"I would like to die; they wouldn't let me to"-> "You cant have everything in life" The film starts with such a dialog, but then what it shows is that if you are determined you can get everything in life.
Your heart will dance and weep to the tunes of this movie. Yeah this looks like just another teen love story set in astounding locales. But there is lot more to it. The film is set in an entertaining story within a story style where both these stories converge at the end. Though I felt the ending was a bit sudden and could have been a lot better. The acting was spot on as were the tracks.
However the main reason this movie holds acclaim is the fact that it makes you feel. The nonchalant eyes of Ryan speak volumes and make you delve deep into the story. There were two very touching scenes in this movie. One where Rachel's fiance (after coming to know of Ryan) says " I have three options: One, I shoot him. Two I give him a damn. Three I let him have you. But none of these let me have you... I love you" This was just one example of hoe this movie touches you... Go and watch it. Its a story about two souls who had all differences for which they fought but only one thing in common: They were crazy about each other.
Overall 7.5/10
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Saturday, November 22, 2008
The Tin Drum (Polish)
This is one of the most disturbing and haunting movies I have ever seen. It has all kinds of adultery superposed with a spastic child's view of the commencement of the 2nd world war. In a way its just a disturbing Forrest Gump.
Its a totally different kind of cinema..where the director shocks you out of your senses. The performance is awesome. The kid really looks like a man trapped in a child's body. The expression of his eyes haunt you for life.
A point I found noting about this film is the personalization of the state of uncertainty. It is set in Danzig, which is a free state. It cant decide whether to be Polish or German. Its the same case with Oscar(the kid protagonist). He never wanted to be an adult. Yet as he grew, his body remained that of a kid, yet he possessed an adult mind. He was infact jealous of his father who "snatched" his first love from him probably only because he looked like a kid despite being 16. It is this conflict of mind that he ends at last, when he decided to grow again. Symbolically Danzig too gave up its freedom to be German.
Its better to see this movie than read any review.. nothing can really describe it.
One suggestion, don't eat before you see this movie. You may puke. But then probably you wont be able to eat after this movie too. Also I wont recommend this movie to any one who is easily offended. There are even some child pornographic scenes.
But this is a rare cinematographic experience.
Overall 8/10
Acting 9/10
Its a totally different kind of cinema..where the director shocks you out of your senses. The performance is awesome. The kid really looks like a man trapped in a child's body. The expression of his eyes haunt you for life.
A point I found noting about this film is the personalization of the state of uncertainty. It is set in Danzig, which is a free state. It cant decide whether to be Polish or German. Its the same case with Oscar(the kid protagonist). He never wanted to be an adult. Yet as he grew, his body remained that of a kid, yet he possessed an adult mind. He was infact jealous of his father who "snatched" his first love from him probably only because he looked like a kid despite being 16. It is this conflict of mind that he ends at last, when he decided to grow again. Symbolically Danzig too gave up its freedom to be German.
Its better to see this movie than read any review.. nothing can really describe it.
One suggestion, don't eat before you see this movie. You may puke. But then probably you wont be able to eat after this movie too. Also I wont recommend this movie to any one who is easily offended. There are even some child pornographic scenes.
But this is a rare cinematographic experience.
Overall 8/10
Acting 9/10
Friday, November 14, 2008
Amadeus
An evergreen classic... speechless.. a film that encompasses all emotions and touches all hearts...the music oh the music...if you dont intend to see it, you are sacrificing something..
Well you wanna hear all that cliche praise go to http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0086879 . Here I intend to expand and rectify the theme to some extent.
Salieri says he is "patron saint of the mediocre" huh... he is someone who has written 40 operas and was the court composer. Its like a Nobel Laureate saying he is mediocre!!!!! What do they know about the pangs of mediocrity?? Huh
There are two kinds of intellectually famous people- the Genii and the Miracles. The genii get their position by hard work accentuated by super brain power. People admire them. But then there are Miracles. They perform 'impossible' deeds: Deaf composing music, propose astounding theories based on apples, Remember a whole book with one read... and what not... These are the demi-gods ppl worship. And it is this worship that the Genii crave for but cant get anything beyond admiration. There are some heights hard work cannot help you scale.
And among the rest there are two kinds of people- the mediocre and the common mass. Both of these worship the Miracles and admire the Genii. But there is a big difference between them. The common mass have no big ambition and are happy with their family. Its the mediocre whose life is torturous. They start out with big ambitions. When they are kids they think they too would be worshiped some day. That drowns with the fantasies of the youth. Frustrated, they strive hard to be at least admired. Admired they are in a small circle; which rather than helping only infuriates further. It seems like a taunt. They waste their life like a dog to be one among the Genii. Its only at the fag end of life that they realize it was much easier to live the life of a common man. You get just one life. If you haven't even enjoyed it, was the effort any worth? Even if the Mediocre is elevated to the elite group of the Genii, he will not be contented, he will regret not having been sent by God as a Miracle..as Salieri did. Hundred years later only the Miracles will live. If you are anything short better enjoy life as you go along. A grain of sand in a beach of mediocrity is indistinguishable; only the Pearl is.
PS: I found it funny that Salieri's character got the Oscar while Mozart's didnt
Well you wanna hear all that cliche praise go to http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0086879 . Here I intend to expand and rectify the theme to some extent.
Salieri says he is "patron saint of the mediocre" huh... he is someone who has written 40 operas and was the court composer. Its like a Nobel Laureate saying he is mediocre!!!!! What do they know about the pangs of mediocrity?? Huh
There are two kinds of intellectually famous people- the Genii and the Miracles. The genii get their position by hard work accentuated by super brain power. People admire them. But then there are Miracles. They perform 'impossible' deeds: Deaf composing music, propose astounding theories based on apples, Remember a whole book with one read... and what not... These are the demi-gods ppl worship. And it is this worship that the Genii crave for but cant get anything beyond admiration. There are some heights hard work cannot help you scale.
And among the rest there are two kinds of people- the mediocre and the common mass. Both of these worship the Miracles and admire the Genii. But there is a big difference between them. The common mass have no big ambition and are happy with their family. Its the mediocre whose life is torturous. They start out with big ambitions. When they are kids they think they too would be worshiped some day. That drowns with the fantasies of the youth. Frustrated, they strive hard to be at least admired. Admired they are in a small circle; which rather than helping only infuriates further. It seems like a taunt. They waste their life like a dog to be one among the Genii. Its only at the fag end of life that they realize it was much easier to live the life of a common man. You get just one life. If you haven't even enjoyed it, was the effort any worth? Even if the Mediocre is elevated to the elite group of the Genii, he will not be contented, he will regret not having been sent by God as a Miracle..as Salieri did. Hundred years later only the Miracles will live. If you are anything short better enjoy life as you go along. A grain of sand in a beach of mediocrity is indistinguishable; only the Pearl is.
PS: I found it funny that Salieri's character got the Oscar while Mozart's didnt
Friday, November 7, 2008
A walk to remember
"Love is like the wind.... I cant see it but I can feel it"
"There's more to attraction than meets the eye"
""Love is always patient and kind. It is never jealous. Love is never boastful or conceited. It is never rude or selfish. It does not take offense and is not resentful."
""Find out who you are, and do it on purpose."
And one more which probably matches the theme of this movie but is from Titanic...
" Love can touch just one time, but last for a lifetime"
Okay I wont keep on compiling a list of quotations... but this movie leaves me speechless....I have seen few romantic movies but I was floored by this one...The soundtrack is awesome so is the acting by the lead characters Mandy Moore and Shane West...
Its like one of my friends commented.. "after watching this movie you feel like crying but this movie teaches you not to" .. Love is powerful; it can change somebody "heading on the wrong path" to somersault. And it is selfless and not jealous.....The film is so natural...You will feel the way the lead characters do....
This movie has elements of teen comedy, great dialogues, beautiful locales and shots and above all an inspiring message....Dunno why it doesnt have good ratings. Its a movie of faith...This is definitely "A FILM TO REMEMBER"
Overall 8/10
Music 8/10
btw: Mandy Moore looks cute in this movie :) The movie is worth a watch for her even if you dont appreciate romantics....
"There's more to attraction than meets the eye"
""Love is always patient and kind. It is never jealous. Love is never boastful or conceited. It is never rude or selfish. It does not take offense and is not resentful."
""Find out who you are, and do it on purpose."
And one more which probably matches the theme of this movie but is from Titanic...
" Love can touch just one time, but last for a lifetime"
Okay I wont keep on compiling a list of quotations... but this movie leaves me speechless....I have seen few romantic movies but I was floored by this one...The soundtrack is awesome so is the acting by the lead characters Mandy Moore and Shane West...
Its like one of my friends commented.. "after watching this movie you feel like crying but this movie teaches you not to" .. Love is powerful; it can change somebody "heading on the wrong path" to somersault. And it is selfless and not jealous.....The film is so natural...You will feel the way the lead characters do....
This movie has elements of teen comedy, great dialogues, beautiful locales and shots and above all an inspiring message....Dunno why it doesnt have good ratings. Its a movie of faith...This is definitely "A FILM TO REMEMBER"
Overall 8/10
Music 8/10
btw: Mandy Moore looks cute in this movie :) The movie is worth a watch for her even if you dont appreciate romantics....
Butch Cassidy and Sundance Kid
One of the best Westerns I have ever seen... after Good bad and the Ugly probably..... and what makes it different from other westerns is its attitude..... An attitude one should take in life... laugh at every situation in life....Even when Butch and Kid were shot and were surrounded by forces on all sides he was joking about going to Australia... hats off..
The script is witty and full of dialogues that will make you exclaim.... The acting is one of the best of the actors concerned..Newman's comic timing is simply superb..
Its a movie one can enjoy in all moods... Enjoy it if you havent already...
Overall 7.5/10
The script is witty and full of dialogues that will make you exclaim.... The acting is one of the best of the actors concerned..Newman's comic timing is simply superb..
Its a movie one can enjoy in all moods... Enjoy it if you havent already...
Overall 7.5/10
Saturday, November 1, 2008
Crash
You think you know who you are. You have no idea.. I am in love with this movie... many movies achieve a brilliant cinematic style, music , camera angles and all the technical shit associated with it... yeah some do even touch you.. but only a few crash with you.. this one did....
It tells the life of many....flawlessly achieving what many directors have tried their hand at...interweaving multiple stories..technically and acting wise its brilliant but the message yes the message....
We are born haughty..... Probably each of us thinks we are better than the others in something.. atleast I do... and lo....even now I am assuming that all of you are as bad as me or even worser...anyway let me rectify myself.. yes I assume that I am good in a lot of respects and that many others out there are bad....I form the judgment myself...But there is Good and Bad in all of you...Atleast for me, I often fail to see the case...and you reader can judge yourself... The next time I will think 10 times before judging somebody....praising is easy, the opposite...darn difficult...
