Archive for the 'Movies I love' Category
Apparently, people are loathe to accept this movie as a brilliant directional debut. I really dont care about all the in-depth scrutiny of how winning a painting competition isnt an everyday occurrence & doesnt happen in real life. I just loved this movie.
I am copy pasting the review I wrote sometime back even though I contradict myself when I said I wont be blogging for a long time. I should really watch what I say (or live upto it) whichever is applicable.
‘Taare Zameen Par’ speaks volumes of Amir Khan’s progress from an actor, and quite a good one at that, to the director who comes through with a movie detailing his astute observation about the pressure kids today have to face, thanks to their parents forever goading them to get that first place in every field. He reflects on the screen everyday events like a crowd at midday watching - for no reason - a crane busy at work, strict teachers who run the school tighter than a Nazi camp or the kid hiding his fake absent note all rolled and bound by a pink kite string hoping that it would stay buried in the magazine rack forever.
I loved the movie thoroughly even though a supposedly extroverted Nikumbh, with his dramatic entry as a loud showman clown in the movie unexpectedly resumes the role of a teary-eyed, emotional teacher. Or the sheer amount of songs in the movie. I mean, surely the lack of a female lead, thereby reducing the romantic angle scenario would have curbed the song factor. No such luck.
I also thought the appearance of an animated Spaceman Spiff (of Calvin & Hobbes fame) like character showing up while Ishaan day dreams about the answer of 3 X 9 was unsettling for an original movie.
Barring all these, what I did like about the movie was an adept sense of humour that effortlessly seamed the story forward. Ishaan breaking the neighbour’s outdoor flower pots while fleeing home after a fight, his father then packing his bags while the pathetic little boy begs him to stay; only to have the look on his face replaced by one of annoyance when he realizes dad’s only going for an office tour.
Particular touching scenes were those of Ishaan gawking at a labourer buying his son an iced lolly probably remembering his own, strict and inaccessible father. The red flip book was a superb touch to funnily make a point as to how unwanted and lost Ishaan feels in his own family. The paintings were awesome although I cringed a bit when Nikumbh uttered – ‘Such bold use of colour’ while showing Ishaan’s paintings to the headmaster. This standard line of painting discussion is so passé.
Nevertheless, the movie fills you up with a sense of pity for the lonely, misfit of a child. You cannot help but feel a twinge of heart when the boy who was perennially scolded, punished and humiliated ends up not having enough courage to receive praises unexpectedly. That’s why when he is called on stage to collect his prize, Ishaan hides in
the crowd for he does not want to be the centre of attention.
A note of mention to the crippled boy, Rajan Damodran who always stands first in Ishaan’s new school; he embodied perfection with his angelic face & sweet demeanour. What was evident was the startling contrast of personality and intelligence between the two boys. Yet they manage to be good friends with Ishaan realizing that everyone does not have to be all that perfect.
The movie ends by giving a fuzzy, warm feeling in the heart as you watch Nikumbh’s special bonding with Ishaan. I couldn’t help but notice that Ishaan’s father had for once changed his clothes from his standard formal suits into a casual half sleeved shirt at the end. Could this change also reflect his change of heart that would make him be a better father to his son? I would like to think so.
You may like ‘Taare Zameen Par’ or you may love it, as I did. If you didn’t like it altogether, I can’t possibly imagine why.
I stumbled across a terrific movie called Apocalypto directed by Mel Gibson what with all the time left on my hands during my never ending vacation. I’ve watched it thrice already which is another way of saying that I loved the movie thoroughly. I dont think I’ve quite watched a movie before wherein the real intrigue starts in the last half hour and climaxes to a brilliant end.
Another movie that I had a blast watching was The Anchorman - The legend of Ron Burgundy. My favourite part was the gang war between the top two TV channels - the war heating up to include chain welding members of other two channels listed number 3 and 4 in the popularity rating. The funniest part was (my favourite) Ben Stiller joining the war as a member of the Spanish News and later on fleeing to the wails of the police sirens exclaiming: Policia! The gang war escalates to such a level where people get their hands chopped off and someone’s set on fire while another gets thrown through a car windshield. Magnificiento.
Since I didnt have anything else to do, I ended up watching a lot more DVDs than I anticipated. I was fascinated by Renee Zellweger as she played the lead in Miss Potter. Her accent brought back fond memories of Bridget Jones diary too. Beatrix Potter is a children’s author who loves and loses the man she would have eventually married. Her drawings of rabbits in blue jackets and brass buttons, clutching red radishes made me remember those Enid Blyton books that I used to read when I was a child. The Brer Bear, Brer Wolf, Brer Rabbit one.
