23. Bariwali (Bengali) (7/10)
Saw this film the second time. As always director Rituparno Ghosh impresses me. Kiron Kher is a lonely aged woman living on her own. Her husband died 2 days before her marriage. Her only confidants are her maid and her housekeeper. Things change when she allows a film shooting in her house. She gets drawn towards the director knowing very well that he is married and had an affair with the film actress ultimately of course to get heart broken in the end.
22. Tumhari Bina (Pakistan Short Film) (5/10)
This film deals with the desires of an older single woman who lives by herself in the house that she shared with her deceased brother. Her only other companion is her trusted gardener and the pleasures of the internet through which she plays her sinister games. A creepy film where you never expected the end.
21. Burnesroad Ki Nilofer (Pakistan Tv FIlm) (7/10)
I could have died laughing in this film. Reminded me of the days when we used to watch pakistani dramas. Nilofer is 17 yar ld who lives in a cramped flat in Pakistan with mother, father and 8 younger siblings. Beguiled by the soaps on television, she dreams of true love but has little chance to go out and find it or even to express herself in the presence of her parents. A hilarious film that gets a little serious towards the end but still very funny.
20. Midnight Lost & Found (Hindi Short Film) (7/10)
Arvind (Deepak Dobriyal) spends his nights reading Batman comics caged in behind iron bars at his lonely chemist shop in Bombay. A prostitute (Geetika Tyagi) stops every night to buy condoms, until their conversations help Arvind break free and find the superhero within. Excellent short and brilliant acting by both leads.
19. My Daughter the Terrorist (Sri Lanka Documentary) (5.5/10)
A very rare documentary of inside look into the lives of 2 girls of LTTE group whom the world calls as terrorists. This even-handed documentary sheds light on the reasons that the Tamil Tigers continue their bloody struggle for independence while questioning their tactics. Deep in guerrilla territory, two female Black Tigers train for theultimate mission. Its a personal choice to dcide who's right or wrong but the film is very hard hitting.
18. Beauty Parlor (Pakistan Short Film) (4.5/10)
Four faces, fur masks and 4 short stories. Two friends long for intimacies of a different kind, a to-be-bride longs for another while getting ready for her wedding, the ‘other woman’ struggles to define her existence via her relationship with her married lover and a physically challenged transvestite has dreams of a different kind.
17. Let's Talk (Indian English) (8/10)
Boman Irani's first feature film and what a fantastic acting debut on big screen. A wife is cheating on husband and has got pregnant now. She wants to tell her husband and is scared. The film shows her imagining 8 scenarios of how her husband could react to the news. From committing suicide to beating her up to just talking, these are few ways in which she thinks her husband would react. Awesome film. Must watch.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Monday, August 24, 2009
Few more movies added to the kitty
16. Sanam Teri Kasam (Hindi) (1.5/10)
A movie of 90s (Sambandh aka Yeh pyar hi to hai) releases in 2008 with Pooja Bhatt, Atul Agniotri and Saif who hams throughout the movie, with a new name. Pooja Bhatt so does not suit the characters of damsel in distress wearing saris and stuff. Everything is so over the top and melodramatic that film would have bombed even if it was released in 90s. And whats u with changing the title of the movie 3 times. If the film is bad, nothing really helps.
15. War of The Worlds (4/10)
Ended up watching this movie again since it was coming on TV. Not one of the better works of Steven Speilberg. And Tom Cruise at least in this movie can't act. A usual cry of war between mankind and machine, this movie has everything that is expected from such movies.
14. Morning Walk (Hindi) (4.5/10)
Interesting concept. Somehow these family value and stories I like in Bengali films but when they get translated to Hindi film, they try to commercialize it and lose the whole essence. Anupam Kher moves to Bombay to live with his son and his family. He meets Sharmila Tagore, a girl whom he used to love in his young days. He later finds out that he has a daughter with her. Without going into morals of what's right and what's wrong, the film shows how he does what he feels is right (making sure his daughter has money to go to US for studying rather than giving money to his greedy daughter-in-law for buying a house in Mumbai)
13. Siddhartha The Prisoner (Hindi) (2/10)
I like indi films but this was just a lame excuse. I wonder how come Rajat Kapoor got best actor award in some lame film festival. Siddhartha (Rajat Kapoor) is out of jail and in the process of restarting his life. He write a book but his briefcase gets exchanged with another one containing money at an internet cafe. Rest of the movie is about the gang trying to find out their lost money and Rajat finding his book. The film moves at such a slow speed that if you take a nap and watch again, you probably wont have missed anything.
A movie of 90s (Sambandh aka Yeh pyar hi to hai) releases in 2008 with Pooja Bhatt, Atul Agniotri and Saif who hams throughout the movie, with a new name. Pooja Bhatt so does not suit the characters of damsel in distress wearing saris and stuff. Everything is so over the top and melodramatic that film would have bombed even if it was released in 90s. And whats u with changing the title of the movie 3 times. If the film is bad, nothing really helps.
15. War of The Worlds (4/10)
Ended up watching this movie again since it was coming on TV. Not one of the better works of Steven Speilberg. And Tom Cruise at least in this movie can't act. A usual cry of war between mankind and machine, this movie has everything that is expected from such movies.
