HEART LOST

A hind door of a car opened at the traffic signal

A fair girl with sharp aspect got down

She then closed it as if

She locked the door of her love mansion

In a pink and white striped shirt

And her casual blue jeans

She walked like a queen and road is her own

Took notice then, that she was to be known

As a friend to whom many lost their heart

But she wasn't willing to hold any of theirs

For she doesn't have her own heart

She said she lost her's to a handsome man 

For me, he was some unknown

However, I lost mine too at the very place she walked

I, in the tiny glance, lost mine in her mighty gait

And to reveal that name I feel shy

For me, she is an angel while others call her .......

DELICIOUS DISH

Cook something, 

Fill it with your love 

Add a kiss as a topping

I will relish the most delicious dish tonight

DARE TO REKINDLE

To rekindle your love

How much dare should I have?

The strength with which gods as well as the demons

Threw away planets with their arms

Would that be enough?

For my love, your love is heavier

Than the burden bore by the universe

I lost it once and can I lose it again?

I wish to take the leap tomorrow

Hope this time it will be for eternity

My joys or sorrow that take me into tranquility

By making me alive here or alive in heaven

I wait in a dare, to rekindle the fire

In all eagerness to see even if that shall make my pyre

కాళోజీ జ్ఞాపకార్థం

ఆ కళ్ళు కళలకు ఆకళ్ళు 
ఆకళ్ళ కలలు ఆకళ్ళు 
కళలకు కళ్ళు ఆకళ్ళు 
కలలు ఆకళ్ళ ఆకళ్ళు   

-----కాళోజీ నారాయణరావు

These are the words of Kaloji Narayana Rao about the hunger deaths of our farmers.
This is in his memory of his 99th Birthday today (9th September). Sad that such poets have been forgotten by most of the youth. Hopeful that such poets shall be embraced and remembered for long. 

LOVE LETTERS (PLAY) - A REVIEW

Ballantine's in association with Dramanon presents Rage Production's "Love Letters " Starring Rajit Kapur & Shernaz Patel

VENUE : NOVOTEL, HYDERABAD 

DATE : SEPT 8th 2013

An engaging and enthralling play and I was very happy to have watched this.

It was like I witnessed lives of two people and indeed interesting journey. Love Letters written by A.R. Gurney is a play about the letters exchanged between Andy Ladd III and Melissa Gardner, over 50 years., The content of letters comprises of communication about their school, their relationships, marriage, children, divorce, art, politics and some of their missed opportunities and more importantly how they miss each other.

Directed by Rahul Da Cunha, the play uses music lighting and the setup intelligently and its a sight to watch. One can't put in words how intelligently they have used the boxes, that have become benched, beds, and even a cross. About the use of music, each song marked a decade from ues of 1940s to pop of 1990s it was wonderfully blended with the emotions of the characters.

Shernaz Patel plays Melissa Gardener who seems to be an artist on the losing side. The conviction she has brought to the role. It was just stupendous and deserved more than a special standing ovation.

Rajit Kapur play Andrew Ladd III and the way he got into the role like a chameleon changing hairstyles, makeup and becoming a kid, a sailor and an old senator in a performance that it's tough to be put in mere words. The play got a standing ovation and it deserved it. Now, I know got a reason why this play is successful and is being played for over 21 years and its a flagship play for RAGE productions. I hope many more performances by these two shall be done for this play. 

Coming to the writing of the play, this is a play in two acts and while I felt the first act was boring as it had too much information and less emotion, the second act was something that covered up the whole play and lead to an emotional climax. Now every life has to end with death, and as I always keep myself saying it's how you end up makes all the difference. I want to end up living a life, where I have enjoyed all I wanted, from food to home to car to relationships and same shall be the case with most. Melissa, due to her own choices ends up in a way we do not want anyone to and Andrew in a way which most of us aspire to. This contrast is what makes this an outstanding one. 

Also. I was very happy to see a nearly house-full crowd for this. Way to go Hyderabad and I wish there shall be more crowd pulling plays like these. A 4/5 for this. Liked it.

THE 39 STEPS (1935) - ENGLISH

Alfred Hitchcock is the finest filmmaker of suspense and thrill and even chase. His chase films are far superior and better than most. The 39 steps started it all way back in 1935 and his other films like "North By Northwest" followed it up.

I saw this film way back in 1994 in DD Metro when films were played at 10 30 at Night. I revisited this film nearly 3 times again and this time, I am reviewing it now. I must confess that I love this in all aspects.  

An innocent accused of murder Robert Donat, running from London to Scotland and back picks up a reluctant Madeleine Carroll as his companion. The journey they undertake is a revelation. It's more suspenseful and happening than being merely called romantic. The hotel in which they stay, the happenings around. The protection offered and the escape and the ultimate truth being brought out. This forms the crux of the film. Now, all this while, there are some splashes of romances at least some nuances being thrown at and I hope you watch it for yourself to know what those are. 

Oh, did I mention that this is an espionage film. Now, 4 years before the World War 2, Hitchcock made this in England and thats the vision of a man. Post World War, the spies become a common phenomenon. But Hitchcock made all of these much before anyone had even got a thought and that's genius. Of course there can be few more espionage films prior to this but Hitchcock glorified the genre with this film I believe. 

