Review of the film "Rendition "

Rendition (2007)

Director: Gavin Hood

Genre: Thriller

Movie Type: Political Thriller

Themes: Terrorism, Crisis of Conscience

Lead actors: Jake Gyllenhaal, Reese Witherspoon, Alan Arkin, and Peter Sarsgaard

Release Year: 2007

Country: US

Run Time: 122 minutes

MPAA Rating: R

Plot:

The director of the Academy Award-winning 2006 crime drama Tsotsi returns to the helm with this tale of a Middle East CIA operative who begins to have doubts about his latest assignment after witnessing the interrogation of a suspected suicide bomber by secret police. When Egyptian-born chemical engineer Anwar El-Ibrahimi mysteriously vanished on a routine flight from South Africa to Washington, his wife, Isabella, embarks on a frantic international search for her missing husband. At the same time, a CIA analyst arrives at a clandestine detention facility outside of United States. As the interrogation of El-Ibrahimi gets under way, the CIA analyst is profoundly shaken by the unorthodox methods used by the man’s captors, and quickly begins to reevaluate his assignment.

Main characters:

Douglas Freeman – A CIA analyst

Isabella El-Ibrahimi – a pregnant wife of Anwar El-Ibrahimi

Senator Hawkins – a boss of Alan Smith

Alan Smith – a friend of Isabella and Anwar El-Ibrahimi who works for Senator Hawkins

Anwar El-Ibrahimi – an Egyptian-born chemical engineer

Abasi Fawal - a high-ranking police official

Khalid – a terrorist and a boyfriend of Fatima

Fatima – a daughter of Abasi Fawal

Corrine Whitman – a CIA hotshot and a boss of Douglas Freeman

Direction:

Personally I think the director of the film – Gavin Hood has chosen a specific way, I would say a very specific way, to tell the story. It’s not new for the cinematograph, but it’s a modern way to viewers to see films. I meant that the whole movie is based on flashbacks, which help us to determine what a certain hero of the film thought thinks and will think.

Actually I’ve never seen other movies, directed by the same person, that’s why I can’t compare them. But I’d like to say, that to my mind it’s a good serious film. You should be a brave director to make such a movie.

Writing:

I dare say it seems to me very inventive and unpredictable. I can’t imagine what will happen next second. It can be explained because of flashbacks. They usually appear in a moment when you don’t wait them.

The words of all characters look very credible to me, as each personage illustrates an idea, proved by his/ her words in which he/she believes.

But words also are nothing without emotions. You can control your tongue, but you have to be a professional secret agent to control your body-language. It’s seen especially from the behavior of the suspect – Anwar El-Ibrahimi.

Editing: Speaking about editing I have to say that the movie is choppy, with the help of flashbacks. Peaceful scenes are changed into scenes with explosion or with picture of inquisition.

The film was made no to amaze us of using of lightning and other ambient effect, but to attract our attention to a certain problem. But at the same time effects have a reasonably good level.

It’s an open secret that today most of movies have computer-generated graphics. So our film isn’t the exception of the rule. But, on the one hand, they don’t look realistic, though on the other hand, they fit in with the rest of the film. I must repeat once again that the scene with the explosion is to be in the film, but its quality is under the big question. In the Kino the accent is given to show emotions but not a beautiful picture.

Costume design: From my point of view the clothing choices fit the style of the movie. They fully show us the poor region Middle East. By the way there is an opposition between ordinary people, their clothes, homes and things and Abasi Fawal and his interior, as he is a wealthy person. They absolutely contribute to the overall tone, rather than digressing from it.

Set design: The setting of the film influences other elements too. For example in prison there is a since of horror, in streets of the Arab world – chaos and in the cabinets in the USA is the stretch atmosphere. In this case there are two parallel lines between societies. I like movies which are filmed in a real place, especially when the location is well-chosen.

Background music: it works with the scenes, making prognoses to the future. It’s not over-used or will be not a film but a musical. It is suspenseful as the genre of the movie is thriller. So in this film I like music very much. It works well with all over named aspects.

As for me, I like this movie. It impressed me greatly. I didn’t expect that the final scene of the film would me that one. It’s extraordinary. By the way there are lots of big problems, which are hidden in the film.

One of them is that if you are under torture you can say what they want to hear, even if you don’t do so.

The other one is that it can be when a person, a member of the big system, rolled by the government, goes against it, because of his believes.

