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DONNIE BRASCO - REVIEW

DONNIE BRASCO ( English,1997)

Director : Mike Newell

Cast : Al Pacino , Johnny Depp,Michael Madsen

I have always wanted to watch this one for a long time , but never really had the opportunity to sit down and watch it , for some reason or the other. But last night I finally put an end to this procrastination , and decided to watch it.

Joseph Pistone ( Johnny Depp) , is an undercover FBI agent , who has to infiltrate the New York Mafia , posing as Donnie Brasco , a jewelery man. He then meets Benjamin "Lefty" Ruggiero , an experienced gangster , who works for one of New York's gangs. Lefty then decides to take Brasco under his wings , and help him out in his initial days in the Mob. How Brasco manages to lead a double life , and what happens when he gets too involved in the Mob , forms the rest of the story.

Set in New York in 1978 , the film gives an insight into the organized crime scene of that era. But this one is a bit different from the other gangster movies I have seen. It does not really have too many scenes portraying violence and shoot-outs , but instead focuses on the politics and ego-clashes within the mob. There are factions within the Mob , and Brasco is unsure if he has to stick with Lefty , or follow the orders of the bigger boss Sonny Black ( Madsen) .

The movie is very interesting and keeps you hooked for the most part , thanks to some brilliant performances by Pacino and Depp. Lefty tries to be a father-figure to Donnie , and keeps giving him advice all the time. Donnie , on the other hand has to lead a double life , and has to deal with a wife and 3 daughters when he gets home.

Depp has come up with a really fine performance , and plays a subdued character , as Brasco , and a family man with a bad temper , as Pistone. He does not get to spend time with his family and is away from home most of the time , leading to various problems with his wife.

Pacino is as reliable as ever , as "Lefty" Ruggiero , and his portrayal was a treat to watch. Not as overwhelming as his other gangster characters in movies like "Scarface" , " Carlito's way" , and the biggest one of' em all " The Godfather " , Lefty is a different character . He is a very experienced mobster , but has to put up with lesser deserving colleagues being "upped" , the term used when a member is promoted within the Mob.

Being a mafia based movie , it has its fair share of backstabbing , and ego-clashes , but without succumbing to cliches. The best scene in the movie has to be the one in which Depp questions Pacino , about a suspected mole , and tries to prick his conscience , by making him utter the name of a gang member , whom Lefty had just shot dead.

If there is one thing about the movie which could have been altered , it has to be the Screenplay. The movie , like I said is not a typical gangster movie and focuses more on human feelings and emotions like ego-clashes and so on. So we don't really get to see a lot of "Action" as such , which is perfectly fine with me. But the Screenplay could have been a wee bit faster , I felt. No issues however. Its because of some fine acting by biggies like Pacino and Depp , that the slow pace does not really bother you much except in a few instances.

My verdict for this movie will be 3.5 out of 5 . Please do watch it for some superb acting , and its different portrayal of the 70's crime scene. However , if you are the type of person who expects a lot of foolish fights and mindless action from gangster movies , stay away cos there is nothing in it for you. This is for more patient and sensible viewers.

VERDICT : VERY GOOD . ( 3.5 / 5)

I'M NOT SCARED - REVIEW

Io non ho paura ( I'm not scared)
(Italian,2003)

Director : Gabriele Salvatores

Cast : Giuseppe Cristiano , Mattia di Pierro

On reading my reviews, you might be wondering why I watch a lot of World Cinema . It is simply because Hollywood is not the only place on earth which gives us good movies. And this one is a stellar example.

This movie is yet another children oriented movie , and I admit I do have a soft spot for such movies. The story, set in 1978, revolves around a young boy , Michele ( Cristiano ) , in a village in Southern Italy . He is a normal kid , always playing with his friends and his little sister Maria. One day , he happens to come across a pit in which he sees a young child Filipo (Pierro) , who looks like he has been there for a long time. Michele then realizes that Filipo has been kidnapped and is kept hidden in the pit. The movie then follows their relationship over a few days.

The movie is easily one of the finest I have seen. The compassion which Michele shows towards Filipo , is such a delicate concept to be made into a movie , and the Director succeeds at it. The innocence of young children is portrayed brilliantly in this film. The movie does not have any exaggerated drama going with it , nor does it have any violence . It is a simple film , but manages to make a huge impact.

The acting by the children is such a joy to watch. Though the character of Filipo is very integral to the plot , we don't get to see him too much on screen . But when he does make an appearance , the acting is superb , especially for a child artiste. The movie really takes you on a wonderful trip to the carefree childhood days which we all must have enjoyed. Though set in Italy , the concept is Universal , as it deals with the affection shown by a young boy to another child.

Breathtakingly shot in Southern Italy , the movie takes you for a beautiful ride , and shows how a young boy realizes the hard truth about the game of life , and its players, especially the adults in his village. The relationship between Michele and Filipo definitely strikes a chord. Watch out for the scene in which they both play in the fields. Though not of particular significance to the plot , this scene is easily the best in the movie.

There is no exaggeration in the children's characters. The breach of trust between Michele and one of his friends , will definitely remind you of your childhood days. It is such a natural movie and has very few cliches .

The screenplay is very good , but people who are not accustomed to European Cinema , especially the movies based in the 70's and 80's might find it a bit slow. However , the movie will not bore you. There are a few predictable sequences and you will have some idea of what is going to happen in the next scenes , but you will not notice it all , as all this is concealed under a beautiful and touching story , supported by some great acting .

I will go with 4 out 5 for this superb movie , whose simplicity and natural flavour makes it such a delight to watch.

VERDICT : Brilliant ( 4 / 5)

THE DESCENT - REVIEW

THE DESCENT ( English,2005)

Director : Neil Marshall

Cast : Shauna Macdonald , Natalie Jackson Mendoza , Nora-Jane Noone

I was initially apprehensive about watching the movie , as the promo had a lot of blood and looked gory , and I generally avoid those kind of movies. But this one was a surprise exception to the rule.

The movie is about a group of 6 adventurous friends , Sarah,Beth,Holly,Juno,Sam and Betty who re-unite after a gap of one year. Sarah had lost her child Jessica and husband Paul , in a gruesome accident the previous time they had all met. So , Juno decides to have a small re-union with all the young girls , at her place somewhere in the forests , mainly to bring Sarah back to normal.