This film came after the much successful "The Man Who Knew Too Much" and the climax follows a  similar path. But this is probably Hitchcock's best film from his pre-Hollywood period era. There are some really wonderful editing moments like the one after the maids scream dissolves into the hissing of a train whistle. Now, see what she finds and that's really good in terms of editing and screenplay too. 

Now, cinematography is superb the sound editing of which Hitchcock is a master is sublime considering 1935 and from gun shot to wind everything seems to be captured well. 

The 39 Steps is the quintessential Hitchcock and it's worth a watch for it holds many aces up the sleeve and delivers it at the apt moments. A 4/5 for this. 

NOTTING HILL (1999) - ENGLISH

I liked it but not to the extent that I love it.

It's a good film, a fun watch but it's cliched in dialogue and screenplay. It relies heavily on the two leads, Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts. Though Julia Roberts as Anna Scott does her part with ease, Hugh Grant as Will Thacker seems to be shaky, and uncomfortable. Also, its way too long with a running time of more than two hours for something that a very light romantic comedy. 

Editing lacks hold in an otherwise well written film. But the dialogue ruins the well written scenes by putting some mediocre lines that were extremely predictable by me. I felt, this film did not have the charm of romances like "When Harry Met Sally" or "Love Actually". The chemistry between Julia and Hugh though made up for most flaws, it did not cover them well enough.    

Just an example

William Thacker: I've opened Pandora's Box!

Spike: I knew a girl named Pandora in High School once...Never did see her box though!

If such jokes make you laugh and smile, then this movie is certainly for you. For me, this was a very poor joke and I could not buy such jokes. The sad part is the film is filled with such lines and that is why I did not like it much. 

For sure, there are good aspects in terms of production. But with such actors at the helm and budget taking a toll, those things are expected too. Writer Richard Curtis seems to be a good one at slapstick comedy and slick dialogues but what he is not is mastering the same and adding a touch and flavour of his own. The same "I love you" can be said in innumerable ways but it has to be one that will be attractive and has it's own place in the hearts of the viewer. 

I am going with 2/5 for this. Though its a very well made romantic comedy. It lacks that speciality of becoming greater than a normal film. I am also skeptical if this will stand the test of time either.

CRASH (1996) - ENGLISH

How do you like idea of having sex when cars are crashing? My friend asked me to watch this movie

posing the question. I fell in love with the movie not with the idea though.

I loved the taking and the bottom line "to what extent one can go to have a fantasy fulfilled". The fetish is abnormal and is named paraphilia. I don't know if any body does that in real life or even has such fantasy but David Cronenberg the director seems to be fantasized by such a fetish and made a film out of it. Extraordinary situations demand exemplary acting and thats what we have in here. 

Cronenberg stands all amidst directors in terms of boldness, bringing surrealism and making us believe that somethings may exist. He just makes me succumb to the believability of his themes and therein lies the greatness of Cronenberg. 

Now, this film is more like a fantasy fable and even the way it is presented is such. The interesting part comes when this fable seems to be a reality. Yes, paraphilia exists, yes people want to have fun in absurd and weird circumstances and this reality is married with a fable making this a really wonderful film. James Spader seems to be holding a bunch of sex driven films to his credit. Be it "Sex Lies and Videotape" or "Secretary" and is aptly cast as James Ballard. I do not think, Cronenberg might have been rejected by many other actors, to whom this role was offered. Nevertheless, Spader seemed to be in the right shoes for the role and he has done a commendable job. 

The film is a challenge coz it marries, the psychology of the brain to the physical desire, a dire necessity of many humans and creates a layered and textured form of a fantasy which is rare and yet so absorbing. David Cronenberg took this challenge from the novel of the same by James Ballard. To write, anyone can write anything, but to make using a publicly accessible medium in a way that it is acceptable is one thing that Cronenberg should be applauded for above all. 

I stand by this film and admire many things which are extremely challenging and even introspecting and appreciate the courage of the writer-director David Cronenberg. The editing gives us the right dose or romance of romance and action. The cinematography sets the right environment. The music creates the right mood. Now, in such a film what more can you ask for. Thus, I suppose it's one of the most challenging assignments that was accomplished with an aplomb by a director.

I thank my friend "Raghuveer" who acquainted me with the film and I am happy to have seen this. A big thanks to the master director David Cronenberg too. A 4/5 for this. 

WHERE EAGLES DARE (1968) - ENGLISH

One of the finest war films I have ever seen. 

Based on the World War II, this film has a masterful screenplay that was supremely directed. Thanks to the writer Alistair MacLean who wrote the screenplay and to Brian Hutton, the director. I sincerely believe that the screenplay writer should have been present each day of the shoot to monitor that his work is being visualised as he thought of. With the writers presence it's very tough to encapsulate the story of such magnitude and present it in such a great form.

The starting music, the shot of the flight, just built up a tension that never let me free till the very end. I am not sure if this was an edge of seat thriller, but for me it was , because I was on the edge just waiting in wonderment, what would happen next when I first saw this many many years ago. 

Richard Burton as Major John Smith seems to be a master in holding himself in cold blood as he diligently plans the whole plot. While Clint Eastwood as Lt. Morris Schaffer seems to be action hero who executes the plans to precision and yields results against all the odds. Yes, there are certain cinematic liberties taken in building up the drama but that's good as long as they are meant to entertain and enhance the purpose of the film. 

