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return_to_hades

@return_to_hades

Stunner

+ 6

Posted: 7 years ago

#81

Raazi

Raazi, in my opinion, is one of the best spy thrillers I have seen. Inspired by a true story, it narrates the tale of Sehmat a twenty-year-old Kashmiri girl who gets married into a Pakistani military family to spy for India. She is submissive and naive, but zealous to serve her country like her father and grandfather before her.

What sets Raazi apart is that it is unlike the cliched spy thriller. Sehmat is no femme fatale. There is no high octane action or any suave 007 stuff. Instead, the story is gritty, real and human in approach. Despite that, there is no shortage of thrills. The stripped down narrative unfolds deftly gripping the audience. Sehmat takes a lot of undue risks and her cover is almost blown several times.

The most telling aspect of a film of this genre out of India is the treatment of Pakistanis. While Sehmat and other Indians are passionately patriotic there is no jingoism. Service to the nation does not mean unbridled disdain or hatred to the other side. Everything is a circumstantial necessity of war. The Pakistani military family is also shown in a compassionate light. They are neither evil monsters or silly buffoons. They are honorable people serving their nation with their patriotism. They are kind, accommodating, and respectful to Sehmat. Iqbal Syed her husband puts in a lot of effort to make her transition into married life in Pakistan as smooth as possible. Consequently, Sehmat is engulfed with a lot of pain and guilt of deceiving people who have been nothing but kind to her.

Meghana Gulzar as a director lays an unpalatable truth in the film. Espionage is neither glamorous nor rewarding. Taking lives is gut-wrenching stuff and it takes a lot to cultivate that gut of steel to digest it. You don't really get to bask in your heroism or glory, it sucks your soul and haunts you for a lifetime. This is a stark departure from many other flicks that show serving your country as a path to eternal glory.

Alia Bhatt shows she is a talented star and a force to be reckoned with. While many of the scenes could have been done by anyone, it is the emotional moments where Alia steals the show. One of the reviewers (I think it may have been Masand) said that every moment of tears is unique. And that is absolutely true. Sehmat has to cry over a dozen times, and the range of emotions rage, anguish, loss, pain are evident in the difference of each cry. Alia also accomplishes another rare feat - getting a critically and commercially successful film as a solo hero without a big name male lead.

Vicky Kaushal is wonderfully restrained as Iqbal Syed. He is also a force to be reckoned with. He is naturally talented and performs with ease devoid of the hamming many big name male celebs resort to. The entire supporting cast does a phenomenal job providing grounded realism throughout the film.

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1116756

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Posted: 7 years ago

#82

Originally posted by: return_to_hades
Raazi
Raazi, in my opinion, is one of the best spy thrillers I have seen. Inspired by a true story, it narrates the tale of Sehmat a twenty-year-old Kashmiri girl who gets married into a Pakistani military family to spy for India. She is submissive and naive, but zealous to serve her country like her father and grandfather befor...ease devoid of the hamming many big name male celebs resort to. The entire supporting cast does a phenomenal job providing grounded realism throughout the film.

'Calling Sehmat'---about the book on which the movie is based---
https://www.google.co.in/amp/s/www.thequint.com/amp/story/lifestyle%252Fbooks%252Fharinder-sikka-calling-sehmat-book-review

The day I saw the teaser of Raazi, i had decided to go n watch this movie..In for Raazi at Inox, RCity Mall...2.15 pm show

Occupancy status : housefull...

Crossed fingers ...eyes cast on the screen ...and here is the review... I ma telling it little differently this time,..

Raazi is a true story of an Indian girl who was married to Pakistan with sole motive to be a spy for the Indian Intelligence Bureau...

Director Meghna Gulzar hats off for fine tuning the SOTY cutie bubbly girl into a woman of substance...Alia has been so prowess and awesome in the role she has portrayed...awww she is been a wonderful daugher...a dutiful wife and moreover a patriotic citizen! A situation where she has her family on one side and her nation on the other side..

The patriotic onesss here is a call for u to go n watch the movie...

The shy girls, here is a movie which shall make u feel ...there can b a bolder version of u...

Some aww moments in the movie...whr u feel goshhh she is trapped! The escapes!!

The trainings gvn to her ...the tricks used by the IB...the codes n texts used in 70s...the 70s ka phones...attires..the beauty of Kashmir...everything seemed perfect...

