Nina's Tragedies

Nadav is obsessively in love with Nina. Nina is his mother's sister. Nadav is 12 years old. Do I need to say more? A touching film with many moments of cunning humor as can be seen from the poem below.

This reminds me of a beautiful poem by Yuri Bukovsky.
It goes like this.
"When I take off my clothes
My personality falls to the floor with them
And I remain a tiny little dot
Between the closet and the bed
And a little bird sings and laughs in your heart
Because my dick makes you feel good."
He's a great poet. - It's a nice poem.
So should I take off my clothes?

Rating: * * +

Pan's Labyrinth

The film is set in Spain during the aftermath of the Spanish Civil War. It shows you this world through the eyes of young girl who's day and night fluctuates between reality and fantasy. The girl played by Ivana Baqero is ethereal in this role. Infused with Guillermo Del Toro's trademark grittiness, darkness and violence; this fairy tale is not meant for children. I just wish there was more depth to the storyline or maybe more magic than realism.

Rating: * *

3-Iron

This is what the director Kim Ki-duk had to say about the movie:

We are all empty houses
Waiting for someone
To open the lock and set us free.

One day, my wish comes true.
A man arrives like a ghost
And takes me away from my confinement.
And I follow, without doubts, without reserve,
Until I find my new destiny.

A silent man goes about breaking into homes (reminded me of this film because of that) when the owners are out vacationing or getting away from their abused spouses. In one such experience, he is prevented from moving on.

Its almost a silent movie; with the plot moving on stealthily. Definitely recommend this to KK.

Rating: * * +

Dev

Govind Nihalani has tried very hard to portray the politically driven Hindu - Muslim conflict in India and kudos to him for that. But the film falls well short. He should learn from this film. The overall theme and concept is good but the direction and screenplay lacks focus causing your attention to waver. The acting from Amitabh Bachan and the Puris are alright. Fardeen Kahn and Kareena Kapoor should go back to acting school.

Rating: * +

The Big Kahuna

I saw this movie a few years ago and it did not leave much of an impression. I guess it had to with my frame of mind then or maybe it had to with the person whom I watched it with. But I saw it again and I am glad I did.

I don't smoke, you quit drinking, Bob here wouldn't even dream of looking at another woman with lust... between the three of us, we're practically Jesus.

Kevin Spacey and Danny DeVito play the role of two veteran salesmen trying to land a big client. Peter Facinelli plays a young protege who has come along for the ride. Some very fine acting all around. The movie is centered around conversations happening in a hotel suite. The focus in on their sales pitch but it meanders into life, universe and everything. The screenplay is out of the world. Spacey and DeVito show yet again why they are the finest character actors in the business.

Rating: * * *

Broken Flowers

Its one of those that can possibly allow for a lot of thinking / discussion - if you are the sort i.e. Esp if you love contemplating past loves.

There are long periods of stillness in terms of action, dialogue and camera movement, possibly attempting to replicate the brain speed of the main character. Urged by his stoner neighbour, Bill Murray heads out to find something, which he eventually _______.. ??

The reason for the rating below := the cast (Chloe Sevigny, Sharon Stone, Jessica Lange, Julie Delpy, Jeffrey Wright) put together for this rather thin story + the outstanding soundtrack + stoic performance by Bill Murray. Another cool flick by Jim Jarmusch.

Rating : * * *

A Touch of Zen

Sambar's choices become more dubious by the day. Couldn't take more than 45 min of this mind numbing shite.

Rating: +

Snakes on a plane

Rating: As good as The Titanic

Confessions of Pain

The title possibly refers to a viewer's first comments on the movie. Billed as the movie from the maker of 'Infernal Affairs' and despite putting together as good as a cast as it can get, I was disappointed. Which wasnt entirely unexpected.

Rating: * +

Singles

Since it was that time in December, thought I would watch a Korean 'rom-com'. After watching this, have decided that in moments of such weakness I would rather re-watch 'rom-coms' that I have enjoyed in the past.

Rating: *

The Illusionist

Again, a waste of time and quality actors. If you want to watch a movie with magic thrown in, watch this.

Rating: *

Kiss Daddy Goodnight

Uma Thurman's first movie where she plays the lead in this dark, avant-garde flick. Its one of those movies where one is constantly adjusting the TV settings or cleaning one's ears for wax. Nothing to talk about; unless, one is studying the various stages in the evolution process of a beauty.

Rating: * +

Kabul Express

What a waste of time. It starts with John Abraham doing push-ups on a dusty Afghan road. And it ends with him, a muslim Indian, letting a Pakistani-turned Taliban guy escape from his Afghani pursuers only to be shot dead by his own countrymen. Nothing really new and a watch not worth it.

Rating: *

Akale

Supposedly an adaptation of a Tennessee Williams play. Whatever, its a rather moving, but simple, story of an anglo-indian family in kerala. The story's being told by a man, whose present is slowly being eaten away by his guilt of the past. Excellent performances; reminds me of the malayalam movies of many years ago - in its performances, dialogues and realism.

Rating: * * *