All in all the film is great. I like it very much. It will be better to make more such films with such ideas, but they won’t be popular as they are against the ideology of the country. 

p. 265 – 314 Summary: “The Portrait of a Lady” by Henry James

Our big company: Isabel, Mr. Ralph Touchett with his mother – Mrs. Touchett go to Rome, the capitol of Italy, to enjoy the ancient town, its culture, custom, traditions and sights. Mr. Osmond is going to join Isabel gouing by the book, which has been written to him by Madame Merle.

 

Walking around Rome Isabel and Ralph meet Lord Warburgton, their old friend, who is a niegbour of Touchett’s family. Each of them are happy to see each other. Lord Warburton has vocations in Europe, visiting Paris and other Europen capitals and big cities. He still wants to make Isabel a wife of him, but he is as good as his word and Lord has to return back to England but before it he wants to enjoy Rome for two weeks.

Mr. Osmond comes to the capital and starts to spend all his time near Miss Archer. It makes jealous in Lord Warburton and he escapes Italy before two weeks go by.

Miss Stackpole and Bantling, who is her fellow whenether she goes. Henrietta has just arrived from her Europe trip. And she is to visit her office in America to give the materials which and to take a new task. Henrietta can imagine only one man near her friend Isabel – Mr. Goodwood. So she publicizes him that Isabel has a new fellow – Mr. Osmond. The American friend of us deciedes immidiatly to visit Rome to prove his ambisious and his love.

Miss Archer says to him that she is going to marry the other man – mr. Osmond. Whose daughter – pancy – attracts her very much, during her alone farewell visit to their home. Isabel is going to leave Italy not to be disturbed by Mr. Osmond, as she isn’t going to marry him, that’s why she comes to say good bye to this little angel. Miss Acrher hs a plan: she doesn’t like having any contacts with Mr. Goodwood, so she says ti him that she is going to get married Mr. Osmond, but it’s not actually the true. She doesn’t feel herself ready to be a wife.

When Mrs. Touchett comes to know about tyhis fact she disaprove that Isabel wants to be a wife of Mr. Osmond. The old lady supposes that he isn’t a good candidate because he has lack of money and his name isn’t famous in the society. Her aunt give her advice to do a double take after her cousen Raplph. Though Isable is eager to make Mr. Osmond happier and welthier. But it’s still a secret why she lies her aunt. In this case, miss Archer learns a lesson, given her by Madame Merle, who is an unpredicatble lady.

Rendering: week 8: Three Wars on Terror: Ronald Reagan and the battle for Obama's strategie soul

Ronald Reagan and the battle for Obama's strategiс soul

The article which was published in the "Foreign Policy" by John Arquilla is called "Ronald Reagan and the battle for Obama's strategiс soul", from the 10th of September, 2012. It reports at length that there are two different wars on terror. One of them was being led by Ronald Reagan, though the other is still has been waging by Barak Obama.

It's an open secret that after the October 1983 bombing of the Marine barracks in Beirut that killed 242 Americans R. Reagan and his close advisers became deeply concerned about the terrorism problem.
Speaking of his policy against terrorism it's necessary to note that President Reagan signed National Security Decision Directive 138 - called for "Secret FBI and CIA paramilitary squads and use of existing Pentagon military units - such as Green Berets and Navy SEAL's - for conducting what amounted to guerrilla war against guerrillas...a de facto declaration of war."

It's very likely that signal success of this first war on terror came in a campaign against the Abu Nidal Organization - the al-Qaeda of the 80s - which was conducting terrorist hits for hire on behalf of Iraq, Libya and Syria. But it's very unlikely that the Pentagon preferred more conventional uses of forces - like the massive air raid on Libya in 1986 in retaliation for the bombing of a Berlin discotheque frequented by GI's.

Analyzing the situation in Barack Obama police it's necessary to emphasize that he is leading his campaign is with a skillful mix of subtlety and ferocity. There is a general feeling to believe that Qaddafi was taken down when Obama engineered and enabled a NATO air campaign that began by preventing a slighter of innocents in Benghazi.

Giving appraisal of the situation it's necessary to point out that Secretary of State George Shultz called a Saturday meeting of terrorism experts, led by Brian Jenkins of the RAND Corporation, and the tem brainstormed until a strategy emerged, one that called for something that strongly resembles the kind of campaign that Obama is now pursuing.

The article concludes by saying that in the battle for Reagan's Strategic soul, the conventional thinkers won out because they convinced hive that there was for too much of the "dark side" in the Shultz-inspired plan. In the battle for Barack Obama's strategiс soul, the "overwhelming force" approach hasn't yet carried the day - and with luck it won't.
Personally I think it maters how to fight against terrorism, so fighters have to choose such methods which don't disturb civilians.

