Unstoppable

Medium : English
Starring : Denzel Washington, Chris Pine, Rosario Dawson
Director : Tony Scott

Tony Scott, the director of movies like 'Top Gun', 'Dejaa Vu', 'Man On Fire' etc had come up with his latest flick named 'Unstoppable'. He was also the director of a thrilling train hijacking subject like 'Taking Of Pelham 123'. The director want to repeat the magic he did with his favorite actor Denzel Washington ('Dejaa Vu', 'Man On Fire', 'Taking Of Pelham 123' fame) in the previous projects; thus Denzel once again comes in the lead role along with Chris Pine ('Star Trek', 'Just My Luck', 'Smoking Aces' fame). The movie is based on a real incident that happened in US.

A train carrying goods which had some toxic chemicals inside, forms the base of this story. While moving from the yard, the laziness of some employees had caused a serious fault leading the train to move without a driver. The railway authorities had thought of stopping it as a simple task in the beginning, but as time progresses, the situation went out of their control. The train is running fast. At this moment, another goods train driven by the senior engineer (Denzel Washington) and his new comer assistant (Chris Pine) was coming in the opposite direction. How such a panic situation is solved is being told in an exciting manner by Tony Scott.

I usually love to watch even a passing train shot in any movie. So, when train itself is the subject, the interest and excitement will be more. The theme might gives you the feel of movies in the past like 'Speed', 'Bullet Train' etc; what differs there was that you have got some villain characters as the reason for the problems, here fate and luck factors are playing their own roles. The director had discussed the family affairs of the heroes in a very small rate, in the middle of a conversation, without loosing the tempo of the journey.

The cinematography by Ben Seresin is excellent, especially the hawk's eye and helicopter camera sequences needs special mention. Editing and the visual effects used in the movie are also good. No need to have special words for Denzel Washigton, as usual he is excellent and attractive. Chris Pine also looks good as the newly appointed guy.


'Unstoppable' is an edge of the seat thriller, it is worth watching.


Rating : 8.5 / 10

The Book Of Eli

Medium : English
Starring : Densel Washington, Mila Kunis, Gary Oldman
Director : Hughes Brothers

It is a fact that, only a very few number of English films are releasing here, compared to film from other regional languages in the country. We assumes that even though they are fewer in mumbers, those types of releases are good films. Seeing Densel Washington ('De-Javu', 'Taking Of Pelham 123' fame), as hero in the posters of 'The Book Of Eli', I decided to watch it (His excellent performance in the thriller 'Taking Of Pelham 123' was an added advantage for me). Anyway, I clarified about the post-release reports (as it is released world wide months before) of the new film with a friend of mine, who is a great fan of English films and the result obtained was positive which gave me the extra energy to watch it.


Hollywood is practicing a new trend these days, most of their subjects are happening in the future period, as there is more scope for fantasy and unrealsitic situations. Here, the story happnes in the barren muddy land of interior US region, where Eli (Densel Washington) lives alone. You can see empty cities, broken roads, destroyed vehicles etc. The place looks like an un civilized one and there are few decoits and robbers here and there. Killing others for water, money, a pair of shoes etc were not a tough task there. Eli fights against them and is succeeded most of the time. He reaches a near by town , the cruel gang leader (Gary Oldman) keeps Eli in custody. Eli escapes from there, the gang leader's daughter (Mila Kunis) also follows him. The gang leader knows that Eli had the copy the only bible left in the world now. Thus the former one and his group attacks Eli and takes the book from him. The villain is not able to read or recollect the topics included in the book, as it is written in a different langauge.


The main attraction of the film lies in its presentation. The greyish tone given for the visuals and choosing of a deserted location gives a serious mood. The notable area lies in its fast paced action sequences and the visual effects used in them. As expected, Densel Washington is brilliant here. All the artists had done well. Cinematography by Don Burgess and Bg score by Atticus Ross are also in its high standards, under the guidance of Hughes Brothers, who directed the movie in a stylish way. May be, one can argue about the kind of the theme based on a particular community here, but it is the freedom of the creator to select the subject.

'The Book Of Eli' is an action film, where heroism is shown differently in the back drop of an unusual environment.

Rating : 7 / 10

The Taking of Pelham 123

Medium : English
Starring : Densel Washington, John Travolta
Direction : Tony Scott

Seeing the posters of a new english film with an unfamiliar name, 'Taking of the Pelham 123', I called upon a friend of mine and asked about it. I have already told you about his potential in giving information regarding the english films. He told about this film, released in the early 70's which carries the theme of a train hijacking, it was a big hit those days and it is now remade with new artists. 'Deja Vu' fame director Tony Scott has re-created the movie.


John Travolta is popular through films like 'Face Off', 'Pulp Fiction', Broken Arrow' etc; but Densel Washington was not so familiar to me compared to the former. Any way hearing the thrilling theme gave me the extra energy to watch the film at any cost. With such an intention I went inside the theater and was sad to see the very less crowd there. The problem in marketing a film won't affect specimens like me, but the majority won't be attracted to theaters because of it. Anyway, no scope for any sentiments once inside the theater, i started watching it.


The film opens with the train scenes followed by the hijacking. The group leader (John Travolta) contacts the guy (Densel Washington) at the controlling section and the demands are given. The New York police takes the case. They are given one hour by the kidnappers for giving the bulk money for the travelers life. Also the kidnappers want the guy at the control room as the mediator. How the travelers are being set freed within the short period of time and what happened to the hijackers is shown here.


No need to describe the caliber the hollywood technicians in handling such a theme and that too for a remake. It is excellently done as expected. The performance of Densel Washington is good. The scene where his honesty and credibility being tested by the kidnappers has got a natural feel and is notable. John Travoltta is different in the negative role with a shaven head and is aggressive also. The way in which the director deals the subject is also notable.


We have seen films like 'Speed' before where a target is fixed already and has to achieve within a matter of time, but here since the target is controlled manually there is every chance for a last minute change, hence this is more thrilling. The cinematography and the editing areas are also top class.


'The Taking of Pelham 123' is an edge of the seat thriller; don't miss it.


Rating : 9 / 10