THE WEEK THAT WAS IN MOVIES (July 21st - July 27th)

A Brief wrap up of the films I watched last week

1] D-DAY

D-Day follows the story of Wali Khan (Irrfan Khan), an agent who was sent to Karachi by R&AW Chief Ashwini Rao (Nassar), to report on the activities of India’s most wanted man -- Iqbal Seth  aka Goldman (Rishi Kapoor).But when Wali finds out that Iqbal Seth will be attending the wedding of his son, against the ISI’s wishes, he believes that the perfect time to execute his plan has arrived. Three others agents are sent to infiltrate Pakistan and help carry out Mission Goldman. Something goes horribly wrong and they are on the run.Will they be able to finish their mission? Can Wali Khan sacrifice his love for his family over his love for his motherland? D-Day answers all these questions in form of a tight thriller and great acting,

The director makes a well researched film with some of the greatest acting being delivered by this bunch of great actors. A special mention must be made of the way the song ALVIDA is filmed. It is great but may not be for the weak hearted.Overall, a good movie amidst some real ordinary bollywood movies on offer.

***1/2

2] HAWA BODOL

Raj and Jeet, have grown up together during school days, moving apart as life changed its course. Years later, the two accidentally meet. Jeet is the successful corporate with a trophy wife and big car, Raj is a carefree soul, still finding his foothold as a struggling rockstar. One is stifled by all the success, the other doesn't even know what is success. What happens when their lives are swapped? This the story of this bengali film.

This is directed by the super talented bengali actor Parambrata and also stars in it along with Rudranil. The story is nothing out of the box, but it is represented in a fairly nice humorous way. The songs are great too. There are some very funny dialouges but it fails to be consistent.

***

3] OLYMPUS HAS FALLEN

When the White House (Secret Service Code: "Olympus") is captured by a terrorist mastermind and the President is kidnapped, disgraced former Presidential guard Mike Banning finds himself trapped within the building. As our national security team scrambles to respond, they are forced to rely on Banning's inside knowledge to help retake the White House, save the President and avert an even bigger disaster.

A typical summer action flick. I have lost count of how many times the White House has been attacked in movies till now (twice already this year). The film is so mindless that you fail to care for anyone.It tries to be DIE HARD but hardly reaches its goal.Gerard Butler is no Bruce Willis.

**

4] SHOBDO

The film revolves around the life of Tarak, a foley artist of Bengali film. Tarak's job is to create ambient sounds for films, but, he gradually gets trapped in his own world, a world full of sound (i.e. Shabdo).

Bengali films are really producing some genuine films for the last few years.This national winning movie delves into a territory which was never explored in Indian cinema. Its so amazing in its treatment that it would leave serious cinegoers speechless.As rightly said in one of its reviews,

Kaushik Ganguly's Shabdo unquestionably opens up a new horizon for Bengali cinema and is not only worth a watch but worth a study.

****1/2 (Detialed review to follow soon) 

5] THE KIDS ARE ALRIGHT 

This is a smart comedy about a lesbian couple, their children, and the sperm donor who fathered them, is a warm, witty study of the postmodern family. This is a real mature movie exploring different aspects of parenthood.


This was a SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL favourite and stars some my favourite actors, Julianne Moore topping the list.There is no flaw with any of the acting on display, but sometimes there are a lot of questions left unanswered like what happen to the character of Mark Ruffalo. This is a different movie and cant be generalized as a comedy.The whole cast carry the movie  with sensitivity, wit and warmth.


***1/2

MOVIE OF THE WEEK


This has to be SHOBDO. Its head and heels above the rest and maybe one of the best movies to come out this year.

THE WOLVERINE - This wound would take time to heal

The X-MEN series is my second most favorite superhero (if Mutants can be called that) series (after BATMAN off course), and WOLVERINE is the most charismatic personality of the whole pack. So, it was but natural to have huge expectations from this movie. The plot seemed interesting and the setting at TOKYO held a lot of promise. But sadly the movie leaves a bad taste in the mouth and frustration in the heart.

Logan, aka Wolverine, heads to Japan with a mysterious redhead, Yukio, on the urging of her boss, Yashida, whom Wolverine had rescued from a nuclear bomb during World War II. Now a rich business magnate on his death bed, Yashida offers Wolverine the opportunity to trade his immortality with him, so that our tormented protagonist can find the death he craves. Nice plot, but the execution fails miserably. Rather than a exploring the questions of mortality which is posed in front of Logan, the film follows the love story between Logan and Yashida's granddaughter Mariko, whom he must protect from an ASSORTMENT of villains. I mean it when I say the word assortment here. It seems the whole of Tokyo wants her dead for some reason or the other. No points for guessing if our hero succeeds in saving the princess.