This movie also hit hard at the racist attitude...I dunno if its the case but as it protrays...a big chunk of the problem is that the "BLACK" consider themselves as black!!!!! and the so called liberal minded WHITES who try to bring equality by making the ride of blacks widen the gap even more.....It struck me that its the same we are doing in India.. with the idiotic reservation scheme...there are two classes of people who advocate these: 1. the so called liberal minded who sympathisize with the so called low castes.. 2. The so called low castes themselves who still suffer from an inferiority complex themselves....(of course I have ignored the vested interests).. what they dont understand is that the new generation cares a shit about the castes and all this idiotic reservation is infuriating this generation.....The SC/ST/OBC will have to live with the comment "Oh they got through the entrance exams via the Quota"... They may be damn good students who could have cracked it anyway but still the tag lives and the century old barbaric system of diving people still continues....what I fear is the kind of backlash that we have seen in Orissa... USA has already faced it...with the KKK and stuff...are we heading towards it...OOHHHHH....
Anyway its time to give up the "holier than thou" attitude... GO njoi this movie... you wont leave your seat until this is over..
Overall 8/10
Direction 8.5/10
It tells the life of many....flawlessly achieving what many directors have tried their hand at...interweaving multiple stories..technically and acting wise its brilliant but the message yes the message....
We are born haughty..... Probably each of us thinks we are better than the others in something.. atleast I do... and lo....even now I am assuming that all of you are as bad as me or even worser...anyway let me rectify myself.. yes I assume that I am good in a lot of respects and that many others out there are bad....I form the judgment myself...But there is Good and Bad in all of you...Atleast for me, I often fail to see the case...and you reader can judge yourself... The next time I will think 10 times before judging somebody....praising is easy, the opposite...darn difficult...
This movie also hit hard at the racist attitude...I dunno if its the case but as it protrays...a big chunk of the problem is that the "BLACK" consider themselves as black!!!!! and the so called liberal minded WHITES who try to bring equality by making the ride of blacks widen the gap even more.....It struck me that its the same we are doing in India.. with the idiotic reservation scheme...there are two classes of people who advocate these: 1. the so called liberal minded who sympathisize with the so called low castes.. 2. The so called low castes themselves who still suffer from an inferiority complex themselves....(of course I have ignored the vested interests).. what they dont understand is that the new generation cares a shit about the castes and all this idiotic reservation is infuriating this generation.....The SC/ST/OBC will have to live with the comment "Oh they got through the entrance exams via the Quota"... They may be damn good students who could have cracked it anyway but still the tag lives and the century old barbaric system of diving people still continues....what I fear is the kind of backlash that we have seen in Orissa... USA has already faced it...with the KKK and stuff...are we heading towards it...OOHHHHH....
Anyway its time to give up the "holier than thou" attitude... GO njoi this movie... you wont leave your seat until this is over..
Overall 8/10
Direction 8.5/10
Friday, October 31, 2008
Star Wars IV-VI (Original Trilogy)
If you have seen the movies...May The force with you...if you haven't, you must have been Tattooing on Tatooine....
Epic, this trilogy is, in cinematic history. Conceived how the idea Lucas did, know not I . Traveling above light speed in hyperspace and an empire over galaxies....Robots advanced enuff in AI.... digesting difficult this is. 1977 made this movie was in .OMG!!!!!
disagree with me, you may.. acting substandard, think I... Steal the show the bots (droids) do.....made in1977, this movie was.. enjoyable the special effects are even now... hats off Lucas...
Understood you may have.... Yoda's wisdom words, love I do.....Down on self-confidence, if you are, boost u these will...
"Try not. Do... or do not. There is no try. "
"Always in motion is the future"
"Great Warriors.. Wars not make one great."
"Size matters not. Judge by .. size do you?"
"Luke: I don't, I don't believe it.
Yoda: That is why you fail."
"So certain are you. Always with you it cannot be done."
Enuff said I have.. Enjoy you now.. Off I am..Earned the rest I have :)
Overall 8.5/10
Epic, this trilogy is, in cinematic history. Conceived how the idea Lucas did, know not I . Traveling above light speed in hyperspace and an empire over galaxies....Robots advanced enuff in AI.... digesting difficult this is. 1977 made this movie was in .OMG!!!!!
disagree with me, you may.. acting substandard, think I... Steal the show the bots (droids) do.....made in1977, this movie was.. enjoyable the special effects are even now... hats off Lucas...
Understood you may have.... Yoda's wisdom words, love I do.....Down on self-confidence, if you are, boost u these will...
"Try not. Do... or do not. There is no try. "
"Always in motion is the future"
"Great Warriors.. Wars not make one great."
"Size matters not. Judge by .. size do you?"
"Luke: I don't, I don't believe it.
Yoda: That is why you fail."
"So certain are you. Always with you it cannot be done."
Enuff said I have.. Enjoy you now.. Off I am..Earned the rest I have :)
Overall 8.5/10
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Star Wars I-III (prequel trilogy)
I am writing this review after sitting through the whole star wars series in the order it is to be (not in the order of release).. and I am sorry to disappoint Star Wars fans: the prequel trilogy may have its moments but it was nowhere near the original Star wars series...(renamed IV- VI) ... I would say that I(phantom Menace) and II(Attack of the Clones) were pathetic... III( Revenge of the Sith) is way better than the other two but still falls short of the mark.....apart from filling in the curiosity of star wars fans regarding Darth vader's Outfits and the Emperor's broken up face and maybe Luke and Leia's separation, this trilogy serves little purpose..
Considering that the original Star Wars stunned ppl with its special effects and concepts, this trilogy released in the age of LOTR(Lord of the Rings) is wanting on the effects too...
Whats more compared to the original trilogy , even the dialogues and not so great...Lucas would have done himself and his fans lot mroe justice with just one film instead of the three...
Natalie Portman as Padme is a relief when you have to sit through the horrible part I and II's , and in III, while the film improves, she looks a lot older.. :)
Overall 6/10
Considering that the original Star Wars stunned ppl with its special effects and concepts, this trilogy released in the age of LOTR(Lord of the Rings) is wanting on the effects too...
Whats more compared to the original trilogy , even the dialogues and not so great...Lucas would have done himself and his fans lot mroe justice with just one film instead of the three...
Natalie Portman as Padme is a relief when you have to sit through the horrible part I and II's , and in III, while the film improves, she looks a lot older.. :)
Overall 6/10
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Chocolat
If you are a diabetes patient you should not watch this movie... :P luscious chocolate being made by a pretty woman..This has all the elements of a good feel good movie.. Its out and out comedy with elements of romance and drama...Its one of the most enthralling movies I have probably ever seen...
The film was storytelling at its best..and ofcourse strong performances...the characters were all so believable!!!!!! but I think it delivers a strong message through the speech of the priest.... and it is one of the reasons I am in love with this film :"we can't go 'round measuring our goodness by what we don't do, by what we deny ourselves, what we resist and who we exclude... we've go to measure goodness by what we embrace, what we create, and who we include."
How true!!! most of us do that....and for my part I too did that...everybody is good in his/her own eyes....its only when we expand our horizons that we become great...often we are told :"forgive the sinner"..who are we to decide if we are sinner????? How do we decide who is the sinner? the one who is in the minority!!!! and cant the minority be right???? this film teaches just that....continuing on the "A Wednesday theme, any attempt to overthrow a rule is termed a rebellion, they are seen are traitors and insane fanatics.. But often they are right....mostly they are brutally suppressed (as in the Orwell's 1984) or sometimes they win (as in Star Wars)...But yes the bottomline is even a minority can be right.. we are nobody to judge others..
I have drifted a lot from the movie.. go and enjoy it.. :)
Overall 7.5/10
The film was storytelling at its best..and ofcourse strong performances...the characters were all so believable!!!!!! but I think it delivers a strong message through the speech of the priest.... and it is one of the reasons I am in love with this film :"we can't go 'round measuring our goodness by what we don't do, by what we deny ourselves, what we resist and who we exclude... we've go to measure goodness by what we embrace, what we create, and who we include."
How true!!! most of us do that....and for my part I too did that...everybody is good in his/her own eyes....its only when we expand our horizons that we become great...often we are told :"forgive the sinner"..who are we to decide if we are sinner????? How do we decide who is the sinner? the one who is in the minority!!!! and cant the minority be right???? this film teaches just that....continuing on the "A Wednesday theme, any attempt to overthrow a rule is termed a rebellion, they are seen are traitors and insane fanatics.. But often they are right....mostly they are brutally suppressed (as in the Orwell's 1984) or sometimes they win (as in Star Wars)...But yes the bottomline is even a minority can be right.. we are nobody to judge others..
I have drifted a lot from the movie.. go and enjoy it.. :)
Overall 7.5/10
Thursday, October 9, 2008
A Wednesday (Hindi)
Bollywood's finally coming of age... There are a number of films in the past few months which are worth mentioning about... The age of running around trees has given way to some serious film making...As always drastic changes are brought about by newbies-all the directors of are fresh...
Lets talk about the film at hand....a thought provoking one graced by arguably two of the best actors of Bollywood-Nasiruddin Shah and Anupam Kher.... its flawless...and it has the RDB (Rang De Basanti) effect. Be it the background music..editing...dialogues...camera angles....But I am moved by the topic of the film...
In recent times, the world has been rocked by terrorism..whats the purpose????? Is anybody clear about them???? Doesnt each religion preach kindness to fellow beings!!!!! We are but a tiny speck in the fathomless universe yet we fight among ourselves on petty reasons....The massive human population is but a sack of sweetpeas that can crushed by a small astronomical force...Nonetheless we waste our time fighting among ourselves and these fights are aggrevated by vested interests and brainwashed fanatics.....Are all those so called terrorists really proud of having killed so many innocent people in the last decade??? People so benevolent that they dont even raise their voice even after their life is shattered???? Religion is but a way of knowing oneself. Everyone can have his/her own way.. Seen one way there is just one God, in a different angle there are plenty...because there is a God in each one of us and by prayers its that God we want to arouse, that God we wish to, that God we confess to...
The adjusting common man swallows all pain with a pinch of salt. Its very difficult to incite him to war..but yes when he rises, mayhem will follow...And we can see everywhere around us that the temperature of the 'proles' is rising.....They get irritated quickly..the anger is often vent out by burning buses, trains or lynching petty criminals....But that day is not far away when the "cockroaches" who pollute the society will be guillotined..Watch out!!!!
Overall 8/10
Acting 8.5/10
Direction 8.5/10
Lets talk about the film at hand....a thought provoking one graced by arguably two of the best actors of Bollywood-Nasiruddin Shah and Anupam Kher.... its flawless...and it has the RDB (Rang De Basanti) effect. Be it the background music..editing...dialogues...camera angles....But I am moved by the topic of the film...
