Sex and deceit rule the lives of the characters in this film. They lie to themselves and their spouses. But in the end they are only human. Director Ray Lawrence throws pieces of a jigsaw puzzle at you. The seemingly easy puzzle starts to come together as the film progresses. But in the end they don't fit so well which is what makes this film so beautiful.
Based on Thornton Wilder's 1929 novel, its an interesting story about 5 individuals who die when a bridge collapses. Set in Lima, Peru - a priest is intrigued by the occurance, and to the chagrin of the viceroy and archbishop decides to investigate the reasons behind. His findings takes one through the lives of the various individuals. While shot well, it clearly appears that the book would be better than the movie. Impressive cast does well, but dont know if they are the best choice for a movie like this. Interesting, nevertheless.
A father and a daughter move to the middle of nowhere to recover from a tragedy - an apt strategy to further spook themselves. A spooky movie it is and much of it is down to very credible 'spooked out' performances from Dakota Fanning and De Niro. I suppose it is a problem with such type of thrillers that it seldom becomes anything but a middle-of-the-path thriller - where all the focus is on making you jump - though this one does make you jump occasionally. 
A prequel to the Silence of the Lambs. Outstanding cast supported by a rather tame story, that ends providing up a general middle-of-the-path Thriller. 
A documentary film that looks closely at a family torn apart by charges of paedophilia against two members of the family. It was a sensational case at the time as it rocked a well regarded family in a well regarded neighbourhood. As the documentary begins, it seems pretty much an open and shut case, but then it goes onto ask questions in terms of the evidence collected - it weighs the heinousness of the crime vs. the psychology behind the mass hysteria that society can create in situations like this. The effectiveness of the documentary is boosted by all the live footage that family had created during the period - where the family does come across as crazed and dangerous. All reality show lovers, might find this interesting.
The setting is an Arab ghetto in Marseilles. Lila is a blond angel. Chimo is an Arab teen. She tosses him around like a salad. A wannabe poignant coming of age tale.
Rusty (Shawn Hatosy) and Dallas (Scott Caan) are friends who love to brawl. Rusty's mom, Mary (Kelly Lynch) hates to bail them out. But things start to change when Rusty starts talking to his mom's new psychiatrist boyfriend (Jeff Goldblum). The film has its moments but a tad too predictable.
Diane (Glenn Close) is a famous actress living in New York. Her daughter Isabel (Elizabeth Banks) struggles with career in photography and is on the brink of getting married. Heights is about people at crossroads. The crossroad when one thinks that their one's is good and wholesome. Superbly scripted and highlighted by some very understated acting.
Coming together of two people who need to let their past go. Samuel L Jackson delivers a top performance as a disgruntled farmer who is trying to forget his marriage, and Christina Ricci (stands out as well) who is ore the confused with life. A funky movie with a good soundtrack (S L J playing the blues) but fails to ore the impress.
Friendship blossoms between two girls who are separated by many rungs of the social ladder. The only thing they have in common is loss and a crumbling familial life. This is the story of their love. In spite of the brilliant soundtrack and cool acting from both Natalie Press and Emily Blunt, the film flatlines.
Watch this so called comedy only if you feel like getting really really annoyed.
Sarika (Urmila Matondkar), a travel agent, finds herself being swept off her feet by the mysterious Karan (Saif Ali Kahn). Karan soon sends the innocent and gullible Sarika on a trip to prison. And then of course revenge is in order.
Richard (John Hawkes) finds his life slipping away from him as he separates from his wife. Christine's (Miranda July) loneliness is like an ache that won't go away. They are the "me and you" in the film. The kids, neighbors, co-workers fill in the spaces of "Everyone we know" beautifully. Also directed by Miranda July, this film is a western movie with an eastern sensibility. A movie about people searching for a connection in this lonely and hope filled world.
The follow-up to the nicely made Malay movie, Sepet. I expected the movie to miraculously carry on from where Sepet ended. It didn't fortunately - with the characters moving on. Sharifah Amani as little Orked is as impressive as before. Yasmin Ahmad, the director, has two disconnected stories that show that one's social background does not allow one to escape life's complexities. An endearing objective, but it falls a bit flat - lack of originality I suppose. However, I liked the manner in which the Ipoh way of life comes through on screen.
There is a thin line separating a excruciatingly boring film from a very absorbing one. This masterpiece by Hsiao-hsien Hou highlights this fact. It is a movie that cares not for the viewer or in gentler terms includes the viewer as an after thought. It is very interesting to note that Hou plays scant respect to the 180 degree rule just like Yasujirō Ozu to whom this piece is dedicated.
A soldier falls in love with a country boy in this mystical folklorish film by experimental Thai director Apichatpong Weerasethakul. A shade too abstract for my taste.
Nandita Das and Rahul Bose play lovers in this shoddily directed and acted film. Don't bother unless you want to see long shots of Nandita Das running aimlessly.
Sometimes the dead come back to finish what they left undone. Raimunda (Penelope Cruz) and Irene's (Carmen Maura) passed on mother feels the same and floats back into the lives of her daughters. One would think that such a theme would make for a dark and brooding film. But Pedro Almodovar is wickedly cunning as always and each scene in the film is like a colorful painting. And when such colors drape the stunning Penelope Cruz on the screen, it does indeed call for something special.
Kim Ki-Duk in his introduction says he made this film to highlight the unhappiness of US soldiers stationed in South Korea. But I think this was just a toned down message for the American public and he meant to convey much more in the film.
A film along the similar emotional lines of Akashadoothu, shows Salim Kumar the comedian in a different light. He is the father of three daughters that society takes sleep away from. His youngest daughter runs away from home and lands up in a prostitution den and then the Indian judicial system comes to the "rescue". Brilliant performances from Salim, Prithviraaj, Murali and the three daughters (Samvritha, Mukta and Suja).
Murugesan (Pasupathy) is not an evil man but life dealt him a bad hand. As a teenager he runs away from home forsaking his younger brother (Bharath) and family. He tries to live his life but life chips away at him slowly.
