There are some directors/actors I am biased towards - not without reason though I assure you - but the truth is I know there is a good movie out there, the moment I learn that its one of them in it. Like Jim Jarmusch for instance and his 2003 movie 'Coffee and Cigarettes'. Shot in B&W, features a wide range of talented artists in a series of 11 chapters - each of which has couple of people meeting over coffee & cigarettes and discussing stuff. In some cases, its tea - for the sake of variety I presume. Some of the conversations are inane, a few I found funny and then there are some that brings attention to some varied pieces of information. But there seems to be a thread running through it - like for example, the two people are related to each other, that coffee before going to sleep is like racing an Indy 500 race and that ciggys + coffee do not make a healthy lunch. I liked it - but its one of those that I would not recommend to anyone. An amusing flick, especially with a fat rolled one in hand. On a connected note, heres a link to an amusing email exchange between 2 protagonists in the movie - Jack White and Stephen Coogan - brought to you by the Guardian. Rating: * * *
Tres brilliant = Bill Murray as an eccentric Steve Zissou, as only Bill Murray can do it. A very stylish comedy about a oceangographer who goes in search for the mythical killer Jaguar Shark that killed his closest buddy. His team consists of various characters that one would expect Steve Zissou put together: a likely illegitimate son, a preganant reporter, a Sardar cameraman, a nutcase German right-hand man, a part ex-wife, a guitar strumming brazilian henchman and ofcourse, weed smoking Steve Zissou amongst others. Enjoyed it, but as I figured not necessarily everyone's cup of tea. So Beware. Good soundtrack as well.
Rating: * * *
Its one of those joined up movies. Three separate stories directed separately by 3 different directors - like Eros. Boasts of a set of 3 master directors - Ermanno Olmi (no clue), Abbas Kiarostami ('The Taste of Cherry') and Ken Loach (of whom I had heard of) - directing 3 separate stories connected by a train. Well-made. Given that the train compartment (and a few characters ) was the only common thread; its interesting to observe of how the same situation can be presented by different people. The Ermanno Olmi segment had this deliberate touch to it - an intense look back at lost opportunities. The best section, or rather the one I liked, was Abbas Kiarostamis undoubtedly. Fluid, easy, clear and no mystery. The final segment: Ken Loach's story of 3 Celtic Football Club fans and their experience - a lot more passionate and emotional than the other 2. Put together, its not mind-boggling. But then thats not the point. Rating : * * *
There are some directors/actors I am biased towards - not without reason though I assure you - but the truth is I know there is a good movie out there, the moment I learn that its one of them in it. Like Jim Jarmusch for instance and his 2003 movie 'Coffee and Cigarettes'. Shot in B&W, features a wide range of talented artists in a series of 11 chapters - each of which has couple of people meeting over coffee & cigarettes and discussing stuff. In some cases, its tea - for the sake of variety I presume. Some of the conversations are inane, a few I found funny and then there are some that brings attention to some varied pieces of information. But there seems to be a thread running through it - like for example, the two people are related to each other, that coffee before going to sleep is like racing an Indy 500 race and that ciggys + coffee do not make a healthy lunch. I liked it - but its one of those that I would not recommend to anyone. An amusing flick, especially with a fat rolled one in hand. 
