OK Computer (8/10) (2021)

My current favorite series is the Hindi tongue-in-cheek sci-fi comedy set in India of 10 years from now. It is very nerdy, and low budget, so not for everybody. But think of ‘District 9’. In fact, I will put it closer to ‘Love, Death, and Robots’ but with a more extensive social commentary through comedy. In fact it starts with a self-driving car smashing a person into pav-bhaji. 

Writers include Anand Gandhi, and actors include Vijay Verma and Radhika Apte who have played their roles well, but the highlight is Kani Kusruti who has an interesting background (Kusruti means mischievous in Malayalam, a name she took for her board exams), and it almost seems as if some aspects of her real life, twisted for the story, are intertwined. Jackie Shroff features in half the episodes, and there are cameo’s by the likes of Tanmay Bhat, Kunal Kamra, and hell, even one of my science idols V S Ramachandran! It has not-so-hidden references to organizations in the US,  and aspects from Three Body Problem and or Ready Player One. It would almost seem like a spoof, and yet it is not given the subject it is tackling.

It is like one of those special series that have become a popular format these days, with the first season being 6 episodes. All 6 episodes were released in Mar 2021 on Disney/Hotstar. IMDB mentions Season 2, but I have not seen any details …

I have not finished the series yet, and may update the review later.

OK Computer (8/10) (2021)

Star*Men (2015) (7/10)

I had the pleasure of watching the movie directed by Alison Rose at Caltech’s Beckman Auditorium, followed by Q&A with two of the stars Donald Lynden-Bell and Nick Woolf, and the director. These two along with Roger Griffin and Wallace Sargent formed a quartet of British astronomers in their mid-twenties who found themselves together at Caltech in Pasadena the 1960s as postdocs and went on to become shining astronomers, through, what Wal would call hard work. Their passion for astronomy and travel saw them do many road-trips then. Fifty years later they decided to revisit some of those places, and Star*Men is a documentation of that.

Watching it at Caltech with fellow-astronomers was special. It was good to see Donald Lynden-Bell on stage answering questions about what he would do today and what he thought of space explorations and humanity and all that. I first met him about twenty years ago at IUCAA, India when I was a graduate student myself, and he does not seem to have aged a bit. That is what is also reflected in the movie as they travel and talk about some of their thoughts about, well, the life, the universe, and everything. I had the privilege of interacting with Pandit Wal at Caltech with whom I could chat about quasars as well as cricket. While there are many great astronomers, as also other professionals in different fields, the story shows how the bond of friendship between these four and the world outside astronomy - if connected by astronomy - stayed strong for five decades. Though they do not discuss much science, I hope it conveys to the young watchers their fascination for it and perhaps helps them gravitate to it. 

Star*Men  (2015) (7/10)

The Game (1997) (7/10)

Riveting, compelling at the start. Then for a little bit it seems a bit like those internet puzzles where all you are supposed to do is to figure out going to the next step. But this is not exactly like that since the next step comes to you. Its too elaborate, and has too much confidence in the deductive and follow-up powers of the victim. The initial seduction to the idea is of course based on curiosity, and the ability to be sucked in no matter how aloof you consider yourself to be. A few twists, but again a bit too elaborate and big and too realistic. One wrong turn and poof. But no, everything seems well executed. The victim does not realize whats happening at all.

The Game (1997) (7/10)

The Man Who Knew Infinity (2015) (7/10)

A biopic about Srinivas Ramanujan (born 1887), the story had to mostly stick to facts. But there was enough drama in Ramanujan's life, not to mention the dramatic mathematical formulae he conjured one after another. Liberties have been taken about relative ages of people involved but that seems to help in keeping the focus on his life and mathematics. Only a little discussion of actual mathematics ensures that people will not get repelled by it. There is enough broad-stroke discussion to try to give the general audience a rough understanding of what Ramanujan managed despite troubling conditions.

At one point Hardy says: 'We can not converse in Tamil', to which Ramanujan replies: 'But you would want me to converse in English'. All the characters do use English in the movie, and the retort is ironic because Dev Patel playing Ramanujan does not speak Tamil.

The balance of proof (necessity of) and intuition comes out nicely. Ramanujan wants to run away with intuition but Hardy would like to reign him for the sake of concrete progress within Ramanujan's life-time. Intuition, or drawing together diverse facts subconsciously, happens best when you are at ease. Ramanujan though, seems to have managed it despite troubles of all colors. I guess it is the focus that he could muster would have played a large part.

Its a pity that a journey through the lost notebook can not be shown to all like Indiana Jones going after the lost arc. But I did feel after seeing the movie that it would be fun to dabble again a bit in Pure Maths. The abstract joy of even rediscovering connections known for a long time is unparalleled.

The recent - and continuing - story of Mochizuki's work on the abc conjecture tells us how the world has drawn away from purely intuition based works. Clearly Mochizuki would have had intuitions about his Frobenioids, but he had to also put together a proof for his solution. No more isolated romanticism as the world is too connected. Or is it?

The Man Who Knew Infinity (2015) (7/10)

Dharm (2007) (6/10)

The movie is set in Varanasi, the point which connects heaven and hell through Earth, a place that transcends the three worlds. It is a place of highest religious ordeals on the one hand, and a place with dense hindu and muslim localities with not infrequent skirmishes on the other (and the Buddhist Sarnath is not too far off). The city (a town really) is junk if you are not looking at it from Pauranik goggles. I have personally talked to priests there who speak nothing but Sanskrit, and I have seen dead rats on narrow alleys, and calfs tied to one of the umpteen Shivlingas that the city is home to.

The story is about a Brahmin who is staunch and genteel. His life is somewhat changed when an infant is left at their doorstep and they have to take care of him. It changes even further when the mother shows up a few years later to reclaim the child. Without leaving his dharm, his stringent vows he learns to transcend the narrow interpretation of some of the scriptures he has been following. For him its a journey which justifies the change in his behavior. For some others its not so obvious.

The acting of the main actors is great, and the story line is timely. Worth a look. 

Delhi Belly (2011) (7/10)

The Delhi, The Belly. I hate you like I love you. Many people may find it a bit crass due to its language (really?) or perhaps due to the anatomy figuring - no, not raw, just figuratively, and, yes, a bit audibly. But its a fast paced, well acted, case with some simple but interesting twists. It has all the interesting parts - smugglers, airlines, hotels, guns, love, break-up, blackmail, policemen, burquas, diamonds and a few other things that are needed for a twisty, fast, irrelevant movie. There is Amir Khan thrown in the end as well. Hate him, or love him, you can't ignore him.

Shaun of the Dead (2004) (6/10)

A British comedy about ordinary folk in extra-ordinary conditions viz. surrounded by zombies. Some parts are funny, most others are mundane. But its different. Sometimes it is difficult to tell apart the zombies, and that is one of the points. Its only 99 minutes and would have been a drag had it dragged on. The romance aspect is what keeps the world together, whether you are alive, half-alive, about to be zombified, or actually a zombie. And Shaun is no exception ...

Prometheus (I) (2012) (5/10)

A thoughtless movie about alleged origin of humans (or human DNA to be precise) seeded from "far flung dark part of the universe" which is of course a constellation within our own Galaxy. The journey to this place is actually completely uneventful with a wealthy geriatric, a commander, two scientists, two engineers, three people running the ship and an obviously HALsque persona.

On the distant planet (or its moon actually) which they reach without encountering anyone else, they meet strange things which I will not go into to save the suspense except for saying that advanced species are unlikely to do that (they may, no, will, have wars, but this wasn't war - it seemed to have no purpose). The good thing was that they do not conjure up additional people who will get killed when the time comes (like in 'Lost').

