Neerja (2016): Bollywood Film Review

Stay strong…it solves every problem.
And secondly…
Don’t ever do or tolerate
something that’s wrong.
Who’s my brave girl?

Neerja Bhanot’s Father

A film about bravery courage and kindness, ‘Neerja'(Directed by Ram Madhvani) is a true story surrounding the early death of a 23-year-old head purser (Panam Flight 73). A civilian who sacrificed her own life for hundreds of passengers aboard, that was hijacked from Karachi by terrorists on the 5th of September 1986.

Listen to the real voice of Neerja Bhanot here:

Although not deemed as a biopic or a documentary, Neerja (2016) still manages to carry the emotional intensity between each character. Particularly those who played Neerja and her mum, (i.e Sonam Kapoor and Shabana Azmi). For me, these two actresses conveyed their characters with sheer realness and emotion. This for me drew me even further into the film itself.

See the official trailer here:

Learn more about the tragic hijacking here: Neerja Bhanot (facts)[4]

A message from Neerja’s Mother, Rama Bhanot:

After watching the film, I would have to say I was completely struck with emotion. For me, this particular story (that I was too young to ever know about), really took me aback. As sad as it is tragic, it’s also amazing and inspirational. It shows us that in the darkest of situations, one woman truly risked everything to save hundreds of passengers. A group of people that she wasn’t connected to in any way, but felt she had a duty to protect. She was truly a hero, one who lost her life too soon.

It saddens me that she isn’t alive today, but it’s her spirit that lives on as its remains immortal. Its a spirit which is carried through those on that flight and through to those who witnessed it from the outside. Its one that will never be forgotten, as it will be remembered not only in India but also worldwide. As a woman who sacrificed her own life without hesitation to save passengers onboard. A woman who fulfilled her duty as a daughter, a sister and a hero (one who was defiant and courageous).

Neerja’s Mother, Rama Bhanot (film dialogue):

“Her horoscope said that she was destined to be a shining light. That she would carry the familys honour.”

My Rating of ‘Neerja (2016)’: 8.5/10

A story of bravery and courage, ‘Neerja’ is a true story of a selfless human being who sacrificed her own life to save many others. She was bright, charismatic and adored, along with being  the true heart of her family.

This film certainly doesn’t hold back any of the emotion, with each scene conveying various moods. Whether that be seeing Neerja with her family or seeing her keep everyone calm, aboard a flight that’s been hijacked. This film is one which should not be missed. With some standout performances from Sonam Kapoor (Neerja) and Shabana Azmi (Neerja’s Mother: Rama Bhanot), this is a film which must be watched! Witness the power of family and the strength of a young woman, who sadly passed before receiving India’s highest civilian award (The Ashok Chakra)for peace and bravery (being the youngest recipient ever).

Bibliography

1) FoxStar Studios (no date) Movie Still (image)-‘Neerja(2016)’. Available at: http://english.manoramaonline.com/content/dam/mm/en/entertainment/review/images/2016/Feb/19/neerja-main.jpg.image.784.410.jpg (Accessed: 26 June 2016).

2) FoxStarHindi (2015) Neerja | official trailer | Sonam Kapoor | Shabana Azmi. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7779JrWy04g (Accessed: 26 June 2016).

3) FoxStarHindi (2016) Neerja | the voice of Neerja Bhanot. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=umfqvSUInBY (Accessed: 26 June 2016).

4) Neerja Bhanot: Some facts on the hijacking incident and her ‘last recorded voice’: Did you know? (2016) Available at: http://indiatoday.intoday.in/education/story/neerja-bhanot/1/584655.html (Accessed: 26 June 2016).

5) FoxStarHindi (2016a) Making of Neerja #4: Rama Bhanot’s blessings. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVuVRbejG84 (Accessed: 26 June 2016).

Independence Day: Resurgence (2016) Film Review

Recently I watched the big budgeted ‘Independence Day (1996)’ sequel. Let’s just say I wasn’t exactly ‘thrilled with enjoyment’ (nor were my friends as they yawned in unison) after leaving the cinema screen.

A bland and confusing ‘disaster’ film that is let down by its overplayed CGI visuals, and nonsense plot. ‘I.D: Resurgence’ fails to bring anything new over from its counterpart ‘Independence Day’ (1996).