  

Rendering: week 7: C. I. A. Officer Among Dead in Bombing by Afghan

Rendering: week 7: C. I. A. Officer Among Dead in Bombing by Afghan

The article, which was published by Michaul R. Gordon on the 16^th of October, 2012 in the New York Times, reports at length that an officer for the Central Intelligence Agency was killed on Saturday in a suicide bombing in southern Afghanistan.

Speaking of the blast it’s necessary to note that it killed Ghulam Rasool, the deputy intelligence director for Kandahar Province, another Afghan intelligence official, and some Americans, including the C. I. A. officer.

Analyzing the situation in Afghan it’s necessary to point out that the Americans didn’t appear to have been the principal targets but were “in the wrong place at the wrong time”, as the C. I. A. spokeswoman declared.

It’s very likely that it was the first this year attack during which a member of the NATO-led coalition died.

It’s also an open secret that the tradition at the C. I. A. is to put a star on the wall in the lobby at the agency’s headquarters to recognize fallen employs.

There is no mention about personal attitude of the journalism, but as for me I’d like to say that even if a one man dies it’s a big tragedy for a family. I hope that sooner wouldn’t be put a star on the wall in the lobby of the C. I. A.

Rendering: week 6: al-Qaeda bomb plot on New York: Suspect arrested over attempted attack on building near World Trade Center site

Rendering: week 6: al-Qaeda bomb plot on New York: Suspect arrested over attempted attack on building near World Trade Center site

The article, which was published on the 17^th of October, 2012 in The Daily Mirror, discusses the situation about a 21-year-old Bangladeshi man – Quari Mohammad Rezwanul Ahsan Nafis. He is a suspect who has been arrested over attempted attack on building near World Trade Center.

 Giving appraisal of the situation it’s necessary to point out that Nafis has considered several targets for his attack, including a high-ranking government official and the New Your Stock Exchange, but in the end decides to focus on the Federal Bank in lower Manhattan, according to the charges.

Analyzing the situation it’s necessary to emphasize that, after parking the van, he went to the Millennium Hotel near the World Trade Center, where he called the mobile phone in the van. It didn’t explode and he was arrested by federal agents.

Speaking of the situation, it’s necessary to note that Nafis had an accomplice – an undercover FBI agent – who he met on the internet and believed. It’s very unlikely that Nafis recorded a videotaped statement in which he said that they wouldn’t stop until they attained victory.

The reporter, Damien Fletcher, gives no details as to his own opinion. But personally I think, it’s good that there wasn’t bomb in the van that day, but in could exist the other day. So, form my point of view, FBI should keep an eye to the whole situation around terrorism of our world to protect us – civilians.

15th of October in The R. F.

The day of making The Adress-Referal Survices of The Federal Migration Sirvices (FMS) of The Russian Federation

By The Imperial Edict from 15^th October, 1809 in both capitals of The Russian Impire - Moscow and Sait-Petersburg in the city’s finest were amden new organizations which were started to call as Adress Offices. Its state should include: two managers – one of them had to be russian, but the another was to be either forigner or Russian who was able to speak English, French, German and Italian; two secretaries, two translators, a treasurer and four clerks. An adress office aim was to do such functions like financial and police one. Who wanted to aply for a job in the capitals ought to leave his/her pasport and instead of it they took a ticket for living for a certain fee. Fare dodgers were to deport from the capitals in a minute. These authorities were stayed affective till 1888.

They were re-made after the October Revolution of 1917 in 1923 and started to call The Adress Bureaus. That was why it was neccesary at that time to keep strict registration and population accounting in towns to issue adress permitions both to aroganizations and idividuals.   

Todays these organs come out from jurisdiction of MIA and CIAD and become the separate part of the political system of our contry.

