18. Raja (French/Arabic) (2/10)
Raja is an orphan literally and figuratively scarred by life. Fred is an emotionally bankrupt westerner living amid his plush garden. Fred's attempt to seduce Raja, and their mutual attempt at manipulation, are fractured by their gross disparity of income, age and cultural sophistication. I really did not get this movie. I tried hard but I just did not get it. Its got good reviews but hey what do I know. :) oh btw: great acting by the leading lady for sure.
17. The Scent of Green Papaya (Vietnamese) (3/10)
This one has t be the slowest film that I have seen in my life. It you take all the scenes which had some dialogues to it, the movie would probably end in like 20 minutes. A little girl, Mui, went to a house as a new servant. The mother still mourns the death of her daughter, who would have been Mui's age. In her mind she treated Mui as her daughter. 10 years later Mui (now a young woman) was sent to another family, a young pianist and his wife. The musician falls in love with the peasant, he taught her literacy and they eventually married. The only good thing about the film was that it was visually beautiful.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Its hindi films time
16. Phoonk (Hindi) (5.5/10)
After somehow managing to get courage to watch a scary film, I saw Phoonk. Apart from initial few scenes, the movie wasn't actually horror. It was more thriller with elements f black magic thrown it which made the proceedings interesting. It was interesting premise and something new for Indian cinema. The young girl acted well. Watch it. Its a god time pass. You definitely wont get bored. I am scared but you probably won't.
15. Mere Khwabon Mein Jo Aaye (Hindi) (3.5/10)
A decent concept gone horribly bad by poor direction, poor screenplay and very bad acting. Raima's husband Arbaaz cheats on her and has made her loose the confidence. How she manages to do something with her life by dreaming of this imaginary man whom she shares with everything. First few times it was fine but then over the top imagination scenes were getting on my nerves. This film can be totally ignored.
14. Delhi-6 (Hindi) (5.5/10)
Sometimes expectations soil the movie. Great music and wonderful ensemble did not ensure a good film. It was just amish mash of characters, with a paper thin plot. Agreed it was shot beautifully but we ned more. Worse is that Rahman's music has not been used well at all in the film. I was so angry. The only good thing for me in the film was Sonam Kapoor. She was great. And Abhishek Bachchan, please loose weight, shave and start looking like a hero.
13. Tahaan (Hindi) (6.5/10)
Its so refreshing to see a director try something new. This film based in Kashmir is about a story between a young boy and his donkey, who has to be sold to the local money lender to repay the loans. The boy will do anything to get his donkey back. And of course, people trying to take advantage of his innocence in Kashmir by giving him bombs etc. Very natural acting by everyone specially the kid and Sarika. Rahul Bose surprisingly seemed complete misfit in the whole proceeding. Watch it for its simplicity.
After somehow managing to get courage to watch a scary film, I saw Phoonk. Apart from initial few scenes, the movie wasn't actually horror. It was more thriller with elements f black magic thrown it which made the proceedings interesting. It was interesting premise and something new for Indian cinema. The young girl acted well. Watch it. Its a god time pass. You definitely wont get bored. I am scared but you probably won't.
15. Mere Khwabon Mein Jo Aaye (Hindi) (3.5/10)
A decent concept gone horribly bad by poor direction, poor screenplay and very bad acting. Raima's husband Arbaaz cheats on her and has made her loose the confidence. How she manages to do something with her life by dreaming of this imaginary man whom she shares with everything. First few times it was fine but then over the top imagination scenes were getting on my nerves. This film can be totally ignored.
14. Delhi-6 (Hindi) (5.5/10)
Sometimes expectations soil the movie. Great music and wonderful ensemble did not ensure a good film. It was just amish mash of characters, with a paper thin plot. Agreed it was shot beautifully but we ned more. Worse is that Rahman's music has not been used well at all in the film. I was so angry. The only good thing for me in the film was Sonam Kapoor. She was great. And Abhishek Bachchan, please loose weight, shave and start looking like a hero.
13. Tahaan (Hindi) (6.5/10)
Its so refreshing to see a director try something new. This film based in Kashmir is about a story between a young boy and his donkey, who has to be sold to the local money lender to repay the loans. The boy will do anything to get his donkey back. And of course, people trying to take advantage of his innocence in Kashmir by giving him bombs etc. Very natural acting by everyone specially the kid and Sarika. Rahul Bose surprisingly seemed complete misfit in the whole proceeding. Watch it for its simplicity.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Not every film I watch is good :(
12. The Heartbreak Kid (4.5/10)
Premise sounded interesting but barring a few funny scenes here and there, the film in a whole was not fun. Story of a uy who thinks he's married the perfect girl realizes soon after that its a big mistake and there is something not right with her. How his world changes , he falls for anther girl etc. A romantic comedy gone wrong.
11. Billu Barber (Hindi) (6.5/10)
I had very low expectations form this film somehow. I was not super charged to watch it but I still did. Surprisingly it was good. Very real. Irfan was brilliant and Shahrukh was thankfully not bad. As everyone said , last 20 minutes are very real and can choke you if you watch the film with heart. Priyan has done a decent direction.