In 1968, this film might have been made with exorbitant budget. I say this, considering the production values, the cinematography, the sound mixing and even the costumes. But, all is well as it paid off handsomely and the big take away is that it's worth investing in something that has content as the soul. So much money poured in to this meaningful script yielded worthy results.

I cannot reveal the plot or even say what it is about, as I have not done for most of my films. But I can say this, if you are lover of some good suspense and drama. Then this film shall be worth your time.  A definite 5/5 for this one. This one deserves a watch more than once. Also, I strongly believe this shall stand the test of time as it stood till now and keeps increasing its fan-base.

RAY (2004) - ENGLISH

Though cliched, the music and the performances make it an interesting biopic. 

Jamie Foxx surely gave a performance that deserved all the adulation it got. The Academy Award seems to be the tip of iceberg for this film. Thanks to Jamie for surrendering himself to the role and giving us one heck of a show. 

Charles Ray, on whom this biopic is based on was an exemplary music talent. He generated sublime music and got rewards equally. He was for most of the good time, rage of the nation of USA. He had the knack of breaking records, creating chartbusters and being on top through 1950's and 1960's. But he had one challenge that was gifted to him, he was blind. Now despite that, he became something of a magician with the piano, with music, in arranging the choir and managing his own band. Wow, these are great feats that very few people have done and he was the one who seems to have started it all. 

Now, this film just does not show the white picture of Ray, he has some grey shades like getting into narcotics, using heroin and had some infidelity too. Now, this makes the character of Ray colourful, The colours are well brought by Jamie Foxx in the role and he made it effortless. Under those dark glasses are eyes that had seen a great part of life and world, that rarely few get an opportunity to witness. And through this film, the director Taylor Hackford tried to show us a good glimpse of what Ray had been through in his times.

It can be commended for the setup, the periodical art direction, the cinematography, the editing, the writing. But if there is an aspect that stands above all is the music. The very important usage of music makes this film completely interesting and fun to which. The selection, assembling of music well and making Jamie perform to the music I believe was the masterstroke of the director and this paid of well. 

The screenplay is laced well with the past coming back infrequently and helping us understand the reactions of Ray. Yet, I believe it was kind of preachy and would have liked it more active than the passive character of his mother. I give the flaw away, because even the junior Ray performed his tiny role competently well and took this away from me. 

It's an effortless watch and a wonderful Biopic. Above all else, watch this for an encompassing and endearing performance by Jamie Foxx. A 4/5 for this. 

FEAR AND LOATHING IN LAS VEGAS (1998) - ENGLISH

Madness. It makes no sense. 

This is for sure a hallucinating, surreal, trippy trip to the Vegas I had ever been subjected to. Yet, I could not relate all the happenings in the film, substantiate them with a story and then take this is as one film. Terry Gilliam is a fantastic director who know how to play with written work and with the camera too. But here, something coherent in writing and camera work was missing. 

Johnny Depp as Raoul Duke and Benecio Del Toro as Dr. Gonzo have played the roles with such conviction and freedom that they seem real, natural and the best part they feel like the characters and not the actors. They have given their everything into these characters like Johnny Depp going Bald and Del Toro growing a big fat tummy. It should have been a very daunting task for them physical and psychologically to hold this film tight in grip and give away their everything. Johnny Depp we know is one of the finest actors and turns into a chameleon. But Its Del Toro who rose above the script so high that even a look into the guys of a girl, made me shiver as much as the girl shivered. 

Terry Gilliam made something creepy, hallucinating and even monochromatic with those red scenes sprayed for some good amount of time in the film. Yet, he did not stitch them well is what I strongly felt. Well, I agree that when under the influence of narcotics, its all random and nothing coherent or organised but when I look at the other films like Trainspotting and put this in that league, it had a big flaw. That one flaw is lack of a story. 2 guys go to Las Vegas, have fun and get back. OK, but how and what is the purpose. This is what is essentially lacking is what I felt.

Having said that, it is surely one of the trippy films and I may dare say indeed the best hallucinating films that hits the psyche when one is high. But sad part is, I was always sober when I watched it and also let me confess, this is the second time I watched. First viewing was random and I could not contemplate much, though I missed something. But in the second viewing now, I found that there is nothing much to talk or write or contemplate about this film. 

Having said that it is not be a film to be written off either, some may find it completely trippy, of the cuff, brilliant and even flamboyant. Thus making it great. The music is used well, The cinematography, art direction, the costumes and the make up are just pitch perfect with the tone of the film. Even other departments like editing, casting must be appreciated. But yes, I believe it lacked Direction. 

A film that begins with a terrific monologue and made me delve for the first half an hour into a trip, just lost steam later and it took me places where I was not so happy to be. Having said all that, it is very difficult for me to give a rating for this. Though it did not work for me, it may work for many who appreciate many elements of this and give this away for the lack of direction. So for myself I am going with an average rating of 2/5. But please check it out and judge it. Hopefully you may find something which you will like about this film. 

THE PRESTIGE (2006) - ENGLISH

Sleight of hand, comes in terms of writing by the screenplay of this. 

The dexterous Christopher Nolan has mad a movie on Magic and he reveals how intricately and deceptively can a movie on Magic be made. With so many intercuts, mis-en-scenes, it's tough to grasp the pace and understand reason behind everything till the very end.  The intrigue builds up with each passing scene but Alas, it falls flat in the end. The only thing I did not like is the last 2 minutes when so much revelation is done is so less time. For the rest of the time, its stupendously outstanding.

