Movies You Watched This Month – October 2016

sullySynopsis
On January 15, 2009, the world witnessed the “Miracle on the Hudson” when Captain “Sully” Sullenberger glided his disabled plane onto the frigid waters of the Hudson River, saving the lives of all 155 aboard. However, even as Sully was being heralded by the public and the media for his unprecedented feat of aviation skill, an investigation was unfolding that threatened to destroy his reputation and his career.

The movie is based on the real incident of Captain Sully landing the US Airways flight on the Hudson river and saving the lives of all 155 aboard. But the depiction of the subsequent investigation as some kind of witch hunt is totally made up. While it makes for an interesting movie it is not the truth unfortunately.

“Sully is, in theory, based on Sullenberger’s 2009 memoir Highest Duty (co-authored with Jeffrey Zaslow). “Until I read the script, I didn’t know the investigative board was trying to paint the picture that he had done the wrong thing. They were kind of railroading him,” says Eastwood in one promotional trailer. It’s not surprising Eastwood was ignorant of any railroading by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), since it’s a narrative absent from Highest Duty, or anything actually said or written by the NTSB.

In fact, in his memoir, Sullenberger reflects that he was “buoyed by the fact that investigators determined that Jeff and I made appropriate choices at every step”. When he and Skiles were invited to the cockpit voice recorder playback, Sullenberger notes the investigators were eager for the opportunity to hear the pilots’ thoughts. As he describes, the playback happened four months after the flight in a room with six people. Yet in Sully the playback occurs days after the flight before a packed kangaroo court. The exhausted pilots are hounded by ankle-biting bureaucrats, and presented with incriminating simulations that show test pilots easily making runway landings.

In reality, investigators first asked simulator pilots to attempt airport landings immediately after engine loss to establish the bounds of practicality. Notably, even with the benefit of perfect hindsight, barely half of these optimal test runs made it back. And then the investigators – not Sullenberger – asked a pilot to wait 35 seconds before attempting an airport return. That flight didn’t make it. Consequently, the NTSB was unequivocal in its declaration that the Hudson was the right call.” Link

Tom Hanks is excellent as Captain Sullenberger. Aaron Eckhart is very good as Sully’s co-pilot, Jeff Skiles. Laura Linney totally overacts in her few scenes and is very annoying as Sully’s wife.

Clint Eastwood’s direction is good for most of the movie except for the scenes with the wife. Since the actual flight time was only 206 seconds the movie obviously had to invent the whole witch hunt kind of story to make it interesting. The movie is good if one can view it as fictional story. The only thing bad or annoying about the movie are the scenes with the wife which looked forced and unnecessary.

Recommended

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  1. Author
    sputnik 7 years ago

    Quiz Show
    Queens-born Herbie Stempel (John Turturro) becomes an unlikely hero after winning on America’s beloved game show, “Twenty One.” When the network decides to bring in a more telegenic contestant, the WASP-ish Charles Van Doren (Ralph Fiennes), Stempel takes aim at the show, announcing that the game is rigged. Congressional investigator Dick Goodwin (Rob Morrow) is brought in to examine the claim that winners were given the answers. Goodwin wrote the book on which this true story is based.

    Excellent movie based on a true story. Its a bit long and drags a bit towards the end though. The movie was nominated for Oscars for Best Picture and Best Director.

    John Turturro was excellent as Herbie Stempel. Ralph Fiennes was very good as Charles Van Doren. Rob Morrow was very good as Congressional investigator Dick Goodwin. Paul Scofield was very good as the poet father Doren and he was nominated for an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor. David Paymer and Hank Azaria were very good as the NBC producers. Martin Scorsese was excellent in a small cameo.

    Highly Recommended

  2. Author
    sputnik 7 years ago

    Inshallah, Football
    Basharat is an 18 year old soccer player coached by a gritty couple from South America. He has been selected to play in Brazil. This is his big ticket out of a state ravaged by years of brutal insurgencies — except he is being denied a passport by the government of India. Basharat’s father, Bashir, was a militant who surrendered and spent years in jail, endured torture at infamous interrogation centers of the same government. According to the unwritten rules in Kashmir, an ex-militant’s family is almost never granted a passport — that document of belonging of a country that claims Kashmiri identity as part of its own. Inshallah, football is about the difficulty of dreaming in Kashmir.

