Another Movie

Evil Dead 2 by Sam Raimi

2010-04-06T03:35:00.000-07:00

Category: English

I didn't like this movie at all first, considering the amount of scare quotient the previous one had. But this one is much more funny.

Bruce Campbell pretty much makes this role his and while this time he suffers a lot in comparison to the previous one. He also finally is pushed over the edge to do what's needed to survive. The movie has Bruce Campbell striving for his sanity till he comes across four individuals who don't understand what the Evil Dead is all about and thus starts the cabin horror story with some elements borrowed from the prequel.

Have a look at this if you enjoy horror movies and of course crazy faced people!

Recommendation level: 2.5/5 - I liked this, in some aspects it's better than the original and worse in some other ways. Got this from a friend.

Fight Club by David Fincher

2010-03-20T11:20:00.000-07:00

Category: English

The movie that pretty much inspires most alternative music loving youngsters to brag to their pop music loving friends. Ladies & Gentlemen welcome to Fight Club.

At the heart of Fight Club is a protagonist who much like millions of others like himself is punished with the never ending desire of more. This more is represented by several consumerism and the restlessness we have in us as human beings. Eventually there is a conflict which arises and he solves that conflict by creating an alter ego. The alter ego creates an underground organisation that believes every desire we have can be made lighter, our burden made lesser if we are to engage in physical activities that include mayhem and violence. Pretty much the rawest form of Anarchism you can find there, despite the words used sounding very similar to Nihilism, the means are pure Anarchy.

The ends to nihilism were a reset of morals and values to understand nihilism in the first place, Anarchism is far from that.

A lot of people thought they understood Nihilism after this and that's pure bull shit.

The movie has some very good points to be made about consumerism and everything else I just mentioned, but it does lack a really good execution, there's a lot of repetition to enforce certain things and that's something which isn't required and which is why it's a bit drawn out at 2 hours and 19 minutes.

Feel free to have a look at the movie though, if you're 16 and above this movie will change your life if you're above 21 you should be able to pick some good points from it. The acting is as good as the dialogues so that should be able to sum up what Brad Pitt & Edward Norton are doing here.

Recommendation level: 3/5. It's based on a novel, and the novel is more complete than this in the formal sense, still this movie has a funky feel to it.

Bande à part by Jean-Luc Godard

2010-03-18T09:45:00.000-07:00

Category: Non-English

Jean-Luc Godard's Bande à part hits out at the right notes and at the right places, quickly uncovering the plot of the movie in the first 10 minutes and then recapping it for you in the first 10 minutes itself is proof enough that he's one of the greatest directors or auteurs that ever existed.

Bande à part follows the lives of 3 restless youngsters who have the access to robbing a lot of money and eventually wanting to get away with it. Do they? That's the question you should be asking yourself right now, but that's not the point of this movie. Godard quickly pays tribute to all his influences & influences of those days - be it the Westerns, the gangster genre or the kind of cars his protagonists want to drive.

The film is fast paced at 97 mins and never lets up. The historical context is obviously shortly after DuGaulle decided to enter into Africa and take on the fight there.

A few things to watch out for:

- a minute of silence sequence

- the dance sequence

- A scene from a Truffaut film being spoken out (I think)

- Anna Karina's talking to the camera

- Franz' character

- Background score

-Godard's thoughts on the Louvre & museums in general, watch his protagonist run through the Louvre!

- Godard's control of the medium (cuts, deconstruction of Paris, genre of music, characters, pop culture digs, guns)

Recommendation level: 5/5. This is Godard at his finest, stand in awe at this masterpiece.

Evil Dead by Sam Raimi

2010-03-17T10:45:00.000-07:00

Category: English

After Night and Fog I watch Evil Dead.

Straight to the premise, Evil Dead features 5 youngsters who go holidaying at a very far off cabin in the woods. They eventually discover a book that brings evil spirits which in turn posses people for the good humour in it. Eventually Bruce Campbell finds himself having to take on all his friends in Exorcist form.

This film spawned a ton of movies which use the same "teenagers going to a cabin for vacation and end up finding more than what they bargained for" premise. Very original in its form and concept, full marks to Raimi for it.

Worth a watch if you're a horror film fan, but then again if you are a horror film fan you might have already seen this movie. Don't watch it otherwise, it might give you nightmares. You have to wait for parts 2 and 3 for Bruce Campbell's character to become bad ass.

Recommendation level: 2.5/5. Got it from a friend.

Night and Fog by Alain Resnais

2010-03-16T10:31:00.000-07:00

Category: Non-English

I've been told a lot about this film by people around me and until I actually got around to watching it and...

Well obviously tons of quick thoughts on this film, Resnais uses a daunting score, a strong narrative and a narrator who is as cold as the harsh realities of the concentration camps set up during the second world war. He juxtaposes present day footage with that of the old archival footage he managed to lay his hands on. The result is an interesting blend of reality, documentation and of course cinema. The 31 minute documentary as it's pegged in some places is very far from a documentary since most French New Wave directors found calling a movie a "documentary" to be problematic. Who is doing the documentation?

Obviously the "in your face images" are very hard to take in and even though it's not as atrocious as the stuff they show in cinema today it's one of the hardest films I have had to sit through. Mostly because all of this stems from events based in our world. This movie brings to mind the Roberto Benigini film, Life is Beautiful. A movie in which the concentration camps are shown to be a little boys fantasy game played with his father, to think that anyone would want to downplay the relentless and brutal treatment meted out to the inmates of such a place is atrocious.

Back to the movie, it's obviously worth watching, but what Resnais does with reality and this film is remarkable, he doesn't make any bones that this is far from what reality actually was but how does one actually capture what happened then? There are some questions which even the normal fellow watching this will get, such as a "Who is responsible for this". Try moving past that. Creation of the sound track is also important as that forms a major arch of the film itself, do some research before actually watching this, it shall be rewarding.

Note: This was made about 10 years after the liberation of the concentration camps.

Recommendation level: 5/5.

Diary of the Dead by George A. Romero

2010-03-14T22:26:00.000-07:00

Category: English

After the Land of the Dead dud that was made by George A. Romero, the documentary style Diary of the Dead manages to pretty much kick life into the ...Dead series. The film follows a group of film school students who eventually end up recording all the events of the Zombie Apocalypse in which everyone turns into a Zombie (whether bitten or if they died of natural causes)

The only big change is that there's not much gore and violence that's a signature move of Romero, even still the chilling suspense and impending doom on all the people in this film grips you like the cold hand of a Zombie on your shoulder.

The characters aren't that standout barring a few (like the professor) and while the social commentary follows as usual there's also the important question raised in a Zombie fall out (Do we really want to survive in a world like this?) and of course the basic humanity of humans and if they should actually be survivors.

Eventually the movie takes a turn for the worst and fans of happy endings might not really like this ending! But whatever it's worth a watch. Obviously everyone is waiting for Survival of the Dead, the 6th part of the "official Dead series"

Recommendation level: 3.5/5 I had watched it a while back but managed to snare a copy again from a friend. If you like Zombie movies this is a 5/5 though!

Equilibrium by Kurt Wimmer

2010-03-12T08:07:00.000-08:00

Category: English

A future in which emotions are removed and the people are ruled by a greedy all controlling entity, in all of this our hero Christian Bale's character falls from grace as a top ranking enforcer known as a Grammaton Cleric to join the resistance and bash the baddies!

The fight sequences are pretty well choreographed and while the director is pretty bad at completely controlling things he does make this movie a decent watch thanks to a well backed cast which at times is wasted (Emily Watson, Sean Bean).

The movie definitely has some amount of philosophy in it which is sadly all popular culture based and fans of a dystopian future with an all controling big Brother (Father in this movie) might find this a little flaccid.

Recommendation level: 2/5 - If you're a Bale fan this ranks pretty high so I'd say it's a 4/5. Watch it when you have nothing to do and need to kill time at the end of the week. Got this from my earlier collection. Oh by the way Kurt Wimmer also directed the turkey known as Ultraviolet.

Late Spring by Yasujirō Ozu

2010-03-11T09:54:00.000-08:00

Category: Non-English

A first for me and an introduction to Ozu from here, having read extensivley but never really felt his Cinema earlier, Ozu's Late Spring is based on Father and Daughter a novel by Kazuo Hirotsu.

The film revolves around a father and daughter who are both widowed by circumstances (hi America!) and in an ironic twist they have both given up on finding love again. The love they share is very precious and the daughter doesn't want to let go and even though the father eventually tricks the daughter into getting married he finds himself all alone with nothing but loneliness.

Ozu's cinema is very simple and rather than rely on melodrama to get his message across he completely gets the repressed feelings from the father. The daughter on the other hand is a picture of sun shine and while her face completely captivates the camera it can also turn into a jealous figure when she finds that her father might be getting re-married. In a theater scene we see Kabuki figures performing we also get to see the lead actress having a massive change of heart.

At the end there's a beautiful shot of the sea, a sea which is shown only once throughout the film but reflects the final ode perfectly well. Tons of references to America and American values imbibed into a generation of Japanese (ref: Baseball and Values) there's also a lot to be shown in the beauty of Japan. Hats off to him.

Recommendation level: 4/5 - A little difficult to actually sit through but definitely a simple tale that reaches at the heart with the right classical music too! Watch it!! This is from my own collection.

Paris, Texas by Wim Wenders

2010-03-10T08:19:00.000-08:00

Category: English

I have never seen a Wim Wenders movie before so watching this was undeniably a treat. Paris, Texas is a film based entirely on a man, portrayed brilliantly by Harry Dean Stanton (HDS), who has had a tragic incident 4 years back which led him to leave his wife and child.

When he's found 4 years later by his brother he meets his son and sets out to find his wife after his momentarily meet with his brother and his wife. On the surface the film is about a man who is torn on the inside and is trying to seek retribution for himself from the people he once held dearly in his life. Lost in the Mojave desert and exploring the Texan landscape, Wenders does a terrific job of mirroring the lifestyle in the year 1984, a year of transition for most people in the US of A.

The search eventually leads him to his wife and even though the end doesn't really matter the journey is as harsh and merciless as the desert in the backdrop, even in Los Angeles the movie finds its way into the dull lifestyle of the brothers family. When it reaches the wife in Houston it takes on a lovely saturation of green and red for a brief moment before re-uniting with the other colors.

Recommendation level: 4/5 - The pace is a little slow but the story of a man torn within because of certain beliefs can possibly hold onto you.

Hostel by Eli Roth

2010-03-09T08:31:00.000-08:00

Category: English

A slasher ultra violent movie at the heart with no real story to back it up. Obviously the Elite Hunting agency is created purely to justify the slaughtering that takes place in this movie.

The movie follows 2 American friends who are joined by a Finnish bloke, on their journey they are posed with the question of more hedonism. That leads them to Bratislava and from there begins the violence. Eventually there's some retribution for the lead characters but that all ends with the beginning of the second movie.

There's not much else I can write about barring the setting which is quite eerie at times and although it recaptures some of the Soviet hangover still sported by the Iron-Curtain countries the camera in the movie points only at the 3rd world section or the murderous intent of shady Eastern European looking men.

Recommendation level: 2/5. Catch this if you want to see Eli Roth at the helm of a movie or if you want to see Takashi Miike's blink and a miss cameo.

Infection by Masayuki Ochiai

2010-03-08T05:44:00.000-08:00

Category: Non-English

Definitely not a movie for the faint hearted, I had watched Infection many years back and decided to re-visit it again. Back then the movie had a lasting impression thanks to the J-Horror genre it belongs to, on a recent viewing however I wasn't as impressed as I was back then.

The movie follows a hospital where a mysterious patient arrives suffering from a disease with no real treatment. Eventually he dies and what follows next is a mind game across the soon to be run-down hospital. Whether it is real or fake is put to the test as our minds come across various psychological scenarios in the movie. But more than that there's an element of the supernatural which is also present that gives us a tough dose about our own reality.

Recommendation level: 3/5 - Pretty interesting as a one time watch only though!

500 Days of Summer by Marc Webb

2010-03-04T19:23:00.000-08:00

Category: English

I am a little befuddled here as to what to say, this film has a lot of potential. It is definitely an interesting film to watch but there's something amiss...

500 days of summer follows the life of Joseph-Gordon Levitt's character who falls in love with Zooey Deschanel's character. Obviously one of them has committment problems and the other doesn't. While on the surface it's a typical "rom-com" as they call it, the only real saving grace has to be the editing and the jumping back and forth in time. The 500 days that Levitt's character knows Deschanel's character are more or less covered in a what appears to be non-linear format. Yet we are very clear about where their love started for each other and while you recollect the movie in your mind you recollect it as a liner narrative.

The acting is plastic at best, neither of them can act aside from looking pretty. Deschanel's character in particular is starved of any emotions to the point that one believes she is deliberately causing all that harm to the one she says she loves. Levitt - well he looks pretty like a school boy but what good is that?

Recommendation level: 2/5 I didn't think I'd be let down by the movie but I was and so there's nothing really to harp about it - barring a little slick editing. Also mister writer when Art is used as a device of revenge it ceases to be art anymore (ref: Any resemblance to people living or dead is purely accidental ... Especially you, Jenny Beckman ... Bitch - at the start of the film).

Where the Wild things are by Spike Jonze

2010-03-03T03:47:00.000-08:00

Category: English

Haha, if you were one of the people who liked this film, obviously it should be a no brainer that you're either 12 years old or you are still stuck mentally at being 12. This was probably one of the worst films I've seen till date. Ah yes, snuggly creatures that looked like over sized Sesame Street characters (that was an intentional comment) give me a break, these guys are probably someone whom even Jason from Friday the 13th wouldn't want to snuggle up with.

So the premise yeah - kid wants attention, said attention whore kid runs to a magical land (maybe he just had a shroom eh?) and encounters giant furballs who somehow teach him how much a family matters.

Spike Jonze - I hope you hate this film yourself, I hope the money was worth it.

The adaptation isn't even that great, even a hardcore fan of the book admitted that it goes off on a tangent. Even the kid is annoying.

Recommendation level: 1/5 - Haha I couldn't put it below The Hills have Eyes, now can I?

Sherlock Holmes by Guy Ritchie

2010-03-01T18:43:00.000-08:00

Category: English

What can I say? There's crappy movies and then there's a movie like Sherlock Holmes which is even worse. The only time I have ever wanted to doze off in a cinema hall - thanks to the Homo-erotic Adventures of Holmes and Watson.