14. Morning Walk (Hindi) (4.5/10)
Interesting concept. Somehow these family value and stories I like in Bengali films but when they get translated to Hindi film, they try to commercialize it and lose the whole essence. Anupam Kher moves to Bombay to live with his son and his family. He meets Sharmila Tagore, a girl whom he used to love in his young days. He later finds out that he has a daughter with her. Without going into morals of what's right and what's wrong, the film shows how he does what he feels is right (making sure his daughter has money to go to US for studying rather than giving money to his greedy daughter-in-law for buying a house in Mumbai)
13. Siddhartha The Prisoner (Hindi) (2/10)
I like indi films but this was just a lame excuse. I wonder how come Rajat Kapoor got best actor award in some lame film festival. Siddhartha (Rajat Kapoor) is out of jail and in the process of restarting his life. He write a book but his briefcase gets exchanged with another one containing money at an internet cafe. Rest of the movie is about the gang trying to find out their lost money and Rajat finding his book. The film moves at such a slow speed that if you take a nap and watch again, you probably wont have missed anything.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Time for some Indian films
12. Gulaal (Hindi) (7.5/10)
Anurag Kashyap's take on Rajasthan politics. Never seen before story, execution and minor details and how an innocent young man is dragged into politics, everyone takes advantage of him and then what follows in the name of politics. Bravo. SO many new faces and all of them just brilliant.
11. Good Luck (Hindi) (0/10)
A very poor scene to scene copy of Hollywood film 'Just my Luck'. When will the Indian film folks learn their lesson? Terrible direction, pathetic acting and everything else also was just sad and bad. Please dont even bother.
10. Antaheen (Bengali) (6/10)
I like Bengali films because they seem very real and fresh and just like a slice of life and this film is no different. 2 very different people who are friends online looking for love and their interactions with the people surrounding them and all their relationships. No one showcases relationships better than a few Bengali films. Rahul Bose, Sharmila Tagore, Aparna Sen, everyone is good.
9. Kaminey (Hindi) (9/10)
What happens in life span of 24 hours with 2 twin brothers? A roller coaster from the word go, this one takes the director and the actor straight to the top league. Everything from acting, music, direction, story, screenplay was just flawless, though some people might argue. This one is not to be missed for Shahid, Amol Gupte, Priyanka, Gulzar and Vishal Bhardwaj.
8. Perfect Mismatch (Indian/English) (4/10)
Another one of those indian english film trying to depict lives of a couple of Indian families living in US. This time the protagonists are a Punjabi and gujrati family. Their kids fall in love but the fathers dont see eye to eye. In this day and age where inter religion or even inter country marriage is no big deal, the producers are still stuck to age old cliche with some unnecessary drama thrown in.
Anurag Kashyap's take on Rajasthan politics. Never seen before story, execution and minor details and how an innocent young man is dragged into politics, everyone takes advantage of him and then what follows in the name of politics. Bravo. SO many new faces and all of them just brilliant.
11. Good Luck (Hindi) (0/10)
A very poor scene to scene copy of Hollywood film 'Just my Luck'. When will the Indian film folks learn their lesson? Terrible direction, pathetic acting and everything else also was just sad and bad. Please dont even bother.
10. Antaheen (Bengali) (6/10)
I like Bengali films because they seem very real and fresh and just like a slice of life and this film is no different. 2 very different people who are friends online looking for love and their interactions with the people surrounding them and all their relationships. No one showcases relationships better than a few Bengali films. Rahul Bose, Sharmila Tagore, Aparna Sen, everyone is good.
9. Kaminey (Hindi) (9/10)
What happens in life span of 24 hours with 2 twin brothers? A roller coaster from the word go, this one takes the director and the actor straight to the top league. Everything from acting, music, direction, story, screenplay was just flawless, though some people might argue. This one is not to be missed for Shahid, Amol Gupte, Priyanka, Gulzar and Vishal Bhardwaj.
8. Perfect Mismatch (Indian/English) (4/10)
Another one of those indian english film trying to depict lives of a couple of Indian families living in US. This time the protagonists are a Punjabi and gujrati family. Their kids fall in love but the fathers dont see eye to eye. In this day and age where inter religion or even inter country marriage is no big deal, the producers are still stuck to age old cliche with some unnecessary drama thrown in.
Sunday, August 09, 2009
A slow August
7. Wall-E (7/10)
So finally I also saw Wall-E. After hundreds of lonely years of doing what he was built for, the curious and lovable Wall-E discovers a new purpose in life when he meets a sleek search robot named Eve. The film has great message on how not to get totally caught up by the technology and ho wit is important to care about people and things around you. Wonderful
6. Dekh Bhai Dekh (Hindi) (5.5/10)
The film may have flopped but it was actually not a bad film. Gracy Singh, Siddharth Koirala, Raghuvir Yada and Vijay Raaz form a tam to steal an age old statue of god to make instant money but with the money split , its still not enough for everyone. They then decide to kill an old lady with lot of money but also in greed end up killing each other or so they think. With a twisted end and a village setting, this film could have never worked but honestly it is different. Maybe good for a TV film.
