THE MAGICIAN (1958) - SWEDISH

Its a film I was disappointed with. 

The acting was overboard by  and the direction was wayward. I thought that the director Ingmar Bergman sought to offer us a mystique spell and took the help of Magic and illusions in this.

The visuals are nice but there is haphazardness in the placing of scenes. The characters seem to have been half baked and not fully evolve. There are not enough reasons presented as to why anything happens. The climax makes the whole film comical, gesturing that we can get away with whatever crime we did, if the intentions are for good.

It's not about the realities we live with but more-so about the imagination of director. I really if the story was about the magician or is it it about something else called the imagination of the magician. Why he goes after people who are not for him, how he gets selected suddenly by the king at the end? Questions left unanswered do not satisfy the hunger of watching this, and rather left me in lurch and disappointment. 

The acting was mediocre considering that it was Max Von Sydow, arguably a great Swedish actor who played the protagonist. I did not understand his angst nor did I get to know what the silences meant. The others (I do not remember their names) are just OK. 

The sound track is great, the guitar was used generously and creates the mood nicely. The cinematography was just right. The art direction is extravagant perhaps adhering to the need of the period in which the film was set. The editing could have been way better. The moments where Grandma speaks some lines could have done in a better way or better chopped off. 

It's an average watch and not a fully satisfying one for me. A 2/5 for this. 

दुनियादारी से रश्क

हमने ज़ाहिर किया और कबूल था उन्हें भी ये इश्क़ 

पर दस्तूर-ए-दुनिया से परहेज़ कैसे रोक पाते अपने अश्क़ 

रो रोके बिताये पल कई, और रोकर होगये आँखें खुश्क 

अब बैठे है हार कर, है तो है बस इस दुनियादारी से रश्क 

जो मेरी आशिक़ का दिल जीत गया, और हमे दिया सूखे अश्क़

1 (2014) - TELUGU

Disastrous beginning to a year with this Film. I have no inhibitions in saying that only rot can come out Garbage called Telugu Film Industry and this is one of the dirty things.

A man who made a sensible feel good film last year makes an attempt at something different. Sadly he failed miserably.  Also, he failed me as an audience.

You can have a psychological problem but transferring that to the audience does no justice to view the film. The first half has so many uncalled for repetitive scenes that after an hour into the film I was scratching my head. Oh, god save me from the pain is what I was praying.in the interval break I was even thinking to quit the theater but stuck there to see what might happen. 

The second half is more confusing and it did bother me a lot. The good part comes only in the last 10 minutes where the protagonist Gautam (Mahesh babu) becomes emotional. 

The acting was purely OK by Mahesh babu who showed a range of emotions in his earlier films. Whenever the heroine spoke, my ears were cringing. Terrible her voice is and the dubbing artist could have done a better job. All others were merely OK.

Technically, cinematography is good but considering the huge budget of 60 crores, I am disappointed. Editing and Music just did not work for me. 

The screenplay just tried to be different and it does not do enough. It's lazily written and edited. It's purely a half hearted attempt. Else, who could have inserted an item song called 'johnny johnny yes papa' in London with the protagonist himself being a rockstar. 

A 1/5 just for camera work and the last minute emotional scenes else a pure zero for this. Telugu Film Industry you are capable of great stuff but you succumb to the needs of fans and hence give only dumb films. 

THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL (2014) - ENGLISH

Stylishly made fun film that is engrossing every moment.

It surprises for a good part of the film and that's the best part. From the time we enter the Budapest Hotel, it is an fun ride, the characters are interesting and have their own little stories that are comical yet emotional and thoughtful.

The story of lobby boy (Zero Mustafe) or that of Gustave, or of any character, they are not very great to say the least but are interesting. They all together shape up this well made set piece that is mostly confined to the setting of the Hotel. The acting by Ralph Fiennes is a treat and Tony Revolori as the lobby boy is a revelation. 

The interesting part of the film I found was the use of varied aspect ratio. It differentiates the time frames intelligently. Wes Anderson is a director who oozes out fun in his films. His films are more about fun and the camaraderie between the characters. The shots are slick, the art direction is generally awesome and the cinematography is superb. The film is very appealing visually and all his films thus far have been stylish. 

There is enough substance in this fun story There is action, chase, fight, enough drama and even suspense. It's all well stitched and made the whole film an engaging experience. Of course, the script is the hero followed by superb art direction of the hotel.

I am not sure, if this was shot on location or whether they erected a set, but it was just beautiful. The hotel, interiors, the painting of the exteriors and even the locales. 

This film shall be a 4/5 for the acting and the art direction alone. Thanks to Wes Anderson for giving us a good time at the movies yet again.

LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL (1997) - ITALIAN

A wonderful Tragicomedy on the most inhuman act of 20th century, the Holocaust of Jews.

How far can you go for your family is what the apt tag line will be for this film. From protecting the wife from inhuman creatures to protecting the innocence of his only son, Guido Orefice does it all for his family and even sacrifices his whole life for them.

