BLOOD DIAMOND
143 mins, 2006; Director: Edward Zwick
This is one powerful film. The shooting style is intense, mixing action with heart-wrenching drama with Leonardo DiCaprio’s faux South African accent. In one word, it’s issue-tainment – it puts the issue of conflict diamonds in the public eye. The issues may be simply put, but the brilliant action sequences engage us viscerally. This film is about Danny Archer (Leonardo DiCaprio), a mercenary in South Africa searching for diamonds. Solomon Vandy (Djimon Hounsou), a fisherman, who is also in search of a diamond, is also looking for his son who is kidnapped. Both men are searching for the same diamonds from the same man in a deadly diamond trade. DiCaprio deserves his Oscar nomination for the breathtaking intensity of his performance. Exciting and compelling, but even more than that, it’s a great acting showcase for DiCaprio and Djimon Hounsou.
THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS
117 mins, 2006; Director: Gabriele Muccino
Few films so convincingly portray the titanic struggle that some people face day in and day out just to survive and this is one of them. You may come out rebuking yourself for your laziness or your choices or your fatalism or your fears, but you will come out glad you saw this film. Bonding convincingly with his own son on screen, Smith delivers his most compelling performance since Ali. The film is about Chris Gardner (Will Smith), a 30-year-old man who finds himself jobless and homeless with a young son. They end up living in a train station while he tries to find a job. He ends up training at a brokerage and rises to the top of the corporate ladder. This film is based on a true story. Watch it for Smith’s performance. It is sublime and moving.
BEE MOVIE
90 mins, 2007; Director: Simon J Smith
This animated film is a solid mix of comforting gags and clever language. Never sappy, often clever, and always great to look at. In short, this film is the perfect vehicle to keep the kiddies (and their adults) amused while getting across a well-framed message about species interdependence. After all, a kid’s movie with a moral is quite rare. And yes, this film is as busy as a bee. What distinguishes this better than half-decent comedy is its detailed insight into the bee brain. Bee sure to see this. The story is about Barry B Benson (voiced by Jerry Seinfeld), a bee who has just graduated from college but is disillusioned at his lone career choice: making honey. On a special trip outside the hive, Barry`s life is saved by Vanessa (Renee Zellweger), a florist in New York City. As their relationship blossoms, he discovers humans actually eat honey, and subsequently decides to sue.
MICHAEL CLAYTON
120 mins, 2007; Director: Tony Gilroy
The beauty of this film is that each new viewing brings something fresh and insightful with it. It is a thriller of the most sophisticated type. A killer voice-over by Tom Wilkinson sets the tone for this dramatic thriller, and you’re willing to go on the journey of Clooney, a ‘janitor’ at a prestigious New York law firm. He is actually a legal spin doctor who can make anything, no matter how heinous, disappear. At a time when two of the firm’s lawyers have other things to pursue, Clayton is called upon to adjust the truth. The cast is outstanding, with Clooney giving the strongest performance of his career. It is also a success because the actors work hard to convey a sense of genuine investment in the onscreen problems, and because the rest of the behind-the-scenes technicians do immaculate, invisible work. Michael Clayton is that scintillating and a thriller about character.