The cast has done a prime job, especially Christian Bale. Hugh Jackman and the beautiful Scarlett Johansson have played their parts convincingly well. I cannot name the characters here, as Bale and Jackman play multiple characters in the film and it's tough for me to putting them and taking away the intrigue and mystery. Scarlett Johansson plays Olivia Wenscombe and adapts to it extremely well. 

The art direction is one that is extremely commendable and needs more than a thought, the setup entirely needed vision and the director Nolan had all that and more. The music is extremely situational and wonderful as it does not interrupt the narrative and still holds a place in the memory of the viewer. 

Mind you, this is not a film to watch for fun, it needs some brains to decipher this, to contemplate this and to get this into our head. So the prime most thing it demands is attention and some concentration, you give them to the film, it rewards you overwhelmingly and that's a great thing for a film. The cinematography is wonderful, some long shots at Tesla's place are really wonderful. The dark and intriguing atmosphere is well built up. Kudos to the cameraman Wally Pfister. 

It's a wonderful film and indeed one of the best film made on magicians. Having said that, it's a must that we have our brains intact while watching this. A 4/5 for this. 

VICKY DONOR (2012) - HINDI

An easily entertaining film that does not demand much from us and leaves us with something to think about. 

The premise is set when the statement "Many would have enjoyed parenthood if sperm donors were available" sets the tone of the movie right upfront and it carries it all through. Shoojit Sircar the director must be applauded for taking a subject that has not been dealt before in our Hindi Cinema and producers like John Abraham should be appreciated for helping the idea become a film.

All through the film, the one thing that is so very good is the chemistry between the actors. Especially the camaraderie or chemistry of Dr.Baldev Chaddha (played superbly by Annu Kapoor) and protagonist Vicky Arora (played competently by Ayushmann Khurana) is the one that stands out and stands tall. Annu Kapoor slips into the role so fluidly that Chaddha seems so very obsessed with sperm that we forget that Annu as him, and consider him only as the doctor. 

When such a novel subject is being filmed and if the subject is a kind of taboo considering that it involves the subject of sex, then there will be a lot of temptation to over hype this. But Shoojit holds it back very well and indeed underplays it with the other digressing points like relationship between Vicky and his grandmother or bringing in a newcomer and beautiful Yamini Gautam as Ashima Roy and builds a beautiful love story. The idea though seem to slip off, it keeps coming back in the form of Chaddha and he fixates himself in Sperm stubbornly. Laughter, fun is derived from many moments of the film and that's the main reason watching this film is effortless and entertaining. 

Also appreciable is the dialogue which does not make us watch it seriously but mostly with a smile on our face. The song "Paani Da Rang" which is a wonderful number is used well too. All in all, Shoojit Sircar is a director who made his mark with this film and I hope his endeavours will get bigger and better as he rolls the camera in the future.

Happy to have seen this, late though but better late than never to watch a good film. I am going with 3/5 for this. Two points down coz this does not have the repeat value as such. Maybe coz dialogues are too easy to memorise. 

V FOR VENDETTA (2005) - ENGLISH

A thoroughly adventitious, thought provoking film. It glorifies anarchist and nihilistic feelings within.

The scene where V (Hugo Weaving) introduces himself to Evey (Natalie Portman) is in itself a masterpiece in dialogue writing.

Here I present you the dialogue

Evey Hammond: Who are you?

V: Who? Who is but the form following the function of what and what I am is a man in a mask.

Evey Hammond: Well I can see that.

V: Of course you can. I'm not questioning your powers of observation; I'm merely remarking upon the paradox of asking a masked man who he is.

Evey Hammond: Oh. Right.

V: But on this most auspicious of nights, permit me then, in lieu of the more commonplace sobriquet, to suggest the character of this dramatis persona.

V: Voilà! In view, a humble vaudevillian veteran, cast vicariously as both victim and villain by the vicissitudes of Fate. This visage, no mere veneer of vanity, is a vestige of the vox populi, now vacant, vanished. However, this valorous visitation of a by-gone vexation, stands vivified and has vowed to vanquish these venal and virulent vermin vanguarding vice and vouchsafing the violently vicious and voracious violation of volition.

[carves "V" into poster on wall]

V: The only verdict is vengeance; a vendetta, held as a votive, not in vain, for the value and veracity of such shall one day vindicate the vigilant and the virtuous. Verily, this vichyssoise of verbiage veers most verbose, so let me simply add that it's my very good honor to meet you and you may call me V.

Evey Hammond: Are you, like, a crazy person?

V: I am quite sure they will say so. But to whom, might I ask, am I speaking with?

Evey Hammond: I'm Evey.

After reading that absolutely mind blowing piece of writing, I really doubt if whatever I review here is  read or even pertinent. But on a more personal note, It's important to me as a person to stand up to something, stand up to my conviction, my own beliefs and disbeliefs, to stand up to my own self, that has made me. To stand in itself is a great thing but to stand up against everything, demands a character. A character that may be disliked, ostracized but shall nonetheless have one person who embraces it and who shall become the company of him or her for as long as he is alive. Now, the question that always bugs me how many do have character, how many question, how many seek the truth, how many seek reason.

The answer as it stood always is 'hardly any'. The reason is most men and women are moulded by beliefs that some others (be it parents, society, teachers) have embedded in them, but should they seek reason, they might have their own varied reasons and that would make him "HIM" or her "HER". I cannot put this succinctly but I hope you are getting what I am trying to convey. 

