Reviews

The sky scorched in the ultimate nuclear apocalypse , death degeneration and destruction were left for the survivors of the aftermath .... the days of the biblical apocalypse when the land had lost law and order .... people kill each other for petty material belongings , for a perfume , a bottle of water !!! Post apocalyptic scenario where one man is chosen ( by divinity ) to go westward ...with the worlds only remaining book on morality ... the bible ... to spread the word of the lord .... Eli ( Denzel Washington ) the chosen one and his violence ridden pilgrimage through a devastated lawless land , has to resort to all means ... beg , plead , be violent !!! Sometimes reminiscent of the 1970s "Mad Max". Fully captured in sepia conveys the atmosphere well , a powerful but violent well made movie ... about a futuristic messiah .... The book of Eli . I enjoyed watching this dark drama !!!

8. MOOLAADE (SENEGAL) Ritual genital mutilation of female children for the purpose of preserving chastity is an age old cruel custom practiced in many North African , Middle East and South East Asia nations , expats in the US and Europe from these countries do this practice though it is illegal in the host nations . This powerful African movie portrays a headstrong village woman's fight tacitly supported by other fellow women against the ghastly custom , how the conservatives try to muzzle her down , how though few some men with remnants of sanity tries to do something about the barbaric practice , how even educated and travelled young men bow to the custom in the name of culture and tradition . The genital cutting or "purification" as they call it is done with unsterile knives by local priests , without anesthesia and can result in psychological trauma , infections , scarring , painful menstruation and intercourse and difficulties during childbirth . Africa is a place where taking up the gun for money is considered as a profession ….. the "mercenary" as they are known , one such visits the village as a vendor gets involved with the plight of the women and meets a tragic ending . Amateurish acting by local people do not in anyway diminish the powerful message of this well crafted must see movie . It takes us far away to hitherto unfamiliar dark world of interior Africa , this time post colonial Senegal through Burkina Faso . African director Ousmane Sembene lending support to social reform process initiated by conscious Africans and international organizations . Great movie …… an African ' Subrahmanyapuram '. Open your eyes to another world , African realities … subjugated life in remote dark corners of the world !!!

West meets the east .... prejudices , compulsions , adaptation ..... a must see for us Indians . There is love , lost love , despair , hope , rejuvenation , stubbornness ,death all in this story of retiree British oldies trying to settle down in Jaipur . Dev Patel ( Slumdog millionaire fame ) plays a key role .The current Indian realities and myths , upcoming modern India coexisting with the traditional past !!! Mega star cast of Judi Dench ( Iris , James Bond ) Bill Nighy ( Davy Jones of the Caribbean pirate saga ) , Tom Wilkinson ( Cigarette smoking man of the X files ).Curious to watch how western attitudes fits into or adapts according to the Indian everyday life , ideas and attitudes are given and taken by the ones who love or despise the different or respective culture and the ways of life . A fine blend of two cultures attempting to reach a common denomination ...... though not a classic , worth watching !!!!

The theme is overburdeningly political , no point denying that there is a political agenda . Donot go for the ethical and moral questions about portraying real living individuals as assassin victims or elevated presidents . Subtle attempts at being politically correct , to have a social message of not to label any faith or religious denomination on mere assumptions might be there ,attempts to go on record about the simmering discontent of Iraq war veterans and their families upon the loss of life or limb also may be underlying . The social message is well conceived and put forth . All these apart this is a very powerful sobering fictional documentary ( if that is the right word ). It is the story telling and the wave of credible emotions that struck me . A must see for any serious contemporary movie watcher . A wonderful film !!!

Post eastern block collapse Czech , lack of opportunities , borderline poverty , dull and drab everyday life. Strained system , multitude of problems that we see anywhere everywhere … lack of family values , insanity , selfishness …. promise of migration to a better world.Through all these a young girl with an escape at hand ( read immigration to the promised land ) keeps alive her human values , value for life , family , obligations .There is nothing extraordinary happening in this movie at any given moment … yet there is a simple flow of life with all its pain and anguish that we feel , I would rate this as a very good drama realistic ,simple , true to life …. a good cinema that would remind you about the true purpose of life itself !!!Splendid acting esp. by the lead actor and actress , good camera work … worth watching !!!