No
It is the stunning, startling No that will be heard by moviegoers around the world this weekend and rake in hundreds of millions of dollars at the box office.
And deservedly so.
For never has a No carried so much weight.
Particularly for the human race.
After all, Caesar has said No!
Fine Entertainer
Folks, Rise of the Planet of Apes, ably directed by Rupert Wyatt based on the story by Amanda Silver and Rick Jaffa, is a fine movie that had moviegoers at a theater in the mid-Atlantic region lapping it all up.
It was one of those rare occasions where we heard claps at the end of the movie. No kidding, guys.
Well written, well-executed and well-acted, Rise of the Planet of the Apes is a science fiction movie set in present-day San Francisco.
Working at the intersection of humans and chimps, the movie offers an engrossing account of how scientific research into a cure for Alzheimer’s disease triggers unintended consequences that ultimately proves catastrophic to the human race.
James Franco plays Will Rodman, a researcher racing against the clock to find a cure to for Alzheimer’s.
Will’s anxiety and feverish rush to get results is understandable since his father has the dreaded disease that’s slowly robbing him of his mind.
As with a lot of scientific research involving new drugs, Will’s work too involves testing them on primates. But when a chimp escapes from its cage and runs amok, Will’s research project is shut down and all the chimps ordered to be destroyed.
One chimp has just given birth and the lab attendant is reluctant to kill the baby chimp.
So Will takes it home to his father’s delight, names it Caesar, and then he uses the same experimental drug on his father. Voila, the old man starts feeling better, a lot better.
But then Caesar is growing. And he’s no slouch in the head either.
Au contraire, our adorable Caesar, he with the memorable, expressive eyes, has inherited his late mother’s intelligence.
In one touching scene, the alert Caesar helps Will’s father get his eating fork into the right position.
Well, a chimp in a residential neighborhood is going to cause havoc, sooner or later.
And Caesar does so too.
At first in the neighborhood, then in the animal pound and ultimately leading a revolt among its fellow primates and quickening the pace before it all ends in a fantastic, furious last 30-minute frenzy.
James Franco doesn’t light up the screen but is more than adequate for the task.
However, Caesar steals the show, particularly in those last minutes when he leads the primate insurrection against the humans.
Desi Babe
Desis being desis, they are unlikely to patronize this movie busy as they are chomping on the bits of one of the Chutiya Khans or that budda Amitabh Bachchan.
But should they do so they’ll be pleasantly surprised to see the smiling face of a pretty desi babe on the screen.
That of our Mumbai gal Freida ‘Slumdog’ Pinto, who plays Will’s girl friend.
Must Watch
Sweetie, if you haven’t seen any of the other Planet of the Apes movies it doesn’t matter one whit because this one stands on its own.
And, boy, how solidly does it stand.
SearchIndia.com strongly recommends Rise of Planet of the Apes with the certainty that none of you semi-literate baboons humans will care to see this fine movie.
Rise of Planet of the Apes – A Champ of a Chimp Film added by SearchIndia.com on
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Spelling mistake in the last line. “too” -> to.
The preview looked interesting. I’ll catch this movie this weekend.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Fixed. Thanks.
What was there in my comment or your reply to like or dislike? I guess it is a basic human instinct to click buttons.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Idle Indian mice will click on anything (including likely for this comment too). 🙁
You are correct. Someone doesn’t like the conversation.
hmm.. the 1 dislike is gone now.. strange!
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Really? Someone must have found a workaround to manipulate the plugin.
Actually, we’re getting tired of this Like/Dislike nonsense and might pull the plug on it.
A complete waste of time. 🙁
We shouldn’t have installed it in the first place.
@SI:
Actually, we’re getting tired of this Like/Dislike nonsense and might pull the plug on it.NOooooooo 🙁
I think the like/dislike is more appropriate on the posts rather than the comments. e.g. One would be more interested to know how many people liked/disliked a review of Delhi Belly rather than a comment by Naveen.
Many moons ago you said you will look into a better way of users managing their password. Do you still plan to look into it?
SearchIndia.com Responds:
1. You can change passwords can’t you?
BTW, we don’t have access to anyone’s passwords.