The least I expected out of this movie was some decent action sequences and martial arts. But I was disappointed here as well. None of the action sequences catches your attention. The hyped sequence on top of a bullet train seems like a cheap videogame scene. The Ninjas jump around without any purpose and even the gigantic robotic Samurai fails to deliver. At one point we come to know that Mariko was the champion with knives during her younger days. This left me convinced that there would be a action packed knife fight at some point, but it never came.The only saving grace was the character of Yukio (Rila Fukushima), who excelled in her part both in comic timing and in her fight scenes.

Hugh Jackman as the protagonist does not do anything special as far as acting is concerned and same can be said about Tao Okamoto as Mariko. Its a drag and sort of boring after a while.A special mention must be made of our villain by the name of Viper (Svetlana Khodchenkova). She must be the weakest villain I have ever seen in any movie . The whole point of her doing what she did was absolutely pointless.

Overall, the sixth installment in the X-MEN series left a lot to be desired and by the end of its runtime of around 2 hours, it seemed too long and unbearable. They are called X-MEN for a reason. The seem interesting as a unit hunting down the evil force of Magneto. The makers must take a lesson from this and stop making further WOLVERINE movies.

WORTHY MENTIONS

Watch out for a scene in which Wolverine is pinned down by a horde of archers is obviously inspired by a somewhat similar scene in Akira Kurosawa’s Throne of Blood . 

Wait for the credits to roll and don't leave the theater before that. You will be surprised

MY VERDICT  

**1/2 - Too bland

MOVIE WATCHIG ETIQUETTE

As with every other activity, there are certain etiquette which should be followed while watching a movie in the theater. We call ourselves civilized, but once in a while I begin to doubt the authenticity of that claim when I have some real blood boiling experiences while watching a movie. Yesterday I went to watch D-DAY with my friends and all of the possible annoying experiences occurred with me during the 2 and half hour duration. Let me give you the gist  of it and you would understand what I mean. My movie was scheduled for a 3:45 PM start and let me share my experience through the help of a timeline.

3:40 PM
Only 5 mins for the film to start and I realize I am the only one in my group to be present with the tickets in my hand. The rest of them are on their way and would reach after a while. I don't know about you all, but I absolutely hate to miss even a single moment when watching a movie at the theater. That includes even the trailers ( you can't deny that you look forward to them as well). The early signs are ominous and it sure was ......

 4:10 PM
Okay, so i have positioned myself at my designated seat and my friends have made it too in the nick of time. "All iz well", I murmur to myself as I start to enjoy the film which starts on a promising note. Suddenly I feel something hit my seat making a vibrating effect on my back. I say to myself that it must be by accident and ignore it. And then again another kick. Then another. Controlling all my anger and aggression, I gently turn around and ask the guy to mind his foot and not let it wander as if it was his drawing room. Thankfully it worked, but it may not always be the case leading to rise in mercury and some exchange of hostility. One must understand that if he cant control his body movements for 2 hours, then he is not suitable to watch a movie along with a theater full of human beings. He should be having his own theater where I dont care how the hell he prefers to watch his movie.

4:45 PM
Almost an hour of the film is done. It's building up nicely. The protagonist is sharing an intimate moment with his lover and a wonderful song starts playing to amplify the mood, when suddenly I hear a loud cry (well, it may be ironic, but I failed to see the funny side to it). Oh no , not again !!!! This is nothing new and I have been facing this issue for quiet some time now. I am certain many of you would too. In our country, going to the movies has become sort of a family pastime nowadays. Its more of a weekend indulgence rather than genuine love for the film. So you see the whole family , infants included, being present to watch any film that is up. I have no issues with children talking or chirping while watching a Disney feature or any superhero movie, but whats the point in bringing them along in R rated movies. Its not long before one of these kids gets bored and irritated and start to bring out their greatest weapon to get their parents attention. Well they get the attention of many others in the process and it is really annoying. Please get someone to babysit for you or else please rent the DVD when its out. I earnestly request the parents not to waste our movie watching experience.