Soni Razdan ...her real mom also is the reel mom ...and did her best in her role.

Vicky Kaushal...the guy who acted as Alia's hubby ..also did act well...

The trio shankar ehsaan loy music was superb...loved the ey watan song...the patriotic goosebumps...

Lots of emotional moments well captured..

No scene to b missed...

Salute to Alia for her performance as Sehmat...

Raazi k liye 100% raazi

Verdict : 3.5 / 5

Edited by Himalaya10 - 7 years ago

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1116756

Suspended

Posted: 7 years ago

#83

Sila Samayangalil - An Opinion

Venue - NETFLIX

I as pretty enthusiastic about this film right the time it was announced as Aamir Khan - Mohanlal film in Hindi. But later it was made in Tamil with Prakash Raj. Priyadarshan is mostly known for his comic entertainers but rarely this director has gone when he deals with sensitive/serious subjects. If someone claims that Priyadarshan is a best director the country has ever seen, then I can add Sila Samayangalil as a proof to support the viewpoint along with many others.

The movie's storyline is pretty simple. 7 people waiting for their HIV test results and the tension they face during the waiting period. Now Priyan just takes the simplest but the most effective route. He conveys how the society sees an AIDs patient just by the discreet nature of the applicants. Next he introduces each characters through multiple conversations initiated by a character and conveys the reason behind the test. Then he concludes with the results. Not how many directors will be able to deliver an effective film like Sila Samayangalil based on this path. I think rarely!! Now Priyan is not only a brilliant visionary but has the street smart tricks in his sleeves which he uses effectively in most of his movies. This is where the character played by Sreya Reddy plays a key role.

There is not even a single moment which can be put in the "not required" category. Also Priyan did his trademark detailing as brilliantly as possible so that you can feel that you are witnessing the conversations as if you are there in the hospital as the 8th character. You will empathize with most characters if not all and thus really pray that none attains the unthinkable. The manner he and Ilayaraja used silence as simply unbelievable. Its been quite a while since we saw both masters in their art joining hand together (after Kaalapaani). If Kaalapaani had symphony styled scores, Sila Samayangalil had the most mildest tones that you will not even notice and yet feel the emotions conveyed by each character. With Samir Thahir, he opted for a uniform color tone which is slightly dark (more like grey) that suited the mood of the movie. Its absolutely treat to watch Beena Paul associating with Priyadarshan for the first time in a movie which suits her style.

The performances for every actor as top notch and I just cannot pick one and say that he or she was the best. Even in a guest appearance kinda role, Nasser was so effective.

This is easily Priyadarshan's best work in recent times and I think this can challenge his last best work, Kanivaram. I really wonder why is he not making such a movie in Malayalam with or without Mohanlal. A true masterpiece!!

Ratings - 3.5 / 5.0

Edited by Himalaya10 - 7 years ago

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1116756

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Posted: 7 years ago

#84

'102 Not out'

It says the story about a 102 year old man Dattatraya (Amitabh Bachchan) and his son 75 year old Babulal (Rishi Kapoor) who lives together in their ancestral property. While Dattatraya is a cheerful happy-go-luck chap enjoying his life Babulal has a very reserved and boring personality who thinks of himself as very old and is living the life just for the sake of it. Babulal's son Amol had gone to US 30 years ago and has never returned after marrying there. Babulal's only connection with his son is the occasional phone calls he receives from Amol during his birthday or other special occasions.

The films talks about Dattatraya's ambition to break the world record for most years lived in earth which is currently held by a Chinese man who lived till 118 years. So Dattatraya is hellbent on living those extra 16 years to break the record. But he understands from the Chinese man's life secrets that if you are living together with boring and uninspiring people you will not be able to live long. This puts Dattatraya's plans into jeopardy as Babulal is exactly what that will not allow him to break the record. Dattatraya finally finds a solution which is to send Babulal into old age home. Babulal initially thinks of it as a joke but when he realizes that his father is serious he becomes very angry and agitated. Dattatraya tells him he has two choices, one is to go to old age home or else Babulal has pass certain conditions put forward by Dattatraya. Babulal reluctantly agrees to fulfill the conditions put forward by Dattatraya.

The question is...is Dattatraya making Babulal do all these weird stuffs just to make him better so that Dattatraya can achieve his goal of breaking the record or does he have any other mission that is far far more greater...? This forms the rest of the movie.