I was told that 9 hours stay is a rule put in office, I asked for a reason, I was presented with one, I did not buy that reason, so I do not follow that rule. So am I an anarchist? Yes, coz I do not follow rules that are not substantiated with reason. But still I have my own little discipline, my job pays me something, so I have to give back what I am expected to from my job. So that's the discipline I follow and the only thing indeed.  Ok, now let me sway back to movie, the purpose is to review it, but it triggered such nihilistic and anarchist thoughts that I was bound to put whatever I did above. 

Hugo Weaving has a voice that is so haunting and manly that even though he wears a Guy Fawkes mask, we know that for sure behind that mask is a man who is strong enough to seek command just by his voice. Hugo Weaving plays V with a command. Natalie Portman as Evey plays her part sublimely well. The way she sleeps in Jail is enough for me to convince she is a good actress. All others, have done exceedingly well in there roles. But what made the movie so special is the environment, the dialogue and the way characters are developed, you have a villain, a hero, a heroine and a setup, all are placed well and told us to supremely so that's what makes this a great film. For whoever worked on the fireworks in the film, a big thanks to them, coz they were so gorgeous.

I ca't say much but I loved it, I can relate to it coz I am a questioning person, an anarchist myself who has a discipline. You don't break rules that are formed with a reason that are made to make everyone happy and not just a group of people. Like driving on one side of road, not breaking signals etc. But rules formed without a proper reason, rather a reason your conviction does not buy then it need not be followed.

By rating this film, a 5/5 I am just completing a mere formality. But I warn each one of you (those reading this) to give this film some time coz this is not an instantaneously engrossing film, it grows with time. Inside most of us we sure have a V, but sadly we forget that there is one and succumb to the comforting herd called the world.

My tiny tribute to this is here

http://braddugg.blogspot.in/2012/05/v-for-vendetta.html

BEFORE MIDNIGHT (2013) - ENGLISH

I sincerely believe, an honest conversation between a man and a woman is the purest form of romance. 

This one is a sequel to the beautiful movies, "BEFORE SUNRISE" and "BEFORE SUNSET". 

Jesse (Ethan Hawke) and Celine (Julie Delpy) have grown to their early 40's and they go through the relationship and phase. Celine has twins from the relationship with Jesse. It's Greece and a whole new level of conversation takes up. If "SUNRISE" in 1995 made Jesse and Celine meet. "SUNSET" in 2004 got them closer by another chance meeting. "MIDNIGHT" in 2013 depicts them as they were together since "SUNSET".

It's a pastiche of romance, their love making, arguments and even silences . There are many conundrums in the talk and they surprised me as ever like the earlier two movies. If in SUNRISE, love blossoms, then in SUNSET it settled down, now in MIDNIGHT it darkens. It's better to talk to crib to argue than to be silent and that's exactly how it is depicted. This is more personal though than the earlier films, but as a "BEFORE" franchise fan, I loved their connect and the basis and reasoning of their argument seemed good, though at times kiddish but that's how adults behave. Arguing for petty things. serious for the unimportant and jovial for what they have got already. 

The cinematography stands great, the art, the costumes, everything is perfect, But it's not for these aspects, I watch this film, it's only for the conversation that the couple have. Kudos, once again to Richard Link later, Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy for having written such lines. For things the talk fluid and simple and connecting. For most in their prime 30's or early 40's this may seem like their daily talk and for those who have not got into a relationship, this is a taste of how things may turn out. But all is fair in Love and that's exactly how this film ends. Richard Linkalter is one of the most underrated directors I believe.

Ok, now a word before I complete my review, I am appalled by our Indian Film Distributors, they put a date of July 26th for release, then postpone this to August 23rd, while the movie was released long back in March in USA and other parts of Europe. So instead of waiting for a theatrical release, I just downloaded and saw it. I badly wanted to catch this in theatres, but am happy coz I caught it and am so delighted.

It's another 5/5 to one of the most beautiful romantic movies ever. Together, this trilogy stands above all others in the Romantic Movies genre and will always be close to my heart. 

My reviews of BEFORE SUNRISE and BEFORE SUNSET here.

http://braddugg.blogspot.in/2012/07/before-sunrise-1995-english.html

http://braddugg.blogspot.in/2012/07/before-sunset-2004-english.html 

AN ODE TO THE SHIP OF THESEUS

Delved into allusions
Derived that life is a mere illusion
There are doors leading to the tranquil paths
Setting us free from the worlds wraths
Yet, peace may be another cage
That might bring another rage
So now is the time to seek
To walk before the knees become weak
As I passed out from a door
I paused and stood, for I understood
That I have transformed from bacteria to a human
Now I shall decay into ashes or dirt
So before such metamorphosis,
Why don't I lay emphasis to just end up human
And even then, a query remains
Before I pass out, all it was "Ship of Theseus"
But once I perish "Is it still the same ship?"

SHIP OF THESEUS (2013) - HINGLISH

This film demands our attention and rewards us uncompromisingly. Those, who are unwilling to heed to the film please be away, coz it will be a big bore. And those who crave for good intellectual film, please please please see this.