Clearly there is to be  a sequel. Saying that all will be revealed there is equally senseless if the first movie is simply meant as an intro to the characters and ill-posing the question itself. Overall, a blot in the name of sci-fi (or even sci-fantasy). What, you say its just about aliens? May be so, but apart from a different location, and an alleged different purpose, what is the difference? 

Looper (2012) (5/10)

The movie has an interesting premise - sending unneeded people back in time to be killed by hired guns. The people sent back are sent back with payment for the "job". Sometimes you have to have this killers killed and that is precisely where the problem begins - as one would expect.

If they had restricted themselves to the loops and created as many paradoxes and complexities as they wanted, it would have been fine. But they bring in the supernatural in terms of telekinesis which takes the plot for a ride and makes the movie passe from potentially good.

The Thirteenth Floor (1999) (7/10)

It starts with an intriguing concept of building a simulation of the past with lifelike beings. It naturally shifts to allowing the programmers to interact with this unreal world. So far nothing out of the ordinary. But then there are hints of the beings in the simulated world realizing that they may not be real. The fun starts there with one such being in particular wanting to climb into the real world.

The way the consciousnesses are exchanged between the two worlds, it makes interesting things possible, and the story is built around that with many loops, seeming exceptions, and a good handling of the concept. The simulation part is in a vague way like that in 'matrix', but the mechanism bears a closer resemblance to  'Being John Malkovich' and definitely to many aspects in 'The Mind's I'. How do I know I am not someone's dream.

talaash तलाश (2012) (5/10)

talaash तलाश is a Aamir Khan movie in which he seems to hang the principles people seem to suppose he possesses. Some spoilers after this sentence completes, so don't read beyond the fullstop if you plan to watch the movie but just be warned that it is not worth watching anyway. The acting is good, the story seems good initially but then it starts clinging to supernatural stuff, the last thing the Indian masses need from someone like Aamir. The movie is slow in the middle though it keeps moving. Some inexplicable bits are interspersed and some mysterious ones, essentially deliberate wrong leads.

The dog right at the start suggests something supernatural but it seemed more alien like - but I guess that is a bit too much to expect. Mediums, and ghosts, and opening car doors inside water despite the large pressure. This is not what one has come to expect from Aamir. But he is a showman, said someone. Really? Isn't he in idol? The review may be a bit misdirected, but somewhat on purpose. तलाश - द लाश.

Sound of Heaven: The Story of Balgandharva (2011) (6/10)

The film is somewhere between a documentary and a movie. Upto the interval it moves connectedly, building a picture, and then the director is in a hurry to show all the remaining important bits in the life of the great singer 'Balgandharva' mostly through the actions of others, especially in the later part of his life.

The story of the inseparableness of males roles of females in the plays is brought out, but many other aspects are inexplicable. While Balgandharva's sticking to his guns (lavishness on the stage, not accepting gift money) may seem principled on the one hand, his manner of throwing away the money is again strange. I am not sure which part of it is the directorial license. Same is true with his scene with his wife. It has to have bene imagined by the director since there is no way it could have been communicated to anyone, or through anyone.

Most of the songs are good as are many of the performances, but the jumpy nature of the story ensures that you will not remember many of the performers.

Gladiator (2000) (6/10)

After a journey to Rome recently I gathered enough courage to watch Gladiator. Or rather felt obliged to watch it. Not unexpectedly, it did not turn out to be the grand movie. The sets and the settings are good, and so is the acting. The complex character of Commodus is brought out rather well. But the other characters, including Maximus often seem undecided, and hence human. May be that was intended. Not much of Rome shown, not much of the senators shown. That makes it a rather one-track story-line. Sure, there are a couple of twists, but these are trivially overcome - at least in the movie.

Why don't slaves revolt? Why don't people revolt? Why don't we revolt?

Gladiator (2000) (6/10)

The Maiden Heist (2009) (5/10)

An attempted comedy involving three guards in an art museum who are in love with an art piece each. When they learn that those pieces are among the ones to be moved to Denmark, and that this was decided without consulting them, they decide to take things in their own hands. Of course the plan goes a little awry. Not too many complications or twists. The Maiden Heist (2009) (5/10)

Just Go with It (2011) (6/10)

A fun comedy, where you go along just as the title says. One white lie leading to another, just compounded by the forced accomplices also wanting their share of the white lies. As usual things don't turn out the way they are supposed to be, one thing leads to another. It all start with a rich person wooing a young woman. She thinks he is married and he has to convince her that he is going to get divorced. And then he has to convince her. Just Go with It (2011) (6/10)

Being There (1979) (8/10)

A fabulous movie starring Peter Sellers with a very straight face and absolutely no intensions save some gardening perhaps. A man who has not stepped outside his house until he is a man is asked to do so, and he does. Chance takes him(self) to meet many different people. He is so blank that he unknowingly gets mistaken for a mirror with people getting the vibes they want. For that reason alone it does not seem farfetched. One metaphor can apply to so many situations. There are a few twists and the suspense almost kills. The power of few words is apparent. If only people could shut up they could reach so much higher. Being there is important, not saying it. Eve, and Bobby, and the attorney, and the doctor all play their roles. The transformation in Ben is amazing. And it really comes from the inside. Life is indeed a state of mind.

Being There (1979) (8/10)

The Englishman Who Went Up a Hill But Came Down a Mountain (6/10) (1995)

A feel good movie about the war times when a Welsh village is about to lose their latest asset owing to two Englishmen just doing their job. The towns folk set about the task of convincing (or is it duping? or is it just transmitting their point of view?) the duo about "reconsidering" their execution of their job. They do it in a perfectly Gandhian way - non-cooperation. Romance is thrown in, and some rules to the air. Making a mountain out of a mole? You have come to the right spot.

The Englishman Who Went Up a Hill But Came Down a Mountain (6/10) (1995)

Eyes Wide Shut (1999) (6/10)

A nonlinear story about an individuals moral issues with extramarital sex. Good performances and suspenseful stuff of secret societies keep it intriguing. An individuals foray into an area where he does not belong. He seems to realize that, and yet keeps on getting drawn. And then there are the pangs of having endangered a few lives in the process. Stanley Kubrick.

Eyes Wide Shut (1999) (6/10)

Of Gods and Men AKA Des hommes et des dieux (6/10) (2010)

A group of missionaries (monks of Tibhirine) living in Atlas mountains in Algeria peacefully near a muslim village in the 1990s when terrorists threaten the well being in general, and perhaps the Christian priests in particular. Its a slow moving movie as the situation warrants - with the priests deliberating whether they should leave and thinking what their mission is, what they are headed for and so on. There is always the possibility of their being kidnapped or killed. Some of them go through phases of wanting to leave, but a couple are steadfast that they won't including the medic priest.

The encounters are a bit documentary like because they are real but the acting is superb, and the icing is the bit during their "last supper" when they have all decided to stay - a piece from Tchaikovsky's ballet, Swan Lake (10th movement, the first from Act II: Scene: Moderato).

While the discussions of the priests are shown in fair detail, the other side is shown just in sketches, and their encounters have no discussion as such (perhaps as is likely to happen in a real-life situation when at least one side has its views fixed). I would have liked to see more on those lines though.

