Reviews
88 Antop Hill (2003)
Not an Indian horror movie!
A bloody (in more ways than one) whodunnit ffs! I got this film out because I saw trailers and thought, nice a possible Silent Hill (if you've played the games on the play station/xbox) type of film. Should be plenty of bad things happening.
Alas, it turned out to be a drawn out whodunnit and not a brilliant one at that. Some people will figure out the 'killer', others just won't care when its eventually revealed. I was the latter.
Acting was average by everybody, didn't know any of the faces and the storyline was bog-standard and monotonous. Filming was actually quite good and you could see some money was spent here. I gave the film 5/10 (and that's generous).
Dogville (2003)
Well, its different I grant you!
*Possible spoiler in first paragraph but nothing to ruin the storyline*
To start off with this film takes a bit of getting used to. You are introduced to the story on a stage! That's right, its all shot on one stage and houses, orchard, etc, are made out of chalk outlines - there are no walls or doors. You can see everyone in their houses at all times, though the film pretends there are walls and doors in the way.
*End of possible spoiler*
I found this bit hard to comprehend at first, plus reading negative opinions by half the people that hated the format, I was about to switch off. But the other half of the people that loved it mentioned the storyline was great as was the acting. Nicole Kidman was indeed brilliant and the rest of the cast did not disappoint either.
There was a narrative throughout the film read by John Hurt, whose voice added to the polished finish of the movie. Some places in the movie were starting to get a little tough to digest but there was never a moment where you thought you had to just fast forward to get on with it.
The ending was quite decent and the moral of the story stood firm. To be honest the film could have quite easily been shot in an actual depressing, remote shanty town rather than the format chosen by the director (I thought his chosen format was a bit arty farty and probably pretentious for my liking - yet I give him credit for his bravery to try it out). Overall I gave the film a 7 but could quite easily have given it an 8 for the comments in the previous sentence.
Phone Booth (2002)
Don't answer the damned thing then!
Just to start off, I thought this movie was very good. Good acting, good plot, some suspense (which is nice in a suspense movie). Probably Colin Farrell's finest moment. There wasn't any single actor (apart from Farrell of course) who tried to overdo their part and take away the focus from the situation at hand.
Its a story about morals and trying to deal with them in the face of a single barrelled sniper rifle and the whole of America watching.
I give the movie 7.5 out of 10, which let's face it is pretty good for a 'Hollywood' movie nowadays.
Recommendation: Go watch it, you won't be disappointed.
Dagon (2001)
Below average to awful
From the reviews I've read I can't believe so many people have liked this film. I won't even bother calling it a horror movie, it doesn't scare - at any point. As for a chiller, nope. Maybe a suspense filled slightly blood-y film. Nope, not even that. Too many holes like:
****SPOILER ALERT****the loopy explanation of the drunk being allowed to live??? Eh! In a town where they violently killed their own priest, why would they want to let a drunken face mask go to waste? And he wasn't even turning fish either.
And the fact that "people came into 'name of town?', but they never left" is also ridiculous in this modern day of mobiles and laptops. Surely, one past family member would have been concerned of their relative disappearing and never returning. Its not as though the fish faces were whizzes at technology to fake missing person reports on the CIA servers or anything. They could barely walk. *****SPOILER END*****
All this ruined the suspense part. The ending was not a twist, it was inevitable. I had never heard of Lovecraft before this, but if this is the best filmographic attempt at one of his books then leave his work in writing I say!!! I was very disappointed with this movie in any genre form. 'Maybe' Lovecraft fans (well 'definitely' by reading their over lavish praise on this site) will enjoy this film. Others should stay well away.
Saying all that, I thought the acting was quite good - especially the geeky lead character. However, that couldn't save the movie from sinking the depths that it did (can you see what I've done there).
Bend It Like Beckham (2002)
At last, a believable Asian/English film
Having seen Bhaji and East is East, I wasn't looking forward to seeing this. The first two films, though very funny, were not true reflections of Indians/Asians in England. For a start they were wholly focussed on s.e.x., black/white boyfriends/girlfriends, unwanted pregnancies, etc, etc for some reason.
To my surprise this film was totally different. It concentrated on the dream of an Asian girl wanting to play football against her family's wishes/traditions. This movie could have worked just as well if it was a boy. It was very well filmed (in the middle of summer) and the scenes of Southall/Hounslow made me feel like I was there (I'm not by the way, but I have seen the place(s)).
