THE INVASION (2007)

This times its invasion of alien virus which transforms the DNA structure & spreading epidemics in the world of humans known as Flu. If one can sleep once infected then when you wake up everything will be the same & still you are not the same.The movie is based on a novel named The Body Snatchers by Jack Finney & the movie adaptation is really edge on the seat thrilling ride. Nicole Kidman nicely performed the dual act here as a famous & smart psychologist & caring mother. Daniel Craig plays his help hand friend & Dr & its very symmetrical role for him. Its only Nicole who took the whole movie on her shoulder from beginning to end. She has really done smart act here & she proved that she’s perfect example of sheer beauty with awesome talent.
Worth watch once at least.

Ratings- 7/10

THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT (2004)

The movie is just jigsaw puzzle of human psychology. It has edge on seat narration, events & superb script required to make impressive psychological thriller. As the film progressed further, the viewer trapped in the fix world full of unthinkable twists & turns. Ashton Kutcher has done really praiseworthy act here & the character also suits him perfectly. Amy Smart also works wonderfully here. Well the movie gives same kind of thrill as one get watching Fight Club. Its interesting projection by the director duo Eric Bress & J. Mackye Gruber as they also wrote the film. Well the movie remains underrated in the initial phase of its release but gradually many viewers started admiring it afterwards.
Engaging watch.

Ratings-7/10

RAY BAN GUYS

Along with Don Desai & Dharmesh kathi one more proud member this time become owner of Ray Ban..see the feel good factor of Ray Ban with aging two tigers..

M I look awesoome?

ANAND THAKKAR & CELEBATION TIME

One more Fun N Food Restaurant meet, Mehsana but this time with NRI Anand Boss...proud khopacharians Himansu, Don Desai, BK & Hiren paid visit. Pratik registered as ususal bhadwai by not coming as usual. Anyway get ready for next big bash party at KINGFISHER. The sponsor of event is Proud Papa Shahid Mansuri...

CONCEPT SELLING

Dad: I want you to marry a girl of my choice.
Son: I want to choose my own bride.
Dad: But the girl is Ambani’s daughter.
Son: Well, in that case…Yes.

Next the dad approaches Mukesh Ambani.

Dad: I have a husband for your daughter.
Ambani: But my daughter is too young to marry.
Dad: But this young man is a Vice-President of the World Bank.
Ambani: Ah…in that case…Yes.

Finally the dad goes to see the President of The World Bank.

Dad: I have a young man to be recommended as a vice-president.
President: But I already have more vice-presidents than I need.
Dad: But this young man is Ambani’s son-in-law.
President: Ah…in that case…Yes.

Now, this is concept selling!!!

SMOKIN’ ACES (2006)

Its FBI Vs Mobster thriller packaged in good cast wrapper (Ben Affleck, Andy Garcia, Alicia Keys, Ray Liotta, Ryan Reynolds, Martin Henderson) but fails to impress. The movie is also too talkative n jarring with other unimportant sidekick character to give it a weird look. Garcia & Affleck has few moments presence in the film & they tried to level up but the in absence of plot even Brando can’t save the film. Action sequences are quite average & mediocre but there’s no scope of character development.
Point below Average.

Ratings- 5/10

WANTED (2008)

Wanted High testosterone stuff to blow your mind away & high octane bullet shots that swept your senses away & Mind-blowing slow motion cinematography sliding The Matrix Trilogy then just watch WANTED. Its really cool action thriller stuff of the year. Angelina Jolie looks killing hot here in her new slim trim curves & she’s back in her Tomb Rider kind of avatar- beauty & bang. James McAvoy has made his present felt as a hero of the film. But above all its adrenaline pumping stunts, brilliant & razor edge camera work & seat on the edge action sequence which stands ahead everything.
Totally Kickass Entertainer.

Ratings- 7/10

QUOTE UNQUOTE OF CINE WORLD

# “No art passes our conscience in the way film does, and goes directly to our feelings, deep down into the dark rooms of our soul.” – Ingmar Bergman

