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Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens (2015)
A part of the summer superhero franchise
I rarely write reviews since I guess I am just too lazy at times. But Star Wars is perhaps my favorite franchise and this one kind of killed it for me. There is a trend going for Superhero movies and Marvel releases a bunch of them and have even been going for the minor characters now (Ant Man for example). I believe Disney said they were going to do something similar for Star Wars. So we have here a mash-up of some of the original series (4,5 and 6) with basically nothing new. Now if they had marketed this as a remade New Hope I would have nothing to complain but I was expecting a whole new movie. The common thing with most superhero movies is they get pretty high fan and critic ratings (aberrations being Green Lantern perhaps) and they always succeed in the box office. But the issue is Star Wars was much grander and more innovative. However,now it is all part of the same mold--- you feel good after watching it but it does never leave an impression. Thinking of the prequels, while Episode 1 was a bit bad but there were some redeeming moments---the journey through the underwater world, the pod race and the Maul vs Qui Gon fight. Attack of the clones made things complicated and I actually had to re-watch the whole 1st 3 parts to understand exactly what was happening. Political intrigue and Order 66. And it was great to see how different things were before the Dark Side took over. In this one, nothing seems different---what a disappointment. And it still gets a 8.9....Bleh On a separate note, this is also a very politically correct Star Wars, perhaps the first one which is so. Makes me think if we had any of Lucas' originals releasing now, how would critics and audiences have treated them?
Deadgirl (2008)
A powerful film
With all its flaws it's still very unsettling.The opening few scenes gave me the thought that it would be something like Rec or maybe even It.The next few ones were slow moving and I was getting the feel the movie wasn't going anywhere.However there is a very powerful journey into the human psyche.In today's societal structure everyone fears of being an outcast,so they manufacture their own worlds where they are king.J.T. brings it out wonderfully.He skips school and seem to be caught in a downward spiral and can't come out of it.He is regarded as the stupid "corrupted" guy at school and it seems there is no redemption.Rickie is caught up in a pseudo ethical world,he can't realize that he doesn't belong simply since he doesn't want to.Joanne is like his Golden Chalet.And there are some like Wheeler who are not that intelligent to know what they are doing.Overall even the satisfaction which the boys get is a lot like mainstream drugs,they can't get out.As for pure horror,even that's out there for a few scenes,but no jump scares.Thirst provides a very different take on vampires,Deadgirl does that for zombies.
Zebra in the Kitchen (1965)
Really bizarre
Was really taken aback by the number of people who recall it as their first movie.However weird and made up it may sound,it was one of my first movies as well.My friends had it on home video and I remember laughing hard and having a really good "childhood" time with my buddies.The memories are very faint,but there was some sequence where they show a big key or something.And its a miracle that I recall the name!Seeing the rating I guess the movie must be pretty crappy,but I would still buy the movie,even though my friends back then are only memories now.I have to see the movie now to make a more critical comment,but for now I just want to reminisce the memories...
What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? (1962)
write a letter to daddy!!
I would like to see comments that judges the film for its own sake,not because it includes two of the greatest 30's stars and neither because it serves as a showcase to portray some of the real purported rivalry between them.Many reviews are based judging a film by the history it makes,sometimes much too meaning assigned to them(a case in mind seems Mullholand Dr.).So forgetting Hollywood implications I found the film quite good on its own.However,it lacks a bit of pace sometimes,which further creates a claustrophobic atmosphere.Only at the end it seems to go on full gear.The acting is restrained as well as over the top sometimes. The film goes awry in certain aspects.Bette Davis is relentlessly cruel to her sister,the only aspects of her character seem to reminisce the past and ridicule her sister.Joan Crawford is unnaturally stoic.Further there is little comic relief,the characters of Buono and even his mother appear too grim at times. It has often been compared to horror classics like Psycho,but I feel Norman Bates had more complexities going for him. However,the acting by both the leads are great and that alone is a compelling reason to watch this movie.
Chokher Bali (2003)
A nearly satisfying period drama
Its very tough to portray a Tagore novel along cinematographic lines.And if you forget an obscure production of 1967 then its the first time that chokher bali has been done on a grand scale. Overall the sets looked fantastic with the right touches for making a successful period drama.Prasenjit,so used to doing crass commercial stuff made a good effort.I saw the Bengali version and found that Aishwariya's voice was dubbed,which made her dialog delivery a bit poor. While the director did a good job portraying each of the characters with finesse,yet there was very little in the way of meaningful plot,probably a lack of the story itself.However the development of the characters including those with minor roles seem to be the strongest point.Its tough to make some Tagore stories into films,as only the visual parts seem to get realized.