Downey Jr. & Jude Law are pretty pathetic in this film with almost no real identities or character development. I hope a lot of people were disappointed, but sorry looking pretty doesn't make you a good actor. Jude Law's mustache is about as annoying and discomforting as his plastic acting skills and Downey Jr. is pretty much Tony Stark but in the past. I have to say Downey Jr. stopped his acting a few movies back and now just loves playing a drunk, talented person.

Recommendation level: 1/5 - I didn't even yawn at other crap movies like the Day of the Dead remake. Give it a miss, but you probably have already seen it. I can't believe Guy Ritchie made this movie, probably because Joel Silver whipped him around. I watched this in the cinema hall, so yeah I spent a good amount of money for trash.

The Girlfriend Experience by Steve Soderbergh

2010-03-01T09:16:00.000-08:00

Category: English

Quite easily one of the best movies I've seen in a month or two. Surprisingly it's by Steve Soderbergh who returns back to his roots of understanding the human aspect of cinema. He experiments a fair bit with sound, thoughts and the leads but the best part about this movie has to be, Sasha Grey.

The movie follows a few days in the life of an escort portrayed by Sasha Grey a real life Adult Video star. She lives with her boyfriend and they share a committed-open relationship. There's a fair amount of political commentary pertaining to Obama and American politics and even though the movie is meant to have a feeling of being in touch with reality, it seems very staged - if this is on purpose or not by the director I am not sure.

The movie has its strong moments, as I mentioned some of the images we see (look at the poster, I love it) create a strong bond with you that lasts. It's an experimental film in some ways but is not difficult to watch. It explains relationships on a very different level, and while I can go on and on about this, I suggest you take a look.

Recommendation level: 3.5/5 - So close on the 4, but it didn't deliver in some places. Got it from a friend, just make sure you lay your hands on this, it's short.

Dead Snow by Tommy Wirkola

2010-02-28T03:48:00.001-08:00

Category: Non-English

So obviously this is kind of my "return post" and the movie I saw was Dead Snow, heard a lot about this movie and probably you have too. The selling factor being - Nazi Zombies.

As per the movie, during World War II several Nazis were posted in Norway at a particular mountain. After they treated the villagers like hell things changed and after a revolt they were driven back to the mountains. However their greed for the wealth they had amassed living in that village knew no bounds. To the point that they are back now to kill anyone who encroaches on it.

Enter some teenagers who are holidaying on the weekend in a friends cabin. The friend gets eaten alive at the start and most of them end up becoming a meal as well. These zombies don't convert anyone as one of the characters observes, "They're not looking to team up!". The movie has some funny moments but in general lacks a real feel to it. It comes very close to becoming a really good horror/comedy film but falls a few places short. These places sadly are visible.

Recommendation level: 2.5/5 Ah, a Zombie movie after a while for me. But I can't just give it a higher rating. Catch it on a weekend when you have nothing left to do but watch Norwegian Zombie movies.

Zombieland by Ruben Fleischer

2010-01-25T08:28:00.000-08:00

Category: English

A busy schedule lets me review movies with less frequency but anyway when I do get the chance I obviously review. On Sunday I caught Zombieland and I was looking forward to this movie, since there hasn't been a good zombie movie release in a while and Survival of the Dead won't be here for a few months or might never.

Woody Harrelson, Jesse Eisenberg, Emma Stone, and Abigail Breslin are all survivors who band together despite some treachery on the part of the latter two. The premise being the world has been over run by Zombies and they are all traveling together to possibly find a safe zone. Eventually they find themselves in different scenarios fighting tons of zombies (only sometimes for a good 30 mins there are no Zombies).

The movie has some originality when it comes to the whole "rules of survival" most of them are explained, some repeated and of course some changed as the movie progresses. Woody Harrelson is apt in his role and so are the rest, the women in the movie were a little annoying and the little girl should have got her head bitten off but oh well.

Recommendation level: 3/5 - It's no Romero movie but definitely a good movie to watch if you're looking for some decent gore and are a Zombie movie fan, there are some impossible situations and of course watching Woody Harrelson perform the impossible (winning a stand off against a horde of zombies) is a bit unnatural but fine. Oh yes, the Bill Murray angle is pretty cute too!

Boogie Nights by Paul Thomas Anderson

2010-01-08T08:05:00.000-08:00

Category: English

I've been waiting to check this film out for a while now and I have to say Paul Thomas Anderson (now referred to as PTA) has a unique way of getting an ensemble cast to act perfectly. He gets every bit of acting that he can from these talented bunch of people unlike some multi-starrer turkeys. Best part is, not one person can lay claim to the film.

The movie follows the pornographic industry while it was rising in the 1970's and 1980's in America. There's plenty of references to porn stars of those years, heck Mark Wahlbergs' character is based on a famous porn star. It's all loosely based but there's important landmarks to remember and watch the movie in - for example the advent of the video tape and the "creative differences" the director has with the financier concerning it.

The film follows the meteoric rise (no pun intended) of Dirk Diggler (Wahlberg) and the people he interacts with and the kind of work he produces. His addiction to cocaine and eventual fail in the industry, the movie however does end on a happy note. . . Sucks.

The cast includes PTA's favorites; Julianne Moore, Alfred Molina, William H. Macy, John C. Reilly, Philip Seymour-Hoffman as well as Burt Reynolds, Heather Graham and a host of others who shine in the movie in their own little way.

Recommendation level: 3/5. Got this one on VCD, but the Indian version is heavily censored. Same director to give us Magnolia, Hard Eight and other good movies from Hollywood.

I Love You, Man by John Hamburg

2010-01-07T00:29:00.000-08:00

Category: English

Paul Rudd's character is to get married to Rashida Jones' character and while their busy looking at the wedding they realize that Rudd never had a strong male bond with any of his friends. Over the years he has only women friends and so the quest for finding his Best Man or his 'bromance' begins.

After hunting around with the help from his gay brother and the internet he eventually finds nothing. Enter Segel's character and things take a turn for good as he instantly connects with him.

While the movie takes a pedestrian look at how guys bond in the most stereotypical manner, Rudd manages to pick this movie up from the standard set of comedies that are around these days. Segel is the perpetual best friend, this guy can almost never be a lead - am convinced. Everyone (even in real life) wants a best friend like him right from his How I met your mother days.

Entertaining to watch with the friends after a hard days work I reckon. But not world class cinema.

Recommendation level: 2/5. Rudd and Segel take this to 2.

G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra by Stephen Sommers

2009-12-24T07:38:00.000-08:00

Category: English

I enjoyed this film, growing up playing with the figures and watching the animation, the movie was a let down in places but not completely.

This film tracks down the origins of Cobra and establishes a lot of the characters and their motivations (albeit superficially). Even still, some of the characters manage to stay with you even after the film is over. Joseph Gordon-Levitt is definitely one of the characters to watch out for. Christopher Eccleston is pretty formidable as Destro.

Well it's still not the best cinema you're going to encounter and as such is pretty mindless in places including the famous chase sequence in Paris. Sienna Miller is put to good use as is Rachel Nichols.

Recommendation level: 1/5 - Christmas cheer! But very crappy in places, if you like G.I. Joe then it should be a 5/5.

Unleashed by Louis Leterrier

2009-12-24T07:20:00.000-08:00

Category: English

Probably one of the Jet Li's under appreciated roles and movies in general. Bob Hoskins captures Jet Li when he's a kid and trains him to be a living weapon, trained only to kill and basically everything non-human almost like a "dog". When his collar is removed, Danny goes on a mindless killing spree. Eventually the dog escapes and his helped by a blind musician portrayed by Morgan Freeman.

Bob Hoskins wants the dog back and bla bla!

The movie doesn't deal with any great themes barring some references to classical music. It's written by Luc Besson, and one wonders why does that even matter when the film is obviously not so well crafted.

Recommendation level: 2/5 - Just for Jet Li & Massive Attack's soundtrack! If you like action films and Jet Li then this would be a 5/5 for you.

Avatar by James Cameron

2009-12-24T07:06:00.000-08:00

Category: English

By the time you read this, most of you will have already seen Avatar. You must be in awe and possibly even looking forward to a ton of new movies based on the ingenious film-making concepts executed in this film.

The story is crap, but you know this, the themes are complete rubbish either - there's no deeper meaning in this film. If you're here to even consider that a simple dialogue of Stephen Lang's character about "waging a war on terror" be a shot at America's own war on terror then you're even more stupid than the people who just watched the film for the pretty blue colors.

Avatar's dealing of the issue of aliens and the proverbial "who's side are you on?" raised once again by Lang's character at the end is also pretty weak. District 9 speaks volumes of such issues on the deepest level till date. Avatar is just very revolutionary, just like that first film made by the Lumière brothers where people ran out of the cinema hall thinking the train was coming towards them. It's going to be remembered, make no mistake about it but does it have any aesthetic and artistic value? I'll leave that to you to decide.

The histrionics aren't that superb either, their passable, Stephen Lang had me cheering for him in the end. Now that's a fucking G.I. Joe.

Recommendation level: 3/5 - Path breaking, but everyone's too quick to judge the story, I think even Cameron made peace with himself about that before he made something like this. For me, I am not sure how much we should be relying on technology to interfere with our art form, we're already so distant from reality, do we need more distance?

Paa by R. Balki

2009-12-24T06:57:00.000-08:00

Category: Hindi

My first Hindi movie in a while and how about it! While the melodrama got to my brain after a point and the ridiculous situations executed by the director and of course the pathetic acting by almost everyone in this film is only redeemed by the half decent performance put in by Amitabh Bachchan thanks to help from the make up artist.

While there are some genuine moments in the film that can tug on your heart much like Elephant Man by Lynch (in many parts, am not sure how many of you picked it up but he sounds a lot like Merrick portrayed by John Hurt. The film is pretty straight up, Abhishek Bachchan and Vidya Balan have a passionate affair in which Amitabh Bachchan's character is conceived.

After more than a decade of hiccups, Amitabh Bachchan finds his way to the successful MP's (Abhishek) line of sight.

Everything else is predictable after it and there's nothing special beyond a point. This film has some moments which include the explanation provided for the name "Auro" and err... some decent close ups and nothing else.

Recommendation level: 1/5 - Kinda sucked after a point, saw this in a cinema hall.

Pineapple Express by David Gordon Green

2009-12-10T20:47:00.000-08:00

Category: English

My reviews will continue to get more and more erratic this month as I try to find time since it's Christmas!

A stoner movie starring Seth Rogen wasn't something I was looking forward to but thanks to his superior supporting cast (James Franco of Harry Osborne fame in Spiderman, Danny McBride, Gary Cole) the film is actually watchable. So the movie has Seth Rogen as a process server and on one of his errands while smoking the wonderful Pineapple Express he ends up witnessing a murder and he immediately runs to his peddler (Franco). Little did all of us know that Gary Cole is a mob boss now out for Rogen's blood. He deploys two hitmen, one of them portrayed by Kevin Corrigan.

On the way running from the mob there's tons of faces they come across, they even pick up a 3rd member towards the end (McBride who refuses to die from gunshot wounds). The film oddly enough gets a little serious and violent towards the end and I couldn't figure out why. None the less this isn't the best cinema you can watch, but it's alright to watch it with friends.

Recommendation level: 2/5 - Purely because of Franco and the supporting cast.

In the Loop by Armando Iannucci

2009-12-09T08:03:00.000-08:00

Category: English

A spinoff from the popular BBC TV series - The Thick of It, In The Loop is probably one of the best political satires to have come out in recent months and it definitely doesn't let down. Sinking it's teeth into the juicy flesh of British politics right from the start we're introduced to Peter Capaldi's character Malcolm Tucker who is somewhat of a spin doctor for the British PM and the government. Soon we find out that a cabinet minister, Tom Hollander's character has shot his mouth off about a possible outbreak of war in the middle-east.

What follows is an escalating set of events that while spirals out of control is completely manipulated by the ferocious Malcolm Tucker and later on his assistant.

This is the kind of movie that you have to watch with the right kind of people to get the references and of course the amazing humour that makes this really high class. Making it a must watch comedy for any young mind. There are stereotypes and there are unconventional characters, there's also James Gandolfini as a U.S. General. Do watch it if you have the time and take a look at how events are controlled by the Government right to the final dot.

Recommendation level: 3.5/5 - A MUST WATCH! Got this from a friend. Watch out for Peter Capaldi's character, you might just fall in love!

The Fifth Element by Luc Besson

2009-12-07T09:29:00.000-08:00

Category: English

While I found this movie extremely crappy the first time I saw it, I must say even after more than 10 years the movie doesn't seem as bad as I thought it was years ago.

The plot is simple, Milla Jovovich's character is the fifth element sent to save the world from a probable catastrophe. She lands into Bruce Willis' taxi (he's a taxi driver) and they set out to save the world along with Sir Ian Holm. There's also a wealthy industrialist, Gary Oldman who is out to claim the ultimate power to himself.

There aren't too many positives about this film, the sub standard acting or the wafer thin plot doesn't give this film a lot of ability to expand on itself. Still if you're completely bored then go ahead and watch this film. Everything is pretty main stream - so what does that mean? Right from the dialogues to the production values to the future they portray... Everything is very much the way Hollywood has been looking towards the future.

There's some experimentation done with the film used in this movie, but I couldn't be bothered, also Luc Besson and everyone else involved has done better cinema than this.

Recommendation level: 2/5 - Saw this on TV.

Layer Cake by Matthew Vaughn

2009-12-03T09:03:00.000-08:00

Category: English

erm, if you've seen any of the Guy Ritchie films (read the trilogy I reviewed a few weeks back) then this one isn't that different from them. Yeah, pretty insulting but it's really true, this one however lacks and benefits from certain factors.

It lacks Guy Ritchie but it benefits from Daniel Craig and Sienna Miller!

The plot is simple at the start with Daniel Craig playing XXXX who deals heavily in cocaine and decides to eventually quit the business until everything turns upside down and inside out. There's betrayal and most of the characters who come on screen have their own agendas which they are interested in executing - no matter what the price.

I am not really sure how much I liked this film, but I think it's just about average in places.

Recommendation level: 2/5. Got this from a friend.

Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay by Jon Hurwitz & Hayden Schlossberg

2009-12-02T09:48:00.000-08:00

Category: English

I didn't think it would take something like 2 directors to make a film like this. Considering how simple stoner movies are and how only in particular places do they go over the top (Read: NPH getting his guts blown out). So of course in the sequel to the famous Harold & Kumar Go to WhiteCastle, is no different than the original which had the main characters riding a cheetah under the influence of marijuana.