Of Gods and Men AKA
Des hommes et des dieux (6/10) (2010)

The Fifth Element (1997) (7/10)

A fun movie. Sci-fi with the usual space ships, evil, aliens, magic antidote and so on, but also humour. In fact on one level it seems like a parody of many other serious counterparts to itself. The fifth element needs to be combined with the other four. But the fifth element happens to be alive. I do not know if it is fair to say, but Bruce Willis seems a lot like Indiana Jones but for the background. Not too much acting is needed as there is enough action. Many things about the evil and the aliens go unexplained as usual.

The Fifth Element (1997) (7/10)

Æon Flux (2005) (6/10)

A futuristic sci-fi movie where a dying world was saved by a scientist and all the saved people are living in a huge city separated from nature. This continues for 400 years but something has been brewing. The action is too fantastic as is often the case when anything is dubbed futuristic, and so are some of the gimmicks. Its always the right people with the right implements. Including the magnetic balls, in-brain communication, the non-distributed master database.

What I did like about the movie was its premise, which is plausible, but also mainly the solution that comes about. Many times time is a very good solution to many problems provided no destructive interference is being brought about.

Æon Flux (2005) (6/10)

The NeverEnding Story (1984) (5/10)

The story has a weak premise of interactive stories, as usual in another dimension. A school and a home are shown for an excuse but it is really about rescuing a princess who is awake just a for a few minutes throughout the movie. Its more about a boy who has to go on a quest for the princess just because her uncle says so. His character does not get built. There are a bunch of other characters thrown in for effect which they summarily fail to. What is this a mix of? Alice in wonderland, Wizard of Oz and Spongebob or something like that

The NeverEnding Story (1984) (5/10)

Enemy Mine (1985) (4/10)

Netflix thought I would like this. So much for their AI algorithms. It is sci-fi (really? it was more about emotions - first anti, then for and the usual violence thrown in for good measure - just good old earth -on any part of it for that matter - in a different setting), it is based in outer space, it has aliens. Are the criteria so simple?

It is about species, ugliness (of the body, of perception and of the mind) and perhaps goodness (or is that just the residual when ugliness leaves?). In short, you can avoid this. Why did I spend time writing this? Perhaps just to indicate that some good is still left in me.

Enemy Mine (1985) (4/10)

From Paris with Love (2010) (5/10)

Eiffel tower is shown a couple of times, a drive past Seine once but otherwise this movie could have been shot anywhere. I deplore the use of one of my favorite city's name in this fashion. The movie has elements of espionage and something like a plot but many holes. But clearly like many Hindi movies you are supposed to ignore that and just go gaga over the violence and the attendant nonchalance. Bottomline: if you like guns and shootings and brawls, this is for you. If not, perhaps you could give it a miss.

From Paris with Love (2010) (5/10)

The Color of Magic (2008) (6/10)

Had decided to watch this for my love of Terry Pratchett though from past experience I knew that movies don't live up to their print counterparts - and I had not read the book. I wasn't disappointed in what I had thought. The movie was complex enough and many of the usual characters were there - including a troll and the sentient luggage (knowing about diskworld is useful) but it is difficult to bring about the humour in the text. Did get to the see the circumfence and the rimbow though. A lot that should be left to imagination escapes like spells from book of magic and then is not as effective somehow. The tourist lives up to one and is by far the star, if unintendedly. I will leave the turtles be.

The Color of Magic (2008) (6/10)

Never Cry Wolf (1983) (7/10)

An unlikely lone ranger or rather a lonely biologist out in the arctic sent to locate the Canis Lupus Arctos. Hunt the caribou hunters, he is told. Crisp description, half in a report format, half in a diary format leaves a bit to be desired. Thankfully the no-nonsense natural surrounding left untouched makes up for it. Encounters with the Inuit, learning of their wolf tales, and understanding of their relationship with the Caribou gradually comes out. Interesting situations develop where the protagonist needs to assert himself in the lupine territory and when he discovers the caribou that the wolves actually eat and has to follow suit if only as an experiment to give credence to his observations. The bad human angle in the end seems overdone (though an equivalent is likely to be undoubtedly true).

Based on a book which is based on facts. Same name. By Farley Mowat.



Never Cry Wolf (1983) (7/10)

Peepli [Live] (2010) (6/10)

A movie dealing with the current problem of farmers being driven to suicide by dwindling resources and a nonexistent support system. It is a serious problem. The movie attempts to bring out the seriousness by showing it in a lighter vein by highlighting the apathy of the media and the politicians. That has come out very well. Two statements standout in the whole movie. One where an established journalist tells a novice what journalism is. Not very convincingly, but she clearly is happy that she could state it and definitely believes in it. The second is by the agricultural minister about promises and their implementation or unneed thereof.

One thing that was lacking from the whole mela was the NGOs. How could they not be there in the whole affair. The answer that two conversations brought out was that it is an NGO movie and you cannot make light of other NGOs.

Peepli [Live] (2010) (6/10)

haapus (2010) (6/10)

In haapus (Alphonso) they have tried to deal with a pertinent problem of the money not reaching the people who go produce as well as trying to dismantle, if only a little, the hold that astrology has on people. However its been mixed with comedy partly based on twins and with too fantastic a transition that comes about towards the end. Add to it the trauma of a past accident, a mother on the deathbed and so on. So, while it is not a masala movie in the usual sense, there is a lot of its own masala in it. To black and white in some sense.

haapus (2010) (6/10)

Following (1998) (8/10)

This short film (70 minutes) by Christopher Nolan is full of twists. Its more like one big twist. A cerebral movie like his other ones. It starts with someone following other people for fun and then the story unravels. Break-ins, murders, blackmail all feature here with less than half a dozen people involved in all the action. There seem to be a few loops ala memento and inception, so watch out, and enjoy.

Following (1998) (8/10)

Wake Up Sid (2009) (6/10)

A no-nonsense movie about growing up, companionship and may be maturity, or recognition of it. Doesn't glorify the typical tenets of today's society and lets its protagonists go with the flow. Everyone is quietly confident. Mistakes are made, but well, mistakes happen. Though the movie s about two people, they do not dominate it and so it is very natural and nice to watch. Finding the groove takes time, but one has to take deliberate steps towards it and be passionate about *something*. Excellent acting.

Wake Up Sid (2009) (6/10)

Inception (2010) (8/10)

A cool idea executed pretty well. People believe dreams are ways to let your brain rest, recuperate, relearn. Some people even believe that they tell you the future. But could they be used for ulterior motives? By someone else? It is said that you should share your dreams. The movie takes it to a whole new level. Or 3. Leaves us wondering if we are ourselves in a dream. You need to have an ally to know. Wink, wink. ME TOTally.

But it does not stop there. How about it if besides learning from shared dreams we could use them to actually change the future? The concept is not unheard of, but here it is shown using technology somewhat ala matrix. Elements of Stalker (1979) are also seen. So also is a reflection of Douglas Hofstadter's 'Little Harmonic Labyrinth' (in 'Godel, Escher, Bach', the conversation before Chapter 5). It is hear that the concept of Tumbolia is introduced (a land where cartoon character live when no one is reading the cartoons). What is dreamland if not a version of Tumbolia in some other space. How different is limbo? The concept of GOD (=GOD Over Djinn) is also introduced there. The name comes from Bach's composition called 'Kleines harmonisches Labyrinth.' And labyrinths play an important role in the movie. It is interesting that Penrose is mentioned in the movie but Godel and Escher (and Bach) are not.

But making a movie that seems sensible on such a topic is far from easy. One thing I do not like in such movies though is that a lot relies (in terms of making sense) on the first and last few minutes. I am guilty of it myself in some short stories (all Marathi so far) but in my defense they are not feature length.

