GIFTED (2017)

Genre: Drama
Running Length: 1:41
Cast: Chris Evans, Lindsay Duncan, McKenna Grace, Octavia Spencer, Jenny Slate
Director: Marc Webb
Screenplay: Tom Flynn

GIFTED explores the premise of unconventional parental upbringing very much similar to last year's Captain Fantastic. The only difference is that the former feels more grounded and emotionally more satisfying.

Frank Adler (Evans) is the guardian of 7-year old Maths prodigy Mary (Grace), his dead sister's daughter. Frank chooses to nurture Mary like any other ordinary kid so she could lead a normal life. While Frank's estranged mother believes that special attention should be given to little Mary to hone her strengths. What ensues is Frank battling his own mother in court over the custody of Mary.

What I really like about this movie is how natural the story unfolds. One can expect such a dramatic plot would manipulate its audience to be emotional and take sides, but it doesn't. Because both sides are "correct" in presenting their case, there is no right or wrong method in parenting a gifted child. As an audience, I too wanted the best for the kid but what is "the best" in such a grey issue which desperately needs closure?

What makes this movie so watchable is the authentic performances. Evans brings his charm here and is believable in his character. Throughout the course of the film, I wasn't reminded that Chris Evans = Captain America (but I suspect I would feel otherwise if Ryan Reynolds was to play this part). The rest of the supporting cast is solid. Of course, the standout here is little McKenna Grace who gives such an honest performance, especially during the quieter emotional moments - I couldn't help but tear up.

This is not a perfect film as I felt the ending was a little too convenient. But I'm not complaining as it's always nice to just watch everyday people quietly going through their joys and struggles of their daily life for a change (vs loud fast cars trying to escape a charging submarine).

RATING: 8.5/10

BIRDMAN (2015)

Genre: Drama/Comedy
Running Length: 2:00
Cast: Michael Keaton, Edward Norton, Naomi Watts, Andrea Riseborough, Emma Stone, Amy Ryan, Zach Galifianakis, Lindsay Duncan
Director: Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu
Screenplay: Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu and Nicolas Giacobone and Alexander Dinelaris and Armando Bo

BIRDMAN (subtitled Or the Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) is a ballsy movie. It will probably go down as one of the greatest satires of our times. The director brings a knife to a gunfight and successfully manages to stab everyone in the room. Nobody gets out alive as this razor sharp dark dramedy skewers everything in Hollywood and New York's Broadway; actors, producers, directors, critics, comic book franchises, 15 mins of fame on social media, pretentious rich and famous old farts etc. But it's not all mockery as the film also examines the crumbling and brokenness of its actors as they desperately search for significance and relevance in brutal Tinseltown. "Relevance" ahhh...Emma Stone's character delivers one of the best (and honest) monologues ever on this topic. That scene alone was worth the price of the ticket. Birdman has a lot to pack into its 2 hours but thankfully, it moves along swiftly. And speaking of that, one of the most talked-about aspect of the film is its single unbroken take (with the aid of meticulous digital editing to erase the seams). The camera never stops - tracking its actors in the premise of a Broadway theatre; through the narrow staircases, corridors, on the stage, on the roof etc. There is something happening every frame, thus making it too busy for my liking. It doesn't stop to breathe and allow moments of silence for the audience to soak in. Nevertheless, the heartbeat of the movie is its excellent performances from its ensemble of cast. Michael Keaton and Edward Norton are particularly good.

Rating: 7.5/10

Broadway theatre, more precisely between its stage, the backstage, the green rooms, the narrow and colourful corridors, the roof, and a small bar round the corner. I - See more at: http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/movie-review/birdman-movie-review-the-sound-of-my-voice/#sthash.loZPyHch.dpuf

Broadway theatre, more precisely between its stage, the backstage, the green rooms, the narrow and colourful corridors, the roof, and a small bar round the corner. I - See more at: http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/movie-review/birdman-movie-review-the-sound-of-my-voice/#sthash.loZPyHch.dpuf

Broadway theatre, more precisely between its stage, the backstage, the green rooms, the narrow and colourful corridors, the roof, and a small bar round the corner. I - See more at: http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/movie-review/birdman-movie-review-the-sound-of-my-voice/#sthash.loZPyHch.dpuf

Broadway theatre, more precisely between its stage, the backstage, the green rooms, the narrow and colourful corridors, the roof, and a small bar round the corner. I - See more at: http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/movie-review/birdman-movie-review-the-sound-of-my-voice/#sthash.loZPyHch.dpuf