Category Archives: Movies

Movies

Black

Black’ is an unconventional film…in almost every cinematic sense–the casting, the craft of story telling, the music, the setting, the cinematography, the music etc.

The film has its own narrating style, a little theatrical, a little cinematic and it takes a while to settle down to this style. But once you do that you are in for a soulful ride.
I call it a ride, because you can sense the jump in narration sometimes, yet you do not mind it. While each scene is elaboratly shot and presented, there is a certain ‘staccato’ kind of story telling, that makes you interested in the movie.
The story is about a blind girl and her ageing teacher and their mission. If you forget a ‘Deewar’  or  ‘Don’ (I could not) you will enjoy Amitabh’s performance…and Rani Mukherjee, will make you love her as the one and only Michelle.
Besides the superb performances, ‘Black’ is more about its technical finesse-great cinematography and superb editing….and above all the passion of Bhansali to tell a story differently, almost in a Hollywoodesque way.
1-By Laksh, ET, Movies

The Godfather

If there is one movie that movie buffs around the world do not get tired raving about is Francis Ford Coppola’s ‘The Godfather’. This is one movie that had inspired dozens in Hollywood, and hundreds in Indian film industry.

I first saw ‘The Godfather’ on TV when the sequels were shown as a TV serial…each episode lasting an hour. While the advertisements did take you away from you the seriousness of this grand epic, I was still mesmerized at the presentation of a difficult yet an endearing tale.

Mood of the film is very important, specially when the characters are next-door-neighbor variety. Often movies take some time to set the mood right. But Godfather gets into the act very quickly, and in just about a few minutes we are introduced to one of the most powerful families…and their celebration of their life and other’s death. And, the moment you look at the half-lit, half-shadowed face of Marlon Brando and get to hear his inimitable dialogue delivery, you know for sure, that this guy had to be ‘The Godfatrher’

‘The Godfather’ will sure be remembered for a screen persona called Marlon Brando, a rising star called Al Pacino and a self-effacing almost Tom Hagen-Robert Duvall. While the prominent characters dominate the screen and prop the movie on their shoulder, it is the others like Clemenza, Tessia, Sunny etc who add the necessary flesh and blood to the movie.

It is difficult for anyone to point out the best in such a well crafted movie…and as you watch it again and again over the years it only becomes even more difficult.

Next time when you watch Coppola’s masterpiece it again, just let the signature tune sink in…the magic of pasta, brouhaha, mafia, and the Corleones’ family cast its spell on you…and this is one offer you cannot refuse.