Juno then tells them that they would trek to a place called Boreham Caves and explore it , as a reminder of their adventurous days. Little do they know that there are some dangerous creatures inside their eventual exploration spot. What happens to them during the exploration is what the movie is all about.

The movie is definitely among the most thrilling ones I have come across. There were a few scenes in the beginning , especially the ones showing the ladies gossiping , which made me wonder if I had got stuck in a chick- flick. But it picked up very well , and makes quite a good watch.

The caves are dark and deep. And the creatures inside are blood thirsty. We don't really get to see the creatures for a long time , but when they do appear , the movie keeps you hooked. The gang of girls try to escape from the cave , but they have no clue how to go about doing it.

This sounds like another run-of-the-mill horror movie , but believe me , it isn't. The thrills will keep turning up at regular intervals and will make you sit up and take notice. The movie has been shot really well and the caves appear so natural.

The characters are distinct. Sarah is often filled with the thoughts of her dead child Jessica. Juno tries to play the part of team leader and keeps the group under control. Holly is the rebel of the group and keeps making risky decisions at will. The ego-clash between all the characters has been portrayed really well.

The creatures look like a bigger and much deadlier version of Gollum from "Lord Of The Rings" , and keep turning up to provide the thrills , and this movie has loads of it. The movie is not gory at all , except for one particular scene in which Holly gets injured. Am sure that a sizable amount of money has been spent on the artificial blood. There is SO much of it , especially towards the later parts of the movie.

This could easily have been another ordinary horror film , but the director makes it very thrilling , and you will keep guessing what's gonna happen . It is definitely unpredictable , and hardly has any cliches. The movie will keep you glued to your seats once the real action starts.

I will go with 3.5 out of 5 , for this movie , which managed to keep someone like me who detests blood and gore in movies , sit up and take notice.

VERDICT : A very good thriller ( 3.5 /5 )

SAROJA - REVIEW

SAROJA ( Tamil,2008)

Director : Venkat Prabhu

Cast : Prakash Raj , Jayaram , Shiva , SPB Charan, Premgi Amaran , Vaibhav Reddy

Alright , let me make a few things clear about my review of "Saroja" . We all know that this is a rip off from "Judgment Night". However , my review is going to be completely independent of "Judgment Night" , as I have not seen that movie.

Saroja is the daughter of a rich businessman , Vishwanath (Prakash Raj) , in Hyderabad. She gets kidnapped and her dad launches a hunt , with the help of his police friend ACP Ravichandran (Jayaram) . Meanwhile , we have a group of 4 friends , completely different characters , Ganesh ( Premgi) , Ajay ( Shiva) , Jagapathi Babu ( Charan) , and Ram Babu (Vaibhav) who are on their way to Hyderabad from Chennai , to watch a cricket match. They happen to stumble upon a factory where Saroja has been held captive. What happens when they decide to rescue Saroja from the gang leader Sampath and his men , forms the rest of the story.

The movie is very unique as far as Tamil Cinema is concerned. It does not follow the traditional formula techniques. Instead it dares to be different as it tries to come across as a mix of the thriller and comedy genres. The humor is excellent and blends perfectly well with the storyline. Thankfully, there are no separate comedy tracks , very unlike the Tamil movies being made these days.

The movie is basically about the kidnap and eventual rescue of Saroja , but I don't think it would have been right to make it a pure thriller.alone It would not have gone down so well with the audience , if the humor was done away with.

The acting is pretty good. Although brilliant and versatile actors like Prakash Raj and Jayaram have done an excellent job in "Saroja", the quartet of friends steal the show completely. The bonding between them is very natural and there is no exaggeration in the characterization. Like I mentioned earlier , these are 4 distinct characters , and we have a good time watching them react to rather sticky situations , especially in the rescue sequences.

The humor is very refreshing and does not rely on vulgar jokes to make us laugh. The dialogues are nothing great , but it is the comic timing which keeps us smiling throughout the movie.

Being a Tamil movie , we have a few songs thrown at us when least expected. But the music by Yuvan Shankar Raja is fairly decent. the background score too blends well with the story.

If there is one thing about the movie which I liked the most , it has to be Premgi Amaran . This man comes across as someone who has the least self-respect , but in a funny way. His mannerisms will keep us laughing through out the movie.

There are a few predictable scenes , and a few cliches too. For instance the climax looked too good to be true , so the Director decides to throw in a predictable twist towards the end.

This is not a great movie , nor does it aspire to be one. In essence it is only a cat-mouse chase in the form of a thriller , but manages to keep us interested thanks to the humor and fairly decent screenplay. Not quite pacy , but not slow either. Watch it with a group of friends and you will enjoy it a lot.

The references to other Tamil movies will go down well with anyone with a decent knowledge of Tamil cinema. The Volkswagen mini in the beginning , with the "Karakatakaran" music in the background , the " Evalavo panrom" dialogue from Vijay's "Azhagiya Tamizh Magan" , Premgi's attempts at spoofing "Sivaji" are all to be enjoyed.

My verdict for this movie will be 3 out of 5 . As I said , this is only a cat-mouse chase in the form of a film , but has to be seen , for the screenplay and humor. And I give my verdict , without considering the "Judgment Night" rip-off factor .

Verdict : Worth a watch . ( 3 / 5)

VIVA CUBA - REVIEW

VIVA CUBA(Spanish,2005)

Director : Juan Carlos Cremata

Cast : Jorge Milo , Malu Tarrau

This is a coming- of- age film , set in Cuba. The film mainly focuses on the relationship between children.

The story goes like this. Jorgito and Malu are two school going children , who live in the same locality. Their mothers are constantly at a cold war with each other , and keep pestering their child not to play with the other.

Little do the parents realize that Jorgito and Malu have become very close. Now,Malu's Grandmother dies , and Malu's mother decides to leave Cuba with her daughter , and live with her boyfriend. However, the Exit papers have to be signed by Malu's father , who lives in a far away corner of Cuba.

Malu does not want to leave Cuba and she conveys her feelings to Jorgito. They then decide to embark on a cross-country trip to meet Malu's father and ask him not to sign the document.

What follows , is a series of events , mainly centering around their journey from Havana , to Maisi , where Malu's father works at the lighthouse. And the search for the missing children.

