3:10 to Yuma (2007) movie review

Starring: Russell Crowe, Christian Bale, Peter Fonda, Gretchen Mol
Directed by James Mangold

----Spoilers included-------

I am not a huge fan of Westerns &I have never seen the original version of this film. So no comparison w.r.t. old one.
Coming to movie, the story is about two exactly opposite men, the first of whom is Dan Evans, played by Christian Bale, a handicapped former whose ranch is being strangled by local business men. The second one is an arrogant ruthless outlaw leader Ben Wade, played by Russell Crowe. Movie begins with Wade leading an attack on a heavily armed stagecoach & killing almost all of them & robbing the money & Evan watches the whole thing. Very soon reckless Wade is easily captured & a plan is to move him to a nearby railroad town and send him to Yuma against Wade's gang. Evans offers his help to move Wade to the nearby railroad town for much need cash. Rest of the movie revolves around whether wade was sent to Yuma or not. Solid premise for complex cowboy movie & great performance by Christian Bale and Russell Crowe & good dialogs, score and excellent job by cinematographer & costume designer. Ending was pretty complex & satisfactory. I have couple questions on ending theories. Whatever it is solid picture with “Do the right thing” message. I am hoping that this movie will get couple of Oscar nominations.

Enfant, L' (The Child) Movie Review

Starring: Jeremie Renier, Deborah Francois
Directed by: Luc Dardenne, Jean-Pierre Dardenne
----Spoilers included-------

Movie starts with a young mother Sonia, played by Déborah François, with a new-born baby searching on the streets for her boy friend Bruno, played by Jérémie Renier, the father of her child. As plot thickens, we will see the day to day life of Brunos, a low-level thief, panhandler, and slacker who refuse to work & believe in steeling & begging but not working & support his girlfriend by illegal means. Right from the first meeting, Bruno, never shows any kind of interest in the baby or in the fatherhood. In a confused & without any conscience, he sells the baby in the black market. After knowing that Sonia reacts with shock & violently & rejects him completely. Bruno bring the baby back to Sonia but he losses many things & we will see his slow transformation. It is kind of movie where it is highly impossible for the audience to accept & love the characters. Both Bruno & Sonia were energetic & did amazing job & acting was very natural. Movie was very realistic & thoughtful & heavy without any soundtrack and interesting cinematography. This is my first Dardenne Brothers film and I enjoyed it. I missed their earlier movie “Rosetta”. I simply returned the DVD to netflix after keeping four weeks because of busy schedules. Now again I will put it back in to my queue. The DVD comes with very good & in-depth interview with movie directors& their thoughts on movie & how this movie idea was born etc. Must for serious moviegoers.

Last weekend movies

Enfant, L' (The child) {8.5/10} A complex & realistic movie about an incredibly irresponsible young father & confused young mother. Only for serious film lovers.

3:10 to Yuma {8/10} A complicated cowboy flick & intellectually acceptable & but no sticking power.

Derailed (2005) {7/10} Same old good basic premise & Ok movie & good performance by Clive Owen's.

Watched few more movies. I will update this post later.

Black Friday online shopping so far

So far brought the following from circuit city.
Missed Seagate 500GB external drive from CC.

1) SanDisk 2GB SD Card
2) Kingston 2GB DataTraveler
3) Targus Portable DVD Player Carrying Case

4) Dynex - 9" 16:9 Widescreen Portable DVD Player from Best Buy online
Few DVD's like Syriana & Just friends etc.

Black Friday plans

Last five years I used to do lots of shopping at Best Buy & Circuit City & few other stores. Always used to purchase lot of movie DVDs. This time, I decided not go for it. Few days back I got e-mail from Amazon saying they are offering hourly deals on Black Friday. May be I will stick to computer & I will do all the shopping online. If you don’t know the link for the Amazon black Friday, click the following link.

Black Friday 2007 at Amazon.com

Last weekend movies

Detour (1945) {9.5/10} A clever, cheap film noir is filled with suspense, horror, tension, sense of being caught up in a nightmare etc.

The Rules of the Game (1939) {9.5/10} Another Masterpiece movie.

Snakes on Plane. (2006) (2ed time) {7/10} Ordinary thriller with occasional fun movements & Jackson delivers his brand mark famous line again. (Watched it to give company.)

Clean (2004) movie review

Starring: Maggie Cheung, Nick Nolte
Directed by: Olivier Assayas
Movie opens with Emily, played by Maggie Cheung, breakup fight with her rock star husband & later drug overdose & death of her husband & she goes to jail for drug possession & later her attempts to unite with her son & her attempts to over come her drug addition (she never cared about the son before her husband’s death.) Movie pace was slow & story changes many places i.e. from Canada, Paris, London to San Francisco but over all very well directed & Cheung's convincing performance as a drug addict draw viewers complete attention. Very realistic melodrama with message of people do change & emphasis on unity. If you looking for good drama, this movie fits your bill.

Worst lines from movies

• I watched so many good classic to awful movies. Following are few worst movie lines from those.
  
  1) Gene Hackman says "I need food...I have to eat" Enemy of state
  2) 'I'm....so.........cold.' Pearl Harbor
  3) "Go spidey go!" Spider man
  4) We've been waiting for an hour He's peed three times ...Mr Pink from Fargo
  5) "You did this to become immortal...why?"
  "To live forever!" -House of the Dead
  6) "This is bad." –Titanic
  7) "Today we celebrate our Independence Day." - President Bill Pullman ID
  8) ARE YOU A MEXICAN OR A MEXICAN'T? Once Upon a Time in Mexico
  9) Kill them all, let God sort them out Doom
  10) "What killed the dinosaurs?... The ice age!!" Batman and Robin.
  

The Weather Man (2005) movie review

Starring: Nicolas Cage, Hope Davis, Michael Caine
Directed by: Gore Verbinski

This movie about a normal man David Spritz, played by Nicolas Cage, is a Chicago weather man whose marriage has failed & his wife hates him, whose children are troubled and unhappy, whose father is disappointed in him, and whose self-esteem lies in ruins. In an effort to be a good father he tries to bond with his daughter, but ends up making things worse. Same case with his wife. Movie pacing was slow and builds up to nothing & ends in a downbeat note. The Weatherman isn't a film for everyone. i.e. if you like depressing & downbeat movies, then you may like this one.

Few dialogs:

Easy doesn't enter into grown-up life.

I remember once imagining what my life would be like, what I'd be like. I pictured having all these qualities, strong positive qualities that people could pick up on from across the room. But as time passed, few ever became any qualities that I actually had. And all the possibilities I faced and the sorts of people I could be, all of them got reduced every year to fewer and fewer. Until finally they got reduced to one, to who I am. And that's who I am, the weather man.

Last weekend movies

The Weather Man (2005) : {8/10} A serious, easy to sit through & downbeat movie.

Clean (2004) : {7/10} A subtle, realistic portrayal of a drug addicted, rock star widow who tries to change her life to unite with her kid. Very good performance by Maggie Cheung.

The Break-up (2006) : {7/10} It was funny in some scenes but overall more serious downbeat movie. {Marketed as comedy? Dead wrong.}

Swimming Pool (2003) movie review

Starring: Charlotte Rampling, Ludivine Sagnier,

Directed by: Francois Ozon

It is a blind pick from library. Movie start with a tired successful crime fiction British writer, Charlotte Rampling as Sarah Morton , going off to sunny France , it is an her close publisher's offer, to try and work on the new novel. However after reaching there, she gets a surprise by an insolent, sexually wild young girl, Julie, show up unannounced (the daughter of her publisher) and the two of them try to share the same space while the Sarah tries to work on her new novel. Movie has all great premises however for various reasons, it will not engage you. One big reason is it movie runs with very slow pace. A surprise ending causes you to reexamine, rewind parts of movie scenes. My big concern is she was famous a writer & at the end she comes with a her best plot?? Pretty average erotic thriller with good ending.

