Movie Review: Speed Racer

Another movie that has released close on the heels of action flick Iron Man is Speed Racer. Adapted from the Japanese animation by the same name it is a movie about a younger brother’s fight to avenge his ‘dead’ elder brother – Rex.

Rex Racer was in his time the best race car driver of all times. He, however, is supposed to have died in a Grand Prix that turned dirty. Accusation flew and Rex’s family was investigated for employing illegal means to win the races.

As li’l Speed grew, all he has ever wanted is to bring back the respect his family commanded. Racing is in his blood and he drives his Mach 5 like stupendously. As his name grows the racing cartel wants him to join them and play for their company.

Speed refuses only to realize that the cartel has been for years fixing the outcome of all races and since Rex was not on their side he was axed… To catch the bad guys he bands with a couple of racers including an amazing racer named Racer X. A race car drive whose abilities astonish even Speed.

The movie has very cartoon like special effects and is a typical good-versus-evil story. Star cast wise there is only one really well known name that is Susan Sarandon as Speed and Rex’s mom. Really, what was she thinking when she signed this. Susan has been brilliant in movies like Stepmom, but this was just tiny role that any run-of-the-mill actress could easily have slipped into.

It is neither a great movie nor is it bad.

It is an average flick that you could watch on DVD or perhaps if the summer holidays are near then you and your kids could go watch this. The racing scenes are fun to watch and some of the specially engineered new “tricks” that have been added to the cars for the Grand Prix race can be a real treat.

Stars: * * *

Movie Review: Iron Man

If action and panache is something you are searching for then Iron Man is a sure winner at the box office. A Marvel comic, it has been brilliantly adapted for the typical Hollywood experience.

It is a story about Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) who is a weapons specialist. His genius has given the world fantastical destructive weapons, which according to Stark keeps the balance of power in the world…basically world peace intact.

During one of his trips to show off his new missile system, he encounters the wrath of terrorists. Trapped in a cave and sparked by a need to survive, Tony Stark transforms himself to Iron Man. A robot that can fly, shoot, save damsels in distress and do all that will fullfil any young boy's fantasy!

His journey from a spoilt brat to a world peace seeker is full of plenty of high action drama and humour. Gwyneth Paltrow as Ms. Pepper Pots plays the smart and very-much-in-love secretary. Very restrained acting by Paltrow...though really with an actress like her the director could have got much much more from her. Downey Jr., on the other hand, does great playing the brash over-confident young man he is in real life as well. He looks sexy and this being his first blockbuster, we are sure he will cherish this superhero forever.


All said and done, Iron Man has great stunts and special effects that keep you hooked through the entire 2 hours. Though, I wish they had the suit look and move in a sleeker fashion...like a Terminator inspired soft alloy one.

Recommended to all those who are looking for something to unwind with this weekend.

By the way, be sure that in the next year or two you will see a sequel...

Stars: * * * *

The biggest F word!

Fidelity. Yes, that is a word that perhaps is the most important word in any relationship. Of course, then come faith, fun and eventually the future.

So, what is important physical fidelity or emotional fidelity?

Perhaps, many would disagree, but emotional fidelity is more important, ultimately. It is because of the disrespect of the emotional bond that lets deceit, lies and needless “was at an official party” excuses creep in.

Now, forgiveness is another huge F word that one is advised to keep part of the relationship too. But, forgiving when your trust has been breached? Is that not, in fact, pure foolhardiness?

All I can say is that the hollowness inside of you, that emptiness after you know that the one you trusted and loved with your life betrays you…there can never be the same bond. Trust once lost, is difficult if not impossible to regain.

So, should you still forgive and go in for a relationship where the threads of love have already been burnt?

The conversation is thrown open to you…

It makes me see RED!

“Oh, darling…with people like you by my side, why would not my world rock….and you know honey how selective I am…you know more than most;-)”

Does this not sound like a very cheesy and flirtatious comment? You know what is the worst thing? It is made by an elderly lady to a young man who is quite hitched and getting married soon!

What is with the older crowd? I thought it was just old degenerate men in our local buses who still had too much of testosterone running through their body. I am clearly wrong; of late I have seen older women picking up younger boys happily just to satiate a few needs. And yes, some men seem to be making the most of it.

The world seems sadly driven by self obsession and a compulsive need to be desired. Switch on the television or surf the Internet and voila in minutes you would be told you resemble ‘Ugly Betty’. Turn around, and the first man who says, “Oh, baby you are sooo pretty” and you go after him like a flame after TNT. Why did I use an explosive for a metaphor, well that is because the relationship you zipped after is self destructive.

Many older women say they have enormous self confidence and therefore go for younger charming men. Baah – hogwash! The younger man gives you the confidence in the first place, if it was not for say Ashton perhaps Demi would not be the same person she is today.

So am I against it? No, find love wherever, but stooping down to the levels of depravity…that is sad. And I pity you, lady. Know, when you have over stepped the border…

Broken guitar...

Do you know what it feels like loving someone that’s in a rush to throw you away?
Do you know what it feels like to be the last one to know the lock on the door has changed?
.
.
How can I love you? How can I love you? How can I love you? How can I love you? . . . If you just don’t talk to me, babe?

- Enrique Iglesias

And now I ask you this how many of you have felt that you gave it your all…you got a hint, and you ran after that flicker of hope. You were there, but he never came home. And what was left inside of you got sucked inside a black hole. It showed on your face, but you fought it bravely. The world saw you smile, yet a gnawing pain was eating you inside.

But what if you had to give up your love? Or you were there, he was there…but there was something missing… Why do we fall in love, and make ourselves so vulnerable that if one string breaks and you sound like a broken guitar. Music makes no sense, the world seems a senseless race to achieve…but achieve what?

Does love hold us back? Make us alter our chosen path?

Maybe, but the only way out, as they say, is through it.

And yes, no matter whether you feel like faceless name in a file, or have no great job or are the brightest star in your group – love will find you. She/he will love you any way… And when you’ll meet you’ll realise that you’ve always been in love; even before you met. And you will know that this time it is real. He is not the man who kissed you good morning and never said it was good bye. This time it is real; this time…