    Good documentary. It won the National Award for Best Film on Social Issues at the 59th National Film Awards. Inshallah, Kashmir was kind of sequel to this. There are couple of scenes or interviews with people which were there in Inshallah, Kashmir too.

    The best thing about the documentary was how the South American couple Marcos and Priscilla were doing so much for the Kashmiri kids by providing them an an outlet/direction by training them to play football. Liked how Priscilla was treating Basharat like family. In the documentary Marcos talked about how some bigots suspect him of trying to convert the Muslim players to Christianity.

    Looks like they have succeeded in driving them away.

    “Unfortunately, just two years after Inshallah, football was released, in 2012, after repeated threats to their lives, vandalism of their home, accusations of forced conversions (the Troias are Catholics) they were forced to abandon nearly five-thousand youth who were training and playing under ISAT and leave Kashmir. Their success, the envy of politically connected, rival associations and government apathy may account for the hostility and the lack of recourse, that finally pushed them out. Perhaps, in a land where so much blood has been split on account of sovereignty, every act by an outsider, no matter how noble, is perceived as an attack on identity.

    They have now migrated to Afghanistan, their dream of producing world-class players undiminished.”

    Recommended

  3. cr7 7 years ago

    The office – Because of it being a remake I always had a preconceived notion that the US version is not up to the mark . Had watched only couple of episodes long time ago .Decided to give it another try and absolutely loving it . Currently on season 4 and its consistently funny . Though I am not liking the fact that they increased the duration of episodes .

    Perks and Rec- The first 2 seasons are hilarious . But season 3 turned out to be pretty lame . Decided not to watch it anymore .

    • Author
      sputnik 7 years ago

      Initially I did not like The Office and thought it was weird. But on the second try I started watching episodes from the middle of the series and ended up liking it a lot and then watched the whole series. It did get stretched and somewhat annoying in the later parts of the series. Steve Carell left and then they had different bosses and all of them (Ed Helms, James Spader, Kathy Bates) were annoying.

      I have been rewatching The Office too for some weeks now and just completed watching Season 4.

  4. Author
    sputnik 7 years ago

    U-571
    When a German U-571 submarine with a sophisticated encryption machine onboard is sunk during a World War II battle at sea, the Allies send an American Navy force led by Lieutenant Andrew Tyler (Matthew McConaughey) to retrieve it for study. Boarding the German ship, the Americans’ cover as a rescue force is quickly blown. Forced to take the crew hostage, the Americans lay their explosives and prepare to destroy the German vessel before the Nazis can send naval backup.

    Had watched this movie back in 2002 and had liked it back then. Revisited it after 14 years. It started off well but lost interest in it after 30 minutes or so. It became a routine action movie set on a submarine. Historically its totally inaccurate as the British and not the Americans were involved in seizing the Enigma machine.

    Matthew McConaughey, Bill Paxton and Harvey Keitel were ok. Singer Jon Bon Jovi is in a small role.

  5. Author
    sputnik 7 years ago

    Black Mirror
    Featuring stand-alone dramas — sharp, suspenseful, satirical tales that explore techno-paranoia — “Black Mirror” is a contemporary reworking of “The Twilight Zone” with stories that tap into the collective unease about the modern world. Each story features its own cast of unique characters, including stars like Bryce Dallas Howard (“The Help”), Alice Eve, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Tom Cullen and Jerome Flynn (“Game of Thrones”). Joe Wright, Dan Trachtenberg, and James Watkins are among the featured directors.

    Started watching the show and finished the first two episodes after NotSoSnob on twitter was praising it a lot. Loved both the episodes so far specially the 2nd one which was futuristic and so thought provoking.

    Thanks to @cr7 and @FS for the reccos here.

    • Author
      sputnik 7 years ago

      Finished the first 2 Seasons of Black Mirror and liked it a lot. The Waldo Moment episode was very good and so topical.

      Will start watching Season 3 which released today.

    • Author
      sputnik 7 years ago

      Finished Season 3 of Black Mirror.