The sequel takes off almost immediately with the guys deciding to head to Amsterdam - except that they don't. What follows is adventure to get back to America after a stop over at Guantanamo Bay. They encounter old friends, new allies and of course the dire need to find the women they are madly in love with. The sappy part which pretty much drains a good stoner film of its essence. Apparently this film was more successful - financially. There's also the crazy American authorities who create some funny moments during the interrogation sequences.

There's more of NPH this time around and of course there's more weed and crazier situations. It's worth a watch if you have nothing to do on a Saturday evening, if you have some friends over feel free to watch it with them.

Recommendation level: 2/5 - I liked the original better, got this one from a friend. It's the second time that I've seen it though so it has some mild repetitive value.

Control by Anton Corbijn

2009-12-01T21:39:00.000-08:00

Category: English

Control is a biopic based on Joy Divisions' lead singer Ian Curtis. His tragic life and his brilliance is captured by Corbijn, right from the first frame that we're introduced to Curtis' character there's an odd sense of tragedy coming, there's a sense of brilliance in the way he looks at the butterfly sticker and recites Wordsworth. That's what we're talking about.

The film - shot completely in black and white follows Ian Curtis from his high school days and eventual rise to fame, the band grows stronger and stronger and eventually so the workload also increases and eventually after having an early marriage he's caught between finding himself attracted to others. He does pursue that and for a long time seems almost unable to decide between his wife Deborah or Annika. Eventually there are several factors that start taking a toll on his mental health.

The music and the situations created around this film are pretty impressive, if you are a Joy Division fan then you must watch this movie because you'd be able to connect with the songs and the situations better. Even Curtis' poetry compels you to watch and take part in his journey, it's the only time a vocal narrative is introduced in the film and his words capture the film and moments so strongly.

As I mentioned earlier, if you are a fan of Joy Division this is a must watch, if you aren't then it's a must watch too because of their music and Ian Curtis. The leads are all powerful - Sam Riley and Samantha Morton are so strong in their roles as the loving young couple gone awry. There's also the supporting cast which is prominent too.

Recommendation level: 3/5 - Got this from a friend and definitely one of the better movies to watch.

Atonement by Joe Wright

2009-11-30T03:56:00.000-08:00

Category: English

Atonement has Keira Knightley and James McAvoy portraying the tragic characters of Cecilia Tallis & Robbie Turner. Torn apart by a simple misunderstanding, their separation eventually pans out as the the 2nd World War reaches it's peak.

Due to a mis-read letter and a certain set of events, Saoirse Ronan mistakes the kind and gentle housekeepers' son to be a sexual offender and as a result even though he has the potential and determination to follow his dream of becoming a doctor he is sent to prison where he's given the chance to be drafted into the army or stay in prison. His love for Cecilia denied by destiny he looks to find her.

The film - for a popular one doesn't follow a linear narrative, at many times exploring with the past and present and even what is reality and what's not. Ronan's character grows up and decides to Atone for her misgivings against McAvoy's character. Eventually the film explores what exactly is Atonement and if it can be rectified or if anything is possible to even do something about it. Does speaking out the truth make it all better? Simple questions raised, nothing extraordinary about this feature film, but they are raised in a delicate fashion which makes this film a little sensitive.

The acting is pretty top notch, some of the camera work is interesting and the editing is well done, doesn't get on the nerves and for a popular film this leaves a lasting impression on the viewers. A little knowledge about the World War might help in understanding what happens at Dunkirk and why exactly certain characters meet their fate the way they do, that's something not touched up on in depth in this film, the War is a brilliant way of juxtaposing a forlorn love story but perhaps the war isn't the main character here. This is a adaptation of a novel of the same name.

Recommendation level: 2/5 - Got this from a friend, but do catch it, it's a little emotional in parts but not overtly done. Perhaps the end wasn't needed and should have closed on Vanessa Redgrave's face in a close up.

Ninja Assassin by James McTeigue

2009-11-28T08:56:00.001-08:00

Category: English

This film released pretty early in India, but am really not sure if that was the right decision considering the cold response the film got in the cinema hall I was at.

The movie has Rain (pretty South Korean singer among other things) performing some breath taking stunts and fighting through almost everything for what he believes in. Turning on his own Ninja clan he soon faces the wrath of them for his betrayal. Along the way he goes to save a lady who is investigating a recent assassination. The assassination is rumored to be done by Ninjas and as such she unearths a massive underground conspiracy.

That's about it for the plot, there's every possible cliche to be used in an action film like this. There's the "brother fight" with Rick Yune, surprisingly looking out of place. Well with out of place, everyone else also is. Rain can't act or even deliver dialogues properly and comes across as constipated most of the time. There's no real star in this film barring the fight sequences.

There's a thorough demonisation of the Ninjas and most of the film has some really misleading facts in it. I read that the director wrote the entire script in 53 hours and truth be told it does seem like it. I can't believe he's the same director who gave us V for Vendetta. Do kindly note the presence of South Korean actors portraying Japanese characters.

Recommendation level: 2/5 - For the action sequences and of course any film that depicts the Ninja (sadly this one has them as really bad but it's one of the rare occasions they aren't overshadowed by their illustrious rivals - the Samurai). Action fans would give it a 5/5 for the slick kills.

Saw by James Wan

2009-11-27T02:32:00.001-08:00

Category: English

At it's core Saw is about a killer who doesn't really kill his victims, he gets his victims to kill themselves. Much like how people aren't born killers but societal norms probably help them become a killer. The primary antagonist in Saw is Jigsaw who believes that people take their lives for granted and thus need a rude and shocking awakening, this can only be possible by extreme torture (physical and mental) to oneself. So he sets up games...

The most famous franchise in survival horror these days - Saw started off as a short film (just youtube it). Eventually finding it's way to movie executives and eventually the big screen. The first film has Leigh Whannell and Cary Elwes stuck in a room together and trying to work their way out. As time passes by we're introduced to the characters and more importantly to Jigsaw who's not revealed completely until the end of the film.

The acting is quite decent for a film that obviously doesn't require anything more than a squirm or a grimace from the actors on screen. I kinda liked the film because it was something unique and although the second film is heavily borrowed from the Cube series and the others since have been bad, this one always remains as one of the movies to watch.

Recommendation level: 2.5/5 - Got it from a friend and just about at 2.5 : )

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest by Miloš Forman

2009-11-25T20:50:00.000-08:00

Category: English

One Flew... has Jack Nicholson portraying a criminal who gets sent to the "institution", at the institution we're introduced to a host of inmates. They follow a particular routine everyday and everything is controlled by Louise Fletcher's Nurse Ratched. Eventually with his introduction the monotony is destroyed and soon there are minor revolts, people want to watch the World Series, they want to go out and have fun, meet women. Soon after this the situation gets serious when one of the evenings "out" the in-mates led by Jack Nicholson ultimately head towards the climax of the film.

Finally at the heart of it, One Flew... talks about the institution and how we view in-mates. While they deserve to get treated it's advised through the film that perhaps a more "human" approach is what is needed. Particularly the end of the movie raises some serious concern about how Nurse Ratched and the hospital administration are portrayed. At some point in America there was a debate about the kind of values this stood for and how it was against the then psychiatric norms of treating patients.

Do have a look at the film though, it's engaging and the characters (particularly Brad Dourif, Christopher Lloyd & of course the leads) make this film above average.

Recommendation level: 3/5 - Got this from a friend!

Zack and Miri Make a Porno by Kevin Smith

2009-11-23T06:55:00.000-08:00

Category: English

Kevin Smith has written and directed this film and to be honest it's been a big let down. As soon as the movie was done I was left with a crappy feeling. After some introspection I do feel this movie was bad.

Seth Rogen and Elizabeth Banks' characters are down out of luck and money and after their 10 year high school re-union they find out they have to pay bills or the electricity, gas, water will shut down. So after a MMS clip scandal featuring "Granny panties" the duo who have been friends forever and never had sex decide to make a porno. They do end up having sex for the first time on camera and that changes everything.

I have to tell you the first 30 minutes held immense promise, I thought it would be one of the rare buddy/stoner films (Harold & Kumar, Clerks etc) with female and male protagonists that could actually work. Then it all went downhill.

The humour goes beyond crass and lacks any real class. Kevin Smith even brings out two of his biggest assets - Jeff Anderson (Randal from Clerks) & Jason Mewes (Jay of Jay and Silent Bob) but alas even they can't save it from Seth Rogen's ineptitude and crappy timing. What we have left is some reasonable acting from Elizabeth Banks and from Justin Long & Brandon Routh, sadly the latter two just last all of the first 30 minutes.

Recommendation level: 1.5/5 - Disappointing film, can give it a skip unless you want some crass jokes overall with one genuine funny moments thrown in.

Event Horizon by Paul Anderson

2009-11-20T23:29:00.000-08:00

Category: English

Paul Anderson has made some mistakes in his career most notably Aliens vs Predators or Soldier. But then the promise he showed with his first film Shopping seems to have all disappeared, for the remainder of his career he seems to grasp at bigger budgets instead of focusing on the elements that make Cinema... Cinema.

Event Horizon has Sam Neill as the mentally unstable Dr. Weir who created a ship that could travel through Space and Time, bending laws of physics (literally) to access any point in the known galaxy. When it goes missing for 7 years and suddenly resurfaces it's up to Laurence Fishburnes' motley crew aboard the Louise and Clark to find out how things got messed up. As they slowly find themselves losing their minds they also lose their original ship and are forced to deal with the now enigmatic Dr. Weir and his lovely ship.

The ship as it turns out as been out of the boundaries of "normal" space and time and as a result could have been in a hellish dimension.

Sam Neill and Laurence Fishburne do a really good job in what would be one of my favorite space suvival horror films in a long time. Sure the dialogues get a little patchy at times but there's nothing scarier than Sam Neill delivering his dialogues in such menace that you do get reminded of his Damian (read: Omen III) days. The rest of the supporting cast does its job although some of them aren't as memorable as the others.

Recommendation level: 2.5/5 - "You can't leave... She won't let you". Watched this from a friends DVD.

2012 by Roland Emmerich

2009-11-20T07:11:00.001-08:00

Category: English

This was one disaster film I was waiting to destroy since the time I heard about it. Roland Emmerich has been making stupid films for years, I don't even know why he's credited as a director considering it takes close to zero skill of his own to complete any of those superlative tsunami's, tidal waves, earthquakes, volcanoes etc. To his credit he made 3 good films in his life, if you're a fan of his work then this is the time you go and pick the 3 best, because I am really sure every other film of his has been a turkey at some point.

I really can't be bothered to explain a film like this, it has the proverbial estranged couple. He does throw in the Indian scientist but let's face it everyone is down right terrible, even Woody Harrelson sucks . The Tsunami and Volcanoes have more acting capacity than the botox enriched cast. Oliver Platt is about average in his role and it's pretty obvious every known face just wanted the extra cash and every unknown face on screen wanted some fame.

I have no doubt that this film will do well and it should, the primary audience that Roland Emmerich has made this film for (read: 10-14 year olds) will definitely find this a "WOW!" film. I had to see this film because I wanted to. But the amount of kids going for this is ridiculous! Also there's the invulnerable hero (Cusack), his crappy ex-wife (Peet), pesky kids and some annoying Russian billionaire named Yuri. I think people must be really stupid to watch Emmerich's films, but worst of all I think he goes laughing all the way to the bank considering the crap he puts on display every single time he has a release.

Recommendation level: 0/5 - Haha - here I thought I couldn't find a film as bad as Stealth. Thanks Hollywood. Saw this in the cinema hall, a little bit of the cinematic magic dies with films like these.

Dr. Strangelove by Stanley Kubrick

2009-11-19T09:26:00.000-08:00

Category: English

I am sure there's a lot been already said and written about Kubrick's war movie, in fact every great film maker or someone who has had some kind of connection with greatness and cinema needs to have attempted a war movie at some point.

The film is based on a U.S. General, during the height of the cold war decides to launch an all out nuclear aerial assault against mother Russia. Soon enough the President and all the important heads in the government begin sweating it out to possibly try and save the world from the Russian fail safe - The Doomsday Device.

While the plot is of almost no consequence since the film is a heavy and vicious attack against the Cold War and all the people associated with it. There's no point in trying to poke jokes at the names since Kubrick is very much in control of this film. There's several takes on the British, the Americans, Russians, Nazis and even the fool hardy war loving people. Most of all there's the funny rant about Coca Cola. What's crazier the Cold War or the people behind it?

Am sure there's been plenty of people who have already dissected this movie bit by bit, so all I can say is you need to watch this film when you get a chance. Peter Sellers is excellent in this film, might I add.

Recommendation level: 4/5 - Very purposefully executed. Must watch!

Gladiator by Ridley Scott

2009-11-17T21:18:00.000-08:00

Category: English

Here's a rather fascinating film that at some point has been watched by most of humanity that has access to any form of cinema halls, TV, internet.

The premise is simple, Russell Crowe starts off a top General in the Roman armies to the point where he's almost set to take on the title of Caesar but plotting from Joaquin Phoenix ends up in him being branded a traitor and family executed. Crowe barely survives and ends up taken in and sold as a slave to compete as a Gladiator. He eventually finds himself in Rome to face the Emperor face to face.

Ridley Scott excels as a director in this movie to get such powerful performances from his lead and support cast. The actors to watch out for in this film are of course the leads - Connie Nielsen, Joaquin Phoenix, Russel Crowe but also Oliver Reed Djimon Hounsou take this film to a completely different level.

There's a lot of CGI used in the movie, but a lot of people are drawn to the movie by the rather strong characterizations and emphasis on finishing moves in the Coliseum. Do watch it though, it's one of the modern films one must see.

Recommendation level: 3.5/5 - Sadly no Hollywood movie can go beyond a 3/5 here, or maybe a 3.5! Got it from a friend, so props to him.

Dawn of the Dead by Zack Snyder

2009-11-17T03:17:00.000-08:00

Category: English

Dawn of the Dead sees the survivors banding together in a mall. Their thereafter struggle with each other and while some of them think of living there the general consensus becomes that it's important to get the hell outta there!

This re-make doesn't hold a candle to the original and so I wouldn't recommend it if someone is genuinely interested in Romeroesque films. Try and catch it as a stand alone film and it has its moments. The Turbo zombies (really fast and strong) make for some minor exciting moments but over all don't have the same feel as Romero's zombies.

The problem is, there's just too many characters and there's immense relying on the stupid moments rather than real character development. This leaves you feeling almost nothing for the people except of course the main characters.

Recommendation level: 1/5 - Good try! Got this from a friend, so cheers!