In recent times, the world has been rocked by terrorism..whats the purpose????? Is anybody clear about them???? Doesnt each religion preach kindness to fellow beings!!!!! We are but a tiny speck in the fathomless universe yet we fight among ourselves on petty reasons....The massive human population is but a sack of sweetpeas that can crushed by a small astronomical force...Nonetheless we waste our time fighting among ourselves and these fights are aggrevated by vested interests and brainwashed fanatics.....Are all those so called terrorists really proud of having killed so many innocent people in the last decade??? People so benevolent that they dont even raise their voice even after their life is shattered???? Religion is but a way of knowing oneself. Everyone can have his/her own way.. Seen one way there is just one God, in a different angle there are plenty...because there is a God in each one of us and by prayers its that God we want to arouse, that God we wish to, that God we confess to...
The adjusting common man swallows all pain with a pinch of salt. Its very difficult to incite him to war..but yes when he rises, mayhem will follow...And we can see everywhere around us that the temperature of the 'proles' is rising.....They get irritated quickly..the anger is often vent out by burning buses, trains or lynching petty criminals....But that day is not far away when the "cockroaches" who pollute the society will be guillotined..Watch out!!!!
Overall 8/10
Acting 8.5/10
Direction 8.5/10
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Moscow Does Not Believe in Tears (Russian)
This film triumphed over Kurosawa and Truffaut's creations to grab the Best Foreign Language Film Oscar in 1981...and its not hard to see why.. Its a complex tale of three girls through their youth till middle age..
In youth, all pretty girls probably vie for, is a piece of everybody's undivided attention. They are carefree and the society revers them then...but then beauty is nothing but a fleeting shine of glamlight..... it slowly fades....and then..its just the pangs of being single or being in a rickety marriage loosely bonded in the haste of youth...
Liuda is hot and beautiful, Katerina is charming and Antonia is simple..... despite contrasting characters they form a bond of friendship... A famous sportstar dissolves himself in the champagne of Liuda's beauty.... Katerina gets into a relationship, bears a child but the guy refuses to marry her as she was a simple working woman...Laughed at by others, Antonia marries a simple guy....
Cut down 20 years later..Liuda is divorced.....Katerina rose up the ranks by sheer determination but her sense of emptiness is well portrayed when she hides her face in one of the pillows...the other lying idly by her...Antonia is the most happy of the three...
All three tried to find happiness in Moscow...but in a chauvinistic society thats a difficult find.... Katerina's case is the most appalling...she fought hard against the odds to be a successful single mother yet "Once you have achieved what you wanted, all you feel is just howling in despair" ... because "Fate like a rocket flies in a parabola usually in gloom, rarely along rainbows"....
Is being single so tiresome??????
Overall 8.5/10
In youth, all pretty girls probably vie for, is a piece of everybody's undivided attention. They are carefree and the society revers them then...but then beauty is nothing but a fleeting shine of glamlight..... it slowly fades....and then..its just the pangs of being single or being in a rickety marriage loosely bonded in the haste of youth...
Liuda is hot and beautiful, Katerina is charming and Antonia is simple..... despite contrasting characters they form a bond of friendship... A famous sportstar dissolves himself in the champagne of Liuda's beauty.... Katerina gets into a relationship, bears a child but the guy refuses to marry her as she was a simple working woman...Laughed at by others, Antonia marries a simple guy....
Cut down 20 years later..Liuda is divorced.....Katerina rose up the ranks by sheer determination but her sense of emptiness is well portrayed when she hides her face in one of the pillows...the other lying idly by her...Antonia is the most happy of the three...
All three tried to find happiness in Moscow...but in a chauvinistic society thats a difficult find.... Katerina's case is the most appalling...she fought hard against the odds to be a successful single mother yet "Once you have achieved what you wanted, all you feel is just howling in despair" ... because "Fate like a rocket flies in a parabola usually in gloom, rarely along rainbows"....
Is being single so tiresome??????
Overall 8.5/10
Thursday, September 25, 2008
The Last Emperor (Chinese+English)
There are some films are there are some evergreen epics..This falls in the latter category. It swept 9 Oscars and I would not waste time praising the movie...
We often blame kings and aristocrats of not caring for the common mass, this film as an exception makes one think of their viewpoint. We all know of Marie Antionette's so called famous dialogue that sparked the French Revolution: "If they dont have bread they can eat cake" . People despised her for that.. but think of it from her point of view.. she has been enslaved in aristocracy...she has not been allowed to know whats going on in the outer world..cake and bread are so easily available that she has not been allowed to know the difference....How could she know...Its the society that has imprisoned her in broadening the horizons...
In this film the theme is portrayed through the life of the Last Emperor of China. He was told he was the Lord of 10000 years...he could do whatever he wanted as long as he never stepped outside teh Forbidden Palace...He lived a boring life of superfluity...yet one day he was evicted from his palace...what could he do....he couldnt live the live of a normal man...from the age of 3, he was made to believe that he was the Lord. So he teamed up with the Japanese to regain his throne...He became the emperor but a puppet again...People condemned him for his action..but he had no remorse...for he thought he was right!!!!!!!!
Anyway the film is a treatise because it vividly portrays Chinese traditions and its metamorphosis from imperialism to communism through the eyes of the man who suffered the most.
At 3:38 hrs its a long watch but I can assure you its worth it.
Direction 8.5/10
Overall 8/10
We often blame kings and aristocrats of not caring for the common mass, this film as an exception makes one think of their viewpoint. We all know of Marie Antionette's so called famous dialogue that sparked the French Revolution: "If they dont have bread they can eat cake" . People despised her for that.. but think of it from her point of view.. she has been enslaved in aristocracy...she has not been allowed to know whats going on in the outer world..cake and bread are so easily available that she has not been allowed to know the difference....How could she know...Its the society that has imprisoned her in broadening the horizons...
In this film the theme is portrayed through the life of the Last Emperor of China. He was told he was the Lord of 10000 years...he could do whatever he wanted as long as he never stepped outside teh Forbidden Palace...He lived a boring life of superfluity...yet one day he was evicted from his palace...what could he do....he couldnt live the live of a normal man...from the age of 3, he was made to believe that he was the Lord. So he teamed up with the Japanese to regain his throne...He became the emperor but a puppet again...People condemned him for his action..but he had no remorse...for he thought he was right!!!!!!!!
Anyway the film is a treatise because it vividly portrays Chinese traditions and its metamorphosis from imperialism to communism through the eyes of the man who suffered the most.
At 3:38 hrs its a long watch but I can assure you its worth it.
Direction 8.5/10
Overall 8/10
Monday, September 22, 2008
Leaving Las Vegas
Some films haunt you for life... This is one of them... A tragic romantic film that offers no solace..
Love stories are cliche...so is this...to the barebones..its an unexplainable relation between a drunk and a hooker and yes both know it....The drunk has only one aim in life- to drink himself to death..the hooker is beautiful..she does not respect the job she does yet she knows she is one of the best in her business...But..she is tired of being single...and then she meets this man..who respects her for what she is...thinks she is her angel..
The acting is superb..earning Oscar for Cage and nomination for Shue...Its a difficult film yet if you can delve into it..you would be dissolved in their lives...Sera(Shue) is pained by the way Ben(Cage) was destroying himself..yet never complained...she complied with his bouts...and tried to make his life as easy as possible...Las Vegas is the land of phoney lights and deceit..yet it was in Las Vegas that the unconditional love developed...
its difficult to write a review for this movie..see it to understand the depths..
"see how hard you make me angel?"
Acting 8/10
Overall 7.5/10
Love stories are cliche...so is this...to the barebones..its an unexplainable relation between a drunk and a hooker and yes both know it....The drunk has only one aim in life- to drink himself to death..the hooker is beautiful..she does not respect the job she does yet she knows she is one of the best in her business...But..she is tired of being single...and then she meets this man..who respects her for what she is...thinks she is her angel..
The acting is superb..earning Oscar for Cage and nomination for Shue...Its a difficult film yet if you can delve into it..you would be dissolved in their lives...Sera(Shue) is pained by the way Ben(Cage) was destroying himself..yet never complained...she complied with his bouts...and tried to make his life as easy as possible...Las Vegas is the land of phoney lights and deceit..yet it was in Las Vegas that the unconditional love developed...
its difficult to write a review for this movie..see it to understand the depths..
"see how hard you make me angel?"
Acting 8/10
Overall 7.5/10
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Mumbai Meri Jaan (Hindi)
If somebody uninitiated to Indian cinema asks me to show him a recent Indian movie, I would probably choose this movie.....A class in its own...So many techniques have been so brilliantly executed that the director deserves kudos for it....If I talk only about the techniques after watching this movie, I would have been an unfeeling idiot.....For above everything, this movie delivers a strong message....its made out of bits and pieces of commonplace middle-class life-a pie of our frustrations, our joys our tensions, anxieties....
Why such violence????? The world is such a small place to live in...we are but tiny specs in the fathomless universe..yet, we cant live in harmony...we fight among ourselves about petty things...We dont know what or who God is....yet we fight because someone else does not follow our method of reverence for the superpower guiding us....we build walls in the name of religion, castes, sects....we love to loathe at others..overseeing what we are...petty lives....if there are criminals, thats only because the society has made them so....instead of reforming and obliterating crimes, we vent our anger on "criminals"....the very acts creating more "criminals" and terrorists...everyone in us has a Satan inside...its the job of everybody else to contain others.....positive feedback :) ...despite all our follies, still there is something about humans thats worth praising..with time, we forget everything and life moves on, the spirit lives on...
The above paragraph may have been a string of rambling thoughts...but I am helpless..the film makes you think...The film might have been better without the lengthy dialogues in the 2nd half..yet...if I could have directed a film like this, I would have called it a day :) Superb camera angles, multiples plots brilliantly knitted together, excellent editing, background scores intelligently adjusted from sitar to rock, satirical rib-tickling comedy interspersed between grim scenes, a strong message..what more do you want in a movie!!!!!
Overall 8/10
Direction 9/10
Why such violence????? The world is such a small place to live in...we are but tiny specs in the fathomless universe..yet, we cant live in harmony...we fight among ourselves about petty things...We dont know what or who God is....yet we fight because someone else does not follow our method of reverence for the superpower guiding us....we build walls in the name of religion, castes, sects....we love to loathe at others..overseeing what we are...petty lives....if there are criminals, thats only because the society has made them so....instead of reforming and obliterating crimes, we vent our anger on "criminals"....the very acts creating more "criminals" and terrorists...everyone in us has a Satan inside...its the job of everybody else to contain others.....positive feedback :) ...despite all our follies, still there is something about humans thats worth praising..with time, we forget everything and life moves on, the spirit lives on...
