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Reviews
The Artist (2011)
The Artist – A Sound(less) Experiment
Firstly, let us appreciate the guts of its producer, Thomas Langman, who made this experiment possible in the world that is filled with 3-D and CG films. Director Michel Hazanavicius took the audacious of task of making this silent wonder an eminently watchable film. The impeccable lead artistes—Jean Dujardin and Berenice Bejo— add glory on their part with their charming act. And the screen stealer is Uggie - a small dog, an accomplice of the protagonist. The story is set in the tumultuous years 1927-32 (a very crucial period for both cinema and politics). We are introduced to the world of George Valentin, a larger-than-life hero of Silent movie era. When talkies were talk of the town, Valentin reluctantly avoids (like Charlie Chaplin) the new form of Cinema. But for the unknown girl, Peppy Miller, who bumps into Geroge Valentin's show, gets the chance of acting in films. She even gets a valuable advice from the Superstar George Valentin how to become a star. From that moment a bond develops between these two. Later she uses the opportunity of acting in talkies and emerges as a well-known star. Like "A Star is Born," as the unwilling George is seeing depth of his career primarily due to his reluctance in acting talkies. At the same time, unknown Peppy Miller's fortune touches the sky. When the Geroge Valentin's agonized wife banishes him, he moves away from the house with his soulful companion - Uggie the dog. The shrewd dog also saves his master from the fire accident. When George is about to commit suicide, Peppy Miller enters and changes the course of his life with a novel proposal that Geroge can't refuse. Constructed upon this simple premise, the movie captures our attention. The primary reason is nothing but the lead artistes who alights the screen with their magnetic performances. The music is too good, so do the art work. Each and every scene is crafted with perfection, making this 100-minute movie a one-of-a-kind gem. The lead star Jean Dujardin ( a reputable French comedian) gets the continuous applause throughout the film for his flawless portrayal of the silent movie star. Likewise, the female lead artiste also gives an equally riveting performance. The facts behind the making of this movie are equally amazing. The movie is shot in colour and while post-production changed into black and white. Barring a few dialogues at the end, the entire movie has no spoken word. Like the silent films, captions provided wherever necessary. The scenes are constructed in such a manner there is no need for dialogues. For the final 2-minutes song sequence alone, the lead artistes rehearsed for almost 6-months! Totally there are three dogs enacted the role of Uggie. Like the good old silent films, the filmmaker used plenty of close-ups and humour-inducing scenes to makes the show live and brisk. Eventually the movie got rousing reception wherever it screened and got countless number of awards, including the prestigious Best Picture Academy Award at Oscars. Evoking the memories of bygone era, the filmmaker created a compelling film that is worthy to watch and cherish. Deeply moving, gently heartwarming, the Artist is a standout drama that will transport you to the glorified days of silent era - an immensely gratifying experience. If you have a time, watch this film. Otherwise, make some time to watch this marvel. R. Srinivasan
Sivaji (2007)
Sivaji The Boss - The Real Boss
Sivaji The Boss
.The True Boss AVM Productions made the smart decision of producing a glossy entertainer at a time when the studio is celebrating 100th anniversary of its founder A.V. Meiyappa Chettiar. The idea of making 'epic-scale' drama was immediately accepted by the Superstar Rajinikanth. Director Shankar, who is known for his 'grand shows' like Gentleman, Indian and Jeans got the plum opportunity of directing Rajinikanth first time in his career. He roped with A.R. Rahman and his reliable lieutenant K.V. Anand, a national award-winning cameraman, to shape the film. Renowned writer Sujatha took the challenging task of writing its script. Legendary art director Thottatharani and lyricists Vaali to Vairamuthu, almost all the bigwigs of the industry assigned to give a 'first-of-its-kind' movie experience to the onlookers.
Ever since its first day shoot, the movie generated enormous amount of euphoria in the media. Culminating all these, the pre-release fever engulfed the whole nation. This time the media played even bigger role. Unaware of Rajinikanth's true stature, folks at media engaged in comparing Rajini with none other than Amitabh. It may be surprising news for those who do not know the 'Power of Rajini,' but not for the cinema going Tamil audience. Though modestly, Rajini refused to compare himself with Maharaj Amitabh, instead he preferred to take the title of 'King.' But the post-release economics and its success in non-Tamil speaking regions as well as across the globe, unswervingly asserted Rajini preeminence over other actors, including Amitabh.