Roberto Benigni is affable as Guido, a wonderful human being who knows to take everything with a sense of humour. There are turbulent times, the world has changed for him, he is put in the most awful circumstances, even he is caught and will be executed. In all the places, all he does is smile. It's heartening to see a man go through dire circumstances with liveliness and smile. But that tragedy that is to come is fatal and that's where hearts melt for the audience. A happy family is shattered for no fault of their own.

In the second world war, Jews were condemned as sinners and executed, it's on of the most insane things ever done, on this planet. Hitler will never be forgive for his sins for centuries.

The story is simple, the portrayal is wonderful, the art direction is superb and the other aspects are right. The 2 hours are fun for the first half and heart rending in the second. But all is well in the end. This film is simply beautiful.

Loved Roberto Benigni, his wife Nicoletta Braschi (she played Dora, the wife of Guido) and Giorgio Cantarini (he played the role of 5 year old Joshua, son of Guido). The other performances were wonderful too.

There is not a frame or scene that's boring or out of place. This film deserves a 5/5. Humanity means something, see this to know that. It's all about bringing smiles to others.

DROPS ON CAR GLASS

Rain Drops on Car Glass. Taken at Ananthagiri, near Vikarabad, INDIA.

THE GOOD THE BAD AND THE UGLY (1966) - ENGLISH

One of the greatest Western Films ever made that stands tall even today.

There is an element of thrill right form the first frame till the last in this film. Mind you, this has a running time of nearly 3 hours (177 minutes to be precise). Thus, the greatness can be attributed to the fact that this film keeps a viewer engaged for such a long time. I watched this film a couple of time before and was always awed by the technical aspects of this film. When I finished watching it just now, I was thinking how a small story can be made into a grand script and then into a magnum opus too. It takes the vision of a director and his team. Sergio Leone definitely had that.

The music is iconic from Ennio Morricone and the theme music is great and the soundtrack is just terrific. The cinematography which was done as a cinemascope film in the desert and wastelands of New Mexico state is just amazing. Technically this film is flawless I must say and there is a touch of greatness too. Yes, this is taking forward the good work done in an earlier film "For A Few Dollars More". But the grandeur is something that's enticing. 

The characterisation is slick and straight, it's not complicated but very simple. Good plays good and Bad plays bad while Ugly struggles to be something in between. Ugly is perhaps the most interesting character in the three who does a wonderful job.  Eli Wallach as Ugly is just impeccable.

Clint Eastwood, who plays the Hero is a master of style and he shows it here. With minimal dialogue and mostly through the looks of his eyes, he conveys a lot. From the way he lights his Cigar to the way he triggers his gun, his style is unmatchable and indeed inspiring. I suppose, his style is replicated by many actors later.

Sergio Leone, has given one of the best cowboy films indeed. Also, he has given one of the finest films in terms of characterisation, style, cinematography and music. I loved it and this film will be there and watched over by many generations. A 5/5 for this.

BOYHOOD (2014) - ENGLISH

One of the most rewarding films of the year.

Happy to be seeing this. But sad that it did not release in theaters. I suppose, in a country like us, we do not value art and films. Our theatre owners are not passionate enough about films that's why I suppose they do not release indie films like this in our country. Nevertheless I am super happy and have already seen this twice. For the first time yesterday night, in one-go and since morning taking breaks and understanding the conversations. Deciphering the text, subtext, context and reading between the lines. It's an awesome feeling I have now. Feel so enriched by this experience.

In life, we do one thing most and that is talk the second thing we do most is sleep. Now, I am a big fan of talk and it's very tough for me to hold back myself from talking. When the talk is this good as in this film, I love this. 

Now, what's the talk about. A dad explains an american tradition of giving back to the nature when peeing. A dad tells his 15 year old daughter not to get pregnant with her boyfriend. A 8 year boy learns of divorce through his mom's separation. And a teenager comes to terms with life and his passion for photography and art. Finally learns that it's the moment that seizes us and we can't seize the moment by itself. These are just fresh memories I have of this film which has given me immense learnings. 

The taking of this film is an epic to say the least. It's a film that was shot without any story or script for 12 years. They shot like 4-5 days each year based around a conversation and the growth of the character. It follows the growth of a young boy and his family from the age of 6 to 18. The same boy is seen growing and that comes as a wonderful transformation which we see happening on screen. Never have I earlier experienced such a real transformation captured on screen. So this is one of the toughest films ever perceived and one of the finest films ever conceived. 

The actors do not act they just live out their lives. They play the parts as casually as we would talk to a close friend without thinking much of the consequences. Damn, that is real fun. 

A 5/5 for this overwhelmingly warm film that is 2 hours and 45 minutes too short and quick. It tests the patience of those who are actually uninterested in life. But for the interested ones, this is life coming alive on screen.

RAIN DROPS ON LEAVES

The monsoon rains, have left few drops on leaves. Taken at Ananthagiri, near Vikarabad, INDIA.

OLD TREE BARK

IN a thick forest at Ananthagiri, near Vikarabad, INDIA. A glimpse of a bark of old tree.

MONKEY

Monkey at Ananthagiri Hills, near Vikarabad India. 

