Nacho Libre

Nacho Libre (2006)

Jack Black did all well for ‘The school of Rock’ and if you’ve watched that movie, you can understand that ‘The school of Rock’ rocked. Jack Black tried his best to do justice to ‘Nacho Libre’ also. There’s a spark in the movie but the magic never builds. Around 15 minutes of the movie out of 140 minutes run time, is in Spanish. There is not more than couple of recognized faces in the movie.

Nacho’s friend is an interesting character and so is the chubby orphan kid. There may be numerous flaws in the movie but what I deem the most important was that it never took the viewers with it. Whenever we are been shown the story of underdogs, we expect the underdogs to come heavy and then take you with them. But this movie fails to play with the sentiments of audience and this makes it a bit of mediocre comedy. Some of the fighting sequences in the ring are hilarious. More than couple of sequences have been dragged a bit and that is where the movie bores you.

All the flaws of the movie are to major extent countered by the positives of it. Best thing about the movie is it is short. The next best thing is that for the most part movie is hilarious. Characters of Nacho, his skinny friend, the chubby orphan kid, the Lilliputian fighters and the nun-in-love are really interesting and enjoyable. The whole set up in church is really funny. All the flatulence jokes, bits and pieces of bad language and lot of funny character constitute this movie.

My Verdict; it’s worth a watch but don’t expect big things.

My Rating: 6.5/10
Entertainment Value : 80%

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (2001)

My Rating: 7.6
Entertainment Value:94%

Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story

Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story (2004)

I am sure not many will like this movie. I liked it. The salient feature of the movie is that it’s crisp, short and tight. It never gave a chance to get bored or to take your eyes off the screen. The theme of the movie may seem comic at first glance but it has got something more than that. This is about teamwork and togetherness. It’s about average people. The character of White played by Ben Stiller is really disturbing which indicates that Ben managed to do the justice to his role. Vince Vaughn was also good. The comic sequences are funny. The double meaning sentences are not that well timed. Character of Coach of Joe’s team was impressive. Lance Armstrong managed to motivate Joe but not the audience. There’s nothing great about movie but then also nothing so bad about this movie. Stiller and Vaughn have got nice timing together, it seems. This movie can definitely be watched once.

My Rating: 6.6
Entertainment Value:95%

Erin Brockovich

Erin Brockovich (2000)

I loved this movie. This is a movie based on a real incident and the story has been adapted in a perfect way. Julia Roberts has given a tremendous performance in the film. It’s a story of the flawed lady with no relevant qualification who made it such big on his own. She just believed on her instincts and ultimately conquered the world. The story at times really touches the heart. Characters of Ed Masery and George have been so well demarked that you can actually feel them around. I still remember one of the dialogues Julia delivered (there may be some misplacement of words here and there): “As long as I have one ass instead of two, I will wear whatever I want to”. Dialogues such as these identify the character of Erin. Erin is beautiful, smart, confident and above all humanist. In the later part of the movie, I as a viewer also felt like filing a case against PG & E. ‘Erin Brockovich’ is a powerful story of a needy, flawed and unqualified lady who has got qualities that are much more important than these. Full marks to Julia Roberts for portraying her as Erin!! This movie is a must watch.

My Rating : 7.5
Entertainment Value: 87%

Lemony Snicket's - A series of unfortunate events

Lemony Snicket's - A series of unfortunate events (2004)

This is a gripping movie with marvelous visuals and extremely interesting characters. In most of his acting performances Jim Carrey sucks, and the very first act of him in the movie as Count Olaf proves this further but later appearances and acts of Carrey are wonderful. Story is a bit dark, bit humorous and but scary. You’ll love Sunny, Violet and Klaus. You will enjoy the company of the snakes, the python, the leaches, the three eyed frog and the red cobra with the two heads. Violet is a determined inventor and the character is the lead of the whole group of the orphans including the book worm Klaus and biter Sunny.

After all the unfortunate events throughout the story the climax of the movie is not at all unfortunate. There are numerous sequences in the movie to be talked about. Some of the most prominent are the Car on the rail track scene, the collapse of aunt Josephine’s house and the one where Sunny starts playing with the large black snake to prove that the snake is harmless. The feel of the movie will make you think that a lot of money was spent on creating all the wonderful and amazing visuals. Jim Carrey has played his role fairly decently. Meryl Streep has also done justice to character of Aunt Jo.

I can really talk about this movie for long but I want to stop here and want you to watch this movie. This is more than worth a watch. I’ll keep this movie in the category of ‘The Princess Bride’ and even ‘Harry Potter’.

My Rating: 7.1/10
Entertainment Value: 94%

Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby

Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby (2006)

I went to this cheap theatre that was showing just two movies: ‘Barnyard’ and ‘Talladega Nights’. I opted for ‘Barnyard’ but the show was already started so had to settle with ‘Talladega....’. I have already quoted a number of times that I don’t like Will Ferrell somehow as a natural comedian. But as an exception I liked him a bit in this movie. This is a movie about nothing. I believe Will Ferrell didn’t have to spend too much to produce this movie, all the money must have been grown on advertising and commercials. This is totally an ‘Applebee’ movie!!! See it to believe it.

I’ve read that Will Ferrell finally managed to record a box office number one opening with this movie. This movie is a mindless exercise. It has got lot of gags and funny sequences. Some of the sequences are more irritating than comical especially those in which Ferrell is running on NASCAR tracks wearing just underwear. The French connection to this movie made it even more enjoyable. Don’t know who that guy was, but the French driver was really funny. In short movie is worth a watch. Leave your brains at your home, go to the theatre and laugh out loud. It’s time to ‘Shake-n-Bake’.

My Rating: 6.65/10
Entertainment Value: 80%

Get Shorty

Get Shorty (1995)

My Rating: 6.5/10
Entertainment Value: 85%