      Liked the first episode Nosedive. Did not like the second one Playtest which was part video game part horror. Stopped with 20 minutes left. The third episode Shut Up and Dance was good but it reminded of movies like Saw. I think there has been a movie like this but cannot recollect the name. Did not like the San Junipero episode. It was confusing. Did not like Men Against Fire episode and stopped watching after a few minutes or so.

      The final episode Hated in the Nation is one of the best episodes of Black Mirror – arguably the best. Loved it. Its so topical and relevant with twitter now. I would highly recommend this episode to everyone.

      • cr7 7 years ago

        I watched 2 seasons . Forgot the name but the episode where everything used to get recorded was a gem . A very unique show . Really liked it .

        • cr7 7 years ago

          Watched first 3 episodes of season 3 . Episode 1 & 3 are fantastic . Didn’t mind episode 2 too . Very good season overall .

  6. Author
    sputnik 7 years ago

    Sully Sullenberger (Tom Hanks) has a hard time playing co-pilot to the flight’s rightful captain (Alec Baldwin).

  7. Author
    sputnik 7 years ago

    The Magic of Belle Isle
    Morgan Freeman plays Monte Wildhorn, a famous Western novelist whose passion for writing hits an impasse. He takes a lakeside cabin for the summer in picturesque Belle Isle, befriending the family next door–an attractive single mom (Virginia Madsen) and her young daughters–who help him find inspiration again.

    Decent movie. It was watchable nothing great.

    Morgan Freeman was good as always. Virginia Madsen looked old. Remember watching her in the movie The Hot Spot on Star Movies back in the 90s. Emma Fuhrmann was very good as Finnegan, the 2nd daughter. Nicolette Pierini was cute as the youngest daughter.

  8. Dhamaka 7 years ago

    https://satyamshot.wordpress.com/2016/10/25/utkalrip/

    extremely sad news about Utkal. came as a shoker.
    Had interacted with him in NG days via comments & chat box.

  9. Author
    sputnik 7 years ago

    Ferris Bueller’s Day Off
    Ferris Bueller (Matthew Broderick) has an uncanny skill at cutting classes and getting away with it. Intending to make one last duck-out before graduation, Ferris calls in sick, “borrows” a Ferrari, and embarks on a one-day journey through the streets of Chicago. On Ferris’ trail is high school principal Rooney (Jeffrey Jones), determined to catch him in the act.

    Silly nonsensical stupid movie. This is supposed to be a cult movie and is rated 7.8 on IMDB. It started off well and seemed a little funny at places but it is so ridiculous with so many implausible things happening. There are so many times that Ferris Bueller is right next to the father but he doesn’t see him. He just can get on a parade and sing. Ferris Buller’s sister who is in same school doesn’t know the principal/dean of the school? The principal’s track is like from some little kids movie like Home Alone.

    Matthew Broderick was good as Ferris Bueller but his character is basically that of a jerk. Alan Ruck was excellent as Cameron. Had liked him previously in the comedy series Spin City. Mia Sara looked very pretty as Sloan. Jeffrey Jones was good as the principal. Jennifer Grey overacted and was annoying as Jeannie.

    • cr7 7 years ago

      You took the movie very seriously .Its just a harmless comedy 😛 . I quite enjoyed it . Agreed about implausible plot and Cameron .

      • Author
        sputnik 7 years ago

        Ha ha I know 🙂

        As a teen comedy not to be taken seriously it is fine but it is considered a cult classic by many and is rated very highly. I don’t think it deserves that.

        By the way I think it is quite similar in some ways to the movie Risky Business starring Tom Cruise which released 3 years before Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. In that Tom Cruise parents leave on a vacation and he hires a prostitute and then crashes his father’s Porsche and then turns his house into a brothel.

  10. cr7 7 years ago

    I watched 2 seasons . Forgot the name but the episode where everything used to get recorded was a gem . A very unique show . Really liked it .

  11. cr7 7 years ago

    Sing Street – As a big fan of the genre and music I had high expectations . And still I thoroughly enjoyed . The basic plot not unlike any coming off age movie but it still felt fresh . The family trouble was portrayed in a mature way . The characters were interesting and funny

  12. cr7 7 years ago

    Captain Fantastic – Interesting concept . Got better with the time progresses and ended on a high note . Great acting by Viggo Mortensen . Could’ve been better . But a more than a decent film .