This is one of the finest children oriented movies I have come across. The delicate relationship between the two children , is portrayed with perfection. The movie is shot very naturally , and there is no exaggeration whatsoever , as far as the characters are concerned.

We are faced with the inevitable question - When a couple gets separated , should not the parent holding the custody of the child , have the child's best interests at heart , when making a major decision ?

Malu's mother is disillusioned with Cuba , and wants to get out badly. She does not consult the child , and makes a hasty decision , basically urged on by her long distance boyfriend.

The Director does a fine job , as he has to deal with the simplest of story lines. But the result is amazing. The story in itself has nothing much to offer , but it is rather the execution , which keeps you interested. The beauty of the movie lies in the characterization of the children.

In the very first scene , we see the children fighting among themselves. The relationship between the two is shot so naturally. There is this simple , yet brilliant scene in which Malu helps Jorgito with an imposition at school. The affection which the two characters share mutually is brought out in the most refined manner possible.

The movie has been shot in some breath taking locations. The beaches , the fields of Cuba are made to appear even more beautiful , as their natural beauty is attenuated , by the wonderful friendship shared by the children. The film has a strong message that friendship has to be valued. Watch out for the scene in which the young researcher reconciles the two bickering kids.

The differences between their families are brought out right in the opening scenes. Jorgito's family members are staunch Communists , and Malu's mother is a strict Catholic. There is a small scene, in which the sign board on Malu's house reads " Lord,this is your house" , and the one in Jorgito's reads "Fidel,this is your house". A deft masterstroke !!

The movie is a tad too slow , and definitely not as good as "Kikujiro" , another similar movie. The runtime is only 80 minutes , but there were a few scenes which could have been either shelved , or shot in a different manner. Still , no complaints at all !! This manages to keep you interested in it.

I will go with 3.5 out of 5 , for this simple,yet touching movie , which manages to strike a chord.

VERDICT : Very good. ( 3.5 / 5)

THE STING- REVIEW

THE STING (English,1973)

Director : George Roy Hill

Cast : Paul Newman , Robert Redford

This classic , had been on my list of "Yet to watch" movies for a long time . I finally got to watch it , and what an experience it turned out to be.

The story is set in 1936 Illinois , and is about a con artist , Hooker(Redford) , who is among the best grifters in town. Hooker and his mentor , Luther , con a guy , and make a lot of money. Sadly , Luther gets murdered , as the guy they had conned , happens to work for a dangerous mobster , Doyle Lonnegan, who seeks revenge.

Luther had just decided to quit the game , and had asked Hooker to meet a certain Henry Gondorff (Newman), in Chicago, before his untimely death. Hooker and Gondorff then decide to pull off one of the biggest cons of all times . And the target ? You guessed it.. Lonnegan.

This is undoubtedly one of the best con movies I have come across . And when it has legends like Newman and Redford , expectations are bound to be high.

The movie is essentially about the crime rackets in the 1930's , and is supposed to fit into the Crime genre. But thanks to some really well shot scenes , it manages to keep you laughing and at least smiling , most of the time.

The screenplay is aptly divided into various parts - The Players,The Set-up, The Tale,The Wire,The Shut-out and The Sting. Each part is equally engrossing and you are never given the opportunity to get bored. The dialogues are very witty and keep you laughing. The con sequences are top-notch. Newman and Redford simply shine as the con artists.

Of particular mention , are the con scenes in the Western Union Office , and the poker game on the train , in which Gondorff makes a walking joke out of Lonnegan.

Apart from the con scenes , there are many others which stand out. For instance the relationship between Hooker and Loretta , a coffee shop attendant , will shock you, for reasons best left unrevealed. The other cast members have all done well. However , Newman and Redford steal the show.

If you are expecting chemistry between the two , like "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid", you will be let down. Both the characters get their own share of the cake , and there are hardly any scenes , which remind you of the wonderful bond these actors shared , in "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid". Nevertheless , it is still a treat to watch these legends together again.

I don't find any flaw in the movie . In fact , I feel that today's industry which has given similar movies , like the Ocean's series , which are very good movies in their own right , have simply failed to meet the standards set by this movie , which I feel has to be considered as the perfect example of the word "CON".

Please do watch this movie , for Robert Redford and Paul Newman . I write this review , as a mark of respect for Paul Newman , who succumbed to cancer , a few days ago , at the age of 83. Watch this movie and the image of Henry Gondorff , will remain with you for a long time. Paul Newman fits perfectly into the character. May his soul Rest In Peace.

I will give this movie 4 out of 5 . Please do watch it to experience the Paul Newman effect. They don't make actors like him anymore. Butch Cassidy lives on in the hearts of film-lovers like me forever.

VERDICT : Timeless Classic . 4 / 5

GUNA - REVIEW

Guna (Tamil,1992)

Director: Santhana Bharathi

Cast: Kamal Hassan , Girish Karnad,Janagaraj

I had seen this movie a long time ago, when I was very young. Over the years I have managed to catch it in bits and pieces , on TV. But this is the first time , I watched the entire movie , as a grown-up and mature individual. And I loved it ...

The story is based on Guna (Kamal Hassan) , a mentally disabled person , who is put up in an asylum, under the care of a Doctor(Girish Karnad). There is only one person in the world whom he cares about,Abirami.We never get to know or see the real Abirami.She is just a lady always in Kamal's mind and he believes Abirami is an angel and will marry him.

Guna was an expert at breaking locks and Janagaraj engages him to break open the locks of a temple's treasury and burgle it.It is here that Guna sees a beautiful lady , Roshini and assumes her to be Abirami.After a rather interestingly shot series of events Guna and Roshini end up in Kodaikanal where he takes care of her in a rundown church.Meanwhile the police and Roshini's family caretaker are on the lookout for them.

This movie was made in 1992 and is considered to be one of the finest ever in Indian Cinema.Unfortunately the movie bombed as it is much ahead of its time like Kamal's "Aalavandhaan".Though the story is not at all complex the audience is still not mature enough to appreciate the beauty of this classic.

Guna's selfless love for abirami will stay in your mind for a long time thanks to one of Kamal's best performances EVER. This is a very serious character and there is not a single moment in which you are not overwhelmed by his phenomenal performance.The movie does not have any cliched or predictable scenes ,very unlike the movies made in the early 90's and is the perfect example of a "progressive movie".

