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kaustubh09
Reviews
Sapne Vs Everyone (2023)
an attempt
Good dialogues, acting was decent, maybe underutilized. But the characters were cardboard characters. The show was not new. It was the same old story rehashed. While it captured attention in the moment, later reflection made it look a little childish. Possibly, the makers of TVF still need to wake up from their upper-class privileges and experience some of the ground realities for themselves, metaphorically or otherwise. The good part is that you have got a great public response. But that's not a measure of good writing. Good writing would cut through the divides of the society and not attempt to unite them in superficial middle class morality. The honest middle class hero is either dying or does not exist. If you can drop that character altogether, your script might just come to life. I hope the rise in quality of your content will continue. I also hope that one day you would stop being public pleasing content and write something that would split the audience into siding with one of the opposing sides in your drama with such passion that they would fight each other for conflicting characters from your imagination.
Best wishes.
Leila (2019)
Nice work! Ignore fools who don't understand dystopia
Dystopia is new to Indian audience. And dystopian fiction was written for much less in the west. Art needs to keep check on politics when all else is failing. Visuals could have been better. But writing and acting are top notch. Must watch if you happen to possess a mind of your own.
Chetna (1970)
A nicely written drama from the era of painfully melodramatic films
Considering the era in hindi cinema this film is from, Chetna is a remarkable achievement. The plot is tight and does not slip into anything unnecessary. The acting is also contained and the dialogues are to the point and revelatory. There is a sensitivity and sensuality to the film that is otherwise lacking in Indian cinema. One starts feeling for the two central characters from the very start of the film. There is no unnecessary heroism neither is there any useless sentimentality. Anil Dhawan is okay. Perhaps the best film of his non-illustrious career. But Rehana Sultan is a sweetheart as Seema. She carries out her role with an elan in the first half and a pathos in the second which was quite a surprise for me to find in Bollywood films. Hardly ever such detailed and nuanced characters are written for women in Indian cinema. One can even say that it is a woman centric film. But it climaxes to a place that elevates the narrative to a higher point. Must watch for anyone who looks for more than just entertainment in cinema. I am going to check out other works of B.S. Ishara now.
Split (2016)
Haters of this film know nothing about movies or thrillers
This movie is a splendid achievement on many levels. First of all it is a gripping plot that does not slack for even one moment. The initial realism that slowly transform into something surreal is nicely executed. I never considered McAvoy to be a serious talent. This movie changes that. His near perfect portrayal of many personalities of one individual is inspiring.
But the real brilliance of this film is at a deeper level. At its heart the movie is a fine study of Dissociative Identity Disorder. First, the conception is wonderful and one wonders how many personalities would the audience get to see. The number of personalities that we get to see are plenty and yet it does not go overboard in introducing too many personalities. I think this movie would be a source of inspiration for many filmmakers desiring to make films on this subject. In case you are interested in films exploring DID I suggest Peacock starring Cilian Murphy. That film is a very different take on the subject. Witnessing many different personalities of the protagonist, in Split, is emotionally moving every time a new identity is revealed.
The writing is top notch. The acting is engrossing. The art direction is superb. Costumes, lighting, sounds and yes the music, everything comes together to make a powerful cinematic experience. This is not one of your superficial thriller where it is merely a matter of survival of the innocent facing the wicked. The evil here is nuanced and immersing. Isn't that a treat?
One objection that can be made against the film is that the plot could have been tighter. But in that case, the story would have lost its meat. That is always the case with thrillers. If you do not watch movies to numb your brain and if you are looking for something that will stay with you after the movie has ended, this is a good one for you.
Nymphomaniac: Vol. II (2013)
Don't call Nymphomaniac failure or porn if you don't understand it
Not a film for everyone and not without cinematic flaws either. But ask yourself what are you looking for in a film? The world has made the mistake of calling obscene name to geniuses (D H Lawrence, the most prominent example from the last century) for too long now. I think it is time that we step back and look at why we so vehemently reject something that threatens or disturbs the rosy illusions we have built around and call life.
That said, the film falls short of the expectations I had after the trailer and after previous works by Von Trier, especially Melancholia. The film drew me deeply into it but then in the end left me unsatisfied. Such has not been the case with his earlier films. Sex and graphic sexual content has been an integral part of all of Von Trier's films but here he collides with the monster head on. Has he won? I would say no. How good was the attempt? The bravest attempt I have ever seen.
Sex is not an easy subject to deal with. It is very easy to decorate it with rosy images and melodious music. Trier manages to avoid that throughout the marathon run of the two films. In fact he has laid bare many many many aspects of sex. Of course these aspects are not for those who love and live rosy sentimentality everyday. On the other hand, the film is not porn either. In fact it is quite a strong shake for those addicted with porn and even sex for that matter. My only problem is with the character of Seligman. He was not despicable enough for the plot of the story. And that somehow ruined what could have been a real A class experience of cinema watching.
