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Mad about movies

City Times takes to the multiplexes to find out what’s in store for movie buffs this week

The Other End of the Line

Featuring a part American, part Indian cast, this 2008 romantic comedy is directed by James Dodson and stars Jesse Metcalfe (famous for his stint in Desperate Housewives), Shriya Saran, Austin Basis, Sara Foster, Anupam Kher and Tara Sharma.

The script follows India-based, call-centre employee, Priya Sethi (Saran), as she gets involved in a telephonic flirtation with San Francisco resident, Granger Woodruff (Metcalfe). On Woodruff’s urging (who is under the impression that she lives in his hometown), the love stricken Sethi impulsively jets off to meet him in person. What ensues is a romance filled with clashing cultures, mistaken identities and a tradition-favouring family and ex-girlfriend in hot pursuit of the two lovers.

Audiences reviewed this movie as an entertaining ‘boy-meet-girl flick with an Indian twist’. However, many critics panned the film for its typical rom-com plot.

Trivia

This movie represents the first collaboration project between American production giant MGM and its Indian counterpart, Adlabs.

The movie makes a ploy at using the notorious, call-centre culture in India. Unfortunately, the writers arrived a little late, since the plot has been done to death in numerous books, series and movies.

Push

CAPTAINED BY PAUL McGuigan (also maker of Lucky Number Slevin and Wicker Park), this science fiction thriller features Chris Evans, Dakota Fanning (who presents an interesting study in her new, grown-up avatar), Camilla Belle, Djimon Hounsou, Ming-Na and Neil Jackson.

The plot of Push revolves around a band of psychic-powered individuals (telekinetics, clairvoyants; they’re all there), who have assimilated in attempt to take down a sinister branch of the government known only as The Division

Unfortunately for McGuigan, the film has been widely panned by most critics. It received a cold opening at the box office, but did at least manage to recover its budget cost.

Trivia

Marc Bernardin and Adam Freeman (writers of The Highwaymen) were asked to produce a six-issue, comic book mini-series of Push, which will act as a prequel to the movie, for Wildstorm, an imprint of DC comics. The Hong Kong segment of Push was filmed “guerilla-style”. Cameras were hidden away in vans and actors were usually permitted only one or two takes per scene. Rumour has it that when a certain character was held at gunpoint for a scene, no one in the crowd even reacted.

The Uninvited

And lastly, we come to this week’s horror flick (because, honestly, what is a cinematic week without its patent scream-fest?) A re-imagining of the 2003 South Korean horror film, A Tale of Two Sisters, the movie is directed by Thomas and Charles Guard. The film stars Emily Browning, Arielle Kebbel, Elizabeth Banks, and David Strathairn in lead roles.

In The Uninvited Anna Rydell (Browning) returns home from a mental institute to complete the process of her recovery. However, this is made impossible by her uncaring and negligent father, malicious stepmother and a ghostly presence.

The film received a mixed critical response with most reviewers on the fence regarding its merit. Some bloggers have categorized it as a poor remake. However, as far as the box office goes, The Uninvited ranked second on its opening day.

Trivia

The original Korean version of this film was the highest grossing horror film in the cinematic history of Korea. The Guard brothers are the sons of Howard Guard, the filmmaker who directed a short-length feature entitled Bauhaus: Shadow of Light. Incidentally, the junior Guards have won several awards for their short features.

davina@khaleejtimes.com