2. Some folks wanted Like/Dislike on Comments too.
I don’t see any options to set my own password. I may be able to get a new one assigned by clicking on Forgot Password but it would be better if users are allowed to change password by themselves.
There is a “Edit My Profile” link on the top left corner of the site but clicking on it takes me to a “403 Forbidden” error page. I get the following error…
Forbidden
You don’t have permission to access /wp-admin/profile.php on this server.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
We’ll look into it AM tomorrow.
SI is (likely) one of the most attacked Indian blogs and so we are forced into extreme measures.
BTW, the password is generated by the WordPress system automatically without manual intervention from us. The passwords are hidden from us.
I understand you dont have access to the passwords.
I just think the ability to set my own password is better so that I dont have to remember an odd combination of characters.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
We’ll see what we can do AM tomorrow.
Dont worry about the “forbidden” message, just get back to SI via the top search box and you’ll be fine, that’s what i always do when it comes up, also if you log in when you view a post, the message above doesnt appear, it only appears when you log in via main part of the site
Nice, but I’ll pass.. the reception in the rest of the world seems less warm that SI’s (80% on RT, 69% on metacritic, 7.6 on imdb). Pinto can’t act, and from the reviews, looks like Franco has done a bad job too.
Have you watched 127 hours?
–
SearchIndia.com Responds:
As we said, Caesar is the star of the show (not James Franco or Freida Pinto).
127 Hours? Not yet.
@முனிAndy – 80% on RT and 7.6 on imdb isnt exactly being less warm. That is a really good rating both from thhe critics and the users
IMDB rating has actually increased to 8.0 (it had dipped to 7.0 for some time).. and RT has increased to 82%.. excellent, but still far away from mind-blowing.. I watch 1 or 2 movies in theater every year.. so this doesn’t seem worth a theater visit for me.
SI, you probably know that Serkis did Gollum. Did you watch the LOTR trilogy? Read them?
Are you watching Saravanaa to compare Simbhu’s “aping” chops with Serkis’ (inspired by filmlover’s comment)?
WWW?? Never used an acronym tag before!
SearchIndia.com Responds:
1. Yes, aware that Serkis did Gollum.
2. No, haven’t read or seen LOTR trilogy.
3. Saravana?
Maybe, we felt like ogling at Jyotika’s udders. Maybe, we wanted to have a feeling of revulsion. Maybe, we’re in the mood for some serious S&M. 😉
The common derogatory comment doing rounds amongst FB and other networking sites with reference to Freida Pinto is “An ape is acting in a Ape film”..
It seems Indians just can’t stand her….
SearchIndia.com Responds:
1. You write: The common derogatory comment doing rounds amongst FB and other networking sites with reference to Freida Pinto is “An ape is acting in a Ape film”..
Funny but not true.
2. Indians can’t stand Freida because she’s a plucky girl who’s trying her best in Hollywood and to some extent succeeding.
Plus, of course, the green-eyed monster is working.
Regarding Freida, seriously, that lady can’t act.
She was just lucky to be in the right place at the right time in the right film. And yes I do again state that the kids in Slumdog millionaire acted miles better than Freida or that idiot Dev.
SI: Indians can’t stand Freida because she’s a plucky girl who’s trying her best in Hollywood and to some extent succeeding.
Aswin: No, for a change, Indians can’t stand some actor who cannot act properly. You see we are already tired of making stars out of Nonactors like Salman, Shahrukh, Abhisekh, Vijay, Ajith etc etc etc. The last thing we need is a bozo in hollywood. But I do hope Freida improves upon her acting. She is young and has miles to go. So, perhaps our opinion on her is subject to change for the better
SearchIndia.com Responds:
You write: Regarding Freida, seriously, that lady can’t act.
Wonder what Woody Allen, who directed her in You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger, would have to say on the subject.
The rotten RT rating of 44% proves that Woody was distraught when making this movie.. Wonder if he was ruing some of his decisions.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Added You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger to NFLX queue. Will watch it this week after Simbhu’s Saravana (getting it tomorrow).
Simbhu’s Saravana???? Sadomasochism is running wild………..
