nimstic Reviews

Bramayugam (2024)

A mesmerizing visual journey into the dark ages!

[8/10 · 19 February 2024]

Ever since I heard "Brahmayugam" is directed by the same director who made "Bhoothakalam", it intrigued me. This was even better. So atmospheric. Entirely shot in black & white. The movie is set in 17th century Kerala, rift with casteism and witchcraft - there are only 4 characters. Mammooty, a stalwart in our cinema has a prominent role. He was absolutely mesmerizing with the way he embodied the character's terror and sensitivity. The setting is an old ancestral house which I, as a child grew up Kerala am quite familiar with. Dark, monochrome, exceptionally large, complex, meticulously designed for male dominance and brahmanical superiority. The B&W helps create a unique, intriguing sense of spaces (in the sense, you really wonder what's there in a story with 3 main characters, then you discover 4th character is the mystery held by these spaces within the house... you want to know what's or who is hiding in these corners and crevices). The B&W also help we don't miss the details created by shadows, and objects, also making high contrast objects we otherwise see as colorful and vibrant, such as clear skies, tree leaves and red soil, into sinister and silent parties to the terror that goes on in the house. Outdoor scenes depict monsoons and the sun rays alternating as unforgiving, menacing forces of nature always making us humans uncomfortable. The characters are shown topless - because that's what the society and nature dictated back then. There was constant spitting, belching and the body sounds (no farting, thank Goodness!), showing they are real people with little sense of personal hygiene. It all adds up. The movie clearly preys on the minds of those of us who grew up hearing the stories of ghosts, goblins and evil men who abused their power for their amusement. The ending wasn't perfect, kind of wobbly but what an effort in a relatively smal time film industry that probably won't be seen many outside South of India. Even if you are not into the horror genre, it's still a good watch. It's not frightening (It wasn't for me, but for some people it might be), but more of brooding, slowly building sense of unease and claustrophobia. Well done to the director, Rahul, Mammotty Sir (Who has been making incredible movies for over 4 decades! What an artist), Arjun & Sidharth. Great movie!

Hachi: A Dog's Tale (2009)

Feel a real pain in your heart ...

[9/10 · 3 January 2024]

I've watched Hachi many times. But it always hurts you when the story takes the saddest turn. The look on Hachi's face the day Parker didn't return will never go away from my mind. As a dog lover, I experience indescribable melee of emotions while watching this movie. The director has done a terrific job of building up the relationship between Parker & Hachi. Richard Gere was brilliant as Parker. If you love dogs, I assure, you will not be able to watch it without choking up a few times. I still do. Dogs are just the best. They really do love us humans so much more than we deserve. If you ever felt like having a dog, chances are this movie will build a strong case for it.

Blonde (2022)

Painful to watch

[1/10 · 1 October 2022]

This movie was the most distasteful thing I've seen on my TV screen in a long time. It particularly hurts those who know Norma Jeane wasn't a pathetic victim as she's shown in the movie, who have seen her works in Niagra, Misfits and Don't Bother to Knock and very well know she was a great actress. This movie tries to sensationalize, shame and sell the diseased actress' legacy. What I am even more ashamed of is, who are those "critics" that gave a standing ovation to this garbage? This director deserves all the criticism he gets and as does Netflix for commissioning such a trashfest. Feel sorry for Ana de Armas for having wasted her wonderful talent on a wasteful movie like this. Wish this movie racks up all the Razzies.

