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Posted by: Nidhi Feb 9 2008, 07:06 PM

In the name of the Father (1993). I saw this old one on cable. It is a great movie based on a true story of how an irish family is wrongly implicated & imprisoned as irish terrorists. The biased, uncompromising and unrelenting approach of the British Police, shows them in poor light, as they were aware of the actual terrorists. The trials & tribulations that the innocents undergo in proving their innocence after 15 years is the story line. Great acting by Daniel Day Lewis.

Rumor of Angels(2000): A sentimental movie about the friendship between a boy & an old lady(Vanessa Redgrave) who helps him in getting over the tragedy of having lost his mother in an accident.

Just like Heaven(2005): A sweet romantic movie. The romance is between the ghost of a lady in coma & the new tenant in her apartment. It stars Reese Witherspoon.

We own the night(2007): Cops & Drug lords stuff starring Mark Wahlburg & Joaquim Phoenix. It is the routine hollywood stuff.

I am still to see the following 2007 movies: 'Eastern Promises', 'Gone Baby Gone', 'The Assassination of Jesse James', No Country for Old men', 'He was a Quiet Man', 'In the Valley of Elah', 'Into the Wild', 'Michael Clayton' & 'Atonement'. I have all these on divx format. The convenience of having a standalone dvd player that plays divx too is that one can record 6 english movies of good quality on a single dvd disc & watch them at leisure.

Posted by: YaarMere Feb 11 2008, 05:30 AM

Eastern Promises & No Country for Old Men are 2 very good flims.

We Own the Night like Nidhi says is abt cops n The Russian mafia but Hollywood these days is "The JC" it doesnt care wot it sends out onto screens across the world such as this 1 scene where they show sum Russian guy wearing a religious pendant that has both a Christian cross & The Star of David on it!

If you dont know wot im on abt then just read Andrey Diky's book.

Posted by: Nidhi Feb 15 2008, 11:56 PM

Into The Wild: Based on the true story of Christopher Johnson Mcandless, this is serious stuff, directed by actor & social activist Sean Penn. The movie is more of a documentary type giving an insight into the troubled mind of a youngster who is disillusioned with a materialistic society & a broken home. Off he goes into the wild, destination Alaska, to get a first hand experience of living without money & the comforts of life as well as the people he meets en route.

One narration in the movie goes something like this:
how important it is in life,not necessarily to be strong but to feel strong,to measure yourself at least once, define yourself at least once in the most ancient of human conditions, facing the blind deaf stone alone, nothing to help you but your hands & your own head.


The Assassination of Jesse James: This stars Brad Pitt & Casey Affleck (Ben Affleck's brother). Casey walks away with the acting honours as Bob Ford, whose hero worship of Jesse James takes a full turn around as the story unfolds.

Michael Clayton: Starring George Clooney, this is an interesting movie in the thriller category.

Posted by: Nidhi Feb 17 2008, 09:03 PM

Atonement: A class movie. After a long time, a good movie comes along. Good acting by all the lead players. A good script, based on Ian McEwan's novel of the same name, it has excellent background score by Howard Shore. Romance, Envy & betrayal, it's all there with the background of world war II. Joe Wright, who directed this movie as well 'Pride & Prejudice' (lovely movie) did an excellent job of it. Keira Knightley is as beautiful as ever.

Posted by: Reeth Feb 19 2008, 03:50 PM

It has been nominated for seven Oscars including Best Picture and Best Supporting actress...

Posted by: Nidhi Feb 24 2008, 03:50 PM

I did see 'Eastern Promises' & 'No country for Old Men'. They are ok, but a little too violent for my taste. ' No country....' has been nominated in 8 categories at the Oscars & it looks like it may win quite a few.

Posted by: YaarMere Feb 28 2008, 07:19 PM

Mr Brooks, The Bucket List & 4 Months 3 Weeks & 2 Days

Just got these from a mate... he says all 3 are good films I'll watch them n report.

Posted by: simplefable Feb 28 2008, 08:37 PM

YM bhai..watched the first two..they are Worth our time. Topic of the third film, somehow didnt fancy me... Please do let me know about that..

Posted by: YaarMere Mar 2 2008, 09:10 PM

Hi,

Sorry didnt do this b4 I only watched that 3rd film last night... the Jack Nicholson movie was the 1st The guy is a hero, its all abt physical expressions with Jack and of course he has that eyebrow thing going 4 him which never gets old.

Mr Brooks & The Bucket List - They're last years films with big name actors Im sure most here have already seen them both, both are good films nothing to rave on and on abt but defo worth a once-over.


4 Months 3 Weeks & 2 Days

Is it that you're an anti abortionist? Sorry 4 the Q but after watching the film myself and understanding it a little I cudnt quite get why the subject matter might put u off... the film is a social realist type film, you know, life captured on camera type, its wot Hollywood has never been abt and wot Bollywood used to be abt.

I watch Bollywood now n then and knowing jack abt Bollywood I ask abt the performers, who's this, who's that, and they tell me, he's related to him, he is his son, she's her daughter, she's the mother of them both and its not long b4 that to you put together that only a few families between them have near total control over bollywood. The production companies, the distribution groups or any other parent, brother, sister companies... to a point the same ppl are involved and its very hard 4 sum1 new in any area to make a mark in bollywood and bollywood isn't small most of the world is its audience. Hollywood is the same, you just have to multiply everything (the good and the bad of Bollywood) by the power of 10 and you get to Hollywood's level the entire world is Hollywood's audience. Between them, they dictate world cinema.

This writers strike has helped other film making nations, Germany, Russia, France and even Korea now they always made quality films but coz of Bollywood n Hollywood they didnt always get a look-in. Now that Hollywood's production has been hit by this strike other countries can now get to showcase their talent such as Romania with this 4 Months 3 Weeks & 2 Days film.



Bah! I have little doubt that after watching you will list the 3rd in your Films That Shook Me thread.

Posted by: simplefable Mar 2 2008, 09:25 PM

No ..YM..i never said it that way. But the review i read was not palatable to me thats all.
I think it is strictly personal whether to let the life in you to see the world or not..



Really?? Now you made me very inquisitve indeed..Gonna watch it ASAP...
Hey..btw, have you watched the film i listed in that section?? I wouldnt put the first too also in that thread. They are common place entertainers.. arent they?

Posted by: Nidhi Mar 4 2008, 10:00 PM

'Mr. Brooks', i do remember having seen this movie a few months back. It is a sort of serial killer stuff with a sophisticated touch, not the gruesome stuff though. Kevin Kostner acts the lead role of a rich guy, who is stuck up with this mania of proving his adeptness at knocking off his victims just for the heck of it. A killer with a soft touch. Demi Moore is there too, in an almost inconsequential role.

'Awake'. It is an interesting plot, though in reality it may seem a trifle far fetched in present day medical practice in the West.

