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YZ (2016)
Breezy tale about finding one's inner child.
'YZ' is yet another delightful product to emerge from the booming new-wave Marathi film industry, which is daring to think differently.
At core, YZ is a tale about the 33 year old, virgin, history lecturer, ABaB/Gajanan (played brilliantly by Sagar Deshmukh). Sagar is the quintessential nerd who hasn't grown up to be a man. Having invested all his youth in acquiring other essential things in life like degree,knowledge from books, job, etc, Gajanan never allowed himself to blossom into an adult, leaving him timid. He is scared of women, people and confrontations. He is terrified of expressing himself. Until he finds Batees (again wonderfully played by Akshay Tanksale), the complete opposite of him.
When Batees vows to make him more confident, we are left with a surprise. What Gajanan ends up learning in the end of the movie is a delightful little message for the audience.
The movie is from the stable of Sameer Vidwans and Kshitij Patwardhan, who gave us the equally wonderful Double Seat. The dialogues are one of the strongest attributes of this movie. Sai Tamhankar in a different kind of role is wonderful to see. Once again, Mukta Barve, who has a small part, steals the show. She is by far one of the best actresses in the country.
Go find your inner child with YZ. It's truly a beautiful movie.
The Bedroom Window (1987)
Unexpectedly and Surprisingly good.
I came across this movie on YouTube, and decided to give it a look. I firmly believed that this would be one of those good bad movies, which are corny but harmless fun movies to watch. But boy was I surprised.
The best thing about this movie, despite Steve Guttenberg and his lack of acting, and few loopholes, is that it keeps you absolutely hooked, from the start to the finish. Everyone else does their part well, but Brad Greenquist is absolutely brilliant. I loved Elizabeth McGovern as well, who did a good job with her character. She also gives strong Audrey Horne vibes.
Overall, it feels like a Alfred Hitchcock movie, and that in itself is a huge compliment.
Killa (2014)
Simple yet deeply moving coming of age movie.
Killa is a simple tale of a young Chinmay Kale and his short time in a village in Konkan, and yet it has so many layers. His anger towards leaving his old city, the loss of his father, the anxiety about living in a new place and meeting new people, the joy of making new friends and being accepted and finally the realization of his mother's importance, her grief, her struggles and acceptance of his own life.
All of the above is showed beautifully --- without exploiting any emotion or incident by overplaying the drama. Despite of that, every scene grabs you and your attention.
Debut film-maker Avinash Arun has done a fantastic job with direction and cinematography. But then again the canvas to work with was also beautiful. As someone who has a house in Konkan I can vouch for its beauty. Its white-sand beaches, clear blue seas, gorgeous light houses and lots and lots of coconut trees. Goa maybe the go to destination for many, but there are many hidden gems above in Maharashtra on that coastal line.
Amruta Subhash has done a good job, but that is expected from an actress of her caliber. But the movie belongs to the kids. They are the ones who surprise you and all of them are amazing. Parth Bhalerao will take all the credits for his role as the naughty Bandya, but Archit Deodhar (who played Chinmay Kale), Gaurish Gawade, etc are all brilliant as well. A special mention must be made to Umesh Jagtap who has a very small role of a drunk fisherman and he still leaves a mark.
Killa makes you laugh a lot and makes you sad in places, but best of all it takes you back to your own childhood, which would have been sprinkled with similar moments and friends.
Lootera (2013)
An unappreciated Masterpiece.
It would be somewhat wrong of me, to start a review on a disappointing note. Especially more, when I am about to talk about something so beautiful, that any amount of praise for it is largely insufficient. But I have to. And the only disappointing fact about Lootera was that, it didn't get the attention it deserved. It says a lot about the movie going audience in general, who are binging on filthy films under the garb of this need to see 'Brainless, tension free entertainment'.
Lootera does indeed needs your brain. To take it on wonderful journey of a beautiful story, filled with poignant characters and dense emotions. All displayed subtly in gorgeous settings, that not only please your senses but touches your heart.
Vikramaditya Motwane made a promising debut with Udaan. With Lootera he ascends to another level. Surprising though, were the performances of the lead actors. I have never been a fan of Ranveer Singh or his energy, so overly displayed in his interviews. But he gives a wonderful display of understated acting which is ironically powerful in itself. Sonakshi Sinha on the other hand grabs your attention with her emotive face and stubborn aura. Adil Hussain deserves a mention as well, for carrying out his short part well.