Kamal's amazing acting is well supported by the other actors.Janagaraj,Girish Karnad,Roshini have acted finely.Roshini's character changes toward the end ,from trying to get rid of Guna and eventually falls in love with him.

The plot is very unpredictable ,like Guna's character.You never know what he has in store for you.There were only two things which I didn't appreciate much.The police sequences towards the end are made to look rather childish and SPB as the cop is irritable with his dialogues ,which he barely manages to mumble aloud and ends up coughing throughout.Roshini's caretaker is the only cliched character.However these are very minor faults in a movie and you will not find them boring you as the rest of the movie is simply amazing ,to say the least.The music by maestro Ilayaraja is brilliant.The most famous and beautiful sequence is the evergreen "Kanmani Anbodu" song.

Kamal's potential as an actor is widely known and I am not fit enough to describe the stalwart of Tamil cinema.His acting in this movie will remain a benchmark in Indian cinema for ever.The scene in which he shouts "Kuruvi ,Kuruvi !!" on seeing a bird being killed made me open my mouth in awe. Solid,nay Rock Solid acting !!

The movie is deservedly at the top of the masterpieces list in Indian cinema.The audience still not being able to appreciate such movies is very disappointing.

My verdict for the movie is 4 out of 5.It has to be simply seen and appreciated and don't blame me if you keep saying "Abirami ,Abirami" after watching it.Blame it on Mr.Kamal who makes it sound so beautiful.

Verdict: Ultimate Masterpiece 4 / 5

P.S.:If you ever get to visit Kodaikanal , make it a point to visit the pillar rocks or Guna caves.This is where cinematic history was created.

KRAMER V/S KRAMER - REVIEW

Kramer v/s Kramer (English,1979)

Director: Robert Benton

Cast: Dustin Hoffman , Meryl Streep, Justin Henry

This is one of the all-time classics and I decided to give it a try. What I thought would be cliched drama , surpassed all expectations .

The story revolves around Ted Kramer(Hoffman) and Joanna (Streep) , a dysfunctional couple in New York, and their 7 year old son , Billy(Justin Henry). Ted is a completely work oriented person and loves his job , and is always focused towards it. But he hardly listens to what his wife has to say. And he does not even know in which grade his son is studying in. Over a period of time , Joanna feels that there is nothing else remaining in the relationship and walks out , leaving Ted to look after their son. She does this because she is not confident of being a good mother to Billy .

Ted then takes care of Billy for 18 months and then Joanna resurfaces , seeking custody. They then decide on a lawsuit for Billy's custody.

The story is very simple and has been executed in the most brilliant manner. The director definitely deserves credit for his work. It's tough to start off with a simple story , and turn it into an absolute gem of a movie. The acting is the best thing about the movie,and drives the storyline. Dustin Hoffman , as Ted , is simply awesome. This brilliant actor shows why he is considered to be the best in the business. Meryll Streep , as Joanna is a class act . The character does not get much screen space , but she simply stuns you in the court scenes.

The role of the young kid ,Billy, is played very convincingly by Justin Henry. One scene almost moved me to tears . There is this scene in which he falls down and has to endure 10 stitches in the hospital. Simply brilliant....

There are some scenes which are very simple , but are shot in the most subtle manner. The Ice cream sequence between Hoffman and his son , is possibly the most touching scene of them all. And the scene in which Hoffman reads out a letter sent by Joanna to his son , is superb.

Technically , this movie has nothing much to talk about. The storyline does not require anything special in this department. The acting , and the dialogues are enough to drive the delicate storyline forward.

This is by far one of the best movies I have come across. I am a sucker for drama , and this one made a huge impact on me. I would highly recommend this movie for any single father. And the screenplay is rather pacy for a family drama. Not one scene bores you.

The movie deserves to be seen , for its amazing portrayal of such a delicate issue like Single parenthood. The court scenes , towards the end , are extraordinary. And Meryll Streep 's complex characterization is one of the movies many plus points.

Dustin Hoffman's performance is one among the best ever. Many people consider "Rainman" to be his best. His act in this one is not as overwhelming as the role of Raymond Babbitt in"Rainman" , but is amazing nonetheless.

This movie clearly deserves the 5 Academy Awards it won. The acting simply blew me away. This is what I call "Oscar material".

I will give it 4.5 out of 5 . Gems like these are hard to come by these days. Please do watch it.

Verdict: Uber(Ultimate) 4.5 /5

IN BRUGES - REVIEW

In Bruges ( English,2008)

Director: Martin McDonagh

Cast: Colin Farrell , Brendon Gleeson , Ralph Fieness

This is a crime story , which is different in the sense that you don't really get to to watch lots of normal crime related stuff like chase scenes , shootouts , etc.

The story is based on two hit men , Ray ( Colin Farrell) and Ken ( Brendon Gleeson) , who complete a mission in London. The mission does not go as per plan , and their boss decides to pack them off somewhere else , to hide for sometime.

They then end up in Bruges , Belgium . This is a city which has a lot of history associated with it. The duo , try to while away their time sight-seeing. Ken is the senior among the two , and appears to be rather intrigued by the immense cultural heritage which Bruges has on offer. Ray however , being the young-jumpy type does not really like the city as it's rather dull.

The two of them think that all they have to do is lay low in Bruges for sometime , and get back to London upon their boss , Harry's orders. But little do they know that Harry has completely different plans for them.I will not dwell any longer on the story , as it will make the movie lose its unpredictability quotient.

Ray 's mind is always troubled , as he cannot get over the horrid incident which happened in London , in which he ends up shooting the intended victim , and also an innocent victim. He also has the pleasure of a brief romantic interlude with Chloe , a drug dealer.

Ken , comes across as a man of culture , although he is a ruthless murderer. He is very impressed with Bruges , and likes it a lot , and enjoys his stay , unlike Ray.

The movie is not your conventional Crime type. The movie focuses more on the psyche of the hitmen , instead of the actual murder , and follows the ensuing series of events which unfold after the murder.

The acting is really good. Colin Farrell comes up with a rather fine act , and provides some comic relief with his witty dialogues. He easily fits into the role of Ray , and appears very convincing in his act. Another fact is that the character of Ray is Irish , and so is Farrell.

