Last weekend movies

1) Trudell: Independent Lens(8/10)

I had never heard of Trudell before this film.
The documentary is an extraordinary look back on the life of John Trudell and the struggles of his life that he has taken on as a Native American activist, poet, musician, actor, lecturer etc. Basically most of the this documentary content came from different smaller documentaries, TV interviews and old pictures. If you never heard of Trudell, then documentary offers a good overview about a special man. I need to listen his music now.

2) Killer of sheep(10/10)

A hidden gem from 70’s movies. Basically you will not see any big plot & surprises & whole movie centered on Stan, who works at a local meat factory, and his wife and children. The scenes of daily life are pure, original and simple. {whether children throwing rocks at each other, trains, climbing on houses, the innocence of a young girl singing to doll, spending a day in dog mask etc.)
Simply a brilliant movie. DVD comes with three additional short movies by Burnett’s.

3) Phone Booth: (7.5/10)

This movie about a New York publicist played by Colin Farrell's, who is using the last phone booth in Manhattan when he's pinned down by a sniper. You will see so many plot holes and yet still hold viewer interest till the end & the ending was boring. Colin performance was good. Another good aspect of this movie was it takes place around a single phone booth except first 15 minutes.

Few worst movies from 2007

At this moment, following are the top worst movies for year 2007.
Still I have to watch many 2007 movies.

1) Spider man-3

Remember all the action & thrills & comedy in the first two parts.
(Not only Spider man, I don’t like Pirates 3, Shrek 3 & Ocean's 13 too.
I was so surprise that these movies are finding a place in top 10 movies of 2007.)

2) The Brothers Solomon
Comedy? Plan stupid & horrible

3) Catch and Release
In one word "terrible"

My last movies of 2007

1) The Black Dahlia
Solid premise for good murder mystery however it was long and unengaging & poor character development spoiled the show. {I will write my take later.}

2) Short films: The 2006 Academy Award Nominated Shorts

by Magnolia

Ended year 2007 with above short movies DVD.

A breaf list of short movies were

1) WEST BANK STORY (Oscar winner)
With West Bank as a background, this short film is a musical comedy set in the fast-paced, fast-food world of competing falafel stands. Perfect satire on the West bank tragedies. Everything balanced correctly i.e. action, music, funny yet effective positive story.

2) HELMER & SON
A son is called to the nursing home, where his father has recently been admitted, who has locked himself inside his closet. Conversion alone shocking & done very well. My second favorite in the list.

3) BINTA AND THE GREAT IDEA
With poor African nation as a background, this short film tracks the story of a girl, Binta, a 7-year-old girl, sets out to change the life of her young cousin; she was not allowed to go to school by her stupid father. Story was convoluted but Background music alone worth the watch.

4) ONE TOO MANY
When his wife leaves him, Joaquin and his young son turn to her mother for help with the cooking and cleaning. Very good one.

5) THE SAVIOUR

A door to door evangelist has an affair with a married housewife. Movie ending was very funny.

The rest of the shorts on the DVD were excellent and worth viewing.
A must for short films lovers. Completely satisfied with shorts collections.

Living in Oblivion Movie Review

Starring: Steve Buscemi, Catherine Keener

Directed by: Tom DiCillo

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

This is one of the funniest films I have ever seen for a while.
Nick Reve, played by Steve Buscemi, is a low budget independent film director. Film opens with two dream sequences and both convey the same message i.e. many things can go wrong on shoot. After a restless night of dreaming of various problems that will plague him, he wakes up to go to the set. With a relatively easy shot due for the day, we will see how much can go wrong. Script was well written, well-acted, funny and very smart. The acting in this movie is superb, especially by Steve Buscemi and Catherine Keener. A must movie for independent movie lovers, especially if you can relate to film making, acting or directing. Director did awesome job. I need to watch more Tom movies.

Seom aka The Isle Movie Review

Starring: Jung Suh
Directed by: Kim Ki Duk

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

“The Isle", is a another good film by Kim Ki Duk, tells the story of mysterious young woman, played by Jung Suh, who operates a small boat & fishing huts on a vast lake from her old cabin providing transportation, delivery services, food and even sex for the men who rent the huts. As the plot unfolds we will see peculiar attraction developed between this young woman and a calm suicidal guy, played by Yoosuk Kim, who watches each across the misty waters & their love & lust & envy & anger etc. This beautiful cinematographed movie pace was very slow and you will see minimal dialogs & virtually no background music & top notch acting by Jung. However this movie is not for everyone in particular if you can not see explicit animal torture, scenes of self-mutilation. {warning: There are some really unwatchable scenes involving fishing hooks, very painful to watch & sit through.} The film explores a different depth of loneliness & mostly symbolic. A must movie for Kim Ki Duk fans & for art house fans.

