Jim, Stifler, Oz(Chris Klein), Kevin(Thomas Nicholas) and Finch(Eddie Thomas) are now approaching middle age and are dealing with their own issues in their respective lives. A high school reunion sounds like a perfect getaway for them to meet friends who made their high school lives memorable. Add Michelle(Alyson Hannigan), Vicky(Tara Reid), Heather(Mena Suvari), Eugene Levy(Jim's Dad), the ever so popular Jennifer Coolidge (Stifler's Mom) and what follows is a fun ride.
All the characters are instantly relatable due to the connect that the audience has with the series. But, it is Stifler who makes you yearn for more movies of this sort. He is,like always, an obnoxious and irritating character but everything that he says or does evokes a chuckle or a laugh, for sure.
They start off with memories of their lives shown in the first 3 movies and the events constantly keep relating to those movies. So, this movie is not a bad watch for anyone who liked those movies even a bit.
Pawan Kumar arrived at the scene of Kannada industry with roles in movies like Mr.Garagasa , Inthi Ninna Preethiya,Circus, Manasaare and Pancharangi. He also worked on the story and screenplay of Manasaare and Pancharangi.
He then made his foray into direction with Lifeu Ishtene in 2011 and won accolades with his fresh approach to movie making and a smart script.
We were lucky to catch him for a quick interview and it was nice of him to oblige.
Movies about silent era are always charming. This movie oozed honesty and did justice to the thought that the script dealt with. Very well directed and acted, this movie captured everyone's attention on its festival screenings and wider release.
Did you know : Some theaters, including one in Liverpool, England, issued refunds to moviegoers who were unaware that this was a silent film, and walked out early in the picture.
Total nominations received : 10
Our prediction : Front runner and facing stiff competition from 'The Descendants'
The Descendants
One of best works by the director Alexander Payne and by George Clooney. It stands tall among the movies that come out in 2011. It dealt with emotions and comedy like not many other movies have ever done. Read the detailed review here.
Did you know : Near the beginning of the film, Clooney's character says "I don't want my daughters growing up entitled and spoiled. And I agree with my father: you give your children enough money to do something but not enough to do nothing". This is actually a paraphrase from one of the world's wealthiest men, and the richest person in the world in 2008, Warren Buffett. In reference to how much money he would bequeath to his children, Buffett replied: "I want to give my kids just enough so that they would feel that they could do anything, but not so much that they would feel like doing nothing."
Total nominations received :
Total nominations received : 5
Our prediction : Looked set to win it but 'The Artist' may take the award away.
Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close
Panned universally by every major critic, this movie was a surprise nominee. It deals with the aftermath of 9/11 and focuses on a kid who has lost his father in that horrible event. Unable to live harmoniously with his mother, the kid sets out on the streets of New York chasing something in an unpractical quest of his own.
Did you know : Director Stephen Daldry hoped the film would be completed for the fall of 2011 so that it coincided with the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.
Total nominations received : 2
Our prediction : Not even a remote chance
The Help
Based on a novel, the movie dealt with the horror that the Afro-American community went through in the 1960s. A brave and aspiring author decides to document all the troubles that the community was going through. A gritty movie that was very well directed and acted. It was certain to be nominated for the major categories and the academy duly honoured it.
Did you know : Kathryn Stockett's book on which this film is based was rejected 60 times before it was eventually published.
Total nominations received : 4
Our prediction : May come out as a surprise winner but the chances are slim
Hugo
Whatever Marty does, there is a master touch to that. Scorsese's first 3D film had surely raised everyone's expectations. The movie didn't disappoint. It was delightful and touching tale of a kid trying to understand his late father's mechanical creation wandering around the train station in Paris. 3D was used like never before and it pleased the audiences everywhere. A deserving nomination!
Did you know : After a screening that James Cameron attended, he called the film a "masterpiece" and told Martin Scorsese it was the best use of 3D he had seen, including his own films.
Total nominations received : 11
Our prediction : Has garnered a lot of praise from the academy but chances are not great
Midnight in Paris
Woody Allen and the city of Paris. Had to be something different. It indeed turned out to be so. Helped by the brilliant screenplay, the movie is so well made that its tough not to enjoy every minute of the movie. Owen Wilson and Marion Cotillard give great performances that seem so natural.
Did you know : Woody Allen's first film to gross over $100 million worldwide.
Total nominations received : 4
Our prediction : Woody Allen is pretty certain to win the award for the 'Best original screenplay' but this one doesn't seem too probable.
Moneyball
Sports and movies are an explosive combination. A movie made on one of the most popular sport was well received thanks to its underdog to achiever theme. Brad Pitt and Jonah Hill give towering performances in this movie based on real life of Billy Beane. Read the full review here.
Did you know : Billy Beane is portrayed as a lonely divorcée in the film, though in real life he had actually remarried. Scenes were actually shot with Kathryn Morris as his second wife, Tara, that didn't make the final cut. However, Brad Pitt's character still wears a wedding ring throughout the film.
Total nominations received : 6
Our prediction : Unlikely
The Tree of Life
Was it philosophical ? Was it a documentary ? Was it entertainment ? People around the world were puzzled but this piece of genius by Terrence Malick had all the movie aficionados drooling. This movie must be watched for its visuals alone and then must be given another watch to understand the story. Such movies are an event of rarity these days but must be appreciated and honoured whenever one gets to see one of these.
Did you know : Some American theaters set up signs - warning moviegoers about the enigmatic and non-linear narrative of the movie - following some confused walkouts and refund demands in the opening weeks.
Total nominations received : 3
Our prediction : Too strong for the academy!
War Horse
This movie saw mixed reactions from the critics and audiences. Some labelled it as sugar-coated boring drama and at the same time the movie was lauded for its amazing portrayal of bonding between a young boy and his horse through wars and across geographical boundaries. Spielberg knows the craft and is too smart to get nothing right. War horse struck the right chords at many places and earned a nomination.
Did you know : Fourteen horses played Joey during the movie. The "main" acting horse in the film, Finder, also portrayed Seabiscuit in the movie about the famous racehorse.
Total nominations received : 6
Our prediction : Chances are next to none.
BOTTOM LINES : This list seems incomplete without movies like 50/50, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, Margin Call and Drive. The academy got it wrong there but these 9 were the movies that got the final nod. Academy can do something right now and not spring another surprise by awarding an undeserving movie.