What is the purpose of life? Is it to love? Get married and have kids? Have a job or business and with the money we get, feed our kids and facilitate them to grow before we perish from the world? Or is there a better purpose? Those living merely for love, family and kids can be considered as "average beings" and I am still one among those, but to be a "better being" I suppose there has to better purpose. The purpose is debatable and personal too for each. This film shows people who have a higher purpose.

There are few films that make us ask questions, that trigger our thoughts. This is one such film. How many times, before doing our daily prayer, daily ritual, be it Namaaz or lighting a lamp or a candle, have we asked, is this the one that we must do? What if I do not do it, what if the one who is meant to be there above, does not exist? And if he does not exist, then the rituals are made by men and are thrown to us to follow, so should we follow men? Did we ever ask such questions? Are we supposed to ask? Are we supposed to ask what is life after death? Is death such a tragedy or can we embrace it equally as we embrace life?

Too many questions were triggered in this film, be it of belief, the way of life or even on the thoughts of existence. And I am glad that it rewarded me immensely not by answering but making me ask questions. It jolted me well enough that it just goes on in my mind as I write this. 

This is not a film, where you just seek entertainment, this is a philosophical film and the best part is never this film is preachy. I love the conflict within the characters, their questions can be derived into acts and these acts determine their characters. 

Of all, Neeraj Kabi stood out and I am not revealing names or anything of other actors, because whoever they are, I love them in this film. Technically, cinematography is just top class and I am astonished that such a rich film was made in a meagre budget of 2.5 crores.  I am also astonished by Anand Gandhi, the man who wrote serials like "Kyu Ki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi" and "Kahani Ghar Ghar Ki" can write such a piece of art and execute it so well. 

I do not think this is a review of any sort and I rather refrain from reviewing it. I just put my thoughts, my questions, to seek is the only thing one can do. I am spellbound and this is by far one of the most thought provoking films I have seen. Thanks to everyone. 

I wish, I did not rate this, coz as u mature, ratings disappear. Nevertheless, a 5/5 and still it would mean so less to a film that has given me so much more. 

Note that the film is in both Hindi and English in parts, thus Hinglish.

MALLELA THEERAM LO SIRIMALLE PUVVU (2013) - TELUGU

An appealing theme but appalling execution. For those craving for good telugu cinema, this is not good cinema just clean cinema. 

There are no item songs no fights which is good. But does it have content enough to be made? I really doubted that. For almost all of the time, I was mostly commenting at each and every dialogue.

The dialogues are cliched infact its tough to hear such dialogues which are so fabricated. I just could not understand why each dialogue was so elaborate. The only few good dialogues came from the father character played by Rao Ramesh.

Sorry, I did not discuss the theme yet. A girl marries a boy. The boy marries her only coz there horoscopes match and does not show any concern. The girl finds another man and falls in love with him. The girl stays with her love and leaves the husband. This theme is a bold one for telugu coz in our hypocritical society we are always told to be contented as it gives peace than seeking true happiness. This film dares in thought to seek happiness. But the sad part is the goodness is only in thought its neither in writing nor in depiction. 

The cinematography too is just Ok and shows us characters faces and not their emotions. The performances are way below par Sri Divya just was there and uttered her lines. Kranti seemed to be more feminine as he indulged in taking care of nails by rubbing them often and even his walk and sitting posture seemed  awkard to me. George as the insensitive lacked the arrogance and just tried to act and failed many a time. Rao Ramesh showed experience as father and was saving grace in otherwise lackluster cast.

I feel upset for both the director and editor for making the scenes too lengthy. Also, sad that they did not cut them too and for killing my time.

I am sorry but we as telugu audience do not understand the true purpose of cinema. It's an art form thats looked only as business by us and that's why even clean cinema is rare. When one like this comes along it gets acclaim but not audience coz critics like clean cinema which is a rarity in telugu but audience likes entertainment and not art or purpose.

I am going with 1/5 for this. A good thought turns bad when not done well. This is an example for that. 

BHAAG MILKHA BHAAG (2013) - HINDI

To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people exist that is all - Oscar Wilde

Milkha Singh lives and he truly lived against all the odds. Salute. Please, go watch this film and then judge it.

I always believe that sportsmen and artists are the ones, who truly live. They have a purpose to do something. All others, merely exist. Now existence means since we are born and have to do something we just exist till death and then die someday and nobody except the family and friends remember us. While sportsmen and artists, live even after death and that's the kind of life, we must aspire for. 

Now, this film raised some very pertinent questions, do we Indians, love sport? When was the last film based on a true sportsperson and how many are made? Do we know sportsmen apart from the cricketers, who take part in the Olympics? How many who are reading this, know Milkha Singh?

India is in a sorry state in Sports and except few folks, no one is passionate or serious about sports in our country. A country of 120 Crores does not have 120 medals from the last 120 years. Such is the state of the nation in sport, just very sad. 

OK, now coming to the movie. I just loved it, and it was flawless for me. Yes, there are evident flaws, but all were surpassed by a supreme performance of one man, Farhan Akhtar and his commitment to the role shall win him sublime acclaim. Though all other performances were good. Divya Dutta excelled as Milkha's sister and brought tears to my eyes. 

The cinematography was superb, the color toning used, the way the races were shot, wow it was just exemplary for me. The songs, so apt to situations, I would have still been happy with a couple of songs less, but it's okay. The editing would have been better considering this movie is 3 hours but never did I feel all along that this was so very long. In fact, I cherished every moment of it. I cherished it because of the honesty of purpose, it's one of the most purposeful true stories that has come out in a long time in our country. Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra and Prasoon Joshi have done an exemplary job in executing a story that's nothing short of an epic. 