Brendon Gleeson , as Ken , is a very likeable character. The movie tries to make a point that even hard criminals , have a humane side to them , and Gleeson comes up with a brilliant performance , justifying the fact.

However,the most interesting character in the movie is that of Harry , played by Ralph Fiennes. Harry is a ruthless boss , but someone who is cut and right in his modus operandi. The characterization of Harry is easily one of the best things about the movie and Fiennes is simply brilliant.

The midget's character seems rather unwanted in the earlier stages of the movie. But he is rather likable , and is of particular significance in the climax scene.

The movie has few let-downs. The romance between Chloe and Ray seems unwanted , as far as the screenplay goes , but nevertheless adds to the atmosphere. Clemence Poesy , as Chloe is a class act , albeit in very brief role. The screenplay could have been a bit faster , but is compensated for by the excellent acting and witty humor , especially on the part of Ray.

The dialogues are very simple , yet funny in rather sarcastic way. Watch out for the Clock tower sequence in the first half. The climax scene is one of the best endings I have come across in a long time . "You've got to stick to your principles" is what the climax is all about.

Technically the movie is rather minimalistic. However the town of Bruges is highlighted beautifully. There is nothing great about the movie. However , it holds your interest , and there are only a few dull moments. Watch it for the amazing characterization, especially of Ken and Harry.

I will give it 3.5 out of 5 , as I firmly believe that characterization is the foundation of any movie and this does not let me down . And am someone who sticks to my principles ( Pay attention to the climax scene , and you 'll understand my last statement)

Verdict: Definitely worth a watch . 3.5/5

MURATTU KAALAI - REVIEW

Murattu Kaalai ( Tamil , 1980)

Director : S.P.Muthuraman

Cast: Rajinikanth , Rati Agnihotri , Jaishankar

One of Tamil Cinema's classics , "Murattu Kaalai" , is still considered evergreen . Released in 1980 , this movie catapulted Rajni to great heights and is considered to be one of his finest movies.

The story is rather cliched , but is acceptable , considering the era in which it was made. There are 2 neighbouring villages , and Kaaliyan ( Rajni) is the best "Jallikattu " ( bull-fighting) player in the vicinity. Kaaliyan also happens to be a rather prominent person in his village , but is very down to earth. Jaishankar holds the same position in the neighbouring village , but is a stark contrast to Kaaliyan . Jaishankar lives an extravagant lifestyle , complete with goondas for sidekicks. Jaishankar 's sister , and Kaaliyan have a brief romance.

Kaaliyan , however is very affectionate towards his brothers and his entire world revolves around them . Jaishankar , decides to marry off his sister to Kaaliyan , with an eye on his land. The marriage almost gets fixed , but Kaaliyan comes to know that Jaishankar's sister wants to split the bond between the brothers. He then calls off the marriage.

What happens after that is rather predictable , and involves a dozen sub-plots , as was the trend in those days. What stands out however is some fine acting by the cast .

Rajinikanth is such a delight to watch . This movie was made much before he was crowned the "Superstar" , and although we don't get to see the trademark Rajinikanth stuff in this movie , he comes up with a very fine performance. Comic timing was his forte those days , and the comedy scenes involving him are nice. There are a few " angry young man" scenes , which highlight his acting potential.

Jaishankar and his sister don't have much scope for acting and are rather monotonous in their performances. Rati Agnihotri as , the young Kannamma , who takes refuge under Kaaliyan , to escape the clutches of Jaishankar , comes up with a decent act . Y.Gee.Mahendra , as Kaaliyan's brother , comes across as a very funny character. He makes you laugh , in almost every frame involving him.

Technically , this film was a trend setter in Tamil Cinema. The stunt sequences , were such a novelty those days. The train fight sequence is worth mentioning , and is brilliantly shot. The locations for the movie are very beautiful , replete with lakes , waterfalls, and lush green fields.

There are some brilliant scenes . The one in which Jaishankar visits Kaaliyan's place to offer his sister's hand for marriage is one of the most hilarious sequences I have come across. Watch out for Y.Gee.Mahendra's body language in this scene. And of course the bull fighting sequences. There is also a brilliant scene in which Jaishankar's sidekick whips Kalliyan's brothers. Kaaliyan's anger is portrayed in such a ruthless manner , by the Superstar.

The songs , composed by Maestro Illayaraaja, are simply amazing. Of particular importance is the "Pothuvaga En manasu Thangam" , number. This is one of the most famous songs till date , and has still not lost its appeal. The song , picturized after Kaaliyan wins the bull fighting contest , is very well shot , with some wonderful lyrics , and will remain legendary forever.

Overall , the movie is decent . The time in which it was made is an important factor. This is such a trend setting movie , and is considered to be a cult. It has been referred to in quite a fewTamil movies , the latest being "Subramaniyapuram". Although it has many cliched scenes and characters , it does not really bore you , except in a few scenes.

I will go with 3 out of 5 , for "Murattu Kaalai" , which remains one of the Superstar's finest movies till date.

Verdict: Vintage Rajinikanth. 3/5

CLERKS - REVIEW

Clerks ( English,1994)

Director: Kevin Smith

Cast: Brian O'Halloran, Jeff Anderson

"Clerks" is honestly speaking , one of the funniest movies which I have seen in a long time. Again its one of those movies , shot on a very limited budget, but manages to make an impact. In this case , the movie had me rolling with laughter.

The story goes like this. Dante (Brian O'Halloran) is a clerk at a local convenience store. One fine day , which incidentally happens to be his day off, he ends up working and is least impressed with it. He then has to put up with the guy who works as a clerk at the Video- rental store next door , Randall ( Jeff Anderson).

Dante is really pissed off with work , and it gets reflected in his rather serious behavior. Randall , however , is the ultimate wisecrack , with a " I give a damn" attitude. The movie is very funny , albeit the humor which mostly revolves around raunchy jokes.

There is no big plot in the movie. It just shows what happens on a particular day , focusing on Dante's character. He has a girlfriend , Veronica , who reveals her rather shady past. Dante is not really impressed with it and it ends up spoiling his already dark mood. He then realizes that his ex-flame , Caitlin is getting married to someone else , and this bit of news upsets him even more.