BROKER (2010) - TELUGU

A well directed film that would have been so much better if the acting from protagonist was better.

R P Patnaik, the music director of Telugu Film Industry, dons the job of the director here and also acts as the main lead as a BROKER. Broker by definition is as below 

"A broker is an individual or party (brokerage firm) that arranges transactions between a buyer and a seller for a commission when the deal is executed."

Broker is an important person who acts as nexus between politicians and the common man in our social fabric. He is trusted as a person who can get the job done. Having said that, he gets it done for money, he needs money and as it was said somewhere "Money is the root of all evil" it comes to the forefront and determines every person's true nature. Money may not be the root of all evil but some evil I can say, but desires if driven by sole purpose of becoming rich through money is the root of all evil. 

Acting is done well but I would have been happier if someone else, perhaps a veteran like Rajendra Prasad or an experienced actor played the role. R P Patnaik is not an actor who can deliver the emotions needed in this role is what I strongly felt.

Thanks to the writers who wrote this film and much thanks to the director who is Patnaik himself. He took up a strong subject that is deeply entwined in the society and makes a very important point through this. His directional abilities are admirable and I hope I see more issue based films from him.

The acting of Kota Srinivasa Rao and Srihari stand out while others have done their job well. The other technical departments have done their job well. Above all, the story stands tall and it was well directed. 

A 3/5 for a film that is definitely worth watching and I am sad to know that a film like this did not rake in good money though it was critically appreciated. It shows how casual we are in knowing the realities of society and how unconcerned we are with the issues ailing our very own society.

BOTTLE ROCKET (1996) - ENGLISH

What it is on the face value is a crime comedy film but what it actually is, is more fun.

Three friends want to do something big and quick even if it's illegal. They set out a plan execute it to failure, OK, if it's once that would have been fine but what if it fails the second time too. Is this a movie then, movies are not supposed to fail aren't they? Heroes should prosper and even if caught, they must escape and prove their innocence. This film has a different perspective than the above mentioned cliched trivial thinking.

It has got all the ingredients of a good fun film. There is a love story, a friendship, envy and even deceit. It's the flow of the story that makes it a good film and a cut above the rest. 

The performances are strong and believable, the editing is precise and the cinematography is good. Keeping in mind the meagre budget, this is surely a well made film with good production quality. The winner although is the story and the writing.  

This is the first Wes Anderson film and as a debut, he had done a fabulous job. A 3/5 for a film that is definitely good. 

IDA (2013) - POLISH

A beautiful film on faith, freedom and force. 

It's the story of a nun who learns that she was of a different religion and explores the whereabouts of her parents grave along with a relative. The exploration speaks for itself and helps the girl Anna/Ida in understanding faith and life deeper. Anna as she was referred to, learns that she is actually Ida Lebenstein and even after understanding what she really was, she prepares herself to take the vows she wanted to take before.

After going through events that make her understand that life is much bigger than the veil she wore, she decides that she is not yet ready for that. Then, finally comes a point where she has to choose the life of a normal girl, that is get married and have family etc. She gets up and walks off wearing the dress she put off for a while. So the transition speaks so many things. It speaks I would say of freedom of the girl. Why should a girl be forced to commit something. Can a life be non-committal, can a life be drifting in faith. And as I was asked a question by my friend Raghuveer "How would a life be of a drifter, will drifters be respected?" 

Based in the early 1960's the production design is immaculate. The music which was sporadic left me haunting. The music made me explore John Coltrane and as I am writing this review, Naima of John Coltrane is running in the background. 

The cinematography is supreme and beautiful. It reminded me of a Japanese film maker Ozu whose framing was geometrically perfect. I love the use of black and white, it helps me stay with the characters and avoids being awed by the embellishments of colours. The composition of the frames is very important too. The close ups are framed at a low angle as if to let us know how small our face are, in the grandeur of things.

The performances were apt and the eyes of the protagonist Ida played by Agata Trzebuchowska were intriguing, I felt like her silence spoke a thousand words and there was a certain mystique which I fail to describe here. Also, Agata Kulesza who played the role her Aunt Wanda did a great job in displaying the much needed emotions. The film is hel by the relationship of Ida and Wanda and both the actors have justified their roles. They were well supported by the other cast to. The credit for the extraction of acting from a first timer who played Ida, must go to the director Pawel Pawlikowski. 

The editing is superb too, it cuts all the unwanted frames and I felt though it cut abruptly, as I understood it more, I felt it was organic and right in the context of the film. With 80 minutes, this film has some good moments that can haunt for a long time.

War comes and leaves some terrible things for us. It's difficult even today to believe the damage done to Jews in the World War 2 or to those lakhs of civilians who have died for no fault of their own. This film recalls those memories to tell a story that even today stands universal. 

Above all, it's a story of a lost child in search of identity. Kudos to the maker Pawel Pawlikowski and more power to his team and hopefully he brings out such films and also I hope he sticks to Black and White. I loved this and going with 4/5. Take time, watch this and trust me you won't forget the journey soon.