# “The length of the film should be directly related to the endurance of the human bladder.” – Alfred Hitchcock

# “Every great film should seem new every time you see it.” –Roger Ebert, US film critic

# “All I need to make a comedy is - a park, a policeman & a pretty girl.”- Charlie Chaplin

# “Film is one of the three universal languages, the other two: mathematics and music.” – Frank Capra

# “Cinema should make you forget you are sitting in a theatre.” – Roman Polanski

# “This film costs $ 31 million. With that kind of money I could have invaded some country.” – Clint Eastwood

# “Cinema is the most beautiful fraud in the world.” – Jean-Luc Goddard

# “I don’t take movies seriously & anyone who does is in for headache.” – Bette Davis

# “The only thing worse than watching a bad movie is being in one.” – Elvis Presley

# “Our comedies are not to be laughed at.” – Samuel Goldwyn

# “If I made Cinderella, the audience would be looking out for a body in a coach.” – Alfred Hitchcock

# “Nobody should come to movies unless he believes in heroes.” – John Wayne

# “If my films make one more person miserable, I’ll feel I have done my job.”- Woody Allen

# “Cinema is an old whore, like circus and variety, who knows how to give many kinds of pleasure.” – Federico Fellini

A lot of movies are about life, mine are like a slice of cake. Alfred Hitchcock

Give them pleasure - the same pleasure they have when they wake up from a nightmare. Alfred Hitchcock

If it's a good movie, the sound could go off and the audience would still have a perfectly clear idea of what was going on. Alfred Hitchcock

In feature films the director is God; in documentary films God is the director. Alfred Hitchcock

Television is like the invention of indoor plumbing. It didn't change people's habits. It just kept them inside the house. Alfred Hitchcock

The more successful the villain, the more successful the picture. Alfred Hitchcock

There is no terror in a bang, only in the anticipation of it. Alfred Hitchcock

My weaknesses... I wish I could come up with something. I'd probably have the same pause if you asked me what my strengths are. Maybe they're the same thing. Al Pacino

I've never been one of those actors who has touted myself as a fascinating human being. I had to decide early on whether I was to be an actor or a personality. Robert De Niro

One of the things about acting is it allows you to live other people's lives without having to pay the price. Robert De Niro

There's nothing more ironic or contradictory than life itself. Robert De Niro

You'll have time to rest when you're dead. Robert De Niro

Being a good actor isn't easy. Being a man is even harder. I want to be both before I'm done. James Dean

Being an actor is the loneliest thing in the world. You are all alone with your concentration and imagination, and that's all you have. James Dean

Dream as if you'll live forever; live as if you'll die tomorrow. James Dean

To grasp the full significance of life is the actor's duty; to interpret it his problem; and to express it his dedication. James Dean

When an actor plays a scene exactly the way a director orders, it isn't acting. It's following instructions. Anyone with the physical qualifications can do that. James Dean

A day without laughter is a day wasted. Charlie Chaplin

Failure is unimportant. It takes courage to make a fool of yourself. Charlie Chaplin

I am at peace with God. My conflict is with Man. - Charlie Chaplin

I had no idea of the character. But the moment I was dressed, the clothes and the make-up made me feel the person he was. I began to know him, and by the time I walked onto the stage he was fully born. Charlie Chaplin

I suppose that's one of the ironies of life doing the wrong thing at the right moment. Charlie Chaplin

In the end, everything is a gag. Charlie Chaplin

Life is a tragedy when seen in close-up, but a comedy in long-shot. Charlie Chaplin

Nothing is permanent in this wicked world - not even our troubles. Charlie Chaplin

To truly laugh, you must be able to take your pain, and play with it! Charlie Chaplin

We think too much and feel too little. Charlie Chaplin

What do you want a meaning for? Life is a desire, not a meaning. Charlie Chaplin

Why should poetry have to make sense? Charlie Chaplin

Words are cheap. The biggest thing you can say is 'elephant'. Charlie Chaplin

All of us every single year, we're a different person. I don't think we're the same person all our lives. Steven Spielberg

People have forgotten how to tell a story. Stories don't have a middle or an end any more. They usually have a beginning that never stops beginning. Steven Spielberg

A story should have a beginning, a middle, and an end... but not necessarily in that order. Jean-Luc Godard

I don't think you should feel about a film. You should feel about a woman, not a movie. You can't kiss a movie. Jean-Luc Godard

I pity the French Cinema because it has no money. I pity the American Cinema because it has no ideas. Jean-Luc Godard

In love, women are professionals, men are amateurs. Francois Truffaut

Taste is a result of a thousand distastes. Francois Truffaut

I don't film messages. I let the post office take care of those. Bernardo Bertolucci

I left the ending ambiguous, because that is the way life is. Bernardo Bertolucci

I'm not sure I'm adult yet. Johnny Depp

You use your money to buy privacy because during most of your life you aren't allowed to be normal. Johnny Depp

An actor is at most a poet and at least an entertainer. Marlon Brando

A star on a movie set is like a time bomb. That bomb has got to be defused so people can approach it without fear. Jack Nicholson

I used to think that one of the great signs of security was the ability to just walk away. Jack Nicholson

There's only two people in your life you should lie to... the police and your girlfriend. Jack Nicholson

A film is never really good unless the camera is an eye in the head of a poet. Orson Welles