The above paragraph may have been a string of rambling thoughts...but I am helpless..the film makes you think...The film might have been better without the lengthy dialogues in the 2nd half..yet...if I could have directed a film like this, I would have called it a day :) Superb camera angles, multiples plots brilliantly knitted together, excellent editing, background scores intelligently adjusted from sitar to rock, satirical rib-tickling comedy interspersed between grim scenes, a strong message..what more do you want in a movie!!!!!
Overall 8/10
Direction 9/10
Sunday, August 31, 2008
The Dark Knight
Well I was surprised to see this movie break above Godfather in the IMDB list. A movie being #1 in IMDB list, above Shawshank and Godfather. But I think, yes this movie should be top ten. Its not an evergreen classic..its not Life is Beautiful, not even No Country for Old...but yes its a film that appeals to everybody yet has all the nuances of a good movie.
Heath Ledger deserves an oscar for his role... This is one of the best psycho roles I have seen in the films of the recent past...Its sad that he is no more, he should get a posthumous Oscar for his role.....But Christian Bale disappointed me again...He in my view drowned Nolan's last film( The Prestige) to some extent and there was big mismatch between Joker and Batman in terms of acting...(dont get me wrong..Bale is a good actor but I think he could have been better...)
The film is brilliant in many respects-special effects, awing action sequences, symbolisms and yes acting..the ediitng is crisp.there are no redundant scenes..though at times the scenes are too brief....and the message that it transmits is also strong..However the story had no major twists and I think the movie was infact let down by a rather simple story....it was almost totally predictable. But then I must not be too cynical its a Batman movie after all and it cant probably go better than this..
The symolization on the eternal conflict between Order and Anarchy especially through Joker's dialogues are mindblowing as is Batman's conflict....everybody does their part rather well in this movie and its difficult to find flaws in this movie though I found a few [:)]
Overall 8/10
Acting 9/10
Heath Ledger deserves an oscar for his role... This is one of the best psycho roles I have seen in the films of the recent past...Its sad that he is no more, he should get a posthumous Oscar for his role.....But Christian Bale disappointed me again...He in my view drowned Nolan's last film( The Prestige) to some extent and there was big mismatch between Joker and Batman in terms of acting...(dont get me wrong..Bale is a good actor but I think he could have been better...)
The film is brilliant in many respects-special effects, awing action sequences, symbolisms and yes acting..the ediitng is crisp.there are no redundant scenes..though at times the scenes are too brief....and the message that it transmits is also strong..However the story had no major twists and I think the movie was infact let down by a rather simple story....it was almost totally predictable. But then I must not be too cynical its a Batman movie after all and it cant probably go better than this..
The symolization on the eternal conflict between Order and Anarchy especially through Joker's dialogues are mindblowing as is Batman's conflict....everybody does their part rather well in this movie and its difficult to find flaws in this movie though I found a few [:)]
Overall 8/10
Acting 9/10
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Charade
I checked the name of the director at the end to see if it wasnt some remnant of Hitchcock...I couldnt guess it till the end...The suspence is superb...but the strong point for the movie is its presentation....totally ingenuous....
This movie figures an aged Cary and aging Audrey( she still charms :)) yet it mesmerizes..the romantic Paris and the camera movements....the angles are mastercrafts...
and yes the script....there are scores of quotable lines in this movie..it begins with something like this
Cary met her
Audrey :I already know an awful lot of people and until one of them dies I couldn't possibly meet anyone else.
Cary: Well, if anyone goes on the critical list, let me know!!!!!!!
Dont waste time reading this silly blog..go and watch this movie..
Overall 8/10
Direction 8.5/10
PS: There is a music in this film which seems to have inspired the background score in the Hindi movie 'Gumnam'
This movie figures an aged Cary and aging Audrey( she still charms :)) yet it mesmerizes..the romantic Paris and the camera movements....the angles are mastercrafts...
and yes the script....there are scores of quotable lines in this movie..it begins with something like this
Cary met her
Audrey :I already know an awful lot of people and until one of them dies I couldn't possibly meet anyone else.
Cary: Well, if anyone goes on the critical list, let me know!!!!!!!
Dont waste time reading this silly blog..go and watch this movie..
Overall 8/10
Direction 8.5/10
PS: There is a music in this film which seems to have inspired the background score in the Hindi movie 'Gumnam'
Monster's Inc
We Scare because we Care ....its a animation movie you wont want to miss.
Splendid animation with cute characters adorn this movie. If there was a lost of the best anime movies ever, this would be in it....
But what sets the story apart is the ingenuity... What a concept...a city of monsters who derive energy from children's screams.....and yet at the end it is proved that laughter is a better source of energy than screams.....
Often you do some work as part of routine life without ever giving a thought to what effect it has on others....but if you are ever shown a snapshot of how "monsterish" you appeared, you would probbaly change yourself....I guess that is the theme of the movie..
An entertainment for the whole family...see it...
Overall 8/10
Splendid animation with cute characters adorn this movie. If there was a lost of the best anime movies ever, this would be in it....
But what sets the story apart is the ingenuity... What a concept...a city of monsters who derive energy from children's screams.....and yet at the end it is proved that laughter is a better source of energy than screams.....
Often you do some work as part of routine life without ever giving a thought to what effect it has on others....but if you are ever shown a snapshot of how "monsterish" you appeared, you would probbaly change yourself....I guess that is the theme of the movie..
An entertainment for the whole family...see it...
Overall 8/10
Thursday, July 24, 2008
No Country for Old Men
Well I was late in watching the latest Oscar buzz...but better late than never....this was a never before experience..
This has a western feel...Yet, devoid of music-a haunting silence where Javier bardem haunts...this is different from anything I have seen before....It keeps you on your toes and shocks you....Even the Sheriff is incapable of culling the violence...The lunatic violence in the society has been brought out with shocking precision.
This film rides passionate flawless performances filled with Texan accents...Javier bardem delivers a psychopaths' role which will go down in the history of American cinema...and yes there is everybody else....just perfect....even guest appearances...
Its bloody, its gory..aptly encompassed by the stunned looks of the two children in the closing scene..but even then damage done by the "apple of sin" of our society (money) has been beautifully portrayed...
Overall 8/10
Acting 9/10
This has a western feel...Yet, devoid of music-a haunting silence where Javier bardem haunts...this is different from anything I have seen before....It keeps you on your toes and shocks you....Even the Sheriff is incapable of culling the violence...The lunatic violence in the society has been brought out with shocking precision.
This film rides passionate flawless performances filled with Texan accents...Javier bardem delivers a psychopaths' role which will go down in the history of American cinema...and yes there is everybody else....just perfect....even guest appearances...
Its bloody, its gory..aptly encompassed by the stunned looks of the two children in the closing scene..but even then damage done by the "apple of sin" of our society (money) has been beautifully portrayed...
Overall 8/10
Acting 9/10
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
The Red Balloon (French)
This will remain in my list of all time favorites. Movie lovers, your kitty is incomplete if you havent seen this movie...This to me is like "The Solitary Reaper" of the world of cinema.
Analysis of this film can result in a huge book on the nature of human character. BUTTTTTTTTTTT this film is primarily a children's film...a film about a boy and a Red balloon. Its like an onion, it has different layers.
We are so uncaring, jealous and destructive. As we grow up, our minds cease to be pure and playful as a free balloon. A free soul is trampled by the society.......
I wouldn't reveal more... watch this movie for an experience. This is what a movie should be like...precise(just 34 minutes); yet haunting enough to last you a lifetime and give you a sneak peak into yourself.
Overall 9/10
Analysis of this film can result in a huge book on the nature of human character. BUTTTTTTTTTTT this film is primarily a children's film...a film about a boy and a Red balloon. Its like an onion, it has different layers.
We are so uncaring, jealous and destructive. As we grow up, our minds cease to be pure and playful as a free balloon. A free soul is trampled by the society.......
I wouldn't reveal more... watch this movie for an experience. This is what a movie should be like...precise(just 34 minutes); yet haunting enough to last you a lifetime and give you a sneak peak into yourself.
Overall 9/10
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Jaane Tu Ya Jane naa (Hindi)
Disclaimer: I am sorry I wrote this review here. This film is nowhere near the ones that have been listed before. I had been hearing a lot about this film. So sat down to spend 2 hours and wrote down what I felt. This will be deleted in a few days when this will be forgotten.
Another Bollywood box office smash hit. You may not agree with me on this...but this film may have all the class(Bollywood standards) but is still stale.....The story is all the same yaar....The presentation is different though....I must say.
There are fresh new faces and the songs infuse life in the film....the actors put in their best....though the female protagonist, Genelia D'Souza wasnt up to the mark and hero was imitating Amir khan. Her acting did not seem natural...However, who needs acting in a time pass romantic movie if the heroine is cute? [:P]
All cons apart, this is a lovable romantic comedy...ideal for those watching in a group...and for those lonely people who are still trying to decide whether to blurt out the feelings of their heart... [:)]
Overall 6/10
Another Bollywood box office smash hit. You may not agree with me on this...but this film may have all the class(Bollywood standards) but is still stale.....The story is all the same yaar....The presentation is different though....I must say.
There are fresh new faces and the songs infuse life in the film....the actors put in their best....though the female protagonist, Genelia D'Souza wasnt up to the mark and hero was imitating Amir khan. Her acting did not seem natural...However, who needs acting in a time pass romantic movie if the heroine is cute? [:P]
All cons apart, this is a lovable romantic comedy...ideal for those watching in a group...and for those lonely people who are still trying to decide whether to blurt out the feelings of their heart... [:)]
Overall 6/10
Saturday, July 19, 2008
It happened one night
Well, it didnt happen in a night...spread over 3 nights..but yes the declaration of love came one night.... [:)]
This is a sweet Romantic comedy....10 minutes into the movie, I bet you can predict the whole story line....but wait....you can do that you have seen numerous movies that have copied the theme from this...you wasted your time watching the dumb imitations..watch this one out...
The plot is like a rich girl..runs away from her father in anonymity...but a newspaperman caught up with her, treating her like a story material at first..but later falls in love with her....the ending is sweet ..watch it out yourself...I got a whizz of Roman Holiday and a bunch of other famous movies....yet this is one worth spending 2 hours on..5 Oscar...whoa!!!!!!
Overall 8/10
This is a sweet Romantic comedy....10 minutes into the movie, I bet you can predict the whole story line....but wait....you can do that you have seen numerous movies that have copied the theme from this...you wasted your time watching the dumb imitations..watch this one out...
The plot is like a rich girl..runs away from her father in anonymity...but a newspaperman caught up with her, treating her like a story material at first..but later falls in love with her....the ending is sweet ..watch it out yourself...I got a whizz of Roman Holiday and a bunch of other famous movies....yet this is one worth spending 2 hours on..5 Oscar...whoa!!!!!!