The Odd Couple (1968) movie review

Starring: Jack Lemmon, Walter Matthau

Directed by: Gene Saks

Movie opens with Jack Lemmon, plays as Felix Ungar, is trying to kill himself after his recent split from his wife. Walter Matthau, plays Oscar, his friend & long time poker pal, fun loving slob, an unreliable sports-reporter who lives in divorce from his ex-wife in a bachelor apartment. He offers his distressed friend Felix, an ultra neat guy, a new home in his apartment. Rest of the movie revolves around how two such contrary characters can't share eight room apartment. The premise becomes little tiresome with little room to grow. As far as living together is concerned, it is doomed right from the start. However coming to Comedy, this movie really delivers & totally hilarious. The chemistry between Lemmon and Matthau is simply great. You will see lot’s of great scenes when both men invite their two female neighbors for supper, Flex call to Oscar about dinner plans, asking Oscar about 7’c clock time etc.
If you've never seen this movie you owe it to yourself. So rent it as soon as possible.

Last weekend movies

The odd couple (1968): [9/10] Superb comedy. Totally hilarious.

Closer (2004): [7/10] {Yet another movie about love, jealousy and betrayal. This movie is not for everyone. Some of the performances were good but you may not like the characters.)

Swimming pool(2003): [7/10] Another erotic thriller with open ending. Ending left to viewer imagination.

When Harry Met Sally (1989) movie review

I watched "When Harry Met Sally..." nearly a decade back. Last weekend, I got a chance to watch it again. Just picked the DVD from library. Brief plot is about the friendship between a man and a woman. As story kicks in, we will see Harry (Billy Crystal) and Sally (Meg Ryan) move from their college years into their early thirties. They are good friends; however, the question is whether or not a man and woman can be friends. As story goes on both fall in love and the two are often left in the dust looking at each other. Perfect comedy timing & good chemistry between Billy and Meg & fine dialogs keeps viewer attention till the end. Not in-depth but movie offers cute insights in to men and women relationships. Very enjoyable romantic comedy and well made.

Few good one liner dialogs

When a woman is not attractive, you always say she has a great personality.

A man can never be friends with a woman whom he finds attractive. The sex part always gets on the way.

The Painted Veil (2006) movie review

Starring & produced by : Naomi Watts, Edward Norton
Directed by: John Curran

The Painted Veil is directed by John Curran (We Don't Live Here Anymore) based on W. Somerset Maugham's novel. This is simply a great love story set in China during its colonial period with a cholera epidemic as a backdrop. Brief plot is a Shanghai based English Doctor Walter (Norton), who marries a lovely Kitty (Watts) in the 1920s, before shortly returning to Shanghai. ( it is kind of arranged marriage. i.e. they both don’t each other until the marriage.) During this time Watts, develops an affair with another person. After knowing this Walter volunteers to a remote village suffering from a severe Cholera epidemic. In fact he threaten Kitty either take divorce on the grounds of adultery or come with him. With no other options, Kitty go to remote village. Rest of the movie revolves around how these two disappointed married individuals’ couple comes together under dangerous environment. Film ends with upbeat note but leaves bitter sadness behind. The whole atmosphere of the film is very haunting and realistic. Beautiful locations and brilliant cinematography, amazing score, fantastic character development, and outstanding acting. The Painted Veil is easily one of the top ten movies for year 2006. May be it is time to update my top ten 2006 list?

Last weekend movies

The painted veil (8.5/10) {another interesting love story of a disconnected married couple.}

When Harry Met Sally... (8/10) {after 10 years second time I watched this movie.
One of the best romantic comedies ever made.}
Snakes on a Plane(7/10) {start fine but falls a part. Another formula based Hollywood thriller}

Mission Impossible 3 {7/10} {so so movie after one & two. Entertains bit & pieces but over all simple action story. }

I will write my review(‘s) later this week.

My Top Ten movies of 2005

I am working on compiling my top 10 movies for year 2005.
Still I have to watch few important foreign movies.
Right now following are top lists

1) Crash
2) Capote
3) Cinderella Man
4) Brokeback Mountain
5) A history of violence
6) Broken flowers
7) V for Vendetta
8) Munich
9) Batman Begins
10) King Kong

Honorable Mentions:

Walk the Line

Brick Kiss Kiss Bang Bang

Grizzly Man

Hwal aka The Bow by Ki-duk Kim

Lady in the Water (2006) movie review

After lot of warnings, low meter ratings, I watched Lady in the Water few days back. I don't understand why this movie got such hostility from all. I see problems in the movie that people could object to, but people are calling this the worst movie in years is completely out of proportion. Brief plot is, an apartment complex filled with eccentric people, each with a slight oddity that sets them apart from the rest of the world. Cleveland Heep (Giamatti) is the apartment superintendent. One day Heep discovers a woman named Story swimming in the complex's swimming pool after 10P.M. & Cleveland soon learns that she is a "Narf," a Chinese fairytale, who comes from the other world and has a message for humanity. {One problem is since Narf from a Chinese fairytale, people are expecting Chinese surroundings?) As Heep tries to help her & discovers, each person in the apartment complex becomes an important player in this fairy tale that unfolds. While people have claimed the story is slow, I thought it was well paced. The acting was very good in particular Giamatti performance was awesome. James Newton Howard's score for this movie is truly amazing & camera work also great.

Following are few problems with the picture
Shaymalan in the major role {future’s intellectual savior?)
One minute animation at the beginning {too much story?}
Asian girl & mom were annoying {few times}

Despite with above the problems, one can watch this solid movie. If you are Shyamalan fan then it is must. My rating 7/10.

My top Ten 70's movies

Still I am watching many 70’s movies. As of today, following are my top 10 movies from 1970’s.

1. Taxi Driver
2. The Godfather II
3. Annie Hall
4. Killer of sheep
5. A Clockwork Orange
6. Apocalypse Now
7. Chinatown
8. Jaws
9. One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
10. Aguirre, the Wrath of God

Few honorable movies

The Elephant Man
Network
Star Wars
Enter the Dragon
Drunken Master
& Rocky

If I find some time, I will add my small reviews for above movie.
I watched most of them on DVD except "Killer of sheep". I watched it on screen during the recent re-release.

My small review of Two for the Money (2005) movie

Movie opens with background narration by Brandon (Matthew McConaughey), a little kid showing lots of interest for sports & in the initial scenes, he gets injured in the collage football game. After his knee injury, he becomes Vegas odds maker & still trying to get in to shape & in to NFL sport. Al Pacino plays Walter, who runs a sports betting hotline & identifies the talent of Brandon & imports him to New York, to work for hotline & show. Brandon’s initial picks were great success (i.e. at some point he beats with 12-0 wins.) As story goes further, we will see Brandon’s & Walter fallout & heart felt ending. Al Pacino's performance is simply marvelous & Matthew McConaughey & Rene Russo also wonderful too. Movie was very engaging in its understanding what gambling is, how it works and how pervasive it is in America. (Matter of fact it is pervasive across the globe) Plot mainly focuses on the lives people involved in it & its consequences. Plot runs little slow at times & but over all it is OK movie. Don’t watch with great expectations & if you are Al Pacino fan, then it is must for his performance & very few Hollywood movies deals with this rare subject of sports betting.