I dont usually watch DVDs but after these wonderful movies, I’m hooked. And also, it feels nice to be back in the blogosphere after what seems like ages.
I dont know why I like this movie so much. I have watched it like 10 times already still I went and watched it all over again last night. Jamie Lee Curtis is awesome when she’s trapped in the body of her 15 year old daughter, Anna. Here were my favourite dialogues:
Anna (actually Mom): Hello. Hello in there? Wake up, honey. Wake up. Wake up! That is it!
Mom (actually Anna): [Groaning] Oh…Oh, could I just have, like, one minute, please?
Anna: Honey. Look, I think something’s happened to us.
Mom: (All wide eyed) What are you???
Anna: It’s me. Mom.
Mom: You’re not my mother!!!
Anna: Yes, I am.
Mom: Get away, you clone freak!
Anna: Don’t you use that tone with me.
Mom: Oh, my God, you are my mother!!!
Anna: And you’re not who you think you are.
Mom: (Looking at the mirror) Look at me!
Anna: We seem to be inside each other.
Mom: I’m old!
Anna: I beg your pardon!
Mom: Oh, I’m like the Crypt-keeper!
Anna: Okay, that’s enough.
Both: (Looking at each other) Aaaaaaahhhhhh!!!!
I watched Bridget Jones get lonely, smoke and drink her heart out all over again and felt an empathy towards that lonely soul like never before. She, who in her own words was heading towards a long-term relationship with a wine bottle, had more issues than she deserved or could handle.
Why does Bridget Jones have such a hang up about being a spinster at 33? Only because most of the people she knows are already hitched, not to mention being in the family way, that ultimately indicated that time was running out for her TICK TOCK, TICK TOCK???
It was more comical than insulting the way Brigdet handles the quintessential question put to her by her much-married friends as to to how come so many girls at the office are still unmarried to which Ms Wit replies - Well, I suppose it doesnt help that underneath our clothes, we’re all covered with scales. HA!
The reason why the Bridget Jones syndrome exists is debatable. Perhaps its these contemptuous married people sniggering at the eternal spinster or whatever. All I know is that a funny, somewhat smart, sweet, single lady - who was inevitably attracted to Mr. Wrong and in the process nearly screwed up her chance with the right guy - is as endearing to me in the movie as I’m sure she’d be in real life.
… asks Harry Osbourne to Peter Parker after delivering a major owwie to the punching bag that is Spiderman. One thing about our hero, he’s pretty resilient to all the punches & blows delivered to him. He comes back right as new. I guess its tough being a super hero with all the butt-kicking in the pipe line.
I liked Spiderman 3. It was action packed, to say the least. Also liked most of the shots taken along the length of the high rises, right from the top till way down. You feel like you’re flying along with Spidey & the rest of the baddies. The action prevails with you right from beginning to end; keeps you on the edge of your seat. Although I did hear some of the audience yawn very loudly during some of the emotional scenes. Go figure!
All three baddies - the new goblin, the Sandman & the kid from That 70’s show are fantastically evil, with a shade of humanity thrown in for good measure. Poor Mary Jane, the quintessential heroine, once again finds herself at the centre of all unwanted attention & faces yet another horrific high-rise death.
I personally liked Tobey Maguire in the black spidey suit. Did wonders for his personality. His hair was the main give away for naive watchers. Neatly combed is goody-two-shoes Spidey. Hair all uncombed & falling on his eyes is the semi-evil guy out to dance the world away. Me liking the bad Spidey way too much!
I slept through the first Spiderman movie, didnt get to the end of the second but this 3rd was too good. Maybe not a Movie I loved, per se but fantastic cinematography! Had a blast watching it today.
[Starsky and Hutch are in the Captain's office]
Captain Doby: You’ve robbed 7 bookies over the past 6 months. You haven’t filed a report, turned in any money; you haven’t even arrested anybody.
Hutch: How can I arrest them? They’ll know I’m a cop.
Starsky: Oh, I wouldn’t worry. I don’t think you’re in any danger for being mistaken for a real cop.
Hutch: Oh really? Hey, why don’t you do me a favor and go get yourself another perm and let the grown-ups talk.
Starsky: For your information, my hair is naturally curly.
Hutch: No it’s not.
Starsky: Yes it is.
Hutch: That’s a perm job all the way.
Starsky: TOUCH IT.
[Hutch touches Starsky's hair]
Captain Doby: Hey. Why are you touching him? Jesus. You know something? You two deserve each other. Make nice. You two are partners.
You said, I said