mayankjames Reviews

Sherlock: The Empty Hearse (2014) Season 3, Episode 1

"The Empty Hearse" is indeed the best Sherlock episode till date.

[10/10 · 2 January 2014]

DISCLAIMER- Yes, you are reading this article as a movie review. It is so because I believe these episodes are more like a series of TV films; 90 minutes long TV films, and not a TV-Series! That being said, now you continue with the review. So it has been a little under two years since we last saw Sherlock Holmes fake his death. But the painful 717 days wait finally came to an end with the splendid "The Empty Hearse". Both Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman have found fame in Hollywood with movies like Star Trek Into Darkness and The Hobbit. But it is indeed a huge relief that the series has returned; even though if it's only for another three episodes. With no more Moriarty in the picture, the opening instalment of Sherlock teased a new foe for the Baker Street detective and explained just how and why the lead character vanished from London for two years… well almost! "The Empty Hearse" then tells us the reason of detective's return which involves an underground terrorist cell planning an attack on London. It also shows the two year old John Watson preparing for his marital life whilst trying to move on with the grief of his best friend's death.

Like the rest of the Sherlock episodes, this Season 3 opener is brilliantly shot, astoundingly edited and stunningly directed by Jeremy Lovering and team. Though "The Empty Hearse" is a little more about the Watson-Holmes reunion; throughout the episode, there are plenty of intriguing moments that we've come to love about this series, both with certain visual and stylistic cues. Although it still feels surprisingly new and viewer friendly.

PS: There are some interesting new wrinkles added to the Sherlock Holmes myths – his parents – as well as some genuinely very funny moments for fans (Molly's fiancée). But to conclude it all, "The Empty Hearse" is indeed the best Sherlock episode till date. I would undoubtedly rate the entire series a flawless 10, but for once I just wish if there was something beyond 10 reserved for this masterpiece.

"The holiday is over… Back to Baker Street, Sherlock Holmes…"

Forrest Gump (1994)

"Life is like a box of chocolate. You never know what you are going to get."

[10/10 · 14 May 2012]

Forrest Gump (1994) Director – Robert Zemeckis Cinematographer – Don Burgess Writer – Winston Groom Editor – Arthur Schmidt

Favorite Quote – "Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you are going to get."

Forrest Gump is a great modern day fable. A fable in the dictionary is defined as a brief fictitious story that teaches a moral. It's a very compilation of innocence, honesty and love. Forrest Gump (protagonist), named after a civil war hero, grows up in Greenbow, Alabama, where his mother runs a boarding house. Although Forrest is a slow learner, his mental impairment doesn't seem to bother him, his mother or his best friend. During the next thirty years, Forrest becomes a star football player, a war hero, a successful businessman and something of a pop icon. Through it all, however, there is one defining element in his life: His love for Jenny. She is never far from his thoughts, no matter what he's doing or where he is.

A trio of assets lifts Forrest Gump above the average "life story" drama, its optimism, freshness and emotional honesty. After graduating, Forrest enlisted in army and was sent to Vietnam. He has a very particular singular viewpoint on his time spent there which shows the essence of the title character's nature. Forrest Gump has several messages with several decades in the life of Forrest Gump, some of which are less obvious than others. The most frequently recurring theme is an admonition not to give up on life. Why surrender when you don't know what lies ahead? By contrasting Forrest's life with the lives of those around him, and by showing how the passage of time brings solace to even the most embittered hearts, the movie underlines this point.

Forrest Gump is an epic journey of a naïve and slow-witted man who witnesses, and in some cases influences, some of the defining events of the latter half of the 20th century.

Review by – Mayank Bhattacharya

Saving Private Ryan (1998)

Saving Private Ryan (1998)

[10/10 · 13 May 2012]

Saving Private Ryan (1998) Director – Steven Spielberg Cinematographer – Janusz Kaminski Writer – Robert Rodat Editor – Michael Kahn

Favorite quote – "Captain Miller: James, earn this... earn it." Saving Private Ryan is an epic war film set during the invasion of Normandy in World War II. It is a film noted for its graphic and realistic portrayal of war. Saving Private Ryan opens with a 30-minute cinematic high intensity tour de force following Captain John Miller (protagonist) and his team depicting the Omaha Beach Assault on June 6, 1944. It later follows Capt. John Miller and his hand-picked team of seven other soldiers including one newcomer who have served with him throughout the war as they search for a paratrooper, Pvt. First Class James Ryan, who is the last surviving brother of four servicemen.

Saving Private James Ryan and bringing him home is Capt. Miller's new mission and his ticket to be home with his family. Capt. Miller faces several group of opposing enemies (Germans) and loses his couple of soldiers on the way to find Pvt. Ryan. The squad finally finds Pvt. Ryan on the outskirts of Ramelle. Pvt. Ryan is told of his brothers' deaths, and their mission to bring him home. He is distressed at the loss of his brothers, but does not feel it is fair to go home looking at the small band whose duty it was to defend a bridge and destroy an approaching German mechanized unit. Miller decides to take command and defend the bridge with what little manpower and resources are available. Germans arrive in force with more than 50 men supported by armor. In spite of inflicting heavy German casualties most of the Capt. Miller's men are killed. While attempting to blow the bridge, Capt. Miller is shot and morally wounded. He is about to be bombed by a tiger tank when an American P-51 Mustang (tank destroyer) flies over and destroys the tank followed by more P-51s and advancing American infantry. Pvt. Ryan stays with his Captain as he dies and says his last words.