In the middle of all this , he has to put up with annoying customers, with a hockey game at the back of his head. Not to mention the drug dealers outside his shop. The movie shows all the things that just went wrong that day. One of his ex-girlfriends dies. He gets served with a 500$ fine for no fault of his and many other such tight spots.

The characters are rather interestingly portrayed. The contrasting attitudes of Dante and Randall , provide quite a few laughs. The humor is definitely raunchy , and I will not recommend this movie if you are the not the kind who like such flicks. One thing which I liked about the movie is its natural flavor. I mean , come on , what else would two young guys who are bored to death , discuss. But this is so unlike the so called comedies , which portray vulgarity visually. There is nothing of that sort in this movie. Just the dialogues , which are seriously raunchy.

There are lots of hilarious scenes in the movie. I loved the one with the guy who walks into the store and starts preaching to the people who come to buy cigarettes. And the one in which a lady walks into Randall's store and asks him to recommend which movie to watch.

Dante is the worrying kind and sulks all through the movie. The portions with Randall are the funniest,though. There are other interesting characters. Jay , Silent Bob , and his cousin Olaf provide quite a few laughs.

This is by no means a great movie. But it's definitely one of the funniest I have seen. Please don't watch it if you don't appreciate humor which focuses on sex. But if you are a little open minded , you might like this.And another thing to note is that the movie does not entirely consist of crude humor and has its share of lighter moments otherwise.It is what people would call a "perfect Blend" (well,almost).

This is the Director's debut movie , and is a rather bold attempt . The humor, is almost over the top . I will go with 3 out of 5 for this one.


Verdict : Good. But not too good. 3 / 5

FOLLOWING - REVIEW

Following ( English , 1998)

Director: Christopher Nolan

Cast: Unknown faces.

If there is one movie , among all those that I have seen , which makes you go completely numb after watching it , it has to be this one. Christopher Nolan's debut movie , shot on a paltry sum of 7000 $ , " Following" took me back to the noir days.

I will just give you a very brief description of the story as I don't want to spoil things for you. The protagonist of the movie , Bill , is a wannabe writer , who stalks people , for reasons he himself is unsure of. We are left to assume that he "follows" people , as it might aid him in creating characters for his literary pursuits. He sets himself certain interesting rules , for following people. What happens when he starts breaking the rules , is what the entire movie is all about.

We are then introduced to another character called Cobb , a burglar who happens to take Bill under his wings . I will stop with the story here. I implore you watch the movie to find out what's the big deal about a rather simple story .

The movie is an absolutely satisfying example of Nolan's genius. There are certain similarities to "Memento" in the style. The movie smoothly jumps from the past to the present and back again,many a time, in a complexly woven storyline, which you will not "follow", unless close attention is paid to the finer aspects of the story.

This film never has a dull moment , thanks to its length ( just over an hour). There are enough twists and turns in the movie , which keeps you hooked till the end. What I liked about this movie is that for a debut movie , this is truly amazing. Many directors start off from scratch and make some half-baked movies , before striking it big. But Nolan has set himself a benchmark , right in his debut flick.

There is another important character , a blonde. I will not reveal anymore. The movie is set in London , although not much importance is paid to the set, the camera work , and other technical aspects of film-making. It is rather the storytelling abilities of Nolan , which makes you go completely gaga about it. There are however a few scenes which make you scratch your head , as this is a very difficult movie to "follow".

The characterization is simply brilliant. Although the character of Bill is extremely odd , believe me , he is the character whom its easiest to "follow". Cobb and the blonde are the two most unbelievable characters whom I have come across so far.

There are many scenes which simply sweep you off your feet . The acting is exceptional , and none of the cast members are professional actors , to the best of my knowledge. This movie was made when he was unknown in film-making circles. The movie will come as a surprise to all those people who swear by the fact that it takes millions of dollars to make a decent movie. Christopher Nolan has proved them all wrong in this little gem of his.

Christopher Nolan's movies are always something to look forward to . The guy who gave us "Memento" , "The Prestige" , "Batman Begins" and the recent "The Dark Knight" , proves his worth as a force to reckon with. He is truly out of the world . Mr.Nolan am your "follow"er.

Now onto the verdict. This is a masterpiece from one of the greatest contemporary directors in Hollywood, Christopher Nolan. May his tribe increase !! I will go with 4 out of 5 for this gem.

Verdict: Masterpiece . 4/5

FA YEUNG NIN WA - Review

Fa yeung nin wa ( In the mood for love)

( Cantonese , 2000)

Director: Wong Kar Wai

Cast: Maggie Cheung, Tony Leung Chiu

Every once in a while comes a movie that simply blows you away. And a certain Mr. Wong Kar Wai is a master at making such movies. Although I don't generally prefer love stories , Kar Wai 's movies are an exception to the rule.

"In the mood for love" , is set in Hong Kong in 1962. Mr.Chow ( Tony Leung) a journalist rents a room in an apartment , and moves in with his wife. Mrs.Chan / Su ( Maggie Cheung) a secretary also moves into another room in the same building. Incidentally , both of them move in on the same day , without their spouses , who are always busy at work. Being lonely most of the time , with their respective spouses away , this story portrays the relationship between Chow and Su .

Although the story is very simple , Wong Kar Wai gives us a breath - taking movie . The bond between Chow and Su , the lonely neighbors , is beautifully portrayed. It is the emotional appeal of these two characters which takes this movie into the next level.

The two of them then realize that their respective spouses are having an affair . This is where we get to feel the Wong Kar Wai magic. Although the characters of the spouses are a fairly integral part of the story , there is not a single scene which shows these two characters. All we get is very few scenes shot from behind Mrs.Chow never really showing her face. Mr.Chan is even more elusive , we only get to hear his voice once in a while .

Once the reality of the fact that their spouses are having an affair hits them , Chow and Su are pretty much disturbed , but it never really shows in the beautiful characterization. This is where the movie takes you for an exquisite ride across emotional valleys. Although both of them are quite unique characters , we get to notice certain similarities in their preferences in a few scenes. The sequences involving their frequent visits to the noodle shop and their interest in martial arts based fiction are excellent. The two of them move closer emotionally.

They are one of the most unforgettable characters . Although shocked , they try not to stoop down to the same level as their spouses. This aspect of their relationship is portrayed in the most elegant manner possible and forms the crux of the movie. They try to help each other to come out of their emotional turmoil , and at the same time try not to fall for each other.