5:30 PM
The intermission is over and we are entering that phase of the movie where it gets really interesting and I am starting to enjoy the movie and waiting to see the climax build up. But I am not so lucky today, am I???  The bloke in front of me receives a call on his mobile and it starts to churn out the latest PRIYANKA CHOPRA hit single as the ringer tone. To make matters worse, he actually receives the call. To take the matter to the stage of  irreparable damage, he doesn't get up and get out to finish his business. He goes on with his business sitting right at his place, totally oblivious to what others are feeling ( Like punching him on his face). I have no words for MORONS like him. The least you can do is being considerate.

6:05 PM
The film is about to end. It has built up nicely and the acting have been superb. So how is this going to end? As a movie buff, I always tend to think ahead towards the ending as if playing a game with the director's mind. With experience, I have started to win more games. I was starting to get ready to start the game, when I heard someone sharing the ending with his fellow viewer sitting by his side. The voice was certainly not my mind speaking to me. My game had been abandoned due to that idiot. Thankfully D-DAY is not the most suspenseful film, but these idiots do exist and their mouths should be taped with tapes printed *SPOILER ALERT* I wonder why didn't his fellow buddy do the same.

6:20 PM
The movie ends and I am at MC DONALDS with my friends. I liked the film in spite of all the obstructions and the empty people who come to watch movies now a days. These people will not get better overnight. Its their nature. But they must be told they are doing wrong. They must realize what harm they are causing others. As I take a bite of my MC SPICY CHICKEN burger, I promise to myself that I would always follow the etiquette of watching a movie in the theater and be the first one to point to others who doesn't . Lets see how it goes........

FREEDOM WRITERS - Truly Inspirational

For every film lover, there are a few films which are very close to their heart. They may not be blockbusters or very well known, but it touches a chord in their heart. FREEDOM WRITERS  is one such film to me. This is one of the first movies I recommend to anyone who asks me to suggest something to watch. It was during my first year in college that I rented the DVD from my local store only because I watched MILLION DOLLAR BABY a few weeks previously and was just speechless by Hilary Swank's performance in it. After finishing watching FREEDOM WRITERS , I was glad that I gave it a try. It sort of enriched me. Yes, Hilary Swank is awesome as expected but this movie has so many other facets.

Based on a true story, the movie stars Hillary Swank as Erin Gruwell, a young teacher who accepts a position teaching freshman and sophomore English at Woodrow Wilson High School in Long Beach, Calif. It's two years after the Los Angeles riots in 1992, and Mrs. Gruwell is having trouble relating to her mixed freshman class of Hispanics, blacks, Asians, and one white guy. The white guy just wants to leave, and the Hispanics, blacks, and Asians have taken their gang warfare from the streets into the classroom. They aren't interested in her earnest attempts to discuss Homer, the Greek poet, or teach proper grammar. The ever-optimistic young teacher comes up with her own curriculum to try to get the kids to learn more about themselves and the world around them, , while resolving conflicts with fellow teachers and the school principal about her techniques. Just note how the thinking of the students starts changing after they are taken to a field trip to know more about the Holocaust and realizing the atrocities caused by Hitler and how racial discrimination was taken to a disastrous extreme.She also urges the kids to keep journals of their day-to-day lives, something that's so successful that she assigns them to read "The Diary of Anne Frank" .

Slowly, the students start to change and they start respecting and helping one another. They start understanding one another and realize that beyond the superficial surface of color and race, the underlying issues faced by all of them is almost the same. Erin Gruwell is the catalyst for this change and she makes quiet a number of sacrifices to achieve it.

As I mentioned earlier, Hilary Swank gives a fine and powerful performance. Its a joy to watch her as she slowly earns the respect of the students through her unconventional technique. But even more amazing is the film's array of talented young actors and newcomers, particularly April L. Hernandez as the strong Latina Eva. It's such a strong and effective performance that you have to wonder if she was able to bring something to the character from her own experiences. Its that natural. Jason Finn stands out in his role too.Patrick Dempsey has too little screen presence to make any impact and most of his scenes seemed forced.

It's the kind of inspirational story that deserves to be told and heard, because it effectively touches the heart and moves the spirit. One would have to be pretty cold or tough not to be moved while hearing some of the heartbreaking true stories of these kids, as relayed by the film's talented young cast.Highly recommended.