Last weekend movies

Living in Oblivion(9/10)
A satiric & realistic look at independent film making. it’s well-done, well-acted, funny and very smart. As usual, Steve Buscemi (Mr. Pink) was wonderful.

First blood(2ed time)(8/10)

About a troubled Vietnam Special Forces commando gets plenty even with small town Americans for not appreciating his service to his country?

10 Questions for the Dalai Lama (7.5/10)
Good documentary about spiritual leader Dalai Lama & disappearing country & a culture.

Super Size Me (2004) (5/10)
Entertaining yet one of the ridiculous documentary movies I have seen in a while.

New additions to my DVD collection ( Classic Comedies Collection - Ghostbusters/Stripes/Groundhog Day )

Purchased Classic Comedies Collection - Ghostbusters/Stripes/Groundhog Day from deep discount for around $7.

Description:
GHOSTBUSTERS: When Dr. Peter Venkman (Bill Murrary) and his Columbia University colleagues (Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis, Ernie Hudson) are kicked out of their prestigious academic posts, they start a private practice as professional ghost-catchers. etc. etc.

STRIPES: When John Winger (Bill Murray) loses his girlfriend, his job, and his apartment, he and his best friend (Harold Ramis) decide to join the Army.

GROUNDHOG DAY: Once again, for the fifth year in a row, TV weatherman Phil Connors (Bill Murray) is forced to cover the Groundhog Day ceremonies in Punxsatawney, Pennsylvania, an assignment he truly despises.

A must collection for Bill Murray fan.

Take The Money And Run (1969) Movie Review

Starring: Woody Allen, Janet Margolin

Directed by: Woody Allen

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

This film is presented as a documentary on the life of an incompetent, petty criminal called Virgil Starkwell but serves as a perfect vehicle for a selection of verbal gags, one-liners.
After a troublesome childhood, Virgil turns to robbing stores, banks as a means of earning an income, but his sheer ineptitude sees him sent to prison on various occasions. The bars of his jail cell, however, are never enough to contain Virgil's enthusiasm for breaking the law, and he conceives numerous daring strategies for escape (some prove successful, while others don't). Very funny but it seems somewhat incomplete & however we detect young Woody Allen slowly perfecting his craft. Following are very good scenes brings lot of laughs.

- The sight of Virgil playing cello in a marching band and his cello flying out a second-story window of his house.

- One attempt when Virgil discovers that the stolen pistol he uses in a holdup is actually a cigarette lighter. {So funny that he runs toward a dead end.}

- The failed heist in a pet store where he is chased by a gorilla. {Scene was very brief & very funny. We will see in desperation, young Virgil do anything for money. Setup for the scene is great.}

- First Virgil's failed escape attempt, when his self-made soap gun melts in a sudden rain storm.

- Another failed bank robbery attempt in the most-often quoted scene, when he hands over his scrawled note to tellers, but mis-spells his holdup note: Please put $50,000 into this bag and abt natural, because I am pointing a gub at you. {This scene alone worth the money.}

- His expressions in the prison when find a bra in the laundry

- The scene where robs & was arrested by his classmate, cop. (Simply brilliant.)

First Blood (1982) Brief movie review

Starring: Sylvester Stallone
Directed by: Ted Kotcheff, Conrad Palmisano

Few days back, I watched forth coming Rambo installment trailer. Felt like I need to watch the first part. When I was teenager, this movie was huge huge hit & I liked it a lot for its action. Brought the DVD from the library& watched it again. In one line, it is about a troubled Vietnam Special Forces commando gets plenty even with small town Americans, idiots?, for not appreciating his service to his country? I was shocked, surprised, to find that it was not an all out action movie but rather a drama & good commentary on the effects of Vietnam War with good dose of action. Like Rocky movie, subsequent sequels turned Rambo in to action machine but still I feel, Rambo 1st part was a classic with soul in it.

New additions to my DVD collection (Sony Pictures Classics 10th Anniversary Pack #2)

Purchased Sony Pictures Classics 10th Anniversary Pack #2
Description: This 4-DVD box set celebrates the first ten years of Sony Pictures Classics with four of their most successful films. Included in the box are four foreign language favorites: CROUCHING TIGER HIDDEN DRAGON (Special Edition DVD), ALL ABOUT MY MOTHER, RUN LOLA RUN, and INDOCHINE. See individual titles for details.

Most of the retailers like Amazon, best buy were selling at 60+ where as deep discount selling this DVD set for less than $10. I already watched Run Lola Run & Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon. There are good movies for $10.

