Monday, September 30, 2002

Se7en

Se7en is an interesting and ingenious movie. It’s the story of missionary type serial killer, who forces each of his victims to die by acting out one of the seven deadly sins. The Catholic Church’s seven deadly sins are Gluttony, greed, sloth, envy, wrath, pride, and lust.

When retiring homicide detective Somerset investigates a unique murder of an obese man brutally murdered in his home, ( Script writer Andrew Kevin Walker plays as the corpse) the seasoned investigator in him tells that it is only the beginning. It proved true when mysterious John Doe start killing his victims in a strange religious fashion with extreme cruelty.

Detective Somerset is almost burned out by seeing the senseless violence around him and retiring voluntarily from his profession. He instantly knew that the new murder investigation is going to be a problem to his retirement plans. Still he reluctantly involved in the investigation primarily because of his superior’s insistence, who thinks the replacing detective Mills is too young to handle a case like this. Another reason could be Somerset may also fascinate with the enigmatic killer’s unconventional methods.

Mills, the young detective is energetic and enthusiastic contrary to the calm and wise approach of Somerset. They don’t appreciate each other in the beginning but after the initial animosity they became rather close friends thanks to Mills wife Tracy.

As the methodical murders continue, Mills learns a lot from the seasoned detective Somerset. Together they try to confront the murderer and understand his motivation. Yet something is still elusive, until one day the mysterious murderer surrender himself to the investigating duo with a peculiar demand. Mills and Somerset are about to get involved in something they are not prepared or imagined even in their wildest dreams!

In many qualities this film surpasses the acclaimed hits like Silence of the Lambs and many of the so called serial killer movies. Andrew Kevin Walker’s screenplay is the backbone of this bleak thriller. His script alone made this film a modern classic and a study in deviant psychology.

David Fincher made Se7en with remarkable panache while vividly provoking undulating emotions from poignant scenes. Morgan Freeman and Brad Pitt are giving their best performance as Somerset and Mills. You will see a different Brad Pitt in Se7en, not the usual chocolate hero. Kevin Spacey is brilliantly cast as the diabolically mysterious John Doe. His portrayal of the elusive and exceptional serial killer win a lot of accolade to him and many consider the role is his tour de force. Gwyneth Paltrow provides serenity to the scenes as the supportive wife to Brad Pitt’s character Mills. A nihilistic film-noir for the filmophiles and a must for mystery buffs.
SE7EN
Also known as : Seven, The Seven Deadly Sins
Year 1995
Director : David Fincher
Script : Andrew Kevin Walker
Cast: Brad Pitt, Morgan Freeman, Gwyneth Paltrow, Kevin Spacey
Genre : Crime, Mystery, Drama, Film-Noir, Horror, Thriller
Country:
USA
Language: English
Colour: Colour - DeLuxe
Runtime: 127 min
Cyril's Rating: Excellent

Thursday, September 19, 2002

The Omega Man


The Omega Man
Charleton Heston is the last man on earth!
Yes, after Moses, El Cid, and Ben Hur! The spectacular yet violent movie based on a free adaptation of Richard Matheson's 1953 novel I Am Legend. Heston plays Robert Neville, a military research physician who was the sole survivor of a deadly plague that has ravaged humanity. Now he is post apocalyptic scavenger hunting photophobic mutant albinos, if you are thinking H.G. Wells' Time Machine and the eerie Morlocks, I won't blame you. These post apocalyptic mutants, called the family, are also the new race of neo-humans who hates all the remnants of past and human civilization. They are hunting Neville and he is hunting them. It's a monotonous hunt that is characterized by day and night; light and dark just like the eternal struggle inside the human psyche and that of good and evil - and who else is there to play the Messianic (remember the ending, eh?) saviour of mankind other than Charlton Heston.
Neville is one of the scientists responsible for the creation of the virus, the sinner yet he is also the salvation as his blood may contain virus antibodies which he developed and used on himself.

The Omega Man
Directed By Boris Sagal

Cast: Charlton Heston, Anthony Zerbe, Rosalind Cash, Paul Koslo
Year: 1971
Genere: Sci-fi/Drama
Runtime: 98 min
Country: USA

Language: English
Colour: Technicolor
Cyril's Rating: Average to Good