My small review of Sleuth (1972) movie

"Sleuth" proves that a great screenplay & good action is sufficient to make good thriller with minim cost. This entire movie was made in an old mansion & plot consists of only three characters & yet engages the viewer for whole two plus hours.

Cast: Laurence Olivier, Michael Caine
Directed by: Joseph Mankiewicz
Written by: Anthony Shaffer

Brief plot is about a rich detective novelist named Andrew Wyke (Olivier), who invites Milo Tindle (Caine) an owner of a chain of hair salons to his country side home to discuss Milo's affair with Wyke's wife. As they start talking, they quickly earths a robbery scheme which beneficial to the both i.e. jewelry money to Tindle & insurance money to Wyke. Rest of the plot revolve around these two strangeness does not stop with robbery but two men each have personal motives and the twists and turns. The dialogue were terrific & action by both lead cast was very commendable. {However I never felt Mr.Caine character acting as simple working class man.}
Except few minor problem's movie really rocks. Twists & turns are good.
If you have even slight interest towards mind game thrillers, then this film fits in you bill.

Last weekend movies

The Shawshank Redemption
{An innocent man convicted of life in prison but He never gives up the idea of freedom & hope)
{9.5/10}

Sleuth
{An intelligent psychological mind game thriller. I will write my short review later}
{8.5/10}


Two for the Money (2005)
{A little lengthy drama about what gambling is how it works, its pervasive it is in America Matter of fact, and it was pervasive across the globe. This movie focuses gambling around NLF games.)
{7/10}

Rear Window (1954)
Recent Disturbia original. A wheel chaired bound photo grapher starts spying on neighbor across the building & its consequences.
{9/10}

My small review of Double Indemnity (1944) movie

Director: Billy Wilder
Starring: Fred MacMurray, Barbara Stanwyck

"Double Indemnity" is one of my favorite Film Noir classic.

Brief plot: A married cunning women, Dietrichson(Barbara Stanwyck), plans to murder her husband for insurance money. Plot looks plain simple however she pulls the insurance guy, Neff (Fred MacMurray), who sold the policy in to her plan. There are some great scenes between Dietrichson and Neff & he explains that working for an insurance company inevitably gives him ideas about scamming the company. They both plans & commits a perfect murder until one of Neff's fellow employees, an insurance investigator, Edward G. Robinson, starts to unravel this seemingly perfect murder. Action by lead cast is quiet perfect for this murder mystery. If you have even slight interest towards classic film noir movies, then this film should be on the top of your list.
My rating 9/10

Favorite scene: The observation deck on the slow running train.
Theme: Greed kills you faster than a bullet.

My small review of The Promise (2006) Movie aka Wu ji

Following combination made me to rent The Promise (2006) DVD.
Also Known as the most expensive Chinese movie & Written and directed by Chen Kaige & Music by Klaus Badelt (PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN) & Cinematography and production design are by Peter Pau and Tom Yip {Academy Award winners for CROUCHING TIGER,}

Coming to brief plot, movie starts with a slave girl picking up bread from dead soldier hands & later she loses the bread in the water. At that moment, a Goddess offers the crying girl a deal - she will lead a pampered life as a celebrated beauty in return of love. (i.e. every man she loves, she will lose.) This is a solid premise for fairy tail. This epic set in China's mythical past & rest of the plot revolves around three very differentbrave men - a powerful Duke, a brave general and a lowly powerful slave fight the beautiful women in the back drop of war. Every frame is visually stunning & amazing battle scenes & decent action are plus points for the movie whereas week script & predictable ending are little negative for this expensive film. Whole movie will not stick to your mind but some parts are simply marvelous & stunning. My rating {7.5/10}

My small review of Clerks II Movie

Before going in to the details, this movie is a must for Clerks 1 fans. Now coming to the plot, movie start out in a bang i.e. fire in convenience store trashes everything. After a year, this movie captures a day’s life of our old friends Randal and Dante, who are in their mid 30s, working for a fast food place Mooby's. As usual Jay and Silent bob are just standing outside, selling same old stuff, listening & dancing to music, just like they used to. However this is the last day for Dante’s life in NJ & plans to leave with his bride. Randal thinks he need's to give some special kind of sendoff party & he plans a donkey show. Plot is good and a series of funny, bizarre and uncalled incidents makes Dante’s have to make chose i.e. his boss and bride. Jokes on What is the Lord of the Rings are about? star wars? Why teenagers can't have sex etc bring's lot of laughs. Often you will feel overdoes of foul language. As I mentioned, if you enjoyed part1 or over dose of foul language, then you will enjoy the second one too. Casts amazing chemistry & very good background scores, abrupt plot shifts & great jokes a brings lot of laughs. My rating 8/10.
Theme of the movie: Time can't change a thing.

Last weekend movies

Coffee and Cigarettes (1986) by Jim Jarmusch {2ed time 8/10}
Funny & yet serious short films in black & white like coffee.

The promise(2005) aka Wu ji by Kaige Chen {7.5/10}
Epic fairy tail story in Chinese way. There are few spectacular scenes & stunning visuals.

Clerks II (2006) (8/10)
A must for Clerks 1 fan. Solid entertainment & looks in to the lives of Randal and Dante after decade.

Sleuth (1972) (8.5/10) very good thriller movie with minimal cast.

My small review of The Apartment Movie

The apartment comes under the category of one of the intelligent, dark drama, comedy, ever created. Brief plot is Jack Lemmon plays an office worker in a big insurance company in New York City, who desires to climb the corporate ladder. He trades his apartment (soul) for favor of promotions & his apartment becomes a love-nest for his married executives. He falls in love with his elevator operator girl & she has affair with his boss. Things get complicated when she attempts suicide in his apartment etc. As I stated before, the characters development was exceptional, little unclear, casts performances (Jack Lemmon, Shirley MacLaine) was awesome. Another specialty of this movie is it was shot three simple sets yet it holds viewers interest until the end.

My small review of Bringing Up Baby Movie

Bringing up Baby is class screwball comedy with extreme absolutely absurd characters cracking faster dialogues & made for depression era audience only? This movie is about a paleontologist (Cary Grant) who is waiting for his new dinosaur bone to be delivered to him. With one million dollar donation to his museum in air, he goes to the golf course on a mission. Just coincidently, he meets this woman (Katharine Hepburn) and everything just seems to go wrong with him. Afterwards Katharine makes the situation such that he needs to travel with her to Connecticut with leopard namely Baby. After reaching, he loses his intercostals clavicle bone to a dog named George & rest of plot revolves around a leopard, a million dollars, a bone, a dog, a bad circus leopard with Cary, Katharine. Many scenes involving Cary, Katharine are hilarious. Grant saying "My future wife has always regarded me as a man of some dignity", "I am not myself today", "I am victim of your unbridled imagination" etc brings very good laugh’s. You will feel very funny half way but once very possible character starts doing the same thing, I felt it was annoying. Definitely a good movie but this is a classic? I don’t agree on this one. I will write more about dialogs & few favorite scenes later. Definitely it is good movie but it never sticks to your memory. May be I need to watch this movie again?