I recommend this film to anyone who dreamed of playing semi-pro or professional football, as well as to anyone who wants to see a good family yarn. The director (Chadda) has provided a good balance of humour and family life without going over the top. The acting overall is to a good standard and only Julia Stevenson goes a little OTT as the neurotic middle class English mother. But this just adds to the humour!
A sidenote warning: If witnessing yet another 18 year old Asian wearing a Vodafone shirt makes you sick (as it does me) then I suggest you hide behind the sofa for the opening moments of the film. After that, thankfully, she only wears the Hounslow Harriet outfit and this makes for much more comfortable and pleasant viewing.
Abre los ojos (1997)
Beware the women with no surname
Alright, stupid summary line I admit. But this film is a must watch for the character acting alone. The actors/actresses in this film were unknown (including Penny Cruz) but they all played their roles as though they were really living it (or were they really living it???)
The shameful thing is I wouldn't ever have bothered to watch this film until I heard about Vanilla Sky having a good story line. But the Hollywoodization of a classic put me right off so I went looking for the real thing. And this is the genuine article, make no mistake. No oscar nominations, no big headed actors wanting more 'limelight' or 'screen time'. Simply a long humourous and painful journey through a man's shallow existence (well sort of existence).
I won't explain the story here, suffice it to say it will satisfy romantics and sci-fi fans for the emotion and detail. I lean towards the sci-fi side but was surprised to see myself get so involved with the characters' lives and motivations. Maybe I saw some of my own characteristics and shortfalls in there somewhere...
And don't think you'll be disappointed with the visuals just because this version wasn't done in Hollywood either. Its eery in places and realistic too without ever going over the top. Very well balanced overall.
I gave it a 9 out 10.
Albela (2001)
Zzzzzzzz, huh? what? Is the film over?
What a terrible film! Is Govinda on his last legs, cashing in on his name before gracelessly and flabbily retiring? Its the only way to explain his sudden explosion of appearances in more than a handful of recent releases in such a short space of time.
The story is pathetic. However, usually Govinda can turn it around with his brand of humour. Unfortunately, there is none evident in this film and I couldn't even force myself to smile at any of his half-hearted attempts, and I love this guy. Aishwary appears in yet another of her trademark flop films only filling the screen with eye candy with her short dresses and bikinis.
Saeed Jaffrey's 'Austrian' accent had to be the worst part of the film. Why? Why try to speak with an 'Austrian' accent when it sounded nothing like Austrian? It was clearly German. Somebody should have told the producers Austrians don't say 'Vein Holt!'. That's a German phrase!
Songs weren't great, but are listenable if in the mood. The Albela title song is OK.
All in all I gave this film a 2 out of 10 for the background scenaries and Aishwary's short dresses and bikinis :-)
Lake Placid (1999)
Its really true, you're either going to love it or hate it
The comments on this film so far have been totally spot on, in that this film is an acquired taste. You will either fall in love with the witty dialogue and interpersonal interaction or you will find it a bore, getting in the way of some juicy action.
I was expecting more action having watched Deep Blue Sea earlier and unfortunately there wasn't enough of it to get my teeth into. The comedy was good and the acting was acceptable, but the formula was old and this was not the type of film I expected to see it used. In a sentence I would say this film was a Ally McBeal wannabe with a few gruesome scenes. If you watch this film with that in mind you won't be too disappointed.
Deep Blue Sea got 6 out of 10. This film gets 5.
Fiza (2000)
Started off well, then...
Being a Muslim living in Britain I didn't want my religious tendencies to affect my view of this film. However, time and again 'Muslim' films made either in England, Hollywood or Bollywood constantly and deliberately show aspects of the religion that are incorrect and mislead the non-Muslim public about the religion. I'm not talking about the Hindu-Muslim fighting or political games being played in Fiza, I'm talking about simple things like Muslims DO NOT go to someone's grave to pray to God, they go to a mosque!!! The painful thing was, this film was screenplayed and directed by a 'Muslim' who could have shown some accuracies but chose not to.
Anyway, rant aside, the film itself started off promisingly and could have led to a satisfactory ending. Hritik Roshan is a great actor in my view and could become the next Amir Khan. He certainly has the looks and ability. Karishma turned in another fine performance but Jaya Bachan was the best of the lot. Her humour and style of acting will never age, even though she appears to have.
Half way through I was thinking, inaccuracies aside, this film is quite good. However, that is when the director must have reached a cul de sac as his message was becoming blurred and the film took on too many angles at once:
****SPOILERS BEGIN
Why the mother had to commit suicide after seeing her son shoot the two ghundas no one could understand. She had lived for 6 years without him, the focus of her love being Fiza, but all of a sudden she ups and kills herself. What the f*ck was that all about? Suicide for a Muslim is one of THE BIGGEST sins which you cannot repent from. She would have been better taking up drinking or something.