Sam gang 2 (2004)
An opinion on the masters
I guess I should start watching Asian romances too,if they are half as good as the horrors,they will do fine.Let me discuss the films one at a time. Dumplings:This movie deals with the 'age old concept' of eating fetuses to regain youth,portraying a subtle message about abortions too.The crunching sounds make up the horror factor,but to me the glorifying point is the degeneration of the supposed protagonist,from being abhorred by the concept first and later yielding to it fully.I guess many themes underly,including the lust for power(over her husband) and the scepter to signify it(her youth).I would forgo the twisted tongue part,for it detracts the movie.9/10 Cut:A great movie in its own right.I guess though the theme shares with Oldboy and Lady Vengeance,this one has much to offer on its own.Firstly,unlike Saw,the psychopath here has really little motive.He justifies that being an extra he gets little attention,and seemingly wants his own limelight at least once. Starting of with an overly colorful vampire scene,its a marvel to shoot the film in a single set with a variety of colors and over the top make up.Also the strings signify a puppet of the protagonist who ultimately has his strings removed and comes to life with a devilish twist.Also the disarray present in all perfection is an inherent motif.As for the sadism only Audition did it better(kiri kiri kiri)...8.5/10 Box:My favorite of the three.It required a 2nd viewing since after the first two films I was too dazed to actually get through such a surreal picture.I guess it dealt with the nightmares of the girl in a different way.She was a conjoined twin so she had always waned to be separated,to be loved alone,not as a part.Her desires led to her having a guilt complex and her subsequent nightmares.So while she wished for the death of her sister,she could not consciously desire it.The imagery is beautiful,and you could appreciate the film with no sound as well.10/10
The Messengers (2007)
well...not so well
I guess the Pangs wanted to create a new age horror film with the blood/gore taken away.If the film was not so derivative they may as well have succeeded.The house of ghosts along with the brutal murder of the family reminds of Amityville horror.The crows have been used in countless horror movie clichés like Omen and even resident evil extinction,and all of these fall short of Alfies Birds. The subtle dysfunctional shown in the relationship with the daughter is without enough buildup and premise--the daughter seems normal enough.And except for the few jump scares there are no scary scenes altogether. If you are a true horror fan,go see Amityville horror show instead....
Braindead (1992)
not the great gorefest its touted to be
It begins with the supposed finding of the rat monkey and the killing of some people in rather unfortunate ways.I guess the monkey is CGI created and falls in the same genre as the bad gremlins.We are then introduced to the hero,a rather buxom female lead,and the hero's mom alongwith fortune tellers on the way.The movie seems to laugh at itself all the time,and the gore is there but it seems so outdated and strange that it fails to amaze.Its basically a film about zombies on some level.But the entire film is made in a rather light hearted manner,and if you go through the party scene as well as the scene where the man carries the zombie kid for a walk,you will find this particular "horror" film is decidedly funny. Overall its an OK movie which you should see for the laughs rather than the gore....
Rosemary's Baby (1968)
Dramatic Horror
It scares without being scary.Usually films of the current generation,especially the new breed of Asian horror movies rely on a lot of jump scares,check out two of the best known that is Ju On and Ringu for reference.Here the movie relies more on a gradual buildup of atmosphere and eeriness.
The premise is simple,and the film assures that it is not a mind game with the female(a pleasing change from most horror flicks)protagonist,rather its a intricately woven plot by the seemingly urbane witches.The film scores by showing the mental expectation,trauma and later resignation to the entire ordeal of rosemary.She expects to get relief from Dr. Hill,and just when the viewer feels "alls well that ends well",its not to be. Further a few artistic touches are impressive,the pseudo Dali like dream sequence,the haircut signaling a transition,and in a terse scene where while having dinner Rosemary bluntly says"lets make love". This chiller is a must view for anyone interested in dramatic horror movies.
Suplement (2002)
A good portrayal of the human spirit
The film opens with a violent scene of the protagonist using masochistic measures to downplay his frustration.Its all about Filip who just cant accept the fact that he is as normal as everyone else and craves to become important and famous.A false superego provides him with messages from God that he is the chosen one.Thus he is undecided as to whether marry his fiance or try to live a life of celibacy in pursuit of the supreme.Filip's own emotional turmoil is shown to the full extent,with excellent support from his elder brother.The film contains underlying spiritual overtones too and is a good portrayal of the human spirit.