I don't pray because I don't want to bore God. Orson Welles

I hate television. I hate it as much as peanuts. But I can't stop eating peanuts. Orson Welles

If there hadn't been women we'd still be squatting in a cave eating raw meat, because we made civilization in order to impress our girlfriends. Orson Welles

Nobody gets justice. People only get good luck or bad luck. Orson Welles

Personally, I don't like a girlfriend to have a husband. If she'll fool her husband, I figure she'll fool me. Orson Welles

We're born alone, we live alone, we die alone. Only through our love and friendship can we create the illusion for the moment that we're not alone. Orson Welles

RAMCHAND PAKISTANI (2008)

The film depicts the story of a Hindu Dalit Pakistani boy & his father who crossed the border by mistake & caught by Indian military. The story then is nothing but the progression of their lives in Indian jail & struggling mother.
Although based on really sentimental & thought provoking real event occurred in 2002, the film fails to deliver the pulse of the subject with dumb screenplay & numb performances & improbable, caricature like characters. The main problem with the film is that it’s not moving or progressing any further after first & last fifteen minutes. Performances of all indo-pak actors are just below average including Nandita Das & this is the second reason why the movie seems tad boring. Not a single character of the film including the child makes any emotional impact to viewers in two third of the film; its only Rashid Farooqui in the role of father & older Ramchand who saved the grace in last 20 minutes. Pakistani Director Mehreen Jabbar has a very noble cause while making this film but the whole cause seems wasted with so many fault lines looming all over the film.
Strictly Avoidable.

Ratings- 3.9/10

ZODIAC (2007)

The movie is based on the real killing events & crime files of serial killer Zodiac during 1968-72 in North California. The movie also shared a link with the same serial killer case known as Scorpio in Clint Eastwood’s 1971 box office hit ‘Dirty Harry’. Unlike the Dirty Harry, the real Zodiac killer as portrayed in this film never caught or identified. It’s perfect gripping film by the master of thrilling psychological dramas- David Fincher. Robert Downey Jr. slowly n steadily making his present felt in every movies & this movie is one more proof of it. Mark Ruffalo & Jake Gyllenhall has done nice justice to the roles offered. But more over everything its razor edge gripping rigmarole (puzzle) of the case & its real to reel clear cut research & direction of Fincher which made the film solid edgy thriller.
Must Watch.

Ratings- 8.5/10

AL PACINO: THE LEGEND

# Alfredo James Pacino , the only child of Salvatore & Rose Pacino, of Sicilian descent, was born in East Harlem on April 25,1940 but moved with his divorced mother to his grandparents’ near the Bronx zoo in 1942, at age two.

# He was nicknamed Sonny, but his friends often called him The Actor for his recognized talent of acting abilities.

# The Succession of jobs brought him in contact with all kinds of characters. He was a messenger, a shoe salesman, a supermarket checker, a newsboy, a furniture mover. He auditioned for Lee Strasberg’s Actors Studio while as a teenager. Rejected but undeterred, he enrolled in another actor’s studio, Herbert Berghof’s, where he met the man who would become his mentor & closest friend, Charlie Laughton. Not only Laughton teach acting and direct Pacino in his first public play ( William Saroyan’s Hello dolly Out) but also introduced Pacino to various writers. Pacino was accepted by the Strasberg’s studio four years later.

# Even today Pacino confessed honestly that he loved Stage more than film and once commented that, “ In playing a character on stage I discovered a kind of explosiveness in me I hadn’t known was there.” In 1969, he was awarded his first Tony- the legitimate theatre actor’s Oscar- for his Broadway performance in Don Peterson’s Does the tiger wears a necktie?.

# Like Marlon Brando after his major stage debut in A Streetcar named desire, Pacino was lured by Hollywood. He was offered adozen pictures before he and his then manager, Marty Bregman, decided to choose The Panic in Needle Park ( though he did appear in a bit part in a Patty Duke movie called Me, Natalie). Panic was a strange and disturbing film about a New York drug addict, which over time picked up a cult following. “The entire cast,” Jacob Brickman wrote in Esquire, “especially Al Pacino & Kitty Winn in the leads, create intensely real people. Their brand of realness feels close to documentary.