Since the mid 90's, Rajini has always been the highest paid star in India. After the release of his earlier film, 'Chandramukhi,' he emerged as the second highest paid star in the Asia continent after Jackie Chan. Unlike his counterpart Amitabh, Rajini never endorses any commercial brands, akin to Hollywood actors. Unlike Amitabh and others, he never accepts too many assignments in a year. His current frequency rate is one film in 2-years! He never works beyond 6 p.m. except in case of emergency. So, equating Rajini with Amitabh is an absurd idea. He is certainly a bigger star and completely a better actor than his arch-rival Amitabh.
Coming back to Sivaji, the film expectedly lived up to its pre-release hype. In fact, on several scenes, it surpassed our expectations. Fans standing in mile-long serpentine queues gleefully watched this movie. Whether Detroit in US or Dindigul in Tamil Nadu, the movie broke almost all the records in its release. Capturing the UK Top 10 chart to getting released in an unknown places like Argentina, Sivaji marched successfully.
Sets created for this film by the legendary Thottathrani is 'unseen or unheard' in Indian cinema before. Unlike the earlier Shankar's film, the computer-graphics has been used wisely. A scene, where, Rajini's changing skin tone is one such example. K.V. Anand, on his part, used 4K-resolution digital camera to compete the Hollywood. In terms of music, songs, sets, stunt and comedy, Shankar's effort is highly visible. He desperately made an attempt to give 'Shankar's touch' in almost every scene. Everything worked well for the director except its climax scene. Appearing in a totally 'peculiar' makeup, Rajini stole the show. Here, the wafer-thin story is unimportant. Upon his return to motherland, an honest NRI is decides to fight against the black money cartel, who are ruining the nation. That is the storyline. More than its story, the 'chic and sleek' elements, witty marketing plan and the 'Brand Rajini' made all the difference. Not only it did well for Rajini, Shankar and AVM but the success of this movie certainly gave a thrust to the entire Tamil as well as Indian film industry. In terms of technical excellence, the film, frame by frame rivaled the world's pre-eminent movie factory Hollywood. After finishing this grand show, Rajini should not think of quitting from cinema. Pointed out by his respectful arch-rival Kamalhassan, Rajini should get ready to conquer a few more peaks!!!
Schindler's List (1993)
Schindler's List: Whoever saves one life, saves the world entire.
Schindler's List, Steven Spielberg's masterpiece, is based on the novel written by Thomas Keneally. At the height of WW II, the Jews are ordered to register their family members' names and relocate to major cities in Europe. They are forcibly pushed into an area of only sixteen square blocks, called as ghettos.
Oskar Schindler (Liam Neeson), a Czech-born businessman and member of Nazi party, finds the war a suitable opportunity to make money. Schindler, the womanizer, appoints a Jewish accountant Itzhak Stern (Ben Kingsley), and assigns him to recruit the Jews, including beautiful women.
Schindler's metal factory is the haven for the thousands of Jews to escape from the merciless Nazis. He slowly changes his attitude towards Jews and even persuades ruthless Nazi officer Amon Goeth (Ralph Fiennes) to show his humane face. At a time, when the fierce battle is ravaging Europe, Schindler make his list of Jews to transport them to his hometown. Schindler risks his life and goes bankrupt to save more than 1,000 Jews from certain death in concentration camps. Today, more than six thousand descendants of the Schindler's Jews are living in different parts of the world with his memory.
Nominated for 12 categories, Schindler's List won 7 Oscars.
Thomas Keneally's novel 'Schindler's Ark' is based on interviews with 50 Schindler survivors as well as other written testimonies and sources. To gather costumes for 20,000 extras, the costume designer took out advertisements seeking clothes. When permission denied to shoot the death camp inside Auschwitz, a mirror-image set was created outside the real location. The highly acclaimed, touching drama is the only movie from 90's ranked in American Film Institute's top ten list. Spielberg called Schindler's List 'the most satisfying experience of his career.' Steven Spielberg's emotionally packed melodrama drenches us in tears with its realistic creation of sorrowful Holocaust days.
Judgment at Nuremberg (1961)
Judgment At Nuremberg Argumentative drama At its best!
