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The Crown (2016)
Netflix Reigns with The Crown
First, Perter Morgan is a genius. His study & art of writing respectfully (whilst retaining his artistic freedom) is, as always impressive.
The series is an insight into the life of the Royal Family, mainly The Queen & Prince Phillip. We see her as a refreshingly young carefree woman who ascended to the throne at 25. Her life obviously spun 360; and you see her transition. She may have been brought up to take upon these duties eventually but when she really takes on the role, you see her blossom, her strength, her faults, her unfulfilled wishes, her being torn between family & state.
This series is not a rosy picture of the Royal Family, it is real, it is human. For the first time you realize that the royals are people like us; privileged yet nevertheless, LIKE US. "Heavy is the head that wears the crown" the definition is actualized through this series.The awe, the admiration you feel for the royal family here is also coupled with empathy & curiosity.
The cast is stellar, from Claire Foy (The Queen) to Matt Smith (Prince Phillip), John Lithgow (Winston Churchill); these actors are truly versatile and embodied the characters with great sensitivity & finesse.The language, the mannerisms, the poise & eloquence.
The mood of the series had that subtle pace to everything; it was typically British. No over dramatization. If you never acquainted yourself with the British Royal History, this series creates that curiosity in you. You want to learn more about the royal family, their vast history, their lineage & their personal tales of love & struggle.
The Production of this series was just fabulous. The elaborate grandiose sets, the custom - made vintage costumes were well researched & designed. The locations: besides of course the British sets, I was intrigued by the sets in Africa.
It's a refreshing take on history & I can't wait to live every decade of the Queen's reign through every season of this marvelous series.
Thank you Peter Morgan, Thank you Netflix!
Begin Again (2013)
An Ode to Music, Friendship & New York City
This movie to me is very understated as it should be.
I love the way the entire movie is an ode to love; love for music, love for family, love for what you do (be anything you are passionate about) and a love for New York City. And that to me was romanticized without the usual boy - girl falling in love scenario.
It's a story about how 2 broken people find each other and in turn mutually heal each other while producing an incredibly heart warming album.
The music in this movie was incredible. Lost Stars, Hold on, even the break up song (loved you like a fool) made me wanna wish I did the same to my ex - boyfriend.
A lot of the nuances in the film can be connected to in different levels without over dramatizing the same; like troubled relationships, father - daughter connection, the struggling musicians of the city trying to find their dream.
I've already re - watched this movie a hundred times.And trust me, if far from boredom.
The Accountant (2016)
Intellectual & Thrilling ... Ben Affleck is smarts & brawn!
I think by far one of the best movies I watched this year!
The moment I watched the trailer I was drawn to watch the movie. Ben Affleck is a chameleon, he highly intelligible & convincing as a math savant with merciless military skills and an odd sense of humor.
I love the look of the film. It had a certain geometry in the way it was set and shot. Also, I love a movie where it keeps your mind pacing about the 'what'',who' & 'how'.
Jon Bernthal was an unexpected delight to see on the big screen. I think he held his own in a movie that was completely fixated upon Affleck's character. Though I would have loved to see a bit more of the brother's dynamic.
Overall, the movie is a must watch. Though it's mainly a drama I think it has an all round feel for some thriller, action and moments of comedic relief (yes, I haven't forgotten the quirky Anna Kendrick).
The Girl on the Train (2016)
Toned Gone Girl Feels!
First, before anything else I want to explicitly mention that Emily Blunt is by now one of the best actresses of our generation. The woman convincingly played an alcoholic, mentally unstable woman while she was 4 months pregnant. And in my opinion she has delivered one of her best roles yet.
I was wholly invested and fixated upon her character, which hardly left any attention for the rest of the cast (though, I love Luke Evans).
Her versatility as an actress can be compared to the greats like Meryl Streep, Susan Sarandon, Natalie Portman and Julie Andrews.
I kept theorizing the entire movie about what was happening and what was going to happen. You can't really bank of predictability with this movie (non - book readers) but that's the whole beauty of it.
The torture, the tormented silences, the incriminating blackouts, every thing was so engrossing; it kept me at the edge of my seat the whole time. Of course, there are times when the pace of the movie hits you but one can't really expect a rushed plot.
The movie was an instant reminder of the movie Gone Girl (another movie I love) but minus the extra drama or psychological thriller & gore.
Queen of Katwe (2016)
Inspiring, Cinematic ... Must Watch!
I loved that the movie wasn't typically Disney. There were different flavors to the movie. it was beautifully heartbreaking & inspiring!
Lupita Nyong'o to me is "pure gold", I'd watch the movie over and over again just to see her. Every time she stepped into the frame you could feel a swell of emotion.
The movie was shot beautifully some moments though seemed a little over dramatized. I think Disney has shone a seemingly fair light to the African situation and you can't help but empathize with their situation. I believe the movie could have been crisper.
The addition of the end credits was a very welcome, fresh idea. As intense as the movie was, i guess it eased into a cheery conclusion
Overall, I'd recommend watching the movie; I'd watch it as often as I can.
Grey's Anatomy: The Sound of Silence (2016)
Silence... said a lot more than words!
