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monsoondreamer
Reviews
White House Down (2013)
Nobody told me!
Possible Spoilers
Given the mixed reviews on this film, it was with some misgivings that we went ahead to the theatre this afternoon. Both of us found the film to be a totally entertaining way to spend two hours. No, it wasn't totally believable (is any thriller, really)? But it didn't take itself too seriously, which I found completely refreshing and entertaining. Along with the suspense, danger, and revelations, there are some truly funny moments.
I live in a frighteningly conservative part of the country, and I did notice that not everyone was entertained, even at the funny bits. It seemed to me the reaction was more political than anything, because there is certainly a political message to the film. (Not to mention the muttering I heard on the way out of the theatre.) I enjoyed all the characters and found them to be relatable and unpredictable.
All in all, not a world-changing film, but an enjoyable one.
In Custody (1994)
Beautiful and Thoughtful Meditation on a Dying Culture
In Custody is Ismail Merchant's beautiful retelling of Anita Desai's novel about the death of a language and a culture as reflected in the decline of one individual. Om Puri and Shashi Kapoor play men watching, with varying degrees of remorse and resignation, the death of the Urdu language, a language of poetry, erudition and courtliness. Shabana Azmi, as Nur's (Kapoor) second wife, a courtesan and singer of ghazals, is a bridge between what is passing and the rash future. Their performances are sensitive and subtle and quietly heartbreaking. The cinematography is exquisite, making the film visually rich and haunting. There are many strong performances, and the secondary characters are well-cast. The film is more theme-driven than plot-driven, so probably not suited to every taste. One of my very favorite Ivory-Merchant offerings.