# There was something about Pacino, however that made another newcomer in Hollywood, Francis Ford Coppola, choose him for the film he was about to do on the Mafia. Coppola had big ideas. He wanted not only to have this relatively unknown actor play a major role in his film but also to cast another actor not considered bankable at that time: Marlon Brando. The studio balked twice, but Coppola insisted. When they watched some of the early dailies, they want to recast Michael Corleone because they weren’t seeing what Pacino was doing. Pacino, however, knew exactly what he was doing. “Michael has to start out ambivalent, almost unsure of himself & his place,” he said, “He’s caught between his Old world familyand the postwar American dream,” The result was The Godfather, a film that reversed the downward trend of Brando’s career and that shot Al Pacino into the ranks of stardom. “The Godfather belongs to Al Pacino,” wrote critic Larry Cohen. “Everyone else is very good, down to the smallest part, but it’s Pacino that’s great.”
# He was nominated for 8 Academy Awards before winning the Oscar for Best Actor for his role in Scent of a Woman.

# In 1972, Pacino was first time nominated for an Academy Award for the Best supporting Actor, Pacino was insulted (he was on-screen longer than Brando, who won- and refused- the Oscar for Best Actor that year) and boycotted the awards ceremony.

# Still, he responded with another recognized performance in Sydney Lumet’s Serpico in 1973. This time he was nominated for the Best Actor Oscar. (Jack Lemmon got it for Save the Tiger)

# His third nomination (1974) came after his strong performance in reprising role of Michael Corleone in Godfather II. (Art Carney won the Oscar for Harry and Tonto) The performance was described by critic David Denby in New York magazine as “a work of aggressive high intelligence, a bitter and sardonic view of the corruption of America and a frightening embodiment of paranoia as away of life.” (Taken together the two Godfather films “come closer to being thr great epic of 20th century America- or at least American manhood- than any other work of art I can name,” wrote John Powers in LA Weekly. This was the movie which proved that Pacino was among the rare breed of actors who would leave their mark in American cinema history.

# For his strong portrayal of bisexual bank robber in Lumet’s Dog Day Afternoon (1975) he was nominated again for the 4th time & that also for the 4th consecutive time (A Record). (This time Jack Nicholson won for his performance in One flew over cuckoo’s Nest.

# Pacino was itching to find a character he could sink his teeth into, and found it into Oliver Stone’s screenplay Scarface. Here was a character off the boat from Cuba, who was tough, defiant, reckless & way over the top. The Director Brian De Palma had avision for this remake of 1932 Paul Muni film, and Pacino’s Tony Montana became one of Pacino’s personal favorite characters that he played. He used the word ‘Fuck’ 182 times in this film.

# Once again Pacino displayed a wide range of acting ability, which earned him his 5th Oscar nomination for his role of an ethical lawyer fighting corruption in the judicial system in Norman Jewison’s 1979 film…And Justice for All. (Dustin Hoffman won that year for Kramer Vs Kramer)

# Pacino received his 6th nomination for Oscar for his critically appreciated comic role as Big Boy Caprice in Warren Beatty’s 1990 film Dick Tracy & it’s fabulous performance but once again as it was not to be, as Joe Pesci got the nod for Best supporting Actor in Goodfellas.

# In 1992, Pacino appeared as Rick, the super salesman in Glengarry Glen Ross, based on David Mamet play. It had a strong cast (Jack Lemmon, Alec Baldwin, Kevin Spacey, Ed Harris, Alan Larkin) and received solid reviews. Pacino received his 7th Oscar nomination for his performance, but it was Gene Hackman, who took home the statue for his role in Clint Eastwood directed Unforgiven. But that was for the Best Supporting Actor. That year Pacino also nominated for Scent of a woman, for playing the blind Lieutenant Colonel Frank Slade in a bravura performance that landed him his 8th nomination and his first victory, as Best Actor of 1992.

# Pacino decided return to theatre after winning the award as his soul was in theatre. He played two different roles in two different drama a single day in Salome & Chinese Coffee which were critically appreciated and got massive appreciation all over.

# Robert De Niro & Al Pacino appeared together first time in Godfather II but De Niro played young Brando, so they didn’t get chance to work off each other. Michael Mann brought this two tigers once again on screen with firing performances in Heat (1995).
Recently they appeared again in Righteous Kill (2008) but the film was not up to the standard and it got mixed reviews. Michael Mann is planning to remake Heat again roping these both legendary actors together.

# In 1999 Pacino appeared again with two back to back awesome performances in Oliver Stone’s Any Given Sunday (Since Scarface it was Pacino’s favorite film as Stone has written it) and Michael Mann’s classic thriller The Insider.

# Pacino loves to play Shakespeare on the stage and he got opportunity to play the wellknown character of Shylock in Michael Radford’s well directed film The Merchant of Venice which costarred Joseph Fiennes & Jeremy Irons. Pacino brought compassion to character that was too often played as a caricature.

# On October 21, 2005, the American Cinematheque paid tribute to Pacino at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills. Most of his co stars & almost all major Hollywood celebrities remained present there and almost everyone had expressed their gratitude for him as an actor & as a wonderful human being.