What will happen if the inception of dreams fail? Can there be time-like loops? Closed or open? What if it reverses? I would not want to actually say what is in the movie so that I do not end up spoiling it for you. I am sure you will enjoy it though.

Oh, BTW, parts of the movie have been shot in Pasadena and LA.

Inception (2010) (8/10)

Rocket Singh: Salesman of the Year (2009) (7/10)

Being absolutely honest is not easy. Especially if you realize that others don't expect you to be honest and if no one wants you to be. But it is your nature to be so. Can one person change the system? From the inside? Or from the outside. Who will help you? All good questions. It can turn out that if you are really willing, may be you can be enough of a nuisance to do something.

Rocket Singh: Salesman of the Year (2009) (7/10)

Ratatouille (2007) (7/10)

Many good cartoon movies are being made of late, partly thanks to technology. This is one of them. The story is not extra-ordinary, but well brought out. Food is the theme, and when its French food, there is no question that you can make movies on it. But there is also magic. And passion. And passion about cooking, conjuring dishes that make you forget everything, including what you think is your core. Critics are thrown in for good measure too. Did I tell you that mice are also involved. Oh yes, lots of them, and of all types. Including the hero.

Ratatouille (2007) (7/10)

Paranormal Activity (2007) (2/10)

I normally don't give such low numbers to a movie because something tends to be good: acting, plot, cinematography, songs, dances, music, something. Here: zilch, nada, shunya. Nothing happens. What little happens is supposed to be inexplicable (get it? paranormal! abnormal may describe it better though). Well, in a way it is. But it is like a cricket match where they start and inexplicably leave in 5 minutes.



And yes, they meant to scare you. And I am sure some people did get scared. But there wasn't nothing. I will give them that they did not make it distorted or dirty. Overall it was horrific, I mean horrible. Worse than Blair witch project. If you liked that one, there is a small chance that you could add some money to the kitty of this movie and perhaps even feel good about it.

Paranormal Activity (2007) (2/10)

Moon (2009) (8/10)

A difficult story in terms of the number of actors which is approximately one. But it is fairly well handled. A mission on the moon for mining. A single person needed to keep the mines working. A thankless job. Three year terms for the humans. Love and hope keep him going. For many cycles. Then something unusual happens, unraveling the plan.

As there tend to be, there are some loopholes e.g. if they could have so advanced automation, why did they need the sole human? But I guess it does not matter.

Moon (2009) (8/10)

Minority Report (2002) (8/10)

One reason I may have liked it more was because it got mentioned in context of the sixth sense device the demo of which I had already seen and because I work on large datasets myself. Yet, it was not just the showyness, nor the futuristicness that struck me, but the ability to carve an interesting story within such a far flung possibility, and have enough twists within it, some so obvious that only later you ask yourself why you did not anticipate them. Using precognition to see future murders and to stop them come what may (have happened in the future). The innocence and the cunningness, the dutifulness and the ruthlessness all counterbalance each other well. Timetravel movies can become a bit cliched since you know that different timelines would get resolved in most stories. Here it is not really different timelines though apparently there may be a choice. Or, if you are to believe in minority reports, may be more than a choice.

I own a book or two by Philip K Dick, but have not read them. May be it is time to do so.

Minority Report (2002) (8/10)

Doubt (2008) (8/10)

The closed structure of a convent, the vows of christianity and the temptation of sin. Can doubt be far behind? It does not get too emotional, but is clearly emotionally charged. Only 3 powerful characters, and a small number of others putting in short appearances. Parables and sermons used to good effect.

Doubt (2008) (8/10)

The Godfather (1972) (8/10)

How can one who does not like violence like a movie that is full of violence.
It could be the animal inside you. But more likely it is the accompanying elements. The nonchalance, the coolness. Watched the movie after several years and appreciated it a bit more. Is there a story? Yes, and no. They are living their lives and they have to live them (or die) their way. The dialogues are immaculate. No unnecessary cussing, no unnecessary blood (if you pardon the large magnitude of killings). It is the larger picture that is important. No unneeded comedy during the violence either (a mainstay of many hind movies these days which some people seem to enjoy). Truly the making of a don. The dawn of a new Don.

The Godfather (1972) (8/10)

The Recruit (2003) (6/10)

A movie about espionage recruits, and counter-espionage.
Computer hacking is made child's play, and smuggling easier still. It has a few twists and turns, but they are more like going down the Pasadena-LA 110 rather than coming to Arc de Triomphe and asking yourself where you are going to be taken next.

But it does have a few points that allows it to become watchable, if barely so. Perhaps no specific target is one such. You go with the flow and hope you will come out high and dry. Or may be that is not the expression.

The Recruit (2003) (6/10)

No Country for Old Men (2007) (6/10)

A gripping portrayal of nonchalant violence with big money in the picture and a big gun to back it. People get caught in, get greedy, and the cops, or the cop, learns a thing or two. Its gripping but leaves you a bit unsatisfied. Not because the ending is unlike most other movies but because there is no resolution without leaving it really open to the viewers i.e. the viewers know what will follow but all that seems besides the point. Information is vital, and much of is left in the dark, or the obtaining of it.

It does not look like a country for any type of men. You will like it if you like other movies of the kind: western, texan ...

No Country for Old Men (2007) (6/10)

Vihir (2009) (8/10)

This is the story of two teen-aged cousins. The first half is of the slightly older one (Nachiket) who is starting to ask himself some abstract questions about being as he sees around him relations that are not completely healthy, but are shown to be that way so that minds don't get hurt. He hopes to go away from all this. He is the idol of his younger cousin (Samir) who is visiting. Samir does not understand what Nachiket is talking about - and thinks Nachiket is going to run away, and shortly thereafter his own journey starts.

It is an extremely well made, well acted movie which deals with the unanswerable question of death and what it means and how it should be handled. Music, photography, repetitions (the well, swimming, dripping water, biking, bus rides) are used effectively to create an atmosphere that keeps you bound to the theme. The relations between the large family and their nuances are brought out very well and provide a nice skeleton to the story.

Somewhat philosophical in nature if you look at it the right way. Half way through it may seem to proceed rather slowly, but it is necessary to create the atmosphere, and it picks speed in the second half. Overall, no complaints. Well worth taking a dip in the vihir.

Vihir (2009) (8/10)

Dhyasparva (2001) (8/10)

A biographic film from the turn of the 19th-20th century extending to a little past India's independence. The character being portrayed is Raghunath Karve, the son of another illustrious person viz. Dhondo Karve. Obviously the society then was more under the yolk of misconceptions, both religious and social. The resistance that ra dho meets to his very well intentioned but equally direct and blunt approach is imaginable (though not understandable). After seeing the strange opposition that Dadasaheb Phalke met to his filmmaking it wasn't surprising to see the tempers rise when family planning was being advocated by ra dho when even remarrying by women was not allowed. What is worrisome is that the issues have changed, but the views, the opposition to other (now current) issues has not. The dogma continues, and it springs mainly from blindly believing what is ancient and what the masses say. In fact now it is worse in terms of groups physically attacking someone (rather than bahishkar which could sometimes be a boon) because they think (I should say feel since normally they don't think at all) does not agree with their views (which are really someone elses views - as for instance, Gandhi's followers not having read his book, and attackers of Bhandarkar institute not having read James Laine's book). It is also interesting how the politicians have not changed either. I mean even the earlier ones had some strange mindsets.

The exchanges between ra dho and Shakuntala Paranjpye, Mama Varerkar and Babasaheb Ambedkar added a good flavour to the movie.

