Sweet relief!
Sweet, sweet relief from some crazy Telugu biddas was what I craved for Friday and what I got in ample measure with the new Denzel Washington film Flight.
Directed by Robert Zemeckis of Forrest Gump fame, Flight features vintage, ‘unstoppable’ Denzel Washington with a strong supporting cast and a rocking script (John Gatins).
Troubled Hero or Heroic Villain
In Flight, Denzel is airline pilot Captain Whip Whitaker.
But Whip ain’t no hero nor is our pilot a dark villain.
Denzel’s character Captain Whip Whitaker inhabits a semi-dark territory.
A competent pilot whose moral compass is creaky but not completely broken.
Divorced, Whitaker is a cocaine-snorting pilot with an alcohol problem in a relationship with a beautiful, equally addicted air-hostess, Katerina Marquez (Nadine Velazquez).
Whitaker’s life runs into severe stormy weather after the plane he’s piloting with 102-people on board a routine Orlando-Atlanta flight encounters serious turbulence first and then basically shuts down and crashes into a field killing six-people.
Initially hailed as a hero and savior for saving most of the lives in the crash, the damning toxicology report is the first step on the rutted road to ruin.
The turbulence in the air is matched by turbulence on the ground, in the life of the red-haired drug addict Nicole (Kelly Reilly), who we see attached to Whitaker after the crash.
The picturization of the turbulence in the air and the seven minutes leading to the crash was good but not spectacular.
From Zemeckis, one always expects the moon.
Brian Geraghty (Ken Evans) in a brief role as co-pilot shines in the moments leading to the crash.
The movie has lots of energy, features all-round fine performances and is gripping in its entirety.
Denzel – Top Form
Hollywood A-lister Denzel Washington is in remarkable form throughout the film.
His plane may have lost hydraulics, lost vertical control and even be flying upside down for a few brief moments but the two-time Oscar winner is in excellent control of his character throughout.
For a man routinely given to lying, Whitaker’s abrupt change of heart at the end, during the government investigation into the crash, seemed more than a trifle unconvincing.
But that was a minor blip in an otherwise highly enjoyable film.
Going by the audience response in a hall that was 90% full, I’d say they were loving the movie.
John Goodman as Whitaker’s dope and porn supplier is a work of art.
The cocaine snorting session of the duo in the hotel room at a critical moment for Whitaker is both a visual and comical feast.
To sum up, I’d say Flight is a movie that will deservedly fly high with tons of moviegoers this weekend.
SearchIndia.com strongly recommends Flight. Hey, the movie is playing across Amreeka.
What you waiting for?
Flight – Denzel, Dope & a Darn Good Time added by SearchIndia.com on
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So this is about a plane hitting severe turbulence, losing it’s hydraulic systems, the pilot’s struggle to get it down safely and the subsequent investigation by the NTSB?
Btw, this reminds me of an incident in a DC 10 where the engine mounted on the tail(apart from those on the 2 wings) had a flameout at cruise altitude resulting in the failure of the hydraulics system of the aircraft, which means apart from maneuvering the plane using the throttles, the pilots couldn’t do anything else.
It took the heroic efforts of 3 ppl(2 pilots and a DC 10 instructor who was a passenger) to get the plane down. Sadly, it did claim the lives of some passengers as it was a crash landing on the runway.
Air Crash Investigations(Nat Geo) did an episode on this incident. The way this program depict the sequence of events leading up to and after the crash is just brilliant.
And this movie has me interested as I’m an aviation freak.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
You write: So this is about a plane hitting severe turbulence, losing it’s hydraulic systems, the pilot’s struggle to get it down safely and the subsequent investigation by the NTSB?
Yes, Plus the human drama surrounding Whitaker’s behavior.
Ok. Your days are numbered.
You Tamil sambar fucker who knows nothing but drinking gallons of sambar every day and looting India lakhs of crores, kill indian politicians with your obsessed sympathy towards LTE, hate anything but tamil,
I had to bring up your region.