Robert De Niro said at this juncture: “Al, over the years we’ve taken roles from one another. People have tried to compare us to one another, to pit us against each other and to tear us apart personally. I’ve never seen the comparison frankly. I’m clearly much taller, much the leading man type. Honestly you just may be the finest actor of our generation.” And then he added, with a smile, “With the possible exception of me, frankly.”

When Bruce Willis presented the award, he credited Pacino with changing his life. After seeing The Godfather in 1972, Willis related, “I decided I was going to become an actor because I’d seen Al Pacino’s work in that movie.”

When Pacino came on stage he was visibly moved. “Acting,” he said, “miraculously, has taken me far. It’s beyond my wildest dreams. My imagination could have been gone there.”

THE WORLD’S FASTEST INDIAN (2005)

Now this is one of the finest feel good film I have seen. It’s touching, inspirational tale of an old man who defied the relationship between speed & age. I have no words to express the performance of Anthony Hopkins as Burt. What a sweet & strong old man he played here!!! (I felt missing my grandpa while seeing the first half an hour) I can promise you that the character he played here surpassed all of his performances including his Oscar winning Silence of the lambs. The movie is based on real world record set by Burt in mid 70’s still unchallenged by any 1000cc streamlined bike. This is the character you would love to cherish forever your life. Kudos to the director Roger Donaldson for making such a simple & yet extraordinary masterpiece.
24 carat Gold.

Ratings-9.5/10

HELLBOY II THE GOLDEN ARMY (2008)

It’s tour de force of awesome special effects on grand epic scale. Hellboy is back & with a big bang this time. The movie not only progressed the story of the first part but also introduced certain other interesting characters in this second part. So all those who liked the first part will definitely enjoy this better directed and entertained second part. The best parts of the film are its kickass Computer generated visual effects & the creativity of ogres, demons, goblins & never ever imagined creatures just like Lord of the Rings trilogy & I bet it surely get Oscar for best visual effects. It’s out n out entertainer superhero film I watched this year after The Dark Knight & Iron man. Director Guillermo Del Toro has proved now that he’s next Peter Jackson of Hollywood. We are eagerly looking forward to the third installment of Hellboy.

DO NOT MISS.

Ratings-9/10

KISS KISS BANG BANG (2005)

The movie is a cocktail of humor & crime & worth to watch if u want to give some break from serious crime flicks. Its nicely blended with cool buddy chemistry between Downey Jr & Val Kilmer. The only weakness is lack of a strong plot. Robert Downey Jr as a narrator & dumb ass hero fully loaded here as an idiosyncratic funny character with a dark humor supported by Val Kilmer as his buddy detective trainer.
The movie is worth watch if you like RD Jr. & wanna enjoy the fun ride of sex, murder, mystery thrill of an hour & half. The movie is loaded with black humor gags & funny dialogues & situations just like Coen Bros films. Michelle Monaghan looks cute apple pie in the film.
Cool Entertainer.

Ratings-7/ 10

A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE (2005)

The movie opens with slow post killing scene in early morning. Then we lead into a life of happy go lucky family and witness how one by one every member of the family turned their heads into the violence with nerve wrenching situational fix. No, it’s not just another bloody gory violent movie. It’s tragic tale of a common American family forced by fate into violence.
David Cronenberg is genius film maker & in this movie he attempted to get into the skin of violence through human psychology. Deep inside our social layer there exists a wild beast from the time of evolution. No matter how hell we tried, we are helpless to control our past & its basic instincts. The movie is full of some awesome performances by Viggo Mortenson (he had played well nuanced gr8 underdog here), Ed Harris in tailor made role for him & William Hurt (having just 10 minutes mind blowing presence as Ritchie in the climax).Cronenberg doesn’t dumb down the audience but enjoys the complexities of human reactions to the issues of identity, violence & society’s defined moral codes about violence. It’s undoubtedly one of the best film of 2005.
MUST WATCH.

Ratings-8.5/10

CITY OF GOD (2002)

I honestly confess that I have never seen assault of violence that numbs my senses in any other film as portrayed in this one.
The violence occurred in 60’s, 70’s & 80’s Brazil was really gruesome & the movie is the best & true art of its portrayal. Apart of all the characters including the boy who is the only hope among blood sucking guns gang who turned photographer, it’s the setting & place which itself is the significant character of the story. I can’t stop praising 3 guys who have done iconoclast task - Director Fernando Meirelles for his brilliance direction, Razor sharp cinematography which truly none to its equal by Cesar Charlone & brilliant editing by Daniel Rezende. In certain scenes it looks like that the director is heavily influenced by Martin Scorsese & one can visualize various brilliant techniques of his legendary films like Taxi Driver, Raging Bull & Goodfellas looming over this film. It’s one of the best film of this decade & is the most brilliant as it combines directorial and editorial & cinematographically brilliance with a story that is almost second to none in recent times.
Highly recommended.