Overall 8/10
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Minority Report
Normally I sport flaws in movies.....I crib about them...this movie has flaws in galore.....But leave everything aside, I think this is a decent movie....atleast a decent crime thriller based on sci-fi.
The Washington DC portrayed in this movie is awesome. There are magnetic roads and sprawls. There are just 12 merry go rounds, the cars look fantastic. The best part is the virtual reality with CD like stuff containing information....Some scenes reminded me of Gilliam's Brazil..
Whatever be the details, the plot is wonderful....though the twist is a bit cliche....Nevertheless, you are kept engrossed....
Dont think too much scientifically and dont find flaws...you will enjoy the movie...Spielberg is always motivated by Kubrick..but they ar levels apart..
Overall 7/10
The Washington DC portrayed in this movie is awesome. There are magnetic roads and sprawls. There are just 12 merry go rounds, the cars look fantastic. The best part is the virtual reality with CD like stuff containing information....Some scenes reminded me of Gilliam's Brazil..
Whatever be the details, the plot is wonderful....though the twist is a bit cliche....Nevertheless, you are kept engrossed....
Dont think too much scientifically and dont find flaws...you will enjoy the movie...Spielberg is always motivated by Kubrick..but they ar levels apart..
Overall 7/10
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Sabrina
La Vie En Rose : See the world through a rose colored glass...You cant see the world though any other glass when Audrey Hepburn sizzles as a trained cook.. :P . But why the hell does she always end up with older men, I dont really understand(see My Fair Lady, Love in the Aftenoon etc )
This is a sweet romantic movie. Humphrey Bogart with his cliche Nester like appearance and Audrey as sweet n cute as in Roman Holiday...William Holden (Sunset Blvd fame) puts in a fine comic performance and is completely belivable as the easy-going 'playboy'. But Audrey as a commonplace chauffer's girl is not at all comprehendible. Its good that she quickly switches gears to be the elegant lady that she suits better. Nevertheless, the plot of the movie is a bit stale. Same rich guy falls for beautiful poor girl stuff. But with some comic reliefs the well etched out characters, its an enjoyable romantic comedy.
There are some wonderful dialogues in this movie which will stay me forever like "La vie En Rose " and "No Poor is ever called democratic for marrying the rich" ..
And that song really haunts.. "Isnt it romantic...."
Rating 7/10
This is a sweet romantic movie. Humphrey Bogart with his cliche Nester like appearance and Audrey as sweet n cute as in Roman Holiday...William Holden (Sunset Blvd fame) puts in a fine comic performance and is completely belivable as the easy-going 'playboy'. But Audrey as a commonplace chauffer's girl is not at all comprehendible. Its good that she quickly switches gears to be the elegant lady that she suits better. Nevertheless, the plot of the movie is a bit stale. Same rich guy falls for beautiful poor girl stuff. But with some comic reliefs the well etched out characters, its an enjoyable romantic comedy.
There are some wonderful dialogues in this movie which will stay me forever like "La vie En Rose " and "No Poor is ever called democratic for marrying the rich" ..
And that song really haunts.. "Isnt it romantic...."
Rating 7/10
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Arsenic and Old Lace
A STRICT WARNING: DO NOT WATCH THIS MOVIE WITH A FILLED STOMACH.
I am eternally grateful to the person who suggested this movie to me and if you have not seen this movie already you would be grateful to me for putting it across to you. You will have abs in your stomach by the time you finish watching this movie. This is one of the funniest movies I have ever seen.
What makes this movie so great? Well, every aspect of it...Mostly this film is CARYed away by facial expressions and impeccable acting...If you havent seen this film, you havent seen Cary at his best...add to that a cute actress, two adorable but insanely innocent aunts...and an easy to follow mystery plot....what else do you need!!!!!
Did I mention only Cary in the acting department? Well such a movie couldn't have been made w/o a Peter....It was Peter Sellers in Dr Strangelove and here it is Peter Lorre....
Dudes and dudettes what are you waiting for....you can watch this movie in any mood...you will emerge out brimming with mirth....
Overall 8.5/10
I am eternally grateful to the person who suggested this movie to me and if you have not seen this movie already you would be grateful to me for putting it across to you. You will have abs in your stomach by the time you finish watching this movie. This is one of the funniest movies I have ever seen.
What makes this movie so great? Well, every aspect of it...Mostly this film is CARYed away by facial expressions and impeccable acting...If you havent seen this film, you havent seen Cary at his best...add to that a cute actress, two adorable but insanely innocent aunts...and an easy to follow mystery plot....what else do you need!!!!!
Did I mention only Cary in the acting department? Well such a movie couldn't have been made w/o a Peter....It was Peter Sellers in Dr Strangelove and here it is Peter Lorre....
Dudes and dudettes what are you waiting for....you can watch this movie in any mood...you will emerge out brimming with mirth....
Overall 8.5/10
Thursday, May 22, 2008
As Good as it gets
Jack Nicholson probably has a strong disposition of being a crackpot...I am really at sea to understand how he can pull off the characters of 'ab'normal people so well!!!!!!! we saw it in One Flew over the cuckoo's nest, The Shining...and now this...
This is a strange film....Its difficult to classify it in genre nevertheless, it brandishes human emotions and shades so fervently that you cannot duck...The frustration of Helen Hunt, a single mother at not having someone who loves her is touching...When she says-"That is why I make Spence(her kid son) hug me more that he wants to", Mr Sigmund Freud must have danced in Hell... :P ..but yes it's probably true...
Greg Kinnear as the gay artist shines...He dazzled in Little Miss Sunshine and he supports the film brilliantly..I am probably wrong at interpretation but I felt the character of Helen Hunt was attracted to him, despite knowing that he was gay...which is pretty much comprehensible given the fact that the only guy who probably craved for her was a psycho like Jack...
This is really as good as a film on human(and dog) relations and emotions gets.....I simply cannot forget the cute expressions of Verdell the dog.....The cold war between Greg and Jack on the ownership of the dog is probably symbolic..there was a scene I wont forget...jack tells greg that Verdell is more fond of him only because he keeps bacon in his pocket....but the dog retreated to Jack lap even when Greg had the bacon....food and shelter it not at all that matters....We are emotional people and cannot live without communicating in the universal language of love....watch the movie and debate with me... :)
Overall 8/10
Acting 8.5/10
This is a strange film....Its difficult to classify it in genre nevertheless, it brandishes human emotions and shades so fervently that you cannot duck...The frustration of Helen Hunt, a single mother at not having someone who loves her is touching...When she says-"That is why I make Spence(her kid son) hug me more that he wants to", Mr Sigmund Freud must have danced in Hell... :P ..but yes it's probably true...
Greg Kinnear as the gay artist shines...He dazzled in Little Miss Sunshine and he supports the film brilliantly..I am probably wrong at interpretation but I felt the character of Helen Hunt was attracted to him, despite knowing that he was gay...which is pretty much comprehensible given the fact that the only guy who probably craved for her was a psycho like Jack...
This is really as good as a film on human(and dog) relations and emotions gets.....I simply cannot forget the cute expressions of Verdell the dog.....The cold war between Greg and Jack on the ownership of the dog is probably symbolic..there was a scene I wont forget...jack tells greg that Verdell is more fond of him only because he keeps bacon in his pocket....but the dog retreated to Jack lap even when Greg had the bacon....food and shelter it not at all that matters....We are emotional people and cannot live without communicating in the universal language of love....watch the movie and debate with me... :)
Overall 8/10
Acting 8.5/10
Friday, May 16, 2008
My Fair Lady
Audrey..Audrey...Audrey....she sizzles..she enthralls..she carries herself with grace...who other than her could have been "My Fair Lady".. [:)]
It's a witty musical with dialogs you will remember forever..The movie has simple plot. 'enry 'iggins [:P] claims he could transform a 'lowly ' flower girl Eliza Doolittle into a high society phony(reminds me of Breakfast in Tiffany's). Higgins is a misanthrope who treats everybody with contempt...and is particularly severe on women...("Why cant a woman be more like a man?")...But he feels: "l'm an ordinary man Who desires nothing more Than just an ordinary chance to live exactly as he likes And do precisely what he wants......But let a woman in your life And your serenity is through She'll redecorate your home From the cellar to the dome.....then go on to the enthralling fun of overhauling you!"
Its a long film but you not even think of dozing off...The antics will keep you on your feet(or stomach [;)])..THe film has everything you want in a romantic comedy(though Shaw's original play Pygmalion on which this movie is based had a strict disclaimer on romance)...hearty laughs...touching sentiments-the misogynist Higgins finally realizes that however might he belittle Eliza, he misses her absence....
Despite being a big Audrey fan, I would say that she did not fit the common flower girl at all...And infact her dialogs had to be dubbed too..[:(] but then who cares...I care only for her screen presence and acting with the expression of eyes....Dont you?
Overall 7.5/10
It's a witty musical with dialogs you will remember forever..The movie has simple plot. 'enry 'iggins [:P] claims he could transform a 'lowly ' flower girl Eliza Doolittle into a high society phony(reminds me of Breakfast in Tiffany's). Higgins is a misanthrope who treats everybody with contempt...and is particularly severe on women...("Why cant a woman be more like a man?")...But he feels: "l'm an ordinary man Who desires nothing more Than just an ordinary chance to live exactly as he likes And do precisely what he wants......But let a woman in your life And your serenity is through She'll redecorate your home From the cellar to the dome.....then go on to the enthralling fun of overhauling you!"
Its a long film but you not even think of dozing off...The antics will keep you on your feet(or stomach [;)])..THe film has everything you want in a romantic comedy(though Shaw's original play Pygmalion on which this movie is based had a strict disclaimer on romance)...hearty laughs...touching sentiments-the misogynist Higgins finally realizes that however might he belittle Eliza, he misses her absence....
Despite being a big Audrey fan, I would say that she did not fit the common flower girl at all...And infact her dialogs had to be dubbed too..[:(] but then who cares...I care only for her screen presence and acting with the expression of eyes....Dont you?
Overall 7.5/10
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Aamra (Bengali)
I have seen of the current genre of Bengali films to be so bold. This film seems like an edited video from real life..nobody seems like he/she is acting. This film basically focusses on how the young generation looks at love...or more exactly true love....This is really worth a watch...
Overall 5/10
Overall 5/10
His Girl Friday
This is the most paced comedy movies I have ever seen. Cary grant is adorable. Russel enthrals with her comic timing. The dialogues as well as scenes are hilarious.
If you are in for a boxful of hearty laugh..go in for this movie you wont be diappointed.
Cary grant is a reporter who tries to prevent his wife from getting married..that is the story ..and it all happens in a day..that is the plot in brief
Overall 8/10
If you are in for a boxful of hearty laugh..go in for this movie you wont be diappointed.