A Summer's Tale (1996)

Rhomer's poem about indecision in love set in Summer

[8/10 · 28 August 2022]

It often goes unstressed how difficult it is to craft a simple, crisp and minimal output as opposed to something complicated. Rhomer deceives you with the simplicity of the visual framework he uses and lets you into this intricate world of human relationships. I wouldn't go into the characters and story (Already in the description). The story is set in Brittany region and specifically the town of Dinard. Like in any Rohmer film, you see abundance of natural ambience and lack of any music. The central character is a musician and a confused lover, who goes through a series of situations that would help him in a way rediscover himself. The most interesting character is Margot (Amanda Langlet) but I also found the presence of Solène( Gwenaëlle Simon) mesmerizing. These two characters somewhat set the two extremes where Gaspard (Melvil Poupaud) travels to and fro, throughout the film while being anchored to a third woman, Lèna. Each scene dwells deep into these three women characters and their relationships with Gaspard with their subtle gestures and deeply felt emotions. If you look closely at these characters you can see a lot more going on than the words they exchange. In many ways, Rohmer is a lot like Yasujiro Ozu, who also tells complex human stories with his trademark minimalism. I would highly recommend this to anyone who appreciates poetic, visually stunning films on human relationships. You needn't be a romantic for it. A definite 8/10 from me.

Ammayane Sathyam (1993)

Great original storytelling

[8/10 · 11 April 2022]

Balachandra Menon is a maverick director in Malayalam film industry who often acted and directed his own movies. A unique talent, his movies always carried signature elements like family tensions, offbeat characrters, and a central character who overcome all these challenges, often played by himself. He also introduced some of the best actress in the South including Shobana and Annie. His unconventional story telling is at his best in Ammayane Sathyam (I swear by my Mother) - an expression often used in local culture to assure the other's unshakeable promise. Among the number of unconventional movies he made, A. S. stands out to be his best. A story of a rich teen running away from her family's killers and goes under as a boy to work as a servant. The girl played by Annie, does a tremendous job in capturing the fear and resilience shown by her character. The moments where she experiences nightmares of what she endured are vividly visualized by Menon. What stood out was the comedy - Jagathy was top notch as usual with his incredible timing of the lines which also got the best out of Paravoor Bharathan, Mukesh and Ganesh. And how can I not mention the outstanding cameo by Karamana and KPAC Lalitha as Mukesh's troublesome old parents. They were so funny, they reminded me of the Constanzas played by Jerry Stiller and Estelle Harris in the sitcom Seinfeld. Menon who played the corrupt police officer too never disappointed. Narendra Prasad too deserves a lot of credit for playing an extremely unlikable character to perfection. All in all, a great movie. I've watched it a handful of times including its first screening in 1993 as a child. One of the best Malayalam movies in my opinion. Was very disappointed to see an underwhelming 6 rating here. Definitely an 8 for me.

High and Low (1963)

A beautiful afterthought...

[9/10 · 20 July 2020]

Anyone who loves good films know very well what to expect from Kurosawa - a screen magician. In High & Low too, he pulls his usual mindblowing tricks with the same set of resources accessible to any other director as we sit watching in awe the visual treat that unfolds in front of our eyes. The story may seem a bit predictable at first but Kurosawa swiftly turns it into a meaningful, immersive quest. Toshiro Mifune brings in his usual intensity and a unique sensitivity, unlike Kikuchiyo (Seven Samurai) or Yojimbo, that is so human. What an actor. Also a delight to watch Tatsuya Nakadai who mesmerised us in Harakiri, as the lead cop. He displays a calm, sincere demeanor and persists with the clever kindnapper's chase with inspiring sense of grounding - a great front end to the police procedures that we often don't see in such films. As a matter of fact, we often iconize bad policemen and disregard many who do their duties sincerely - because they simply followed the norm. On a side note - a bit surprised to see another great actor Takashi Shimura in a very small role. As usual, some scenes would stay with you for a long time - such as the comment made by a deputy policemen on the way Mifune's house appears so prominently on the hill and the scene of Mifune working in the garden after the boy was rescued. Of course, the intense ending scene and articulating the meaninglessness of everything we saw thus far, the fagility of our values and ideas of life. To me, the film felt better after I finished watching it - the reason could be that, it made me think about our life's pursuits, the conventions we hold so close to our heart... I felt just like Mifune sitting at the prison window confronting his tormentor. Great movie!

Holiday Inn (1942)

Delightful!