Ratings- 10/10

THE ACCIDENTAL HUSBAND (2008)

“Even the experts confuse falling in love.”
It’s nice to advise somebody objectively but what happens if you are the subjective part of it. The Movie is more bollywood romantic kind of, but if you like decent romantic comedy kind of stuff than you will surely enjoy this. Plot is simple fix situation to Emma (Uma Thurman) who is radio anchor of Love Doctor & shortly going to marry Richard. One fine day she came to know that she’s already married to a guy whom she never ever meets in her life. Worse than that her future marriage with Richard is threatened & she’s in hunt to know this accidental husband who made this serious prank to her. Uma Thurman looks refreshingly fresh in her bewildering & confused damsel role. Jeffery Dean Morgan has given cool performance as Patrick here. You will also enjoy A R Rehman’s background tunes in the movie from his hit hindi/tamil tracks.
A feel good romantic film.

Ratings- 6.5/10

THE BABYSITTERS (2007)

It’s an average dark movie. Shirley (Katharine Waterson) is teenage college going girl & running a babysitting service that provides teen call girls to young family men. In along flashback director showed us how the hell she brought herself into this far. Tension & trouble start when some of the clients take the girls to mountain cabin & bring drugs. Then one of the girl tries to freelance on her own & became threat rival which stopped the cut flow of Shirley. One thing very symbolically shown to us in the movie that how Shirley was desperate about properly placed things in her room & how disorganized her room became aftermath of her babysitting blow service. Well its symbol of life. The movie leads to emotional & shocking turmoil in American way when Shirley’s father caught using one of the babysitter. The movie made you think in certain scenes for obvious. You have to pay the price for easy bucks…
Average n OK once.

Ratings-6/10

DIRTY HARRY (1971)

Harry Callahan known as Dirty Harry for his above the law instinct image in San Francisco Police Department. This is Clint Eastwood’s signature classic role. Roof top homicide Killer Scorpio holds the city ransom with threat of killing again. Harry confronted him so many times but the killer luckily escaped so many times during the chase; until the thrilling climax when he nabbed him. The movie was huge box office hit & lead series of other Harry Callaghan Cop thrillers with Eastwood in lead but none of them rise above this one.
Certain scenes aptly personified the image of Harry’s character, specially the shoot out scene outside the restaurant where he delivered famous line-
“I know what you thinking; if I fired six shots or only five. Well to tell you the truth now in over excitement I gotta lost my track, but this is point 45 magnum, the most powerful hand gun in the world & it will blow your head clean off. Get asks yourself a question, do I feel lucky; well do you punk?” Well the movie even today seems gripping Cop thriller; if you admire 70’s Crime obsessed hollywood.
A classic action thriller.

Ratings- 8/10

RIGHTEOUS KILL (2008)

“Most people respect the badge, everyone respect the gun.”
Two legendary tigers (Pacino & De niro) return in the world of crime after a long time and naturally expectations were high but sorry to say that the tigers roared, preyed but ended as being toothless with their ringmaster (director) of the film. This is the most awaited film of the year for me & ultimately opens up as an average flick. The fault lies absolutely in the lame duck script n monotonous narration. The movie offers nothing new in any section except twist in the tale at the end. Although movie falls short in everything, its De niro’s strong act which makes you complete the film once started. Poor Pacino has nothing new to do except remaining shadow cop with De niro until his last 20 minutes act. Well the spark of the chemistry is there but it’s lackluster in presentation. Movie could have been made in better way.
A mediocre average entertainer… Nothing to miss…

Ratings- 5.5/10

SEA OF LOVE (1989)

Al Pacino is my favorite one & he is truly God on the screen no matter how bad the movie is. He played the role of frustrated divorced detective investigating a case of a lady serial killer & ends up being in bed with the suspect in la Basic Instinct style. Yes, its looks like that the director want to create another Basic Instinct roping Pacino here but he forgot that the hero of the film was Sharon Stone. The lady suspect of this movie neither looks hot nor she knows even A of acting & that’s mar the undercurrent sexual tension. It fails to deliver either erotica or thrill. Some time poor script limits the performance of great actors. And this is what exactly happens with this film. The title of the movie is truly dubious. In short, B grade movie of A grade actor.
Watch if you r die hard Pacino fan…

Ratings- 6/10

DR. ZHIVAGO (1965)