To truly experience the magic of this movie , you have to be really patient . The reason being that the story never really unfolds through the Screenplay. It is the dialogues and and the subtle expressions of the characters , which carry the story , throughout the movie , and this is what makes it such a treat to watch.

The acting is something to be truly appreciated. Both the lead actors have underplayed their roles to perfection. There are no lengthy dialogues or loud scenes which are normally associated with such delicate relationships , like this one.

Visually this movie is brilliant , yet, it is very unlike other Wong Kar Wai movies which I have seen. You dont get to see the slanting angles , the purposefully dodgy camera work , the surreal imagery nor the perfectly exaggerated use of bright colours in "Fa yeung nin wa".

However the director uses his trademark slow motion camera work , which might be the only similarity to his other movies which I have seen . And the background score is very refreshing and perfectly matches the characterization . Another trademark Wong Kar Wai touch !!

The other characters in the movie are also rather interesting. You have the neighbors who keep playing Mahjong all the time . And Chow's friend , Ping , who is eternally in monetary need . And Mr. Ho , Su's boss , who himself is involved in an extra-marital affair.

There are some sequences which are truly excellent . Watch out for the restaurant scenes in particular. And the one in which Su is stuck in Chow's place as she cant get back home since the neighbors are playing Mahjong throughout the night.

Watch this movie for its pure magic which you can experience only if you pay careful attention to the dialogues and subtle expressions of the lead actors.

Wong Kar Wai's movies are truly brilliant and this one exceeded all expectations , by a mile.

I will give it 4 out of 5. Please do watch this movie .

Verdict : Uber ( Ultimate) 4/5

SATYAM - REVIEW

SATYAM

(TAMIL,2008)


Cast: Vishal, Nayanthara, Upendra, Premji


Let me get a few things out of the way at first. I am not a big fan of either Vishal or Nayanthara or any of the members of the cast in this movie. Under normal circumstances I would have given this movie a skip, but staying at home continuously for months together does drive you to the brink of desperation and with this sense of desperation a few of my friends and myself decided to give this movie a try.

The movie is basically the story of a cop who stands up against the system. Yes, we have seen umpteen number of movies with the same theme and hurrah !!! we get to see it again. So damn cool.

I am writing this review nearly a month after having seen it, and the movie is by no means one that you will remember while watching it let alone after leaving the cinema hall. All the scenes are riddled with cliches that we usually find in cop movies. The storyline goes something like this. Vishal is trying to bring to the book corrupt politicians who use the police to kill their enemies in encounters. Nayanthara is a reporter (or something of that sort..I am still trying to decipher what her character was) who is bent on exposing corruption ( I guess). Premji Amaren acts as Nayanthara's sidekick in the movie.

Vishal has a dark past in which he witnesses the dubious deeds of corrupt politicians early in his life and is inspired by a police officer , played by Upendra , to bring the corrupt to justice rather than just doing away with them. In due course of time, Upendra himself disgusted with the functioning of the system decides to take matters into his own hands and starts wiping off the corrupt ministers one by one. One such scene in which he kills a corrupt minister stands out as Upendra actually uses a BAZOOKA to carry out the killing. Wow!!!

And as you might have guessed by now, there emerges a tussle between Upendra and Vishal with the two of them finding themselves on opposite sides of the ring, one abiding the law to bring the criminals to justice and the other using violence to do away with the corrupt. The ensuing series of events form the rest of the movie.

Nayanthara and Premji Amaren are reduced to nothing but gimmicks in this movie.Almost all the comedy scenes involving her make you go up to the screen and rip it apart. The comedy or So-Called comedy falls flat on its face ensuring only catcalls and jeers from the public in the cinema hall. It is that kind of movie that will make you turn to your friend nearby and shake your head sideways. The whole movie is a test of human endurance.

The only saving grace for the movie is Upendra. He manages to carry out his role with elan and the only bright moments are provided when he is on screen. Vishal 's acting is quite sombre given that the script doesn't provide him with much scope. A scene which involves a heated conversation between Upendra and Vishal lifts up the movie for a few moments, and provides a welcome respite from the endless gibberish.

The music is quite OK actually and the songs are well shot, but we eventually end up making an assumption that the music must be as bad as the movie. This is the kind of movie that will make you look at your watch countless number of times until your wrist hurts. The script does not provide anything new and that is the main drawback of this movie. Another thing to look out for is the number of Punch-Dialogues that have been derived from other famous Tamil movies and sufficiently " remixed " enough for the audience to go " There he goes again " (which vernacularly could contain a lot of obscenities added to it) .

Yes, it is possible that I might have forgotten most of what happened in this movie in nearly the one month or so that has gone by, but I can assure you that I was not happy when I came out of the cinema hall and neither were most of my brave fellow comrades who accompanied me on this daring endeavour. I must also add that while booking the ticket online the website kept springing up errors constantly and finally after about a dozen unsuccessful transactions i finally got to book the tickets. I wholeheartedly accept the blame for not reading the Cue.

I go with 1 out of 5 just for the sake of it. Probably because of the OK music and Upendra's good performance.

Verdict: Save Trees. Don't buy tickets to this one. 1 / 5

THE DARK KNIGHT- REVIEW


THE DARK KNIGHT

(ENGLISH,2008)

Director: Christopher Nolan

Cast: Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Morgan Freeman, Michael Caine, Aaron Eckhart, Maggie Gylenhall, Gary Oldman

Just when we had started to give up hope on Hollywood after a string of mediocre releases "The Dark Knight" came to our rescue . Literally.

We have to admit that we were never big fans of the Batman franchise. Maybe a few comic strips once in a while, but nothing beyond that. However, we had loved " Batman Begins " the predecessor to this movie. Christopher Nolan is one among the best in the the business and had done justice to the Batman character in " Batman Begins " . But generally sequels tend to cut a sorry figure, apart from maybe a few.

"The Dark Knight", thankfully, is a rare exception. This is another classic Good v/s Evil movie but it is the execution that differentiates this movie from the other Superhero movies.

The movie starts off rather well with a bank robbery scene.The audience is left to wonder, "Who the hell is the Joker? ". That's when we have a close up shot of the late Heath Ledger. " I believe whatever doesn't kill you simply makes you .... Stranger", pretty much sums up the character of the Joker.