Forgetting Sarah Marshall by Nicholas Stoller

2009-11-15T20:36:00.000-08:00

Category: English

Funny movie with a simple premise, Jason Segel gets his heart broken and is trying hard to forget the girl of his dreams aka Sarah Marshall. She picks the British lover over him and as he first fights to come to terms with the break up he eventually realizes several things about their relationship which probably could never have been worked out.

He's also aided by Mila Kunis' character.

The movie is sadly funny in patches and not completely a stellar film to check out. The 4 characters we find on screen regularly do a good job but there's nothing solid in the script or the execution of it. As a result there are some funny scenes but sadly Kristen Bell's plastic face makes this film really boring in many parts. Am sure it's fun to watch with friends or when drunk but normally this is an average movie.

Recommendation level: 1.5/5. Got this from a friend!

Shaun of the Dead by Edgar Wright

2009-11-13T00:20:00.000-08:00

Category: English

I had my reservations about this movie since I am a big fan of the Zombie movie genre and to see it getting ridiculed would be painful. I did watch this film and thankfully there's a decent amount of gore and British humour to take this film to a 3 star rating!

Obviously ZombieLand will be another good film to watch but this one completely hams away at the Zombie genre. The movie has Shaun looking to take charge of his life by doing a completely 180 degree with his girlfriend and of course sort his relationship with his step dad and try and find a great job! All this takes a de-tour as Z-day strikes and wreaks havoc. Ironic in nature the survivors head to the nearest pub to survive the catastrophe.

This is definitely one of the must sees of the Zombie films one will come across, Simon Pegg is remarkable and this film has his brand of humour completely stamped up on it. Do take a look at the supporting cast as well.

Recommendation level: 3/5 - Hell yeah!

Day of the Dead by George A. Romero

2009-11-12T07:16:00.000-08:00

Category: English

Crap, I've forgot to watch films this week, but fear not I managed to lay my hands on a chunk of them so expect a river of reviews in November.

Romero's third film in his now 6 part franchise of sorts called, "...The Dead" series. While his previous films in this tackle race (Night of the Living Dead) & consumerism (Land of the Dead) this one is a vicious take on the military and what happens in the context of a zombie holocaust. The actors aren't any famous folk, but have claimed cult status thanks to their work in Romero's films. This one is no different.

What sets Romero's films from the rest? Even in this day and age his Diary of the Dead is probably miles ahead of most Zombie movies we see day in and day out. On a very simple level he brings out the best in his characters and their slow degradation as human beings, there's not much room for melodrama but there's room for emotions. That's where he is King and no one can come even close.

The plot has the Army and a group of scientists working closely together to find a cure for the flesh eating zombies. There's a break down and the soldiers assume the right of might, while the scientists continue to get ruled over, not everyone can keep their sanity till the end.

Recommendation level: 3.5/5 - This is one of Romero's finest.

Stealth by Rob Cohen

2009-11-06T07:35:00.000-08:00

Category: English

A spanking new AI controlled aircraft goes out of control due to a bolt of lightning and costs one of the pilots his life. There's also the sub plot of love between the other two pilots and then there's the ethics of war.

Crappy movie :( They should have at least used Biel in the right ways.

Recommendation level: 0/5 - Don't even dare... watch it.

Get Smart by Peter Segal

2009-11-05T07:19:00.000-08:00

Category: English

Okay so this movie is really funny only because of Steve Carell and partly Alan Arkin.

It's inspired by an old tv series by Mel Brooks and hence there are some odes used towards the end of the movie.

Steve Carell plays an unlikely agent who has spent his entire life at the desk of a super secret agency called "Control". After getting thrust into the thick of things he dazzles in areas and also fails with a straight face in some. This is partly due to the magic of Carell as well as the beauty of the character itself.

I don't know just watch this film, it's really funny in several parts.

Recommendation level: 2.5/5 - There's only so much Carell can do for this movie all by himself!

District 9 by Neill Blomkamp

2009-11-04T08:39:00.000-08:00

Category: English/Prawn language

The film has obviously been watched by a lot of folks so the plotline isn't really worth talking about it in here. But just in case I'll still do it. The world has been exposed to its first real extra-terrestrial visit, not much is known about them except that they are stranded here and while they take residence some of them turn out to be violent. They are then moved into District 9 a slum in South Africa.

Shortly after that a few decades later they are to be moved into a completely different area which will be heavily guarded. The Earth leaders want to make sure they can operate Alien technology while one of the "Prawns" (derogatory term to them due to their features) has figured a way back to get home and possibly move on from Earth. Wikus is in charge of this operation and gets infected with a spray that starts converting him to the very people he was supposed to evacuate.

The movie deals with a lot of themes pertaining to futuristic theories such as xenophobia towards aliens and explores social structures on a basic level. There's of course the presence of the local mafia who are dominating the prawns. There's heavy exploitation ironic enough done by the one race that's been exploited for centuries. I liked the film because it was the first time some theories like this got addressed. Although in anime there have been tons of examples of such themes getting covered.

Recommendation level: 3/5 - Oh the alien guns ZAP well : )!

I Am Legend by Francis Lawrence

2009-11-03T10:17:00.000-08:00

Category: English

The first time I saw this a few years back I didn't exactly appreciate it and I think one can appreciate it only if you see it the second time after a gap. The film is definitely one of my favorite zombie driven movies.

A Doctor finds a vaccine to cure Cancer using a mutated strain of the Measles virus. The only problem is it turns out to be lethal and mutates, the virus kills 90% of humanity, the remaining 10% are left either being zombies who feast on blood or immune people about to become food for said zombies.

The film follows Will Smith's character as he tries to live a "normal life" by himself, as well as find a cure for the virus. Eventually things shape up for a big showdown as one of the zombies referred to as the Alpha Male, becomes smarter.

Recommendation level: 2/5 - It's not superb cinema, but it will do. Watch out for Will Smith, he's really stellar, even though he is such a big name.

Sleuth by Joseph L. Mankiewicz

2009-11-02T07:50:00.000-08:00

Category: English

Having seen the remake before the original I have to say the original is far better. Michael Caine is better off as Tindle the young bloke out to steal Wyke's wife. Wyke portrayed by Laurence Olivier is for sure a choice as Wyke. The remake featured Jude Law as Tindle and Michael Caine as Wyke. End result of equation? Jude Law sucks.

The plot has Wyke tricking Tindle into committing a robbery on his own estate, he's then shot by Wyke in the process of doing so. What follows after that is a cat and mouse game that goes on with endless twists and turns. The house becomes an important character after that, being the 3rd real character in the movie. Mankiewicz gets the house into character as well, with all the oddities present around the place.

Finally it's the acting between the 2 leads which can keep this movie entertaining, even though at 2 hours the film can be a little annoying at times. A much better finish in comparison to the modern day remake which takes up a very odd turn later on. There's also a few characters missing and barring a few plot twists which have been taken from the original the remake is light years behind. This film as well is based on a play, so perhaps the play has to be the best of the 3?

Recommendation level: 2/5 - How many twists and turns can one plot take? Watch this 1972 film to find out!

Revolver by Guy Ritchie

2009-10-29T05:35:00.000-07:00

Category: English

The "Trilogy of Crime" as I am going to dub it comes to a close with Jason Statham finally getting a lot of screen time all to his pretty face. This time around Mr. Ritchie takes his setting to a presumed American ground, probably in Las Vegas. Mr. Green has just been released after 7 years of imprisonment, solitary imprisonment. In there he has conversations (but never meets) two inmates who befriend him and he slowly learns the "formula" to win any game. After his release from prison he spends the next 2 years cleaning up casinos and going after the man who sent him to the chiller in the first place, Dorothy Macha.

There's also a Mr. Gold who gets attributed to the ego.

I won't ruin the main parts of the film because there's constant commentary in this one and there's also exquisite violence from over the pond by Guy Ritchie this time. The story is a little wayward even though the film holds you tightly. Unlike the other 2 films, Ritchie gets a smaller cast and gets more juice into his characters. The commentary is a bit too much in parts and seems a little over the top particularly in the elevator sequence, even Guy Ritchie can't control cinema that well.

Ultimately it's the smaller characters who leave an undeniable mark on you, prominent being the sure shot - Sorter (who incidentally is the same actor who portrays Pinbacker from SunShine). There's also the gentle, Avi and not to forget Macha who is very strong in his own right. Finally don't forget to see the reactions at the end of the film before the end credits roll out. One word of advice Mr. Ritchie - No one takes Deepak Chopra seriously, unless you're Parmeshwar Godrej or you have no self-respect.

Recommendation level: 3/5 - Yeah, he's out of bounds in some places but overall I enjoyed it. Even though it's a little insulting to think he managed to decipher the formula of "chance" or "luck".

Snatch by Guy Ritchie

2009-10-28T10:31:00.000-07:00

Category: English

Day 2 of the Guy Ritchie "fest" of sorts, this one is also features a ton of characters but this time he's got known faces to back them up. Well "known" now anyway. So the basic premise has Jason Statham looking to fix up a boxing match for a pig feeding mafioso called the Governor. His boxer ends up getting destroyed by a pikey called Mickey and he ends up taking him for the next fight, which Mickey is supposed to throw, but he doesn't.

In between all of this is Frankie "Four Fingers" who ends up stealing a massive diamond but ends up giving into his biggest greed - Gambling. He's tracked down by Boris the Blade who employs 2 pawn shop brokers. There's also Vinnie Jones thrown in as the proverbial gun for hire/bounty hunter, with the cool dialogues. If Quentin Tarantino was British then he'd be Guy Ritchie.

There's plenty of sub plots and minor characters thrown all around. There's one close up on Brad Pitt's face after he sees the burning trailer and that is one of the most under-rated and powerful moments in the film. It's one of the few places where literally the anger is visible at first and then slowly fades away into nothingness of the face. Just for that alone Mr. Ritchie gets a better rating this time around. The film is also firmly entrenched in London, 2 remarks - Benicio del Toro sports a weird accent and the camera angles used for him look straight out of Fear & Loathing in Las Vegas and secondly - Brad Pitt looks like he strolled a bit off from the sets of Fight Club onto this one!

Most of the support cast is strong as can be expected, there's a bountiful of cool dialogues and various shenanigans thrown in to keep people hooked and I can completely understand the cult status that Guy Ritchie commands now. I am just not sure how important this film is in terms of cinematic quality.

Recommendation level: 3/5 - Told you he gets a better rating this time around! Tomorrow will be Revolver, once again thanks to a friend for lending me these films. If you're a Guy Ritchie fan, it's a straight up 5/5!

Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels by Guy Ritchie

2009-10-27T00:59:00.000-07:00

Category: English

Guy Ritchie week, I forgot to write this last night. Anyway - the movie is simple in its out look that 4 blokes (each skilled in their own small way) are conned at a card game and must now pay half a million of pounds if they want to retain their lives and appendages.

In between all of this is a a drug baron whose private stash of cannabis has been robbed by a set of greedy crooks who have been buyers at some point. There's also the 'cleaner' who moves around with his son, there's also the Porn King to whom the 4 mates have to pay up within a week. There are also some small time crooks who had to steal some expensive muskets but didn't.

All of these explosive elements come together which seems like almost a familiar finale. I haven't seen this film earlier so it was a treat watching it, even though it gets a little patchy in parts. There's some debate about how good it is but I think it's stylish in the most commercial manner and absorbing only if you love the emphasis on characterization. There are some good shots in the film particularly of the close ups used, but their too far and wide and end up getting lost somewhere between the power of the plot and style.

However, props to most of the actors used - they do what their called for and exceed at it by very far.

Recommendation level: 2/5 - It's good in parts and overall engaging but nothing really path breaking, excessive reliance on violence and "bad ass" dialogues to carry this movie forward. Props to a friend of mine for the movie, remember no downloading illegally!

Break #3

2009-10-21T04:32:00.001-07:00

Taking a break this week, I've got fucked over by some international films I had... Gutted. I need to organize the films a little better. Until then probably start posting by next week. Have a nice week all of you : )

Boudu Saved from Drowning by Jean Renoir

2009-10-19T11:21:00.000-07:00

Category: Non-English

Renoir's comedy from 1932, evokes the true power of a canvas and what an artist can do with it. Boudu is a tramp who is all set to drown himself but is found rescued by a Bourgeois book seller, Mr. Lestingois. The otherwise quiet household finds itself under immense scrutiny by the unique charm that Mr. Boudu holds within himself.

The movie has plenty of jabs at the established class, there's plenty of references to prominent French intellectuals and their books. But I think more than that it's the charm of the director himself that shines through this rather unique film for its time. Renoir's comedy is done with a straight face, better the fact that it's done in a very nonchalant manner. In turn by his actions and characters he's taking a shot at the then existing methods of making films. I must have probably said this a 1000 times already but viewing French directors take on a completely different genre than they always do is remarkable. Might not be his first comedy film, a rather bad way of putting this film since even in it's limitations and stationary camera work it hits out hard.

The acting is top notch with just 4 main characters the plot is tight and the narrative is paced well, every situation that occurs is completely planned out and while it seems like a bunch of scenes put together for the people who don't know, every scene brings out another facet of the characters on screen. Michael Simon is the stand out character here but Charles Granval is equally powerful in his role as the care taker of the tramp.

Recommendation level: 4/5. Got it from the Enlighten Film Society collection or however you say that. Print was good, worth a watch.

Dead Man by Jim Jarmusch

2009-10-16T11:36:00.001-07:00

Category: English

This film was a little hyped for me by a friend and so I was naturally compelled to take a look at this film. It's quite a minimalistic film in which Johnny Depp plays William Blake, a man who comes into Injun country to make a living to find himself out of a job in the first place by a very well placed Robert Mitchum (in his final role ever). Eventually he manages to get into a world of trouble as he finds himself hunted by 3 bounty hunters, prime among them is Lance Henriksen's cannibalistic character.

Proceeding with the story, Blake encounters a native Indian who has been on the receiving end of a harsh life - exploited by the white man he hails his new found partner as a re-incarnation of the famous poet.

The movie has a very entrancing Neil Young on his electric guitar and the background score keeps you well entertained throughout. To see the accountant Blake go on to becoming a gun slinger is almost hilarious and comical at times, not to say that it's badly executed, if anything the film is quite an anti-western in that sense. There's a lot of play on words and there's also the poetic language of Blake used to full effect. Then there's Jarmusch's style.

Needless to say, this film was very engaging and from what I've read on this film - very detailed about the lifestyle of the Injuns. Watch out for Alfred Molina's role as the Pastor!