If you are intrigued by what sex and sexuality means and are in for rather intense drama and characterizations then this here for you is a treat. On the other hand if you are too deep into mainstream cinema (that just keeps on regurgitating old stuff) or are looking for some juicy porn story then search some other pastures. This here is a poignant effort to delve deeply into the darkness of the human soul.
And nobody, not even the stupidest of criticizers, can avoid the beauty of metaphors used and the visuals around them. Have a heart and watch the film!
Prometheus (2012)
Good idea, badly executed
The movie starts awesome (prior to the titles) and before the cast is introduced and actual dialogues begin the movie was captivating. I think this is one reason why many people got annoyed. They had their expectations raised which was followed by some disastrous writing.
Visual effects and all cannot replace writing. Let us be very clear about this. Why did they not develop good interesting characters is beyond me. I have been a Ridley Scott fan. The characters we have seen in Thelma and Louise and Blade Runner were so gorgeously developed. What happened here? I''d like to ask the director. And the writers. Why make a film in a half hearted manner?
The theme has nothing new to it. Prometheus was first time the work of romantic poet Percy Shelley. People not aware of the literary legacy of Prometheus might have expected something different. I came with the expectation of seeing advanced science experiment going haywire and I found it. The idea is a never dying theme and one I love. The idea of a creator of human beings has found decent exploration in the film. It could have been and should have been awesome. Probably with some complex characters. Characters were not developed. They were labeled. A closer look, a magnified take on the idea would have been better. One can say that the filmmaker and the writers did not do justice to the idea itself.
Many good ideas I have seen treated badly by filmmakers. This is one big example of that. One time watchable. But keep expectations low.
The Dark Knight Rises (2012)
Satisfying, but . . .
I don't know of any other movie for which such a great number of people waited worldwide. Did the director do justice to the wide variety of viewers? It looks like that from the 8.7 rating on IMDb and #32 on Top 250 list of all time. But that does not reflect the truth.
Expectations were higher. The expectations were to outdo one's own standards. If we go soft while criticizing a genius, it will be like insulting him. The plot was rather simple. It lacked beautiful complexities of The Dark Knight. A lot in the movie moves only on the symbolic level - Bane, Batman, Catwoman and terrorist capture of the city. The truth is that Christopher Nolan has moved distant from the darker realities that he depicted astonishingly well in his earlier works. People expected more complexity and some surprise. Both were absent.
That said, the movie itself is NOT a mediocre work of art at all. At symbolic level it is exactly what I desired it should be. Some complain that the weapons and all shown were not up to expectations. But did we not like exactly the same thing in the first movie of the trilogy? Some complain that there is not enough 'Batman time' in the movie. But the Batman is present in the entire movie as a longing in the audience. When will he come? When will he get out; how will he get out? The struggle of Batman in captivity and the new philosophical angle to the fear of death were remarkable. And there is not just one Batman but two - one nearing retirement, another getting ready to take up the suit. In the first two movies the drama was external (there were instances of inner struggle for Batman in first two movies too. But to bring heartbeat to the trilogy, the drama had to move within the Batman. And it did.
People who are disappointed with the movie will feel better if they will see it as the conclusion to the epic trilogy instead of a separate movie in its own right. The movie works on a symbolic level. The over- ambitiousness and lack of thinking of the police force might look naive but that is exactly what is happening in many parts of the world. The movie is great symbolic commentary on aspects of social and political ethics. It is also hope and direction for a hot-headed person that he can make a difference in the world. I happen to be one such and thus I related to a great extent to the movie. The fact that the movie and the director are politically sensitive makes it a far more realistic movie than anything with a more complex plot could have made it. For that hats off to the conclusion of the epic. One night I had a dream that I am watching the fourth movie in the Batman series by Nolan. God! I was happy! But the movie was turning out to be crap and I was not liking it. One should see what one is expecting before labeling something as a disappointment.
I expected something interesting from Bane in the end. Villains fell short in the movie which was not the case in the first two movies of the trilogy. The angle of familial care that Alfred brings and how it connects to the story of Rachel and Harvey Dent was great interweaving of stories across the three movies. The character of Catwoman is complex in that she makes many comments on ethical weaknesses in capitalistic cultures. It is symbolism that is the primary strength of the movie. Like Bruce Wayne says in Batman Begins - "People need dramatic examples to shake them out of apathy. As a man of flesh and blood, I can be ignored, I can be destroyed. But as a symbol. . . as a symbol I can be incorruptible, I can be everlasting."
In The Dark Knight Rises Batman becomes what he set out to do in Batman Begins. The reasons behind not liking the movie and rating it badly (some have given the movie 1 star) are beyond me. We need more postmodern works like this that can make strong dents on apathy that capitalistic culture brings upon all of us. I am looking forward to Man of Steel by Zack Snyder.
Interview with the Vampire: The Vampire Chronicles (1994)
Beautiful with so many levels of meaning
There is a certain emptiness in life that we human beings fill with hope (or pain or other things). Mostly only artists are aware of this human condition and they reflect it beautifully in their work of art. To transform this into the life of a vampire was a completely different thing and writer Anne Rice has achieved it with marvel.