Why did Murad want Aman killed after Aman shot the two politicians? Surely Aman had shown enough loyalty and courage to continue his work under Murad?
Finally, how is dying at the hands of your sister considered noble? That too amounts to suicide, i.e cowardice. If he wanted a noble death then its in a war (with the police, other ghundas, Murad) but not at the hands of his sister.
*** SPOILERS END
The second part of the film was the downfall and even the most brilliant soundtrack could not save this sinking ship. I recommend this film if you're bored with nothing to watch but I only gave it a 5 out of 10 IMHO. By the way, try to watch this film on DVD for the songs alone.
Licence to Kill (1989)
Still very underrated
I watched this film in the cinema when it very first came out eons back. And I thought what an amazing film. It had, and still has, the best soundtrack to any Bond movie (and that's saying something considering A View to a Kill was only produced a few years before). Then the characters came into play.
Every actor in this movie performed to their peak, and I could relate to or understand the emotions behind all of them. From Dalton's angry Clint Eastwood type character to the main baddie. The storyline was very well written and executed. The action scenes were better than average Bond stuff and just when you thought you couldn't squeeze any more good stuff into the the film, there were two beautiful and intelligent leading women.
I have tried to watch Pierce Brosnan as the new Bond but it just isn't the same. Not after this masterpiece. My favourite Bond movie so far.
East Is East (1999)
Funny in places, reasonable storyline
As a 27 year old Muslim who grew up in this country I have to say I could not relate to much of this film. My gripe lies with the inaccuracies of a director who couldn't get the details of the film correct. He managed to get the 70s look and feel of the film spot on, he even managed to get the Indian films and songs of the time right as well. However, being a Muslim director he couldn't (or more precisely deliberately didn't) get the religious details right. These include (spoilers here, but reading them won't spoil the storyline): Muneer getting up in the morning when the sun was well high and starting to pray (prayer at this time is prohibited in Islam!), or all the boys of every age being taught one monotonous sentence by an Imam at the mosque when in reality children of different ages are taught at different levels of difficulty. Minor things one might say, but details are everything with me.
I had been asked if all the sexual goings-on in the film was offensive and I replied no, because I wanted to watch the film as an objective moviegoer. But, the film was spoiled by the inaccurate details two of which I have mentioned above. Most (non-Muslim) people won't notice these details, but its like going to the best Indian restaurant in town to try some authentic Indian dishes but being handed a plate of vindaloo (people in India don't even know what this dish is!!!).
Nevertheless, the comical moments were superbly handled and thought out and the acting was excellent. This is definitely one fictional comedy to see.
Dil Kya Kare (1999)
Good film, watch it on DVD
Kajol looks beautiful in this movie and Ajay Devgan has reached a new high in acting. He might not be a pretty boy of the big screen but he sure can exude empathy to his audience. The girl playing Nehu is one to watch out for in future films too.
The film has a more than decent gharelu storyline with a tear-jerky type ending. It was shocking to see Mahima cry so much, she probably broke a record for most litres of water shed in one film.
Definitely a recommended film and though it has no outstanding songs, the settings for two of them are the best I have seen for a while. Its a good thing I saw this on DVD as video probably won't do the songs justice. I gave it 7/10 overall.
The Untouchables (1987)
Great gangster film
Not being a massive fan of gangster moves (Godfather, etc) I watched this film expecting to turn if off half way through or sooner. Couldn't. As much as I tried I just couldn't turn away from seeing what happened to our handful of heros.
The story line was spot on right the way through, the emotions for each actor ran deep (hatred for the gangsters, sadness for Connery when he was m........) and the action was breathtaking. The railway station shootout has to be one of the most memorable scenes ever.
Acting was brilliant by all, direction was superb and the need to know how it ends keeps you gripped to the edge of your seat. I have watched it many times and am waiting to watch another xmas re-run on TV should it be on.
Pakeezah (1972)
The best Indian film this millennium
A great film requiring an acquired taste. If you're into action, wham bam films and hate serious love stories then its not for you. Otherwise, if you like to sit in front of a good intelligent movie now and again I recommend this very highly. Easily the best film produced in Bollywood this century.
The only other Indian film I would give 10/10 for is Dil Wale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge. Even then it comes second to this masterpiece.
eXistenZ (1999)
Average film, if you're into that kind of thing...