Recommendation level: 3.5/5 - It's a little too long in places, and it could have been a little made a bit tighter. Depp's good as usual but nothing extra ordinary, he's surrounded by a really strong cast and director.

The Time Traveler's Wife by Robert Schwentke

2009-10-15T10:49:00.000-07:00

Category: English

The movie features Eric Bana as a man who suffers from a strange genetic disorder that makes him travel through time. Rachel MacAdams plays the love of his life who has waited her entire life.

The movie falls apart at several places, even despite the presence of some capable acting talent there's almost nothing can do with such a weak script. Fans of the book even claim that the dialogues and scripting in general is very weak and thus is not even close to the book.

For me personally the movie is very flat at places, since I have never read the book it's almost impossible for me to contextualize it so I suppose aside from Rachel McAdams no one really stands out. Eric Bana's acting talent disappears every time his on screen persona takes a journey through time.

Recommendation level: 1.5/5 - There's some novelty value and of course 1 star for Rachel McAdams. Even fans of sappy love movies will find themselves walking out sooner than the movie ends.

Inglourious Basterds by Quentin Tarantino

2009-10-13T07:45:00.001-07:00

Category: English

Tarantino is apparently back to doing what he does best or so people say, but truthfully Chapters 3 and 4 in this saga of revenge (a theme from his previous venture) actually establish him in my books as someone who can make the 60's European cinema (as a friend also remarked) come alive, barely but yes. Chapters 1 and 2 are very much like what Tarantino churns out consistently or as I'd like to call it exquisite violence. Chapter 5 is a toss up.

Once again Tarantino relies on creating heavily memorable characters such as Donny Donowitz or Hugo Stiglitz through dialogues, violence and of course the cold blooded killer look. But this time around he relies on some powerful close ups, such as the German Major who first encounters 'The Jew Bear'. He uses plentiful cinematic references in Operation Kino and basically insults people's intelligence by explaining things in a very child like manner (Ref: Nitrate Film).

The film traces the life of Shosanna Dreyfus who is inspired to avenge her family by eliminating the upper echelon of the Third Reich. The Inglourious Basterds led by Aldo are also on their way across the country rampaging through Nazis like ninjas and of course eventually making it to the climax of the film. Shosanna owns a cinema hall where all of her plans are going to come to reality at the release of "Nations Pride", A German propaganda film powered by Goebbels.

To be fair Tarantino does a really good job here of trying to cater to the mainstream audiences while also sticking true to his own brand and trying to incorporate a 60's European cinema feel to it. While also re-working the way we look at conventional WW2 films. Right from the name itself, there's a certain air about the movie that makes it untouchable by conventional cinema these days. The people who don't like homages in films or references to older cinema are obviously clueless about what they are talking about, which is perfect since Tarantino, sadly is making films for them

Recommendation level: 3/5 - Yeah, we're not sheep! Catch the film though.

The 300 Spartans by Rudolph Maté

2009-10-12T05:55:00.000-07:00

Category: English

The movie that inspired Frank Miller himself to create his own 300 his graphic novel that spawned the testosterone driven 300 movie powered by Gerard Butler's abs and voice. However the best part about this film is the relative simplicity of the fights and the acting from the big hitters! Made in 1962 this film follows the same plot line from the Battle of Thermopylae.

There's the vast army of Xerxes, there's a queen who powers some of his decisions on the battlefield! As one of the generals notes, "During the day he comes to us for advice and in the night he goes to her". The movie isn't as ridiculous as you'd think it could be, in fact given the time and place and the right time of watching this movie I am pretty sure it was epic by its day and age.

Some of the dialogues we hear in 300 are present here as well, particularly the blotting out of the Sun and fighting in the shade. I really don't have to explain more, but yes if you want to watch an interesting film after consuming the CGI driven 300, then yes you must head to watch this!

Recommendation level: 2.5/5 - I liked this a lot! Although it's a little too romantic in places for even the most hardcore Spartan fans.

Voice of a Murderer by Park Jin-pyo

2009-10-09T11:34:00.000-07:00

Category: Non-English

If I could I would turn back the time I'd prevent myself from watching this crappy film. After some decent South Korean cinema this film was very annoying and boring.

The film starts about how it is, "based on a true story". There's a kidnapping in which a famous news anchors son is taken away, the said anchor in question has used the power of the media to put away many people including friends and foe alike. Soon he's on the recieving end of this and the end although a little shocking doesn't really matter. Barring the father, none of the actors pull out anything unique, the detective has some style but eventually just "gives up". The film is very westernized in it's outlook (quick cuts, score, action) but the treatment is wrong... so very wrong.

BLAH, after a point you don't even care if it's based on real life incidents because it's all so dramatized and painful, the acting is hamming at it's best, there's almost no scope for anything unique. The camera work is at least something worth mentioning but beyond this, I spent 2 hours on nothing.

Recommendation level: 1/5 - See above.

Woman is the Future of Man by Hong Sang-soo

2009-10-08T11:04:00.000-07:00

Category: Non-English

There are 2 really stand out conversations in this film which make up for the entire film. The first one revolves across two friends who have met after a long time and discuss their lives for a bit. The second one is where one of the said friends is conversing with his students over dinner and argues the benefit of believing in nothing.

These scenes and some more mixed with a plot line that doesn't really go anywhere. The film itself is quite an experimental piece in nature because like I mentioned earlier it doesn't go anywhere in the sense there's nothing concrete that is decided by the end of the film. This already makes it a stand out film for me. The characters are very complex, they are very much based in reality. But what makes it even more riveting is the banter the two lead friends share.

The plot revolves around 2 friends who aim to visit their third friend. There are some romantic undertones to the entire scenario, and some even explicitly sexual. But that shouldn't deter you from watching this 97 minute film, about nothing. Well not completely about nothing it holds a deeper value in what Cinema can achieve at times, this is Sang-Soo's art and you have to sit up and take notice of what this director is showing you and what he doesn't want you to try to decipher.

Recommendation level: 5/5 - Sheer novelty value and execution! If you want to look for something deeper in Asian cinema, start here! The title itself sets the pace for this film.

Flower Island by Song Il-gon

2009-10-07T04:32:00.000-07:00

Category: Non-English

Prior to this Il-gon had only be making short films, as a result this film can be separated into 3 distinct halves. There's a clear line between the three sections.

The film follows the lives of 3 women, each with their own problems to bear. The first is a 17 year old girl who at the start of the film kills her own child by washing it down the toilet, we later learn she's a rape victim. The second is a renowned Opera singer who must undergo a surgery to remove the malignant tumour, the only catch - they have to remove her tongue. The third woman is a married woman with a young daughter who prostitutes herself to purchase a piano for the child. Each of them try to find solace in the "Flower Island" a mystical place where all your sorrows go away.

The first half describes them, the second half introduces themselves to each other & the last part sees their journey to the island itself.

The cinematography is almost flawless, shot entirely on a hand held camera and possibly a DV one at that. The message intended by the director is brought out not just by the dialogues but by pro longed silences, strong background music, facial expressions and of course the situations. Blitzing past into their minds at the drop of a hat and back into reality as it were for them. Il-gon is completely in control of this film. The cinematography at times even seems very unlike South Korean cinema, there's nothing pretty about the characters' problems, it's real, it's gritty at times and he doesn't relent. You have to endure it as the protagonists do.

The film is a little too long at almost 2 hours in length and this is something where the films narrative isn't as tight. Made in 2001, there's also one of the rare occasions where South Korean cinema deals with the topic of homosexuals (Gays only). It's touching in its execution and definitely while their problems may seem so deliberate they aren't, the problems these women face are what they are.

Recommendation level: 4/5 - It's not perfect but definitely one of the better Asian cinema films to watch. Some of the concepts & style used seem similar to Tony Takitani.

300 by Zack Snyder

2009-10-06T11:42:00.000-07:00

Category: English

What more to say about this film than hasn't already been written! THIS IS SPARTAAA.

Ok aside from that, everyone knows this film is based on the 300 brave Spartan soldiers who fight crushing odds to hold off the Persian army led by King Xerxes. Leonidas as a true king leads from the front and fights right until the end, making a statement even before his life comes to a close.

The entire film is one massive instructional video as to why you need to join a gym and get into shape. The performances are stand out and the film is overtly loud at places. Pretty much a film you want to see if the girl loves Gerard Butler and 300 semi-naked 6 pack sporting Spartans!

You get to see a wide variety of weapons being used and of course a wide variety of warriors in action as well. There's also the whole East vs West angle and the lovely women of Sparta too!

Recommendation level: 2/5 if you love cinema you can still like this! If you love action films; 5/5!

Shutter by Banjong Pisanthanakun & Parkpoom Wongpoom

2009-10-05T08:26:00.000-07:00

Category: Non-English

If you can get out of the director's names you are in for a treat, the only problem with the Ghosts who seek revenge in such films is that they almost tend to look the same. The same creepy look from the Ring, the only way it probably works is because there's not much screen time otherwise devoted to such faces!

The movie has a familiar premise where a scorned lover returns to seek revenge and in the process ends up taking a few unexpected lives! In this case our happy photographer and his girlfriend have a calm life until a few of his best friends from school commit suicide and before that the happy couple ran over a girl! How are these two incidents linked? Find out.

The only real scary part of the film was when it's finally revealed why our hero had a nagging neck ache through the entire film. It gives you the goose bumps, I assure you.

The film isn't bad and passable but at places but it's a little too slow paced and the thrills aren't enough, until the very fag end of the film.

Recommendation level: 1.5/5 - Seen better horror films, this week will be South East Asian cinema week!

An American Werewolf in Paris by Anthony Waller

2009-10-02T06:46:00.000-07:00

Category: English

Didn't get to complete this last night as the second disk gave me some problems. Anyway, kinda dated film the movie is funny in parts and is about 3 American youngsters partying it up and trying to live the crazy life in Paris until they come across a hidden sect of Lycans and the heart eating ceremonies they indulge in in make shift night clubs.

The film parodies several notions of the typical Yank in a foreign land and the ignorance they could perhaps be priding themselves on!

The actors are pretty good, Julie Delpy of From Sunrise & From Sunset fame is present here and does a decent job of holding the French accent. Thomas Everett Scott is believable as the tourist whos life has gone haywire thanks to Delpy's character.

There's tons of funny jokes and the occasional scare as well, the only problem is the CGI, why is it a problem? Because this is 1997 CGI we're talking about.

Recommendation level: 1.5/5 - Funny in parts but overall it's a little disappointing I must say.

Marley & Me by David Frankel

2009-09-30T08:38:00.000-07:00

Category: English

Marley & Me is about a dog named Marley who enriches the life of Owen Wilson & Jennifer Aniston's character. The film spans the entire dogs life and has the lead pair portraying journalists. One good thing was there wasn't a LOT of melodrama in the first half and it's all pretty slick but the 2nd half as expected is loaded with it, so if you love dogs bring out the hankies!

I am really not sure what else I should be commenting on!

Recommendation level: 1.5/5 Yeah it's cute and the emotions behind it are real but the climax is a little drawn out and kinda expected. The film comes undone in the second half and that's a let down for me personally. Jennifer Aniston & Owen Wilson hold this film together along with the dog named Marley. 5/5 If you love dogs!

The Marriage of Maria Braun by Rainer Werner Fassbinder

2009-09-29T08:40:00.000-07:00

Category: Non-English

Touted as one of the most commercially films of Fassbinder, The Marriage of Maria Braun is a very engaging film that although might not be represent of the New German Cinema movement but is a methodical and superb effort from Fassbinder.

The film plays out the life of Maria Braun, who like most women in the days post the II Great War were at the core of powering Germany. Their efforts in reviving the German economy is perhaps overshadowed by the returning men from the front lines. Maria Braun calls herself, "The Mata Hari of the Economic Miracle" at some point and rightfully you can see how she works for it at times even prostituting herself. Back to the plot! Maria Braun spends a while waiting for her husband to return she finds love in a African American GI known as Bill. The husband returns and while he takes the blame of the GI's death, Maria decides to work her way to the top by any means possible, mostly because she wants a life with her husband at any cost.

The movie is shot incredibly, Fassbinder doesn't blink as much as other directors do and when he does you can rest assured the framing and the close ups (non-face) add a whole new layer to the film. His film is an allegory for the state of Germany at that time and of course about the political scenario present in those days.

Watch out for the empowering scenes where he doesn't want to show his protagnoist weeping or when he doesn't want to break the scene and reality with an unnatural cut. Truffaut spoke about continuing an emotion in a particular scene and in Fassbinder's work you can see how he continues, how he doesn't want you to break away. He lifts poignant political questions and of course the start of the film has a picture of Adolf Hitler.

Recommendation level: 5/5 - You have to see this, somehow or another, find a way! Thanks to a friend who generously lent me his personal copies.

Autumn Sonata by Ingmar Bergman

2009-09-28T06:36:00.000-07:00

Category: Non-English

One of the only color films of Bergman I have managed to land my hands on Autumn Sonata is a masterpiece in its own right. Although more celebrated for its performances by Ingrid Bergman & Liv Ulman, Bergman has to be credited with his almost flawless handling of the delicate relationship shared between a mother and a daughter.

Ingrid's character has been busy all her life, pursuing a career as a celebrated pianist she in turn has forgone her personal life and her children - Eva and Helena. Through the film Bergman pokes, prods and annihilates their personal space by creating a new one. He uses this new space to analyse and dissect their interpersonal relationship. From the start it's the mother who is in a dominant position but eventually it gives way to the daughter finally getting a hold on things and finally managing to get her mother to acknowledge the pain they underwent as kids. Helena on the other hand is a spastic child who is now almost incapable of communicating, only with the help of her sister, Eva can she actually put forth her emotions and comments.

The characters he creates and particularly the joy of what color can do for a film is brilliant exposed by Bergman. The lighting in the scene where there's a projector, when there's a warm glaze of sunlight coming from outside do you realize how important the lighting and how much color holds. The reds in Bergman's films are definitely always spoken about and for once I got to see a taste of this power.

Most of all Autumn Sonata - with it's powerful music of Chopin & Bach lend a very interesting comparison to the characters he creates on screen. His framing, relying heavily on his close ups but now capturing 2 central characters is almost undeniably brilliant of his work. Even though it's been made in 1978 it still, in my mind, belongs to the early 50's of European Cinema.

Recommendation level: 5/5 - Eventually the film is quite relentless but for his vastly different way of handling female relationships - Bergman gets a 5 on this! Note that unless you're used to Bergman you will find this 92 minute film to be quite boring. My personal copy!