That takeaway is this "Hard Work, Will Power, and Dedication, for a man with these qualities, the sky is the limit"

It's a 5/5 for this, nothing less. I just loved it. 

Mr. Farhan Akhtar, I loved you as director, then as an actor, then as a singer, and then as a TV host too. Now, I love you as Milkha. You are a prime example of a man who knows his strengths and his limitations. But when you stop doing the stupid ads of Intex and Tata Motors, you will be fine. You are the man who gave us "Lakshya" and Dil Chahta Hai" just don't desecrate by becoming less.  I still see you as a sanctified being.

TRANCE (2013) - ENGLISH

Thanks  to torrents and as soon as the Blu-ray was announced, I got a torrent and when I saw this, I was so very happy. Not because the film was great, but because I wanted to watch this ever since I saw the trailer and I felt like I accomplished a task. 

The reason for intrigue is Danny Boyle, who gave me some wonderful movies like "127 Hours" and "Trainspotting". Nah, I did not like "Slumdog Millionaire" much. Apart from Danny Boyle, the trailer in itself is so surreal and pacy that anyone who would have watched it and seen an earlier Danny Boyle would just dive into the theatres, the day it released. Sadly, I am in India and this did not release here, and thus the wait and thus the happiness. 

Now, is it worth the wait? Partially just yes, coz I liked many parts of it. Partially no, coz the screenplay was familiar. If you have deciphered "Inception" then this one shall be piece of cake. The cinematography was good as ever but not just great as 127 Hours. The CG was so much that I started to dislike it after some time, I just wanted the real thing, real men do some real action. The editing, ah, I love this bit in a Boyle's film. I just loved those sharp cuts, those intercuts and everything, I suppose that Danny Boyle rewrites the whole script by using the editing superbly. 

The writing in itself is razor sharp indeed so busy that lot many things do happen often in a psychedelic way, that we tend to be in trance to see the whole film in a surreal world and there are points where I was made to leave my belief in suspension and determine myself what is real and what is the dream. 

As I often stick to it my no plot revealing stuff, I am not saying much either here. But I can say this much, Trance leaves you in Trance. Now, that neo-noir for you, if "Inception" left us to interpret if the climax was a dream or reality, a similar thing happens here too. I am drawing parallels to "Inception" coz I found something similar, not just in the dream part, but the taking too seems similar. 

Performances are super, by James McAvoy, Rosario Dawson and Vincent Cassel. Indeed, there is hardly any time to take notice of the nuances of their acting, such is frenzy and the pace of the screenplay. It just makes you sit all along. The music by Rick Smith is one that I shall keep for some time to come. It's electronic and fast and even here, I found some "Hans Zimmers"

Sure, this is a kind of movie that will make anyone go for a review as and when you watch it. I just jumped out and wrote all the above in state of trance,. Yet, there are few things I disliked, one is that it's not something completely new in every way, second is that it falls way below my own expectations. Perhaps, expectations are bad but they are good too, as they drive you to see a film, more often than not. 

I am going with 3/5 for a definitely good film, just that it's not as great as earlier Boyle films. Thanks Danny Boyle yet again for giving me a fun ride. 

GULABI (1996) - TELUGU

Applaud the premise but I am appalled by the taking specifically the climax

In the climax there is an escape of grand scale from air port to air line runways of the heroine from the clutches of our villain. The moment they get together they make fun again. Now, there is no concern what so ever shown by our super hero who just saved the girl and vice-versa.

Ok, so there is a film based on girl trafficking. Now, is love story the backdrop of issue or the trafficking back drop of love story I could not make out. For first half you have love story and for the second who have the trafficking part. Though, there are first few scenes I am still not convinced yet. I will rather consider this to be love story where as always the super goes and saves his girl. Just for this film, the villain seems to be a trafficking agent. 

The sound effects which seemed so real when I saw the film in theatres I was amazed but now when I saw in home, it seemed so old-age. Perhaps, I have grown up with technology or the film is too old. The cinematography is good in capturing locales but very bad in capturing emotions. The director seemed too deliberate in characterising the actors . The villain seemed to be a rapist more than a trafficker.  The girl seemed to be out of place in cast. The hero J D Chakravarthy (Chandu) seemed to be a ruffian too. Ok, into these how does one embed the characteristics lies in the hands of the director. I must confess that the director Krishna Vamsi has failed miserably there. 

The editing seems slick at the beginning but that pervades to let the drama seep in make a fluid river into a stop and flow canal. The drama is let loose without any scissor to cut it and that's where the film fell apart. 

The music is good when its fresh and even that seems to have aged out with time. The movie thus stands anachronistic and I am going with a generous 2/5.

SAFTEY LAST (1923) - ENGLISH

Thanks to Criterion to have made a Blu-Ray for this movie. If not for the Blu-Ray I doubt if I would have ever seen this.

I know of Chaplin and of Keaton as the comic geniuses of 1920's but then along with them was another one called the "The Third One" and his name is Harold Lloyd. And finally, I discovered him and I am so very happy now. The hanging from a multi story building from the watch on the wall, seems to be such an iconic thing in 1920's that its referred many a time in so many movies later and as recently as HUGO. I love that shot and it's called "dangling from the skyscraper", and I suppose anybody who watches this shall really fall for such originality. 

