16. Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (5/10)
I have such mixed feelings about this film. I wanted to like it so much but the film left a lot to be desired. It seems like as an audience it will be better to know what the film is about before you see it. Thank god for subtitles cos there was no way I would have understood what the hell was going on in the film. There were too many characters, too many code names that were used in the film. WIth subtitles, I thankfully understood what was going on but not quite could get why it was that way. Critcs are going gaga over the film and Gary Oldman's performance but I am still a little perplexed.
15. The Descendants (6/10)
I had no expectations from the film apart from all the attention that the movie has been getting from critics and award committees. For a change I did not know too much about the film. The film, I think, was ok. It was very simple. It showed how even in a place like Hawaii, your life can be miserable. I think more than Clooney, I liked the acting of her daughter in the film. I know it was supposed to be dark comedy and Clooney has acted really well the role where he switches between being nice and jealous and heart-broken. But common, best actor award!! If he gets an oscar too, I would be disappointed personally.
14. Agneepath (Hindi) (8/10)
Total paisa vasool movie. Having not seen the original, I think this film was made for masses. Hrithik and Sanjay Dutt were both fantastic. I loved Hrithik's restrained performance and his aggression coming out only at the right time. For a change I even liked Priyanka's character. I just wished they had concentrated a little bit more on the mother-son relationship. The song by Sonu Nigam comes at such a emotional point that it almost brought me to tears. Definitely recommend this for masala lovers. Action films are back in Bollywood.
13. The Vicious Kind (6.5/10)
This film is about relationship between two brothers, a father trying to connect with his sons and the young woman who gets between the three of them who happens to the younger brother's girlfriend. This film was atypical american f***ed up family with an interesting story to tell. This film is watchabale because of its short length and some brilliant acting by all the lead characters. This was a good mix of drama and dark comedy.
12. Lanka (Hindi) (4/10)
The story of the film was interesting but not new. We have seen films with similar story lines. It was a little hard to believe that in today's world someone can actually captivate someone in their home and no one knows about it. Manoj Bajpayee acted decent but I thought Arjan Bajwa's character was not defined properly. Till the last minute he was this bechara hero who could do nothing. How can you even expect that indian film audience is going to accept their hero this way. Tia Bajpayee was effective IMO. She deserves some attention by directors.
11. Miley Naa Miley Hum (Hindi) (4/10)
These kind of films were made in 90s when love stories were talk of the town but I have a feeling that even then this film would not have worked. Newcomer Chirag Paswan seems honest in his work but the guy has absolutely zero screen presence. He just does not have that 'hero wali baat' and thanks to his blue eyes, he just cannot pass off as a regular guy for some reason. Kangna Ranaut was ok but I fail to understand why she signed this film unless except if it was strictly for money. This one is passable.
10. Kokuhaku (Japanese) [Confessions] (7.5/10)
This was interesting. A teacher trying to take revenge on 2 school students because they killed her daughter and the law would not do anything to punish them except some rehab time. If you can sit through first 15-20 minutes of the film, you are gonna love it. The initial film is a little confusing but turns into a psychological drama. Not really a thriller but does give you interesting twists and turns. I would definitely recommend this one.
9. I Am Kalam (Hindi) (9/10)
It is so sad that Bollywood i associated with mindless musicals and romantic stories with people running around trees. Bollywood thankfully also makes films like this which deserve every single acclaim that it has been receiving from the few who have seen this film. I am so so glad that i saw this film. The 2 kids are brilliant, absolutely brilliant. Salute to the writer, director and producer for showing us something so simple yet so beautiful.
Friday, January 20, 2012
Sunday, January 08, 2012
January 2012 so far
8. Hugo (8/10)
This is a treat to watch on big screen that too in 3-D. I am not a big fan of 3D films, in fact they give me headache but trust me this film is worth it. It is a touching film with just the right doses of everything. Scorsese has done it again.
7. Desi Boyz (Hindi) (3.5/10)
Over the top and boring. My patience for non-sensible hindi films is just reducing day by day
6. Horrible Bosses (4/10)
Funny in parts. Guilty pleasure. My ratings are based on more meaningful cinema. I am sure many people will love this movie a lot and might identify as well.
5. Crazy, Stupid Love (5/10)
There was a time I used to like rom-coms but not any more. I can see myself absolutely loving this movie 5 years ago but now, this was strictly an ok movie.