In the finest tradition of great courtroom dramas, this qualitative movie occupies a paramount position. This fictionalized trial is based on the real trials against Nazis, which took place in various parts of Europe, soon after World War II. The trial circumstances are extremely delicate. The four accused did not commit any crime, nor were they a part of the upper-echelons of power. They were in fact judges, middlemen; just assigned for the task that Hitler desired them to do.
In this boiling situation, American Judge, Dan Haywood (Spencer Tracey), reaches Germany to lead a tribunal to determine their fate. While the whole world is watching the trial with bewildering raw emotions, he must confront his own notions of good and bad, right and wrong. Col. Tad Lawson (Richard Widmark), prosecution attorney, places his convincing arguments, by showing sorrowful holocaust visuals. The equally salubrious Hans Rolfe (Maximilian Schell), a defense attorney, appears on behalf of accused, with his emotionally touching arguments.
As the arguments cross, phase-by-phase, the on-lookers on the dais are shell-shocked about their upsetting past. Above all, the prosecution witness Rudolph Petersen (Montgomery Clift) and defendant judge Dr. Ernst Janning's (Burt Lancaster) emotive testimonies makes it a difficult task for the judges, who are already overwhelmed by the proceedings.
On the other hand, the Cold War is heating up and no one wants any more trials and everybody wants to forget the past. But, whether that's the right thing to do, is the question that the tribunal must decide
Nominated for 11 Categories, the movie won 2 Oscars and 2 Golden Globes out of 3 nominations.
They say big actors need big theaters to showcase their fullest potential. Undeniably, this is one such stage and the artistes too excel. The Nuremberg trials were the first war crime trials in modern history, and later they were published as blue series, green series and red series, by the US.
A scene, where Spencer Tracey walks in the ruined city and at one place visualizes the Hitler's speech, is a master touch. Abby Mann's script was built upon no ostentatious word play, but sensitively constructed evocative arguments. The effective black and white photography and highly rated set pieces are the other factors that make this an eternal classic.
This seminal work of the master craftsman gives hope to the marginalized people, who are suppressed, oppressed and therefore depressed.
All the President's Men (1976)
All the President's Men Watchdog journalism At its best!
This spellbinding political drama is based on the non-fictional book written by the journalists, Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward. The two, unearthed one of the devastating scandals in the American history, 'Watergate,' that knocked the President Richard Nixon. This movieconstructed upon the blow-by-blow account of investigationtells of the ways and means adopted by these two journalists.
Bob Woodward (Robert Redford) and Carl Bernstein (Dustin Hoffman) are the reporters of the prestigious Washington Post. The relatively less experienced Bob and the experienced Carl are assigned for the burglary case, which took place at Watergate hotel. While fixing bugs, five men are caught in Watergate hotel, where the Democratic Party's headquarter is located. While investigating, they find the transactions of huge sums of money and the link leads to several highly placed personnel.
In search of truth, they literally knock the doors of several people. But the riddle presents more confusing picture, with its every turn. At office, they face the wrath of tough-minded older journalists, who question them on the relevance and importance of the news story. The only solace for them is the once-suspicious Ben Bradlee (Jason Robards), an editor, who shows his stubborn support. Through many sources and their ever-reliable secret informer, Deep Throat (Hal Holbrook), they construct an authentic account.
The story gets bigger and bigger and eventually receives furor from every quarter, most importantly from the White House. Finally, their epoch-making 'Watergate scandal' report forced the Republican President, Richard Nixon to step down from the office.
Nominated for 8 Categories, 'All the President's Men' took away 4 Oscars.
Robert Redford and Dustin Hoffman spent their time observing the journalists and came out with sterling performances. The screen-stealing Jason Robards deservedly won the Oscar for enacting the straightforward editor's role with finesse.
The noisy typewriter keys striking paper were created by layering the sounds of gunshots and whiplashes, accentuating its theme of 'words as weapons.' After this groundbreaking news coverage, 'Watergate' has entered the political lexicon as a term synonymous with corruption and scandal.
This was the first film Jimmy Carter watched during his presidential tenure! It is widely believed that the coverage of Watergate scandal became an effective do's and don'ts guide for the would-be journalists.
Director Alan J. Pakula ardently presented this hot-boiled real-life event, which transformed the face of both politics and journalism!