MY VERDICT

****1/2 - Owns a special place in my heart

10 LESSER KNOWN BOLLYWOOD MOVIES YOU WOULD ENJOY

Let me start by admitting that I absolutely love making top 10 lists and reading about others lists. So, it is but natural for me to include some of the same in this blog. This is my first list in this blog and is not ranked in any particular order. Being a resident of India, Bollywood was my introduction to films before I ventured to Hollywood and world films. Thus, let me start with making a list of some of the lesser known gems in Bollywood which many must have missed but are worth a watch. I would also like others to comment on this list and add their own for my reference.

So here goes my list

1] 13 B

In today's world, the major source of relief, information and entertainment is the TV. So much so, that it has moved up from its modest position of being just another 'household appliance' to actually determining the power equation in a family.. So what happens when the TV realizes this power and begins to take control? What happens when instead of showing you the facts, the TV, begins to show you what it wants you to see? What happens when Manohar, to his great horror, realizes that this is exactly what is happening with his wonderful family, who has just moved into their sweet new home at 13B.

One of the best Horror movies I have come across in Bollywood (probably second only to RAGINI MMS) with an offbeat storyline. It stars one of my most favorite actor Madhavan as Manohar and the rest of the cast performs well too. Watch it if you are in mood for some good horror in bollywood.

2] Dil Dosti Etc

Delhi-based fellow-collegians-cum-hostelers, Sanjay Mishra, and Apurv, challenge each other to win the University elections and sleep with three different girls respectively before the election results. While Sanjay sets out to canvas his candidacy, often with violence, against his opponents, Rajesh Solanki and Bunty Nagaar; nonchalant Apurv picks on Vaishali, a prostitute; cute and adorable high school student, Kintu; and is on the look out for a third girl. The question is will Apurv be able to find a third girl in time; and will Sanjay make a mark as the President of the Delhi University Students' Union?

A film which will not be loved by everyone but surely boldly represented with the help of some wonderfully cool dialogues and great acting. I was particularly impressed with Immaduddin Shah (son of Naseeruddin Shah) who made his debut with this film. He was great in the role of Apurv and I was hoping to see more of him but it seems I have to wait for that. If you like the storyline, do give it a try. Its raw but original.

3] 3 Deewarein

Three men are on death row. Jaggu (Jackie Shroff), a lawyer and a poet, is serving a sentence for murdering his wife because she was cheating on him with another man. Nagya (Nagesh Kukunoor), a man angry with the whole world, is arrested for murdering his wife too, but he claims that it was an accident where she falls off the sidewalk while they were in the middle of a heated argument. Ishaan (Naseeruddin Shah), a happy-go-lucky man, is also arrested for murder that he commits while in the act of robbery. . A documentary filmmaker, Chandrika (Juhi Chawla) comes to the jail to set a film about these three men. In the process, she finds redemption to her troubled marriage.

Nagesh Kukunoor is probably one of the earliest independent film maker in bollywood. He has produced gems which have achieved cult status. 3 Deewarein is his least known film and this film will surely keep you absorbed and shock you with the final twist in the tail.

4] Kaun?

 

 It's a rainy day and a young woman is all alone in the house. She is shown talking to her family on the phone, anxious for them to come back to the house. Adding to her anxiety is the television, which announces that a killer is on the loose. And then, the doorbell rings. Who could it be?

Ram Gopal Verma during his best times. This movie released just after the grand success of SATYA and largely went unnoticed. Its one of the best thrillers of bollywood and with a great ending. The film has only 3 actors and one of the first bollywood movie with no songs. Urmila at her peak and great acting by the relatively newcomer Manoj Bajpayee. Watch it to be thrilled.

5] Ek Hasina Thi

A woman falls for a charming and mysterious businessman. The whirlwind romance turns sour when she is framed for his underworld crimes. Now, finally out of prison she is ready for sweet revenge.

Okay, the script is not original (inspired by Sydney Sheldon's novel), but it turns out wonderfully on screen to give us a taut revenge story with a shocking ending. The acting of Urmila is worthy of an award as she easily transforms from the sweet romantic girl to the deadly manipulative lady seeking her revenge. Saif does a good job as well and this is one true classic

6] My Brother.....Nikhil

 

 This film is set in Goa between 1986 and 1994. Nikhil Kapoor (Sanjay Suri) is the state all round swimming champion. His father Navin Kapoor (Victor Banerjee) has raised his son to be a sports man, a dream that he never achieved for himself. His elder sister Anamika (Juhi Chawla) teaches in a primary school and loves him dearly. His mother Anita Rosario Kapoor (Lillete Dubey) adores him and from her he inherited his artistic side to his personality. The film portrays the repercussions Nikhil faces after he confesses the fact that he has HIV/AIDS.

this film deals with two subject which are considered Taboo in our country - HOMOSEXUALITY and AIDS- and Onir is bold enough to treat the subject very delicately and try to teach our audience the myths surrounding these subjects. Forget the brilliant acting and watch this movie only to learn something out of it.