All in all, this is a gorgeous love story in every sense. It unravels wonderfully from start to end. But it will stay with you for a long, long time. Hopefully Motwane is not disheartened by the lack of profit this film made and starts following formulaic film-making. He should stick to what he is doing, cause he is bloody good at it. I am pretty sure, in 10-15 years people will look back at Lootera and maybe appreciate it more. To me its a masterpiece.
True Detective (2014)
Amatueirsh plot elevated by brilliant acting by the two leads.
How do you judge a series which starts brilliantly, cooks up great theories and possibilities, but in the end shows up many plot holes and ends tamely? Should we hail it as brilliant, just because the two leads give wonderful performances?Can it be termed as an art because of the many brooding, grim, dark camera shots?
True Detective is a puzzle in itself.If the writer wanted it to be a character study of it's leads, then it should have been just that.It shouldn't have put emphasis on a great crime and an even greater conspiracy.Cause all through the seven episodes it does that and in the last fifteen minutes of the eight, completely shifts itself to being about Marty Hart and Rust Cohle.No satisfying explanations are given about the crimes, about the cult, about the murders.Mind you all the while (esp in the last few episodes) the detectives conveniently stumble on answers.And we are left with a fairly standard deranged, inbred villain.
This first season had so much potential, but doesn't fulfill it.It is even sadder, that it has achieved some sort of a cult status.There are many series better and smarter than this.
Rules of Engagement (2007)
Unexpected Surprise
I wasn't really excited when I saw the promos of this show.Something about it just seemed stale, predictable and unimaginative.
Yet when I caught one of the episodes, I was pleasantly surprised.In spite of the predictable premise(couples who are friends with issues, a married one, a live-in one and a pervert), in spite of the predictable story lines in most episodes, in spite of the predictable character growth etc....there is something in this show that just leaves you utterly pleased and at most times laughing wholeheartedly.And i became a regular watcher.
You will also care for most of the characters.Patrick Warburton who plays Jeff which honestly is the extension of his character David Puddy( + intelligence) from Seinfeld.Megyn Price's Audrey is utterly likable.David Spade's Russell is a convincing rich, spoiled pervert and Adhir Kalyan's Timmy which started as guest role becomes the perfect partner to Russell as his assistant. Bianca Kajlich & Oliver Hudson though are the weakest links and frankly don't add much apart from pretty looks.Partly the writers are to be blamed as they pretty much assassinated Oliver Hudson's character Adam in the later seasons by turning him into a male Bimbo.He wasn't that dumb in the earlier episodes.
Overall this is one enjoyable show and every episode is hilarious.
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (2011)
Thriller for the intelligent mind
I guess its safe to say that, we have somewhat lost a sense of reality after years of being fed by flashy, unreal, over the top spy/ counter-intelligence movies -- that when something so cerebral and real like Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy comes along, a lot of people find it hard to comprehend or just plain understand.
For others, I say this is a gem of a movie.Serene, cerebral, high on technical brilliance, high on a wonderful script--filled with subtle peeks into the character's make-up as a person and the thrilling story in itself.
It helps that the movie has employed some of the best British talents in Firth, Strong, Hurt, Oldman, Hinds etc.There is a sense of assured authority in their acting and almost everyone does their parts brilliantly.Personally I was pleased to see Hardy and Cumberbatch. Especially the later, me being a Sherlock fan.
This movie asks you to think.Think not just about who will be that eventual mole, but why and how he did it.And whether the whole concept was as simple as that.The movie requires your undiluted attention and concentration.It might move at a slow pace, for some, but if you make the effort you will be rewarded.
One of the best movies to come out for a long time and Oldman can be proud with his interpretation of Smiley which is almost as good as Alec Guinness's.
Margin Call (2011)
Engrossing fare.
The triumph of a good story, talking about a real event, is when it succeeds in not being judgmental about the story.Instead it allows the viewer to draw out conclusions about the event or the people involved in it.In the case of Margin Call, Writer/Director J.C. Chandor gives us a peek into the last few hours of an investment firm, without overly forcing himself to portray them as outright villains.
In some ways this is an unconventional thriller, dealing with human characters.How they react to situations and problems, may it be ethical, social, moral etc.In that sense it reminds you of '12 Angry Men' or 'Frost/Nixon'.Its also a wonderful insight in what really went on during those last few hours, before this world so unknowingly drowned into a financial meltdown.The night before the storm rushed in.
Characters are well defined in this movie and are its biggest assets.May it be the weary-seen-it-all Sam Rogers(brilliant played by Kevin Spacey), practical Will Emerson(Bettany), bullish Tuld(Irons), ambitious but insecure Seth(Badgley), shamelessly driven Cohen(Baker), helpless, sacked Dale(Tucci), confused nerd Peter(Zachary Quinto) who begins to accept the ruthlessness of corporate life or the lamb to be sent to the butcher's Sarah(Demi Moore).