The other movie i had time to see was 'Breach'. Based upon the true story of FBI agent Robert Hanssen, who sold out to the soviets, names of soviet defectors & double agents, as well as other secrets which embarassed the US authorities no end.

I do have the following movies with me which i have not seen yet: 'There will be blood' , 'Enchanted', 'Sweeney Todd: The demon barber of fleet street', ' The Darjeeling Limited' & 'Things we lost in the fire'.

I asked a friend for some comedy stuff & he gave me a few old movies which i am not much aware of. 'The Early Bird', ' A stitch in time' & 'On the Beat' all starring 'Norman Wisdom' and another one 'Silent Movie' with Mel Brooks.

Lastly, i saw one Hindi movie which no one would have even heard of 'The Angrez', It was hilarious stuff based on the antics of two NRI's & a bunch of hyderabadi riff raffs. I enjoyed the hyderabadi language & comedy. Funny all the way through.

Posted by: YaarMere Mar 4 2008, 10:04 PM

William Hurt was cool in this.

Posted by: simplefable Mar 4 2008, 10:13 PM

Nidhi... I too watched The Angrez...kind of run away comedy. lighter kind. You will love Silent movie..it is a rip roaring film.. watch out for cameo roles of Paul Newman, Burt Reynolds..James Caan..Liza minelli..Marcello marceau...and others. Watched " early bird " too..kind of funny film.
My picks for comedy would be..." getting away with murder" starring Jack lemmon and Dan Aykroyd.., What about Bob starring bill murray..etc. Try ' with out a clue" starring Michael caine and Ben kingsley.. a spoof on Sherlock Holmes... it was so hilarious.

Posted by: Nidhi Mar 6 2008, 02:36 PM

'What about Bob' is a hilarious movie, i had seen it quite sometime back. 'Without a clue', i have it with me but am still to see it. I do have 'Fawlty Towers' the British comedy serial & did enjoy John Cleese's tongue in cheek approach to comedy.

At long last, I had the opportunity to see 'Brokeback Mountain' & 'The Illusionist' on cable. Brokeback, is a sentimental love story of a gay couple(actually they seem to behave bisexually in the movie). Though the movie is slow, Health Ledger has played the role of Ennis with aplomb.

'The Illusionist' is a lovely movie. It has everything that keeps one's interest; romance, thrill & very good visuals. Ed Norton does great as the illusionist. I did see his ' Painted Veil' too sometime back. It was another fine movie. With the Chinese red revolution as the background, it is about a doctor whose marriage is on the rocks & who has to deal with the outbreak of cholera in a village. Lovely visuals & a fine performance by Ed Norton. There is a very nice tag line for this movie 'Sometimes the greatest journey is the distance between two people'.

'Zodiac' is another movie, i had seen earlier. It's a very interesting film based on the true story of a serial killer.

'The Namesake' by Mira Nair is a very nice film. It is about the cultural gap between two generations of a family settled in the USA. Irfan Khan & Tabu have done a great job as the lead pair.

More later..............

Posted by: YaarMere Mar 8 2008, 12:46 AM

Made plans 2night to go n watch There will be blood. Im told that Day-Lewis is the same in this as he was in Gangs of NY... that was pure quality (Day Lewis and not the film).

Posted by: Nidhi Mar 8 2008, 01:40 AM

'There Will Be Blood'. I have just seen this movie. It's Daniel Day Lewis, all the way through. His performance is great. He really gets into the character of this ruthless oil drilling entrepreneur. When you look at his performances in his earlier films like 'The Last of the Mohicans', 'In the Name of the father' etc, you can make out the effort that he puts into his roles.. Look at the range of his characterisation, each one different. His role in this movie truly deserves the academy that he got. The movie itself is slow paced, not much of a story line, but Day Lewis keeps up the tempo.

I have with me two documentaries titled 'Why We Fight' & Naom Chomsky's 'Manufacturing Consent'. Both should be interesting.

Posted by: YaarMere Mar 8 2008, 06:20 AM

Class film! Class film! Im sorry, but I just have to do this:

"A bas*ard from a basket!... a bas*ard from a basket!" Lol!

It makes you think tho at the top, top level, if you're obscenely rich, sumwhere along the way you have had to pay heavily 4 it.

Posted by: Nidhi Mar 8 2008, 02:19 PM

To clear the confusion, that's a dialogue
from the movie.

As the saying goes 'Behind every great fortune there is a crime'. Of course, one can't generalise.

Posted by: YaarMere Mar 8 2008, 10:12 PM

Here's 1 more:

If I go there and find that you've wasted my time I'll come back and find you and take more than just my money back. Is that ok with you?

Posted by: Nidhi Mar 10 2008, 05:46 PM

As a rule i mostly avoid the animated movies, but a couple of days back i happened to see ' The Enchanted' upon being informed that it is only part animation. It is a sweet & entertaining movie for the whole family. You get thrown from animated characters into flesh & blood ones. Good animation, some nice visuals & lovely songs. Great entertaining stuff for the kids as well as for the dreamy eyed romantic ones.

Posted by: YaarMere Mar 10 2008, 07:34 PM

Serious? But why? I love them kinda films I mean dont get me wrong I wudnt go pictures n watch them but at home, Im all 4 it... maybe not Enchanted but you know, the good stuff like Shark Tale, Shrek (I cant think of anymore right now but I know there are more quality ones out there coz Ive seen a few).

Does this mean you've not watched Beowulf?

Posted by: Nidhi Mar 11 2008, 01:31 AM

'Beowulf'. I have it with me but could'nt make up my mind to watch it. I would one of these days.

Posted by: YaarMere Mar 11 2008, 04:43 AM

W8 4 a blu-ray or HD copy and even then you sud really watch it on a minimum 40inch tv otherwise you wont do it justice! Im not kiddin I watched this film with unqualified admiration, the skill n technology used in this is extra special.

Posted by: Nidhi Mar 11 2008, 10:12 PM

I am pretty sure that it would be a visual treat to watch such a movie on a blu-ray HD disc. But again I would need a 42" HD TV either Plasma or LCD (720p or 1080p) & for the added dolby or dts effect i would need a 6.1 exi dolby digital decoder / amplifier with the full quantum of 7 speakers plus a sub-woofer. I can well imagine the audio-visual effects, but alas it would make such a dent in my meagre financial resources, that i may be out on the streets. I would rather wait a wee bit longer before i go in for such an investment. For the present, your description of the effects will make me visit the local movie theater, which i have not gone to in ages.

But i always ask myself the question whether any movie that is worth seeing, is it worth going to see? I am one lazy couch potato.

Let's hear more of your reviews

Posted by: YaarMere Mar 12 2008, 05:53 AM

Lol! Nice. Touche even.



On Beowulf? Nothing much to review in all honesty. A film in the same genre 'ancient hero kills monster'. There are bits where its stupid and cheesy but just like 300 it gets away with it and remains entertaining. Simple and easy to enjoy. There's a mesmerizing witch with radiant red hair in the film, if you are intrigued by that (I am). It's a Canada, Iceland & UK co-production, the settings are at spectacular Iceland and the director whoever he is didnt need Hollywood or Angelina to tell a grim epic tale of manslaught and revenge.