SearchIndia.com Responds:
In a mood for a double dose of torture. Jyotika + Simbhu 🙁
It’s fair to reserve criticisms after it’s proved that Freida can’t act.
Blind criticisms only reflect our prejudices and intolerance.
But she should be grateful to Danny Boyle forever, for whatever li’l fame she’s gained.;…
SI Says: “Indians can’t stand Freida because she’s a plucky girl who’s trying her best in Hollywood and to some extent succeeding”
I disagree. Lack of awareness is probably the first reaction towards her with Indifference being a close second and admiration being a distant third. Most Indians thrive on glamour girls of Bollywood of which she is not a part and hence awareness of Frieda Pinto is most likely restricted to those who closely follow Hollywood movies. Can you share some source / evidence that supports your assertion?
Apart from Slumdog, I haven’t seen her other movies. If Slumdog was her first movie then she is miles ahead of several bollywood actresses who depend solely on their looks and the director’s ability to exploit that on the screen. Her acting skills may not be great but she has been far more successful than any other actor/actress from India in gaining entry into mainstream hollywood cinema.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/news-interviews/Freida-has-gracefully-made-her-mark-Anil-Kapoor/articleshow/9516314.cms?prtpage=1
SearchIndia.com Responds:
1. You write: Lack of awareness is probably the first reaction towards her
Whaaaaaat!
Given the enormous publicity Slumdog garnered, it’s fair to say that Freida, while not exactly a household name, is fairly well-known in India.
Also, given the anal propensity of Indians to relentlessly follow the antics of stars, their siblings, children and grandchildren it’s hard to believe Freida’s Hollywood adventures are unknown.
2. The animus shown to Freida is largely on account of her success overseas, albeit limited, and her un-Fair & Lovely complexion.
Slumdog Millionaire was the ultimate Bollywood movie with all the song, dance, love, two-brothers etc. A lot of Indians have still not got over their rage and humiliation at seeing a foreigner swoop in from UK, make the movie, earn a ton of money and run away with a whole bunch of laurels. Danny Boyle & Anil Kapoor are too big to hurl mud at but Freida is considered ‘fair’ game.
Frieda is hardly a star in the conventional Indian sense. Only those who follow Hollywood to an extent may know her. Compared to Bollywood stars, coverage of Frieda Pinto in Indian media is negligible (in comparison). She can hardly be called a star even in hollywood where she has done all her films.
//Slumdog Millionaire was the ultimate Bollywood movie with all the song, dance, love, two-brothers etc. A lot of Indians have still not got over their rage and humiliation at seeing a foreigner swoop in from UK, make the movie, earn a ton of money and run away with a whole bunch of laurels.//
Which world do you live in? Indians are happily munching puffs, samosas, tea and fountain pepsi watch Ready, Dabangg, Delhi Belly. Slumdog is long forgotten history.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
1.You write: Slumdog is long forgotten history.
Indians may be gulping cow-ca-cola and Paani Puri with gusto but Slumdog Millionaire is still in the public consciousness.
After all, how many India-centered movies have won 8 Oscars in the last 83 years.
2. True, Freida Pinto is hardly a star in the Angelina Jolie or Julia Roberts category but by Indian standards she’s made some inroads into Hollywood.
Just to add, even the recent blasts in Mumbai were side stepped as if it was an ugly puddle and life continues. Such is the resilience of Indians and you think they remember a movie from 3 years ago? 🙂
SearchIndia.com Responds:
You write: you think they remember a movie from 3 years ago
3 years?
Are you kidding.
Indians still remember and talk about dialogs from 30-year-old films.
Our Indians may forget Mumbai-blasts and starvation deaths and daily encounters but Amitabh Bachchan’s 30-year-old dialogs in Deewar is still going strong and 30-years from now Indians will be talking about how Munni Badnam Hui Darling Tere Liye. 🙁
It is sad to see educated Indians treating Freida like this.
Cant expect anything less from a society which has disdain for dark skin.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
You write: It is sad to see educated Indians treating Freida like this.
Indians may have degrees but for the most part they’re uneducated and a bunch of sick mongrels and barbaric bastards whom evolution passed by.