The only shortcomings of this film is that it might not be for everyone.This is a forceful drama in its own little sedate way and that might not be everyone's cup of tea. But if you do like such films then this is a very interesting film that you should not miss.
Ashi Hi Banwa Banwi (1988)
One of the finest comedies ever to come out of the country.
We realise the true worth of movies like Ashi Hi Banava Banavi, Chupke Chupke, Gol Maal(1979)now, when the movie industry today subjects us to movies with toilet humour.To think that there was a time when people actually made movies with proper scripts containing good clean humour which never involved poking fun at farts, sexuality etc shows how terribly the standards have fallen recently.
Coming back to this movie. After getting kicked out by his landlord Mr. Sarpotdar(brilliantly played by the late Sudhir Joshi), Dhananjay Mane(Ashok Sharaf)and his brother and two friends(Sachin and Berde) try to find new accommodation.But four bachelors are not the most welcome entity by everyone.They finally do find one such home which belongs to the semi-blind Nayantara, who though wants to strictly let in couples.So taking an inspiration from Balgandharva(celebrated Marathi theater actor whose portrayal of female roles was legendary) and utter desperation, the four decide that Sachin and Berde must disguise themselves as their(Dhananjay & his brother) wives, until they find a new home.
The rest of the movie involves their efforts to hide the truth from their new landlady Nayantara,her greedy nephew(Khote),the evil maid and their own girlfriends.What ensues is a complete laugh riot, which doesn't let you rest for even a minute.May it be the brilliant dialogues, situations or just the sight of the late Laxmikant Berde in Navaari Saree etc the humour doesn't stop.A special mention must be made about Joshi's portrayal of Sarpotdar -- the quintessential Punekari(resident of Pune), Brahmin man.Even the great Pu La Deshpande would have been proud of him.That has to be one of the greatest characters in comedy films in spite of the short length of the role.
Like I said before, one of the finest comedies ever to come out of India.And it never get old.
Natarang (2010)
Atul Kulkarni's finest hour as an actor.
Tamasha (a sort of theatrical show which includes stories, dance, songs etc) has been one of the most sought out subjects in Marathi movie history.Whether it is part of the actual story or used in minor references, it is something that has always found its place in Marathi films.But only recently it acquired a cultural status from the government.
In this movie though it forms the core subject.Based on the novel by Dr. Anand Yadav, Natarang follows Guna's (played brilliantly by Atul Kulkarni) love for Tamasha and his talents to write plays.A love for which he is willing to even transform himself from the muscular village wrestler to Nachya(pansy character in Tamashas, usually played by Eunuchs).
The movie deals with the discrimination that these Nachyas have to deal with as Guna is subjected to abuse, mockery, questioned about his sexuality etc.Yes he remains a man and is only playing the character on the stage but its normal village mentality which quickly judges individuals and ostracizes them from the community.
We make this grim journey of a man, through one colourful movie brimmed with wonderful cinematography, well defined characters(esp Kishor Kadam and Vibhavari Deshpande), Ajay-Atul's melodious and mesmerizing music and new-comer Sonalee Kulkarni's(who plays the role of Naina) sheer beauty and wonderful dance skills.
But all in all this is Atul Kulkarni's finest hour as an actor.For someone who has consistently portrayed different characters and delighted everyone with his talents, this has to be his best role yet.And he does complete justice to it.This movie might not be as great as V. Shantaram's Pinjara but its close enough.
Senna (2010)
Wonderful Documentary.....but borderline Hagiography.
Its very easy for us men, sometimes, to be obsessed about our sports heroes to a point of blind worship.And often while watching this documentary you get a sense that both Manish Pandey(writer) and Asif Kapadia(director) must surely be boyhood fans of the Brazilian.Cause in their worthy attempt to provide us an open window into the life of one of the greatest F1 drivers of all times, they err in making Senna almost look like a saint----sometimes.
Having said that, it is indeed a thoroughly enjoyable peek into the life of a legend.The filmmakers must be commended for making a documentary which will appeal to most viewers,irrespective of their willingness in watching documentaries in general or the sport itself.You might know zilch about F1 or Senna, and yet appreciate this story.
Bernie Ecclestone's massive archives have helped in providing the necessary footage, which are more than adequate and interesting (especially if you are a F1 fan).
But in the end its down to Senna's life as a whole, which in itself is almost like a perfect novel or story(in spite of the sad ending).The mere fact that you are left with a lump in your throat when you watch his funeral speaks volumes about a man who was able to touch, impress and affect people.