Then we have the Batman making an appearance in a rather interestingly shot impersonation scene. The movie then dwells on the corruption and crime scenario of good, 'ole Gotham City.

Unlike "Batman Begins" the character of Bruce Wayne is underplayed by Christian Bale. "The Dark Knight" focuses more on the Batman character, with very little emphasis on Wayne. Michael Caine as the butler is impressive as usual. The role of Mr. Fox is again portrayed by the versatile Morgan Freeman.

What stands out in the movie however is the character of The Joker. Heath Ledger gives us a performance of a lifetime. The sheer ruthlessness of the character is portrayed brilliantly.

The movie could have easily been "Oh..so predictable" like many Superhero flicks.But you can always bank on Nolan to give that extra something, which makes his movies stand apart. Yes, being a Superhero movie there are a few cliched scenes, but you will hardly notice them as Nolan keeps you glued to your seats. Although the movie is pretty much based on the Joker v/s Batman rivalry there are some exceptional scenes without these two characters. The "Social Experiment" scene with the two ferries is simply brilliant. This scene stands out because we believe that's what the movie is all about.

The Batman character is the best among all the various Batman versions on screen. Bale is as reliable as ever. Although the Joker easily steals the show, there are some scenes involving The Dark Knight which will take your breath away. There is this amazing sequence based on a party hosted by Wayne in which the Joker makes an appearance. Or the shots of the Batman swooping down across the night sky among the skyscrapers. And the BatPod sequence. It is scenes like these which makes the movie stand out.

"The Dark Knight " is technically brilliant and will be a visual feast. The background score is mighty impressive and the OST is definitely worth your money.

The movie is a tad long compared to recent releases with a runtime of 152 mins. But rest assured you will never feel bored the slightest bit as the screenplay is as fast as lightning and Nolan ensures there is never a dull moment.

The piece 'de resistance however is the " Why so serious, Son" scene involving the Joker. This is easily one of the best cinematic scenes in history and there is a superb scene in which the Joker joins the applause when Oldman is appointed Commissioner. Heath Ledger definitely deserves an Oscar. May his Soul Rest in Peace.

The star cast is top-notch. Bale, Ledger, Freeman, Eckhart, Caine, Oldman are all at the top of their game in this movie. Maggie Gylenhall does have a rather small role and does justice to it.However we terribly miss Katie Holmes from Batman Begins. She was a stunner!!!

Alright then. The Verdict. This is an exceptionally brilliant movie and it has something in it for everyone. We will give it 4.5 out of 5

Verdict: Simply Uber (Ultimate) . 4.5 / 5

Well, lets start off the proceedings with a review of Kuselan

Movie: KUSELAN (Tamil , 2008)


Director: P.Vasu

Cast: Rajinikanth,Pasupathy,Meena

This is not your typical Rajinikanth movie . If you are looking forward to a dozen punch dialogues , a handful , or rather , fistful , of fights , you will be disappointed , my friend. The intro scene is the highlight of any Superstar movie. This one is no exception.

The very sight of Rajinikanth , riding on a pegasus , in a Zorro costume , in the desert , to the tunes of "Cinema Cinema" , was enough to send a Thalaivar fan like me into a state of frenzy.

But before his intro , you have to endure a very slow moving and rather boring half an hour.

The movie starts off rather interestingly with certain interestingly shot frames , which show the contrasting lifestyles of the barber and the Superstar.

After this there is nothing much which happens , worth mentioning, and the audience is made to endure unwarranted torture from Livingston and his bunch of homies , in the name of comedy !!

And when Vadivelu decides to join the party , things take a turn towards the worse. Frankly i expected some rib tickling comedy , which Vadivelu is very good at normally. But Kuselan has very few comic scenes worth mentioning.

There are some very well shot scenes which manage to keep the audience interested in the movie. For instance , the one in which Pasupathy tries to meet the Superstar and ends up getting bruised in the stampede

Or, the one in which Vadivelu bumps into Rajinikanth and cant hide his feelings. The bulk of the movie , sadly,is spent in unwanted attempts at comedy.

The sentimental scenes involving Pasupathy and his family , are well intended , but get fairly annoying beyond a certain point.

The acting is very ordinary as far as Meena and the other actors are concerned
But the character of Barber Balu, who is constantly in a tight spot , is played with ease by Pasupathy . Although not as powerful as his act in " Veyyil" , this role by the talented actor is definitely worth some praise.

Ah... The Superstar himself.

Although there is not much scope for displaying the Rajinikanth phenomena which we have been accustomed to in his movies, he underplays his character , with trademark Rajinikanth elan and style.

There are loads of unwanted scenes in the movie. For instance , the voyeuristic Vadivelu ogling at a gorgeous Nayanthara. People will question my orientation if I were to say that I did not like the scene :) . But c'mon guys , this is sooooooo out of place in a Rajinikanth movie.

And P.Vasu 's attempt at self advertising could have been avoided. "Chandramukhi" need not have been re-created in Kuselan.

The music is fairly good . And the lyrics praising the Superstar are truly out of the world , and will be a treat for Rajni fans.

The climax is by far the only good thing about the movie. It is its saving grace. For people who say that Rajinikanth cant act , this will serve to be a perfect "nose cut". The pin drop silence in the theatre during the climax speech was ample proof of this , as a few lines which he delivers frankly would have brought the roof down. The climax is a tear jerker in every sense of the word. And for his fans , who will be able to correlate the dialogues to the Rajni in real life , will truly experience the Rajni magic in the climax scenes.

On the whole , this movie is a huge disappointment . We know this was always meant to be a small role for the Superstar , and I don't grouse that fact. But the movie could have been much better if many scenes had been shelved .

The execution of such a good story , falls flat on its face. I have not seen the original version "Katha Parayumbol" , but am sure the Tamil version is a poor attempt in comparison.

We had promised that there will be no room for bias in our reviews , and Kuselan is a stellar example . Even though we are MAJOR fans of Thalaivar , we will go with 1.5 out of 5 for this sorry excuse of a movie that is Kuselan. Thalaivaaa... waiting for "Sultan".

Verdict : Don't waste your time . Unless you are a Rajni fan. 1.5 / 5