They ought to, they're damn attractive I tell you. 4 sumthin that is all computer imagery there are times which fool you into thinkin that thatz live... that is a lot of man-hours, you can tell a lot of hard work went into this. Wots the rate, 30 frames per second? Thatz a few 100 computers plus a couple of super computers all rendering and processing effects, and it shows in the enhanced depth n texture of the film. Audio? There is this scene where you see gravel falling through a hand and you can hear every drop! My personal take on this is that this is the future generation of PS games (graphic wise).





Even if its a little mission... this 1 is totally worth it!

Posted by: Nidhi Mar 16 2008, 12:39 AM

August Rush(2007): This is a very sweet movie. You have romance & music, which keep it interesting & entertaining. It has a little bit of the 'Oliver Twist' type of tale interwoven into the main plot.

Derailed(2005): Clive Owen & Jennifer Aniston star in this thriller. An interesting movie with a twist to the tale. It has intrigue, suspense & action.

Posted by: behenji.turned.mod Mar 16 2008, 06:02 AM

i saw Stardust....another fairy tale movie....really liked it tho...far far better than enchanted

Posted by: humble_rafi Mar 16 2008, 01:42 PM

Stardust is a very charming movie.I watched it last week.Modern technology has enriched the movie's story with some nice graphics.

I loved Robert De Niro and Michelle Pfeiffer.

Posted by: Nidhi Mar 16 2008, 01:50 PM

I sure would like to see 'Stardust' as soon as i get hold of a copy.

Posted by: Nidhi Mar 17 2008, 09:02 PM

The Miracle Worker(2000). I had seen this TV movie a couple of years back. It was a lovely movie based on a particular period of Hellen Keller's life story. It is a very poignant & sentimental drama with great acting by the lead players. Hallie Kate Eisenberg & Alison Elliott did great justice to their roles as Hellen Keller & Annie Sullivan (teacher). A movie that is worth seeing. There were such movies based on Heller Keller in 1962 & 1979 too.

I rarely see Hindi movies. Sometime last year i had the opportunity of seeing a movie called 'Black' upon a friend's recommendation. I couldn't believe my eyes, that here i was watching blatantly plagiarised stuff with the role of the teacher being played by Amitabh Bachhan. There is no credit to either to the Hellen Keller institution or the movie. Worst of all i watched a television interview by Amitabh wherein he adores the great qualities of this guy Sanjay Leela Bhansali as a director. If there is an academy award for plagiarism then this movie should get it. Amitabh role was so melodramatic in comparison to Annie Sullivan's subtle & refined role as the teacher. I presume that both Amitabh & SLB got quite a few award for this movie. They are the true miracle workers.

Posted by: simplefable Mar 17 2008, 09:11 PM

Nidhi...I exactly know how you feel. I have the 1962 oscar winning version of Miracle worker in my collection. To be frank, most of the films coming out of Amchi Mumbai are totally plagiarized from english films. The only complaint i have is the least any director / Actor can do is to acknowledge the originals.. That doesnt lower them in any way. Which they doesnt seem to understand. I keep saying that there is no copy right in India, there only Right to Copy !!
I have seen many good films like The usual suspects etc in Hindi...and then the blatant true copy of the french film ' the dinner game" into Bheja fry, which was applauded as the most original creation !!
Recently, I happened to watch the film ' Dus kahaniyaan" ..and it was a real rip off. there are ten stories and the people who took credit for them are either in the opinion that Indian people are ignoramus..or that they can get away with it....they are stories taken from Roald Dahl, OHenry...you name it , they have it.. Life goes on.. .

Posted by: YaarMere Mar 17 2008, 11:06 PM

Leon too! Going through the channels I came across this. Sum 30 year old woman was pretending to be a 12 year old and it wasnt funny I tell you. I kept watching on coz I wanted to know who plays Gary Oldman's role... its was sum loser I kid you not, my stomach turned.

Posted by: simplefable Mar 17 2008, 11:12 PM

That is Bichhoo..and the actor was Ashish Vidyarthi. We want romance in a film and fights and masti...all wrapped into one impossibly illogical thing. Welcome to Bollywood..

Posted by: Nidhi Mar 19 2008, 04:37 PM

An office colleague gave me a DVD of 'Jodha Akbar'. After viewing the film for 45 minutes I hit the sack. The movie worked like a sedative, it was such a drag. The battle scenes were terrible & the acting of Hrithik Roshan in the role of Akbar was pathetic. They could have put him in Birbal's role which would have been more appropriate. Imagine an emperor wrestling with an elephant.

Posted by: simplefable Mar 19 2008, 05:21 PM

That is one fine Review Nidhi. I am afraid to go near the DVD. Especially after seeing Mughal e Azam, where Prithviraj Kapoor defined Akbar's role..there is no chance for anyone, leave along Hrithik.
Interestingly i remember an observation of those days...If you see the film even today, after Pyar kiya to darna kya song by madhubala, we can see Akbar's eyes turning redder...by the second, as if they are going to spit blood. When asked about that, Prithviraj kapoor said that he forced his feet against the floor, to bring the blood into his face..and eyes. Those are the days...

Posted by: YaarMere Mar 19 2008, 06:57 PM

Come on guyz we have a good little thing going on here lets not mess it up by bringing Bollywood into it.

Posted by: Nidhi Mar 19 2008, 07:33 PM

Sure YM. Just a little diversion to break the monotony

Posted by: YaarMere Mar 19 2008, 07:36 PM

I am truly grateful. I like this thread man.

Posted by: Nidhi Mar 19 2008, 08:48 PM

Amistad(1997): I don't know how i missed this great movie earlier, it was released in 1997. I came across it a year back at the dvd store. This is class stuff with excellent acting by Morgan Freeman & Anthony Hopkins. A good story & script. The dialogues are great, some of which are sure to touch a tender chord. A movie which one should not miss. I thought that Steven Spielberg was capable of making only those sci-fi & adventure stuff, not these type of movies.

There is a nice tagline for this movie: Freedom is not given. It is our right at birth. But there are some moments when it must be taken.

Posted by: simplefable Mar 19 2008, 09:27 PM

Nidhi...I too missed it out but saw it in 2000. It was indeed a poignant film. There were great performances all around..Leaving the stalwarts like Morgan Freeman and Anthony Hopkins..Djimon Honsou's performance is unforgettable. The intensity of his looks will haunt us for ever. What touched me deep was the main case of argument.."whether the cargo on board is a merchandise or not " ...How low can humankind stoop !! And to think that it is a real story ...
Spielberg has this touch always...remember ET...or Schindler's list.. He sure has the art to touch us.
And I came to know that though everyone was moved with the film., it was released in an inappropriate time and hence was not considered for an Oscar !! Thus the obscurity.. May be the producers should learn something from Clint Eastwood..