10. Righteous Kill (4/10)
Big expectations from a De Niro and a Pacino film but somewhere something was missing. They play 2 Turk and Rooster, longtime NYPD detective partners who are faced with a serial killer who is murdering sociopathic criminals. They both have personal issues, and when they start working with a younger team, Perez and Riley, tensions between the pairs of partners is inevitable, especially since Turk is now living with Perez's ex-girlfriend, also a homicide detective. Decent acting but a non gripping plot
Premise sounded interesting but barring a few funny scenes here and there, the film in a whole was not fun. Story of a uy who thinks he's married the perfect girl realizes soon after that its a big mistake and there is something not right with her. How his world changes , he falls for anther girl etc. A romantic comedy gone wrong.
11. Billu Barber (Hindi) (6.5/10)
I had very low expectations form this film somehow. I was not super charged to watch it but I still did. Surprisingly it was good. Very real. Irfan was brilliant and Shahrukh was thankfully not bad. As everyone said , last 20 minutes are very real and can choke you if you watch the film with heart. Priyan has done a decent direction.
10. Righteous Kill (4/10)
Big expectations from a De Niro and a Pacino film but somewhere something was missing. They play 2 Turk and Rooster, longtime NYPD detective partners who are faced with a serial killer who is murdering sociopathic criminals. They both have personal issues, and when they start working with a younger team, Perez and Riley, tensions between the pairs of partners is inevitable, especially since Turk is now living with Perez's ex-girlfriend, also a homicide detective. Decent acting but a non gripping plot
Friday, February 13, 2009
2 beautiful wonderful romantic films
9. The Bridges of Madison County (8/10)
THe films is about following your heart and do everything it takes you to be happy. SOmetimes its better to think about what makes you happy rather than worrying about people around you. World-traveling National Geographic photographer Robert Kincaid and Iowa housewife Francesca Johnson aren't looking to turn their lives upside down. Each is at a point in life where expectations are behind them. Yet four days after meeting, they wont want to lose the love they've found. Its hard to explain in a few words how brilliant Meryl Streep and CLint Eastwood are in the film. The film is bound to make you cry. Watch it with a loved one. YOu will feel special
8. The Notebook (7/10)
I saw this film for the second time and I still loved it. Sometimes love is so pure, real and last forever and this film is all about that. Its old fashioned tear-jerker with cheesy sugar syrupy love but who cares. I love it. Teenagers meet, fall in love and separate. Reunite after 7 years and all these years they had never forgotten each other. Time makes them make tough choices. And how even though in old age after suffering from senile amnesia, he husband is still very much in love with the wife. Brilliant !
THe films is about following your heart and do everything it takes you to be happy. SOmetimes its better to think about what makes you happy rather than worrying about people around you. World-traveling National Geographic photographer Robert Kincaid and Iowa housewife Francesca Johnson aren't looking to turn their lives upside down. Each is at a point in life where expectations are behind them. Yet four days after meeting, they wont want to lose the love they've found. Its hard to explain in a few words how brilliant Meryl Streep and CLint Eastwood are in the film. The film is bound to make you cry. Watch it with a loved one. YOu will feel special
8. The Notebook (7/10)
I saw this film for the second time and I still loved it. Sometimes love is so pure, real and last forever and this film is all about that. Its old fashioned tear-jerker with cheesy sugar syrupy love but who cares. I love it. Teenagers meet, fall in love and separate. Reunite after 7 years and all these years they had never forgotten each other. Time makes them make tough choices. And how even though in old age after suffering from senile amnesia, he husband is still very much in love with the wife. Brilliant !
Friday, February 06, 2009
3 more different films with varied genres
7. Sexo por Compasión (Spanish) [Compassionate Sex] (5.5/10)
A very different film subject. Personally I would enjoyed the film much more if it had more comic angle rather than taking it seriously because clearly it has to be fiction. Dolores is a mature and kind woman whose husband abandons her because he can’t stand her uncanny generosity. Desperate to get her husband back, she devotes her life to works of charity, which results in her "soothing" all the village men as Lolita with remarkable results. Even the wives are pleased with the results. It is through her compassionate sex that she literally brings back the color and the happiness to her community.
6. Into The Wild (6/10)
True story of Christopher McCandless, a freshly graduated from college with a promising future ahead, walked out of his privileged life and into the wild in search of adventure. What happened to him on the way transformed this young wanderer into an enduring symbol for countless people. A fearless persn who tried to understand the balance between man and nature. A very interesting film by some great performances. You should watch this film in a certain frame of mind and you will like it. It teaches you a few things.