My small review of Memoirs of a Geisha Movie

gei·sha [gey-shuh, gee-]
–noun, plural -sha, -shas. a Japanese woman trained as a professional singer, dancer, and companion for men.

With late 1930’s Japanese setup, brief plot is about a long journey of a nine-year old Japanese girl, Chiyo, who is sold by her desperate father into slavery along with her older sister Satsu, in to world of geishas. As plot progresses we will see her struggle to unite with her sister by escaping from boardinghouse, simple incidents turns her empty life to life with hope and events leading to professional geisha etc. Plot wise really nothing really interests except some understanding about geisha's culture, their life styles. However with good acting & stunning visuals & very good background score, this movie engages you until the end. Again if you like good movies, you may like this one with following big mistakes. Despite good theme, maker made very big mistakes like casting popular Chinese actors for this Japanese movie & characters talks English instead of Japanese. {Japanese dialogs with English subtitles are most appropriate for this kind of movie.} Also like Last Samurai, Japanese cast is more appropriate for this kind of culture context movie. DVD comes with rich set of additional futures, in particular this movie is based on novel by Doug Wright, once she was a first American geisha & her guidance to this movie making & music composition & director Rob Marshall thought's etc.

Dialogs are very good in few scenes, One good scene.

Man: What’s you name?
Girl: No response
Man: Don’t be afraid to looks at me. Someone has been cruel to you or
Perhaps life has been cruel?
Girl: I don’t know
Man: None of us find much kindness in this world as we should
Do you like sweet plum?
Girl: You mean to eat?

Last weekend movies

Memoirs of a Geisha (8/10) {a nine year’s girls journey in to geisha world with great acting & stunning visuals & very good background score. Big mistake is usage of English language & using popular Chinese actress instead of local talent.}

Bringing Up Baby (8/10) {definitely entertains with its screwball comedy for first viewing but never creates any long lasting impact like city of Lights etc. A classic movie? Oh no. Solid time pass movie only.)


The Apartment (8.5/10) { Avoided for long time thinking it contains same old annoying battle of the sexes things but surprise to find very funny and superb charter study and nice little surprise ending.}

Brave one (7.5/10 Same old plot but engages you until the end. Good time pass thriller. Don’t expect too much.)

My small review of "High and Low" movie

Recently watched "High and Low" (1963) movie 2ed time & it is from my favorite directors, Akira Kurosawa. Brief plot is about kidnapping of a wealthy shoe magnate (Mifune)'s son & the kidnapper demands 30 million yen. However Mifune's money is tied up to buy the majority of shares to control the ownership of company. After intense struggle, at last he agrees to pay the money however another complication arises because kidnapper kidnaps his houseman’s son by mistake. Whatever may be the case, kidnapper demands the money. Here real struggle starts in Mifune's character i.e. destroy the financial stability of his home & his dreams of owning his company or to save in innocent boy's life? Unlike other Kurosawa movie, up to this point story,
story runs very fast. Finally Mifune agrees to drop the money & rest of story focus
of catching the kidnapper & his motives etc. Film works very well in terms of suspense,
brilliant action and tight screenplay. What makes the Kuroswa special is that he transformed a
simple kidnapping story in to a character study of self introspection, self loating,
self destruction to redumption. If you like suspense thriller, this fit the bill.
A must for Kurosawa fans.

Amazon's Unbox free downloads

Got an e-mail from friend about free movies & TV programs from Amazon website.
I downloaded few of them. Free & legal right. Give a shot.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html/?ie=UTF8&docId=1000128561

My small review of Garden State Movie

One day I saw a film forum discussing Garden state is as good as old classic The Graduate. So this movie is in my watch list for quiet sometime. Brief plot is a socially detached man ,Zach Braff,( written & acted & directed this movie), comes home to New Jersey for the first time in nine years to attend his mother funeral and he spends most of his time hanging out with old high school friends. The group of friends, centered on his best friend turned grave digger and inventor turned millionaire. He accidentally meets a girl, Natalie Portman’s & slowly fells in love with girl. Rest of story on his transformation. Braff and Portman have great on screen chemistry and both put up great performances. Overall it is a good movie with its excellent cinematography & brilliant background score & songs. Camera angles were very cool, well planned and executed, visually attractive. Don’t watch with high expectation. You will get disappointed.

My top Ten movies of 2006

Still I have to watch many 2006 movies.

At this moment, following are my top 10 movies for year 2006.

1) The lives of others
2) Pans Labyrinth
3) Babel
4) Blood Diamond
5) Little Miss Sunshine
6) Letters from Iwo Jima
7) Inside Man
8) Half Nelson
9) Prestige
10) The Departed

I will write more later

My small review of Tears of the Son movie

The evil that men are capable of doing to other men is something that can never be explained or understood. Movie Tears of the son is another one on the same theme. I am not big fan of director Antoine Fuqua but I enjoyed his earlier movie Training day.
So I brought Tears of the son movie DVD. Brief plot is US military sends navy seals to rescue an American doctor Dr. Kendricks played by Monica Belluci & few other Americans trapped in war torn Nigerian country & Bruce Willis heads the seals team in to action. His Mission will get complicated by the doctor who insists that they need to rescue 70 other refugees. Rest of the movie is about whether Bruce & his team save the doctor, refugees or not. With little or no plot, this movie holds viewers interest till the end. The acting is VERY good & intense, thrilling, and at times it is disturbing movie. There are many new African American actors in this movie that did amazing job in this movie & Bruce Willis is the man, He did fabulous job. Anyone looking for good military thriller, this movie fits in to bill.

Last weekend movies

Tears of the son (7.5/10)
{Solid movie. With little or no plot, movie holds viewers interest. Bruce Willis did good job. }

Duck soup ( 9.5/10)
{awesome movie.}

Garden State (2004) (7.5 /10)
{ A different love story.}

My small review of The Transporter (2002) Movie

If you are an action movie fan or looking for some popcorn movie, then this movie fits in to your bill. With no plot, this movie is about a former army specialist, who now transports anything anywhere with his own set of rules. They are
1) Never deviate from the plan.
2) Never look in the package
3) No names.
After breaking his own rules, he gets himself in to lot of trouble & rest of the movie on how he solves his problem in this non stop action packed movie. You will find good action scenes, car chases etc. in particular fighting in the bus terminal with the oil spill & opening car chase are really good. Keep your expectation low so that you y will enjoy. Jason Statham action was good. Final words: Don’t expect stuff like Bourne or Bond movies.

My small review of CACHE movie

I enjoyed Michael Haneke earlier movie The Piano Teacher. This is the reason, I brought CACHE DVD. Brief plot is Georges (Daniel Auteuil) and Anne (Juliette Binoche) are being watched and filmed as the movie opens. Georges feels he knows exactly who it is which is why he is reluctant to call a private investigator & while Anne in complete shock & surprise. Georges tells his childhood stories in pieces to his wife as movie progresses. When Georges was a small boy his parents adopt an Algerian boy whose parents were killed. Georges was very jealous of Majid and by a few mean tricks managed to get him sent away. After few video tapes Georges visits Majid in a poor flat in contrast to his wealthy life style & threatens him. In a sub plot you will see Anne son’s strange & suspicious behavior i.e. he suspects mom having an affair with her publisher. Film abruptly ends with five minutes long shot on a collage campus entrance doors {as viewer will focus on George's son talking to Majid’s son) Film ending leads to a lot of discussion. After movie, I watched director’s thoughts on the movie. Basically what he want to convey with this kind of movie. In summary it is about, with guilt, how a man lives his rest of life. In terms of acting, Juliette did very job. Rest all OK. As I said, movie ending leads to lot of discussion and viewers have to figure out who sent the tapes etc. If you looking for some verity movie, not a typical Hollywood formula movie, Cache is one of them.