4. Ladies vs Ricky Bahl (Hindi) (5.5/10)
Such a disappointment form the team of BBB. This was just such an ordinary film that I could not believe what I was seeing. Nothing.. absolutely nothing was special in the film except maybe The Chopra girl. I was surprised to see how under utilised Anushka Sharma was. The charm that Ranvir Singh brought in BBB was totally lost by his "star" attitude in this film.
3. Such a Long Journey (UK/Indian) (8.5/10)
Based on the novel by Rohinton Mistry, I had no expectations of this movie but it was such a fantastic and pleasant surprise. A slice of life film focusing on a Parsi man Gustad Noble. He is forced to deal with a number of unexpected problems in his life, including his sick daughter, his individualist eldest son, a distant friend who gets him involved with some dirty money, and an unhealthy neighborhood. Acting by the entire principal cast is very natural. Released way back in 99, I am surprised this film did not get any recognition. Highly recommended. It is very very real.
2. The Guard (9/10)
This film reminded me so much of 'In Bruges'. An unorthodox Irish policeman with a confrontational personality is teamed up with an uptight FBI agent to investigate an international drug-smuggling ring. The humour in this film is subtle and wrong but it is so so funny. Either you will get the humour and you will crack up and enjoy it or you would be miserable. Be careful of the Irish accent. It helped me watch it with subtitles an dont missing out on any jokes.
1. Flowers of War (English/Chinese) (7/10)
A Westerner finds refuge with a group of women in a church during Japan's rape of Nanking in 1937. Posing as a priest, he attempts to lead the women to safety. This film is too real and very depressing. It just kills your heart to see what the little girls have to go through during the war. I did not know about the history of Japan's attack on Nanking in China but the film focuses more on the human aspects of it. Very real, touching and sad. Good piece of cinema.
This is a treat to watch on big screen that too in 3-D. I am not a big fan of 3D films, in fact they give me headache but trust me this film is worth it. It is a touching film with just the right doses of everything. Scorsese has done it again.
7. Desi Boyz (Hindi) (3.5/10)
Over the top and boring. My patience for non-sensible hindi films is just reducing day by day
6. Horrible Bosses (4/10)
Funny in parts. Guilty pleasure. My ratings are based on more meaningful cinema. I am sure many people will love this movie a lot and might identify as well.
5. Crazy, Stupid Love (5/10)
There was a time I used to like rom-coms but not any more. I can see myself absolutely loving this movie 5 years ago but now, this was strictly an ok movie.
4. Ladies vs Ricky Bahl (Hindi) (5.5/10)
Such a disappointment form the team of BBB. This was just such an ordinary film that I could not believe what I was seeing. Nothing.. absolutely nothing was special in the film except maybe The Chopra girl. I was surprised to see how under utilised Anushka Sharma was. The charm that Ranvir Singh brought in BBB was totally lost by his "star" attitude in this film.
3. Such a Long Journey (UK/Indian) (8.5/10)
Based on the novel by Rohinton Mistry, I had no expectations of this movie but it was such a fantastic and pleasant surprise. A slice of life film focusing on a Parsi man Gustad Noble. He is forced to deal with a number of unexpected problems in his life, including his sick daughter, his individualist eldest son, a distant friend who gets him involved with some dirty money, and an unhealthy neighborhood. Acting by the entire principal cast is very natural. Released way back in 99, I am surprised this film did not get any recognition. Highly recommended. It is very very real.
2. The Guard (9/10)
This film reminded me so much of 'In Bruges'. An unorthodox Irish policeman with a confrontational personality is teamed up with an uptight FBI agent to investigate an international drug-smuggling ring. The humour in this film is subtle and wrong but it is so so funny. Either you will get the humour and you will crack up and enjoy it or you would be miserable. Be careful of the Irish accent. It helped me watch it with subtitles an dont missing out on any jokes.
1. Flowers of War (English/Chinese) (7/10)
A Westerner finds refuge with a group of women in a church during Japan's rape of Nanking in 1937. Posing as a priest, he attempts to lead the women to safety. This film is too real and very depressing. It just kills your heart to see what the little girls have to go through during the war. I did not know about the history of Japan's attack on Nanking in China but the film focuses more on the human aspects of it. Very real, touching and sad. Good piece of cinema.
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