As I watched the episode I've literally paused on the title credits for the first time, shocked (in a good way ) to see Denzel Washington had directed the episode. Instantly my expectations stepped up.
My favorite Grey's episode possibly in all 12 seasons & Denzel knocked it out the park!
We've been so used to having Meredith's (Pompeo)voice narrative carry us through an entire episode. It was oddly fresh having the silence carry you for a change. I must say Pompeo's performance in this episode trumps all; it was a powerhouse episode for her.
I would like to mention though that Justin Chambers' performance as well was endearing. His character's friendship with Meredith came through as transcendent.
At the end of the day what we needed to take away from this episode is that real recovery only comes through forgiveness; for oneself and the people who've wronged you! And words weren't needed for that.
Sons of Anarchy (2008)
Raw, Smart, Unpredictable ... UNDENIABLY EXCELLENT!
Well let me start by saying that in this case "bad guys losing" is totally depressing! I surprised myself by falling in love with the anti-hero.
First, Kurt Sutter, to create a show about outlaws took real guts. The research, the casting , the story lines, the gritty sadistic genius vision, I was hooked the very moment I started.
The story lines were so raw and compelling; it covered every wrong doing from buying and selling of guns, drugs, human trafficking, prostitution, child pornography, racism and gender bias. I loved that midst the chaos, the adrenaline shot sequences you'd find poetic undertones, moments of vulnerability, loss & comedic relief. Besides that I love,love, love the musical score! I listen to the tracks on loop. The tracks they add to the show's appeal & fit its descriptive.
Actually,I almost didn't give this show a chance. I'd read all about it, seen the promos but never really thought myself to be the kind of person who'd end up watching a show about bad ass bikers!
Which brings me to Hunnam; thanks to Charlie I gave this show a go. I've been an admirer of his work for the longest time (Nickleby, Crimson Peak, Green Street Hooligans, Undeclared, Pacific Rim) and felt silly to have not watched the show that propelled him into the limelight & gave him the bad boy persona...The moment I sat to watch the show, it took me approximately 15 days to binge watch all 7 seasons of the show. His rendition of the anti - hero had me in knots. Though obviously I got hints of some accent slips here and there, he was a convincingly imperfect, sadistic, sociopath with compassionate & lovable undertones. In some ways the "handsome devil"! I felt at times that he was the character he played. And I get that happens after spending almost a decade on the same show, the reel & real character tend to intertwine. And I absolutely loved that!
After Jax's character I think Kim Coates' portrayal of 'Tig' with complex layers of emotions character was amazing to watch. As much as he was hated in season 1 for killing Opie's wife Donna you can't help but weep for this reluctant father as he was forced to watch his daughter being burnt alive right before his eyes. His helpless demeanor to his love hate relationship with Jax followed by his fierce loyalty to him in seasons that follow and then to his much controversial yet supremely endearing relationship with a transvestite "Venus" (another amazingly well added character played by Walton Goggins)in all adds up to brilliant character actor that is Kim Coates.
Ryan Hurst as "Opie"; this massive yet adorable guy just took my heart away. After 'Remember the Titans' this was the first time I watched him on screen again. I love how this tall strong frame can convey just deep emotions & show so much vulnerability. He was conflicted for the longest time in his entire show appearance. Loss after loss we felt his sorrow, his fight with himself. His undying loyalty to Jax was so admirable even in his last moments, and the manner in which he was ended on the show was maybe by far the saddest I've seen on television.
Besides these, shout out to Ron Perlman,Katey Sagal, Tommy Flanagan, Mark Boone Junior & David Labrava. I think the whole ensemble were perfectly cast and brilliantly succeeded adding their own flavor to the characters.
This wasn't only a show about "Bad ass bikers" but a show that gave the stereotype a different face. It feels so ironic to say that I absolutely loved the show by hating every character at some point. You'd wish redemption for them yet you realize that they are beyond redemption.
The series ended on a poetic note! The anti - hero who found redemption & gave the ultimate sacrifice in the name of brotherhood yet not quite as you would imagine it!
I love a show that steers up all the emotions in me and this show did nothing less. I felt all anger, anguish, anxiety,love, hopelessness & of course the strength & meaning of brotherhood.
Raw, Smart, Unpredictable!!!
Sully (2016)
No Frills, Cheap Thrills ... Just Brilliant Storytelling!
It's no surprise when one steps into a cinema to catch Tom Hanks' performance, it will be nothing short of brilliant.
No one can play an ordinary hero like he does! His rendition of the shy & quiet Sully was heart warming. He was understated and compelling! Same goes to his supporting cast members Aaron Eckhart & Laura Linney.
Clint Eastwood doesn't disappoint in bringing us a very human cinema. It wasn't over dramatized, no loud and unnecessary music score to distract from the story.
I loved the non- linear fashion of story telling starting post crash to recollections that follows throughout. One really gets a sense of what 'Sully' went through with the media chaos and investigation that ensued post his successful yet in many ways haunting experience.
And all this fit into a crisp 96 minutes was absolutely brilliant! no lags, no exaggerations; kudos to Mr. Eastwood & the editing team.