The film moves at a brisk pace with lot of comic elements in the 1st half. But the 2nd half deals with a lot of emotional turmoil that happened in the life of Babulal which explains why he has become the way he is. There are a few scenes in the 2nd half that really touches your heart. The pre-climax scene involving Rishi Kapoor is a fitting finale to this movie that gives a very strong message about the relationship between parents and children.

Director Umesh Shukla has done a stellar job in re-creating the play written by Saumya Joshi and he has extracted towering performances from Amitabh Bachchan and Rishi Kapoor. There is not even a single female character in the movie (apart from a servant character shown in a couple of scenes). Another notable performance is by Jimit Trivedi who tags along with Dattatraya like a sidekick of sorts.

A very relevant theme in this day and age told in a brilliant way.

My rating :- 3.5 / 5.0

Edited by Himalaya10 - 7 years ago

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astha36

@astha36

Rocker

+ 3

Posted: 7 years ago

#85

Django Unchained

So, I finally got around to watching it and OH MY GOD!!! What a movie, what acting and the dramatic scenes.. I just loved it. Jamie Foxx completely killed it. I have such a huge crush on him right now.

He was bang on with that character and I can't imagine anybody else playing it now. Just one grievance though that I didn't like Leo's acting very much. It just looked forced and he didn't look the part to me at all. I am so bummed because of this but I loved the movie still 😃 5/5, 10/10, 100/100.

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Angel-likeDevil

@Angel-likeDevil

Trailblazer

+ 3

Posted: 7 years ago

#86

Blue Velvet (1986)

"Everything is not what it seems, opposite forces co-exist if not live in one another" - that is the message you get from the film. Where there are beautiful roses and daffodils, there are insects beneath in the soil that are at work, feeding of matter that were perhaps once those flowers. And this movie has the main character lured into uncovering the dark underworld of their town, and his own hidden dark side.

Great movie. It was scary and makes one very uneasy. I won't go into the psychological side of this movie, but I think like they say about David Lynch's movies, this one does mess with your mind in unknown ways, you can't point at what it is, but I guess it is more like getting startled seeing the scary side of human nature.. and it's all the more scary because it is real, and could be even worse and scarier in reality. We all look so normal, sometimes so beautiful, but who can say what lies beneath the surface? And who can imagine what we humans are capable of or who can even guess that part of life that is hidden away from the world's view. And not just this, the very direction in this movie has something that makes you uneasy while also grasping your attention. Some scenes are so mesmerizing almost dream-like, and slowly you are pushed to face something very disturbing or weird..

Coming to the movie, plot and all - Plot was very very engaging, unsettling, sad - all at the same time. Movie has some visual tropes, usage of color - lighting, even a 'texture-y' feeling I think created by the title and the song itself lol. And I don't have to say anything about direction..

I think I fell in love with Kyle McLachlan 😃 he was mesmerizing to me - IDK if director intended to project the character that way ..also he has an interesting face, and a 'goodness' about him, and in his entire appearance what really intrigued me was a very dainty little ear piercing on his left ear. Laura Dern was beautiful in this movie, I never knew she was such a good actress - very natural and nice.. I liked them two together, kept replaying a lot of scenes involving them :p The actor who played Frank Booth was too good - disturbing and succeeded in playing the character..

But the character/actor that stood out to me besides Kyle was that actor who played effeminate Ben(Dean Stockwell)... kya acting kiya hai usne 👏.. those nuanced gestures, blinking of the eyes, body language, movements.. so delicately portrayed, I replayed scenes with him, I will never forget him lol... and what else, will add more if I recall something..

Last scenes were beautiful, Dorothy hugging her son and that image of robin with an insect in it's beak :)

What was that weird looking girl on the couch before Frank and co. go out on a ride with Jeffrey? (like they just poof and we see an obscure image of a woman on a couch behind them).