If you think Indians treat Freida Pinto badly, and they certainly do, you ain’t seen how they treat Blacks here (i.e. in the U.S.). We’ve heard illegal Indian immigrants refer to Blacks as buffaloes.
A sicker bunch of humans than Indians never trod this earth.
As we’ve said on more than one occasion, Freida Pinto has great deal of pluck & determination. Commendable what she has achieved so far.
N.B.: Through an odd coincidence as you were writing your comment, we were driving around in your area.
@Carokann My dislike of Pinto has nothing to do with her dark skin.. there are plenty of actresses that are vastly better than Freida and darker-skinned than Pinto.. and I like them all.. Kajol, Nandita Das, Smita Patil.. actually it is a pretty big list. Freida can’t act.
@SI – pluck+determination ≠ acting. Trisha is a better actress than Freida.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
1. You write: Trisha is a better actress than Freida.
If acting bit Trisha on her tits or derriere, she’d think it’s a bee-sting and apply Clearasil.
2. Agreed, Freida is not Brando but she ain’t terrible like our Bollywood or Kollywood gals.
We like her spirit.
The last Indian girl to do something in Hollywood without a desi prop was the late Persis Khambatta.
Ash was mostly with the Indian crowd Gurinder Chadha (Bride & Prejudice), Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni (Mistress of Spices) and Jag Mundhra (Provoked).
trisha is my fav. actress next to vidya balan (hey she’s got nice cheeks!) so i disagree that pinto shinto is better than her
SearchIndia.com Responds:
You write: trisha is my fav. actress
Have you seen any of
herits movies or is it because it stirs your loins?ok you got me there
Off-topic:
have you seen ‘Raincoat’
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raincoat_%28film%29
one good film
SearchIndia.com Responds:
We’ll watch it.
After all, Gift of the Magi (upon which Raincoat is based) is one of our favorite O.Henry stories.
Speaking of dark-skinned actresses of Indian origin, Archie Panjabi is pretty good.. A faaaaar better actress (but not as pretty) than Freida..
I haven’t watched her in “A Mighty Heart” (have you, SI?), but I watch a television series called ‘The Good Wife’. She outclasses the bigger stars in it. Her character description from wiki – “Kalinda has a cynical, misanthropic outlook on human behavior. She has sexual relations with both sexes”
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Yes, seen Archie in Mighty Heart, Constant Gardner but can’t place her roles in either.
SI: A sicker bunch of humans than Indians never trod this earth.
This is a really bad generalization. I don’t see much of a difference between Indians and North Americans.
In my club and in my office there are people who you just can’t even talk to. Most, if not all of them are North Americans. And the percentage of Indians is not low, neither in my club nor in my office.
I agree North Americans are in general very amicable. But they are selfish and arrogant to the core when it comes to things that really matter just like we are.
After all these years in US and your conclusion is that Indians are the worst.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
All humans are evil but some are more evil than others (thank you, Orwell).
Yes, I agree with abhi..
Let me join the that-was-a-very-naive-statement-from-SI bandwagon. Retract it, please! 😉 My conclusion is that the Americans are taught to hide their hatred and biases (much)better than the Indians.. Americans are better at being hypocritical.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Generalizations and stereotypes are invariably rooted in facts that one turns a nelson’s eye to.
I saw the remake of planet of the apes (2001 or 2002 i think) and liked it,is this one any better?
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Haven’t seen the older one in full. Only bits & pieces on TV.
So, can’t say for sure.
This weekend i saw “Rise of the Planet of the Apes”, very nice movie.
After 1968, Charlton Heston Starrer “Planet of the Apes”, which created benchmark in the history of cinema, this one would be at least finest apes movie of this decade. In 2001, Tim Burton’s “Planet of the Apes” was quite awful. It had poor screenplay and characterization. However, i enjoyed the original score by Danny Elfman. But here, Original score by Patrick Doyle for “ROTPOTA” was quite disappointing. Of course, in some parts, his music had little bit emotional but doesn’t have any memorable themes.
However, despite some flaws, movie is definitely worth watchable.