Cloverfield by Matt Reeves

2009-09-25T05:42:00.000-07:00

Category: English

Monster drops into ocean 1 month earlier, monster activates itself on set day, monster consumes city, monster has parasites, monster is indestructible.

The film itself is made using a shaky camera approach as a result it adds even more to the entire tension. Also, the perspective doesn't change so you literally at times try to cram your head to the edge of the screen to get that little more information. The entire film plays out through a recording. The recording comes from a farewell party for the movie's "protagonist".

The film has so many unanswered questions that obviously we can look forward to a trilogy of films and a ton of other paraphernalia. I liked the film, it's scary, great ambient sounds, almost plays like a perfect game.

Recommendation level: 2.5/5 - For going that extra mile it deserves a reward! Watch it with friends for hours of discussion and "did you see that..." & "I really loved..." moments.

The Break-Up by Peyton Reed

2009-09-24T03:54:00.001-07:00

Category: English

There is this one particular scene in the film, towards the end which has Jon Favreau & Vince Vaughn chatting at the bar. The scene takes place with Jon (being the burly, massive quarter backish person that he is) telling his old buddy how he will arrange for the beating up of the new guy Jennifer Aniston's character is supposedly going out with. This scene literally made me roll with laughter. I am not sure how many of you would remember this or reach this point, but if you do - please appreciate this film for this scene if nothing else!

The movie has Jennifer Aniston and Vince Vaughn under-going a break up fueled by stupidity from both parties but arguably more so from Vaughn's side. Neither wants to leave the condo in which they are living though and so begins a game of one up man ship among other things.

Vincent D'Onofrio, Jon Favreau and a few others really raise this film to a "must see" chick flick. I enjoyed it.

Recommendation level: 2/5 - Yes!

Tropic Thunder by Ben Stiller

2009-09-23T09:22:00.000-07:00

Category: English

Produced and directed by Ben Stiller, Tropic Thunder is quite a phenomenal film. The actors used, the plot lines and the entire premise is original in it's own sweet way.

But one get's the feeling that it's humorous only because of the actors used in the film. Robert Downey Jr. & Jack Black are particularly stand out in the film as the Method actor and the coke head actor, respectively. The end is a little convoluted but all's well that ends well I suppose.

The direction is funny and the entire film is carried by the dialogues and the script. Personally it's one of those films you can watch with a few guys in the evening. It's a bit shockingly violent at places so watch out for that in case you have some women around for company.

Recommendation level: 1.5/5 Yeah it's funny, but what more? .5 rating for Tom Cruise's little jig at the end. Ben Stiller's Reality Bites is a far better film than this one, can't you make more like that?

The Decameron by Pier Paolo Pasolini

2009-09-22T08:58:00.000-07:00

Category: Non-English

I should have reviewed this earlier but I didn't and anyway. This is the first film in the Life trilogy by Pasolini. The Decameron is based on a novel by Giovanni Boccaccio originally titled Decamerone.

As with his work reviewed yesterday, this one encapsulates multiple narratives and many characters across several stories. The earlier ones are particularly longer than the Second half (the film is split into 2 sections). The stories that come in the second one are far bizarre and the narrative is boundless as it continues from one story to another without any notification of a story coming to an end.

Having watched the film literally in two separate halves, I thought I'd be unlucky but to be honest it helped a lot. It felt like almost two films within the same film, this is done thankfully to the pace in which the film movies, the almost 110 minutes don't seem so claustrophobic since the meta narrative is controlled very well by Pasolini. Unlike Arabian Nights, this one doesn't have a central story running parallel to others and hence this one is very experimental in comparison to what he tries to achieve with the following films in this trilogy. The camera work is particularly remarkable, he seems to be able to control the pace of the film and the camera at regular intervals, even slowing down at times to enforce and drive certain points home.

The dialogue is very entertaining, lots of puns and funnies used in here. The sex is present here as well and it's just his style so something we all have to accept. Still this film shines past that unlike yesterday's film.

The stories in the film vary from people fighting to survive, people getting duped, a young couples love blossoming into instant marriage and another couple falling in love and meeting a disastrous end. There's also the artist who is a dominant force in the 2nd half of the film.

I'll end this entry with the final statement in the film, made by the artist -

"Why execute a work when it's so beautiful to dream it?"

Recommendation level: 4.5/5 - Credit to an old friend for lending DVDs to me! Do watch it if you can.

Arabian Nights by Pier Paolo Pasolini

2009-09-21T06:28:00.001-07:00

Category: Non-English

For today and tomorrow am going to review two films from Pier Paolo Pasolini's trilogy. Arabian Nights was pretty well received for its time (1974). While technically and structurually it's a very complex film using strong meta-narratives in his film, Pasolini can deliver a very strong impact probably only comparable to his work as a writer among other occupations.

I wasn't too happy with the amount of nude scenes present in the film, yeah random statement to make but I haven't come to applaud the aesthetic that needs to have nudity on screen for prolonged amounts of time. It's almost like getting your money's worth I guess? Whatever.

Anyway to the basic plot - Nur-e-Din falls in love with the slave girl Zumurrud whom he ends up losing and in the process spends the entire film, in search for her but also bumping into women who are only too glad to make love to him. In between all this there are stories from the lives of people who aren't even remotely linked to the main storyline. Here's where the film is absolutely brilliant, the story telling, the humour, the situations but most importantly the narrative is so compelling that you really get muddled up until you actually realize that these stories are building it up, they are the meta narrative which eventually complete an entire film.

Some of the stories include - a man dumping his wife on the marriage day for another beautiful lady to come across an acrimonious realization about the lady, there is also the man who survives a bandit run and finds his way to a beautiful lady who is protected by a Demon. It's a little long at 120 minutes, but the films pace is such that it doesn't really drop you out of it's central theme.

Recommendation level: 4/5 If it wasn't for the absurd amount of nudity which at times isn't even needed in the plot it would have been a 5/5! Still brilliant stuff, DVD courtesy an old friend/mentor.

The Ugly Truth by Robert Luketic

2009-09-19T22:58:00.000-07:00

Category: English

This film was entertaining up until the first half, I didn't know there were 3 female writers behind this. But now that I read about that it makes a lot of sense. A LOT actually!

Gerard Butler's character is actually the exact same way women would imagine a chauvinist or a misogynist to be like in person. Some of the things he says are pretty generic, there's some insight into how he talks about women and how they think for themselves but once again it's a very by the book approach! Thank God he didn't go on - there would be some trade secrets that would have to come out then.

The plot is there for you to watch, if you see the trailers you already know it so I won't go into that. Katherine Heigl has now a formidable lineup of chick flicks behind her now and can most likely prepare to rocket herself into the big leagues, this movie helps that endeavor. Gerard Butler is very convincing as the man who goes from treating women as pets to treating women as equals (in some ways). It's still a chick flick though so the initial plot is just accidental to the end. The end has to be a feel good end and so it is.

I was personally laughing at quite a few places but it could probably have done a lot more if there was different input about certain scenes and dialogues. The supporting cast isn't much of a support and hence the film has to be carried on by it's leading pair and they do a decent job.

Recommendation level: 1/5

The World by Jia Zhangke

2009-09-18T08:49:00.000-07:00

Category: Non-English

Jia ZhangKe is considered to be one of the foremost directors of the 6th generation and while some call this the Chinese New Wave there have been critics as well. The film deals with the relationship of a couple who works at the Beijing World Park. In this park you can be everywhere - you can be in London, Paris or even Tokyo. With the help of replica's every part of the world is re-created here.

Their life incorporates several of their friends who also work at the park as guards, performers or simple construction workers. Events unfold and as these events unfold it has different reprecussions on them and the people around them. Some characters lose their lives and in their farewell note write about the debts they have rather than a real farewell note. The common thread across the characters remain the same. Everyone trying to find a way to lead a better existence away from their home provinces, but can they really? Or perhaps they can find that solace and peace their mind wants in the Park that can place you physically anywhere in the world.

Jia Zhangke's pace is a little questionable but the dreary existence of an individual is probably better off reflected this way, there's nothing positive in this film if you want some super happy ending and some other rubbish like that. His camera is plain, but far reaching. He looks at the entire issue he just doesn't take one cause. As mentioned in a previous review of "Unknown Pleasures" by the same director he takes a very critical look at the social outlook of Beijing. The cultural mixes brought about by language or simply about people from a different province with an entirely different identity. Brought together by the common goal of achieving something ... or rather striving to get there. He even introduces a Russian lady who has the most noble of intentions, leaving you to wonder about the frailness of social boundaries and the ruthless World we all live in.

Through out the film Jia Zhangke also throws in a bit of animation when his characters recieve messages, what does this signify?

Recommendation level: 4/5. This is a very good film, probably one of the few recommendations in this week! But you need to have watched prior Chinese New Wave to even remotely appreciate this or you need to be a real cinema buff!

Notre musique by Jean-Luc Godard

2009-09-17T07:51:00.000-07:00

Category: Non-English

How relevant is Jean Luc Godard in this day and age? The legendary French director broke boundaries and was a little above Truffaut at places. Truffaut and Godard being the biggest names to come out from Cahiers Du Cinema and the French New Wave.

Notre Musique made in 2004 is his latest offering, the film which has a Divine Comedy of Dante style of narrative is divided into 3 sections - Realm 1: Hell which is a montage of images of war (fiction and non-fiction). Realm 2: Purgatory forms the bulk of the film and even has Godard deciding to take a front row seat to viciously attack and deconstruct. Realm 3: Heaven is a brief epilogue featuring the lead actress.

Godard continues where he left off with all his previous films - understanding Cinema itself, asking questions such as, "Can the little shiny cameras save cinema?" among other things. Framing, images, the aesthetic everything comes under questioning. The film itself is set in Sarajevo in which a French Jewish woman of Russian descent is attending a symposium on War which features other prominent thinkers and intellectuals such as Mahmoud Darwish.

There's also Godard's questions posed on language and the structure of Grammar - film and language. Interlaces it with still pictures and lets you figure out what he's doing exactly. He de constructs the city of Sarajevo, he does everything. The heart of this film is the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Yes, he's still relevant today - in a day when even film makers of this day and age aren't. Watchout for his next release in 2010.

Recommendation level: 5/5. No director can deconstruct and analyze and pose questions the way Godard does, his political style of films has lasted and made him relevant even in this day and age. Color only brings everything to a different level. Speaking of which - watch out for his play with lighting. It is one of his first films I am featuring but I have been a regular Godard film watcher for a long time so I know what am talking about.

Management by Stephen Belber

2009-09-16T04:46:00.000-07:00

Category: English

Am not going to lie, this film is much better than The Proposal, the only reason why it isn't selling as much or as popular is because Steve Zahn isn't really eye candy for all the women. But this film surprisingly works on more than just the obvious level.

It's a romatic chick flick but I was surprised to say the least that this film wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. Steve Zahn plays a character completely lost about how he is going to live his life he meets Jennifer Aniston's character who is very uptight and basically the polar opposite of his. They have sex in the motel which is owned by Zahn's family and he falls in love with her, she doesn't. He plays catch up all movie which sees her ignoring him, squirming him to midly accepting him to finally getting married to the crazy Jango (portrayed by Woody Harrelson) who is an ex punk and now a Yogurt selling moghul. There's also that part of the Buddhist monks and a Chinese side kick.

I have to say, emotions were very well handled in this film - it does get you all emotional at places and then there's some humour in the form of Jango and the kinds of things he says or does. Aniston looks old, sadly she does and all the cosmetics in the world can't hide that she's tired. Zahn has always been that loser in the films and while this is no different he shines in his acting and portrayl - from being mildly annoying you see his point as the film progress'. Fred Ward is restrained as the father who never doted on his kid.

Recommendation level: 2/5 - Oh Lord, it's a little sappy, I might change this to a 1.5 later though. Having said all of that, do check this film out it's one of the better chick flicks I've seen lately.

The Proposal by Anne Fletcher

2009-09-15T01:46:00.000-07:00

Category: English

For today & tomorrow am going to review two chick flicks, the first one is directed by Anne Fletcher and has Sandra Bullock returning to what she does best - sappy chick flicks. This time armed with botox in her buttocks and face and every part of skin that is exposed on screen. The movie has Sandra Bullock playing a really tight ass books/novels editor and Ryan Reynolds playing her assistant whom she always torments along with the rest of the office.

The acting is pretty okay - Ryan Reynolds is Berg Bergman from Two guys a girl and a pizza place (well he's been the same since then and in every other picture he has 'acted' in). Sandra Bullock' botox acts more than she does! There's a funny dog moment and that's all the film has, very lost moments.

The good news is, the supporting cast - primarily the grandmother is reasonable and thus doesn't make you go mad! But aside from that there's nothing new here barring the concept in general. I have to say though the emotions aren't even conveyed in this film, really disappointing the drama is fake and there aren't enough anti-Canadian jokes to make this movie palatable.

Recommendation level: 1/5 - It's not that bad! LIES it is. Saw this on the plane.

The Passion of Joan of Arc by Carl Theodor Dreyer

2009-09-14T08:15:00.000-07:00

My review won't be able to do justice to do this piece of art. The Passion of Joan of Arc is one of the biggest landmark in cinema's for it's lyrical use of the silent medium and for the use of its extensive close up's enhanced by a special film (back in those days). The film is especially unique because it just tells the Passion of Joan of Arc, a different approach in comparison to the Trial's of Joan of Arc type of films we are used to watching.

As a result the film follows the last few hours before Joan gives up her life for her beliefs and most importantly displays immense humanity in these few hours. We're always used to watchin an extremely brave and strong Joan of Arc and Dreyer gets his lead actress, Maria Falconetti to essay this poetic role with immense grace.

As the narrative progress' the more experimentation we can see with time and space itself. As the pace quickens to the expected end Joan displays a lot of human tendencies she's also much like Christ and his Passion has a doubts right up to the end. She is also reminded of her mother at just a few instances.

There's plenty of experimentation with Lights and Sounds - since it's a silent film the background score really makes this film much like stand out films like Lang's Metropolis. Definitely a very experimental film in terms of form and content.

My only grouse with the film was the sub titles were probably not the best since it was made in French, then after it was thought to be burned and surfaces years later it's been translated to Danish and then finally sigh - comes into English.

Dreyer is simply remarkable and I will definitely try and find some more work of his, there's not a lot of films he made but this one really got me hooked onto his style. Watch this space for more on Dreyer!