My favorite classics

1. Whenever find time, I always prefers old movies. I love the following classic.
   {Disappointed with few classic too like Bringing Up Baby etc. I will update that list later.}
   
   1) To have and Have not by Howard Hawks
   2) Anatomy of a Murder by Otto Preminger
   3) North by Northwest by Alfred Hitchcock
   4) Singing in the Rain by Stanley Donen, Gene Kelly
   5) City Lights by Charles Chaplin
   6) Citizen Kane by Orson Welles
   7) The Grapes of Wrath by John Ford
   8) To Kill a Mockingbird by Robert Mulligan
   9) Open city by Roberto Rossellini
   10) Only Angels Have Wings by Howard Hawks

Eastern Promises Movie Review

Starring: Viggo Mortensen, Naomi Watts, Vincent Cassel
Directed by: David Cronenberg
---Spoilers included-------


With London as a backdrop, this is another dark violent mafia thriller. Movie opens with two violent actions that seem unconnected; a bloody murder of a Russian mobster and a young pregnant woman collapsing in blood in a drugstore. Later the young women die while delivering the baby and the midwife who helped to deliver the baby in time by Anna, played by Naomi Watts. A diary was found in her possession which contains information of what the young women experiences after moving to London in her short lived life. Since the diary is written in Russian, she tries to have it translated in order to find this young girls family. She finds a business card for a restaurant inside the diary, which leads her to a restaurant run by Semyon , played by Armin Mueller-Stahl. Semyon has a vile son named Kirill, played by Vincent Cassel, and a violent but loyal driver and bodyguard, Nikolai, played by Viggo Mortensen. As plot unfolds the diary connects to underground of Russians who have immigrated to London & links to other killings and surprisingly the movie ends very fast. The story is so engaging and interesting; you just can't wait to see what will happen next & David Cronenberg direction was great & script was flawless. The violence is very realistic. In particle the bathhouse fight scene & throat slashing scenes. Naomi Watts is also watchable as a brave, sad mid wife seeking the truth. Viggo Mortensen performance was stunning & commendable & Oscar worthy. With good production value, beautiful cinematography and fantastic back ground score I left the movie theater with complete satisfaction. May be one DVD releases, either I will buy or rent it for second viewing.

My Top 10 Movies of 2007

Still I have to watch so many movies.
Following are current list. I will update this list after three months.
{need to watch few Hollywood & foreign movies. }

Killer of sheep {A fantastic film & classic. Watched it during this years re-release.)
Lives of others {Stunning film from debut director. No doubt it was an Oscar winner.)
3:10 to Yuma (A complicated cowboy flick & I liked it.)
The Bourne Ultimatum (Little week compared to first two installments but a great spy/action/thriller.)
Eastern Promises (A realistic plot with well balanced characters & everything else great in this thriller.)
No Country for Old Men (Simply amazing.)
Grind house {my first Grind house experience & unique & loved it}
Zodiac {Solid David Fincher movie.}
Waitress {enjoyed it & well written. Only chick flick in my list.}
American Gangster (well written & nicely told & solid action from lead cast.}

The 36th Chamber of Shaolin Movie Review

Starring: Gordon Liu
Directed by: Lau Kar Leung

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

The 36th Chamber of Shaolin is a martial arts classic. Like many earlier Kung fu movies, this movie story, theme, also centered on the Revenge (justice or self defense or do the right thing) San Te , played by Gordon Liu, witnesses the death of his master & friends & his family members and vows to learn kung fu so that he can fight the oppressors in his town. Fleeing the bad guys, he heads for Shaolin temple. Most of the movie shows Liu training endlessly at the temple. Liu was shown in at least 10+ of the chambers and half of the movie is spent in the training only. I love all the chambers and the training. No matter how difficult the obstacle, Liu tries and tries again during the training. Years pass as he works his way through the “chambers,” improving his concentration, strength, and reflexes. After what seems like a movie unto itself, he is finally pronounced a master, and invited to teach at any of the 35 chambers. Instead of choosing one, he proposes to create the 36th chamber, which will take the knowledge of Shaolin out of the temple and teach it to the people, so that they can learn to fight for themselves, too. His proposal was rejected & he was out of Shaolin temple for his disagreement. He comes back to his native place, in final scenes and in the fights we will see Liu confronting the oppressors. There are many fight scenes, and each one demonstrates a skill that he learned while in school. The best thing about this film was Liu, this guy was amazing, great charisma and great screen presence. Whether it fights or learning skill, his eyes are so intense. The fight scenes are competently choreographed & Liu and his co-stars are good, and the camera holds on them long enough that you can tell they aren’t cheating with camera tricks. With great production value, beautiful cinematography, fantastic acting makes this movie one of the best in its genre. Even if you’re not a huge fan of kung fu movies, The 36th Chamber of Shaolin is an excellent & fine of the genre. Just give a try & it will not disappoint. DVD comes with rich set of extras which include interviews with Gordon Liu, few film scholars etc.

Last weekend movies

Eastern Promises (2007){8.5/10}
A realistic plot with well balanced characters with lots of violence. At end a dark satisfying thriller. Viggo Mortensen, Naomi Watts performances were commendable.
I will write my review later.