Rashômon (1950)
Roshomon Kurosawa's journey into human psyche In search of truth!
Based on the stories, 'Roshomon' and 'In a Grove' by Ryunosuke Akutagawa, this is a masterpiece by the legendary Akira Kurosawa.
Highly regarded for its philosophical undertones and its exploration of the unfathomable human psyche, 'Roshomon' is a brilliantly spun riddle. It is about the four people, who give four different versions of the testimonies at the court, on the recently occurred crime.
The story is set in ancient Japan, where three passers-by seek shelter from intense rain in the ruined temple called Roshomon. Two of the witnesses, a dumbfounded woodcutter (Takashi Shimura) and a priest (Minoru Chiaki), are narrating the crime trial to the commoner. More than the crime, they are astonished to witness the testimonies of three people, connected with the crime, which shatters their faith in humanity.
A man (Masayuki Mori) has been murdered, and his wife (Machiko Kyo) was allegedly raped, while they were traveling in the woods. A notorious bandit (Toshiro Mifune) has been arrested, regarding this despicable act. As the trial starts, the fabricated lies resurface over truth. According to the bandit, he and the man waged a war after the rape, resulting in the man's death.
But the woman's version is that she was rejected by her husband, after being raped. So, with uncontrollable grief, she killed him. However, the dead man testifies, through the medium, that the bandit insisted to marry the woman after the rape, but the woman demanded the bandit should kill her husband first. The angry bandit left the place and the guilty-conscious man committed suicide. According to the woodcutter, the woman had manipulated the two men, who were finally pushed to gruesome fight that lead to the man's death.
All these testimonies are believably told to the viewers, making them the judges of this baffling trial
At Oscars, the board of governors voted 'Roshomon' as the most outstanding foreign language film released in the US in 1951. This was an enormously challenging task for the artistes who had to enact in 3 different ways for the same story and they excel. Toshiro Mifune attained worldwide fame for enacting the clumsy bandit's role with insurmountable passion.
'Roshomon' is not about analyzing the chronological facts or its relevance. It focuses on, how perspective distorts reality and makes the absolute truth unknowable. Eventually, this movie has been touted as the classic case study for the film students, connoisseurs and movie critics, all over the world.
This simple-looking tale, with its complex web of deceptive elements, remains as the finest cinematic riddle unsolved!
Bowling for Columbine (2002)
Bowling for Columbine - Before you load your gun Watch this film
This is a documentary on America's menacing gun culture, constructed with sarcastic humour and witty satire, by the director Michael Moore. Shockingly, in 1999, at Columbine High School, US - two teenagers killed 12 students and a teacher and finally shot themselves.
The news infuriated millions of peace-loving people across the world and this film prudently presents the different views on this subject. Michael Moore takes us a journey across Americas to competently provide 'touch and feel' effect of this troublesome 'gun mania.' In this process, we learn, there are staggeringly more than 10,000 killings, highest in the world, occurring in US alone every year. A comparative studystating various developed nations gun deaths per yearshows the danger with its hard-to-believe statistics.
Moore interviews with Columbine High Schools authorities, students and people who were eye witnessed those horrifying moments. Is it easy access to guns or the violent nature of American history to be blamed? - The filmmaker throws light on this scarily dark side. Immediately after the Columbine massacre, the renowned Hollywood star Charlton Heston President of National Rifles Association participated in a public forum in favour of people having guns. Moore's candid camera enters into his house to find out the motive! There is a chat with radical pop singer, who is labeled as an extremist and provocateur of violence. The filmmaker leaves no chance or choice. He takes two victims from Columbine school and succeeds in convincing K-Mart to stop selling bullets! On learning about peaceful neighbour, Canadacountry having maximum guns, minimum gun deathsMoore takes us there to find out the reason. The film also highlights the fear induced by the sensational media.
Above all, how the leaders keeps their citizen constantly under 'fear grip' to hold their position, this documentary reveals the hidden truth. Eventually, the documentary won many coveted awards, including the prestigious Oscars.
At Cannes, the film didn't fit neatly into any established categories, so the Jury created a special 55th Anniversary Award just for the film! This self-appointed probing mission, piercing the seemingly calm outer layer of American society, brings out the insightful truth.
