Elizabeth (1998)

Director: Shekhar Kapur

Cast: Cate Blanchett

ELIZABETH is the life story of England’s renowned 'Virgin Queen' and a well crafted out piece of English history. Set in 1500s, it entails how a Protestant queen ascended the throne of England, stood up against the patriarchy of Rome/society, fought off various Spanish, French assassination attempts and successfully ruled the empire for 40 odd years through its golden age.

More than the storyline it is the strong performance--especially of Blanchett's, steady direction and the overall feel/texture of the film that makes it an immaculate work of art. Nearing the climax, there is a top notch, bewitching scene of Elizabeth’s transformation that literally gives you goosebumps.

For history buffs, as per Wikipedia, makers do take some freedom in its onscreen conception but core substance remains intact.

Due to Shekhar Kapur connection, it did make a lot of ripples in India at time of release. Had missed it then, but still remains a good watch.

A sequel did come out recently (yet to watch), but for bit of a back story 'The Other Boleyn Girl' would be a good follow up film--for digging deep, Elizabeth’s Mother Anne Boleyn is the connect. This film received mixed review, but I loved it. Of course, it featured Natalie Portman! Here's my review of  The Other Boleyn Girl too.

7.5/10

Barfi (2012)

Director: Anurag Basu

Cast: Ranbir Kapoor, Ileana D’cruz, Priyanka Chopra

Cinematography is the clear winner in Barfi—each and every frame is soothingly mesmerizing. Be it the fireflies in soap bubble, Jhilmil trailing Barfi mimicking his moves or the simple motion of lilliputian Darjeeling train, it is all sheer perfection—work of pure art. Music compliments the camera work equally, though, slight influence of 'Amelie' in it can’t be denied. Through some of the scenes, director seem to be paying homage to some great works of cinema, e.g., 'City Lights'.  

Ileana couldn't have wished for a better launch pad in Bollywood (I believe it is her first). Priyanka Chopra's research/effort for portraying the character of an autistic is quite evident in her body language. And, best of them all is indeed Ranbir Kapoor with his Chaplinesque antics!

First half is fantastic imparting loads of vitality and energy, but second half seemed a bit dragging with slight overdose of music and abstract shots. The length of the film and little too much melodrama, for my liking, will keep me from a re-watch. All in all, a must watch experience.

7.5/10

Never Cry Wolf (1983)

Director: Carroll Ballard

Cast: Charles Martin Smith

Plot: Biologist Tyler (Smith) has his task cut out—his organization has him sent to the Arctic wilderness for researching the reason of decline in Caribou’s population. Most likely, Canis Lupus (wolf) is the culprit.    

Never Cry Wolf is pure bliss. Set in the majestic Arctic, it literally gives you the feel of walking in the air. Essence of uncorrupted nature has been captured onscreen like never before. There are hardly any artificial sounds used in the film and background score used is very minimal. The majestic silence of Arctic is broken only by the chirping of crickets and howling of either wind or Canis Lupus (Arkmanon in Inuit).

When Tyler first lands in Arctic, the sheer vastness scares him a bit. Loneliness is in abundance. But once Tyler starts gelling with the nature, the solitude turns to peace and he doesn’t want anyone or anything to shake up his serenity.   

There are few other interesting characters in the movie:

• The curious white wolf George who lets Tyler into his territory. The initial encounters of the two are very engaging and set the right tone for entire film.  

•  An aged Inuit Ootek who teaches Tyler the ways of the wild and how to imbibe its soul within oneself (something which is later shown in more detail in 2003 film "Snow Walker").

• Rosie and Mike: both are consumed by greed and sell out the nature. Though Mike’s actions are somewhat justifiable as he has responsibilities.  

The screenplay compliments the plot so well. The opening shot with an excited Tyler’s narrative of his journeying toward his childhood dream, and then, the sudden change in tone after the magnitude of situation sinks into him as he ponders over what he’s is actually  attempting—simply top notch. Apart from Tyler’s encounter with the wolf there are some other scenes that give you a good laugh, especially the ones involving Arctic’s omnipresent rodents. No real spoilers ahead but the expressions on Tyler and Mice in a lunch scene are unbeatable!  

Never Cry Wolf was one of the first Touchstone pictures and played a huge part in establishing the successful production house we see today. Beautifully narrated, breathtaking, attracting and holding interest as if by a spell; this film is based on Farley Mowat's autobiographical, albeit controversial, best-selling book about his life among Arctic wolves.

The film concludes with an old Inuit song:

"I think over again my small adventures, my fears.

Those small ones that seemed so big.

For all the vital things I had to get and to reach.

And yet there is only one great thing, the only thing:

To live to see the great day that dawns,

and the light that fills the world."

8.3/10

Oldboy (2003, Korean)

Director: Park Chan-wook

Genre: Drama, Thriller

Cast: Min-sik Choi

Fifteen years of hatred turns to guilt.

First few minutes (rather an hour!) of the movie don't make much sense—obviously scripted like that on purpose. We do realize director is planning a twist down the line but are fairly apprehensive as many movies fail to create that perfect ending—when it comes to a twist, not every movie is a 'Rebecca' or 'Perfume'. This movie though, is almost in league with the best.

A beautifully and thoughtfully written script unravels the mystery/purpose of whatever all that didn't made sense earlier.

Oh Dae-su is in captivity for past fifteen years. In this time-period, after getting over the initial depression, he maintains his fitness through shadow training. He is now out and seeking revenge and you too are rooting for him. Some way forward into the movie, you don’t know who to support!