The 36th Chamber of Shaolin{1978}{9.5/10}

I love all the chambers and the training. The best thing about this film was Gordon Liu, this guy was amazing. No matter how difficult the obstacle, Liu tries and tries again.

New additions to my DVD collection

Purchased Rome - The Complete First Two Seasons (2005) for $60.
Just now I checked the Amazon site. Price was increased up to $190. It was on my watch list for a while.

To Kill a Mockingbird (1962) Brief Movie Review

Starring: Gregory Peck

Directed by: Robert Mulligan

To Kill a Mockingbird (1962) was a critically-acclaimed, classic film. I've never read the book & I watched this movie nearly 10 years back & finally got a chance to watch it again.
In brief it is story about a white lawyer, Atticus Finch played by Gregory Peck, agree to defend a poor black man against a rape charge e in 30’s Alabama. Big thanks to Finch kids who are major of plot but also did an excellent job of acting. The court room scenes are dramatic, moving and done right. It's definitely one of the best film of 1962 and one of the top ten films of the '60s. I am catching with most of 60's movies now days.

Memorable scenes:
All court room scenes, in particular
Tom: Yes, sir. I felt right sorry for her. She seemed...
Gilmer: You felt sorry for her? A white woman? You felt sorry for her?

When Finch tells his daughter
“You never know someone until you step inside their skin and walk around for a while.."

Scoop (2006) Movie Review

Starring: Scarlett Johansson, Hugh Jackman and Woody Allen
Directed by: Woody Allen

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

Another disappointment from great director Woody Allen after solid Match Point movie.
Coming to the story, a recently deceased well-known reporter, Ian McShane, was given an amazing scoop about a serial killer from another dead person. Then he chooses to appear in the middle of a red magic box to a former dental hygienist turned college journalist Sandra, played by Scarlett Johansson, and the magic act by Splendini’s, played by Woody Allen. One of the ridiculous premise for crime/murder mystery story. Result was a disappointment because of poor script. Unlike his earlier movie, Woody Allen was all over the place, as a A magician & dad & crime investigator, in this movie providing all the laughs & his one-liners dialogs were good in few scenes. Hugh Jackman & Scarlett Johansson were Ok but nothing great to offer. If you are a hard core fan of Woody then you can watch once. To be on safe side, watch without expectations.

Jing wu men (1972) aka Fist of Fury Movie Review

Starring: Bruce Lee

Directed by: Raymond Chow

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

Recently purchased Bruce Lee ultimate DVD set collection. This review is based on the English version of JING WU MEN aka Fist of Fury. I am sure I watched Big Boss & Enter the Dragon while I was studying but I am not sure about this movie.

Before going in to the story, a bit history. In the early 19th and 20th century, China was a weak nation with a string of inept leaders. As a result, greedy nations of Europe began forcing their way into the country. Japan also got involved in this colonialism and the Japanese dominating and taking advantage of the Chinese is the setting for the film. It was set in the early 20th century and the film plays up the natural hatred of the Japanese among the Chinese. Even I finding the same today.

Coming to the story, in the opening scene we will come to know that Brice Lee master (a great fighter) was died. As plot unfolds, we will come to know that he was poisoned by a rival master & uncovers a world of crime and prejudice. Plot was very simple like other Bruce Lee movies. {Revenge is common theme across all the Bruce Lee movie scripts} What makes a big difference is Bruce himself. His action irritate's the few scenes,who care about his action, Lee's energetic fight scenes thrills the audience. The scene where Lee destroys the sign in front of Japanese consulate saying Dogs and Chinese people from entering in to the consulate was a classic. The final fight scene with Russian strongman was pretty intense and fun to watch. A must for any Bruce Lee fan and for every martial arts buff. {8/10}

A History of Violence (2005) Movie Review

Starring: Viggo Mortensen, Maria Bello
Directed by: David Cronenberg

----Spoilers included-------
The story is quite simple. Tom Stall, played by Viggo Mortensen, lives in a small town and is the ideal husband & dad. Tom kills two men who are trying rob his diner one night. The publicity that surrounds this event brings back gangsters who claim that he is a violent criminal running away from his past. Initially Ton denies his past & the allegations but it eventually becomes clear that Tom is actually a former mafioso named Joey Cusack, who has been tracked down by his brother, with whom he has unfinished business. Rest of the story revolves around his unfinished business with his brother and coming back to family. script got following minor problems. The slow reveal of story is quite unsettling & graphic violence & some poor sex scenes awkward and without a real point or symbolism. However Maria Bello gives the performance of her career as Tom's wife & Viggo performance also solid. In short it is powerful & solid David Cronenberg movie and well made from a technical point of view. Strictly not for kid or teens.