Chokher Bali (2003)
Tagore's Vintage Classic... That is enduring... That is alluring
Chokher Bali A passion play.
Based on Rabindranath Tagore's novel of the same name, this is a classic tale of deception, adultery and relationship exploitation. Set in 1900 Bengal, director Rituparno Ghosh transformed the Nobel Laureates' acclaimed literature into a delightful visual treat.
Tagore's story elaborately deals with the Bengali society, through his central character, the rebellious widow, who wants to live a life of her own. We are taken into the picturesque part of Bengal, where we meet our heroine, the beautiful, young widow Binodini (Aishwarya Rai).
Despite her gorgeous looks, two handsome men, the rich Mahindra (Prosenjit Chatterji) and his friend Behari (Toto Roychowdhury), denied marrying her.
Mahindra chooses a naive Ashalata (Raima Sen) over Binodini and marries her. Leaving behind the country life, the free-spirited Binodini accompanies Mahindra's mother to Calcutta as a caretaker. Soon, her friendship with Ashalata flourishes. It looks like, the two, addressing each other as 'Chokher Bali' (sand in the eyes), share an enduring bond. The English-speaking Binodini captures a special place in the house. But, soon, she unmasks her real face. Manipulating good-natured Ashlata, Binodini gets closer with Mahindra and fulfills her sexual desires.
When, she is thrown out by the enraged mother of Mahindra, Binodini seeks solace from a reluctant Behari. The remaining part of the story shows how the lives of these four characters crisscross and culminate in an unimaginable climax
Aishwarya walks through the rolea manipulative, rebellious lady, still gaining the viewer's sympathywith a ballet dancer's elegance. The other lead artistesProsenjit Chatterjee, Raima Sen and Toto Roychowdhuryare equally brilliant, in enacting their characters.
While Tagore penned this 'mould-breaking' story at the turn of the 20th century, the very idea of widow marriage was a taboo, even among the upper class! Narrating the nations' freedom movement in parallel, the author asserts the importance of individual freedom from the caged life. Kudos to the art director, who gave life to the early 20th century Bengal, and applause to the cinematographer for capturing those sets with verve.
This 'passion play,' by Tagore, has been fervently converted to the screen by the ablest filmmaker without loosing its originality.
Fahrenheit 9/11 (2004)
Democracy in action!
'To speak his thought is every freeman's right, in peace and war, in council and in fight.' Homer.
In 2004, amid a loud 15-minutes standing ovation, 'Farenheit 9/11' got the Best Documentary Film Award at the Cannes Film Festival, exemplifying its overwhelming clout.
Michel Moore, a man known for his earlier popular documentaries like 'Bowling for Columbine,' produced this devastating piece of 'truthful account.' Narrated by the director, this is based on several newspapers, magazine articles and books published on this controversial subject. It is a critical analysis about America's war on terror, precisely, how the nation was misguided by its leader, President George W. Bush.
The film opens with George W. Bush's much controversial election victory (year 2000) over his rival Al Gore. In the following parts unfolds the disgraceful way in which the Nation was betrayed by the smartly manipulated campaigns by Bush and Co. This film thoroughly examines the Bushes' and Saudi Royal family's business connection, long before the September 11 terrorist attack. Soon after 11/9, the unseen visual shows President Bush's reaction, in fact his inaction! We also come to know that more than any valid reason oil interest was behind the invasion of Iraq, in which America also faced heavy casualty. Sarcastically, Moore tells how the 'freedom of war' deformed into 'business of war' in Bush-instigated Iraq war. A touching interview with an American mother, who lost her son to the Iraq war, mournfully shows the real loss of the common man. Showing its deceptive 'freedom campaigns,' the ordinary people, mostly blacks and deprived, were literally 'caught' by the US Government, the visual shows! In one segment, through a smartly enacted drama, Moore reveals the Congressmen's evasion of sending their own daughters or sons to war-front!
This gritty film unfolds misuse of government authorities to manipulate the secret documents, popularly quoted in the media as 'sexing up' of documents. The film also made possible for us to hear the voicesalong with gruesome visualsof ordinary Iraqis and their sorrows. A well presented, persuasively argued and highly regarded as unbiased this critically acclaimed documentary is a cherished treasure of free speech.
'Freedom lies in being bold.' Robert Frost