My small review of V for Vendetta (2006) Movie

Story is old one (i.e. revenge on corrupt government.) I watched so many movies on this theme, for this is the reason, I skipped this movie during initial release. Recently I picked this DVD from library to see Natalie Portman action. I watched few of her earlier movies. (From Leon to Garden state.) Basically I thought “V” is fun character but i was wrong. I found the movie entertaining and the cinematography was really top- notch & the cast was superb in particular Natalie Portman did very commandable job. Hugo Weaving(V) once again shines with some brilliant lines. Few of them on top my head is

V: People should not be afraid of their governments. Governments should be afraid of their people.

V - beneath this mask there is more than flesh, beneath this mask there is an idea
mr.creedy and ideas are bullerproof

I felt romance between Natalie Portman and V is not unnecessary & not nedded. V is not only solid movie but its brilliant satires on current governments, subplots on home sexual stuff and church scandals, too deep involvements of governments in to people life’s makes highly thought provoking. V for vendetta is a must see for anybody who enjoy's a good movies.

Last weekend movies

The Five People You Meet in Heaven { 7.5/10}
The Transporter (2002) {7.5/10}
Thirteen {7/10}
The Tuxedo {4/10 What a waste of time}

My top ten 90's movies Top 1) My small review of Pulp Fiction(1994)

Pulp Fiction(1994)

Written & directed by Quentin Tarantino

Pulp Fiction tells three mini stories on following characters:Vincent Vega (John Travolta) and Jules (Samuel L. Jackson);Vincent and Mia (Uma Thurman);Butch (Bruce Willis) and Marsellus Wallace (Ving Rhames). Plot: Jules and Vincent are two hit men who are out to retrieve a suitcase stolen from their employer Wallace. Also Wallace asks Vincent to take his wife Mia out a few days. Butch is an old boxer who is paid by Wallace to lose his next fight. But Butch has his own plans. The lives of these seemingly unrelated people are clubbed together comprising of a series of funny, bizarre and uncalled for incidents. Dialogs drives the whole plot. Most of characters end with redemption at the end. Nowadays Pulp Fiction looks like a cool film for many but a decade back, it is one of the best movie in 90’s for it's a masterpiece of dialog writing, sound, and entertainment and best performances from John John Travolta And
Samuel L. Jackson and Uma Thurman and Bruce.

My top ten 90's movies Top 2) Goodfellas(1990)

Goodfellas(1990)

"Goodfellas" is another brilliant gangster movie featuring Italian-American mobsters possesses many similarities with mid 70’s "The Godfather". In brief, Goodfellas tells the story of Henry Hill (Liotta), who from childhood had aspirations of being a gangster, his rise & fall in the mafia world. Henry starts out small and slowly and steadily eventually works his way up to top of the chain. By the time he is 21, he has more money than anyone else, a girlfriend, and the respect of the mob. Hendry closely works with characters such as Jimmy Conway (Robert DeNiro) and Tommy DeVito (Joe Pesci). But after Henry gets married to Karen (Lorraine Bracco), things will change & his fall. Everything about this movie is absolutely perfect with great script, direction and acting this is one the best films from 90’s, Overall, this movie is a must see for any Scorsese fan. It's my next favorite movie of his and I think it is stand next to his earlier best movies Taxi Driver & Ragging Bull. People say the Godfather is the greatest crime movie ever and perhaps they are right. But for me 'Goodfellas' is more energetic & engaging movie than Godfather. For this is the reason; it sits at no 2 position in my list.

My top Ten 90's movies Top 3) The Silence of the Lambs (1991)

The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
There was lot of hype around the Silence of lamb’s release in my home country. ( i.e. it was released after its Oscars etc. in particular it was the first horror movie to win Oscars & won many awards after long gap.) Brief plot is Foster (a junior FBI recruit) is asked by his boss to meat another serial killer Hannibal in prison to get insights in the latest killer Bill. However Hannibal is too clear to give up information. In exchanges he asks so much about Forster’ personal life & in particular her childhood etc. Ending was creepy. While FBI catches Bill, Hannibal escapes. You will see lot of gore and blood on the screen. What amaze the end viewer are superb performances by Anthony Hopkins (as Hannibal) and Jodi Foster and engaging & tight screenplay & flawless & solid direction. Definitely on of the best thriller of all time.

My top Ten 90's movies Top 4) The Sixth Sense (1999)

The Sixth Sense (1999)
Sixth sense is another suspenseful drama thriller from young writer/director M. Night Shyamalan. Movie starts in a promising note i.e. Child psychologist Malcolm was shot in own house in front of his wife by his former patient. A year later Malcolm tries to help another troubled boy Cole (Haley Joel Osment) Issue with Cole is he see's dead people and ghosts visit him for his help to solve their unsettle matters. In a separate track, At home front we will see, Malcolm has his own trouble in connecting with his wife. As a confused & puzzled boy, Osment performance engages viewer for whole movie. He is one of the most promising discoveries by Shyamalan. As a Malcolm, Bruce Willis, delivered one of the finest performances in his carrier. This film is also famous for his twisted ending & truly a complex emotional classic and it is one the biggest grosser for year 1999.

My top Ten 90's movies Top 5) Schindler's List (1993) My Take

Schindler's List (1993)

I have watched numerous PBS documentaries about the Holocaust & many are truly moving. However I consider Spielberg Schindler’s List is most powerful movie on this subject. The actors’ performances were superb and the direction was breathtaking & the frank presentation of the violence and indifference of the Nazi officers is amazing. Perhaps the most intense scene is when the Schindler's Female workers are sent to Auschwitz instead of his camp. Again acting is fantastic; in particular I find Ralph Fiennes' portrayal of Nazi Camp commandant is truly stunning. The black & white cinematography is apt for this kind of violence movie & it is truly spectacular. Overall, this is a must see movie for all people interested in history. Some people say it is manipulative movie but for me it is one prospective of a Holocaust subject and truth.

My top Ten 90's movies Top 6) The Shawshank Redemption (1994) My take

The Shawshank Redemption (1994)

Brief plot of the movie is young banker was sent to prison for the murder of his cheating wife & her lover. While there in the prison, he slowly build friendship with another long term convict Morgoan Free Man. With Morgan’s help, he slowly settles down the prison system & understands & analyzes how it works. He also wins the prison head & other prison employees respect & trust by offering free tax returns & other investing banking advice etc. Whatever he does he always thinks for his freedom & getting out the prison. Whether he escapes the prison or not the rest of the story. A dramatic tale of a man efforts to get his freedom & perfect action from Freeman & Robbins and smart one liners dialogs (For ex: Get busy living, or get busy dying. ) & intelligent screenplay & direction by Frank Darabont engages the viewer for whole movie. A must see movie. I watched this movie after Frank ‘s The Green Mile. Shawshank is a good & pleasant surprise.