In short, the film follows civilization moving on from the events of ‘Independence Day’. With a rise in new technology and software, civilization has grown. However as an old foe comes to the surface, Earth may never be the same. Can the ‘Earth Space Defense’ system team (developed after the events of ‘Independence Day’) fight of their deadliest enemy in a brutal showdown with an unlikely alias? Or will history repeat itself once again?

Before watching the film I probably should have done some research, or better yet seen the first one. However, seeing as it was a disaster film I thought to myself ‘what could they possibly do different?’

Throughout the film what really let it down (for me), was its overuse of CGI. You may say “but every disaster film uses CGI to harness the action”, and yes you are right. However does every disaster film have unclear scenes, confusing narrative events to random character arcs and locations (not to mention dialogue deliveries)?

Overall I would say only really watch this film if you’ve seen the first. Or watch it to kill boredom, better yet watch it if you want to forget your intelligence for 2 hours or so. In the films defense the film can sometimes be visually stunning, however, this is completely let down by a very corny script and unclear scene transitions.

I would say the main problem I had with the film was that none of the scenes gave you time to process any of the emotion or even action. It all felt a bit too rushed, making us aware at every stage of the film that CGI had been ‘heavily used’.

Rating: 1/10

Watch ‘Independence Day: Resurgence’ as an excuse to kill time, or to lose yourself in sleep for 2 hours or so. Don’t watch it if you are looking for an intelligently different ‘disaster’ film or one that will grab positively with its fair use of CGI effects.

See the official trailer here:

Bibliography

20th Century Fox (2015) Independence day: Resurgence | official trailer [HD] | 20th century FOX. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LbduDRH2m2M (Accessed: 23 June 2016).

Me Before You (2016)- Extended Film Review

Live life to the full, cease it! Will Traynor

Can you imagine your life taking a drastic turn after one event? What if you never imagined it or even felt it happening truly? Would you eventually face up to it or would you stop living?

‘Me Before You’ (based on the bestselling rom-com by Jojo Moyles) follows a good looking  & successful businessman being forced into a new way of living after a very serious accident occurs. For William Traynor (Sam Claflin), his life was exciting, exhilarating and amazing, as cliche as it sounds he had everything. So imagine after his accident how he felt, giving a lot of it up, looking in the mirror and feeling down and useless. Could he ever move on with his life positively or even find a new way of living? He thought not, that’s until he met Louise (Lou) Clark. Initially his ‘too perky’ carer, Lou teaches him not only to live but also to love, she shows him that he can have a new life and that he can cease it no matter how his body was or even how he felt he could live! However, Clark soon begins to understand that maybe Trainor doesn’t want to live so long, maybe he has a plan that has been in motion for some time. Can she change his mind or even show him that time is something he should cherish? Or will she herself be surprised by what he ends up teaching her?

Though extremely tragic and sad, ‘Me Before You’ sustains its wit and charm throughout, with Emilia Clarke (Game of Thrones) holding the film on her shoulders. Clarkes character exuberates sheer rawness and life, that it’s hard for you to ignore her ditziness or even childlike tendencies. She’s a character that you fall in love with right from the start, due to her family values, decisions, qualities and of course style of dress (which let’s just say is extremely quirky).

I would say watch ‘Me Before You’ for a reaffirmation of life itself and of course love! Feel every nuance of sadness, joy and laughter. Get ready to cease life by the horns in a rom-com that should not be missed this summer! Open your heart and embrace life, take up a new hobby, take up a new challenge. Live not only for today but live to the max! As William says in the film “Live life to the full, cease it”!

Some drawbacks of the film, however, included the extremely slow plot, which for me just about kept me tuned (if not for the leads holding the film on their shoulders). Another  could have shed light on Claflin’s characters (Will) accident and how he felt upon the accident happening. This would have offered his character more of a backstory for the audience to take in slowly. I would say that my perception of the film would’ve have changed if I read the book (by Jojo Moyles) first, as it would’ve have given me a different perspective on each scene and the movies order of events.