Dhyasparva (2001) (8/10)

Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1958) (7/10)

Almost the whole movie is shot in a small number of locations clearly indicating its play-like nature. So no special effects. Yet it takes nothing away from the excellent dialogues and acting. The story (as also the movie) may be old, but the contents are surely timeless. Its about death and about possible homosexuality, as also mendacity. I am always amazed as to how seemingly different concepts can be brought together in a good story. We learn how talking can be better than just shutting up, how accepting can be better than rejecting and how revealing can be better than hiding.

Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1958) (7/10)

Manorama Six Feet Under (2007) (6/10)

The style is very unbollywood, and much more lifelike. Sometimes slow and sometimes seemingly directionless and even contradictory, not to mention weird (the fishes being an example). A writer turns detective because he gets a client. Since he is otherwise jobless and because he feels a sense of responsibility, he persues the case. Since what is happening is not quiet clear, a sense of suspense comes into play. The movie deals with politics, social work for an uncause, corruption, rights, exploitation and a few deaths. It also deals with ulterior motives and manipulations. But much of this is touched upon by-and-by. Since its different, and the elements of mystery and a clue therein bring it above-average. But not extra-ordinary.

Manorama Six Feet Under (2007) (6/10)

Into the Wild (2007) (7/10)

I had gone to Alaska a couple of years ago and loved it. It IS wild. So when I heard about this movie which is based on a real life adventure that a young man embraced knowingly, I had to see it. He just wants freedom. From everything. He is the topper at his university, but readily gives it up as well as the money to go live in Alaska - all alone. Obviously it is not a bed of roses. It is interesting to see the people he meets on his way there and what he undergoes while there. And of course the desire of his parents to have him back. The steps he takes to be not traced are very purposeful. A cross between Sinbad and Don Quixote? Yes, but only in the sense of coupling the adventure with the unforesightfulness. The movie was preceeded by an article and a book by Krakauer.

Into the Wild (2007) (7/10)

Snatch (2000) (7/10)

Seemingly too many characters in rather unconnected walks of life. The movie happens in too many places at once. Everything rotates about a diamond. A rather big one. Some know about it and some don't. But they get connected with it anyway. There is a lot of pig headedness and bullishness and very natural dialogues. Unlicensed boxers, bullet dodgers, accident freaks. Its all there. It all goes to the dogs. I generally don't take to movies that seem to be so nonlinear to the extent that (a) either they don't make sense or (b) are rather life like. This one, however, was hard to turn away from. Its fast and a variety of things keep happening. Fights inside and outside rings, successful and unsuccessful heists, people who get killed and people who refuse to get killed. Even the police put in a token presence in all the intense action. They have a rather unique way of bringing the story to a closure. All loose threads meet their end.

Snatch (2000) (7/10)

Pinjar (2003) (8/10)

There are many movies about religion, about religious strifes, about partition. But none combines these AND love and social issues like Pinjar does. It handles these complex issues in an immaculate and moving way. Flowing with the masses and then seeking individuality in it is explored as also social pressure to act in certain ways even if it means giving up your own child. To think that perhaps people in some parts of the world may still be going through such situations. The performances are stellar. It seems to flow slowly but never bordering on being boring. The emotions need the time to come out. If for nothing else it is worth watching for the human angle.

Pinjar (2003) (8/10)

Calcutta Mail (2003) (6/10)

A movie with a great promise dwindled in the middle and recaptured somewhat in the end. It begins with a bit of intrigue and the viewers are left a bit groping about what it is all about. A flashback starts revealing it and why all that is happening could be happening. A part of it drags on a bit though and this is where it loses some ground. What ensues then i.e. the continuation of the story in the present is interesting, especially the gimmicks by the hero with some risks related to his son. The usual nexus, tangles involving politicians, policemen etc. are brought out. A few twists and turns ensue, not all completely transparent, but that germ does restore the earlier promise. The Kolkata backdrop and its environment is used in an interesting manner.

Calcutta Mail (2003) (6/10)

99 (2009) (5/10)

They have combined elements of truth (viz. matchfixing in cricket), more truth (viz. extortion) and even more truth (viz. stupidity) and mixed it with people's dreams, relationships and somewhat perceptions of life. The mixture of this should create a few funny situations if you try hard. The trouble is they are not very funny, nor are they very insightful. A few usual coincidences round up the performance. Actually the tieing together of the threads is in fact somewhat better than most of the movie. The acting is pretty good though. Credit is also due to the movie for connecting seemingly unconnected things in a bizzare but almost believable way. Oh, the bad mouthing of Delhi.

99 (2009) (5/10)

Changeling (2008) (8/10)

A movie that grabs your attention with good acting and a believable plot. (Well, some would say it is based on a true story - but then that is not enough. You have to make it watchable). Its about a woman who tries to stand up against LAPD (of the 1930s) since she thinks they have made a mistake which they wont own up to. It helps that a couple of people readily come to her aid. In a couple places the scenes are unnecessarily dark, and one sequence towards the end may have been unnecessary. But may be that is why Eastwood made the movie. Some gory scenes. Some snipets don't seem to connect too well. But overall it makes sense.

Changeling (2008) (8/10)

A Wednesday (2008) (8/10)

A movie about terrorism and its effect on common man. The workings of a police organization once it is made aware of a threat to thousands of citizens of Mumbai from 6 bombs. How the media is made use of by terrorists. How the terrorists get blinded by their acts and are proud of destructive activities.

I am against killing. But clearly wars happen (though I wish they wouldn't). When you are attacked, you have to defend. But if in the process you have to fall to the opponents level or below thats a shame. Religious hared, for instance, need not be fought by equal religiousness. It may be a better world if it is fought by a secular outlook.

Many prisoner release situation come into existence because such demands are met with. If it is realized that that won't happen, such incidents may decrease.

Mostly believable movie and good acting.

A Wednesday (2008) (8/10)

It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World (1963) (7/10)

Saw this again after several years. I did not laugh as much, and it seemed a tad slow especially in the earlier part. That may be because it was the unabridged original version. But its still pretty good for a movie that hasn't got anything. Just madness. Not methodical either. One chase after another, and things just being taken apart. Of course it is overdone. But thats the whole point. If there is one.

It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World (1963) (7/10)

The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3 (2009) (6/10)

Good story, good build-up. But rather linear. Hardly any ups and downs. Partly obscure, partly clear motive. Somewhat like a James Hadley Chase. The last chase is super-human as is usually the case. The graft angle seems a bit extraneous. I need to see the older version of the movie. I wonder what they used instead of the internet to keep the two parties informed. I guess pre-knowledge of someone in the team could be partly it. Did the intelligent rat finally decide where the movie went?

The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3 (2009) (6/10)

State of Play (2009) (7/10)

A drama with a few ups and downs, both predictable and unpredictable, believable and hard to believe. The acting is pretty good overall. About paybacks and shadowing and politics. But above all about reporting, its methods, ethics, sellebility etc. There is of course the secret wing of invincible soldiers being created for secret purposes. Why don't they have a few invincibles in the public sector? That will work so well. But I guess they do not exist, or it may be difficult to keep them sane in the presence of people.

State of Play (2009) (7/10)

Land of the Lost (2009) (3/10)

An absurd movie, fit for an airliner and I did justice to it. Jumping to different universes, finding creatures there, both like you and unlike you, communicating with them, finding higher purposes and all that kind of junk. No real novelty, no real weird ideas. Just hashing together.