My top Ten 90's movies Top 7) Jurassic Park (1993) My Take

Jurassic Park (1993)

Jurassic Park is one of those films which everyone has heard, watched & enjoyed with whole families. This movie was release during my master’s studies & I watched it twice during first few weeks of the movie release. One of the Spielberg greatest achievements in his carrier. With its breath taking blend of CGI, outstanding animation, viewers are completely blown across the planet. Since this movie watched by many, I will write very little abut the movie. Brief plot is, billionaire John Hammond, has dream to own the most spectacular theme park on the planet. Jurassic Park, a park filled with living, breathing dinosaurs. To convince this park is safe; he invites few scientists to the remote island. However a security breach, few T-Rexes missing etc. leads uncalled events. Perfect cast, amazing locations & perfect CGI& effective script mesmerize the viewer. The scene of the T-Rex attacking the car is one of the most spectacular scenes in movie & hunts for a while & I remember that scene whenever I remember this movie.

My top Ten 90's movies Top 8) Se7en (1995) My Take

Se7en (1995)

This great thriller is about a serial killer (Kevin Spacey) and his seven victims who represent the Seven deadly sins. Two detectives (Morgan Freeman & Brad Pitt) have been assigned to investigate this case. Rarely will you see near perfect film. Seven comes under that category. The camera angles are cool, the chase scenes are suspenseful, and the investigation is clever. But what really makes this one of my favorite films, is of course, the ending. Without a doubt one of the most unexpected, uncompromising, and mind-blowing & shocking endings ever. I can't remember a film that ends on a more downbeat note. First time I liked Brad Pitt’s action.

My top Ten 90's movies Top 9) Titanic(1997) My take

Titanic(1997)

There are few movies which lives & beats the hype & high expectations. Titanic is one of them. Incidentally Titanic is my first movie in US on screen. I watched couple of James Cameron movies before this one & I have very high expectation on this movie. It was all time big budget film at that time & hype & publicity reached new scale with this movie. This is one of the most watched movies on this planet so I will not write more about this movie. A near perfect background for dramatic tragic lovestory. With Superb costumes, cast, near perfect screenplay & very rich production values, Titanic is one of the most impressive films of all time.

The sinking itself is one of the great set pieces in all of cinema. We know the outcome of the event before we even walk into the film, but Cameron manages to craft a scene this is tense, horrific, and suspensful. He flawlessly manages the huge set he has built, the thousands of extras, and his digital integration is seamless. Also another great plus point is its great & massive success of its music. First time I saw lot of people crying in the theater. Definitely a great first movie experience in US. I watched one more time after first viewing.

My top Ten 90's movies Top 10) FARGO (1996) My take

FARGO (1996)

Before writing about this movie, a note about this films locations. FARGO tale takes place in North Dakota & Minnesota in a winter time. This is story about a troubled car salesman’s hire two ex-cons to kidnap his wife for a ransom(which will be paid by the rich & bullying wifes father) Again rules are very clear i.e. no rough stuff & everything must go smooth & share the ransom. However bizarre and uncalled sequence of events leads unthinkable number of murders. From the beginning to the end, you will find very interesting & engaging characters and you will see how a simple crime completely out of control in a brutal way. Actor France as pregnant deputy sheriff is one of the most engaging character ever created by Coen brothers. Against icy background & brilliant visuals, you will see master full work of Coen brothers. The screenplay is perfect, the acting is perfect, and the pacing is perfect. It is haunting and powerful at times little funny and touching movie.

My top Ten 90's movies continued American Beauty (1999) My take

Unexpectedly pulled in to some customer crisis at work so did not get much time to watch new movies or update the blog. Yes. My life will like this for three or four weeks in a year. No strange, event I don’t open my e-mails & any other websites. I am hoping that I will finish my current top10 list and all time top 10 French movies in the next few weeks. Again it is hope.

Now coming to the list one more movie in to honorable movie list.

American Beauty (1999)

Movie start with back-ground narration by actor Kevin spacey “this is my neighborhood, this is my street and this is my life” as camera movies over the street before landing in to his house. American beauty as is dark comedy abuts what life is really like for those people supposed living in American dream. (It is not about lack things but about the unhappy, unfulfilled and dissatisfied people. In one word disconnected people.) In particular, I like the way Kevin Spicy character, a man’s mid life crisis, engages you whole movie. Absolutely a classic movie a debut director.

My top Ten 90's movies continued Eat Drink Man Woman (1994) My take

Another movie in to honorable list. (may be next week i will start with real Top 10 movies)

Eat Drink Man Woman 1994

After sweet success with The Wedding Banquet, director Ang Lee came with nice drama. It is story of an old chef who lives with his three teenage daughters, three different personalities, where slowly all of them want to have their own life instead living with the old man. Movie begins with scenes set up a magnificent feast that Chu is preparing for the usual Sunday dinner he has with his three daughters. (They call it Sunday torture.) Food is the metaphor. He has been widowed early and now his daughters are fully grown. The elder has discovered Christianity and hasn't put much effort in trying to find a husband. She always think about his father. The middle daughter is a business executive in airlines whose real passion is in cooking, which she has to do outside her house. And the youngest is an employee of the local fast food restaurant. When they sit, they barely eat, preferring to throw jabs at each other over the meal. One of the daughters say"Our family communicates with food" but which isn't too far from the truth. Basically they use it to pass a surprise to others. Father doesn't know much more than cooking, which he a master of, the Sunday meal is his way of saying "I love you", which his daughters aren't really understanding. Rest of the movie revolves around as fathers health is starting to slip, who will stay with to take care of him? The screenplay is smart and insightful. Perfect balance between emotion & humor. The cinematography is simply great.

My top Ten 90's movies continued The Usual Suspects (1995) My take

Another movie in to honorable list.

The Usual Suspects (1995)

For me it is tie between Mann’s Heat & Usual Suspects. I am going with Usual Suspects.
Director Bryan singer’s smart script about identification of a criminal arc friend, Who is Keizer Soze? Film opens with shocking carnage scene in which a mystery man executes a man & story goes to back the serious of flashbacks leading the crime & its interrogation. In the flashback, we will see group of crooks assembled for one final task in their life. Objective of opening scene is to create central stage of the story and it was remembered and retold & recollected & imagined by the federal prosecutor, who has his own theories about the crime. Yes. Kurosawa did it 50 years back with Rashomon. ( i.e. a crime can be told in many ways. It is up to the listener to listen & filter & suspect everything & apply logic to get the truth.) With its complex & convoluted plot & great direction & almost brilliant male cast make audience to watch this movie.

My top Ten 90's movies continued The Ring (1998) My take

Another movie in to honorable list.

The Ring (1998):
There is cursed videotape being circulated. Anyone watches, they will die with in seven days. This is simple & yet effective premise for a ghost story. When a reporter investigates teen’s death involving her niece, she finds out the video tape & she watches the same tape including her son. They have seven day to decode the video tape's curse. During her investigation story goes back to decade old tragedy involving trouble psychic girl’s death. Rest of the story reporter & her son were survived the curse or not. Unlike other cheep shock based horror movies, director , Hideo Nakata, relied on right mood &atmosphere & background score for all the tension. This movie was not only great success in Japan, buts remakes were huge success in Hollywood & Korea. Not only box-office success across the globe, this movie was very much instrumental in reviving the horror genre during the late 90’s.

My top Ten 90's movies continued Run Lora Run(1998) My take

One more to honorable list.

Run Lora Run(1998)

Brief plot is Lora receives a phone call from her boyfriend Manni. He explains that he is supposed to deliver cash to gangster, but he lost the bag with money in the subway.
He has only 20 minutes to recover the money before the gangsters attacks him. His plan is to rob a bank or store etc. Lora has her own plans. Her 20 minutes of time to save his boyfriend, was told in there different times with different outcomes. After reading the plot you may feel, there was already another movie with the same concept. (Yes, it is Akira Kurosawa Rashômon) Though idea, looks inspired, young Lora funky style & her energetic performance, MTV style editing, Slick and perfect direction engages the audience.