7] Mithya

A struggling actor(Ranvir Shorey) gets caught up with the 'wrong people' because his face is identical to an underworld don Raje. An opposing gang plan to murder the don and put the actor in place of him at the helm of the don's empire and act as their puppet. But, things don't always go according to plan.

the film is a clever mix of dark comedy and traditional drama, with some brilliant performances complimenting a wonderful different script. Ranvir Shorey is excellent as a man striving to figure out who he is, and where he belongs. He effectively portrays the range of emotions needed for his character. This is among the first films by the Rajat Kapoor - Ranvir- Saurabh Shukla-Vinay Pathak gang which brought us some other great hits down the years. Watch it for something different.

8] Welcome To Sajjanpur

Mahadev (Shreyas Talpade) is an unemployed graduate with a Bachelor of Arts from Satna college, who is forced to make a living writing letters for the uneducated people of his village. His real ambition is to become a novel writer. Through his humble occupation, Mahadev has the potential to impact numerous lives. The movie is a satirical, but warm-hearted portrait of life in rural India.

Simple yet powerful. This is one such movie. It seems like a comedy for most of the part but you will soon realize the satire and seriousness of some of the issues we face in our society on aregular basis. The interaction of Mahadev with each of his clients refers to one or the other facet of our society. A film with its heart at the right place, watch it when you are in mood for something light.

9] Maine Gandhi Ko Nahi Mara

Maine Gandhi Ko Nahin Mara is about a retired professor who suffers from dementia and the downward spiral that he experiences after that. Anupan Kher brilliant portrayed the role of Professor Uttam Chaudhary, who starts believing that he killed Gandhi and imagines his house to be a prison. The root cause of this delusion is found to lie somewhere in his childhood and eventually doctors, family members and even the court manage to bring things under control.

Yet another remarkable film by Jhanu Barua the acclaimed Assamese director in film circles.. Anupam Kher can be proud of his excellent characterization of a retired professor of Hindi literature getting into Alzheimer's disease.This is an excellent serious film.

10] Tahaan

A tender fable about childhood innocence amid the realities of war is set against the rugged landscape of Kashmir, so long a flash point for the territorial claims of neighboring India and Pakistan. The title character, an eight year old mountain boy, often hears distant gunfire. But it is not until he goes on a quest to reclaim his beloved donkey, which has been confiscated as payment of his poor family's debts, that he is drawn toward a violence he has no capacity to understand.

Santosh Sivan's Tahaan is a beautiful joy-ride down a child's psyche and his perception of the world around him that rotates on the give-and-take policy. He strikes the right chord with this film. This movie will give you an experience you can't find a substitute for.. watch it for its effort and the cute Purab Bhandare (Tahaan).

So this sums up my list. I would like to know more from anyone who is willing to share some more cinematic gems with me. 

SEVEN PSYCHOPATHS - Violently Hilarious

Dark Comedies are one of my favorite genre of movies and more so when it is directed by Martin McDonagh. He may have only directed one full length feature film before this (IN BRUGES) , but he showed his flair for dark humor and violence in that movie, something in the line of Quentin Tarantino. So yes, SEVEN PSYCHOPATHS is dark and violent and hilarious and a drama  and.........This film is a mix of so many genres and seamlessly jumps from one to the other. Does Seven Psychopaths match the brilliance of IN BURGES? Not quite, but it's still an entertaining movie.

Colin Farrell (Marty) plays a writer struggling with a screen play called "Seven Psychopaths" (The title is all he has got). His friend (Rockwell) is desperate to help write the screenplay. In the midst of all of this however, Rockwell also has a business on the side with Christopher Walken (Hans) where they steal dogs, return them, and collect the reward money. Unfortunately, Rockwell and Walken make the mistake of stealing Woody Harrelson's (Charlie) dog; a psychopath who will stop at nothing to get his Shih Tzu back - just notice the wordings on his collar to understand what I mean. Sounds like one of those Guy Ritchie fares? Not Quiet.