Cary grant is a reporter who tries to prevent his wife from getting married..that is the story ..and it all happens in a day..that is the plot in brief
Overall 8/10
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
The Heiress
Is it always right to be true? What if the truth is bitter? Is it right to be pratical? Is the exterior which is apparently visible the all-encompassing truth?
Catherine is a lady of good heart. But she is not 'pretty'. According to her father, she has no qualities. He despises her and always compares her with her mother rendering her miserable. More importantly he communicates his views to everybody..
If you have seen Taare Zameen Par (the review is on my blog), you would know the theme...a child's life becomes miserable when he/she grows in somebody's shadow...In "The Heiress", it is her mother...
But everybody in the world has some qualities and even the mildest of hearts could be tough from inside.....only tough situations are required to incite it. If a soft heart turns tough, it is more rigid than the cruelest ones...
The climax where Catherine shows how tough she can be is shocking....she herself says "I have been taught to be cruel by masters"
Its a wonderful film that can be seen time and again..and all those who have been cheated in love, you must see this.. [:)]
This film had won 4 oscars
Overall 8/10
Catherine is a lady of good heart. But she is not 'pretty'. According to her father, she has no qualities. He despises her and always compares her with her mother rendering her miserable. More importantly he communicates his views to everybody..
If you have seen Taare Zameen Par (the review is on my blog), you would know the theme...a child's life becomes miserable when he/she grows in somebody's shadow...In "The Heiress", it is her mother...
But everybody in the world has some qualities and even the mildest of hearts could be tough from inside.....only tough situations are required to incite it. If a soft heart turns tough, it is more rigid than the cruelest ones...
The climax where Catherine shows how tough she can be is shocking....she herself says "I have been taught to be cruel by masters"
Its a wonderful film that can be seen time and again..and all those who have been cheated in love, you must see this.. [:)]
This film had won 4 oscars
Overall 8/10
Saturday, May 3, 2008
Children of Heaven (Iranian)
After a long long time has some film brought tears to my eyes...No overflowing sentiment, no soap opera blubbering...but a splendid everyday life plot that takes you back to your childhood...Kudos to MM(Majidi-the director)
The film revolves around two kids-Ali and his cute little sister Zahra. They share a little secret which they dont want to blurt out to prevent any try financial trouble to their parents. (I recollected the petty secrets that I shared with my sis :) ) The secret is nothing but the fact they have lost Zahra's shoe and dont want their father to buy one until he gets the new month's salary. ALi's love for his sister and his sobs make him the embodiment of your childhood. Towards the end, when he is crying at having come 1st in a race (he wanted the 3rd position as the 3rd prize was a pair of sneakers) is extremely touching. However the film ends on a happy note.
MM is subtle and the music is aptly matched. Its difficult to find any faults with films of this class. If you havent watched it yet, try to get hold of it as soon as you can. This is an experience you wont want to miss-being transported back to your childhood for one and a half hours.
This will remain among my fav list. It bears a weak resemblance to The Bicycle Thief in the change of human emotions. However this is at the level of a child. But the desperation is apparent in both cases.
Overall 9/10
Direction 9/10
Acting 9/10
The film revolves around two kids-Ali and his cute little sister Zahra. They share a little secret which they dont want to blurt out to prevent any try financial trouble to their parents. (I recollected the petty secrets that I shared with my sis :) ) The secret is nothing but the fact they have lost Zahra's shoe and dont want their father to buy one until he gets the new month's salary. ALi's love for his sister and his sobs make him the embodiment of your childhood. Towards the end, when he is crying at having come 1st in a race (he wanted the 3rd position as the 3rd prize was a pair of sneakers) is extremely touching. However the film ends on a happy note.
MM is subtle and the music is aptly matched. Its difficult to find any faults with films of this class. If you havent watched it yet, try to get hold of it as soon as you can. This is an experience you wont want to miss-being transported back to your childhood for one and a half hours.
This will remain among my fav list. It bears a weak resemblance to The Bicycle Thief in the change of human emotions. However this is at the level of a child. But the desperation is apparent in both cases.
Overall 9/10
Direction 9/10
Acting 9/10
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Solaris (Russian)
Tarkovsky's masterpiece leaves u stunned, leaves u pondering on love, truth and human instincts....It is difficult to express in words the feeling one gets after watching this movie.
The film is in the guise of a science fiction-dont let that put you off....this is film questions our existence as humans...wot does it mean to be human???? I will remember a few dialogues of the movie forever- to a reference of an action being inhuman, it is said...."we all are human in our own ways"....."I am becoming human......I am in love" ....wot is love? when Hari, the protagonist's(Kris) 'wife' asks "Did you ever think of me?", Kris replies..."Only when I was sad".....we take for granted that truth is what we can verify, possibly with our own eyes.....the film is based in a planet where the dreams materialize.....everyone can see them and feel them......is that the truth??????
For the first time, after watching the movie I had a feeling that we are too few on earth....just a handful of a billion concentrated on a speck in a fathomless universe.....
If you are a movie buff and have not watched this movie, u have missed something very valuable....
Overall 9/10
The film is in the guise of a science fiction-dont let that put you off....this is film questions our existence as humans...wot does it mean to be human???? I will remember a few dialogues of the movie forever- to a reference of an action being inhuman, it is said...."we all are human in our own ways"....."I am becoming human......I am in love" ....wot is love? when Hari, the protagonist's(Kris) 'wife' asks "Did you ever think of me?", Kris replies..."Only when I was sad".....we take for granted that truth is what we can verify, possibly with our own eyes.....the film is based in a planet where the dreams materialize.....everyone can see them and feel them......is that the truth??????
For the first time, after watching the movie I had a feeling that we are too few on earth....just a handful of a billion concentrated on a speck in a fathomless universe.....
If you are a movie buff and have not watched this movie, u have missed something very valuable....
Overall 9/10
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Solo con tu pareja(Spanish)
Even a sex comedy can be artistic..I never believed that before watching this movie...
The story is simple.....a bed hopping playboy is paid back in the same coin by one of his conquests. He believes he has AIDS and tries to commit suicide...only to find another depressed girl to be his journey mate...
This is a social satire in a ribald flavour. you will laugh your heart out yet will notice some original and artistic scenes.
Do give this a try..A sex comedy does not become part of criterion collection for nothin..
Overall 7.5/10
The story is simple.....a bed hopping playboy is paid back in the same coin by one of his conquests. He believes he has AIDS and tries to commit suicide...only to find another depressed girl to be his journey mate...
This is a social satire in a ribald flavour. you will laugh your heart out yet will notice some original and artistic scenes.
Do give this a try..A sex comedy does not become part of criterion collection for nothin..
Overall 7.5/10
Eternal Sunshine of a Spotless Mind
"Blessed are forgetful for they get the better of even their blunders"-Nietzche...this line is probably the very antithesis of the theme of the movie.
Is it really good to have memories erased......a child is like a uniform lump of clay with no impressions....as he/she grows up, various impressions shape it up....however it is these impressions that cause him all the pain that a child is spared of....should such painful impressions be obliterated or be fossilized for eternity?
Pain is nothing but the friction caused due to strong attraction.....the malicious pain tends to shroud the dove of love....it is only when the bond breaks that one realizes what has gone missing.......
This is a excellent movie with an original style....it may be difficult to grasp the proceedings w/o a bit of concentration...but the two hours you spend on this will be worth it.
overall 8/10
acting 8/10
originality 9/10
Is it really good to have memories erased......a child is like a uniform lump of clay with no impressions....as he/she grows up, various impressions shape it up....however it is these impressions that cause him all the pain that a child is spared of....should such painful impressions be obliterated or be fossilized for eternity?
Pain is nothing but the friction caused due to strong attraction.....the malicious pain tends to shroud the dove of love....it is only when the bond breaks that one realizes what has gone missing.......
This is a excellent movie with an original style....it may be difficult to grasp the proceedings w/o a bit of concentration...but the two hours you spend on this will be worth it.
overall 8/10
acting 8/10
originality 9/10
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Baby Face
Once you see this film, you have lesser chances of being bitched by a bitch. Barbara Stanwyck delivers a stunning role that perhaps is the epitome of any bitch.
A hapless girl, who was forced into bed with the 'night shift' laborers by her own father since the age of 14 is taught the philosophy of Nietsze by a philosopher and well-wisher-"exploit yourself to achieve what you want"..."Face life as u find it-defiantly and unafraid. Crush out all sentiment". She
She travels to New York and now uses men to get what she wants. The cold blooded steel looks freeze any man. She sleeps her way to the top of a bank. She doesnt know what love is-yet shotputs men into a fathomless ocean of infatuation. She gets what she wants and rises from rags to riches. Nevertheless, however hard you might be, human emotions show up and probably even the coldest hearts are moved by the dove of love.....she realizes it at the end.
Recommended for the brilliant acting.
Rating 7/10
A hapless girl, who was forced into bed with the 'night shift' laborers by her own father since the age of 14 is taught the philosophy of Nietsze by a philosopher and well-wisher-"exploit yourself to achieve what you want"..."Face life as u find it-defiantly and unafraid. Crush out all sentiment". She
She travels to New York and now uses men to get what she wants. The cold blooded steel looks freeze any man. She sleeps her way to the top of a bank. She doesnt know what love is-yet shotputs men into a fathomless ocean of infatuation. She gets what she wants and rises from rags to riches. Nevertheless, however hard you might be, human emotions show up and probably even the coldest hearts are moved by the dove of love.....she realizes it at the end.
Recommended for the brilliant acting.
Rating 7/10
Waterloo Bridge(1931)
This movie was banned when it was released. Probably way ahead of time... but the theme is a cliche one....a prostitute who has a heart of gold.....
Nevertheless, the movie is very well executed and has some stellar acting. If you lay hands on the Forbidden Hollywood collection, watch this movie.
Set during the first world war, this movie is about an unfortunate 'soldier' woman who falls in love with a baby faced American private. Though she is in love with him, she considers herself too lowly for him and runs away. When at the end, the private comes to know about the real her, he is even more impressed by her golden virtues. However fate had different plans and the film has a tragic ending.
Considering the time when the film was released, this was really a futuristic film.
Overall 6.5/10
Nevertheless, the movie is very well executed and has some stellar acting. If you lay hands on the Forbidden Hollywood collection, watch this movie.
Set during the first world war, this movie is about an unfortunate 'soldier' woman who falls in love with a baby faced American private. Though she is in love with him, she considers herself too lowly for him and runs away. When at the end, the private comes to know about the real her, he is even more impressed by her golden virtues. However fate had different plans and the film has a tragic ending.
Considering the time when the film was released, this was really a futuristic film.
