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.