Argo: Introducing Iranian History to us

Argo is a thriller film directed by Ben Affleck. He starrs as a CIA operative that led the rescue of six U.S. diplomats from Tehran, Iran, during the 1979 Iran hostage crisis. What I liked about the film was how it introduced history in an educational and yet exciting manner to us.

I learnt that Mohammed Rezā was the Shah of Iran but he was overthrown by the Iranian Revolution in February 1979. As a ruler, he tried to rule the country with a monarchial constitution. However, over time, Mohammad Reza gradually lost support from the Shi'a clergy of Iran, particularly due to his strong policy of modernization, secularization, conflict with the traditional class of merchants known as bazaari, and recognition of Israel.

I also learnt that the United States has allied and supported with the Shah since World War II days.In 1953 the British and U.S. spy agencies helped Iranian royalists depose of the government of Mosaddegh in a military coup d'état, and helped restore the Shah back to power. By 1979, political unrest had transformed into a revolution which, on 16 January, forced the Shah to leave Iran. Soon thereafter, the Iranian monarchy was formally abolished, and Iran was declared an Islamic republic.

I also learnt that the Islams in Iran used force to express their hatred. They seemed xenophobic, especially towards Amercians. But maybe hatred wasn't built over a night. Being built over decades of betrayal, they seemed to treat the US embassy as a place where detectives were planted there to prevent Islamic democracy.

Whilst the movie has led me to appreciate history a tad better, it has also got me thinking - that dirty politics has a hand to play in creating history. Whether it turned out fine or not, it's yet another matter,

The Movie: Stolen

Stolen is a film about a former thief, Will Montgomery, who was released from prison for a bank robbery of $10 million. Believed to still have the hidden loot, the detectives and his ex-accomplice are monitoring his every move and want him to re-produce the cash. Perceived as the millionaire who refuses to show his cash, he was forced to re-produce his apparent wealth by robbing yet another bank. Through a series of carefully executed moves, Will (starred by Nicolas Cage) managed to pull off another robbery in broad daylight.

Whilst his film character managed to upkeep the perception of 'wealth' through a series of stunts, did the movie live up to its expectations? We always perceived Nicolas Cage as a great actor with a few block-busters (The Rock, Face/Off, National Treasure) to his name, but could he pull off another great stunt to save this movie this time?

Apparently not. With an ageing look and a one-man show, the movie was considered a box office failure. Indeed, 'Stolen' focusses on the central theme of stealing, but that probably didn't work too well for a man past his primes. Perhaps it was the right thing to do to have watched this movie via a 'stolen' DVD at a cost price of S$1.50.

Skyfall - What makes Bond click

I asked why Skyfall is such a great movie. Another James Bond movie, and yet another success. It became the highest-grossing film in the James Bond series. With Daniel Craig starring as Bond, he was what we came to watch for. And this is what makes Bond a great character to watch:

1. Superb agility - He demonstrated his moves in the opening sequel, where he climbed on top of a moving train, jumped from one carriage to another and executed well-timed moves to track the mercenary Patrice down.

2. Sense of loyalty - He decided to make a comeback from the dead when the offices of MI6 were exploded. Earlier on, he was somewhat betrayed by his superior's instruction which led to his injury, but he decided to be faithful to M and fight for MI6's cause.

3. Intelligent deductions - He might not be the best marksmen in town, but he definitely have the brains which outwitted every possible opponent. He kidnapped M to use her as the bait; he went to Skyfall and use that to his strengths; he used the gas canister to take on most of his enemies.

Maybe every movie-goer is hoping to have a bit of him in each of us. Maybe we wished to have a bit of excitement in our lives. Maybe we need to indulge in a bit of fantasy. And that is what makes Bond click!