Overall 6.5/10
Thursday, March 13, 2008
The Sea is Watching (Japanese)
A tang of Nights of Cabiria...but with a happy ending..thats how "The Sea is watching" can be simply described....
A touching story with gripping dialogues and remarkable performances, this movie is a treat to watch. A simple story....A young geisha searches for love.....she sells her body out of misfortune but is pure at heart....Infact all the geishas portrayed here show more humane tendencies than other "high-caste" people......She falls in love with a ostracized samurai....but he ditches her as soon as he is taken back into the society....atlast it is another so called "low" man-who has had the life of dogs who proves to be a better human being than others....
I have just one complain about this movie..this movie is done in a way that resembles a drama on stage....the sets are very evident......even the sky that is shown can easily be discerned to be artificial...whether the director intended it that way I dont know...but I have a sneaky feeling, Kurosawa could have done much much better with this story of his....
Overall 7/10
Story 8/10
A touching story with gripping dialogues and remarkable performances, this movie is a treat to watch. A simple story....A young geisha searches for love.....she sells her body out of misfortune but is pure at heart....Infact all the geishas portrayed here show more humane tendencies than other "high-caste" people......She falls in love with a ostracized samurai....but he ditches her as soon as he is taken back into the society....atlast it is another so called "low" man-who has had the life of dogs who proves to be a better human being than others....
I have just one complain about this movie..this movie is done in a way that resembles a drama on stage....the sets are very evident......even the sky that is shown can easily be discerned to be artificial...whether the director intended it that way I dont know...but I have a sneaky feeling, Kurosawa could have done much much better with this story of his....
Overall 7/10
Story 8/10
Monday, March 10, 2008
Lost in Translation
Sofia Coppola's venture is one of the unique pieces of cinematography in recent times. Its about depression, yet its hilarious in parts. Crisp editing, symbolism, realistic situations and acting, life like camera movements etc transform the film almost into almost a flawless piece.
Two characters are extremely depressed....in the middle of an alien land(Japan) and lost in translation....nobody to talk to.....This string leads them to develop a bond.....They are akin in many sense..both of them are facing a crisis in their married life....both desperately want to return to their homeland...to stage a 'prison break'...this bond would lead probably nowhere but both of them would cherish it forever and store it in a niche corner of their heart.
You would recede into a gloomy cocoon at the sight of Bill Murray's face, Scarlet's blank stare at the skyline of Tokyo would blow a whiff of the pangs of solitude onto your mind....yet the situational comedy will blast your stomach. Scarlet's smile will change your mood. The conversations with tuned pauses and seemingly idiotic statements will make you forget that this is a film.....need I say more....To convey the sense of depression, the director has shown a scene where the protagonists sit and watch 'La Dolce Vita'-the mother of all films on depression and frustration. In my opinion in that category, Lost in Translation is not far beyond the Vita masterpiece.
Watch this movie sometime. It wont be a waste of your time...
Overall 8/10
Acting 8.5/10
Two characters are extremely depressed....in the middle of an alien land(Japan) and lost in translation....nobody to talk to.....This string leads them to develop a bond.....They are akin in many sense..both of them are facing a crisis in their married life....both desperately want to return to their homeland...to stage a 'prison break'...this bond would lead probably nowhere but both of them would cherish it forever and store it in a niche corner of their heart.
You would recede into a gloomy cocoon at the sight of Bill Murray's face, Scarlet's blank stare at the skyline of Tokyo would blow a whiff of the pangs of solitude onto your mind....yet the situational comedy will blast your stomach. Scarlet's smile will change your mood. The conversations with tuned pauses and seemingly idiotic statements will make you forget that this is a film.....need I say more....To convey the sense of depression, the director has shown a scene where the protagonists sit and watch 'La Dolce Vita'-the mother of all films on depression and frustration. In my opinion in that category, Lost in Translation is not far beyond the Vita masterpiece.
Watch this movie sometime. It wont be a waste of your time...
Overall 8/10
Acting 8.5/10
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Cries and Whispers (Swedish)
A masterpiece. A difficult film. An image of life. A tryst with the pangs of death. A painting of the complexities of life in RED. Thats Bergman.
Its useless reading about this movie. It presents an experience. A visual agony. The whole film is set in a background of red. Perhaps that is a reflection of the sins of the mind- SINS which go against our sense of morality. Elements of sadomasochism, lesbianism, adultery, incest, selfishness, jealousy etc have been sprayed subtly into the film. The self-centred, narcissist attitude of the two sisters, Karin and Maria has distanced them from each other and prevents them from caring for their dying sister. A down to earth maid, devoid of complexities is closer to their dying sister.
This movie is not entertainment. It is too serious. Nevertheless experience it atleast when Man's perennial obsession with death comes to haunt you. The brilliant acting will leave you dumbstruck; the camera with closeups and monotonous RED background will besiege you; the emotional subtleties will ensnare your mind....
Overall 9/10
Acting 9/10
Cinematography 9/10
Its useless reading about this movie. It presents an experience. A visual agony. The whole film is set in a background of red. Perhaps that is a reflection of the sins of the mind- SINS which go against our sense of morality. Elements of sadomasochism, lesbianism, adultery, incest, selfishness, jealousy etc have been sprayed subtly into the film. The self-centred, narcissist attitude of the two sisters, Karin and Maria has distanced them from each other and prevents them from caring for their dying sister. A down to earth maid, devoid of complexities is closer to their dying sister.
This movie is not entertainment. It is too serious. Nevertheless experience it atleast when Man's perennial obsession with death comes to haunt you. The brilliant acting will leave you dumbstruck; the camera with closeups and monotonous RED background will besiege you; the emotional subtleties will ensnare your mind....
Overall 9/10
Acting 9/10
Cinematography 9/10
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Donya (Iranian)
All of u followin my blog must hv understood my affinity towards satires.....and here comes another one....this movie was an Iranian box office superhit..not for no reason...
The film dwells on the eternal clash between the new and the old...but human emotions transcend all barriers...the emotions may be mitigated in the sea of colder blood...but passions can immediately boil up the blood of even a frozen fish..
Haji is a stereotype traditional man whose mind has been frozen in the cultures prevalent 50 years ago..he is against love marriages..believes women should be behind a social purdah..but the fortress of tradition is swept away by the ocean of passion ignited in him when a beautiful woman comes to him to buy his house. By a clever juxtaposition of contrasts, the film dwells on his changes...It becomes even more satiric as he loathes his son for loving a girl....The final climax comes out of the blue..
All in all this is hilarious movie despite conveying a strong message for those who want to take it..
Overall 7/10
The film dwells on the eternal clash between the new and the old...but human emotions transcend all barriers...the emotions may be mitigated in the sea of colder blood...but passions can immediately boil up the blood of even a frozen fish..
Haji is a stereotype traditional man whose mind has been frozen in the cultures prevalent 50 years ago..he is against love marriages..believes women should be behind a social purdah..but the fortress of tradition is swept away by the ocean of passion ignited in him when a beautiful woman comes to him to buy his house. By a clever juxtaposition of contrasts, the film dwells on his changes...It becomes even more satiric as he loathes his son for loving a girl....The final climax comes out of the blue..
All in all this is hilarious movie despite conveying a strong message for those who want to take it..
Overall 7/10
Monday, February 4, 2008
Nights of Cabiria (Italian)
Fellini's masterpiece will make you laugh, will make you cry, will make you think..
Cabiria is a prostitute...yet she is pure at heart; innocent soul..Nevertheless, in her quest to find her true love, she is cheated time and again...The transformation in her character when she is in love and when she is not creates a stark image of solitude..She is so pure, she falls in love quickly, is easily deceived....her actions are childish...In her own words, she is still 18...The purity of her soul makes even a swine think twice...innocence touches even the most wicked hearts...
The juxtaposition of contrasts throughout the movie, exude different feelings in the viewers at different times..If you are heartbroken,do watch this movie till the very end, the metamorphosis of Cabiria' face from that of a broken soul to a pubertal smile will surely move you..
This movie is evergreen, watch it at ur convinience...
Overall 8.5/10
Acting 8.5/10
Cabiria is a prostitute...yet she is pure at heart; innocent soul..Nevertheless, in her quest to find her true love, she is cheated time and again...The transformation in her character when she is in love and when she is not creates a stark image of solitude..She is so pure, she falls in love quickly, is easily deceived....her actions are childish...In her own words, she is still 18...The purity of her soul makes even a swine think twice...innocence touches even the most wicked hearts...
The juxtaposition of contrasts throughout the movie, exude different feelings in the viewers at different times..If you are heartbroken,do watch this movie till the very end, the metamorphosis of Cabiria' face from that of a broken soul to a pubertal smile will surely move you..
This movie is evergreen, watch it at ur convinience...
Overall 8.5/10
Acting 8.5/10
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Breathless(French)
This film is regarded as a masterpiece of French New Wave. You definitely have to see it to understand why. Its a totally new experience tryin to watch this film, if u r a movie buff..
Most films move with a plot, every scene has its reason....its as if Godard was rebelling against this issue in this movie...The plot is a simple one...If u watch movies..you must have seen tons of films on this plot....But throughout the movie, the plot doesn't just progress...it shows a piece of life...If we think deeply, not everything in life happens for a reason...most events around us dnt help in any way with the progress of life...if films are a mirror of life, then y shouldnt it be the same thr?
The starting itself is a masterpiece. It will take you some time to understand wots goin on just as a third person would have to if he/she tries to peep into somebody else's life...The camera too moves in such a fashion...
If you respect originality...definitely watch this movie...
Overall 9/10
Direction 9/10
Most films move with a plot, every scene has its reason....its as if Godard was rebelling against this issue in this movie...The plot is a simple one...If u watch movies..you must have seen tons of films on this plot....But throughout the movie, the plot doesn't just progress...it shows a piece of life...If we think deeply, not everything in life happens for a reason...most events around us dnt help in any way with the progress of life...if films are a mirror of life, then y shouldnt it be the same thr?
The starting itself is a masterpiece. It will take you some time to understand wots goin on just as a third person would have to if he/she tries to peep into somebody else's life...The camera too moves in such a fashion...
If you respect originality...definitely watch this movie...
Overall 9/10
Direction 9/10
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961)
Well, Tiffany's is a jewelery store in new York and the actors do not keep on eating breakfast at Tiffany's throughout the movie. Infact, apart from the opening scene showing Holly(Audrey Hepburn) bunching a bun outside Tiffany's there is not eating anywhere....
So why is the movie so named? Holly is a famous socialite in New York. She describes herself as a wild thing..but the truth is she wants to run away from the cage of life....she has no idea where she belongs...much like the nameless cat that she keeps as pet. Her life is hollow, but she does not know how to fill it....Though she drapes herself in fashionable clothes and maintains a charming smile..she is sad at heart..despite being surrounded by men all the time, she knows she belongs to nobody....she knows all of them are 'rats'..perhaps the reason for her keeping a cat...
she likes Tiffany's and the glitter of diamonds..because thats what she is..she glitters like diamonds...but at the interior she is no more than a blunt trite glass...she is a 'real phony'...