The funny note is that some of the apes remained me Actor Simbu. I wondered whether there was any special premiere show arranged for Simbu. Honestly speaking, Andy Serkis’ performance as Caesar is no match with not only actor simbu but any actors/actresses in India.
Imaginary apes performance are quite better than real (Indian actors) apes. Its time for Indian actors should learn from Caesar. LOL
SI: A sicker bunch of humans than Indians never trod this earth.”
You know something. We do happen to agree on some points. Indians are indeed a sicker bunch of humans. The best example is the one writing this comment and the one who wrote this blog???? 🙂
“All Indians are evil but some are more evil, stupid, idiotic and racist than others (thank you, Orwell).”
🙂
SearchIndia.com Responds:
You write: Indians are indeed a sicker bunch of humans. The best example is the one writing this comment and the one who wrote this blog
Forgot to take your Horlicks today?
Hi,
In the trailer, from the part where Caesar is caged till he releases the other apes, got me curious to watch this movie as it was a very well made trailer. I got to see it in VO 🙂 in the city.
Yes you are right, after a long time, I did see people claping (including myself) for a movie. A very good entertainer, espicially Ceasar – he deserves the best actor award.
Few scenes that kept people engaged :
1. Ceasar getting the cookies
2. Dinning Table scene
3. Ceasar hitting the other ape with a can and walking towards him
4. ofcoarse … NO
5. When all the apes escape
6. Helicopter scene … No one pitied the CEO .. Hé hé hé
7. Hammer throwing scene
8. Final whisper of Ceasar
(Many more)
This movie is releasing in my town on 25/08/2011. I will watch it then.
Later, mappi
what is VO?
SearchIndia.com Responds:
VO – Version Originale
http://www.fodors.com/community/europe/vo-films-in-paris.cfm
Thx.. oh so, Mappi is in France?
Indians do not like Frieda Pinto:
1) Indians and Indian Film Industry is biased against dark skin. There is no doubt about it. Kajol could make it as she is an insider.
2) Frieda Pinto reminds them of their incompetency in making good movies that are capable of getting International accolades and awards.
Frieda Pinto is targeted because she is perceived weak compared to her Slumdog co-stars Anil Kapoor/Irrfan Khan. The kids who played young Latika and Zamal are struggling for survival.
Indians will show contempt to Frieda Pinto as long as they think they can get away with it.
@ Badri34 – Can you provide more sources to substantiate the perceived bias against Frieda Pinto? Or is it your personal opinion?
@ Naveen
1) Here is a link in which Freida talks about bias against dark skin
http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/features/slumdog-to-stardom-how-freida-pinto-has-adapted-to-the-demands-of-fame-2326905.html
2) Also, Over the years I have observed how Indian parents, siblings, society discriminate a dark skinned girl vis-a-vis a fair skinned girl. Based on observations, I have no reason not to believe the statement made by Freida in the above link.
If it were not for fair skin obsession you will not have so many imports in Tamil/Telugu Movie industry. The current batch of heroines in Bollywood are all fair skinned.
I remember readers of this blog asking SI it’s opinion on Anil Kapoor’s performance in 24 TV Series. It was Slumdog Awards that helped Anil Kapoor in bagging those roles just like Freida was able to get. Still Indians want to call her Ape in the Ape movie.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
1. You write: I have observed how Indian parents, siblings, society discriminate a dark skinned girl vis-a-vis a fair skinned girl.
We have a friend who does it to his dark-skinned daughter vis-a-vis his fair-skinned son. 🙁
2. You write: I remember readers of this blog asking SI it’s opinion
🙁
BTW, it’s doesn’t make sense.
@badri
Her dark skin may have influenced Boyle’s decision to cast her as Latika..
@SI
We have a friend who does it to his dark-skinned daughter vis-a-vis his fair-skinned son.By the way”>BTW, it’s doesn’t make sense.
Are you discriminating against Badri’s sentences?
SearchIndia.com Responds:
We meant it’s is grammatically wrong in the context. Should have been its.
It’s is a contraction of it is or it has…not a possessive.
oops .. screwed up the abbr tag.
yeah, its yours.. one of the few things I use correctly..