Recommendation level: 5/5 - For a true international cinema fan this was a treat, but I am not really sure if people who watch films for entertainment will find this Artistic 20's piece any good. Oh this is also one of the bunch of films I have picked up recently on holiday and there's a LOT of quality cinema coming up in the next month or so! Not available in India and still I have an original copy! Yaay!

Break #2

2009-09-05T22:04:00.000-07:00

Well, it's that time of the year again, am off for a family vacation and this means I won't have the time to run the blog from tomorrow. I know it's a sucky thought but it's something I can't avoid.

I shall be back very soon though (in a week) and then we shall have sexy times! There's going to be a bunch of Korean films up for review when am back and hopefully I can get some cheap DVD's there and probably view them when am back.

Anyway - have a nice week and miss me!

The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie by Luis Buñuel

2009-09-04T04:19:00.000-07:00

Category: Non-English

Aside from Un Chien Andalou, I haven't watched any of Buñuel's works and there's a good chunk of Surreal cinema am missing. I am now certain of this! Anyway - the film is a vicious, dark take on the Bourgeoisie. A section of the people who could only be interested in how they could cut a lamb roast or what wine tastes best with food. That one of their friend is a diplomat from a fake country is of no interest. That they make snide jokes about how people from "poor classes" drink dry martini differently actually bothers them!

The film takes its pace to settle in about the 4 principal characters essayed brilliantly by the cast. The first half of the film primarily deals with the viewers settling in and once the film continues the magik starts, Buñuel basically takes you through a complete visual and audible treat that makes you wonder what to pay attention at and what is exactly real. One of his final works before he stopped making films and eventually passed away, this 1972 film would have probably would have been way different had it been in Black and White.

There's also the Bishop who avenges his murdered parents by first giving the dying man Absolution and then proceeding to blow his brains out. There's also the Bloody Seargent of June 14th and plenty of jokes on the Bourgeoisie which will keep you firmly glued while watching and hopefully appreciating the film. Ah there are some really wonderful shots in the scene particularly when he wants to introduce a new track, like a magician he moves the camera around - conjuring images for you. Basically once the characters are established he starts tackling the dreams and the subsequent effects and there is also the 6 principal characters wanting to have a meal together but never getting about it and the mysterious path they all walk on, or rather we all walk on?

Recommendation level: 5/5 - I'd say you must see! I have a Palador print and it also came with a copy of Un chien andalou. A key actress to point out has to be Delphine Seyrig!

The Human Beast by Jean Renoir

2009-09-03T13:09:00.000-07:00

Category: Non-English

I have to admit, I have never been into Renoir, barring a few films I can't really lay claim to being an expert on this. Onto the review - this film is very very dark, the characters are really not the most ideal ones and yet through his camera work and his execution Renoir paints a portrai in front of your eyes. Mind you - you don't even realize how serious this is until the very end of the film comes.

The primary characters are Jean Gabin's Jacques Lantier, Simone Simon as Séverine Roubad & to a lesser extent Fernand Ledoux's Roubaud. The film is based on the novel of the same name by Emile Zola. Lantier is a pathological killer who after serving his debt to society has settled down as a train operator he runs into a bit of trouble as he encounters the lovely Séverine who looks to start an affair with him - mind you she has an abusive childhood as a girl and is also storing away herself. Roubaud is the husband who commits a murder of an ex-lover of his wife and slowly disintegrates into nothing by the end of the film. His character crumbles away as the narrative progress'.

The film is completely powered by Gabin's performance and Simone as a back up. The camera gets very uncomfortable as the movie progress' and this just goes to show exactly Renoir wanted us to watch the film. The film has a very poetic set of lighting to it, thus probably alleviating the seriousness of the situation with the main characters. Some of the train sequences are really stunning for a 1938 film, the film gets a completely new depth when you are made to see the train pulling into the station.

Recommendation level: 4/5 - I really like it, but it's not a masterpiece! The editing is something to really watch out for. Got it from Palador and the rate was pretty good too, not to mention no glaring mistakes in the translation unlike some NDTV Lumeire films.

The Taking of Pelham 123 by Tony Scott

2009-08-31T10:33:00.000-07:00

Category: English

This film sucked, Travolta is old, Denzel looks tired and the directors pace is caught somewhere in between. The plot isn't the best but it's workable in parts, Travolta is an old school Wall Street guy going beserk after serving some time and he takes over a rail car which stars off from Pelham Bay at 12:23. Denzel Washington is under investigation after allegedly taking a bribe to endorse a Japanese brand of rail car manufacturers.

In the end the film is as tired and hackeneyed as any film can be, something about Tony Scott that makes him one of the most boring directors of recent times despite using Denzel Washington in several films! Just skip it if you can, I feel gutted for watching it in the cinema hall but don't make the same mistake. Watch it at home if you really have nothing else to watch.

Recommendation level: 0/5 - Bye, good night.

2046 by Wong Kar-wai

2009-08-28T10:35:00.000-07:00

Category: Non-English

This is really a little too ambitious from Wong Kar-Wai. The film essentially follows the aftermath of the character we all so yearned and cried for at the end of In The Mood for Love. If anything, our heart goes out to him even more, but there's something about Tony Leung playing a protagnoist who is primarily driven by lust this time around. His quest for the next Su Li-Zhen takes him across many people - some old, some new and some with undertones to people whom he has come across already.

Definitely a film to watch but only recommended if you have seen Days of Being Wild & In the Mood for Love. Finally there is also the lovely ladies who deserve a special mention - Carina Lau, Faye Wong, Zhang ZiYi & of course Maggie Cheung. One can't help but feel that Leslie Cheung, had he still been alive would have been probably the perfect ace to be cast into the role. Don't get me wrong, he would not be good for the second film in this trilogy but he would be apt for this role. The evolution of the character literally flows from Leslie Cheung to Tony Leung (Days of Being Wild end) and would have been perfect to return back to Leslie Cheung at the end of In the Mood for Love.

Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps.

Recomendation level: 3/5 - Noble and yes I liked the effort! I just think his depiction of the future and the kind of disconnection he makes his characters experience has gone a little far in this effort. The melancholy and suffering is still sharp and stagnant but he's basically treading too far away from reality and then back to it. Impressive Time and Space adjusting though, less shots of clocks and lesser still of the sky...

Veer Zaara by Yash Chopra

2009-08-27T04:06:00.000-07:00

Category: Hindi

Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwww

Melodrama to the hilt.

Veer loves Zaara, he can't have her. 22 years later he gets it all fixed and he's with her.

3 hours to tell a simple story (literally). Well actually to be fair it could have been longer and more painful, the first half is really hard, root canal is probably nicer.

SRK is at his finest, making people sob their guts out, there's also Raani Mukherjee whos ok as the lawyer and Priety Zinta as the old Zaara and young.

There's also Manoj Bajpai, Amitabh Bachan and a bunch of others thrown in for good measure, cinematically this achieves nothing, really stop making such pre-historic movies by directors who should just be rolling over. Similarly don't let 90 year olds sing when they should also be rolling over (hi Lata Mangeshkar)

But, if you like sappy films - yeah watch this and cry your guts out. Damn emo.

Recommendation level: 1/5 - Yeah.

Summer with Monika by Ingmar Bergman

2009-08-26T06:21:00.000-07:00

Category: Non-English

Bergman's take on young love and the relationship that blossoms after it has 2 uncompromising and amazing close ups. Perhaps the best in films seen till date, the first being when Monika is about to embark on an affair with a man she despised at some point and the second is when Harry fondly remembers his love by looking at a mirror. Really brilliant scenes.

The film deals with the young love between Monika and Harry and how in one summer their loves change forever, she gets pregnant and eventually wants to seek something completely new. She wants to be free and doesn't want to take up a role as a home-maker, Harry on the other hand gets consumed by his desire to provide for the child and her that he ends up neglecting the very same reason why he fell in love with her - her free spiritdness.

I have already mentioned the close ups to look for, but beyond all of this there's more! Bergman completely enchanted by Stockholm really locks his horns on the city and the people about it, in a very spectacular manner he manages to portray his love for the city and at the same time manage to be like the outsider in his own city. A truly marvellous perspective. Also watch out for Harriet Andersson, her portrayl of Monika is really amazing, but credit to Bergman to really make a film which has bold scenes and has such a strong protagnoist who keeps getting torn between her responsibilites and her wish to be free. Lars Ekborg is very resilient and there's a sense of disinterest but responsibility within him, his childhood probably leaves a much larger impact on him than Monika's also troubled childhood.

Everything else is top notch, so nothing left to be added. Oh yeah it was also very bold for it's times and bla bla, just wiki that shit you will know more.

Recommendation level: 4/5 - Picked it up from Palador's collection so that's pretty alright. Go watch it if you can!

Summer Interlude by Ingmar Bergman

2009-08-25T10:15:00.000-07:00

Category: Non-English

I simply had to make sure I get more of Bergman's films and the rewards are really there. Summer Interlude made in 1951 is probably one of the earliest attempts at reminiscing about the past and more importantly about living old memories through the present and potentially the future.

Bergman isn't attacking God and his Father in this film as much as he would want to, he does towards the end but he's completely absorbed in putting the young love across to the viewers, he's so consumed by the lustful glances of the Erland, he's so embittered by the sudden loss of a life and most importantly he carries forth the emotion he creates perfectly right till the end.

To the plot - Marie falls in love with a young man whom she remembers fondly in her memories, through the film we come to know about their romance and the subsequent departure of his from her life. Erland is the uncle who "prepares" Marie to build walls and not let people come close. Eventually after becoming very successful as a ballerina she finally comes across her first love's memories and tries to cope with his loss almost a decade after he departs.

The acting is really good, so is the camera work (close ups) but the vision that Bergman holds as usual comes through completely.

Recommendation level: 4/5 - This film is really good and well unless you really appreciate Bergman I think a lot of people will get phased out. Very simple on the surface but very complex to comprehend at last.

Saawariya by Sanjay Leela Bhansali

2009-08-24T09:00:00.000-07:00

Category: Hindi

Dated by a few years I am sure, but this film had to come here some day, why? Because there's Sonam Kapoor in this one, and also because I had to eventually destroy Sanjay Leela Bhansali, somehow, somewhere!

Basically Bhansali is like Michael Jackson barring the fact that he's still alive. Why? Because he's living in such a delusional and child like world that he should be stopped from making such films, films like these are the reason why people are fine with anything they throw at us today. Someone said the biggest strength of Bhansali is his strength and I have to say it's quite probably the biggest reason why he's a crappy director, he moves away from reality right at the onset, fair enough he adapts a short story by Fyodor Dostoevsky but he doesn't even do justice to anyone's understanding of cinema.

There's tons of melodrama and there's a lot of rubbish thrown in for good measure, characters which could be good actually end up becoming repulsive and annoying. Then comes the music which isn't at all engrossing, the set design is rich but what the fuck, French films in the 1920's had better set production than this. So basically his strong points are also his weakest...

Oh yeah the film is about Raj falling in love with Sakina and her being in love with Imam and going with him in the end but there's also Gulabji there somewhere. Ranbir Kapoor is ok, Raani Mukherji and Salman Khan are really out of place here. Sonam Kapoor is the saving grace of this film. But heck...

Recommendation level: 1/5 - Just the 1 for Sonam Kapoor, if not 0/5.

Shoot 'Em Up by Michael Davis

2009-08-22T05:17:00.000-07:00

Category: English

A wonderful way to finish off the week, watch Shoot 'Em Up starring Clive Owen as the mysterious Smith. There's also Monica Bellucci for the sex and Paul Giamatti's Mr. Hertz for the bad guys role. The film is completely meant for guys and I don't think any pink loving girl is going to find the humour or the purpose of this film. The great part is - there isn't any purpose to this film!

There's only action, a wafer thin plot line which is as outrageous as the style in which Mr Hertz is killed towards the end of the film. Meh - the VCD is such horrid quality though - miss whatever funny one liners they have to throw at each other from time to time. So as a warning make sure you watch this film on some really good speakers/headsets.

There's nothing much really left to say, just watch out for the few quirky situations the film throws at you and the in your face action that should have been probably more censored than the scenes for which Ms Bellucci was selected for. Oh from the actors - Paul Giamatti & Clive Owen have such a unique chemistry, despite their roles they leave a lasting impression on you.

Recommendation level: 1/5 - LOL It's great but am not retarded, cinematically nothing bla bla. Action fans - 5/5.

Kill! by Kihachi Okamoto

2009-08-21T13:03:00.000-07:00

Category: Non-English

This film definitely has some value for the Samurai genre, there's also apparently plenty of references to previous Samurai works preceeding this. The film was made in 1968, it's a little drawn out at an almost 120 mins run time but that's because it relies a lot on the melodrama and dialogues which appear to have no real significance at that time.

Okamoto's movie talks about a Samurai completely disillusioned by being a Samurai and he happens to befriend a farmer who aspires to be a Samurai. There are plenty of expected scenes in the film, but there's one character who is vastly underestimated and that is the leader of the Ronin who are in search of getting their reward. There's also an entire plot line that is basically done to accomodate characters one would normally have difficulty putting in otherwise.

The Samurai code comes under tremendous digs in the film, there's extreme scrutiny of the way a Samurai behaves and how he does under times of strife and conflict. There are the expected scenes but in terms of what this film stands for - helping create a concrete genre of the Samurai it's very remarkable.

I must warn you though unless you really like Samurais and are enchanted by Miyamoto Musashi and the kind of rich lore that brings along with itself it's highly likely you might pass out during this films screening, so be prepared to research a little on what I just said before getting into this one!

Recommendation level: 3/5 - Yeah, it's a bit long but all's well that ends well! Here's to Cinema I suppose!

The Host by Bong Joon-ho

2009-08-19T23:31:00.000-07:00

Category: Non-English

If it wasn't for the extras on the DVD I would have probably rated this film really low but now that I did see the extras, I have to say some of the better shots and news clips have been removed from the film.

The premise is simple - there's a monster in the Han river who goes about mutating through the years and finally reaches a point where it can move around killing tons of people and eventually collecting a set of midnight snacks. In all of this a particular girl named Hyun-Seo is kidnapped by the monster but manages to hide while her erstwhile father, uncle, aunt and grand father try to track her down in the hopes of rescuing her.

There's a healthy dose of commentary political commentary from the director especially pertaining to America's interference on several issues of the Korean government. There's also some funny jokes thrown in there as well but the sad part is such films can never really convey it completely, I mean there's a discrepancy in it's format with these social commentaries. Watching the film in Korean but with English sub titles is probably your best bet at getting a clearer understanding of the emotions used in the film.

Recommendation level: 1.5/5 - I don't really think it's a great film, just about passable but entertaining in parts.