You Ass****.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
1. You write: Ok. Your days are numbered. You Tamil sambar fucker who knows nothing but drinking gallons of sambar
I will unhesitatingly, readily confess that my abiding love for good Sambar is boundless.
But that’s no reason to belittle all Sambar lovers.
And not just me, Sambar is a delicious Indian item that is so beloved of millions of Indians.
On a cold winter day like today, a cup of Murungakkai Sambar mixed with hot rice is better than the best aphrodisiac! Take it from an old fox, Way better!
The flavor of the pepper, the ginger, the dal, the drumsticks and the other spices that make up Sambar is intoxicating! OMG, I’m drooling…hold on, let me wipe the saliva off the keyboard! Sorry, I hope that didn’t take long.
While I love all Sambar, my favorite is Murungakkai Sambar (Drumstick Sambar).
Here’s the recipe for Vengayam-Murungakkai Sambar (Onion-Drumstick Sambar) – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5nw2R_8oIt4
Kathrikkai Sambar Preparation (Brinjal Sambar) – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5mOr4rcWDXY
BTW, I do hope you can follow Tamil because the above videos are in Tamil.
If you’re not familiar with Tamil, I strongly urge you to learn it anon. Tamil is a glorious language with a rich history behind it. Just like any other Indian language, be it Telugu, Bengali, Hindi, Malayalam etc.
2. We’ve time and again proclaimed that LTTE (not LTE as you scribbled in your ignorance) should not be supported because they killed our leader, an Indian leader Rajiv Gandhi.
None was happier than us when the LTTE was vanquished. Please do look at our old postings on LTTE.
I promise that you’ll be a better informed person after poring over these old posts. Many have found reading the SI blog to be like a Continuing Education program. I urge you to join the throng.
http://www.searchindia.com/2009/05/09/prabhakaran-the-monster-in-pictures/
http://www.searchindia.com/2009/05/17/happy-days-are-back-again-ltte-terrorists-crushed/
http://www.searchindia.com/2011/05/24/ltte-begs-indias-forgiveness-for-rajivs-killing-no-crush-the-inhuman-pigs/
Of course, sometimes our forums can become rather noisy and crowded, kinda like the Jargandi, jargandi crowd at the Balaji Temple. Occasionally, we do encounter people like you with strong hatred for one section of the Indian community. But you’re an exception than the rule.
With malice toward none and charity for all (thank you, Lincoln) is generally the spirit that pervades this blog.
3. As members of the human race (in which species I charitably include you), I humbly request that you not fall prey to divisive sentiments of language, caste, religion, region etc.
Tamil is as fine a language as Telugu or Hindi or French.
4. And Sambar is not inferior in any respect to Dum Biryani, Gutti Vankaya or a good Garlic Naan.
Let’s enjoy them all, shall we?
5. Now, if you have not voted in the Raghunandan Yandamuri Poll, may I suggest you avail the opportunity to do so.
As they say in politics, Every Vote Counts!
But please don’t try to vote more than once! I’m keeping careful track of all the IPs.
Do let me know how you liked the two Sambar recipes.
Now if you’ll excuse me, Bachchus calls. Candy may be dandy, but as Ogden Nash said it well, Liquor is Quicker! 😉
Adieu, Sweetie!
My observation has been that “Jaragandi” crowd is much better than “Sambar” crowd who builds temples for actress like Kushbu and hate anything but tamil.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
I’m deeply hurt that you persist in insulting and mocking the Tamil community.
Have you forgotten the essence of our common Indian pledge, All Indians are my brothers and sisters. Just in case you are skidding on the slippery surface of English, I’m providing you a Telugu translation herewith – భారతీయులందరు నా సహోదరులు.
Sweetie, I’m not the praying kind.
But I will make an exception in your case and plead with Lord Balaji of the Seven Hills to replace the malice overflowing in your heart with love for all.
Tamils, Telugus, Malayalees, Bhojpuris….They’re all manavallu (our people).
BTW, what did you think of those Sambar recipes I provided earlier. Please do try them…I assure you that you will not be disappointed.
my wife is telugu and I have numerous telugu friends.
I know how sweet they are.
