Revolver by Guy Ritchie

Category: English

The "Trilogy of Crime" as I am going to dub it comes to a close with Jason Statham finally getting a lot of screen time all to his pretty face. This time around Mr. Ritchie takes his setting to a presumed American ground, probably in Las Vegas. Mr. Green has just been released after 7 years of imprisonment, solitary imprisonment. In there he has conversations (but never meets) two inmates who befriend him and he slowly learns the "formula" to win any game. After his release from prison he spends the next 2 years cleaning up casinos and going after the man who sent him to the chiller in the first place, Dorothy Macha.

There's also a Mr. Gold who gets attributed to the ego.

I won't ruin the main parts of the film because there's constant commentary in this one and there's also exquisite violence from over the pond by Guy Ritchie this time. The story is a little wayward even though the film holds you tightly. Unlike the other 2 films, Ritchie gets a smaller cast and gets more juice into his characters. The commentary is a bit too much in parts and seems a little over the top particularly in the elevator sequence, even Guy Ritchie can't control cinema that well.

Ultimately it's the smaller characters who leave an undeniable mark on you, prominent being the sure shot - Sorter (who incidentally is the same actor who portrays Pinbacker from SunShine). There's also the gentle, Avi and not to forget Macha who is very strong in his own right. Finally don't forget to see the reactions at the end of the film before the end credits roll out. One word of advice Mr. Ritchie - No one takes Deepak Chopra seriously, unless you're Parmeshwar Godrej or you have no self-respect.

Recommendation level: 3/5 - Yeah, he's out of bounds in some places but overall I enjoyed it. Even though it's a little insulting to think he managed to decipher the formula of "chance" or "luck".

Snatch by Guy Ritchie

Category: English

Day 2 of the Guy Ritchie "fest" of sorts, this one is also features a ton of characters but this time he's got known faces to back them up. Well "known" now anyway. So the basic premise has Jason Statham looking to fix up a boxing match for a pig feeding mafioso called the Governor. His boxer ends up getting destroyed by a pikey called Mickey and he ends up taking him for the next fight, which Mickey is supposed to throw, but he doesn't.

In between all of this is Frankie "Four Fingers" who ends up stealing a massive diamond but ends up giving into his biggest greed - Gambling. He's tracked down by Boris the Blade who employs 2 pawn shop brokers. There's also Vinnie Jones thrown in as the proverbial gun for hire/bounty hunter, with the cool dialogues. If Quentin Tarantino was British then he'd be Guy Ritchie.

There's plenty of sub plots and minor characters thrown all around. There's one close up on Brad Pitt's face after he sees the burning trailer and that is one of the most under-rated and powerful moments in the film. It's one of the few places where literally the anger is visible at first and then slowly fades away into nothingness of the face. Just for that alone Mr. Ritchie gets a better rating this time around. The film is also firmly entrenched in London, 2 remarks - Benicio del Toro sports a weird accent and the camera angles used for him look straight out of Fear & Loathing in Las Vegas and secondly - Brad Pitt looks like he strolled a bit off from the sets of Fight Club onto this one!

Most of the support cast is strong as can be expected, there's a bountiful of cool dialogues and various shenanigans thrown in to keep people hooked and I can completely understand the cult status that Guy Ritchie commands now. I am just not sure how important this film is in terms of cinematic quality.

Recommendation level: 3/5 - Told you he gets a better rating this time around! Tomorrow will be Revolver, once again thanks to a friend for lending me these films. If you're a Guy Ritchie fan, it's a straight up 5/5!

Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels by Guy Ritchie

Category: English

Guy Ritchie week, I forgot to write this last night. Anyway - the movie is simple in its out look that 4 blokes (each skilled in their own small way) are conned at a card game and must now pay half a million of pounds if they want to retain their lives and appendages.

In between all of this is a a drug baron whose private stash of cannabis has been robbed by a set of greedy crooks who have been buyers at some point. There's also the 'cleaner' who moves around with his son, there's also the Porn King to whom the 4 mates have to pay up within a week. There are also some small time crooks who had to steal some expensive muskets but didn't.

All of these explosive elements come together which seems like almost a familiar finale. I haven't seen this film earlier so it was a treat watching it, even though it gets a little patchy in parts. There's some debate about how good it is but I think it's stylish in the most commercial manner and absorbing only if you love the emphasis on characterization. There are some good shots in the film particularly of the close ups used, but their too far and wide and end up getting lost somewhere between the power of the plot and style.