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Angel-likeDevil

@Angel-likeDevil

Trailblazer

+ 3

Posted: 7 years ago

#87

American Psycho (2000)

I loved it 😆 ..The opening scene is one that I shall never forget :)

But first things first, SOUNDTAAACCCKKK ❤️ 🤗 I died by the time this song began to play ☺️I knew I'd love this movie during that 'wave' of scenes leading up to this song ❤️

[YOUTUBE]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfI1S0PKJR8[/YOUTUBE]

And secondly - Christian Bale looked so damn hot.. 😭His acting was spectacular, I'm not articulate enough but he so perfectly portrayed the growing neurosis underneath while trying hard to maintain the 'mask of sanity' for the world around him.. He realizes he is superficial too, is disgusted by people around him and himself, but still wants to fit in, and even plays the part that disgusts him. This scene is one of the memorable scenes from this movie I guess

In another scene where a detective interviews him for the first time - him consciously playing the high society busy dude - I loved his acting sooo much there. And his behavior when he's talking about music or listening to music...AFTERALL, music is the only sane thing in this insane life 😃 His monologues about music just before committing crimes - does it mean anything though? Again, maybe duality is at play here like in Blue Velvet movie..

Among all this, there is something very real and likable about him and I loved that the movie could convey this.. Patrick Bateman's a complex character to play, and I am more in love with Bale now.

I loved everything about the movie. There are scenes in this movie that have much violence, abuse, but it's okay I could continue watching without pausing the movie lol.. Was it the coaching I got from watching Blue Velvet before this movie? IDK 😆

And, I have to say, I don't think that Bateman is a killer in reality! I think all those murders were his dreams or imaginations or maybe even hallucinations.

Loved the heavy 80s culture in this movie - handsome men with those neat hairstyles, handsome faces reeking of aftershave 😆 , those glasses, those suits.. Was an audio-visual treat.

Enjoyed the dialogues(how they don't seem to hear when Bateman makes "confessions"), shallowness of the characters who are just going through the motions, the lies they say, their vanity, the consumerism, take on socio-political issues, the confusion with names/identity. Bateman's way of navigating through all this, his repulsion, his own insecurity, his views on social equality, racism, etc in contrast to his suppressed thoughts, his neurosis/frustration.. is something wrong with me for finding him endearing in all this?

I loved a scene in this movie, which made me laugh but was touching/sad.. Samantha Mathis' character wants to tell Bateman something but ends up saying "if we don't meet before Easter, then you have a good one", was so touching and then Bateman replies "you too" with a W*F expression on his face :(

Anyway, direction was spectacular, script just excellent - there's something like satire or a sense of humor all through the movie, it's one of a kind movie, I can go on and on about this scene, that scene but I'm falling short of vocabulary.

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ShatteredSoul

@S_H_Y

Achiever

+ 9

Z-Gen Zest

Posted: 7 years ago

#88

Ready player one

I didnt enjoy it , i like the way its shot and produced with background score and some scenes with refrences , who doesn't love Gundam and boss fight with mech Godzilla.

That said emotional factor is not there, I mean you can die right now and I don't give a shit.

The shining sequence is great though.

Boring at lot of parts and end was meh.

Trash it.

Shes out of my league

I would say that's my life motto if I ever had a gf ,since I am a 0.

It's about a hero who has self esteem issues and is a 5 at best get together with a girl who is a 10.

Which obviously come to point that he think he is not good enough for her and the usual love and climax.

Wish girl was like this in real life lol.

Enjoyable usual decent time rom com flick.

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WinterAesthetics

@DanceUntilWeDie

Stunner

+ 4

Posted: 7 years ago

#89

Finally saw Nude. Touching, beautiful, slow burning and hard-hitting too. Loved it. The story, performances, casting, music, cinematography - A grade.

And it's seriously hard-hitting.

Hats off to Ravi Jadhav and team.

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ShatteredSoul

@S_H_Y

Achiever

+ 9

Z-Gen Zest

Posted: 7 years ago

#90

A fantastic woman

Marina, a transgender woman who works as a waitress and moonlights as a nightclub singer, is bowled over by the death of her older boyfriend.

I think it's commendable a movie from not transpositive country , comes out with a transgender actress as leading star and actually win the academy award.

First thing I have to say it's shot beautifully ,the outdoor scenes ,the night club scene all are pretty well done and look good to the eye.

The setup of loving realtionship was well established ,so when the death happens and you actually feel for the actress and have little amount of fear what she is going to go through as you know family would be an antagonist.

One important thing they established about the character who first come as genuine supporters or atleast understanding, and with time you realise that they are also transphobic and pretty ugly inside.

Daniel Vega carries through the film wonderfully.

I would still had liked to see more of her world than what was given since it's entire focused on something specific.

That said I wished story could have been something more since I remember watching such films on similar line.

A well done job.