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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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