The hollow life has been cast in an utterly lovable Romantic comedy..U will fall in love with Audrey..(I already have ...[:P])..and Peppard's innocent smile will enchant..I deem the movie to be a satire..see what you think..
Overall 8/10
So why is the movie so named? Holly is a famous socialite in New York. She describes herself as a wild thing..but the truth is she wants to run away from the cage of life....she has no idea where she belongs...much like the nameless cat that she keeps as pet. Her life is hollow, but she does not know how to fill it....Though she drapes herself in fashionable clothes and maintains a charming smile..she is sad at heart..despite being surrounded by men all the time, she knows she belongs to nobody....she knows all of them are 'rats'..perhaps the reason for her keeping a cat...
she likes Tiffany's and the glitter of diamonds..because thats what she is..she glitters like diamonds...but at the interior she is no more than a blunt trite glass...she is a 'real phony'...
The hollow life has been cast in an utterly lovable Romantic comedy..U will fall in love with Audrey..(I already have ...[:P])..and Peppard's innocent smile will enchant..I deem the movie to be a satire..see what you think..
Overall 8/10
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
How to Steal a million
I watched this movie because of Audrey. If you are not obsessed with her, there are better movies to watch.
However, the larceny method used in this film is ingenuous and this is a pretty watchable film if you want 2 hrs of pure entertainment with good performances. Audrey charms again.. O Toole looks coquettish...other supporting characters fill in well.
Overall 7/10
However, the larceny method used in this film is ingenuous and this is a pretty watchable film if you want 2 hrs of pure entertainment with good performances. Audrey charms again.. O Toole looks coquettish...other supporting characters fill in well.
Overall 7/10
Monday, January 14, 2008
Taare Zameen Par(2007) (Hindi)
This movie had all the ingredients of being a classic, yet it is not. Immature direction, sloppy editing and bit of concern towards the commercial success in Indian markets barred it from a classic evergreen status.
The movie is about a kid affected with dyslexia. The kid acts so naturally that sometimes one feels if he actually suffers from it....He had a vivid imagination which his peers could never notice..the failure in acads was much more disparaging to them....The film does bring in a point against the rat race-every parent wants toppers in their house...that there cannot be 100 toppers in the same class is of no concern to them....Winning is not all, and all do not have to win the same game.....
Despite a brilliant first half, the film slacks in the 2nd where it becomes more like a conventional Bollywood film with song and dance....The parents of the kid are happy only after he won the painting competition....this contradicted the point the film was apparently tryin to make!!!!! Maybe I am wrong about its notion, but still I hope many of you will agree that the film does return to a more Bollywoodish note in the 2nd half...
there are plenty of flaws in the movie...a 8 yr old kid walks slowly out of the school, the doors are kept open as if only for him!!!!! he walks out aimlessly, how he returns is left for the audience to guess......and then he tells his bro that he had climbed the walls!!!!!! Nikumbh comes in as a arts teacher and sings and dances on benches(I would accept that in a SRK film, but why spoil this good film)... Nikumbh(Amir Khan) tells a bunch of class 3 guys the story of Einstein's relativity, Picasso's Cubism and what not and the children seem to understand everything....wot a bunch of advanced lads!!!!!To talk about its flaws I would bore you....
After all this I recommend every1 to watch this movie....with fewer songs and a better ending and cohesion in the story this was a sure Oscar winner..The kid's acting is brilliant..And all other characters seem realistic...the mind of a dyslexia kid has been very well captured..the lyrics of the scores are haunting.....its a very impressive debut....watch it and you will understand that Bollywood is slowly coming out of its shell..
Overall 7.5/10
Acting 8/10
The movie is about a kid affected with dyslexia. The kid acts so naturally that sometimes one feels if he actually suffers from it....He had a vivid imagination which his peers could never notice..the failure in acads was much more disparaging to them....The film does bring in a point against the rat race-every parent wants toppers in their house...that there cannot be 100 toppers in the same class is of no concern to them....Winning is not all, and all do not have to win the same game.....
Despite a brilliant first half, the film slacks in the 2nd where it becomes more like a conventional Bollywood film with song and dance....The parents of the kid are happy only after he won the painting competition....this contradicted the point the film was apparently tryin to make!!!!! Maybe I am wrong about its notion, but still I hope many of you will agree that the film does return to a more Bollywoodish note in the 2nd half...
there are plenty of flaws in the movie...a 8 yr old kid walks slowly out of the school, the doors are kept open as if only for him!!!!! he walks out aimlessly, how he returns is left for the audience to guess......and then he tells his bro that he had climbed the walls!!!!!! Nikumbh comes in as a arts teacher and sings and dances on benches(I would accept that in a SRK film, but why spoil this good film)... Nikumbh(Amir Khan) tells a bunch of class 3 guys the story of Einstein's relativity, Picasso's Cubism and what not and the children seem to understand everything....wot a bunch of advanced lads!!!!!To talk about its flaws I would bore you....
After all this I recommend every1 to watch this movie....with fewer songs and a better ending and cohesion in the story this was a sure Oscar winner..The kid's acting is brilliant..And all other characters seem realistic...the mind of a dyslexia kid has been very well captured..the lyrics of the scores are haunting.....its a very impressive debut....watch it and you will understand that Bollywood is slowly coming out of its shell..
Overall 7.5/10
Acting 8/10
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Roman Holiday
This movie needs no introduction...It is one of the sweetest movies on celluloid. Its a painting of the colors of life in black and white...
The movie describes the escapades of a youthful spirit embellished in heavy royal drapery. Everything in her life is based on a "schedule"..Nevertheless, her pubescent heart want to break free, to enjoy the life..the movie then moves on a romantic, fairy tale of a news correspondent's tryst with "Her Highness"....In some senses it is the Cindrella's story reversed..... Just as Cindrella had to return back before her shoes gave out, Anne too had to return to the prison of royalty..He sense of duty to her country prevented her from enjoin herself..
Arent we all like that.. We do things that we are supposed to do, but we may not like it....A life in schedule is life confinement within sky high Bastille walls....and to remain within this system and perform our duties we need some escapades, free from the worries of daily life..
Are you still reading my review? what a sucker!!!! go and catch this movie if you havent already....if you have, watch again if you havent thought about all these..
Overall 8/10
Acting 8.5/10
The movie describes the escapades of a youthful spirit embellished in heavy royal drapery. Everything in her life is based on a "schedule"..Nevertheless, her pubescent heart want to break free, to enjoy the life..the movie then moves on a romantic, fairy tale of a news correspondent's tryst with "Her Highness"....In some senses it is the Cindrella's story reversed..... Just as Cindrella had to return back before her shoes gave out, Anne too had to return to the prison of royalty..He sense of duty to her country prevented her from enjoin herself..
Arent we all like that.. We do things that we are supposed to do, but we may not like it....A life in schedule is life confinement within sky high Bastille walls....and to remain within this system and perform our duties we need some escapades, free from the worries of daily life..
Are you still reading my review? what a sucker!!!! go and catch this movie if you havent already....if you have, watch again if you havent thought about all these..
Overall 8/10
Acting 8.5/10
Sunday, January 6, 2008
The President's last bang (Korean)
This is not the best of contemporary Korean cinema...Yet this is a courageous and audacious black comedy...
A political satire, it is based on the political coup of 1979 in Korea, this film follows an imaginary chaos in a cynical way...The characters are well cut out, they are flawless....the film may have improved a bit in storytelling, yet its worth watching...
Overall 7/10
Camera 7.5/10
NB: The first scene has topless girls. Dont mistake this film to be of a different kind...it was intended probably as a shock treatment to the ways of autocratic rulers..(there are no more obscene scenes)
A political satire, it is based on the political coup of 1979 in Korea, this film follows an imaginary chaos in a cynical way...The characters are well cut out, they are flawless....the film may have improved a bit in storytelling, yet its worth watching...
Overall 7/10
Camera 7.5/10
NB: The first scene has topless girls. Dont mistake this film to be of a different kind...it was intended probably as a shock treatment to the ways of autocratic rulers..(there are no more obscene scenes)
The Red Shoes
It is poetry set on celluloid. The movie is slow, its about a ballet and the people involved in it, showing both what is on and off stage....
Does this put you off? It may...But if you have some time to 'waste' do watch this movie....often there are situations in life where one has to choose between his/her ambitions and his/her emotions...the protagonist of the movie faces exactly the same situation....
The music score throughout the film is superb. It will surely grasp you unless you are a ROCK.
Its a wonderful 'feel-good' movie...
Overall 8/10
Direction 8/10
Music 9/10
Does this put you off? It may...But if you have some time to 'waste' do watch this movie....often there are situations in life where one has to choose between his/her ambitions and his/her emotions...the protagonist of the movie faces exactly the same situation....
The music score throughout the film is superb. It will surely grasp you unless you are a ROCK.
Its a wonderful 'feel-good' movie...
Overall 8/10
Direction 8/10
Music 9/10
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
Full Metal Jacket(1987)
The dead know only one thing: it's better to be alive...U may be deep in shit...but yes you are alive....This is one of the best anti war films I have ever seen....
The film gives the total metamorphosis of a normal human being to a US marine-a live weapon...its his hard heart that kills... those who are a little full on the merrier side cannot stand even the inhuman training and the Marine turns to kill his own men....
A war tears apart all the drapery on human emotion, lays it naked and later brutally rapes it... A soldier on field transforms into an insane robot...yet the cause for which he has sacrificed himself may not be worth it....
Euthanasia may be banned on paper..but what do you do when a little girl, badly wounded is rotting and writhing in pain? leave her and wait for a mercy of god to save her or shoot her so that she has a painless death...
Coppola's "Apocalypse now" was also on the background of Vietnam war..but this one bares the fiendish constitution of a war...
Overall 8/10
Direction 8.5/10
The film gives the total metamorphosis of a normal human being to a US marine-a live weapon...its his hard heart that kills... those who are a little full on the merrier side cannot stand even the inhuman training and the Marine turns to kill his own men....
A war tears apart all the drapery on human emotion, lays it naked and later brutally rapes it... A soldier on field transforms into an insane robot...yet the cause for which he has sacrificed himself may not be worth it....
Euthanasia may be banned on paper..but what do you do when a little girl, badly wounded is rotting and writhing in pain? leave her and wait for a mercy of god to save her or shoot her so that she has a painless death...
Coppola's "Apocalypse now" was also on the background of Vietnam war..but this one bares the fiendish constitution of a war...
Overall 8/10
Direction 8.5/10
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
