Friday, June 3, 2011

Realizing The Potential

Why? Why? Why? How? How? How?


Is it really the question? Yes, obviously. What about who and what and when and where? Well, they go under the why and how. But, that's not the point here. The point is to realize what's in front of us all this while.

So, what is it that we usually do not see? Is it the potential? Hmm, just because the title says so, it doesn't mean we should be so one-dimensional. Anyway, what the heck is potential? Yes, yes, yes, I know what your answers are, and full marks to all of em'. But, the question isn't really what, is it?

Why potential? Why not ability? Or why not potential ability? Huh? Okay, okay, enough talk. Anyway, The thing about potential is that it's never certain. (Oh, the cliche...) I mean, if we can control that potential, we just might be able to have a grip on our present, future and maybe even the past.

Everyone has a Gekko, one way or another.


You see, imagine you're an up-and-coming businessman. And then, you meet Gordon Gekko. He tells you that you have the potential to be at the top. He's so convincing, that you're immediately bought. So, voila, you have realized that potential. It's that simple. But what Mr Gekko didn't tell you is that you must control it. Or you'll be like him in the end.


So, why control? It seems that nobody can decide the why and how to that question. Still, it'll be damn interesting.
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Review of The Week!

Movie : The Avengers (2012)

Awe-inducing, funny and action-packed, this could be the superhero movie of the year (not that there are many).


It is unusual for directors to modify the genre of superhero movies. To be precise, if we are looking for some popcorn entertainment, Joss Whedon could have easily turned this into a full-blown alien-versus-superhero affair (that actually would not be too bad). Interestingly to note however, he does not. With an affinity to blend action scenes with tongue-in-cheek humor, he balances the tone of the movie to be both rewarding and most definitely, superhero-themed.

There are plenty of noteworthy things you can brag about this movie. The cinematography, the script, the visuals, the cast, the production design. Surely though, there would be one or two flaws, but they are not really meant to be called 'flaws' per se. Bending the laws of physics, 'saving the world' is saving the US and how Hulk manages to comply to orders are just some of the minor 'flaws'. These are probably things that you would just like to ignore for the sake of giving the director the benefit of the doubt.

It is quite evident that Whedon has made this film his own. He incorporates humor into almost every scene, as if things are not to be taken too seriously in the world of The Avengers. And it should be like that. Again, the emphasis on superhero movies usually lie on destruction, life-saving and personalization of characters. But here, there is some of that, but not completely. No chessy lines. No rushed pacing. No cliche-ridden narrative. (Just Loki speaking in a not-so-sharp English accent.)

The movie can also be likened to last year's Deathly Hallows (Part 2); a lot of hype, and duly delivered. At least we could expect how the last Harry Potter movie was meant to be : an emotional, epic battle. The Avengers did deliver but there is something different to the whole theme that somehow manages to change our view on how superhero movies should be in the future. Is it Robert Downey Junior's Shakespearean jab at Thor? Or is the excellent cinematography of sticking to single shots instead of quick-fire editing? Heck, it could even be Scarlett Johansson's semi-obscene display of bust. Anyhow the movie is a success, most definitely.


Unprecedented, now that is one word to decribe Joss Whedon's take on a superhero movie.


Personally*... Stay in your seats till the end; there are rumors that an extra scene is added to the US version of The Avengers, for compensation of the late release.

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/user/894039/reviews/

Spark of inspiration?