[8/10 · 7 June 2020]

I was never a huge fan of musicals until I watched Fred Astaire and Gene Kelley. How brilliant are these artists. At a time when there was no special effects and minimal post production editing, these two geniuses showed such a level of perfection on the scene that they should be considered two of the gratest actors, simply because of their dancing abilty. In this movie, you have the bonus company of the magical voice of Mr Crosby. What a combination. The real star of the movie was Marjorie Reynolds. What a gorgeous girl. Her smile just lights up the screen. And you need to be extraordinary to be able to match the moves with Fred himself. Its quite perplexing she did not appear any well known movies since then. The set is beautiful too - feels festive and wonderful. I also loved all the songs - each having a particular holiday theme. I did not personally like the blackface costume they have used - aside from being a bit tacky, it also seems racist. I guess this wasn't such a big deal in the 40s. Other than that, this movie was picture perfect. Some song sequences and the setting itself are dream-like. I would love to watch it sometimes - because it makes an easy viewing and takes you to a beautiful dreamland instantly.

Brother Orchid (1940)

Suprisingly entertaining and thought-provoking

[8/10 · 5 June 2020]

Like many, I picked up Brother Orchid because it was a Bogie film. I have this plan to watch every Bogie movie out there, because I am a huge fan. This was one of his earliest works wherein he played negative characters. Looking charming and cool, Bogie leaves his mark as usual but it is EGR who steals the show here. What a fantastic actor. I loved how his character Little Johnny Sarto evolves through the film. One of the best character development arcs I have seen for comedy/crime genre at the time. He makes us laugh our guts out, then makes us think and empathize with Johnny. EGR is brilliant in every scene he's in. If you enjoy classic comedy/crime genre - you are sure to have a good time watching this one as I did. Watch out the background of the title "Brother Orchid", its an interesting premise. Excellent movie. 8/10.

Detour (1945)

Astonishing!

[9/10 · 11 April 2020]

I gave 9/10 for this movie. Second or third time I have done so in my years of movie watching. For someone who do not have a long attention span, this movie sure seemed like a magnet. My eyes were fixed on the story, I was traveling Al Roberts through the journey chance has taken him on. In every step he took, I could picture myself. Every unjust treatment he receives, I could feel the pain. The most remarkable aspect of this movie was that it was human, with raw emotions on display. Every character looked real - they had a story to tell. Their eyes, the pain they carried shows it. The only character I found farthest from our realities was Sue, Al's love interest. I would not go into the plot - there are plenty of reviews talking about it - but I would certainly say this movie is an incredible experience if you immerse yourself into it. If you want to appreciate true blood noir, you have to give this one a chance. Its only a little over an hour long, but the depth it touches can match a 3 hour epic. A classic in its own right. Should be among the best like Maltese Falcon & Double Indemnity for the thrill, for portraying the pure evil humans are capable of & simplicity of story telling. I do not care imbd has 7.3 avge score - its not fair, but often these scores are not. Do not judge it based on that. Do watch.

The Collector (1967)

Gorgeous!

[8/10 · 26 March 2020]

La Collectionneuse is a fine example how consistent Eric Rohmer was throughout his Moral Tales series. The story isn't important here, its the intensity of each scene and the tension among the characters till the last scene. Subtle jump cuts in the storyline can make you pause & arrive at your own hypotheses about how the characters are feeling in the following scenes. This is a visual treat - whether its the sights & sounds of the reviera house where most of the movie takes place, or the shots of beach or Haydee Politoff's delicious lips. You never begin to hate or love any character at any point - but they stay on your mind long after the movie is over. The characters, adrian, haydee & daniel exude human rawness - none are perfect or simplistic. As a viewer, I could not take anyone's side. They all seek power in their own ways, while exposing their sensitivies equally. Its a curious caricature of the complexities around love and life. Rohmer uses symbols like antiques to express how the relationships are built and broken. I could watch it again & again. A delightful Rohmer classic - its poetic, with a pacing that works as a meditation of sorts.