However, props to most of the actors used - they do what their called for and exceed at it by very far.

Recommendation level: 2/5 - It's good in parts and overall engaging but nothing really path breaking, excessive reliance on violence and "bad ass" dialogues to carry this movie forward. Props to a friend of mine for the movie, remember no downloading illegally!

Break #3

Taking a break this week, I've got fucked over by some international films I had... Gutted. I need to organize the films a little better. Until then probably start posting by next week. Have a nice week all of you : )

Boudu Saved from Drowning by Jean Renoir

Category: Non-English

Renoir's comedy from 1932, evokes the true power of a canvas and what an artist can do with it. Boudu is a tramp who is all set to drown himself but is found rescued by a Bourgeois book seller, Mr. Lestingois. The otherwise quiet household finds itself under immense scrutiny by the unique charm that Mr. Boudu holds within himself.

The movie has plenty of jabs at the established class, there's plenty of references to prominent French intellectuals and their books. But I think more than that it's the charm of the director himself that shines through this rather unique film for its time. Renoir's comedy is done with a straight face, better the fact that it's done in a very nonchalant manner. In turn by his actions and characters he's taking a shot at the then existing methods of making films. I must have probably said this a 1000 times already but viewing French directors take on a completely different genre than they always do is remarkable. Might not be his first comedy film, a rather bad way of putting this film since even in it's limitations and stationary camera work it hits out hard.

The acting is top notch with just 4 main characters the plot is tight and the narrative is paced well, every situation that occurs is completely planned out and while it seems like a bunch of scenes put together for the people who don't know, every scene brings out another facet of the characters on screen. Michael Simon is the stand out character here but Charles Granval is equally powerful in his role as the care taker of the tramp.

Recommendation level: 4/5. Got it from the Enlighten Film Society collection or however you say that. Print was good, worth a watch.

Dead Man by Jim Jarmusch

Category: English

This film was a little hyped for me by a friend and so I was naturally compelled to take a look at this film. It's quite a minimalistic film in which Johnny Depp plays William Blake, a man who comes into Injun country to make a living to find himself out of a job in the first place by a very well placed Robert Mitchum (in his final role ever). Eventually he manages to get into a world of trouble as he finds himself hunted by 3 bounty hunters, prime among them is Lance Henriksen's cannibalistic character.

Proceeding with the story, Blake encounters a native Indian who has been on the receiving end of a harsh life - exploited by the white man he hails his new found partner as a re-incarnation of the famous poet.

The movie has a very entrancing Neil Young on his electric guitar and the background score keeps you well entertained throughout. To see the accountant Blake go on to becoming a gun slinger is almost hilarious and comical at times, not to say that it's badly executed, if anything the film is quite an anti-western in that sense. There's a lot of play on words and there's also the poetic language of Blake used to full effect. Then there's Jarmusch's style.

Needless to say, this film was very engaging and from what I've read on this film - very detailed about the lifestyle of the Injuns. Watch out for Alfred Molina's role as the Pastor!

Recommendation level: 3.5/5 - It's a little too long in places, and it could have been a little made a bit tighter. Depp's good as usual but nothing extra ordinary, he's surrounded by a really strong cast and director.

The Time Traveler's Wife by Robert Schwentke

Category: English

The movie features Eric Bana as a man who suffers from a strange genetic disorder that makes him travel through time. Rachel MacAdams plays the love of his life who has waited her entire life.

The movie falls apart at several places, even despite the presence of some capable acting talent there's almost nothing can do with such a weak script. Fans of the book even claim that the dialogues and scripting in general is very weak and thus is not even close to the book.

For me personally the movie is very flat at places, since I have never read the book it's almost impossible for me to contextualize it so I suppose aside from Rachel McAdams no one really stands out. Eric Bana's acting talent disappears every time his on screen persona takes a journey through time.

Recommendation level: 1.5/5 - There's some novelty value and of course 1 star for Rachel McAdams. Even fans of sappy love movies will find themselves walking out sooner than the movie ends.

Inglourious Basterds by Quentin Tarantino

Category: English

Tarantino is apparently back to doing what he does best or so people say, but truthfully Chapters 3 and 4 in this saga of revenge (a theme from his previous venture) actually establish him in my books as someone who can make the 60's European cinema (as a friend also remarked) come alive, barely but yes. Chapters 1 and 2 are very much like what Tarantino churns out consistently or as I'd like to call it exquisite violence. Chapter 5 is a toss up.