Also, take a note of a title, SAFETY LAST which means that let's through caution to the winds and just do it. It's an antonym of SAFETY FIRST.

The premise which comes in the latter part actually that sets up the whole film is so wonderful that for most part, we shall be laughing 90 years after a film is made, if still that tickles your ribs, then it's simply great. That's what these great movies do. And certainly, this stands right up there. If Chaplin was a genius in humane stories and Keaton was so in making us laugh with his extreme stunts, then Lloyd made me laugh with his simplicity, with his histrionics and with his stunts. It was so very refreshing to see all this in an era where films were so pristine. 

The sound, rather the music was pitch perfect echoing the emotions of the characters and it was deliberately made funny, which I loved it. There was a time, when the protagonist had to fight against the wails set by the society. Expectations are much higher from family and friends and he has do some extraordinary things to make them happy. 

Directors, Newmeyer and Sam Taylor must be applauded a great deal for they have pulled a nearly impossible act in 1920's. And, yes Harold Lloyd steals it like a champion, salutations for the whole team. This movie is like Serendipity, which I discovered by accident and loved every bit of it.

This movie for sure, is going to be a great movie forever and ever. A 5/5 for this.

CHANGE FOR THEM

Transform your beliefs to please them,

Kill your faith to satisfy them

Transpire it shall, into their peace 

And don't think that it is your defeat

You shall be what they want you to be

For your soul has no takers as you be

So change and make them win

Coz the way you are is deemed to be a sin

You shall be isolated from all you know

Be it your parents, friends, kith and kin

So to have peace just give up simply

All your faith, then among them you belong 

And then you shall stand firmly

As you are not alone but you have them along

CONSOLING THOUGHT

A thought consoling me, 

That how much shall they try

to part us, thus shall strengthen our love

That how much shall they make us cry

In our cries shall be joys of us 

How much tyranny they may show

That much shall be our resolve

How much they seek my sorrow

I shall make you mine for sure one day

If that day may not be just tomorrow

But one day we shall meet 

May in prison we shall greet

But then our unison is inevitable

And it is surely a place on this very earth

For, I don't believe in heavens 

Coz for heavens, there is a dearth

LOOTERA (2013) - HINDI

For those enchanted by the embellishments of the past, for those who love romance and for those who love cinema this is a must watch. This film is for all and specifically for film aficionados.

There are films, but this is cinema. There are directors, film makers. But Vikramaditya Motwane is a craftsman who painstakingly wove the whole canvas with bright colours and some pale ones too. There are shades of grey at times, while for the good part, it's extremely colourful. We don't have any song-dance sequences here, yet music plays such an important role in getting us the the theme of the film so well. 

Based on the short story "The Last Leaf" by O.Henry, Vikram made a romantic and thrilling adaptation of it. I never imagined that Berhmann of "The Last Leaf" can be a guy as charming as Varun Shrivastav (Ranveer Singh). There are wails amidst joys. There are silences in conversations. There is a smile in death. Wow, I was amazed for most part and mesmerised by the pace of the film. The slowness seemed to be working in favour of the film. Yet, the first half just flew in a sly. I was so elated in the interval that though the expected was coming, I was joyous and wanted to clap for the sheer courage of the director. In the climax of the short story, the leaf becomes the film's hero and is referred as masterpiece. I was just not very much convinced by this point alone. While others I thought were in place and apt to the context too. 

Dialogs were of pure hindi and referred to the era of 1950's. There is a reference to a similar kind of film "BAAZI" by Dev Anand and I think this was a tribute to that film. What a poignant reference to the song "Tadbeer Se Bigdi Hui", it seemed so wonderful. In times, where we live for making money, saving money, consuming money, the girl had time to write and the director too seems to have all the time in the world to write a magnum opus. I also suppose that the name of the inspector as K N Singh was taken from the name of the legendary K N Singh (the villain of "Baazi").

The performances in particular are somewhat subtle and special. I disliked Ranveer Singh in an earlier film of his and never watched any of Sonakshi Sinha's films earlier. In Lootera, I suppose that they have jostled up all their acting abilities and they have pierced the hearts with such fine nuanced performances. Sonakshi as Pakhi grows above the script and delivers a memorable performance. She performed this with an aplomb that's seldom seen in today's times. Ranveer as Varun brought subtlety to his character and did well. I can't assuredly say that he rose above the script, though he climbed the tree. He tried well and that was good enough.

Although I was laughing for the most part of the second half at dialogs, deep inside I knew what they meant. Ok, it may not be for everybody's liking coz everyone has their own choice of art. Coming to art, let me speak of the art direction. I was stunned with such detailing. The last film I saw that had stupendous art direction was "Jodhaa Akbar" and this film took the art direction further to a greater level. 

The cinematography fell apart during nights. There was a lot of noise (grains) on screen and I think this film has been shot digitally and thus the ISO was higher and hence the grains. If this is the case, then it's quite appalling. Anyways, that was the only aberration I was not comfortable with. Barring this, the film has lot many positives.

Go watch this Love-Saga if interested in cinema, for mere film watching, you have other choices. There can't be ratings to a piece of art, to like or dislike is a prerogative that the mind possesses. I am going with 4/5 as I like the detailing above all else. Please forgive a few coincidences for the benefit of cinema.