My top Ten 90's movies continued. My small review of Dead Man(1995) My Take

One more movie in to honorable list.

Dead Man(1995)

Dead man is another good movie from true independent director Jim Jarmusch. Brief plot is about a timid, highly civilized clerk William Black (Johnny depp) is heading to the west to take up a carrier in the Wild West. After endless long journey, when he finally reaches, he discovers that his job was filled already. Feeling rejected, he ends up with a prostitute for the night. But he was interrupted in the mid-night by prostitute finance & he kills her & wounds William. During the struggle, William kills the finance who is happens to be the town head’s son. Knowing the sons death, head hires bunch of wild guys to finish the William. After the shootout, without treating his injuries, runs away from the scene in to the wild west where he meets with an Indian named Nobody & continues his journey until his ending. It is another low cost black & white movie shot in mid 90’s on purpose. You will amazing black & white cinematography and simple and yet effective background guitar score by Neil young and Jarmush’s style of story telling stick’s its own lasting impression in the audience mind. Story was little convoluted & bit lengthily but a true classic and utterly poetic in nature. There are few movies which I like more after repeated viewing. This is one of them for me.

My top Ten 90's movies continued My small review of Clerks: (1994) My take

One more movie in to honorable list.

Clerks: (1994)
It is another new director (Kevin Smiths) debut movie. It is story about a day’s life about two connivance store clerks (Dante) & his friend Randal (a video store next to the connivance store.) You will see two close friends with totally different personalities. (Dante a responsible, trying to solve his & his girl friends relationship problems while Randal behaves irresponsible way & insulting the customers & spending the day watching movies & with little or no respect to what is doing,) You will see sequence of bizarre uncalled incidents right from the store opening to the closing of the store. In particular the montage in which they both tell their most irritating customers brings real laughs & it was pure brilliance. Elegant script and smart dialogs completely engages for whole 100 minutes. One of the original comedies of its kind. A small budget & black & white movie in mid 90s’

My top Ten 90's movies continued Malcolm X (1992)

Malcolm X (1992)

This movie was based on book “The Autobiography of Malcolm X”
(One of the top ten most important nonfiction books of the 20th century.) & tells the story of Malcolm X. Spike Lee direction was very crisp & Denzil performance was terrific as Malcolm X with his dialogs.

My top Ten 90's movies continued

Note: there are not real top 10's. Just I love them.

Real top 10 list will come soon. I will prefix & my rank to real list.

My top Ten 90's movies continued

Note: there are not real top 10's. Just I love them.
Real top 10 list will come soon. I will prefix & my rank to real list.

My top Ten 90's movies continued Lion King: (1994) My take

Lion King: (1994)

This is Disney next installment after Beauty and the Beast and it was far superior in terms of animation & music & became another instant classic. In one sentence plot is a lion cub circle of life in a forest. Not only small children, animation & superb music appeals to adults too. I simply enjoy the movie & I always listen to original songs.

My top Ten 90's movies continued Philadelphia(1993) No take

Philadelphia(1993)

May be this is my first & last Hollywood movie on AIDS disease. Brief plot is a lawyer was fired from his firm after his discovery of his Aids on his competence reasons. Rest of the story about his law suit etc. An heartfelt drama & Tom Hanks & Denzel Washington performance mesmerizes everyone.

My top Ten 90's movies continued. My small review of RESERVOIR DOGS(1994) My take

RESERVOIR DOGS(1994)

It is QT is debut movie & brief plot tells the story of the bloody aftermath of a diamond heist gone totally wrong. In flashback, story was told in shuffled cards with different time slots, we will see bunch of criminals were brought by leader & trained & none of the criminals knows each other & all are identified with colors. (No one knows the real names etc.) You will see only before planning & after math of heist & you will not see any Diamond heist. Dripping with quotable dialogs & superb performance from all the male cast rocks the movie. QT choice of words builds meaningful characters no matter whatever they talks. If I have to rank the best scenes in 90’s movies, the coffee shop scene, in which all the cast assembles at the coffee shop before heist, discusses everything like Madonna’s as Virgin to pinks refusal to tipping the waitress, ranks the top 10. Superb debut and the best individual talent come out of 90’s movies.

My top Ten 90's movies continued

Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)

Two robots (good & evil) from future come to present day on a mission. There is nothing much to write about story except it is a battle between good & evil & one have to watch it on big screen. Fast paced action episodes, slick direction and is spectacular treat for audience. It is Arnolds carrier best movie & James Cameron’s biggest hit until Titanic.

My top Ten 90's movies

I am working on compiling my top 10 movies for 90’s & all time top 10 French movies.
I started watching movie from late 90’s onwards, but managed watching most of the movies (all kind of award winning + independent movies).
Again I look for strong and smart screenplay & engaging conversations with realism.
Before jumping to top 10 lists, few honorable movies.

Pretty women (90)

A simple romantic comedy with modern twist. Breaf plot was a business man(Lewis) on a mission to LA lost his way to his hotel end up at Hollywood blvd & hires a sensitive hooker vivien to drive back to his hotel. A simple drive to hotel continues with a one hour & whole night & a weeks for her company & in return she gets flat $. No surprise Vivien fells in love with the Lewis. Movie end with their union with completely changed personalities. Leaving whether this is possible in this world etc kind of thinking, movie got very smart script with brilliant dialogs & very good constumes. Movie gave a whole new carrier to Julie & Gere.

Last weekend movies

The Silence of the Lambs- 9.5/10
Masterpiece of filmmaking from the 90's. Creepy, Chilling and effective.
First Thriller with so much horror movie to won many Oscars.

I used to think what happened to Jodie after 1976's Taxi driver
She did very good job in this movie. Perfection from Anthony Hopkins.

Blood Work – 7.5/10

Except predictable ending, movie completely engages you for 75% of the time.

Watch without any expectation & you will enjoy a good thriller.

7/7/7 weekend movies

Lives of others: Who know the secrets of human soul? Simply the brilliant.
Yes. It deserves the Oscar & any other award on this planet.

Clerks:{1994} A look in to two convenience store Clerks a day's life.
{Very funny & yet hurts a little}

Last couple of weeks movies

a) Blades of Glory { routine formula comedy movie but lots of laughs) (on screen)( 8/10)
b) Disturbia { though inspired, pretty effective movie) ( on screen) (8/10)
c) Network {2ed Time on DVD} Brilliant movie & great satire on TV Chanel world, applicable even today after 30 years of making.
d) Woman in the Dunes {1’st time. Another Japanese classic movie}

I will write more above movies later. Too busy with work.

My small review of 25th Hour movie by Spike Lee

This movie examines the society from the eyes of a simple criminal. Precisely movie is all about the last 24 hours of freedom in the life of a Monty, middle-class, mid level drug dealer facing a seven-year stretch in prison. Script revolves around his attempts to connect his father, spending time with childhood friends (one is stock broker & another is high school teacher,) & his girl friend. Director complicates his character by showing is soft side in the opening scene by saving an abandoned & wounded dog. The monologue sequence (fuk U & fck me) in the empty bathroom was great, In this scene he attacks everyone on different social groups, for his problems, , Pakistani cab drivers, African Americans, Italians , Puerto Ricans, Koreans & finally himself. Initially, I thought it was hate as movies progresses we will get a sense of his state of mind (i.e. full of uncertainty of his life, pure confusion of his state of affairs.) Ending positive montage is really powerful & good one "The 25th Hour" may not have staying power, but it has sticking power. You'll occasionally drop out of the film, but you'll never forget seeing it. All in all, it is an interesting film. As usual Spike Lee direction was good.