You Can't Take It with You (1938)

What a clever, timeless plot!

[8/10 · 21 October 2019]

What a wonderful comedy. So many funny moments (slapstick or sharp deliveries). And a brilliant plot. Not to mention, the creative (to this day) storytelling devices used (harmonica, Mr.Vanderhof's home, Big Apple, to name a few) to drive film's point. Jimmy Stewart looking handsome as ever and playing his rich boy role to perfection. Jean Arthur, despite having a less important role than usual, still looking as gorgeous as ever. The rest of the cast, most of them are incredibly funny. Some scenes with Poppins & Donald would make you pause so you finish laughing before the next funny moment comes. Its not just laughter, the movie has an important message that's just as relevant today. Lionel Barrymore plays Mr. Vanderhof, the grandpa everyone of us love to have. It drags a little towards the end, but never stops being funny & unpredictable. On a side note, I felt sour that Alice was very unfair to Tony towards the end! Also felt Ed Arnold's Mr. Kirby was not such a bad father as the movie tries to portray him as. He obliges when his son takes him on an adventure to his secy girl friend's madhouse! And held is composure for the most part. Definitely being rich alone could not be such a sin; I wish he was a bit more unenlightened as he seemed. Due to this reason, Capra, usually very sharp in his social commentary went overboard a bit there, I thought. But all that made up by that super entertaining climax scene! So beautifully shot by Capra. I'd watch the whole movie all over again just to embrace that gorgeous ending Capra manages everytime (a la It Happened One Night, Its a Wonderful Life)

It Happened One Night (1934)

Clark Gable you genius!

[8/10 · 20 October 2019]

I am a huge classic movie fan, but I haven't invested much time in pre-1940s movies. Almost 100% indoor sets & poor picture quality somehow discouraged me to be perfectly honest, however lame that sounds. "It Happened One Night" was encouraging thanks to Frank Capra & Clark Gable. I haven't seen too many of Gable's movies except Gone with the Wind. However, I did not know what to expect from him in such a jolly, maverick role. He was absolutely brilliant. His deliveries were so sharp, his sense of humour was so good, I had no doubt since then why he was such a popular man among the ladies. His intro scene is absolutely hilarious and reveals much of what to expect from him. You couldn't blame Claudette Colbert for falling in love with him; even for 30s, he wasn't a boring "gentleman", but a cool guy. He had his own reasons, sense of morality and more importantly, real and like much of America then, poor. Its absolutely enjoyable ride, no matter which type of movies you enjoy. I'd give it an 8+ happily!

Joker (I) (2019)

Near perfect character arc

[9/10 · 20 October 2019]

Enough has been written about the movie being worth all the hype. So I'll not go much into it. This is a truly remarkable cinematic work. What stood out most sharply for me was how Todd Phillips painted the picture of Joker - it wasn't at all simplistic, but the complexity is never too labouring for the audience. And his genius actor, Joaquin Phoenix rises above possibly all his expectations to complete a near perfect show! Whether Academy gives the Best Actor to him or not, he's already a winner in all of our hearts. He was phenomenal, I could sense everyone in the audience could feel his pain. And not to mention the costume, set design, camera work and brilliant score. Violence in the movie is absolutely necessary and very tastefully done. Last but not the least, the story is set in the 60s or 70s Gotham City but its message & violence are well adapted to today's hate-filled world. Without a doubt, the best movie this year! 9/10.

The Talk of the Town (1942)

Clever little comedy!