It seemed like you were
mockingdiscriminating against both those sentences.. Testing the ins tag now.. not sure if it will work.@Badri,
a) I agree on the general bias against dark skin among Indians. You may also extend that bias globally. Barring exceptions, there are very few Caucasian – Blackjodis. Every hollywood does not have too many successful black actresses. Some of those successful blacks are also on the fairer side within their race. Indians are probably more blatent.
b) Despite the bias there are a number of successul not fair complexioned actresses in bollywood. Apart from Kajol and a few other names mentioned in the comments, Bipasha Basu, Priyanka Chopra, Sameera Reddy, Raima Sen, Konkona Sen, Tanushree Dutta, Asin and Deepika Padukone are some of the duskier actresses. If I remember correct even Sushmita Sen isnt really fair.
c) I feel it is common among Indian actors and actresses to exaggerate facts to get attention or gain sympathy. It was reported that Emraan Hashmi tried to play the Muslim card when he was denied properly in some area in Mumbai. IMO Frieda Pinto is not a bollywood material irrespective of her color. She doesn’t seem to have the glamour quotient that this industry asks of its leading ladies.
Liked the trailer very much.. will wait for it to come on HBO, and hope I switch it on. Havent done much watching lately than reading reviews and recommending older movies.. would love to see a review of Miyazaki on this blog.
you can try this
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TGMMBbk6WEo&feature=related
or
this
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=weVNPRuNPbM&feature=related
Off topic: SI, I faced an error while navigating through your webpage. “Ajax Error”. Do you want me to send the screen shot to you?
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Could you please put the URL? Thanks.
I did not get you. I will tell you what I did, may be you can see if it is occurring on your end too.
I first searched for a particular blog in your site, there were no results found. I went back to the homepage and started clicking the newer posts one by one till I reached the most recent post, I started clicking on older posts (I mean the links on the left and right above the current post). I got the “Ajax error” couple of times. If you dismiss the error, the normal browsing can be resumed. Not a big error as such.
If you have any admin mail id, give it. I can mail you the screen shot.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Just sent you an e-mail. Please send the screenshot. Thanks.
Sent the email yesterday night. Hope you got it and it was helpful.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Yes, we did. Thank you, sweetie.
We haven’t faced the issue here.
Could be one of the plugins. Perhaps, the Like/Dislike one.
Saw ‘Rise of the Planet of the Apes’ yesterday.
Nice movie without any cliches but definitely not a masterpiece. But there is nothing more you can do with an Ape movie.
Caesar simply rocked. Movie is all about him and others are just to fill in a few lines.
Frieda Pinto is just average and she was trying too hard.
Indians hate her not because of skin tone. If that what the case then no one would love Will Smith, Thandie Newton, Zoe Zaldana and the likes.
May be her personal life is a reason for some. Media claim is that she ditched her long time boyfriend and fiance for Dev Patel.
I would say being with Dev Patel alone is a reason to hate her. :D..
Btw, I am with you on scraping like/dislike. It’s too distracting.That’s just my opinion and you can do a poll or something.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
1. You write: I would say being with Dev Patel alone is a reason to hate her.
Finally, a sensible comment from you! 😉
2. You write: Btw, I am with you on scraping like/dislike. It’s too distracting. That’s just my opinion and you can do a poll or something.
A poll? Valuable suggestion, indeed.
Sure, we’ll install an iPoll app to see if users want to delete Like/Dislike app. 🙁
SI: Sure, we’ll install an iPoll app to see if users want to delete Like/Dislike app. 🙁
nice smiley at the end.. like it.
NO
that really was a solid ‘NO’.
Almost cried having seen a lovely movie. there were many worthy scenes, and seemed surprisingly original.
Worth many more viewings, and I’m gonna get its DVD when it releases.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Are you saying No to uninstallation of Like/Dislike?
NO, it was THE NO, of Caeser from the film….
BTW , after using the like/dislike app, i do feel, saying I like the post, or comment is more simple and conveys better.
the NO, it seems is from a previous movie, and so is the rebellion idea, kinda like homage.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Ah, that was Caesar’s No.