The film ends with the present day Ryan, now a World-War II veteran standing at Capt. Miller's grave with his family. He asks his wife and confirms that he is a good man and he has led a good life and thus worthy of the sacrifice of Capt. Miller and his team.

Saving Private Ryan symbolizes the courageous, tough and commanding persona of an Armed Force Officer and in this case, it's Capt. Miller's. His will and determination to accomplish his mission is unquestionable. He loses his life fighting for the assigned mission. From the very beginning of rattling gun fires and missiles at Omaha Beach to the very end of his life at the Ramelle Bridge, Capt. John Miller always proves to be the brave and loyal soldier of his force.

Review by – Mayank Bhattacharya

The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)

The Pursuit of Happiness

[8/10 · 12 May 2012]

The Pursuit of Happiness (2006) Director – Gabriele Muccino Cinematograph – Phedon Papamichael Writer – Steven Conrad Editor – Hughes Winborne

Moral: As trite as they come, don't let anyone convince you to give up on your dreams.

The Pursuit of Happiness is an inspirational story of optimism and honesty. In 1981 San Francisco, Chris Gardner (Protagonist) invests his family's savings in portable bone-density scanners which he tries to demonstrate and sell to doctors. The investment proves to be a disappointment, which financially breaks the family and as a result, his girlfriend leaves him and moves to New York.

While finding it extreme difficult to sell his bone scanners, Chris wants a better life for his family. Chris Gardner is tossed all over the place due to lack of cash and finance. He suffers a lot of mishaps with his son looking on as they move around the city. And the idea he latches onto, because it does not require a college education, but could still pay off big time, is to become a stockbroker. So, Chris pursues his happiness (or happiness) through a six month unpaid internship program with 19 others, in the hopes that, at the end, he will be the one chosen for employment.

With sleepless nights working on the broken bone-density scanner and disadvantaged by his limited working hours, Chris develops a number a ways to maximize his client contacts and profits as it is the only to earn the one paid position. Regardless of his challenges, Chris never reveals his lowly circumstance to his co-workers, even going so far as to lend one of his bosses five dollars for a cab, a sum he can't afford. The Pursuit of Happiness is the pursuit of Chris Gardner becoming a successful stock broker from a homeless nomad. The Pursuit of Happiness concludes with a caption that tells us what happens to Chris after the end of the movie. It promises a better story than the one we have just watched. - Mayank Bhattacharya

The Shawshank Redemption (1994)

The Shawshank Redemption | A brief review by a Film Making student

[9/10 · 12 May 2012]

*Contain Spoilers*

The Shawshank Redemption (1994) Director - Frank Darabont Cinematographer – Roger Deakins Writers – Stephen King and Frank Darabont Editor – Richard Francis-Bruce

Favorite Quote: "Hope is a good thing and good things never die." The Shawshank Redemption is about time, patience, hope and loyalty. In 1946, a banker named Andy Dufresne (protagonist) is convicted of a double murder, even though he stubbornly proclaims his innocence. He's sentenced to a life term at the Shawshank State Prison in Maine, where another lifer, Ellis "Red" Redding, picks him as the new recruit. The first part of the film deals with Andy, Red and their group of friends dealing with prison life.

Andy wants to be a freeman. He regrets his past and wants to move on with a new life and memories. But the ugly realities of prison life are quickly introduced to Andy. A corrupt warden, sadistic guards led by Capt. Byron Hadley and inmates who are little better than animals, willing to use rape or beatings to insure their dominance. But Andy does not crack. He has the hope of the truly innocent, which (together with his smarts) allow him to prevail behind bars. He uses his banking skills to win favor with the warden and the guards, doing the books for Norton's illegal business schemes and keeping an eye on the investments of most of the prison staff. In exchange, he is able to improve the prison library and bring some dignity and respect back to many of the inmates, including Red.

After almost a two decade stay, in 1966, Andy Dufresne escapes the Shawshank prison by tunneling through the wall with a rock hammer worn down to the nub. He sets off to a new country for a new life and is later accompanied by his prison mate Red.

Andy Duresne is a man of hope. He is a smart person and a loyal friend. The Shawshank Redemption is the journey of redemption of Andy and his fellow convicts. Redemption is found in many ways, by many characters, even by a bird named Jake. It's a story portraying the corruption and politics in a prison and the transformation of an investment banker to a smart con. It shows how the weak and innocent protagonist, who is often bullied and tortured during his early stay in prison, adapts and changes himself with the situation and out smarts the guards and warden to run away with their illegal money and starts a new life.

Review By – Mayank Bhattacharya