Now, Park Chan-wook very artistically represents so-called villain’s aspect. The villainy in the movie isn’t exactly a criminal act as those involved don’t hurt anyone or even feel guilty until one of them cracks under societal pressure. This breakdown is partly due to an act of our protagonist and, in-a-way, makes him the bad-guy. But his act wasn’t villainous either; however, you do feel sympathy for the affected. By the end of movie, what eventually happens with our hero simply leaves you dumbstruck. This ‘what’ was an act of sheer villainy, still—testimony to class of director and script—you are muttering under your breadth, ‘revenge is sweet’!

In all, it is about a highly-improbable scenario that occurs in extremities of convoluted mind/heart/soul.

As for violence, movie isn't as graphic as; say, those 'Saw' or 'Hostel' movies but what it does to your mind (recall that tooth-pulling scene!) is way more disturbing than it is in movies specifically made for showing blood-gore. The emotions are running so high that you feel hatred and vengeance in your bones.

Subject/content of the movie is not much of a taboo (it simply is), more specifically 'incest', as much has been written and shown about it. Of course in today's modern world 'incest' isn't socially accepted but in the past there have been tribes, royalties, even civilizations where this was a common practice and not that big a deal. Director here doesn't dabble in moralities; he simply introduces you to the depths of a twisted human mind.

This is a very powerful film in terms of analysis of human psyche, and cleverly, Park Chan-wook steers clear of depicting/justifying good or evil. He leaves all that to viewers. Even the last scene shows Oh Dae-su (once the movie ends you realize how fabulous Min-sik Choi actually was) with a contorted smile and you simply wonder!  

And no surprise, a remake (Spike Lee) is in pipeline!

8.3/10

Let the Right One In (2008, Swedish)

Director: Tomas Alfredson

Cast: Kåre Hedebrant and Lina Leandersson

Genre: Drama

Oskar (Hedebrant) is a 12 year old who is always bossed around by some boys in his class. He is too timid to take a stand. Finally, it takes a Vampire to spur him on.

This is a low budget, albeit well made, Swedish film. The movie is more about innocent bond that Oskar shares with vampire Eli (Leandersson). She is his courage, someone he could talk to, and for Eli Oskar is the emotional support, companion she needs. They always look after each other and are best of friends. Unlike Twilight, it’s not a love story. Both the protagonists deliver solid performances and their combined scenes don’t seem like being acted out at all.

The director does a brilliant job in seamlessly embedding a vampire tale to a normal day-to-day life of a small Stockholm town. The movie in itself is quite bizarre and cannot justify what was the point of such a story, apart from satisfying the creative pangs of an artist. Yes, it is entirely a director’s movie, for himself and a niche audience. And it is during such self-satisfying works that the overflow of creative juices results in great movies.

It has moral value – a boy learns to be brave. However, overall treatment is quite unusual. Not sure, what the actual novel tried to convey. In all, the movie is an artistic achievement in dealing with intricacies of human nature.

With so many vampire movies around—not commenting on their being good or bad, or any other comparisons—this one seems very real and is like a breath of fresh air.

8.4/10

Going My Way (1944)

Director: Leo McCarey

Cast: Bing Crosby

Genre: Musical Comedy

A lovely and adorable Musical, perhaps an inspiration for "West Side Story" and other classic musicals. This movie somewhat reminds of good ol', short & sweet "Marty" as well!

Plot: Father Chuck (Bing Crosby) is a face of progressive Church. He is young, flamboyant, caring person who has left behind a life of fun and frolic to join the Parish. He wins the heart of young and old alike without exercising any harsh discipline or preaching, rather playfully and musically. 

Bing Crosby's act is like a soothing symphony. He is very rhythmic and it is topnotch cinematic art to see how he deals with the aging father whom he is supposed to replace, eventually.

I don't know who that young blond was but she was hot!!

A complete joyride.

8.2/10

Rashomon (1950, Japanese)

Director: Akira Kurosawa

Cast: Toshirô Mifune

Genre: Crime/Drama

A teaser trailer for the world of what was to come! 

Kurosawa shows us a glimpse of his immense genius and creativity that he eventually unleashes in his masterwork “Seven Samurai.”

Rashomon isn’t just a movie it is a master in making. This is the film that established Kurosawa legacy/class outside of Japan.

Rashomon deals with a crime, delving deeper than mere investigation and finding the culprit. It thoroughly analyzes the reason-part from different point of views, all along studying the obscure human conscious. And thus establishing that cognition is an immanent act of mind.

Once again, Kurosawa partnered with his favorite, Mifune!

7.5/10

The Lost Weekend (1945)

Director: Billy Wilder

Cast: Ray Milland, Jane Wyman, Frank Faylen, Phillip Terry   

Genre: Drama

Plot: Struggle of a failed, alcoholic writer  with life, love, friends and everything else worthwhile.

If you want to experience cinema which is beyond words, look no further. The Lost Weekend has it all.

Spot on direction by Billy Wilderand, very strong performances by the lead trio: Ray Milland, Jane Wyman, Frank Faylen, and a strong script complementing both.

Milland's character is fight is alcoholism. Will he succeed, will he win this personal battle? Yes he will, of course...but without spoiling the classic for any of you: it's not about whether he will succeed or not, it is about "How". This "How" is the backbone of film/script and has been dealt with to perfection, and brought on screen.

A definite must watch.

8.3/10