Summary 191 - 265. "A Portrait of a Lady" by Henry James

After the death of Mr. Touchett, Madame Merle comes to know by words of Mrs. Touchett, that her nieces, Miss Isabel Archer, has eghten thousands pounds by the will of her uncle. It means that now Isabel becomes a respectable wealthy lady and is a good target to hunt. That's why Mrs. Touchett wants to show her Italy, as she has promised, to call of her attention from her purse. By the way, Ralph Touchett is spending winter period in this country, because of his illness.
The Palazzo Crescentino is the family house of Touchett's on the Italian land. It's not so far from Florence, where is the house of one of Madame Merle friends - Mr. Gilbert Osmond.
 His daughter, Pancy, has just arrived from Rome with her tutors - Mother Catherine and Mother Justine. They are Sisters in the monastery where the small girl makes herself perfect. On his own, Mr. Osmond is an ordinary provincial. His wife has died when the daughter is a baby. He doesn't have enough money to give him everything, but he actually doesn't need anything. He thinks that society may spoil his child and that's why it's better for Pancy to stay in the monastery.
But Madame Merle, who is the authority person for him, believes that the girl has been born to decorate this world, to make it beautiful, as her new friend from America, Miss Archer is doing. So, Madame Merle has a plan to involve Gilbert into Isabel.
When Isabel has been invited to visit his apartments she attracts him. He has never seen so gracious lady in his world. He tells her about his collection of pictures, while they are stating in the garden, crowded by flowers. Also he is a good painter - he knows each picture with details. Having seen it, Madame Merle discuses her plan with The Countess Gemini.
The Countess is a wife of poor Count. It's a good example of unsuccessful marriage. Also Geminin doesn't have any child. Three of them have died one by one no to achieve a year of living.
The Countess, as Mrs. Touchett, doesn't approve this idea. But Madame Merle has an opposition view of the question. She supposes that Isabel is an easy-going person and will be a good stepmother.
Mr. Osmond starts to visit Isabel as often as it possible. One of these days he is sent an invitation from her to visit Rome all together. This is the special trip by Mrs. Touchett to limit their time together.
Madame Merle Give advice to follow Isabel if he doesn't want to lose a chance. She promises Gilbert to keep an eye to his daughter - Pancy. Madame Merle Has out of habit to lose her locals wars.

Rendering: week 5. "The Forgotten War" by "Telegraph View", 1st, October 2012

The article, which I’ve just read, reports at length that the war, which is in Afghanistan, has been forgotten by the commander –in-chief – Mr. Obama and his supporters. The same goes for Mitt Romney, the Republican candidate. It’s necessary to note that this time is the election period in the USA.

“Telegraph” is the newspaper which discusses the situation. It’s an open secret that American and British troops will conclude their combat operations in 2014, and hand over full responsibility to local forces. The author supposes that American political classes are suffering from a collective bout of amnesia. It sounds a bit ironic.

In conclusion the reporter suggests that if the west’s fragile gains do indeed unravel in such a fashion, neither Mr. Obama nor Mr. Roomney will be able to ignore the implication.

As for me, I agree with the article. Personally I think that all what you have done can’t be closed like a book on reading. But there is an interesting issue – usually after the reading thoughts stay in your head. In this case the situation concerning the “Forgotten War” isn’t the exception of the rule. I’m sure it’s difficult for mothers and children to put out of mind that their sons and fathers will never come back home.

The analyze of the film: "Lions for Lambs"

Lions for Lambs

Genre: Drama

Movie Type: Ensemble Film, Psychological Drama

Written by: Matthew Michael Carnahan

Directed by: Robert Redford

Release Date: November 9, 2007

Origin: USA

Main Cast: Tom Cruise, Meryl Streep, Robert Redford, Michael Pena, Derek Luke, and Andrew Garfield

Run Time: 88 minutes

MPAA Rating: R for some war violence and language

Plot:

Two determined students at a West Coast University, Arian and Ernest, follow the inspiration of their idealistic professor, Dr. Malley, and attempt to do something important with their lives. But when the two make the bold decision to join the battle in Afghanistan, Malley is both moved and distraught. Now, as Arian and Ernest fight for survival in the field, they become the string that binds together two disparate stories on opposite sides of America. In California, an anguished Dr. Malley attempts to reach a privileged but disaffected student, who is the very opposite of Arian and Ernest. Meanwhile, in Washington D.C. the charismatic Presidential hopeful, Senator Jasper Irving, is about to give a bombshell story to a probing TV journalist that may affect Arian and Ernest's fates. As arguments, memories and bullets fly, the three stories are woven ever more tightly together, revealing how each of these Americans has a profound impact on each other-and the world.

Direction:

Personally I think that Robert Radford, the director of this film, has chosen a very unusual way to tell the story. It’s something new to me when the action is put on show from different angels. I like it.

Writing:

Concerning the plot, it seems to me inventive and unpredictable. I can’t imagine what will happen next second. The words of characters seem symbolic to me, as the illustrate the idea of the film. It this case they are credible. Especially the words of professor.

Editing:

Speaking about ‘editing’ we may say that it’s not fantastic but absolutely normal. It’s that the actions on the war and the actions in offices of the chief and the professor change each other. This fact helps us to see emotions of people in this or that situation.

Costume design:

There is nothing special in them.

Set design:

It isn’t bad. If the movie was filmed in a real place this location has been well-chosen. But at the war action the picture is very dark and it’s difficult to watch the film. I suppose it’s a kind of opposition between the cabinet of the chief and the place where the soldiers are.

