Tagline: The true story of a real fake

Another movie from my most favorite director! After dropping out of Big Fish and Memoirs of a Geisha, Spielberg (initially involved as a producer) decided to direct this movie, a true story of Frank Abagnale Jr. Filming took place from February to May 2002 and released in December 2002.

The film begins in 1969, with FBI agent Carl Hanratty (Tom Hanks) arriving at a French prison to meet the sick Frank Abagnale Jr. (Leonardo DiCaprio). The movie then started from Frank as 16 years old, who lives happily with the family.

But after some financial and personal issues within the family, Frank’s parents are decided to split. Frank cannot tolerate this and he leaves home only with the checkbook, which was given as a birthday gift from his father. Slowly he starts to do check forgery and enjoy the life.

And later he successfully conned millions of dollars by posing as a Pan American World Airways pilot, a Georgia doctor and Louisiana attorney and parish prosecutor. During these whole things happen, Carl on a run to catch Frank.

It is very hard to believe to everyone, all these stuff done before his 19th birthday. And finally, since his primary crime was check forgery, becoming so skillful that the FBI eventually turned to him for help in catching other check forgers.

It was really surprising Leonardo acted as a 16 years old, because we all know his age. During the filming, his age was almost double what he portrays in movie. But he toned his body very well and make us believe he is really a 16 years old kid. And no need to tell about such a great actor Tom Hanks, he shows the disappointment in his eyes whenever he miss Frank.

Absolutely wonderful movie to watch two great performances!

‘Real’ Frank Abagnale’s reaction to the film: “I know that Hollywood has made a number of changes to the story, but I am honored that Steven Spielberg, Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hanks participated in the making of the movie inspired by my life. It is important to understand that it is just a movie, not a biographical documentary”

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Ray and Rachel looking at the clouds...

Hiding in the basement...

Directed by Steven Spielberg – I think this is the main reason why I like this movie. Produced by DreamWorks and Cruise/Wagner, this movie was released on June 2005. This movie is an adaptation of H.G. Wells’ novel of the same name, but the screenplay written by Josh Friedman and David Koepp.

Ray Ferrier (Tom Cruise), a dock worker lives alone in New Jersey. He is estranged from his wife and children. So Mary Ann (Miranda Otto) allows her kids to live with their father for a few days. At that time, alien tripod machines started to kill people in New Jersey. Estranged but an affectionate father tries to save his family. He is not a super man, he is just a common man. Yet, he wants to protect his daughter and hand her over to her mom who is in Boston. How does he succeed, what happened to tripods then, shows us in “War of the Worlds”.

If anyone asks me what you don’t like in this movie, it would be one of the toughest questions I have ever faced. From start to end, this is a treat to watch. Particularly I like the camera work when Ray Ferrier (Tom Cruise) explains to his kids about the things happening while driving the car. This is really a fantastic scene.

And through all over the film, suspense and thrilling continues till the end. ‘What’ll happen next, how they’re going to survive…these kind of questions always in mind when you watch this movie.

Graphics work in this movie is something wonderful. And the kid who played as Ray’s daughter Rachel Ferrier (Dakota Fanning) has done a tremendous job. In many scenes, fear has been shown only through her eyes and expressions. A great movie from Steven Spielberg indeed!

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Introduction Scene.....

Typical Costume of Indiana Jones

Even before “Surrogates” I had this movie in my mind to write here.

Steven Spielberg – Harrison Ford. What a combination! When you go to a movie which has one of the best directors and one of the best actors, you will expect more. This movie has live up to its expectation & reputation and got success for its lethal combination. No disappointment to the fans at all.

This is the first movie of Indiana Jones franchise. When you see Indiana Jones, he may remind you a little bit of James Bond. But still he excels in his own style. This movie was released on June 12, 1981 and won in five categories (Art Direction, Film Editing, Sound, Visual Effects, and Sound Effects Editing) in 1982 Academy Awards.

In this movie, Indiana Jones takes Nazis who are in search for the Ark of the Covenant, in an attempt to make their army invincible. How the treasure hunter-cum-archeologist fights the Nazis and overcome them forms the rest of the story.

Following the huge success, there are 3 more movies in this series till date. Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984), Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989) and Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008)

My favorite order in this series is...

1. Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989)
2. Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
3. Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008)
4. Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984)

Thanks to two legends, Sean Connery and Harrison Ford, I enjoyed the humor very much in “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade”. You can also say in comments about your favorite one from this list!

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