Land of the Lost (2009) (3/10)

District 9 (2009) (4/10)

It seemed to start like a joke. So I laughed along. But then they seem to take themselves seriously and tried to make a story out of it. Scavenger aliens eating catfood waiting for a messiah who is hiding and looking for a tube that contains DNA that can transform alien DNA into whatever? DNA? It would have been a very good joke movie. But there were a few elements that were too realistic. The botch up. The experiments. The weapons and economy angle. There was just no imagination. It was gory for a joke. Sigh!

District 9 (2009) (4/10)

Dasvidaniya (2008) (7/10)

A simple movie about a man who discovers that there are a few things that he just must do before kingdom come. He of course needs some help to realize that he should do those. And since those things are diverse enough you ride along unraveling different aspects of his life in particular, but of life in general. The amount is almost tiringly large, but leaves you refreshed. A light and touching movie.

Dasvidaniya (2008) (7/10)

LA Confidential (1997) (6/10)

A fast paced movie (except for a small interval near the middle) where 5 types of cops are shown (with overlaps). How an organization has a life of its own, and how values related to morality etc. generally take a back seat. There are too many twists though. You can follow them as they are mostly linear. For some of them you feel that you should have seen it coming.

Its a bit black and white, but thats understandable. Violent as police movies can be. Not much of LA itself comes in, except for the unique glamour of Hollywood of course.

L.A. Confidential (1997) (6/10)

Le scaphandre et le papillon AKA The Diving Bell and the Butterfly (2007) (6/10)

Last evening as I was walking home I was contemplating about armchair universes and about moving cursors and hopefully even objects with thoughts. Why does one need the body? As my netflix queue was shrinking I looked around and found this French movie which I was able to stream.

It is based on a real story, and in that the story itself is impressive. A man losing all his body except for one eye, and thanks to good care, visionary therapists and a will to lie and generally be good humored about it, he manages to accomplish something which other souls handicapped by having too many things to do, do not.

But it is a story of an individual, and he dwelves in his past, the best he can do. Others can take courage from him that not all is lost when seemingly it is. After choosing to fight for it, it is upto each individual what to actually do. Sometimes too much may depend on those around you though.

Le scaphandre et le papillon AKA The Diving Bell and the Butterfly (2007) (6/10)

Star Trek : The Future Begins (2009) (8/10)

It is a difficult job to insert a story into the collective memory of the collective and not make many errors. That has been done reasonably well. The rather handy time travel trick has been used in a fairly complex way - at least complex enough for the viewers to not understand what's going on. But then the action is fast enough so that she does not have time to think. And who wants to think anyway while your heroes are evolving into the heroes they will be. I am not our father. Or may be we are. Whatever.

Star Trek : The Future Begins (2009) (8/10)

My Son the Fanatic (1997) (7/10)

Its all about Om Puri who puts in a sterling performance. He is a common man, and immigrant. All he wants is a simple life and to look after his family, and as is typical for South Asians, to make his son his main concern. But times are a-changing in some ways. The international mixing of peoples, and the clash of cultures and ideas is brought out. The norml way of showing it is to depict how countries, or communities, or individuals of a type are affected. But here it is all about Om Puri, a taxi driver. And yet it is capable of drawing the bigger picture.

My Son the Fanatic (1997) (7/10)

Kill Bill: Vol 2 (2004) (7/10)

Far better than Vol. 1 which was just violence. This has story. Of Vol. 1 too. The violence is in the background, but just that. You can follow the dialogues, the story the turns and above all the acting. The gimmicks are james bondish in their own way. I has east, west, indiana jones. Its all done so nonchallently. Revenge in style.

Kill Bill: Vol 2 (2004) (7/10)

Teorema aka Theorem (1968) (5/10)

Dubbed as an intellectual thriller about passion and death, the film doesn't say much, neither do the characters. But there is a haunting atmosphere in the somewhat jumpy film. Its about an Italian family and the transformation of its members by a single individual, a visiting stranger. Some people are bound to find the proceedings objectionable. Does it make a statement? I think so. Is it clear? Perhaps not. It has many references that are hidden and so shall the interpretations be. Its almost entirely upto the viewer as to what to make of it.

Teorema aka Theorem (1968) (5/10)

Kaze no tani no Naushika aka Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (1984) (6/10)

Another masterful Miyazaki animation. But had a few elements more real world like. A world 1000 years after the downfall of civilization is portrayed with three nations and some ancient forces (ala LoTR?) and the OM chants (ala wOrMs of Dune? not to mention the Muad'Dib myth). The world is nevertheless enchanting with chemistry taking the driving seat.

Kaze no tani no Naushika aka Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (1984) (6/10)

Batteries not included (1987) (7/10)

Several complex issues are handled in this fairy tale. On one level its about metal elves, but on the other it is about several real-life issues. Some elements of encounters of the third kind (Spielberg effect?) are seen when different people look at the same situation from their own perspective (but how else can that be?). I think the difference is that they do that without coming across as egotists. Of course many things e.g. supply of raw material to name a very minor one, are swept under the carpet as they should be in any good fantasy. Otherwise, what is the viewers imagination for? The story outline is simplistic, won't necessarily keep you glued to the screen, but has a few twists and the perceived complexities can take you through.

Batteries not included (1987) (7/10)

Dombivli fast (2005) (7/10)

Saga of an honest man whose rage gets turned on by events in a way beyond his control. Since he has not planned on being enraged, he does not have a plan to vent his rage. But there is a pattern that develops. As always the public does not understand what is happening. Or rather, a fraction thinks he is a hero, another thinks he is a threat and a good fraction are indifferent. The media tries to use it both ways, and then there are the political gimmicks, and the police are of course in the picture. The movie tries to appeal to a higher conscience which is difficult to bring into play unless one can pause for a moment to think. Who will change the society? Will you? How? Will you help someone who is trying to?

I was hoping that they may show a way out for people who want to raise at least a miniscule voice. But I guess it IS non-trivial. One has to fight ones own fight and be prepared for the consequences. Life was never promised to be a bed of roses. But that is what makes it enticing.

Dombivli fast (2005) (7/10)

Slumdog Millionaire (2008) (8/10)

A fairly honest movie juxtaposing many aspects of current India. Presented in the guise of a game show, which could very well actually happen (meaning its result), and many other things that do happen. Good twists, and realistic bursts, betrayals, brutality and all that. Illegal use of humans is brought out well, and so are the religious issues, public aspirations etc. There is also the drama and the suspense and all that. Extraordinary storytelling of an otherwise ordinary, nay, a mosaic of commonplace happenings. The Amitabh episode takes the cake.

Slumdog Millionaire (2008) (8/10)

Murder by Death (1976) (5/10)

A star-studded cast in this spoof makes a valiant effort at showing how detectives work, or rather how story tellers make us believe they do. Some of the jokes make you laugh. But it seemed that was not the point. I seemed to have missed the point. Last few minutes are okay summing up what the director wanted us to see. But if they have to describe it to us, then clearly they have not been successful in making their point.

Murder by Death (1976) (5/10)

Ghajini (2008) (5/10)

These folks started making a Hindi copy of Memento, down to the detail of the way the the man whose hippocampus has been injured tries to remember things that happened using external instruments. But then somewhere someone has an accident, and a brain gets damaged and they forget what it is they were doing. Then they started making it into a typical Bollywood lovestory (which they happen to be good at - at least for the people who like that kind of things). But things drag on. Suddenly something reminds them that they were supposed to be having a mission - make Memento and they quickly switch into that mode. Until they forget what they were doing - and pretty quickly. And we, the poor viewers are back into a typical Bollywood movie. Teh acting is good in general, but that is not the point, is it? They are so many glaring gaffes and one better not get into that. And the behavior of the police inspector took the cake. Oh, BTW, its intense.