Posted by: humble_rafi Mar 20 2008, 01:26 AM

I have a copy of Amistad and guys when I watched it last year I was carried away by the way Spielberg has shown heinous system of slavery.

The courtroom drama by Anthony Hopkins was speechless.I read a lot abt Lisbon,where Humans were sold like animals, but this was the best movie which has explicitly shown the plight of man.

A must watch movie.

Posted by: Nidhi Mar 20 2008, 03:31 PM

The Water Horse:Legend of the Deep(2007): An adventure movie for the kids. Based on the tale of the Loch Ness Monster, it has the picturesque landscape of Scotland as the backdrop. A good entertainment for the entire family with some great visuals.

Posted by: Nidhi Mar 21 2008, 04:52 PM

Bee Movie(2007): That's a great animation. The kids would love it. The audio effects are a buzzing delight. The voice over's are very good too.

One dialogue from the movie: The lawyers are blood sucking parasites with a briefcase.

Posted by: Nidhi Mar 21 2008, 08:22 PM

American Gangster: The movie stars Denzel Washington & Russell Crowe. Denzel's performance as the gangster is very convincing. Though it is a long movie, director Ridley Scott keeps it interesting right upto the end. It is different from the routine gangster movies. The movie is based on the true story of gangster Frank Lucas.

Posted by: mmuk2004 Mar 21 2008, 09:22 PM

Have always wanted to see this movie...more so because the historical incident was the inspiration for the great short story by Herman Melville "Benito Cereno"(1857) where he uses this incident as an opportunity to comment on race relations. The main characters are Captain Delano, an American, who visits the ship of Benito Cereno, the Spanish captain and Babo, the African slave who has rebelled and has the captain of the ship captive. A great deal of the irony of the situation lies in the fact that Capt. Delano, who is the narrator of the story, completely misunderstands the situation and views Babo as the loyal slave who serves the captain.

Thanks to all the contributors of the thread and Nidhi for initiating this, read all the new additions with great interest.

Posted by: Nidhi Mar 23 2008, 10:14 AM

You are welcome, anytime.

Have any of you seen the movie 'The Four Feathers'(2002) directed by Shekhar Kapur? I presume it may be a good one.

Posted by: Nidhi Mar 23 2008, 05:54 PM

Return To Me(2000): That is one beautiful romantic comedy. It has some very touching moments too. I saw it again on cable . It stars David Duchovny (X Files fame) & Minnie Driver. Definitely worth watching. Watch it with your partner, you'll enjoy it.

Posted by: mmuk2004 Mar 23 2008, 07:34 PM

Alas, yes I have. Against all the bad reviews, I chose to go and watch it in the theatre(don't ask me how it managed to get a commercial release in the US) because there is always a little something in his movies that makes them different. It was terribly boring and I could not figure out a single reason why he would have made it. I have not read Mason's book and I do not know much about the context or the historical background so I may have missed the bus altogether.

Posted by: YaarMere Mar 24 2008, 05:35 AM

Madz have you read any of those Golden Compass books?

Posted by: YaarMere Mar 24 2008, 08:34 PM

The above is an open Q now... any1 can answer.

Has any1 even seen the film?

Posted by: mmuk2004 Mar 24 2008, 09:10 PM

No I have not. Have you seen the movie?

Posted by: YaarMere Mar 25 2008, 07:00 PM

I have. I came home after watching this at pictures and downloaded the audio book.

Posted by: mmuk2004 Mar 25 2008, 09:22 PM

Hmm.... maybe I should try out these audio books too, have never really tried them. I can listen to them on my long drives. Was thinking of putting those books on my reading list for Summer. They sound interesting...Parallel universes and animal spirits... As usual, critics have found the movie flat in comparison to the books. You must have found the movie interesting to have downloaded the audio.

Pullman had decided on Nicole Kidman as the "vamp" ten years before the movie went into production, and Kidman, after initially rejecting the role, decided to take it up when she received a personal letter from Pullman. By the way, Tom Stoppard was originally commissioned to write the script for the film but his script was rejected( ) and Chris Weitz was hired to write it from scratch. Weitz, a fan of Stoppard did not read Stoppard's script, so that he might not subconsciously take things from his script. Wonder what the movie would have been with Stoppard's script.

One of the controversies surrounding the film is that it promotes atheism amongst kids. Roger Ebert, a fairly well known critic in the US found it more complex and satisfying than the Ring trilogy.

Did you like the film?

Posted by: YaarMere Mar 25 2008, 11:44 PM

There are 3 parts to the book. I cudnt find the 2nd n 3rd parts but through sum blog I did find out the ending of the 3rd book. They kill God. Yes, they kill God and recreate Eden. The 2 children procreate. Thats no work of an atheist.

Spirits are described as demons in the film n book.

Posted by: Nidhi Mar 27 2008, 02:07 PM

Stardust(2007): The movie has everything in it that makes it enjoyable & entertaining. Great visuals. Even in a bit role Robert De Niro performs well. Michele Pfeiffer still looks as beautiful as ever, doesn't show her age. Entertainment for the whole family.

The Scent of a Woman(1992). I had seen this a long time back & i saw it again on cable. That's a great movie. Al Pacino all the way through, acting par excellence. He has performed the blind Lt. Colonel's role with great perfection & finesse. It makes one think how much of time he must have spent to observe & practice a blind person's daily routine. Imagine a blind man doing the Tango with a lovely lady, that's a lovely picturization in the movie. Some of the dialogues in the school trial at the end are awesome. The movie may be slow but truly class stuff.

Posted by: Nidhi Mar 28 2008, 04:23 PM

Parzania: Just watched the English version of this dramatic movie. Based on a true story, it shows what communal hatred & discord can do to the peaceful co-existence of religious communities. Of course, it does need an abetting & conniving administration. Though one may find it a little slow & sometimes depressing, the movie unfurls some of the dramatic & violent incidents of Gujarat 2002 quite realistically. Writer/Director Rahul Dholakia has done a good job of maintaining the viewers interest. Naseeruddin Shah & Sarika have performed well. American TV actor Corin Nemec as Allan the research student has performed fairly well. A movie worth watching.

P.S. This being an English version, i had to post the review here.

Posted by: YaarMere Mar 28 2008, 11:04 PM

This is England 9/10
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0480025/

"Run with the crowd, stand alone, you decide."

About a troubled boy growing up in Yorkshire in the eighties during the Falklands war. Personally I think its abt children who come from broken families and how it F up their future.

This black kid is there tellin his family story kinda thing, like how his dad works every hour of the week to keep food on the table and how his mum cooks, cleans and you know, bring the rest of the family up... this skinhead guy is there listening to all this and you can tell that he's gettin furious over how good this black kid has it compared to him, him being a bas*ard not a clue where his mother is or knowing any kinship at all he finally breaks n beats the poor black kid to death.