Kaminey by Vishal Bharadwaj

2009-08-18T07:43:00.000-07:00

Category: Hindi

This is quite likely the best Hindi film I have seen in sometime and I have to say this is one film which is definitely a must see for any aspiring directors. Not because it's revolutionary - don't get me wrong it's still a 2/5 for me but there's something unique about this effort.

Firstly - Vishal Bharadwaj controls the film very well up until the crappy climax, keeps emotions in scenes going on perfectly fine until the end. Sigh - he should have ended it on an ambiguous note but he doesn't and gives in to the industry. Well fair enough but he needs to do some more works like these.

The film is purely based in Mumbai and there's some smart banter that comes up because of it. His characters are very lively and in a way long lasting in the mind. Lobo & Lele in particular are unstoppable and command such a massive presence, everyone else is well placed in the cast too. Shahid Kapur is surprisingly brilliant and Priyanka is just about OK.

Points to note - The duality of the brothers is present but there's way too much melodrama to unfold their story. He has such an interesting character in Guddu/Charlie but doesn't completely exploit it. The cold ruthlessness of the characters is displayed well but there are moments where you also wonder where the Bengalir brothers disappear for a good deal of time in the film. Also the end feels like a Priyadarshini film with every surviving character basically rallying up to meet his maker.

Recommendation level: 2/5 - Man of my word. Do watch it though, it's pretty much going to set the ball for hopefully better films in the coming future!

Sunshine by Danny Boyle

2009-08-17T06:36:00.000-07:00

Category: English

Ah, I am really sure everyone is aware of the premise of this film, if not I'll sum it up in about a line. The Sun is essentially dying and Earth sends Icarus 2 to accomplish the task of setting up a new star to take the place of the Sun, on the way they bump into Icarus 1 and have to deal with a nasty figure hell bent on performing his version of God's will.

Alright with that out of the way let's actually list a few points which I thought was stand out (yes I like this film). Firstly, this film covers the state of mind of the astronauts very well in fact it's probably on par with the best space sci-fi films churned out from Hollywood and Tarkovsky's Solaris. The concept of the Sun as a revitalizer is taken a step further by Searle (the doctor on board the ship) and Pinbacker but there's so much more that could have been done with that concept. There's not much a questioning of the Human Condition in space but there's just some kind of superficial understanding there itself. So, is God the Sun or is Sun the God we all talk about?

There's a lot of flak the film recieved for not being coherent in its science but I don't care about that. The soundtrack is haunting at parts and is definitely a good addition to the film's impressive cast list. Finally the kind of atmosphere it creates with it's characters is ultimately what holds the film and makes it watchable. The film ends on a remarkably bright note (Hah - Couldn't resist that one).

Recomendation level: 2/5 - Yeah I like it, it's a decent watch on a week day :)

A Good Year by Ridley Scott

2009-08-14T11:47:00.000-07:00

Category: English

I was supposed to do a review of "Bad Education" to bring the Pedro Almodovar week to a close but the disk was completely toasted so I am sorry. I did however watch another film today - one I had got from my brother sometime back.

A Good Year, isn't one of the best films you will see, it's not even endearing. The film follows Max who is a trader and is particularly ruthless in his field. After his uncle dies he leaves him a vineyard in France which Max at first wants to quickly get rid off.

Later of course like all convoluted plots he must discover the real meaning behind his existence and the real values he must face.

Bla bla, this was really bad. It's fine to watch if you have nothing else but it's a film you can afford to skip. No noteworthy performances in here and not surprising that it got panned when it released in 2006. Ridley Scott & Russell Crowe should stick to making Gladiator or sequels, not attempt this.

Recommendation level: 1/5 - Yeah, you can skip this!

Talk to Her by Pedro Almodóvar

2009-08-13T06:45:00.000-07:00

Category: Non-English

The 4th film from the same director this week and I must say the films keep getting better! This time the film follows the life of 4 individuals - Benigno (a male nurse at a hospital for people who are in coma and will most likely not wake up) who is in love with one of the patients, Alicia (who is a ballerina before an accident renders her inert). There's also Marco (a writer nursing a broken heart) who is in love with the bull fighter Lydia (who gets gored by a bull and also becomes a part of the same hospital).

Well, not too much into the plot. I have seen a trend now in Almodóvar's films there's always reference to the Holy Trinity, there's always some kind of questioning of the faith and more importantly of the human mind. The camera work is nothing extra ordinary in this film but the biggest stand out as to be the performance by Darío Grandinetti's Marco who is absolutely polished and stagnant at the same time his performance very much reminds me of Tony Leung's performance in some Wong Kar-Wai films. The other actor Javier Cámara can also hold his own in scenes with Dario, there's definitely a delightful camraderie which grows through the film between the characters that stands out in particular.

Recomendation level: 3/5 - Yeah it's worth watching, definitely.

All About my Mother by Pedro Almodóvar

2009-08-12T00:11:00.000-07:00

Category: Non-English

Definitely the most outstanding film of Pedro Almodóvar that I've seen in the last 3 days, this one is a bit more grounded in reality without having characters tear each others' clothes off with no real reason.

The film essentially deals with Manuela who coping from the loss of her 18 year old son decides to finally look into what happened to the father of the child. Love in the film stems from a play called "A Street Car Named... Desire". Manuela eventually makes it o Barcelona and meets Sister Rosa who has been diagnosed as HIV Poistive whilst being pregnant. The culprit is the transvestite (or same man rather) who impregnated Manuela back in the day! There's also the angle about the actress Huma and her younger lesbian lover Nina. Then there's also a transvestite by the name of Agrado who is probably one of the most interesting characters in the film.

I know it sounds tedious and annoying but the film's characters are actually greatly enhanced by the visuals we see, the development of relationships is beautifully interlaced with certain political comments at times or certain questions of our own being, albeit not in the most direct and poetic savagery as a Bergman for example.

The film is much lighter in comparison to other film makers but there are certain moments that stand out in my mind - for example with the changing of letters and time at the end of the film or when he's capturing the moments of a picture the camera knows exactly what to focus on. My personal observation here is the characters in the film or maybe even in real life, can only digest the loss of a person ONCE they know the real reason behind it.

Recommendation level: 3.5/5 - Yeah it totally deserves this and I am going to make the first films review - Tie me Up! Tie me Down into a 2.5 in comparison to this! Watch it if you can, it's won a ton of awards too!

Additionally I don't normally do this but recently a blog named: Only Good Movies featured one of my reviews (on Tie me Up! Tie me Down!) in their 101 best movie posters article. Have a look at their website sometime, it's pretty neat!

Live Flesh by Pedro Almodóvar

2009-08-11T13:29:00.001-07:00

Category: Non-English

Haha, Bas Ek Pal (the Bollywood film) is totally ripped off from this film, I had to notice this - fucking ridiculous.

Moving to the review - If it wasn't for the exquisite sexual scenes present in this film, I'd have no problem in rating this higher but the situations sometimes contorted to produce these scenes is completely senseless and that's really annoying. He can't justify it, maybe his producers wanted to make full use of Francesa Meri's awesome body!

The movie follows Victor who was born in a time when Spain was far from free in terms of its political will. He meets and falls in love with Elena. Two cops Sancho and David enter in the film and a somewhat awkward situation results in David getting paralyzed from down under, Victor is sent to jail and Elena marries David out of guilt. There's also another character named Clara who keeps trying to find love with David (in the past) and Victor (in the present!) but fails. The final fiasco is hilarious and stupid.

To the other parts now - the cinematography is brilliant, there's a slight move away from the camera angles I saw in his last film, there's more reliance on editing but done very nicely. The movie is clearly about Madrid but gets waaaaaaaay too mixed up with it's confused characters and as a result falls somewhere between artsy and mainstream. I didn't like this part the most, I mean Pedro could have been clearer with his vision and the film thoroughly disapppoiints after the initial 20 minutes.

Recommendation level: 2.5/5 - Sigh, this was bad in a way but still there's some lighter moments and some sick dark comedy in here.

Tie me up! Tie me Down! by Pedro Almodóvar

2009-08-10T07:25:00.000-07:00

Category: Non-English

Not probably one of the best films that I've watched recently, the film finds Antonio Banderas' character who has just been released from a mental asylum following a life of juvenil deliquency. Victoria Abril's character is the porn star he slept with a year back and now he wants her to marry him. She doesn't so instead he kidnaps her and makes him fall in love with her!

There's plenty of eroticisim, the kind which is very easy to come by and there's nothing really aesthetic in his scenes despite the fact that Almodóvar is supposed to be one of the best film makers around from Spain.

The camera work on the other hand is handled extremely well, there's plenty of movement on the camera without a 100 cuts per second, he's used a lot of over head shots when needed to break the monotony and perhaps in a way they are the best shots I remember from the film. There's some political comments in the film but nothing really great, he skims the surface really and is stuck between a mainstream and an art house audience. I wasn't too impressed with the dialogues but the cinematography helps it a fair bit. That with the colors definitely make it a visual treat.

Recommendation level: 2.5/5 - Nothing superiror but not that bad either! I haven't seen any of this guys work yet so maybe my opinion on him but change in the coming days!

Pedro Almodóvar Week - Week 7

2009-08-09T07:14:00.000-07:00

After a few indescisive weeks here's a list of films up for review from the Spanish director - Pedro Almodóvar

Monday - Tie me up! Tie me Down!

Tuesday - Live Flesh

Wednesday - All About my Mother

Thursday - Talk to Her

Friday - Bad Education

Feel free to check in on the blog on these days!

Tony Takitani by Jun Ichikawa

2009-08-06T06:21:00.000-07:00

Category: Non-English

Japanese director Jun Ichikawa picks up a short story by Haruki Murakami and beautifully executes it. In fact I have to say I am very surprised at the talent and more importantly the simplicity of the director. The film follows the story of Tony Takitani who gets his name thanks to a very eccentric father.

The alienation of an individual here begins right at the name, hitting out at the fact that we're well defined in some cultures it is a start, a progression if you may like to a complete breakdown of an individual. After he grows up he gets married to a lady younger than him by 15 years and eventually she passes away. He does however try to replace her void with almost no success.

The movie doesn't go anywhere but tells a story of a lifetime, it's got less dialogue and a very unique way of moving onto the next scene - using a side scroll pattern as if the story is unfolding for the first time on camera as well. The performances are top notch to say the least, there's a gentle creation and execution of the film. Watch out for the commentary which isn't actually any individuals voice in the film, rather it's everyones voice and no ones in particular.

Recommendation level: 4/5 - Yeah, it's really that good, I should have seen this a while back!

Love Aaj Kal by Imtiaz Ali

2009-08-04T20:32:00.000-07:00

Category: Hindi

I don't get the opportunity anymore to cover any contemporary Hindi films so when I got a chance to just watch this I figured I'd do a few lines on this film.

Hah! For a while in my head Imtiaz Ali & Anurag Kashyap seemed to be the messiah's of a dried up cinema. I clubbed them together because their friends as well... Then they made Jab We Met & No Smoking around the same time - completely different styles. Now they have Dev.D (and Gulaal) & Love Aaj Kal. It seems like they reversed roles somehow, because DevD is actually watchable and Love Aaj Kal isn't.

The film has a track about love in the past and love now, both in the same film, both with Saif Ali Khan and the film is really fail. Imtiaz seems so confused in this film, he either doesn't know how to end it or Saif (also the producer and lead) demanded he goes on. There are some scenes which are strongly executed, it's edited really crappily though. We always compliment our heroes and heroines but I think if the director made a better effort at controlling the script and where it was headed this movie could have been pretty okay.

I suppose you can go watch this film if you're really bored or on a first date! But if you are one of just lost the 'love of your life' you might just get really toasted. It's terribly sentimental and stacked with melodrama especially towards the climax. Oh there's also Rahul Khanna in a fail role & a Brazilian girl as a Punjabi Kudi.

Recommendation level: 1/5 - It's hard to rate hindi films, I might like them but others don't! Also the film isn't all that bad for a Bollywood film!

Dolls by Takeshi Kitano

2009-08-04T05:58:00.000-07:00

Category: Non-English

Such a huge departure from watching Bergman last week, this is all so colorful! Exploring emotions has always been a forte of sorts of Asian cinema. Japanese director - Takeshi Kitano in one of his rare instances explores humanity and the feelings involved in it. Known for his Yakuza style films Kitano's effort is greatly helped by Katsumi Yanagishima, who might not be the best cinematographer around but he manages to lift this film considerably.

Dolls sets the mood for the film with a performance puppet theatre or Bunraku as it's also known as. With that in mind we explore the lives of 3 couples - The first are torn apart by the boys parents and somehow are the common thread throughout the film. The second couple features a Yakuza boss who is shown to be quite ruthless until he realizes his time is at end and he wants to make peace with the girl he left years back. The final one follows the love of an avid fan for a Japanese Pop singer, who after getting disfigured retreats from the spotlight. The fan in response refuses to see the world...

The movie doesn't really end and as usual as it is with films today the movie ends on a very obscure note with no definite ending. The costumes are something which have been the talk of the film. The couple who are "bound" to each other do a lot of costume changing and that symbolism is really too obvious. He could have made such a massive impact had he really analysed his own close ups, really that's depressing - Kitano has a real winner if he had worked on his camera angles irony being that in some situations the cinematography stands out.

Recommendation level: 3/5 - It's a good effort but once again nothing spectacular! If you want to claim Asian Cinema brownie points to impress people this is one for the fakers of World Cinema. Still, it has some moments and some of its concepts click.

Bin Jip by Kim Ki-duk

2009-08-03T07:41:00.000-07:00

Category: Non-English

I had this film for quite sometime before I finally got myself to have a look at it! The movie follows a mysterious visitor who puts take away menus on peoples doors, when he finds out they aren't removed he moves in for a while. Never stealing but actually just staying there.

One day he does the same thing to a lady who has a very abusive relationship with her husband, she tags along with him after a brief incident with the husband. They set out doing the same thing and eventually forming a bond - without the utterance of a single word.

Things do however go haywire and their perfect life is ruined after their caught and the lady is sent back to her husband. The last 15 minutes of the film are completely bizarre and while they try to make a last minute stake at 'defining reality' the film doesn't really match up to the tall claims its sets out.

I thought the film would be similar to Visitor Q by Takashi Miike, but the film has a completely different tone and we get to see a really mellow Kim Ki-duk here. Obviously riding the mental high from Spring, Summer, Winter, Fall ... and Spring. It's unique.

Recommendation level: 3/5 - It's good but nothing brilliant.