Robotic

I like the intent behind this version of Robocop – the story of a near-dead-in-action police officer Alex Murphy (Joel Kinnaman), a family man – and the objectives of the megalithic Omnicorp to monetize him – turn him into an emotionless law enforcement officer - literally drowning emotions with dopamine in the process. But it does not come through in any meaningful degree. While wife Clara (Abbie Cornish) plays the wronged housewife in a totally uncharacteristic role, it is Dr. Norton (Gary Oldman) and his moral pangs that possibly lend some semblance of thespian consistency in a movie that does not leave much of a mark on the viewer

12/20

The King Speaks

The King’s Speech is a much-reviewed and much-awarded movie, and the toast of the awards season just past. A discussion as to whether it is deserving of such sweeping accolades is somewhat academic. What offsets the rather narrow subject matter is two aspects of the movie that make it absolutely memorable. The first is Colin Firth (King George VI) playing a King-elect and then a King with a stammering disability, his battle against it, and the tribulations and setbacks along the way. The second is the remarkable relationship between the King and his speech instructor Lionel Logue (Geoffrey Rush) – born out of necessity and occasionally showing the consequences of a large class divide, with the (inevitable?) results and conviction eventually following. Forget the awards, it is these two reasons alone that make this movie eminently watchable. As to whether the movie is broad enough in scope to be a Best Picture Academy Award winner? Why does it matter anyway – you can watch Black Swan and The Fighter as well!

14.5/20