This is funny a little. The kid who plays the lead role in the film goes into a shop and says:

Give me a 100 fags, bottle of whisky, 10 cans of lager and sum cider(the shopkeeper knows him, same neck of the hood so he threatens to tell his mum if he doesnt leave to which the kids goes...) just give me wot I want you Paki bas*ard! Its just the way he said it... so funny.

Posted by: Nidhi Mar 31 2008, 02:27 PM

The Golden Compass: The movie is in the same genre as the Harry Potter series. Too much of the same thing becomes repetitive. The kids will like it. Not my cup of tea though.

Vantage Point: An interesting thriller. Nothing great, but it is ok. Dennis Quaid acts in the movie.

Posted by: YaarMere Mar 31 2008, 04:06 PM

Before the Devil Knows You're Dead - 2 brothers decide to rob their parents jewellery store and things dont turn out well. The film is a little slow paced but other than that it is really outstanding! *ring Philip Seymour Hoffman and Ethan Hawke. I rate Hoffman... guy is a quality actor.

Posted by: YaarMere Mar 31 2008, 04:19 PM

Wot did you make of the UN, sorry, I mean the Magisterium in the film?

Posted by: Nidhi Apr 1 2008, 10:31 PM

The UN is an impotent body. It is the US writ that calls the shots. The Magisterium seems more like the Papal authority during the inquisitions of the middle ages.

Posted by: YaarMere Apr 2 2008, 03:39 AM

US is just a tool in The Great Game.

Back to the film, I agree with you it was a bore! I was suckered in by a mate who promised that there were sum sick polar bear battles in the film but there was just that 1 fight (it was good tho, did you see his jaw flying off?).

Posted by: Nidhi Apr 2 2008, 10:49 PM

(IMDB)
Title taken from the Irish toast: "May you have food and raiment, a soft pillow for your head; may you be 40 years in heaven, before the devil knows you're dead."

That's a nice one

Posted by: Nidhi Apr 4 2008, 05:28 PM

A History Of Violence(2005): A violent but interesting movie with Viggo Mortensen in the lead.

This Is England: It's all about skinheads. It's a story about a boy who has lost his father in the Falklands war, getting inducted into the skinhead culture.

Posted by: Nidhi Apr 5 2008, 02:40 AM

Reign Over Me:That's a lovely movie. Though it is slow paced, it is a fine movie. Adam Sandler's excellent performance as the Psychologically affected guy who has lost his family in the 911 tragedy is the hallmark of the movie. Don Cheadle as his friend has done very well too.

Before the Devil Knows You're Dead: A Good story & some good performances maintain the interest in this slow paced movie.

Posted by: Nidhi Apr 12 2008, 02:05 AM

The Notebook(2004):That is one lovely romantic tale. It is a very slow paced movie, but it is a beauty.

Posted by: humble_rafi Apr 12 2008, 02:59 PM

I have not read the book-THE NOTEBOOK

But i have been told by a friend of mine that The Book is better than the movie,specially in the end when she comes to know that the story-teller is her lover and husband.

Overall its a good romantic movie to watch but nothing more than that from my point of view.

Posted by: humble_rafi Apr 12 2008, 03:05 PM

Love In The Time Of Cholera-After such a long time I have seen a very romantic and nice movie.I have decided to read this book after seeing the movie.For a long time i had been ignoring this movie but now i am happy to watch it.

Unlike most love stories this movie has a happy ending,thats the best part of the movie.Beside this,brief nudity has not been imposed to catch viewers rather it has inhenced the story.

Its a must watch movie.

Posted by: Nidhi Apr 12 2008, 10:30 PM

The Bank Job(2008): An interesting & enjoyable thriller. Never a dull moment. Based on a true story, it seems. It stars Jason Stratham in the lead role.

Posted by: YaarMere Apr 23 2008, 04:38 PM

Tombstone - It was going for £1.50 at HMV so I got me a copy.

Its a big 'European Night' in terms of football but after the match I plan on watching this. Abt the film? 2 words: Moustaches Galore.

Posted by: Nidhi Apr 23 2008, 05:54 PM

I did see the Kevin Kostner movie 'Wyatt Earp' which was quite interesting. More of a life story, starting off from his childhood. Yes, even that one was a moustache's galore.

Posted by: YaarMere Apr 24 2008, 05:59 AM

I'm Your Huckleberry Sick line. Tombstone is a damn good film and Val Kilmer is just fab as Doc Holliday.

PS - Johnny Ringo (Guy from the 1st Terminator film) easily has the best tache.

PPS - Am gonna use that Huckleberry line as my sig.

Posted by: Nidhi Apr 24 2008, 12:57 PM

Saving Grace(2000): I just viewed this light hearted British comedy. The story is about a middle aged lady who inherits a lovely house & a woeful of debts from her belated husband. On her gardener's advice she starts growing marijuana in her green house to get over her financial problems. One dialogue goes something like this ' When the manufacture & consumption of alcohol is legal, why should marijuana be illegal'.

Posted by: Nidhi Apr 24 2008, 06:58 PM

'A Good Year'(2006): That's a beautiful Movie. Russell Crowe does very well in this lovely romantic movie with the picturesque French vineyards as the scenic backdrop. Worth one leisurely evening. The background score is awesome, wait till the end titles are over.

Posted by: YaarMere Apr 25 2008, 03:16 AM

Because otherwise Amsterdam will lose its specialness

Posted by: Nidhi Apr 25 2008, 10:49 PM

Closer(2004): It's a movie for the mature audience. It is all about a foursome (2 couples) who are in & out of relationships between themselves. The director Mike Nichols has done an excellent job of an in depth characterisation of the four, their attitude & approach towards love & sex. The movie exposes the hollowness of the sentence ' I love You', its relevance & meaning in real terms. There is an interesting comic interlude between the two males on an internet chat. Some of the dialogues may seem too obscene & vulgar, but they are well in tune with the picturisation.
Clive Owen has given a remarkable performance. Julia Roberts, Jude Law & Natalie Portman have performed well too. A mature film.

Posted by: Nidhi Apr 26 2008, 03:46 PM

Love In The Time Of Cholera(2007): Nothing exceptional about the movie. The last 10 minutes are the interesting part. The rest of the movie just drifts along. The viewer would find it difficult to sustain his interest right through this 2 hr movie.

Posted by: Nidhi Apr 26 2008, 08:28 PM

Tombstone(1993): A good western based on Wyatt Earp's tale. Starring Kurt Russell & Val Kilmer in the lead it is fast paced & the background score is very good.

Posted by: YaarMere May 1 2008, 10:06 PM

Watched In Bruges the other day, its an alright film, a funny film, stars Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson as 2 hitmen sent to do a job by Ralph Fiennes who steals the show in his half hour work. Oh, there is a midget in the film too so theres a lot of piss taking going on... but I already said that its a funny film.

