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)