5. Starting Out in the Evening (4/10)
Aging novelist Leonard Schiller is slipping into literary obscurity. Formerly a famous author, Schiller has been all but forgotten by the readers, colleagues and critics who once praised him. But when Heather Wolfe, an ambitious graduate student, convinces Schiller that her thesis could reintroduce his writing to the world, the reclusive writer is forced to confront his past regrets. The film was strictly ok. Too much talking and not much going on. I usually like these kind of offbeat films but there was definitely something missing for me in the film
A very different film subject. Personally I would enjoyed the film much more if it had more comic angle rather than taking it seriously because clearly it has to be fiction. Dolores is a mature and kind woman whose husband abandons her because he can’t stand her uncanny generosity. Desperate to get her husband back, she devotes her life to works of charity, which results in her "soothing" all the village men as Lolita with remarkable results. Even the wives are pleased with the results. It is through her compassionate sex that she literally brings back the color and the happiness to her community.
6. Into The Wild (6/10)
True story of Christopher McCandless, a freshly graduated from college with a promising future ahead, walked out of his privileged life and into the wild in search of adventure. What happened to him on the way transformed this young wanderer into an enduring symbol for countless people. A fearless persn who tried to understand the balance between man and nature. A very interesting film by some great performances. You should watch this film in a certain frame of mind and you will like it. It teaches you a few things.
5. Starting Out in the Evening (4/10)
Aging novelist Leonard Schiller is slipping into literary obscurity. Formerly a famous author, Schiller has been all but forgotten by the readers, colleagues and critics who once praised him. But when Heather Wolfe, an ambitious graduate student, convinces Schiller that her thesis could reintroduce his writing to the world, the reclusive writer is forced to confront his past regrets. The film was strictly ok. Too much talking and not much going on. I usually like these kind of offbeat films but there was definitely something missing for me in the film
Sunday, February 01, 2009
Lets see how February goes
4. Se, jie (Mandarin) [Lust Caution] (7.5/10)
Set against the backdrop of a transforming country, a young woman finds herself swept up in a radical plot to assassinate a ruthless and secretive intelligence agent. As she immerses herself in her role as a cosmopolitan seductress, she becomes entangled in a dangerous game that will ultimately determine her fate. Brilliant acting and direction. After the initial inhibition of maybe 15 minutes of not understanding what's going on, give it a chance and you will love the film. The climax was good too.
3. Amal (Hindi/English) (6/10)
Auto rickshaw driver Amal is very happy and content driving people in and around Delhi safely and quickly. He i snot money minded at all. But his sense of duty is tested by an eccentric, aging billionaire, who, moved by Amal's humility, bequeaths him his entire estate before passing away. The story is woven around different people who have amjor role to play in and out Amal's life. A little naive act by the male lead but still watchable.
2. The Last Lear (Indian English) (4/10)
An agin Shakesparean who takes up a challenging role for a film after much co axing from the director. I am surprised at people who say this is Bachchan's one of the best performance. It was so over the top; it was unbelievable. I have liked Rituparna's most movies but this somehow was no way close to his previous works. Only savinggrace according to me was Shefali Shah. She has never disappointed me in her acting.
1. Coeurs (French) [Private Fears in Public Places] (5.5/10)
Seven lonely lives in Paris: a middle-aged estate agent; his co-worker whose Bible is close at hand in times of stress; her late-night charge, an angry, nasty bedridden old man; his son, a patient bartender; the bartender's best patron, an ex-soldier; his fiancée who doesn't now why she is still with him; and, the estate agent's much younger sister, who answers ads in the personal. Will any connect? Can open hearts trump fears? Decent performances but there was something lacking in the direction. Maybe pace or the direction
Set against the backdrop of a transforming country, a young woman finds herself swept up in a radical plot to assassinate a ruthless and secretive intelligence agent. As she immerses herself in her role as a cosmopolitan seductress, she becomes entangled in a dangerous game that will ultimately determine her fate. Brilliant acting and direction. After the initial inhibition of maybe 15 minutes of not understanding what's going on, give it a chance and you will love the film. The climax was good too.
3. Amal (Hindi/English) (6/10)
Auto rickshaw driver Amal is very happy and content driving people in and around Delhi safely and quickly. He i snot money minded at all. But his sense of duty is tested by an eccentric, aging billionaire, who, moved by Amal's humility, bequeaths him his entire estate before passing away. The story is woven around different people who have amjor role to play in and out Amal's life. A little naive act by the male lead but still watchable.
2. The Last Lear (Indian English) (4/10)
An agin Shakesparean who takes up a challenging role for a film after much co axing from the director. I am surprised at people who say this is Bachchan's one of the best performance. It was so over the top; it was unbelievable. I have liked Rituparna's most movies but this somehow was no way close to his previous works. Only savinggrace according to me was Shefali Shah. She has never disappointed me in her acting.
1. Coeurs (French) [Private Fears in Public Places] (5.5/10)
Seven lonely lives in Paris: a middle-aged estate agent; his co-worker whose Bible is close at hand in times of stress; her late-night charge, an angry, nasty bedridden old man; his son, a patient bartender; the bartender's best patron, an ex-soldier; his fiancée who doesn't now why she is still with him; and, the estate agent's much younger sister, who answers ads in the personal. Will any connect? Can open hearts trump fears? Decent performances but there was something lacking in the direction. Maybe pace or the direction
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