One last thing I’d like to bring up is the controversial topic of Euthanasia. Now although Euthanasia is briefly touched on in the film, many critics were disappointed with the film due to this topic. This was because they felt the film gave out the message that not having love was more tragic than having a disability, thus in a way felt that it labelled disability as a ‘burden’. Now although the story is a work of fiction, can love truly be more devasting than having a disability?

Check out one article on Euthanasia and ‘Me Before You’ here:

Me Before You (2016) Backlash

Rating: 7/10

Riddled with emotion, joy and laughter, ‘Me Before You’ shows us the true meaning of life itself when one’s world may get extremely dark. It teaches us to cease each moment even in the darkest of days. Watch ‘Me Before You’ for its two leads, as they carry the story along in harmony and hope. Get ready to weep and to listen to your heartstrings this summer. Love, Live and dream big!

See the official trailer here:

Me Before You (2016) in Cinemas Now

Bibliography

1) tumblr (image) (no date) Me Before You (Film Still) Gif. Available at: https://lovethyshelfblog.files.wordpress.com/2016/06/tumblr_o24a6qw0gh1ut2o4so4_500.gif?w=748 (Accessed: 15 June 2016).

2) Pro-Euthanasia film ‘Me before You’ panned by disability rights campaigners (2016) Available at: http://www.lifenews.com/2016/05/27/pro-euthanasia-film-me-before-you-panned-by-disability-rights-campaigners/ (Accessed: 15 June 2016).

3) Movieclips Trailers (2016) Me before you official trailer #1 (2016) – Emilia Clarke, Sam Claflin movie HD. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eh993__rOxA (Accessed: 15 June 2016).

The Nice Guys (2016)- Film Review

Russel Crowe and Ryan Reynolds carry us along in this 1970’s inspired crime caper, as two very different private eyes (in both working style and persona). ‘The Nice Guys’ (15) not only emphasises the nightlife of the 1970’s but it also showcases the slapstick chemistry between the lead pair. It’s a film which could have easily gone wrong, in a summer full of box office hits such as ‘The Jungle Book’ & ‘Captain America: Civil War’ to name a few. However with some standout performances from Crowe and Russell to an interesting plot line, the film sure grabs out attention taking us back to the 70’s in style and intrigue.

In short, two private eyes team up, after a not so pleasant encounter. Both go on the search for a missing porn star, who’s involved in a movement which is garnering attention from individuals who are not so liked. Will they get to her in time before the bad guys catch up with them, and are they working for the right side?

One of the highlights of the film would have to be the relationship between Angourie Rice’s character and Goslings. It’s in this film that they play dad and daughter, where their bond is one which is certainly ‘entertaining’. With her sharp wit and grown ups tendencies (in terms of street smart) Rice certainly gives Goslings character a run for his money considering she tends to outdo him at every turn. Whether it’s questioning his parenting skills or even branding him as ‘The Worst Detective’ due to his drinking habits. Let’s just say Shane Black (Iron Man 3) certainly directs this buddy cop drama incredibly well, making many feel nostalgic of the 70’s in terms of his neo-noir filming style.

See the official trailer here [2]:

My Verdict: 8/10

With an incredibly tight script and a stellar cast, ‘The Nice Guys’ certainly brings something new to buddy cop dramas, even if it’s taking us back to the 70’s. While certainly a different type of film than ‘Iron Man 3’, Black manages to hold our attention at every turn. Whether its the perfectly refined chemistry of Gosling and Crowe, to the sleepy yet bright setting of Los Angeles. However, one thing which could have been possibly fine-tuned could have been the ending, as the plot slowly diminished towards the end rather than keeping us hooked to the screen one last time. Overall however if you see one buddy cop drama this summer, be sure to see ‘The Nice Guys’ (in cinemas now).

Bibliography

1) Alexander, J., Bros, W. and Polygon. (2016) The Nice Guys (Screen Still)- http://www.Polygon.Com (The Nice Guys Review). Available at: https://cdn2.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/9SNTgz-Mj4uP-vifhTB4XWYy-JM=/cdn0.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/6518575/nice-guys3.0.jpg (Accessed: 13 June 2016). Image (Warner Bros)

2) Warner Bros. Pictures (2015) The nice guys – official trailer [HD]. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ihb8vCrj2kc (Accessed: 13 June 2016).