Once again Tarantino relies on creating heavily memorable characters such as Donny Donowitz or Hugo Stiglitz through dialogues, violence and of course the cold blooded killer look. But this time around he relies on some powerful close ups, such as the German Major who first encounters 'The Jew Bear'. He uses plentiful cinematic references in Operation Kino and basically insults people's intelligence by explaining things in a very child like manner (Ref: Nitrate Film).

The film traces the life of Shosanna Dreyfus who is inspired to avenge her family by eliminating the upper echelon of the Third Reich. The Inglourious Basterds led by Aldo are also on their way across the country rampaging through Nazis like ninjas and of course eventually making it to the climax of the film. Shosanna owns a cinema hall where all of her plans are going to come to reality at the release of "Nations Pride", A German propaganda film powered by Goebbels.

To be fair Tarantino does a really good job here of trying to cater to the mainstream audiences while also sticking true to his own brand and trying to incorporate a 60's European cinema feel to it. While also re-working the way we look at conventional WW2 films. Right from the name itself, there's a certain air about the movie that makes it untouchable by conventional cinema these days. The people who don't like homages in films or references to older cinema are obviously clueless about what they are talking about, which is perfect since Tarantino, sadly is making films for them

Recommendation level: 3/5 - Yeah, we're not sheep! Catch the film though.

The 300 Spartans by Rudolph Maté

Category: English

The movie that inspired Frank Miller himself to create his own 300 his graphic novel that spawned the testosterone driven 300 movie powered by Gerard Butler's abs and voice. However the best part about this film is the relative simplicity of the fights and the acting from the big hitters! Made in 1962 this film follows the same plot line from the Battle of Thermopylae.

There's the vast army of Xerxes, there's a queen who powers some of his decisions on the battlefield! As one of the generals notes, "During the day he comes to us for advice and in the night he goes to her". The movie isn't as ridiculous as you'd think it could be, in fact given the time and place and the right time of watching this movie I am pretty sure it was epic by its day and age.

Some of the dialogues we hear in 300 are present here as well, particularly the blotting out of the Sun and fighting in the shade. I really don't have to explain more, but yes if you want to watch an interesting film after consuming the CGI driven 300, then yes you must head to watch this!

Recommendation level: 2.5/5 - I liked this a lot! Although it's a little too romantic in places for even the most hardcore Spartan fans.

Voice of a Murderer by Park Jin-pyo

Category: Non-English

If I could I would turn back the time I'd prevent myself from watching this crappy film. After some decent South Korean cinema this film was very annoying and boring.

The film starts about how it is, "based on a true story". There's a kidnapping in which a famous news anchors son is taken away, the said anchor in question has used the power of the media to put away many people including friends and foe alike. Soon he's on the recieving end of this and the end although a little shocking doesn't really matter. Barring the father, none of the actors pull out anything unique, the detective has some style but eventually just "gives up". The film is very westernized in it's outlook (quick cuts, score, action) but the treatment is wrong... so very wrong.

BLAH, after a point you don't even care if it's based on real life incidents because it's all so dramatized and painful, the acting is hamming at it's best, there's almost no scope for anything unique. The camera work is at least something worth mentioning but beyond this, I spent 2 hours on nothing.

Recommendation level: 1/5 - See above.

Woman is the Future of Man by Hong Sang-soo

Category: Non-English

There are 2 really stand out conversations in this film which make up for the entire film. The first one revolves across two friends who have met after a long time and discuss their lives for a bit. The second one is where one of the said friends is conversing with his students over dinner and argues the benefit of believing in nothing.

These scenes and some more mixed with a plot line that doesn't really go anywhere. The film itself is quite an experimental piece in nature because like I mentioned earlier it doesn't go anywhere in the sense there's nothing concrete that is decided by the end of the film. This already makes it a stand out film for me. The characters are very complex, they are very much based in reality. But what makes it even more riveting is the banter the two lead friends share.

The plot revolves around 2 friends who aim to visit their third friend. There are some romantic undertones to the entire scenario, and some even explicitly sexual. But that shouldn't deter you from watching this 97 minute film, about nothing. Well not completely about nothing it holds a deeper value in what Cinema can achieve at times, this is Sang-Soo's art and you have to sit up and take notice of what this director is showing you and what he doesn't want you to try to decipher.

Recommendation level: 5/5 - Sheer novelty value and execution! If you want to look for something deeper in Asian cinema, start here! The title itself sets the pace for this film.