Posted by: Nidhi May 2 2008, 11:44 PM

The Mighty(1998): I saw this movie on cable today. It is a nice movie about two kids, both handicapped, one physically & the other mentally.

My Boy Jack: This too is a good movie made for TV. Lovely locales. The story is based on a tragic period in Rudyard Kipling's life. It is about a domineering father forcing his son who has a myopic vision into the armed forces during the first world war.

Posted by: Nidhi May 7 2008, 12:58 AM

September Dawn: It's a western with a difference. Based on the happenings in 1857 of the massacre at Mountain Meadows, the movie also incorporates a fictional love story in its main plot. It shows what religious madness can do to the mind set of people. Here it is between the Mormons & the gentiles. A nice movie.

Posted by: humble_rafi May 11 2008, 01:13 PM

Folks please add atleast a pic of the movie,while making comment.This will give additional info about the movie.

Posted by: Nidhi May 12 2008, 08:15 PM

Open Range(2003): The movie stars Kevin Kostner & Robert Duvall. The movie a western is also produced & directed by Kostner. Though lengthy & slow paced it has lovely picturesque landscapes of the prairies. It is an interesting movie. It is about cattle herding & land grazing disputes, with a little romance thrown in on the side.

Posting a snapshot of the movies on review requires the task of saving an image & uploading it. Personally, I don't think this is that important.

Posted by: Nidhi May 31 2008, 09:01 PM

Music & Lyrics(2007): That's a very enjoyable movie. It is a light hearted comedy with some nice songs sung by lead star Hugh Grant himself. Drew Barrymore has done her part pretty well, both complement each other.

Posted by: humble_rafi Jun 2 2008, 10:55 PM

Indiana Jones & The Kingdom Of The Crystal Skull (2008)

With great expectations I went to watch this movie in theater as I have seen all the previous 3 sequels but all my expectations were diminished as the movie progressed.

This time Russian spies are after Dr. Jones to get The Crystal Skull, A power that can get them the key to City Of Gold.I find nothing new about the movie, can't even see the impact of technology in it.The pace of the movie was slow.


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Posted by: mmuk2004 Jun 2 2008, 11:43 PM

Black Dahlia(2006)

Oomphy atmosphere of LA in the 1940s.

Based loosely on the real, famous unsolved mystery of the "Black Dahlia murder" of a girl savagely murdered in Los Angeles, the movie is actually based on a fictional book by James Ellroy. It is about two LAPD detectives, Bucky and Lee, nicknamed Fire and Ice, (Josh Hartnett and Aaron Eckhart) who are pursuing the case of a child rapist, but when the dismembered, mutilated body of an aspiring actress, Elizabeth Short, is discovered thrown in a field, Lee becomes obsessed with the case and switches him and his partner to this other case. Scarlett Johansson is Lee's fiance and there is the typical noir complication of the attraction between her and Bucky. She looks gorgeous hidden behind the fumes of her ever-present cigarette in her period costumes and hairstyle. Her role and acting are not ultimately punchy enough tho. Hillary Swank as the nervous, haggard femme fatale is superb... The film is gorgeously atmospheric, playing the noir features of light and shade, the cigarette fumes, the jazz music and the hard-boiled dark underworld that still manages to shock you with its revelations, to the hilt. Brian de Palma builds the atmosphere perfectly but somehow the movie is not satisfying. It has to do with the ending, which though dramatic enough, is too fantastic and neat. A must see for noir fans though.


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Posted by: Nidhi Jun 7 2008, 09:05 PM

Chaos Theory(2007):It's a story about an individual who believes in orderliness in all things in life. Who sets his life to clockwork precision. One day when his wife sets the clock ahead by 10minutes, chaos ensues in his life. During this chaotic transition he realises that all that he had believed earlier to be in order had actually totally gone wrong. So, he starts taking his chances & changes his lifestyle. The movie starts off as a comedy, but has it moments of sentimentality & sadness. An interesting movie worth watching. I presume it is a Canadian movie with an all new star cast. Some of the songs in the background are enjoyable.

Posted by: Nidhi Jun 9 2008, 05:18 PM

Fracture(2007):This is a very interesting & suspenseful thriller starring Anthony Hopkins & Ryan Gosling.
A good plot, interesting courtroom arguments & everything else to maintain one's interest in such thrillers.
Worth a watch. Good acting by the lead stars.

Posted by: humble_rafi Jun 17 2008, 12:51 PM

In Bruges (2008)

Its a story of two assassins who visit the city of Bruges in Belgium to hide.They are completely different from eachother, as the story progresses they get friendly and start appreciating eachother.But the destiny has something else for them.The last 20 minutes of the movie is full of chaos.

Initially the pace of the movie is very slow, but it gets better later.I will give 7 out of 10.


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Posted by: humble_rafi Jun 17 2008, 10:02 PM

Nidhi Ji, I haven't seen The Miracle Worker, but I have this information that Black is copy and paste of The Children Of Lesser God (1986).What i appreciate about black is the little girl, She was way too better than Rani and Bachchan in my opinion.

Posted by: humble_rafi Jun 17 2008, 10:14 PM

Memoirs of a Geisha (2005) : The story is about a Geisha(not a prostitute as the movie suggests) during and aftermath of World War ll.How a fisherman's girl learn the art of Geisha and become one of the most famous Geisha in Japan.

Many people have this view that its historically incorrect.This movie is beautifully made, It has shown the culture of Japan in that era meticulously.The pace of the movie is slow but I like the movie for it music and excellent cinematic scenes.I will rate it as 7.5/10


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Posted by: humble_rafi Jun 17 2008, 10:24 PM

Death At A Funeral (2007) : Its a beautiful movie with loads of witty humor, the best part of the movie is that every character is crafted eloquently.I laughed throughout the movie.We can hardly imagine, How hilarious a funeral can be.

There is a midget who proclaims himself as the lover of the deceased and blackmailed the deceased children for money, instead of paying him they kill him and put him in the same coffin and hence the story takes a turn.You better watch it to find out what happens in the end.I will give 9.5/10

A must watch comedy.


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Posted by: Nidhi Jun 19 2008, 12:43 AM

I have seen both 'Black' & 'The Miracle Worker'. Black is loosely based on The Miracle Worker, the Oscar-winning 1962 Hollywood movie about the life of Helen Keller and her teacher, Anne Sullivan. The great SL Bhansali has just switched the teacher's role to a male otherwise it just follows Helen Keller's story without acknowledging the fact though.

On the contrary Children of a Lesser God is a 1986 film that tells the story of a speech teacher at a school for deaf students who falls in love with a deaf woman who also works there.