You are like all loud-mouth tamilians.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
your life is useless.
go hang yourself.. your dirty bastard.
your days are numbered.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Hatred will get you nowhere, my son!
Have you tried Transcendental Meditation?
I assure you, it can help to sooth your frayed nerves.
At times like this I miss the Old SI response. 🙁
SearchIndia.com Responds:
SI has taken a vow of non-cruelty to animals! 😉
Please… I heard a couple of animals protest at that comment!
SearchIndia.com Responds:
I meant these animals, frothing and foaming at the mouth.
That photo is an amazing find and a perceptive choice for that SI article. I had a hearty laugh the other day when I saw the photo and I am smiling now as I type. 🙂
SearchIndia.com Responds:
As rabid as they come!
@whoever you are
“my wife is telugu and I have numerous telugu friends.”
One of my best friends is Telugu and another is Tamil. Both of them are some of the best people I’ve known in my life.
So stop your racist comments and understand that there are good and bad people in every religion, community, caste etc.
Btw, please do try the recipe suggested SI. He/she/it has a certain taste when it comes to food, especially South Indian, and I’m sure you won’t be disappointed 😛
“You Tamil sambar fucker who knows nothing but drinking gallons of sambar every day and looting India lakhs of crores, kill indian politicians with your obsessed sympathy towards LTE, hate anything but tamil”
ROFL :))
Despite the over-flowing racism in your comment, I couldn’t help laughing.
Please do not be racist my friend. And please let us not fight among ourselves. I guess that is one of the reasons why we’re universally called ‘bloody Indians’.
@SI
“On a cold winter day like today, a cup of Murungakkai Sambar mixed with hot rice is better than the best aphrodisiac! Take it from an old fox, Way better!
The flavor of the pepper, the ginger, the dal, the drumsticks and the other spices that make up Sambar is intoxicating! OMG, I’m drooling…hold on, let me wipe the saliva off the keyboard! Sorry, I hope that didn’t take long.”
Ha ha ha ha. After laughing so hard, I’m still unable to suppress my grin while I type.
Btw, has the high and mighty SI mellowed down? 😉
SearchIndia.com Responds:
For health reasons, SI must be careful not to get excited and send blood pressure soaring.
Better to let these rabid curs bark and after a while when/if my patience runs out I give these mongrels the boot.
“For health reasons, SI must be careful not to get excited and send blood pressure soaring”
Agreed. Better to let the barking dogs bark.
But that said, I seriously miss old SI’s responses to such comments although it’s nice to see SI’s legendary sarcasm at its best 😛
“Better to let these rabid curs bark and after a while when/if my patience runs out I give these mongrels the boot”
That would be the best thing to do, to keep the blog healthy.
Btw, Skyfall is reviewing some awesome reviews here. Pizza’s number of shows have increased along with skyfall while Maatran’s has reduced. I’m yet to watch the movie as I’m a little busy right now. Unlikely that I would get to watch it in the theater. Taken 2 is still running, which is a surprise.
As far as I know, the only hollywood movie that had a phenomenal run here was Avatar.. close to a full year. I remember it was raining then and we entered the theater soaked from head to toe :P..(didn’t even bother to at least dry our hair as we were at a risk or running late :P). We thought they would never let us in like that. Maybe the theater staff thought it was ok as went for a night show.
I hate it when I miss all the good movies.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Skyfall got so-so reviews from the New Yorker, a magazine I enjoy reading.
http://www.newyorker.com/arts/critics/cinema/2012/11/12/121112crci_cinema_denby
Have you tried Sambar with Arrack? Like White Russian, you will get a “Brown Tamilian”
SearchIndia.com Responds:
No, I don’t like the smell of Arrack.
Terrrrrible.
Watched this movie last night.
Superb.
I would have never watched this movie last night if I did not come across your review.
Thanks for posting this.
You rock!
SearchIndia.com Responds:
You’re welcome, sweetie!
If you have access to Netflix, you might want to try some of these foreign movies (these are non-Hollywood films, mostly European and a few Korean) – http://www.searchindia.com/category/foreign-movies/