Flower Island by Song Il-gon

Category: Non-English

Prior to this Il-gon had only be making short films, as a result this film can be separated into 3 distinct halves. There's a clear line between the three sections.

The film follows the lives of 3 women, each with their own problems to bear. The first is a 17 year old girl who at the start of the film kills her own child by washing it down the toilet, we later learn she's a rape victim. The second is a renowned Opera singer who must undergo a surgery to remove the malignant tumour, the only catch - they have to remove her tongue. The third woman is a married woman with a young daughter who prostitutes herself to purchase a piano for the child. Each of them try to find solace in the "Flower Island" a mystical place where all your sorrows go away.

The first half describes them, the second half introduces themselves to each other & the last part sees their journey to the island itself.

The cinematography is almost flawless, shot entirely on a hand held camera and possibly a DV one at that. The message intended by the director is brought out not just by the dialogues but by pro longed silences, strong background music, facial expressions and of course the situations. Blitzing past into their minds at the drop of a hat and back into reality as it were for them. Il-gon is completely in control of this film. The cinematography at times even seems very unlike South Korean cinema, there's nothing pretty about the characters' problems, it's real, it's gritty at times and he doesn't relent. You have to endure it as the protagonists do.

The film is a little too long at almost 2 hours in length and this is something where the films narrative isn't as tight. Made in 2001, there's also one of the rare occasions where South Korean cinema deals with the topic of homosexuals (Gays only). It's touching in its execution and definitely while their problems may seem so deliberate they aren't, the problems these women face are what they are.

Recommendation level: 4/5 - It's not perfect but definitely one of the better Asian cinema films to watch. Some of the concepts & style used seem similar to Tony Takitani.

300 by Zack Snyder

Category: English

What more to say about this film than hasn't already been written! THIS IS SPARTAAA.

Ok aside from that, everyone knows this film is based on the 300 brave Spartan soldiers who fight crushing odds to hold off the Persian army led by King Xerxes. Leonidas as a true king leads from the front and fights right until the end, making a statement even before his life comes to a close.

The entire film is one massive instructional video as to why you need to join a gym and get into shape. The performances are stand out and the film is overtly loud at places. Pretty much a film you want to see if the girl loves Gerard Butler and 300 semi-naked 6 pack sporting Spartans!

You get to see a wide variety of weapons being used and of course a wide variety of warriors in action as well. There's also the whole East vs West angle and the lovely women of Sparta too!

Recommendation level: 2/5 if you love cinema you can still like this! If you love action films; 5/5!

Shutter by Banjong Pisanthanakun & Parkpoom Wongpoom

Category: Non-English

If you can get out of the director's names you are in for a treat, the only problem with the Ghosts who seek revenge in such films is that they almost tend to look the same. The same creepy look from the Ring, the only way it probably works is because there's not much screen time otherwise devoted to such faces!

The movie has a familiar premise where a scorned lover returns to seek revenge and in the process ends up taking a few unexpected lives! In this case our happy photographer and his girlfriend have a calm life until a few of his best friends from school commit suicide and before that the happy couple ran over a girl! How are these two incidents linked? Find out.

The only real scary part of the film was when it's finally revealed why our hero had a nagging neck ache through the entire film. It gives you the goose bumps, I assure you.

The film isn't bad and passable but at places but it's a little too slow paced and the thrills aren't enough, until the very fag end of the film.

Recommendation level: 1.5/5 - Seen better horror films, this week will be South East Asian cinema week!

An American Werewolf in Paris by Anthony Waller

Category: English

Didn't get to complete this last night as the second disk gave me some problems. Anyway, kinda dated film the movie is funny in parts and is about 3 American youngsters partying it up and trying to live the crazy life in Paris until they come across a hidden sect of Lycans and the heart eating ceremonies they indulge in in make shift night clubs.

The film parodies several notions of the typical Yank in a foreign land and the ignorance they could perhaps be priding themselves on!

The actors are pretty good, Julie Delpy of From Sunrise & From Sunset fame is present here and does a decent job of holding the French accent. Thomas Everett Scott is believable as the tourist whos life has gone haywire thanks to Delpy's character.

There's tons of funny jokes and the occasional scare as well, the only problem is the CGI, why is it a problem? Because this is 1997 CGI we're talking about.

Recommendation level: 1.5/5 - Funny in parts but overall it's a little disappointing I must say.