Sunshine

50 years into the future and mankind has forgotten the warmth of the sun. Eight astronauts are sent out to the center of the sun with a payload to reignite it. As they near the star, as usual man's best laid plans start to splinter. And so does the crew. A film that could have made its way into the list of great sci-fi flicks but stops short in spite of the fine cast and crew.

Rating: * *

Twilight Samurai

Yôji Yamada's masterpiece set around the time of the Meiji Restoration follows Seibei Iguchi (Hiroyuki Sanada), a low ranking Samurai. The role of the Samurai is fast disappearing and its effect is magnified for people like Seibei. But he stoically moves on struggling to look after his two daughters and ailing mother. The film is beautiful and caresses the screen with poise and elegance. The acting of Sanada and the direction of Yamada have much to do with that. A movie that needs to be revisited every now and then.

Rating: * * * *