  13. FS 7 years ago

    Since the torrentz got banned and finding right torrents became difficult, I was restricted to limited source of entertainment hence I opted for korean series and got immersed in it. I need not realised that korean series are that famous among indian teens. As the matter of fact I now know 4 of my family acquaintance are also regular viewers of korean dramas. Even one of my colleague as well.

    Most of the dramasite are 20-28 episodes and they are cheesy as hell as well as very didn’t or unique sometimes. Any how I will list the names of few sites that I have been watching in last 4-5 months.

    City Hunter
    Descendants of Sun
    Healer
    Kings 2 hearts
    Mt love from another star
    Bad guys
    Love me if you dare (Chinese )
    Pinnochio
    Masters Sun
    Signal
    Secret Garden
    Doctors
    K2
    Moonlight drawn by clouds
    Dear Fair Lady Kong Shim
    Beautiful Mind
    Uncontrollably fond
    Heirs
    Oh my Venus
    Cheese in the Trap
    Whirlwind Girl 2
    Faith – the doctor
    Boys over Flowers
    Personal Taste

    There are some series that I haven’t completed or in progress are as follows;

    Empress Ki
    W – Two World
    Death Note (drama not animation)
    Kill me Heal me
    The innocent man
    You are all surrounded
    I hear your voice
    Three days
    I remember you
    She was pretty
    You are beautiful
    Refresh man

    Some movies that I was able to catch are;

    Mechanic resurrection – typical Jason Stathom movie with full dose of actions and pure entertainment

    Jason bourne – nothing spectacular but good to see him back in action. Yeah it was entertaining.

    Rough Cut – it’s a korean movie and it was good

    MS Dhoni – Excellent Movie, although the love story of priyanka and Dhoni was about 10-15 mins screen time yet it had a lasting impression. Sushant is an excellent actor.

  14. FS 7 years ago

    Most of the dramas are 20-28 episodes and they are cheesy as hell as well as very different or unique sometimes.***

  15. FS 7 years ago

    IRIS – Another brilliant korean Action series. Loved every bit of it.

  16. Author
    sputnik 7 years ago

    Burn After Reading
    When a disc containing memoirs of a former CIA analyst (John Malkovich) falls into the hands of Linda Litzke (Frances McDormand) and Chad Feldheimer (Brad Pitt), the two gym employees see a chance to make enough money for her to have life-changing cosmetic surgery. Predictably, events whirl out of control for the duo doofuses and those in their orbit.

    It had an excellent star cast with George Clooney, Brad Pitt, John Malkovich, Frances McDormand and Tilda Swinton and its a movie by the Coen Brothers. It started off well but got ruined once Frances McDormand dumb character tried to take control of things. Its a black comedy and a couple of scenes were funny but the stupidity of Frances’ character and the lack of any real story ruined it. Ending was bad too.

    George Clooney was excellent. Brad Pitt was good in a somewhat dumb role. John Malkovich was excellent as always. Frances McDormand was good but her character was annoying. Tilda Swinton was good as always.

  17. Author
    sputnik 7 years ago

    Adventureland
    It’s the summer of 1987, and recent college grad James Brennan (Jesse Eisenberg) can’t wait to begin his long-anticipated dream trip to Europe. Unfortunately, James’ plans come to a screeching halt when his parents announce that they are unable to subsidize his trip. Forced to take a job at the local amusement park, James prepares for the worst summer ever, until he finds love with a captivating co-worker named Em (Kristen Stewart).

    Good entertaining romantic movie with some comedy. Nothing great though.

    Jesse Eisenberg was very good in his usual nerdy role. Kristen Stewart looked very pretty and was good as Em. Ryan Reynolds was good too. The rest of the cast was good too.