Ghajini (2008) (5/10)

Being John Malkovich (1999) (8/10)

Not a completely novel concept, executed in a completely novel way to fascinating effect. What is it like to be a bat? Ask Thomas Nagel. What is it like to be John Malkovich? That anyone could tell you. Or could they? What does John know about it? (The restaurant scene is out of this world). Its an intricately weaved web of intricate connections. May be at the heart it means we are made of many people or just that all our souls are one as any God-smart Hindu will tell you. At the base of it may just lie physical attraction though. Better overall than Harry Potters platform 3.5 or somesuch. Do puppets have anything to do with it? Maybe.

There was a Gay from Khartoum
Who once took a Lesbian to his room
They argued all night,
Over who had the right,
To do what, how and with Whom.

Being John Malkovich (1999) (8/10)

The Thief of Bagdad (1924) (6/10)

A pantomime from the Arabian Nights. The low points (and 6 is not low) it gets is mainly because it is pantomime, and rather long (and pantomime). Obviously it can not compete with Indiana Jones as far as effects are concerned. But it has a great simple story and lots of ups and downs as also villains. The age tells, but so does the timelessness.

The Thief of Bagdad (1924) (6/10)

Paddle to the Sea (1966) (8/10)

A wonderful short (28 mins) film with live action about the journey of a wooden man from a mountain top to the sea. Its the live action and the totally chance encounters that make it delightful. In passing there is also some commentary made on the action of people, but quite appropriately its kept to a minimum.

Paddle to the Sea (1966) (8/10)

Who Killed the Electric Car? (2006) (8/10)

Gory details of the killing of a good initiative. Given the vagaries of the gas prices (they are down today, but wait until summer) and the demand for hybrids, the wonderful, if fledgling, electric cars that were around a few years back and then gotten rid of by car companies, oil industry, politicians, selfish California officials is nothing short of shameful. That in fact is a very mild word.

The documentary is fairly thorough in looking at different aspects of the introduction and vanishing of the electric car. When the time is ripe things happen. Or do they? Hopefully the Japaneses hybrids and electrics will keep coming. If the US wants to play dumb, so be it. I wonder why other countries had not picked up the development though.

Who Killed the Electric Car? (2006)(8/10)

Batoru rowaiaru AKA Battle Royale (2000) (5/10)

A rather gruesome Japanese movie that pits 9th graders against each other in an oppresive environment where it is insisted that only one of them can survive beyond three days. The killings are gory, and the alliances few and far between. I suspect the book would make a better reading with the background provided in a more encompassing manner. The movie just seems like mayhem. Once you accept the situation that you have to go after the others, the depiction is very realistic as well as unnerving. The analogy is apparently to the economic competition in Japan and its outfall. The children in the teenagers, as well as the teens, and adults are clearly seen.

Batoru rowaiaru AKA Battle Royale (2000) (5/10)

Hauru no ugoku shiro aka Howl's Moving Castle (2004) (6/10)

Miyazaki's masterful animation keeps this fairy (or rather witch) tale going. A relatively simple tale where the evil is not black, nor is the good white. A few twists (or rather ups and downs) and a few tricks. But the landscape and the change of scene and the detail keep you engrossed.

Hauru no ugoku shiro aka Howl's Moving Castle (2004) (6/10)

Dune (1984) (5/10)

Its a very sketchy movie. The first time I saw it was soon after reading the book and I thought it fell way short of the quality of the book, perhaps because you have to fit it in to a movie's length. A few years later, now, many of the original mental images are not as sharp. Though the sight of the spaceships, and the Baron etc. are still jarring, it is somewhat easier to pardon. Will the 2010 movie be better? All we can do now is wait and watch. Do read the book though. That allows more vivid imagination, especially in the context of events currently unfolding on the world-stage.

Dune (1984) (5/10)

Children of Men (2006) (6/10)

One of the dark possible future. A very mysterious infertility syndrome has the entire Earth in its grip. War ravages the planet and people are being driven out of their minds. The story is then about a beacon in the darkness. Can humanity come out of the imminent wiping out? There is the alleged Human project which will help people out. That is the hope. Personally I feel that they are the ones who caused the mass infertility. Too many mysteries. Good acting though.

Children of Men (2006) (6/10)

Rock on! (2008) (6/10)

Four friends whose friendship rocks and what happens in their life. The first half seems more enthralling than it is due to the web of flashbacks and the somewhat unnecessary shrouding in mystery of an incident that changes their lives - an incident which is common place from one point of view, but catastrophic from another.

Interesting human qualities are brought into play to push the story, keeping you interested. Then there are some almost predictable coincidences, some more obvious elements, and some improbable situations to wrap it up.

What keeps it afloat is its being true to the music and not drifting to the tune of usual Bollywood elements. Magik can not be dominated by an individual, and they have stayed true to that mantra.

Rock on! (2008) (6/10)

tingyaa (2008) (7/10)

A moving film based on a real story and closely related to the suicides by farmers as they can not support themselves. The acting especially by Tingya is great. His love towards their ox has been brought out very well. As the child is the hero, justice has not been meted to showing the extent of frustrations farmers face. That comes out as somewhat of a linear phenomenon

tingyaa (2008) (7/10)

History of the World - Part I (1981) (6/10)

Mel Brook spook (I mean spoof). As funny as Mel Brooks can be. Actually may not meet his standard. It is in different sections (not parts).

History of the World - Part I (1981) (6/10)

The Pianist (2002) (7/10)

All you want to play is the piano - and you are good at it. And the war breaks out. and with it hell. You are captured and spend time in captivity. Helping here and there a bit but not being able to do much. Surviving. And you get a break. You find humanity in the enemy. Or a small part (with a large mind?) of the enemy. You survive and are united with your art.

The Pianist (2002) (7/10)

The Presitge (2006) (8/10)

A magical movie executed to great effect. Two rivals trying to better each other with plots and counterplots, feats and counterfeits. Using tricks and people to trick people. The machine, the men and the magic. Many hats off. Stooping to lower nadirs just to raise oneself in ones own esteem.

The Presitge (2006) (8/10)

Hot Fuzz (2007) (6/10)

A dark comedy. Well, more correctly a dark mystery. A lone officer trying to find out things with no willing help. In fact lots of obstacles. You won't generally laugh out loud, but will smile. Is violent though. Or rather that is the purpose of it. Its the story of a rather peaceful little place. The high points are more for bringing the story together rather than other things like acting.

Hot Fuzz (2007) (6/10)

The Dark Knight (2008) (8/10)

A slick, fast-paced, no-nonsense (if you pardon the fantastic moves - but then you won't go to this movie if you were not in a pardoning mood anyway) movie with a good number of twists. While the masks can to an extent mask your acting skills, the body language was indicative enough that the actors meant business. Though the title has the word dark in it, it was certainly not as dark (in an art movie sense) as the original batman which seemed as if shot in an Indian town with perpetual powercut. Very elaborate plans were executed in very short precise intervals. That in fact seemed a major shortcoming where it is difficult to grant a poetic or otherwise license.

The Dark Knight (2008) (8/10)

Valu AKA The Wild Bull (2008) (8/10)

Another delightful movie starring Atul Kulkarni. It hits the bulls eye in capturing the peripheral village atmosphere replete with its politics and pettiness as also purity and plain pleasures. There are no complications and everyone can be hopelessly selfish as that is the only way that exists. Dealing with the job at hand. Long term plans normally do not feature. Take the bull by the horns.