Background music:

We have to say, that when we are watching films we pay attention to the music too. It depends on the action, which is illustrated. So in this film I like music very much. Sometimes it helps me to prognoses to the future.

As for me I like the film, which I’ve seen. It’s impressed me greatly. It’s a very good job of actors and the director. It’s better to make such films those soap operas. To my taste. It’s an open secret for all of us, that ‘chiefs’ are Lions and the ‘soldiers’ are Lambs. But the film changes the picture. The idea, which is given in the film, that not all lambs are lambs, among them there are lions, as these two boys, who are killed.

In conclusion I’d like to say that each soldier is gold for any army, but not for the government or for that who rules the army. The war isn’t the business of the chiefs, but also ours. Because we are the main part of that who take part in it.

This Day in the UK. The 3rd of October.

This day, the famous English actor - Clive Owen was born in 1964 in Coventry, England. He took part in such films like "Closer", "King Arthur", "Sin City", "Children of Men" and many others.
His father left the family when the child was three. The mother and the stepfather started to bring up the child and its brothers. Two of them became the musicians, the oldest - Harry is a sailor. Clive is the youngest. He was a well-educated person when he was studying at school.

Summary 118 - 191. "A Portrait of a Lady" by Henry James

Miss Isabel Archer, Miss Henrietta Stackpole and Ralph are preparing to start for London to see its attractions and sights. But their main goal is to communicate with native leavers. But before the departure Lord Warburton comes to Gardencourt from Lockleigh to report that he is still want to marry her, but at the moment he goes away to Scotland with his sister.

The news has been perceived with alleviation by Miss Stackpole. In this case she doesn’t see any barriers to Mr. Casper Goodwood to get married to her friend.  But, having come to Isabel, he receives her refusal and has been asked to wait in America. The meeting has been made by Henrietta who informs Mr. Goodwood each steps of Isabel.

In her turns, Henrietta has a conflict with Isabel concerning her situation about the marriage and goes away to Ralph’s friend Mr. Bantling to learn more about England and to get a foretaste of the country she is staying in.

When Ralph meets Isabel after the dialog with her follower, he gives bad news – Mr. Touchett has been ill. So he is to return to his family house in Gardencourt. She decides to bear him a company and not to enjoy London anymore.

At Touchett’s house everybody are busy, sitting at Mr. Touchett's, bed-side. Mr. Ralph Touchett asks Sir Matthew Hope, the famous English doctor, to visit his father. In this case Isabel is to be without a company all the time, except her new friend, Madame Merle. They become closer and closer day by day. Madame Merle is a very respectable woman in the whole Europe. She is waited in many famous house of London, but she prefers to stay at Touchett’s.

Mrs. Touchett is a good friend of Madame Merle. She believes that Madame will teach Isabel some methods, which help her in live. Also Ralph is eager to help his cousin to have sweetness and light in a short run. He asks the father to change the will with what the father agrees. In this case Isabel will have a half of Mr. Touchett’s wealth. It is the last wish of Mr. Touchett.

Summary 55-118 'The Portrait of A Lady' by Henry James

Miss Stackpole, who is the American writer, comes to England to have more materials for her work. She is a journalist. Her articles are published in the American newspaper, which is called 'the independent'. So, Miss Stackpole is going to collect any information about live in England, what usually people are interested in, what are their customs and traditions and that sort of things. By the way, she is the friend of the main character of the story - Miss Archer.
Both friends are speaking about the live in England and America. They are both Americans. For them, both these lives are different. To this agreement they come. To be more reliable in their convictions, they have to visit London.
But their plan is under discussion, because Lord Warburton has made a proposal to Miss Archer to be his wife. Isabell doesn't know what she should do. She wants to be alone. She isn't ready to be a wife of anybody. All in all Lord Warburton is a very high-voltage person in that question.
That fact doesn't give good vibes to Miss Stackpole. She prefers Miss Archer not to change herself Anglice. The writer believes that Isabell doesn't go the right way. The reason is that our heroine isn't under the influence of her Boston lover Mr. Goodwood.
That's why Miss Stackpole asks Ralph Touchett to invite Isabell's fellow to visit Touchett's house. The trick here is that in this case Isabell will come under the influence of her Boston's friend Mr. Goodwood again and can't change herself Anglice.
Miss Stackpole is interested in Lord Warburton. She wants to know more about him, but she doesn't have a chance to complete her mission. We dare say that she has feelings to him.
At the same time Ralph Touchett spends more and more time with Isabell. He rejects that she is nice to him, but it is true.