  18. Author
    sputnik 7 years ago

    Sling Blade
    Mentally disabled Karl Childers (Billy Bob Thornton) is released from the mental hospital where he has spent most of his life after murdering his mother and her lover. He soon forms a bond with Frank (Lucas Black), a boy whose father committed suicide. When Frank’s mother, Linda (Natalie Canerday), lets Karl stay at their house, her cruel boyfriend, Doyle (Dwight Yoakam), tries to get Karl removed. Determined to protect his friend, Karl devises a way to save Frank from years of Doyle’s abuse.

    Excellent movie. Loved it. Its very slow or leisurely paced. The movie is written and directed by Billy Bob Thornton. The movie won an Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay. The movie has scenes where Karl just narrates how he killed his mother and how he buried his little brother but they are so powerful.

    Billy Bob Thornton was excellent as Karl. He looked so different that many will not even recognize him. He was nominated for an Oscar for Best Actor. Dwight Yoakam was good in a negative role. J. T. Walsh was very good in a small role. John Ritter was good as Vaughan, the gay friend of Linda. Natalie Canerday was good as the mother. Lucas Black was good as the kid.

    Highly Recommended

  19. FS 7 years ago

    Misaeng – Brilliant Korean series that describes the working culture in corporates & conglomerates perfectly. It showcases the internal corporate politics, sexual harassments, indifferences towards juniors, opportunities for entry level or managment trainees. First two episodes can make you unconformtable since it tries its audiences to sympathize with the character but i think it was a deliberate attempt because you will find out its reasons in later episodes and completely relate to them.

    I really like few things of Korean Culture. They are very reapectful, really meaningful and gives you satisfaction. Highly Recomended!!

    • FS 7 years ago

      38 task force – first 7 episodes of this series were almost a replica of Khosla ka Gosla and later 12 episodes continued with its other con tricks that were highly engaging and entertaining. Liked it as well. Recommended!!

  20. cr7 7 years ago

    Hunt for the wilderpole – Lovely movie . I would quote a review from RT “Its like a non-animated pixar movie” ” . Its from the director of “what we do in the shadows” .Another movie I immensely enjoyed it too .

  21. Author
    sputnik 7 years ago

    Pink
    Pink narrates the story of three Delhi-based girls, and a yesteryear’s’ big league lawyer, and how their paths cross. The film also explores the dubious morals of today’s times.

    Excellent movie with an excellent message of “No means No” against rape and sexual assault. It is very topical. Its not perfect though. The judge having the same hearing to decide which party is accused or not seemed unrealistic. I think in real life there would be two separate hearings for the two different cases of attempt to murder and molestation. The courtroom scenes were excellent.

    Amitabh was excellent as the lawyer especially in the courtroom scenes. The initial scenes where Amitabh was speaking in a low voice and the background story of his was all unnecessary. There was no need for that. Taapsee Pannu was excellent as Meenal. Kirti Kulhari was very good as Falak. Andrea Tariang was very good as Andrea. Piyush Mishra was very good as the prosecutor. Angad Bedi was very good as Rajveer Singh. Dhritiman Chatterjee was excellent as the judge.

    Highly Recommended

    • cr7 7 years ago

      Agreed . Great message, excellent performances and very realistic . One of the best Hindi movies of this year . Have you seen Dear Zindagi yet ? No on e here seem to watched it .

      • Author
        sputnik 7 years ago

        No have not seen Dear Zindagi yet. Some people I know on twitter have liked it a lot and some have hated it. Have you watched it yet?

  22. cr7 7 years ago

    Begin Again – Lovely soundtrack and a nice movie . Both Ruffalo and Keira acted well . keira is adorable in whatever role she plays .

  23. Author
    sputnik 7 years ago

    Cinderella Man
    Cinderella Man is a 2005 American drama film by Ron Howard, titled after the nickname of heavyweight boxing champion James J. Braddock and inspired by his life story. The film was produced by Howard, Penny Marshall, and Brian Grazer.

    Had watched this in theater back when it released and liked it a lot. Revisited after a long time and still liked it a lot. Its slow paced but its still good. There was a whole rooting for underdog element to the fighting scenes which made them so good. The actual fight between Braddock and Baer is on youtube and it is nothing like the dramatic movie version though.

    @FS had written about the movie in his post TOP 20 MOVIES OF ALL TIME – SPORTS and I think he summarized the movie really well.