The sprinkling of innocuous humour is what makes the movie stand out. It fits in very naturally. Forest the brother of documentary? Perhaps only when a girl can dance like a bull.

Valu AKA The Wild Bull (2008) (8/10)

chakva (2004) (4/10)

A Marathi movie from 2004 which does not have an IMDB page in 2008. May be that sums much of it. The storyline could have been developed as there were two parallel mysteries to be solved which are strangely interconnected. The recourse to the supernatural is okay if (1) it is done well, or (2) it indroduces some new techniques. The sentence at the end (after the movie) that says that the actors do not believe in the supernatural seemed to suggest that (1) but it is true anyway, or (2) they have to work in such movies for their daily bread. I wish they could at least have show more of the Konkan beauty.

chakva (2004) (4/10)

Paths of Glory (1957) (7/10)

When ambition makes you blind, it can be bad for other people. If you happen to be in a position of command, that becomes an understatement. A complete disdain for anything in your path can result. Even paths considered to be those of glory can turn gory. Why wars are started and where they can take you. Irrespective of which side was right, here we see what happens just on one side. A different kind of war movie.

Paths of Glory (1957) (7/10)

Iron Man (2008) (6/10)

A fantastic fairytale with lots of loopholes and patently illogical stuff mainly owing to assumed jumps in technological prowess. But with a hint of social awareness, and a flair for being somewhat different. A few twists here and there but none too heart-stopping.

Iron Man (2008) (6/10)

Goodfellas (1990) (5/10)

Perhpas a good movie if you like gangster movies where some guys cuss and curse all the time and others coolly execute multi-million dollar heists without telling you how they did it. The making of a gangster has been shown well, but it drags a bit, even though it is jumpy in places.

Goodfellas (1990) (5/10)

Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan (2006) (5/10)

Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan (2006) (5/10)

While the movie pokes genuine fun at many social and cultural issues, it was neither subtle nor humorous in the political sense of the word. Or, in other words, it was generally needlessly gross. Its the kind of movie which is wasted upon the offenders in any case.

Finding Neverland (2004) (7/10)

It keeps you rivetted to the screen as the drama unfolds. It moves you up and down with its dreaming, and beliefs and beliefs in dreams. When you reflect on it, you realize that there is not all that much to reflect. Either you are a child, or you are not (though you may long to be one). They tried to do a glass bead game by not revealing what the play "actually" contains. The fragments are of course suggestive, but most of the rest then has to be filled in by you, your imagination, something central to the point being made. The quagmire of relationships is interesting to say the least. The movie operates at many levels and it is difficult to get them all. I wonder what the characters in tumbolina will say about the movie. That it is just a movie?

Finding Neverland (2004) (7/10)

Bronenosets Potyomkin aka Battleship Potemkin (1925) (6/10)

An epic movie about the Russian revolution. The revolution is almost shown as black and white. It is an important thing to understand. The need to revolt is an important one. And it can come through persistent oppression. When the pent up forces are let out, almost anything is possible. What are the lessons to be learnt? Are there lessons to be learnt? I don't know.

Bronenosets Potyomkin aka Battleship Potemkin (1925) (6/10)

Babel (2006) (5/10)

A bunch of stories connected in a seemingly impossible way. Not exactly cascading, but one setting another off by a longshot. No closure is offered. It would have been artificial anyway. Most stories are almost commonstance barring perhaps two that are connected with a rifle. But those too show signs of the times. You may like it if you like life as it is.

Babel (2006) (5/10)

Office Space (1999) (6/10)

A light hearted movie poking fun at office culture, management etc. and the frustration that can come from it, ways people seek around it and what it can lead to. Nothing profound.

Office Space (1999) (6/10)

Diarios de motocicleta AKA The Motorcycle Diaries (2004) (7/10)

The well made movie about Che Guevera's formative days does not reveal what is to follow except for a sentence to the effect that you can not do much without guns. What is depicted instead is a compassionate, socialist, frank young person. True the stirrings increase in frequency and intensity after he and his motorcycle buddy see discrimination everywhere and signs of things getting worse. There is a genuineness which is often lacking in many revolutionaries. Many, even with the genuineness can get affected by power just like Che's later partner Fidel Castro did. Che himself jumped elsewhere to free other countries. The one sentence that stood out was when they were in Peru and he says: How is it possible to feel nostalgia for a world I never knew?

His desire to unite the people stand out. While they are not depicted as atheists, their almost revolt against everyone having to go to mass in the leper colony testifies to their being people-centric. There seemed to be many parallels with Bhagatsingh although fairly vague. Sources of the unrest, displeasure are not shown starkly or blatently which makes the movie appeal more to the mind. It is left for the viewers to find out more about the central person, and may be others like him.

Diarios de motocicleta AKA The Motorcycle Diaries (2004) (7/10)

50 First Dates (2004) (6/10)

A serious topic handled in an entertaining way. So much so that most people will likely leave without realizing the seriousness of it. The good thing is that there is no moralizing, or judging that is depicted. Some core human qualities come out as do some frivolous.

50 First Dates (2004) (6/10)

The Man from Earth (2007) (7/10)

John invites a few of his professor friends to say goodbye as he is moving on. No one knows where. A probe into that moves towards a possible science fiction story. The upheavel the storyline causes is hard to resolve or bring to a closure until John is threatened to do so or face consequences. His choice seems to satisfy everyone (because obviously that is the only conclusion anyone was going to believe). And then something else happens. The question is, what will the viewer believe? Unfortunately for such good storylines, viewers are already biased and have decided what they are going to believe, so much so that they will not even consider the opposite, not even in a what-if scenario.

The downside of the movie is that it is a bit low-budget and the acting is not uniform. But of course it is the loss of cinema that you need to make everything palatable.

The Man from Earth (2007) (7/10)

El Laberinto del fauno AKA Pan's Labyrinth (2006) (6/10)

A fairy tale intertwined with a revolution in 1941 Spain highlighting different facets of human nature. The way real life and the fairy tale is seamlessly mixed is amazing and so is the acting. That said, I am not a great fan of mixing genres where it is not natural i.e. just for a great effect. If there was a deeper analogy e.g escapism, it was lost on me. The good thing was that neither part seemed jarring (if you excuse the violence in the war which you really shouldn't).

El Laberinto del fauno AKA Pan's Labyrinth (2006) (6/10)

V for Vendetta (2005) (7/10)

A philosophical action movie trying to make it hard to draw a line between terrorism and revolutionism. Asking questions if destroying symbols of democracy wielded by a few is okay if that is going to make a peoples democracy available. If the revenge is not going to do any good for you personally, do you have the right to do good to others whether or not they want it?

Good dialogues, excellent acting, and good theme. It is all exaggerated a bit (a lot) but it is fair enough to drive across the point. Or may be not. If one person could do so many things, may be such a persion should do it. The issue is mainly due to fractured mandates, fractured identities etc. The human variety is what is sometimes the problem. But hopefully it is a solution too.

V for Vendetta (2005) (7/10)

Equilibrium (2002) (6/10)

A post WWIII movie where man has learnt to keep his emotions clouded away with daily doses. But of course there are people who do not do this. The movie is a mixture of Fahrenheit 451, matrix, 1984 and other such. The strength of the story is that they have kept it straight forward without complicating it with too many factors. Also, their are enough twists to keep you guessing about the future. The absence of big brother (or father) from certain walks of life (for instance no cameras in the interrogation rooms) was puzzling (shall we say miraculous?). Some good scientific (if you consider statistics to be a science) fighting action.

Equilibrium (2002) (6/10)