The title promises a lot of violence but blood is not merely used as entertainment. This is one smart film with a great plot and meaning. This film is not for everybody and you will either love it or hate it. Dialogue is everything in this type of movie and most of the writing is inventive, witty and intelligent. One character suggests that they pitch a tent in the middle of the desert so they can just sit there and talk, rather than having a traditional shootout with the bad guys. In response, his friend asks whether this is a French movie. It's that kind of humor. The plot unfolds quiet well and I am sure you cant predict the path it is going to take.The movie features good performances from Rockwell, Walken, Harrelson and Farrell in particular, although nobody really did poor. Colin Farrell is one of the most underrated actors in our time according to me. Hoping to watch more good work from this good actor. Harrelson is great as the funny-yet-serious hoodlum.But the true star in this movie is Sam Rockwell. Its his story and you will know exactly what I mean once you have watched the movie.

 If you like dark comedies as much as I do and don't mind a beautifully scripted unconventional action movie, this is the one to watch out for. Its smart and original. You will not regret it. Highly recommended.

WORTHY MENTIONS

Watch out how Hans beautifully suggests how to end the movie for Marty and develop a story for the Vietnamese Psychopath.

Sit through the credits to watch the final scene of the movie.

MY VERDICT

****

SOME INTERESTING INFOGRAPHICS - PART 1

(500) Days Of Summer - Not a love story

The movie immediately grabbed my attention during the opening credits which contain the following message:

AUTHOR'S NOTE: The following is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to any persons living or dead is purely coincidental.
Especially you Jenny Beckman.   
Bitch.

Yes, (500 ) Days of Summer is unconventional in every sense of the word.It tells the story of the relationship between Tom Hansen (Gordon-Levitt) and Summer Finn (Zooey Deschanel). Because the majority of the events have already happened, the story is told in a series of flashbacks from Tom's viewpoint. To spice up things further the story is told in a non linear style which really makes this movie more impressive. This has the effect of keeping us guessing and not leting us predict the next scene.One moment we are sharing Tom's hope that he would hit it off with Summer, and the next moment we see the relation already established and falling apart. A strictly linear style would not have made such an impact.

Tom, a greeting-card writer with artistic dreams beyond his mundane job, meets Summer and quickly falls for her. Eventually, he manages to charm her into a "casual relationship". So begins the 500 days that chronicle the happiness, heartbreak, and every other aspect involved with the often changing tides of romance. Summer does not believe in true love and hates labeling relations. She insists that she is just Tom's FRIEND. Tom feels insecure with the abstract structure of their relation and wants to know where the relationship is heading.Watch the film to know the answer.

The acting is wonderful, especially from the two leads. The first time Joseph Gordon-Levitt caught my eye was when I watched his performance in INCEPTION , and I am making sure that I watch his full filmography. He truly is one of the best actors of his generation. His performance was truly fantastic. Zooey Deschanel is absolutely wonderful in her portrayal of Summer and her quirky personalities. The supporting cast, specially Chloe Grace Moretz ( That awesome girl from KICKASS) , was great too.

500 Days of Summer is a hilarious but thoughtful film about love. Yet, it is not a Love Story. The performances are astonishing and the writing is original. This film should not be missed.

WORTHY MENTIONS

The music was marvelous and really added to the film.
The great idea of using a sarcastic narrator who delivers some great lines.

MY VERDICT

**** - One of the most original films in a long time

WARM BODIES - Zombie movie with a twist

ZOMBIE ROMANTIC COMEDY

Yes, that's the best way to describe this wonderful and innovative movie. I am never a huge fan of these Zombie movies (with the exception of the first 3 RESIDENT EVIL installments for their kick ass action) as usually these movies are as aimless as these lifeless humans. But WARM BODIES is different. I was hooked on to this movie from the first time I watched the trailer and was eagerly waiting to watch the movie.

Zombies have taken over, yet one zombie, named R, played wonderfully by Nicholas Hoult has a mind of his own and is not your typical zombie. He has a conscious mind at work, and soon he falls for a pretty girl named Julie (Teresa Palmer) that he encounters.This is where the movie puts a twist on the whole zombie genre. He soon becomes attracted to her and becomes more human, as she has stimulated his heart. Can a zombie find solace with another person and...love? That is the main theme of this movie, and it's delivered in a wonderful way.

