“SHORTS”: Not So TALL Tales from the Director of 'Spy Kids'

After rather insistent pestering & pleas, I sat down with my kids to see Robert Rodriguez’s Shorts (released 2009). The kids laughed and seemed to enjoy it, so did my wife. The film has a non-linear story structure coupled with a storyline, which is not too boring! I must admit, much to the director’s credit that the cast & the narrative do manage to keep one’s interest in this otherwise ordinary film.

Critically speaking, the movie lacks finesse and survives on a rather low-mid end effects and an over-simplistic script. Robert Rodriguez fails to capitalize on Jon Cryer, and Leslie Mann while wasting a very versatile actor in James Spader.

I find it hard to believe that anybody thinks this movie will be successful. Actually, it is going to be surprising if this movie really does well at the box office. It tries rather unsuccessfully to tag themes like wishful thinking, intra-personal communication, teamwork, parenting, brothers, bullies, and boogers into a film with the hope that any one device will work… the end is too didactic! I found some redeeming features in the portrayal of a child who emerges as the most intelligent being in the Black Fall community and saves the world (read as the film) from disaster.

However, the film can stake claim to having focused our attention on a rather talented child-actress, Jolie Vanier, who plays the female lead. I think this young eleven-year-old woman seems to have a great future.

In the end, it may be surmised that this movie is not suitable for anybody over ten. However, some adults (parents) are likely to give it a nod more for the clean sanitized script rather than for any other reason.

Jolie Vanier photograph taken from: http://ia.media-imdb.com/images/M/MV5BMTc5Mjk3MjU2OF5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTcwODE0MzkyMg@@._V1._SX289_SY400_.jpg

Is America bashing just a sport...

Many people revel in loving to hate America. Some say that this hate has flowered into a favorite past time for many a disgruntled lot. Well, what ever is your viewpoint, I am sure, you have your reasons.

I am rather indifferent to such expressions of hate and love. I don't hate America. However, its foreign policies remain largely unacceptable and its attitude to some of the issues like pollution, environment, arms race, Israel and nuclear control is appalling, immature and short sighted.

Yet, I say - without any fear of contradiction - I do admire America and like Americans. I am no America-hater, but do not indulge in over simplistic uttering of George Bush and likes... ‘American way or the highway’.

We have to take a note of the fact that America has over exploited the initial doctrine of Grand Isolation to the hilt and interfered everywhere to suit its shortsighted gains.

If America is to redeem itself, it has to realize (and same goes for its bitter critics) and accept that it is an important leader in the world community... but America needs to embrace this role with sagacity, seriousness and without typical western biases.

I would encourage the readers to visit an interesting link below to get some insight on the issue...
http://www.vexen.co.uk/USA/hateamerica.html