Ronin (1998)

Ronin is an action thriller

Ronin

directed by John Frankenheimer and stars Robert De Niro, Jean Reno, Stellan Skarsgård, Sean Bean and Natascha McElhone.

Ronin refers to a samurai with no lord or master. In this movie, De Niro and Jean Reno are two ex-secret service agents who team up along with few others to steal a heavily guarded case while traveling through a maze of violence, betrayal and shifting loyalties (aptly put in wiki I must admit). Honestly, there isn’t much of a plot to base the story around. The storyline is very predictable (where the bad guys aren’t really bad etc.)

The narration is stop-gap and is not very convincing. That being said, stylistically is movie is good with some nice locales and a fast pace. The actors, however, look bored and the performances are just about adequate. Can’t blame them really considering there isn’t much they can do. De Niro does a sincere job and gives a good performance as the cynical smart ass ex-CIA.

However, the movie has to be noted for its car chases. And there are quite a few. Sadly though, they appear forced and offer no excitement. It is just like one set piece after another minus the thrills. It is evident that  John Frankenheimer, who made French Connection II, tries to outdo the legendary chase scene from French Connection original. And fails.

The movie can pass off as an action movie with guns, bullets and car chases but not as an intelligent thriller.

Cheers

Jais

Name

Here goes the second post. Since i don’t have anything to write about, thought i might introduce you my beloved readers as to why i chose the name “Autumn Almanac”.

I don’t have creativity. Nil. Zero. Zlich.

“Autumn Almanac” was the track i was listening to on winamp when i had to fill in the name. its by the Kinks, a British group formed in the 60s. been listening to it nowadays. they have that distinctive 60s flavor that i found in the initial albums of Beatles as well. Anyway, more on it later… if i am so inclined.

Anyway, there were others tracks also which were under consideration. some examples, Hanging By a Moment by Lifehouse, Electioneering by Radiohead, Warm Machine by Bush, They Don’t Really Case About Us by Michael Jackson… Couldnt really have any of them as a blog address, could i? Imagine… hangingbyamoment.wordpress.com or theydontreallycareaboutus.wordpress.com. Actually, dont imagine.

And Autumn Almanac has that ring to it; that sophistication; the creativity that i yearn for… I mean just think about it… autumnalmanac.wordpress.com.  what beauty! the simplicity astounds me… i am in tears!

By the way, the track Autumn Almanac, is considered to be an absolute classic, “a finely observed slice of English custom, a ‘weird character study’ and for its ‘mellow, melodic sound that was to characterize the Kinks’. Supposedly^.

(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autumn_Almanac – The source of all knowledge)

Cheers

Jais