There are many scenes where our zombie friend goes about his daily life, accompanied by hilarious and clever voice overs - ‘don’t be creepy’ and ‘say something human / nnngh / nailed it!’  stands out . It's interesting how he questions everything, thinks constantly, longs to connect. This opportunity arises when he meets Julie, sparking a sort-of Romeo and Juliet type of relationship (ironically R and Julie are the name of our protagonists).

All the actors did a fantastic job.Nicholas Hoult's R is funny and likeable. Teresa Palmer has an attractive presence about her and good acting skills. Analeigh Tipton as Julie's best friend is sweetly charming and Rob Corddry as M has some good screen presence.

So, if you are looking for something little different but worth your time, I would suggest this ZOMBIE ROMANTIC COMEDY which may not be Oscar material but certainly would bring a few smiles to your face.

MY VERDICT

***1/2- Watch it for something different

PHILADELPHIA - So many reasons to love this movie......

There may be a lot of reasons why I may like a movie. It maybe be the director, the starcast, the subject matter or simply a recommendation made by my friend. What first made me watch PHILADEPHIA was the casting of Tom Hanks in it. I found him the best actor in the 90s and the early 2000s . Its been a while after I first viewed this film and now I would rate Denzel Washington equally good and I now know that he has been involved in great films for almost 20 years now.

The story begins with lawyers Andrew Beckett (Hanks) and Joe Miller (Washington) battling each other in court. Beckett wins the case, and is promoted by his firm. He is entrusted with the task of representing one of the firm's most important clients. He's young, successful, and appears set to excel in his field. Miller is exposed as a TV celebrity and opportunist, who is more concerned with winning money for his clients than being ethical.Beckett is homosexual and contracts AIDS. He develops lesions all over his body, and some of them are visible. One of the firm's partners notices and fears that Beckett may have AIDS. Soon after, Beckett is fired. The rest of the film (read the 2nd half) is all about the court case and if you like Court case dramas, you would love it.


Apart from the great and intense acting from the protagonists, this film also raises quiet a lot of questions to our society.


Should someone be fired for having a life-threatening disease? Does it matter whether their current performance is exceptional, even though it will almost certainly deteriorate in the future?

The story educates both the audience and Miller during it's two-hour journey. Although we know much more about AIDS now, it was important to hear stories like this when the disease was relatively new on the scene. We see Miller getting as far away from Beckett initially as he could.He was homophobic. Many of us are still of the same thought even tough we claim to have embraced the modern and liberal lifestyle. Many people would not like to see the film for the same reason.

If you like good acting, serious drama and stories that matter, then PHILADELPHIA has to be in your best films list.The message is important enough to give this movie a go.

ACHIEVEMENTS

Tom Hanks got an academy award for his wonderful performance of Portraying Andrew beckett.
Philadelphia also won an Oscar for best song (Bruce Springsteen)

My Verdict

**** - Give it a go and you would not be dissapointed

RAANJHANAA - A brief review

How far can you go for someone you love?? Can love truly be unconditional?? Can love at first sight last for an eternity??

I am sure you would ask yourself these questions as you finish watching this recent Bollywood release. I was not expecting anything great from this movie as its star cast included a very unconventional hero (of KOLAVERI DI fame) and one of my least favorite actress . The only saving grace seemed to be the music comosed by the Mozart of Madras. Anyway, I decided to catch this movie with my friends after reading the horrible reviews of GHANCHAKKAR. After coming out of the theater 134 minutes later, I was overjoyed by my decision.

RAANJHANAA is probably the only Bollywood movie to be released this year (till now) which is worth a second viewing. It is a love story unlike any you have seen in Bollywood.Its a roller coaster ride of emotions which will keep the audiences wanting for more, and by the end of it will surely leave a mark on your heart.

STORY

Shot in Benaras & Delhi, 'Raanjhanaa' narrates a tale of love through Kundan (Dhanush), Zoya (Sonam Kapoor) & Akram/Jasjeet (Abhay Deol)..Kundan (a Brahmin boy) & Zoya (a Muslim girl) were brought up in Benaras, where Kundan expressed his love for Zoya during his teenage days.After growing up, Zoya took admission in Jawaharlal Nehru University where she fell in love with an university student cum socialist Akram..What happens next forms the crux of the story.