I rented this out expecting a feast of action in a weird and wonderful world. Failing that, a storyline that will have me asking questions along the lines of "but, what if...". Near the end of the film the only question I was asking was "when will it finish?"
If you liked Naked Lunch you'll probably enjoy this. I personally disliked that film too. The acting was good in this but I never felt I got involved with any of the characters. And the ending was very anti-climatic with the poser "are we still in the game?" not really hitting a nerve as it was meant to.
5/10.
The Jungle Book (1967)
The best cartoon film out...and no state-of-the-art technology needed!
This film is enjoyable at every level.
The characters are easily identifiable and liked. The songs are original and hummable. This film set precedents for other cartoon films but none of the contemporary efforts have yet surpassed this masterpiece.
Aladdin has come close but got lost in its obssession with Hollywood.
I first enjoyed The Jungle Book when I was 11 years old, then at 17 and now at 27. Needless to say I expect to enjoy it again and again after that.
Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995)
Great songs, love the songs. Oh yeah, and the film...
I have problems giving films a full 10 out of 10. I usually panic and end up giving them 9. But I had no hestitation with this one. One of the very few films that actually made me shed a (solitary) tear. Being a laddish bloke admitting this is not easy.
Back to the film. Usually a film lives off its songs (maine pyar kya being a prime example). However the storyline of this film stood out for its originality and the directing was superb. The scenes in London were the most realistic I have seen in any Indian film (or drama) to date (except the dancing on the streets of course).
This is the closest to Indian film perfection since Pakeeza. A must see film.
The Big Lebowski (1998)
Not quite Fargo (6/10)
Nice film, good moments. But I didn't like Jeff Bridges' acting as the Dude. In fact this may just be a Bridges family thing as I don't like any of their stuff (a bit like the McGann brothers in England - all too obvious and not great actors).
However, the film starts off nicely and you feel you are going to get engrossed in a plot or a few plots. Midway through however, reality dawns and you realise a lot of the threads are left unexplored and the ending is very anti-climatic. A complete opposite to Fargo. Great acting by Goodman and Buscemi.
Reservoir Dogs (1992)
Wow, simply wow! (10 out of 10)
If you need to read these comments before watching this film then you are one sad individual.
Scenes from this film have been copied the world over.
And the ending. What an ending !!!
Just go and watch it will ya !!!
Rush Hour (1998)
Slow down !
The film is definitely Jackie's best effort in Hollywood and is watchable. For a diehard Chan fan (ahem) like myself I didn't see anything new from his Hong Kong films but I enjoyed his more subtle, yet still hyper-active, role.
I gave it a seven because half way through I didn't feel like getting up and leaving. The storyline was bog standard but was helped along the way with huge helpings of Chris Tucker. Soon we will all become tired of Chris' brand of shouting through a fight scene, but for now he is very funny.
Go and see it now.
Titanic (1997)
Didn't sink fast enough
"Look Fabrizio, look dolphins. And one of them has jumped out of the water".
At long last I watched this film with trepidation after hearing so many good things. It started off impressively enough but when I saw the dolphins scene I thought 'oh no, here we go - welcome to cliche world'.
However, putting aside a fairly ordinary love story this film had some good acting, impressive periodic detail and superb special effects. Unfortunately, I had to use the fast forward button on my remote after the first third of the film because I knew exactly what was going to happen in the middle (as with any other bog standard 'rich girl meets poor boy' love story). I couldn't wait to see how the ship was going to rest in its eternal bed under the sea.
And I wasn't disappointed. I could feel the agony of those poor people trying desperately to cling on to life. I almost cried when those b*****ds in the life boats didn't return to rescue the people in the water. And the special effects rated as the best I've seen in 1998 (remember I've only just seen it).
Conclusion: I gave it an eight out of ten for special effects but took away two points for going on a wee bit too long with an uninvolving love story. I don't rate this movie as one of my favourites but wasn't disappointed after watching it (as I usually am with many cliche'd movies). Definitely one to see.
Tremors (1990)
Good for the soil, not so good for the flesh !
What makes this film so watchable ?
I and my family have seen this more times than I can remember. We know exactly how its going to start, what happens in the middle and how the heroes come out on top. But if its on TV then we'll sit and watch all of it.
I'm not saying it's a brilliant film. At the end of the day its another 'larger than life creatures trying to eat humans' (hope I've not given too much away) story. But the humour and acting is decent and there is a certain amount of fear-inducement involved in the plot which make this film appealing.
I wonder when it'll be on the telly again.