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raulkulkarni
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The Crystal Maze (1990)
Crystal Maze - The Birth of Entertainment
I grew up watching this show in the 90s. I don't quite remember the time it used to be aired on TV but I am sure it was some time in the evening after school. Richard O'Brien, being a true entertainer would keep me engaged for the entire hour. What's more. My mom used to love the show too and watch it with me whenever possible.
What an idea for a game show! Different games with versatile genres like Mystery, Physical, Mental, etc., spanned 2-3 mins across different Zones : Aztec, Medieval, Industrial, and Futuristic (chronologically arranged, now i get it) , collecting crystals for obtaining 5 seconds in the beautiful Crystal Dome. I used to admire the entire set of The Crystal maze. What a well-crafted effort the whole crew of the show had put up there. A true team-effort. Kudos to the designers, the cast and crew and the entire production unit for making my childhood exciting! How much I have wanted to praise you guys. I guess IMDb has to be the right platform!!
Why I liked the show is also for the basic scientific approach it took. Perfectly balanced levels of difficulty, Perfect level of details in each zone, for example - the sun-dials in the Medieval zone as opposed to digital watches in the Futuristic Zone, Bubbling acids in the Industrial Zone, etc. There was no room for error! Finally when you enter the maze, "Will ya start the fans please".. and soon we see contestants convert their hard-earned time into glory.
Throughout the entire show, what keeps the adrenalin pumping is the Theme tune of The Crystal maze entitled Force Field composed by Zack Lawrence. I can never forget that track in my lifetime. I always thought it brought a Star Wars kind of feeling with it. At that time, this track was at another level.
All in all, when I look back at the show from the Futuristic Zone of 2012, I am driven into nostalgia and I must say that I was and will continue to be a true fan of this wonderful show.
It was truly the birth of quality entertainment!
Killing Them Softly (2012)
Its what on the streets that matter..
Clearly, Andrew Dominic has one one topic in mind - 'Investor Sentiments'. Concentrating mainly on a particular mob-controlled poker game and an eventual 'crisis' that follows, Dominic satirically compares it with the US financial situation against the backdrop of an upcoming General elections.
Brad Pitt as Jackie Cogan is impressive, teaching an important diplomatic lesson that - 'Its what on the Street that matters..'. Yes! Scapegoat's the word. Some scenes like the beating of Markie are brutal when compared to the musical soft nemesis offered by Jackie.
Not to mention the brilliance of the supporting crew. A particular scene which shows a character Russel depicting so perfectly the state of oblivion as experienced by him. Some brilliant direction there.
I liked the movie for it entertained me for the 90+ minutes.
I only hope Dominic is successful in proving a point to his Investors!
Notting Hill (1999)
..How love should be, floating through a dark blue sky- with a goat playing a violin!
Notting Hill is an exceptional Rom-Com flick, and one of the very few which actually take your breath away.
William Thacker, a divorced gentleman from London, who stays with a quite tolerable Welsh room-mate, strangely meets the gorgeous American Actress Anna Scott in his tiny not-so-profit making Travel Book Shop. When a non-affordable Orange juice is spilled all over Ms Scott, the plot begins to unfold in a series of emotionally complicated twists and turns as we dig deep into the lives of this made-for-each-other couple with a constant Fate (sometimes spelled as Scott's Annoying Boyfriend) Intervention.
All praises for the cast of this film. Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts play two totally contrasting characters; Roberts- the foul-tempered, moody, controversy-phobic girl and Grant- the humble, charming, and at times a reality-struck lad. Also, apart from the brilliant supporting crew, a person of interest to me was Dylan Moran, as Rufus the Book Thief, who ironically goes on to create and host a Book related Popular TV Series later on.
At times of depression, Roger Michell beautifully uses Hugh Grant's subtle sense of humor to get the momentum back on track. Some real intelligent use of comedy, some intentional puns (Robert's Big Feet, Large Shoes) and some British Classics (Whoopsidaisies!) make this movie a thoroughly enjoyable film.
A predictable end is expected, however, Julia's beautiful smile and Elvis Costello's 'She' makes your heart pump up with unexpected Love hormones. I enjoyed the entire 124 minutes and can definitely watch it numerous times. If only Julia's interpretation of Chagall's work was true, the quest for Love would be simple, or would it?
I give it a well-deserved 9 out of 10.