ACTING
Films like these demand strong performances and great range from the cast and this is where the film scores. The debutant DHANUS is the heart of this film. Its really the story of his Kundan and how he never gives up on his love. He showcases all his emotions perfectly carries the film on his shoulders through a thoroughly intense performance. Special mention must also be made about the two supporting actors Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub (as Murari) and Swara Bhaskar (as Bindya).Murari has some of the funniest lines of the movie.Abhay Deol sleepwalks through his role in his small appearance. Sonam supposedly gives her best performance of her career but still has a lot to improve.

SPECIAL MENTIONS
The music of A R Rehman which helps carry the narrative forward.
The beautifully captured Benaras with a variety of colors
Some wonderfully penned dialouges and beautifully executed scenes - Look for the one where Dhanus goes to bid adieu to Sonam in the railway station.


Once Tom Robbins said: "We waste time looking for the perfect lover, instead of creating the perfect love.." !!In this densely populated sphere of Earth, there is always a scarcity of those persons who can sacrifice his/her deepest desires to bring sunshine in the face of their loved ones..Don't let go of that kind heart, if by chance you find him/her....


MY VERDICT

**** (THE EXTRA HALF STAR FOR THE TERRIFIC DHANUS)

Was Cobb dreaming in the final sequence of Inception?

Thought of starting off the blog with a post related to a movie which, according to me, is one of the best movies to come out in the last decade. Directed by the genius Christopher Nolan, this film left me speechless by its sheer magnitude and vision. There had been films based on dreams like ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MIND and MULHOLLAND DRIVE (directed by another genius), but INCEPTION took the concept to an altogether different Level (literally).

I still remember that after finishing watching this film and coming out of the theater, I was tooo spellbound to even have a normal conversation for a few minutes. I tried to figure out the ending.I couldn't.Naturally it required multiple viewings. If Nolan wanted this out of his audience, he succeeded grandly.But being familiar with his style, maybe he just wanted to trick his audience and wanted them to think deeply and come up with their own theories - To each his own ending.Whatever it may be, there were several theories put forward and almost all were debunked by the director himself.

MAYBE THE ENDING DOESN'T MATTER AT ALL..!!

We're so hung up on details that we forget the most important aspects of our lives. And we did the same with the ending of this great story. We are so intent on figuring out the exact events that follow after Cobb returns home, that we don't notice the actual moral of all this. Cobb chooses not to question his reality- he lets go and embraces his children, he chooses happiness.

But, if I HAVE to take a side to this debate, I have to say I have accepted the following theory ( one of the many put forward)and this is the answer to the great question.....

THIS IS NOT MY THEORY. I AM JUST TAKING IT'S SIDE

THE  RING THEORY

So, how do we find out if Cobb's dreaming in the end? When Ariadne enters Cobb's dream when he's carrying out "experiments"

Important? Very..!!
Why? Because that means, in each and every of Cobb's dreams, he should be wearing his wedding ring.

That is what will help us decipher what happens the end - not the spinning top.

1. Yusuf's dream

 
 
2. Arthur's dream

3. Eames' dream

(I know it's a bit blurry, but the ring is there)

4. Saito's Limbo

BUT a few minutes before spinning his top at his home dining table, back at the airport.

And that means it doesn't matter that we don't get to see if the top topples in the end or not.

Cobb is NOT dreaming in the end....


The mystery has been solved.Case closed from my part.



P.S - Of all the theories that were discarded by Christopher Nolan that day, he did not reject one of them- the theory that the entire movie is a dream, that we are the subjects. That the idea was planted in our minds.............
 
   

WELCOME

WELCOME DEAR READERS AND FELLOW MOVIE BUFFS


It's been a while I have been thinking of doing this but somehow did not get get the time.This blog is a result of my love for anything and everything related to the amazing world of FILMS.

Films never cease to amaze me.Some will make you smile.Some will make you cry.Some will leave you speechless and then again some will make you cringe. But one thing is for sure.Every film will teach you something and every film will strike a chord of your heart at some level or the other. Like everything else in life, Not all of them are perfect or even good.But this blog is dedicated about how I feel about the films I have watched or will watch in the near future.

There is always an IMDB or ROTTEN TOMATOES, you may argue.

Yes, these are the sites even I refer to and have learnt a lot from. This blog is just my personal take on the few films I come across and devote my time to.So with this I declare this blog open and hope to continue posting as frequently as possible.