On top of a wonderful story there is incredible acting by Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt, baby Kirsten Dunst and others. The subtleties of the characters of Lestat and Louis have been acted beautifully otherwise the beautiful movie might have easily fallen apart. The film remains gripping through out and provokes your understanding of vampires rather than filling it with new (random) ideas.
But above all is the climax, is the conclusion of the movie that fills you up with hope in a strange strange way. One can call it a happy ending, I would like to call it so!
I don't know how lovers of vampire cinema would find the movie. I talk on the behalf of lovers of beautiful cinema and this one is a masterpiece definitely.
An underrated movie.
8.5/10
The Machinist (2004)
Kudos for this brilliant achievement
Kudos to the director, writer and the lead actor along with the entire cast. Psychological thrillers are my favourite and to find a good one is difficult. This surely went past my expectations.
While we guess what will happen to the Christian Bale and what will he do, pieces of the jigsaw puzzle are served to us without us even knowing that they are a part of a larger puzzle. So when in the end everything is brought together along with the past of the central character the audience take home more than what they were looking for in the first place. Isn't that the best thing to have in the world - getting something more than what you expected?
The characters of the waitress at the airport, the prostitute in the apartment, Reznik were well drawn and the acting impeccable. The movie is gripping and when the suspense opens in the end we are left with a remarkable insight into the mind of a schizophrenic. The realization that Bale/Reznik has is sudden and abrupt, but it does not hurt. The reduction of camera colour brings a gloom very necessary for the film. If you like discussing films, this movie will give you plenty of things to do just that.
If intricacies of the human mind fascinates you, this is a made for you movie... Don't miss, don't delay watching it!
El orfanato (2007)
A Beautiful Piece
The movie will scare you but will leave your heart deeply touched. We generally do not expect such an end to a horror movie. For most part I was not sure what genre the movie belonged to and that helped. I just read the short description of the plot and downloaded it.
If you are looking for a horror movie in particular, then the movie may disappoint you. If, however, you are a lover of a decent variety of cinema then this amalgamation of horror with drama is beautiful indeed. The character of the mother was realistically written, was a strong character and justice has been done to it by the acting of Belén Rueda. Others did not really have a significant role. Her acting made me empathize and relate to her deeply, something that I seek from characters of movies often. The mix of three things - the desire for the child to be found + curiosity of a horror film + the appeal of realistic cinema made it a fresh and interesting piece. I do not want to bring in any spoilers so I won't go deeper into it. There is something new that I have not seen earlier.
The cruelty committed on children was not explained in the movie - who was responsible for it and how? That was a disappointment. The exorcist angle was fresh. I do not agree to some of the reviews that say that it is a sad movie. It was an intense movie with a very strong character at the center in a very realistic setup. The conversations between the mother and her child were touching. Mother's conviction to find her son was moving too. The movie was rich with emotion. Tight gripping plot, good pace, excellent acting, cinematography and editing.
8/10
Crazy Heart (2009)
This was like wow!
When the movie ended I was taken aback by the scene. The kind of feeling we wish we get after every movie ends; the kind of feeling we get when great movies end. Not something very unusual but definitely something surprising. Its because of the slow and scattered way in which the script has been developed. And there have been many such touching moments in the film when one feels getting transcended. There has been a lot of appreciation for Jeff Bridges, which is well deserved. But Maggie Gyllenhaal is was equally good, despite a smaller role. Romance was built slowly, realistically and sensually. It was really muah!!! The script, cinematography, acting, dialogues ...... everything fell into place. But slowly.
Definitely worth Oscar nomination. Crazy heart is the kind of new age cinema that has subtle nuances of emotions of regular people of day to day life along with a meaningful progression of the story. If you appreciate this kind of cinema, this movie is for sure a gem for you.
8.5 / 10
Teeth (2007)
An excellent concept dealt with in a poor manner.
One must admit that the concept is lovely. It has been treated well as the movie was not grave. The climax is somewhat unusual as well when seen against the rest of the film.
But the disappointment is that the film is not gripping. I saw the trailer and was thrilled to see how the director has dealt with the subject. I honestly believe that a far better film is possible on the same concept, perhaps on the same story. Many scenes were not needed and the ones that were essential were pointlessly stretched. The creation of suspense was too long without anything thrilling happening and when it does happen its not at all brilliant. The film could have been a short 30 minutes film. Then it would have been a marvel of a creation. But the director just stretched a small story far too long.
The lead actress has not acted so well in the first half, but she was good in the second half. Nice performance by her overall. The rest of the cast is not worth mentioning.
I am personally interested in myths and mythologies. Perhaps thats why I liked the film. I would love to see a film on the same concept and same story. If you are interested in a broad variety of cinema then you may like the film. But if you are in for a fabulous sexual thriller I am sure you would be disappointed.
A 6/10 wouldn't hurt... would it?