Here are some excerpts from this site: http://www.sawf.org/bollywood/reviews/black.asp?pn=Bollywood&cn=31

The true story of Annie Sullivan's efforts to draw Helen Keller from her world of darkness and silence has been earlier made into a classic drama and movies. In 1962, William Gibson's drama, The Miracle Worker; In 1962, the movie “Miracle Worker” which won Oscar nomination for director Arthur Penn, and Oscars for Anne Bancroft (who played Anne Sullivan) and Patty Duke (who played Helen Keller); In 2000 “Miracle Worker” was made again with Hallie Kate Eisenberg as the young Helen and Alison Elliot excelling in the role of Annie Sullivan. Now Black in 2005 is yet another inspiration from the great life of Helen Keller (1880-1968).

The miracle worker in Black is Debraj Sahai played by Amitabh Bachchan. The blind and deaf girl, Michelle McNelly, is played by young Ayesha Kapoor, and later by Rani Mukerjee. The movie replicates all scenes of Michelle McNelly’s childhood from the Helen Keller’s story. It transcends after Debraj opens up Michelle’s dark and silent world to knowledge and understanding.

Sanjay Leela Bhansali blemishes it by not publishing the fact that the role of Michelle McNelly is based on the true life of Helen Keller and that Debraj Sahai is an inspiration of Anne Sullivan’s role in Keller’s life. As a matter of fact, it is insulting to the audience by not acknowledging this true story.

Posted by: mmuk2004 Jun 28 2008, 09:06 AM

Before Sunrise (1995) Richard Linklater

Was badgered by Shaibaal into watching this one... and am I am grateful he did. Okay if Shaibaal gets around to reading this one, he will stop recommending films to me... no badgering involved...just my exaggeration technique...

A lovely film, it is about two young twenty-somethings, who meet on a Eurorail, he is American and she is French and they start talking and decide to get down together in Vienna and spend the day together, as he has to fly back to the US, the next morning. Just the two of them talking about various things, parents, romances, choices and dreams. Does sound rather heavy-handed when you put it this way, but it is the way the film is handled, that is quite fascinating as it gives you a glimpse into the minds of this generation, not in a smart or a pretentious way, but just simply as they pass the day together. Don't really like American romances particularly about young people, this one is quite different.


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Posted by: mmuk2004 Jun 28 2008, 09:20 AM

And the best part...for the lazy ones... you can watch the whole film on youtube...

Posted by: Nidhi Jun 29 2008, 08:12 AM

There is a sequel to 'Before Sunrise'(1995), 'Before Sunset' (2004) with the same lead stars. Some consider this to be even better than the first one. Unfortunately, though i have both the movies, did'nt find the time to view them.

Posted by: shaibaal Jun 29 2008, 10:33 AM

Madhavi, you are right! No more recommendations...

Nidhi, I would actually recommend seeing the two movies back to back. I found both of them to be extremely engaging, the latter reflecting (again very well written, I thought) how one starts having doubts about the future with every passing experience as against the comfortable confidence (is that a legitimate expression?) in the earlier movie when they were much younger. I would not pick one over the other - especially since I can and have them both!

That said, it would be interesting to read your take on them. I am not good at writing reviews - or much else for that matter.

Posted by: YaarMere Jul 24 2008, 02:35 AM

Any1 been to watch The Dark Knight yet? It opens here this week but its been showing in US 4 a week now... any1?

Posted by: simplefable Jul 24 2008, 08:25 AM

Shaibaal..I did just that a couple of months ago.
You should really really enjoy the pace of both those films..It is like floating in your favourite swimming pool. What you said is absolutely true...The first if filled with the devil-may-care youth..and the second one is kind of restrospect..looking back on the times gone by and the ruminations.. Just see that you have plenty of food around you so that you need not get up in the middle.. Wonderful recommendations .




YM..personally i havent seen that one. It has been released in local language out here..
Nephew saw it in US..and says it is an out and out Heath Ledger's flick..

Posted by: YaarMere Jul 24 2008, 05:37 PM

Everybody is sayin that he pulled of the joker as good as Nicholson did and arguably better... there are even talks of a posthumous oscar 4 the guy.

????? They do that over there? I thought it was just punks who did stuff like:

Posted by: simplefable Jul 24 2008, 07:52 PM

This really takes the cake.

Actually the Film studios themselves turned distributors in India, and they got this brilliant idea to dub the films and release. Can you imagine Heath ledger..talking in Telugu ?

Posted by: shaibaal Sep 3 2008, 11:33 PM

Hi Simplefable,

Sorry - have been away and just saw your message recently. I saw these two reviews too that I liked - probably because they had nice things to say but are also insightful.

Glad you liked the movies.

http://video.google.ca/videoplay?docid=-6939666637240976435&ei=nM--SKy8HY2q_AGK_emBCg&q=before+sunrise&vt=lf&hl=en

http://video.google.ca/videoplay?docid=4836125324670785688&ei=_s--SM-bK4GE-wGd-bSRCQ&q=before+sunset&vt=lf&hl=en

Posted by: mmuk2004 Mar 9 2009, 12:10 PM

W. 2008

Saw W. Strange film. I am still wondering why Oliver Stone chose to make it. It is about George W. Bush, it opens with Bush in a baseball field with a voice in the background announcing him as the 43rd president of the US and Bush looking for an applause/audience that is not there and ends with him missing a ball he expected to catch, throwing back a look of surprise at the audience.

Apart from this satirical framing of of the narrative, the film is pretty restrained, considering its subject matter and the fact that it is an Oliver Stone film. It is not savagely satirical, nor is it analytical, instead choosing to play out Bush's early life and his eventual road to the Presidency in a sort of straight biographical fashion that keeps fairly close to the facts.

In a non-linear fashion, it opens with Bush in the White House inching towards his decision to invade Iraq and is interspersed with his early struggles, namely with alchoholism, his inability to hold on to any job and his troubled relationship with his father(a little too obvious and pat, and a trifle heavy-handed in typical Oliver Stone fashion). It follows his early debacles and his progress towards sobriety, faith, Laura Bush and finally the White House, and tries to link them to his eventual Iraq blunder egged on by Cheyney and Rumsfield, uncomfortably protested by Powell, and impassively allowed by Condoleezza Rice.

Nothing new there, the images that stand out are the strangely smiling, passive/impassive figures of Condy Rice and Laura Bush as they allow Bush to blunder on. I wonder why Stone seems to want to hold them responsible for Bush's blunders. Or for that matter why Bush senior becomes a sort of moral touchstone in his son's world controlled by Cheneys and Roves.

It is a subdued film about a mediocre man who becomes one of the world's most powerful figures. And it is not comfortably distanced by history. It does not deliver the punch through satirising Bush, it does not analyse him either, maybe the blow is aimed at the audience as it holds a mirror to it for choosing such a man to become their president. Alas, Oliver Stone cannot resist donning his prophetic robes, this time in a very controlled fashion though... but that is also the reason why his films are so fascinating.

Not completely satisfying but fascinating nonetheless...