5. I Love You, Man (4/10)
A couple is getting married but the girl and her friends are worried that the man does not have any friends at all and who will be his best man for his wedding. Then starts a process of the lead man to find a guy and be friends with him. He meets Sidney, a carefree, super laid back guy and they hit off well. His only desire is to have fun. Hw he brings about changes in our hero's life. It was an all right film. There are a little too much of this chick flick romantic comedies these days.
So finally I also saw Wall-E. After hundreds of lonely years of doing what he was built for, the curious and lovable Wall-E discovers a new purpose in life when he meets a sleek search robot named Eve. The film has great message on how not to get totally caught up by the technology and ho wit is important to care about people and things around you. Wonderful
6. Dekh Bhai Dekh (Hindi) (5.5/10)
The film may have flopped but it was actually not a bad film. Gracy Singh, Siddharth Koirala, Raghuvir Yada and Vijay Raaz form a tam to steal an age old statue of god to make instant money but with the money split , its still not enough for everyone. They then decide to kill an old lady with lot of money but also in greed end up killing each other or so they think. With a twisted end and a village setting, this film could have never worked but honestly it is different. Maybe good for a TV film.
5. I Love You, Man (4/10)
A couple is getting married but the girl and her friends are worried that the man does not have any friends at all and who will be his best man for his wedding. Then starts a process of the lead man to find a guy and be friends with him. He meets Sidney, a carefree, super laid back guy and they hit off well. His only desire is to have fun. Hw he brings about changes in our hero's life. It was an all right film. There are a little too much of this chick flick romantic comedies these days.
Monday, August 03, 2009
Where will August end up going
4. Sleuth (5/10)
Based on a play, this movie stated off very interesting, dragged a little bit in the middle and ends with a bang. Jude Law is a struggling actor who doesn't know what to expect when he visits Michael Caine (whose wife he is sleeping with). A strange proposal from Caine for Jude Law sparks off an interesting twist and game plan of one upmanship over the other. The best thing about this Sleuth are the performances of Law and Caine, who could have been even better with a great script.
3. Barah Aana (Hindi) (6/10)
Someone please finance these directors who have such brilliant stories to tell but because of zero promotion, these films fall off the radar. Barah Aana is story of 3 friends (who have nothing in common except poverty). How they struggle with their life despite being different ages and how they find out a business of kidnapping people and making quick money out of it. They dont want to do it but its the fastest way to make money. Brillaint performances by Naseerudding, Vijay Raaz (seen after a long time) and Arjun Mathur. Again, a worth watch film.
2. Love Aaj Kal (Hindi) (6.5/10)
Of course Imtiaz Ali's film has great expectations. Mine were fulfilled to a great extent. Saif acted fine. Deepika looks gorgeous. The film shows us how today's generation struggles with what true love is (given the fact that we have too many choices) vs how love was in old days when purity was at its top and people would do anything just to have one glimpse of the girl they loved. Harleen is breathtakingly gorgeous. Songs are good but they seemed forced in the film. Overal a decent film
1. I've Loved You So Long (French) (8.5/10)
This is one of the best films I have seen in the recent times. The main protagonist comes out of jail after 15 years for murdering her son. Her sister takes her in who was very young at the time. The woman is now struggling to get back to a normal life. No one knows why she murdered her son but when the truth finally is found by her sister, it breaks her heart completely. Awesome performances. Must watch movie.
Based on a play, this movie stated off very interesting, dragged a little bit in the middle and ends with a bang. Jude Law is a struggling actor who doesn't know what to expect when he visits Michael Caine (whose wife he is sleeping with). A strange proposal from Caine for Jude Law sparks off an interesting twist and game plan of one upmanship over the other. The best thing about this Sleuth are the performances of Law and Caine, who could have been even better with a great script.
3. Barah Aana (Hindi) (6/10)
Someone please finance these directors who have such brilliant stories to tell but because of zero promotion, these films fall off the radar. Barah Aana is story of 3 friends (who have nothing in common except poverty). How they struggle with their life despite being different ages and how they find out a business of kidnapping people and making quick money out of it. They dont want to do it but its the fastest way to make money. Brillaint performances by Naseerudding, Vijay Raaz (seen after a long time) and Arjun Mathur. Again, a worth watch film.
2. Love Aaj Kal (Hindi) (6.5/10)
Of course Imtiaz Ali's film has great expectations. Mine were fulfilled to a great extent. Saif acted fine. Deepika looks gorgeous. The film shows us how today's generation struggles with what true love is (given the fact that we have too many choices) vs how love was in old days when purity was at its top and people would do anything just to have one glimpse of the girl they loved. Harleen is breathtakingly gorgeous. Songs are good but they seemed forced in the film. Overal a decent film
1. I've Loved You So Long (French) (8.5/10)
This is one of the best films I have seen in the recent times. The main protagonist comes out of jail after 15 years for murdering her son. Her sister takes her in who was very young at the time. The woman is now struggling to get back to a normal life. No one knows why she murdered her son but when the truth finally is found by her sister, it breaks her heart completely. Awesome performances. Must watch movie.
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