Based on the classic Russian novel of the same name written by Boris Pasternak, its glorious tale of love in the time of Russian Revolution. The movie depicts the epic film making of Director David Lean, documenting fact & imagination in apt amount side by side.
I must say that it’s Julie Christie as Lara, who bowled me over all other characters in the film. It’s indeed a role of lifetime for her. She looks so gorgeous that we stop thinking that why being married sound man Dr. Zhivago (Omar Sharif) fell in love with her. Anyone can fall in love with such an irresistible beauty. The pace of the movie is very slow & its 3 hour plus long film, so its test of your tolerance to digest this epic. Lean successfully portrayed human relations in the time of crisis when common men of the Russia were struggling with their basics for survival. Technically movie was lame & an average epic in scale considering the time of its making but if you like to watch ‘Gone with the wind’ kind of stuff you will feel content with it.
Watch if you like old classical romantic epics…

Ratings- 6.5/10

INFERNAL AFFAIRS (2002)

Most of our film junkies know that ‘The Departed’ which swept away academy awards is pretty good rip off of this Hong Kong film-Infernal Affairs. Scorsese is genius when he copied this film scene to scene because he knew very well that directors had almost done all creativity possible to make Infernal Affairs best slick thriller & adding his own touch just make it lower version in production & creativity is concerned. Anyway, even though I saw The Departed earlier, this film still becomes exciting, chilling, complex& fully gripping one. Infect character detailing of two lead informers are more powerfully presented here. Hats off to Director Duo- Wai Keung Lau & Siu Fai Mak for making modern classic police story. The movie bagged so many awards in film festivals around the globe in best direction, film, actor, screenplay & editing. It definitely deserved Best Foreign Language Film Oscar which it didn’t.
Few info I would love to share-
# The movie was considered as Japanese in 79th Oscar awards & Scorsese corrected it while accepting academy award as best director, which was his first in best direction.An apology letter was posted to original directors the next day.
# William Monahan got best adapted screen play academy award for The Departed. And it is the first & only remake of foreign film to win best picture award.
Now don’t you feel its huge injustice to our Asian film making???
MUST WATCH ‘COZ IT’S TEXTBOOK THRILLER.

Ratings- 9.5/10

NATIONAL TREASURE: BOOK OF SECRETS (2007)

If you are interested in historical documents (Da Vinci code kind of stuff) & secret political conspiracy go for this but don’t keep your expectations high. Film has all multi star cast ingredients (a must part of Jerry Bruckheimer production film) Nicholas Cage, Jon Voight, Ed Harris, Harvey Keitel & Diane Kruger but as far as performances are concerned its only Jon Voight who has put some flesh & bone into it. It would have been more thrilling & gripping film, if certain lose threads was nicely edited in coherence with story. With keeping the secret of page 47 of the book unrevealed, the movie will definitely have its sequel in pipeline. But next time expecting more thrills & less tardy narration.
An above average entertainer…

Ratings- 6.5/10

HALLOWEEN (2007)

The movie is more shocking & disturbing than scary. I hate this kind of psychopathic nonsense which ends without logic. Michael- a teenager boy has strange fixation with Halloween masks & on one Halloween night butchered his family members except infant sister & mom & got juvenile imprisonment.15 years back he escaped from prison & back to his slashing business with knife. The movie is full of horrible bloodshed, violence, sex & hence prescribed strictly for adults. Its disappoint watch since behind all gruesome killing & various masks there is no sense at all. Even I was disturbed with the way director portrayed every female character of the film almost slut like figure, not a sign of healthy society.
SKIP IT IF POSSIBLE…

Ratings- 4.5/10

INTO THE WILD (2007)

“It should not be denied that being footloose has always exhilarated us because it gives us feeling of absolute freedom.”
The movie is a visual treat for all those who love Nature & believe me I have never come across such eye candy natural scenery in any movie so far. Best credit goes to Mr.Eric Gautier because his camerawork is the soul & essence of the movie. The movie is more about travel, aestheticism and spirituality & less about plot. Thoreau’s Walden was part of my literature syllabus at PG level & I highly influenced by his natural philosophy then & this movie ignited that spark again with the character like Christopher. I’ll rephrase Thoreau here – “Rather than love, than money, than faith, than fame, than fairness, Give me Truth.”
Think about a top grader college graduate who runs away in the lap of nature because he doesn’t require false security, parental care & material excess.Well the movie is a learning lesson for all of us who are living in a consumerist, brand conscious, status symbol loving society. Well you get brilliant quotes throughout the film which you love to jot down n touchy background score & lyrics as well. The end was real dark & so tragic one. Emile Hurst has not just acted but lived out the character of Christopher. The movie was real story of Christopher McCandless & Hurst has done a lot of method act here. Hal Holbrook has just 15 min. presence in it but see the simple brilliant expressions he gave. Sean Penn as a director & screenplay writer done remarkable mature job here and we expect more like this from him.
MUST WATCH IS UNDERSTATEMENT HERE.