Posted by: mmuk2004 Apr 14 2009, 11:47 PM

Burn After Reading (2009)

Okay the critics sound pretty annoyed with the misanthropic tendencies exhibited in the Coen brothers comedies, and this one seems to have no heart and only cruel laughter. It comes as more of a shocker after the brooding No Country for Old Men. A spy thriller spoof, it has all these props, glittering CIA office, glittering shoes, glittering floors, laconic men, a Russian embassy appropriately manned by thick-set men sporting thick Russian accents and it has all these talented actors playing dunderheads and "bitches" and "SOBs" and clearly having a good time. Cloony is good as the happily married man having an affair on the side and starting another one over the internet, Brad Pitt is good as the pleasant, empty-headed gym instructor who has his ears plugged with music most of the time and Tilta Swinton is good as the cold bitchy wife of Malkowich who is having an affair with Clooney. Fraces McDormand is even better as the not-so-bright gym instructor Linda Litzke, who is worried about getting the insurance to pay for her cosmetic surgery and about getting the right online date. And John Malkovich, as the cold, pissed off, CIA agent, Princeton '73 batch who is demoted from his job because of his drinking problem, is,IMO, the best. It is indded a cruel comedy, with not too much heart. Yet there is Richard Jenkins' yearning for Mc Dormand, there is Mc Dormand's yearning for the right date and the right body, and even a hint of yearning in the little boy lost petulant fit Clooney throws when he finds out about his wife. That might not add up to much heart, but the details, the Coens' strong point, are pretty heartening, the Princeton 73 details, Linda's conversations with the Insurance company, Linda's conversations with the plastic surgeon...The movie is not their best but it makes no sense to miss out on a Coen brothers film.


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Posted by: mmuk2004 Apr 17 2009, 11:54 PM

[attachmentid=270828]Marley and Me 2008

Watched this film with my daughter keeping a close eye on me making sure that I watched and absorbed each scene of this movie that she had watched a couple of times already and wanted to impress me with Warning to parents whose kids are trying to emotionally blackmail them into getting a pet and who are about to give in: Do your kids a favor and don't see this movie.

One of the most destructive/manic dogs I have seen on screen, and then he melts his owners' hearts with his eyes! Kind of gives an insight into all dog-owners' psyche...reminded me of my angelic-looking lab who used to bite people randomly and adored us... The film is not really mushy, it is down to earth about the couple, their three kids and dog and their life. Anniston and Owen William are pretty believable in the film. The dog thankfully does no rescues and is involved in no mush (except the ones he chews up and err.. .poops out...). One of the better dog movies, and I have seen many , it is rather long, but like it or not one does feel mushy-eyed in the end.


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Posted by: mmuk2004 Apr 19 2009, 09:39 AM

Recommended by Rajnish:

Sita Sings the Blues 2008

A marathon effort by Nina Paley, she wrote, directed, produced and animated this 1:20 hr. film. This animation retelling the Ramayana with a feminist twist with the author's story serving as a parallel story is entertaining , imaginative and irreverent. Its mingling of various art forms. Rajasthani paintings, shadow puppets and the voice of the 1920s jazz singer Annette Hanshaw to retell the story contrasting the modern and the ancient tales of abandoned women, is very innovative and entertaining. Really liked the shadow puppet's commentary framing the narrative as they commented on the epic, with their modern day sensibility, sometimes mixing facts, giving their own take on it, extending to references beyond the epic's themes. I am sure that the images are not just taken from Rajasthani paintings, some of the Sita and Hanuman pics seem straight out of calender art (Indian panwala style ) with its garish colors and abundance of lotuses. Will have to see that film again to check out what other stuff has been used to get that pastiche spirit that is the most exciting thing about the movie.

Here's some more info on the pic: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sita_Sings_the_Blues

You can watch it here: http://www.thirteen.org/sites/reel13/indies/indie-sita-sings-the-blues/241/


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Posted by: Faraaj73 Apr 19 2009, 03:28 PM

This looks really interesting. Ebert is my favourite reviewer and he has praised this film to high heaven on his blog and invited it to screen at his film festival.....thanks for the intro Madhavi.....

Posted by: r&d Apr 21 2009, 09:26 AM

Madhavi,

Yes I saw it. It is not for me.
animation wise it is very good, jazz songs are cool.
I don't like the narration of dumb Indians trying
to explain Ramayana to white people.

The question that came to me about the movie
is why would American girl look for answers for love problems
in 5000 year old text about a virtuous King.
But I think it is latest Feminist fashion to look for
Indian goddess for inspiration. Even though the story is not very feminist.
I mean why not take Helen for inspiration. But funny thing
about Trojan war is that recently I read an article in which
historians stated that Greek kings were hoarding women
and that Trojan War was really about stealing women for Troy.
Now that changes the complexion completely but I am sure
no one will retell that story.

Posted by: mmuk2004 Apr 22 2009, 10:43 AM

Yes, just checked his review.

Posted by: mmuk2004 Apr 22 2009, 10:49 AM

Rajnish,

Thank you for the detailed comment. I agree with you that the parallels between the Sita and the Nina stories are very thin. That was the first thing that struck me in the film. No Laxman in the vanvaas either!

However, if you are not looking for distinct parallels, but instead read the story as it gets contextualized in the abandoned girl's mind, who picks up the Ramayana and empathises with Sita, seeing herself in her, it works, at least for me it did. The film's tagline is "The greatest break-up story ever told", she makes an epic story about her own break-up and the mode is comic.

The feminist take on the Ramayana is not original, Sita's plight has been analysed and commented upon in many texts and contexts. Witness our own Bollywood take on it (one of the many) :"Agnipariksha le kar bhi/Sita ko kiya na maaf Ram, Ye Kaisa insaaf" etc.

It is funny, I assumed that the director was of Indian origin when I saw the film. Now I wonder how she picked such a strange combination of Indian art forms to bear upon the story. Need to see the film again.

For me the originality of the film lay in the fact that she personalises the story and remakes it in the context of a modern sensibility that is far more fractured. The commentaries by the shadow puppets are not just missteps and gaffes but also extend the epic's perspective to bring the present to bear upon it (The Ayodhya Temple and communal riots e.g) That, I don't think, will ring many bells for a naive western audience. At times the commentary is irreverent, at times serious, and at times informative. And then she mixes up so many art forms in the retelling of the tale, that for me was the most original part of the movie.

It is not a great movie, but it is original and entertaining. And the long struggle NP had with the copyrights for the songs, and the decision to release it for free are all kind of refreshing details that add to the allure of the ...okay hype of the movie.


Regarding the Helen story: Hers was the face that launched a thousand ships... and in many texts Paris is called a common thief Besides, to be fair, there have been many feminist takes on Helen's role and position in the Trojan war.

Posted by: hildebrand Apr 25 2009, 09:20 PM

definitely a good one. My favourite movie of 2008 (it released in 2008 here!). Lovely black comedy.

Posted by: hildebrand Apr 25 2009, 09:22 PM

I have this movie and plan to watch it soon. Interesting review Madhavi.