    Russell Crowe was excellent especially as a father and a husband trying to take care of his family during the economic recession. Did not like Renée Zellweger and her acting. She was making this weird face and overacting as usual. Paul Giamatti was very good as Braddock’s manager and was nominated for an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor. Craig Bierko was excellent as the dangerous boxer Max Baer. The rest of the cast was good too.

    Highly Recommended

  24. cr7 7 years ago

    A man named Ove – Lovely movie . The story is familiar and execution is slightly cliche .But the comedy and flashback love story together worked really well .The cast is remarkable and played their parts very realistically. A very pleasant watch .

  25. cr7 7 years ago

    ADHM- Average movie elevated by Ranbir’s excellent performance . Special mention to “Channa Mereya” .Used twice in the movie and those turned out to be the best scenes of the movie .

  26. FS 7 years ago

    Dangal – Technically a brilliant movie but Sultan beats it in wholesome entertainment. Both have similarities but they are entirely different. In Sultan – the main theme is a love story & wrestling as a backdrop but Dangal’s main theme itself is wrestling.

    Kudos to those actresses who performed real wrestling as professional in the movie and to those kids who excelled in every act or acene they performed.

    Aamir again is brilliant in his role as a father as well as a coach. Supporting characters are all good too.

    Highly Recommended!!!

  27. Author
    sputnik 7 years ago

    The Recruit
    The Recruit is a 2003 American spy thriller film, directed by Roger Donaldson and starring Al Pacino, Colin Farrell and Bridget Moynahan.

    The movie is a time pass entertainer. Had watched it many years back and liked it a lot back then but it did not feel that good now. It has a lot of twists but the movie doesn’t really have any plot.

    Al Pacino is good as usual but he overacted in a few scenes. Colin Farrell was good Bridget Moynahan acted well and looked very pretty.

  28. Author
    sputnik 7 years ago

    Snowden
    Academy Award®-winning director Oliver Stone (JFK, Born on the Fourth of July) tackles the most important true story of the 21st century. Snowden, the politically-charged thriller reveals the incredible untold personal story of Edward Snowden, the controversial figure who exposed shocking illegal surveillance activities by the National Security Agency and became one of the most wanted men in the world. A hero to some and a traitor to others, the provocative story of what led him to that fateful decision makes for one of the most compelling stories in recent history.

    Good movie which doesn’t bore but one also gets the feeling that it could have been so much more. There are times where it feels the movie is exaggerating especially in scenes where Snowden is shown to be super smart or single handedly responsible for big programs.

    Joseph Gordon-Levitt was very good as Snowden. Shailene Woodley was good as his girlfriend Lindsay Mills. Rhys Ifans was excellent as Deputy Director Corbin O’Brian. Zachary Quinto was good as as Glenn Greenwald. Nicolas Cage has a small cameo. The rest of the cast was good.

    Recommended

  29. Author
    sputnik 7 years ago

    Money Monster
    In the real-time, high stakes thriller, George Clooney and Julia Roberts star as financial TV host Lee Gates and his producer Patty, who are put in an extreme situation when an irate investor who has lost everything (Jack O’Connell) forcefully takes over their studio. During a tense standoff broadcast to millions on live TV, Lee and Patty must work furiously against the clock to unravel the mystery behind a conspiracy at the heart of today’s fast-paced, high-tech global markets.

    The first half was good but the second half not so much. Its still a decent entertainer but during the second half George Clooney’s character pretty much drives the kidnapper rather than the other way around which made it incredulous.

    George Clooney was good but he seemed a bit miscast in the role of a financial TV host. Julia Roberts was ok and she looked old. Jack O’Connell was good as the hostage taker. Caitriona Balfe was good and looked pretty.

  30. Ritz 7 years ago

    @Sputnik , Cr7
    Did you see Dangal?
    I found it overall good with minor faults. I thought it would be very predictable – but they bring in lot of technicalities and interest in climax.

  31. Author
    sputnik 7 years ago

    Black Widow
    A federal investigator tracks down a gold digging woman who moves from husband to husband, kills them and collects the inheritance.

    Boring stupid movie.

    Debra Winger was bad and totally miscast as the investigator. Theresa Russell was good.

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