Ratings-9.5/10

THE VERDICT (1982)

“Remember the court doesn’t exist to give you justice, the court gives you a chance to justice,” Said Frankie.
Frankie is old & on verge of retirement and almost lost his glory as an attorney under severe booze fixation. He got the most complicated case which turned & compelled him towards transformation. A girl given wrong anesthesia by two reputed doctors made her permanently lost in comma. The case is the hardest to crack & the opponents were big sharks of the society. Compensation money to drop the case was raised so hefty that even clients wanted to withdraw the case but not Frankie. This is the spark of plot.
Let me tell you honestly that this is the most different, intense and restraint character played by Paul Newman in his entire career and directed by master of thrilling dramas Sidney Lumet. Newman won best actor academy award for this role & its sure shot with his towering performance as attorney. Like every Lumet Movie it serves perfect script written by David Mamet & that’s made it one of the best courtroom classic cinema.
MUST WATCH.

Ratings- 8/10

THE HUSTLER (1961)

This movie set Paul Newman’s career to superstardom in Hollywood. His arrogant, compulsive drunkard, gifted pool player character is one of the most propelling one. For him poolroom is a church. At the same time his archrival & legendry pool player “Minnesota Fats” played by Jackie Gleason is must watch if you love strong characters in the movie. The movie set in the genre of drama revolves nicely around the pool game. Eddie (Newman) is arrogant hustler winning bets all over the poolrooms along with staunch support from his buddy Charlie. With the entry of Fats (Gleason) unbeaten in 15 years, Eddie’s charm overshadowed. Eddie lost against him & keep on losing till everything till he lost last penny. He learnt a half lesson & the other half taught to him by her girlfriend Sarah with her sacrifice. And then he won’t rest until he beat Minnesota Fats in final game climax after paying heavy price of losing her girl. Little bit of editing in middle part is what required to make it more compact one. Gr8 pool game with awesome act of all lead players.
AN ABSOLUTE CLASSIC.

Ratings- 9/10

THE STING (1973)

There is no exaggeration saying that this is the best con movie ever made in Hollywood. It’s a winner of 7 academy awards including Best Picture. Director George Roy Hill has created the 30’s Newyork & Chicago came alive with all realistic sets which gave it the feel even today. I mean it when I say- I never seen such a perfect planned con & double cross in any movie better than this till day and every time I watch it again I enjoyed it better.
Redford united Paul to seek revenge against Robert Shaw who killed one of his old master & Paul’s friend. How the combo made the greatest con is really amazing surprise package to watch.
Paul Newman’s character of veteran conman Henry in this film is the best one of his career in my opinion. Redford again proved perfect young crook & buddy under his con-master Newman. Even Robert Shaw played his character of crime lord-Lonnagan perfectly well but I think the real hero of the film is its gripping & faultless tight script. Pay your ears to evergreen classic Piano Rags in the opening titles & throughout the background of the film composed by Scott Joplin-my all-time favorite one.
A TRUE GOLD.

Ratings- 10/10

BUTCH CASSIDY & THE SUNDANCE KID (1969)

“I got the vision, rest of the world wear bifocals.” Butch said to Kid.
The movie is a portrait of two real outlaws & their bonding - smart ass Butch & fast-gun Sundance. Most of the film shows the trail & follow up hiding & chasing after them by top class lawmen & this is where most of their characters revealed internally with scenes of their happy go lucky bonding & its charm which stays with you even after you complete the film. They escaped to Bolivia & got new identity there till one fine day they met their final nemesis. Its tale which not glorifies the tale of these outlaws like other westerns but an attempt to show their attitude when their time is over & here lies the true integrity of the Butch & Sundance. Watch the terrific chemistry between both Paul Newman & Robert Redford, very rare nowadays. Its warm & witty film which you can’t fix to one genre. Because it has little bit of everything- comedy, action, drama & romance. Its tough to ask more from a movie.
Newman & Redford made an amazing duo & set so many clones of this kind of buddy films. Our Sholay is hell lot inspired from this one along with certain other westerns directed by Sergio Leone.
Conrad Hall is one of my favorite cinematographer and he stunningly portrayed candid long shots of rough desert locations required to canvas westerns. This film won him Oscar along with 3 more in best sound, screenplay & song.
EXTREME FUN TO WATCH AGAIN & AGAIN…

Ratings- 8.5/10