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Reviewspreviews
The Wicker Man
Nicholas Cage’s previous flick, The Weather Man, had a life-like story. His latest performance in The Wicker Man has a similar description; but this time, the storyline involves the extra terrestrial and yet does not quite divert from the path of reality. A horror-cum-suspense sequence, one can immediately feel the connection between Cage and the story line.
Edward Malus (Nicholas Cage), a patrolling police officer on the California highway, retrieves a stuffed toy for a young traveller. But moments later, a truck slams into her station wagon which bursts it into flames, killing both the mother and the child. For a long while after the incident, he struggles with the memories of this horrifying accident.
It is after receiving a letter from his former fiancée, Willow (Kate Beahan) –– who had suspiciously gone missing years ago and is now seeking help to relocate their missing daughter, Rowan (Erica Shaye Gair) and trusting only Edward with it –– that he sets off for the remote island of Summersisle, a place of false rituals and arcane traditions.
This is where Edward realizes that the invite has only fused more into his life rather than providing him with an opportunity to redeem his long-lost contentment. Each step he takes towards the child leads him closer to the ‘Wicker Man’. Be warned though: the film in itself is not scary. It is the deep themes of betrayal and struggle that it carries where the heavy darkness lies. —
Tahir Yahya
BrazilBrazil can best be described as a despotic science-fiction black comedy. Though inspired by 1984, the movie takes a different approach to a dystrophic future overrun by bureaucracy and paper work. Everything is exaggerated to a great degree, as in all of Gilliam’s movies.
Jonathan Pryce stars as Sam Lowry, a low-level bureaucrat-cum-technician who spends most of his time daydreaming. Lowry’s life drastically changes when he makes a mistake at work, causing his neighbour to get arrested on charges of terrorism. At the same time, he discovers that the woman he often dreams about is that man’s wife.
Though his friends warn him, Lowry’s persistence leads him along a disastrous path. The film also stars Michael Palin, Robert DeNiro (who originally wanted to play the lead), Kim Greist, Katherine Helmond, Bob Hoskins, and Ian Holm –– characters that affect Lowry’s journey and ultimately change his life.
This two-disc special edition contains two versions of the movie: Gilliam's original and the edited version. Brazil: Love Conquers All is a watered down version of the original cut. It also includes a re-done ending that drastically alters the story and theme of the movie –– something that angered and upset Terry Gilliam so much that he fought with the studio for a very long time to get his original cut back.
Brazil is a must buy for fans of Gilliam’s other works, especially since this edition includes his original version of the movie. — Khaver Siddiqi
The SaintBefore there was “Bond, James Bond”, there was “Simon Templar”. Leslie Charteris's fictional detective was brought to life by Roger Moore in the TV series of the ‘60s, long before the actor donned the role of Ian Fleming's secret agent, James Bond.
The Saint was recently released on DVD, providing all with a chance to witness the comedy, action, suspense and murder that has led to countless imitations around the world. Strictly following the formula of ‘damsel in distress with Russians/KGB in pursuit', each episode crackles with excitement, intrigue and beautiful locations.
The then 35-year-old Roger Moore was exactly what Simon Templar was required to be — inordinately brave and devilishly handsome. He sped across the world saving one beautiful lady at a time and kept his cool in the most dangerous of situations, being it getting arrested for a girl, becoming involved in a supernatural mystery or finding the loved ones of the ones he loved.
At the start of each episode, he simply raised a trademark eyebrow with a halo appearing overhead whenever he was referred to. In his quest for justice, he solved murders, evoked a bloodless revolution and managed to save the day the Templar way.
This two-disc box set contains six of the best episodes from the seven year series, with special features like Roger Moore's biography and filmography, episode trailers and a photo gallery to keep you glued to your screen. —Omair Alavi
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