My small review of Wild Hogs (2007) movie

Basically Wild-hogs box off success amazed me & I was little curious & so I joined with couple for friends for weekend movie. Movie brief plot is a group of middle aged suburban wannabes bikers looks for some kind of change/ adventure in their life hits the road & they will get what they looking when they encounter another biker grange. Basically introduction of all four lead characters (a dentist, a computer programmer, a plumber/writer & another guy lost everything after his divorce) was very quick & funny & with main emphasis on showing that lost interest in everything they are doing in their daily life. Next scene is they all meat in biker bar & plans the road trip. First of all this movie has lots of jokes & and lots of laughs. Yes. Whole 90+ minutes of movie, you will enjoy pretty funny stuff & many one liner dialogs. Cast did very fine job & movie was pictured in nice locations. In few scenes, landscape shots are really amazing. Definitely worth time pass movie.

My Top Ten Asian movies

I started compiling top Ten list of best Asian movies.
Still I am watching many Asian movies.
But this is my list at this point of time

My top ten Asian movies you must watch before you die.

1) Rashomon - Kurosawa {masters Master movie}
2) Seven Samurai - Kurosawa {Another Master movie}
3) In the Mood For love - Wong {An unique love story}
4) Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon - Lee {best stuff Lee.}
5) Spring, Summer, Winter...Spirng- Kim Dunken {A circle of life in a unique way.}
6) Memories of Murder - Joon Bong {Asian version of Silence of the Lambs. Even it was better.}
7) Internal Affairs - Wai Keung Lau {The best undercover cop story.}
8) Apu Trilogy - Satyajit Ray {A long journey of life. Definitely a monumental work}
9) The 36th Chamber of Shaolin -Liu {Master movie for all kung fu fans.}
10) To Live aka Huozhe - Yimou Zhang {A long journey of a couple. Masterful work.}

Honorable mention
Kung Fu Hustle - Chow
YI YI - Edward Yang
Maya Bazaar- (Indian, Telugu)
Enter The Dragon (Not sure it was released in Hollywood first or in Hong Kong. Idea is you can not compile any list without Bruce lee)

My small review of To Live aka Huozhe (1994)

Set under the back drop of Mao's Revolution, this film examines one couples long journey. Splendidly photographed & brilliant action from the lead cast really engage you whole two plus hours. Movie is not about heroism but rather realism of common people life during troubled times in China. Movie just examination one particular family & but it also comments the Mao's Revolution era & life honestly. Once rich, lead actor losses everything in the gambling & father & wife kid leaving him. This all happens in the first 10 to 15 minutes of movie beginning. Rest of the story revolves around his struggle as ordinary man in the same town, family reunion, son’s death & daughter wedding & loss etc. under very harsh, uncertainty times of china. Movie execution flow was as near to flawless & Yimou Zhang direction is masterful.
One particular scene in the movie (wife & kids come back after he was changed & living normal life. He sees his son first time & asks
What did you name our son?
Answer: Don't Gamble".
You will see very good no of scenes like this in this movie.
My rating 9.5/10

19/6/07 weekend movies

Very busy with volunteer work. (Nearly 30 hours work.) Watched only one movie. I have to write lot about previously watched movies too.
For this week following is my update.

Movie: Central Station ( On DVD) Country: Brazil

Brief plot is a boy's journey to find his father.
Movie start with an old lonely wicked woman helping the illiterate people at Rio's train station where she writes letters dictated to her by the all sorts of people. This introduction scene was very very funny. (In particular few letters.) Later a boy & mother come to the same station to send letter his father. Unfortunately boy’s mother dies with an accident in front of station. From next scene onwards that boy’s journey to find the father with the help of women. Movie makes many abrupt shifts & ending was nearly a catastrophe. Very heart-warming realistic movie. Good movie for serious movie lovers.

An interesting take on movie director

"A painter paints, the sculptor sculpt, the story writer writes - but the director he makes monuments. It is the most expressive of all the arts. On film you are affecting the people’s emotions, their hearts - they are living with you. You have got them. You have got them in the palm of your hand! i.e. the power of film making."

My small review of Samaritan Girl

Couple of years back, I watched a documentary on teenage prostitution in today’s society. I forgot the name of the documentary but it covers the many major cities across the globe. It blames girls, their parents & foremost the guys who is looking for it & technology which is making things very easy. (Cyber café & few cell phone & two people are good enough to make the thing happen.) Ok. Now coming to the movie, it is not about teenage prostitution. But this movie is about two teenage prostitutes (Jae-Young, Yeo-Jin) & a father.
Movie was divided in to two parts. Part one is about two teenage girl’s friendship. The second part is about Yeo-Jin and her father relationship. Part 1 shows both girls deep friendship & how they do the things. At the end of part 1, Jae-Young dies from after jumping from hotel room to avoid the arrest. She dies later in the hospital but this start a new beginning to the life of Yeo-Jin. She feels guilty & starts goes after all the client & start paying back. In this process, one fine day girl’s father (police detective) sees her own girl in action. Distributed & shocked & confused father follows & revenge on the clients. You will see lot of disturbing scenes. In one-case girl’s father walks in to the client home & insults & hits the client while he is eating his meal with his rest of the family with focus is on the teenage daughter. Again you will not see, sex or nudity or blood on the screen. Movie ending was is quit poignant. Movie touches many aspects i.e. morality of the society & confusion & deep emphasis on relationships. It is very difficult to make movie with this kind of subject & director (Ki-duk Kim one of the favorite director) did very good in its presentation. Definitely worth watching movie.

My small review of Facture (2007) movie by Gregory Hoblit

Brief plot is a man killing his cheating wife. Sounds old plot right? We have seen so many movies & we will continue to see the same in future too. What is so good about this movie is, in first 10 minutes of movie, he shoots his wife & he surrender to police with written confession & gun. Rest of plot revolves around how he comes out clean & the whole plot is very suspenseful. Very smart script aided by terrific action by Anthony Hopkins. At times plot narration was slow, but it holds you up to the last minute. There are very good one liner dialogs.

For example “knowledge is pain” I always feels the same at work.

My rating 7.5/10

9/6/07 weekend movies

Bridge to Terabithia (On screen)(8/10)
Two kids fairytale story about friendship & imagination etc. Movie ending was realistic {blends both elements of reality and fantasy together perfectly} & music was haunting. Incidentally this is my 2ed movie on this theme. (first one is Pan's Labyrinth) I will write more later.

Guess Who's Coming to Dinner (1967)(DVD) (9/10)
Daughter comes home after shortened vacation with new boy friend & declares that we are in deep love & they are getting ready for marriage in the next week. Guess the situation of her white parents. (catch is daughter boy friend is a black man.) In today world this is not a shocking but considering first time movie was released in 1967. During that time, racial segregation was very common in parts of America. Rest of the movie revolves around sequence of unfolding events during the afternoon & evening of day in their house. You will see pretty good character development & nice action from the cast. Worth watching movie.

Sling Blade (1996) (8/10)
Lead character comes from metal institute & he was forced to make a choice in today world.
Some parts of the movie was slow but good movie.