[8/10 · 7 October 2019]

This is such an underrated master class from George Stevens! As it is, with Jean Arthur, Cary Grant & Ronald Coleman, you already have a classic! How brilliant these professionals are at their craft is beyond belief at times. Add a near perfect script that neatly straddles between drama & comedy, it's pure genius. Full disclosure: I do not laugh easy, but there are moments I couldn't stop myself from laughing out like cray. Jean Arthur is such a beautiful woman; so funny & intelligent. I can understand the fanfare she had back in the days, she was the textbook definition of a truly "beautiful woman!". I watched her for the first time and was mesmerized by when he true beauty was revealed in the early scenes with her hair down, in PJs. In some scenes she was outrageously funny. Particularly when she comes running to toss eggs from coleman's plate onto the newspaper headline to remind him it wasn's his egg day! Grant too never an inch behind - the elusive, genius and comedic persona of Leopold Dilg was neatly captured by him. Coleman has his own brand of straightface, British humour that adds another dimension to the movie. All in all, a wonderful treat to any movier lover. If you enjoy pure comedy that has an interesting message, never miss this. Although I wasn't too happy with the ending on a personal note, without any spoilers I wished if it had gone the other way.

That Cold Day in the Park (1969)

Intense and deeply moving

[8/10 · 6 October 2019]

Renowned critic Roger Ebert disliked this movie - one of his many complaints being Altman appears half-hearted in making this a psycho thriller. Usually I find Ebert's reviews agreeable, though definitely not this time. I wonder why must we forcibly fit a movie into a genre or criticize it if it doesn't fit well in any of these molds. For me, this was a gritty, real story of the fragility of human emotions. Ebert questions the plausibility of such a story - which really surprised me. Human mind is highly complex, and we are yet to limit its perversions. Here, we see Frances, a lonely woman fatigued by her boring high-class friends find excitement in a young boy who she knows nothing about. She relishes this fact at first as it allows her to open up without being judged. Later, her relationship spirals out to something darker. At times Frances (played remarkably well by Sandy Dennis) makes you very sad as she desperately tries to please the boy with material comforts, one can see clearly, she only wants him to stay. So, this isn't your typical "Thriller" story after all... its primarily a drama with some horror elements if we must slot it. Sandy Dennis was incredible - as Frances, she exudes care, innocence, love, desperation, obsession, dominance in erratic proportions revealing what's in store for the young boy. Her beautiful face rightly hides everything, trickling out only innocence and motherly care - allowing that frightening unpredictability to remain throughout the movie. There wasn't a single moment I wanted to take my eyes off the screen. I'm a newbie into Altman camp, having watched only "The Player" and loved it- I absolutely enjoyed his picturization style, especially the OBG clinic scene which reveals Frances' sexual apprehensions through a seemingly improvised long shot with overlapping conservations & symbolic visuals. This is a beautiful movie that needs to be discussed more. 8/10.

Every Girl Should Be Married (1948)

Oh Betsy, what a cuteness!!

[7/10 · 5 October 2019]

I read a few reviews that made me sit down & review the movie myself. I am amazed by the number of people who did not get the dark humour in this picture. If the title hasn't been so suggestive, 5 min into the movie you would know that Annabel (played by an adorable Betsy Drake) is desperate to get her man (aptly played by Grant) so she could be settled. To get there, she is ready to do anything! Much of the movie's comic elements come from what Annabel does later. Her actions never seemed "creepy" as some put it, if anything, she was simply adorable in her "menouvres" as Grant put it. The most "violating" (for some of these audiences) of her actions (ie climax scene) at best looked harmless fun, if not, hilariously cute. And could anyone notice, not once Grant's character looked victimised or helpless. Funny that some viewers dont have the sense of humour the character had! My intention is not to discredit anyone of their ability to review a title but i would definitely not call it a disaster - that is going overboard. Its a good comedy with a few screwball elements and an insanely funny female lead. Enjoy it if you love those delightful Golden Age romcoms. I loved it! 7/10.

Mr. Lucky (1943)

Beautiful Laraine Day!

[8/10 · 4 October 2019]

Mr. Lucky is one of the many beautiful Cary Grant classics, that is thoroughly enjoyable with its slick and laughout humour and an interesting story. Yet it is Laraine Day that stole my heart. She looks stunning, and carries an admirable persona as Dorothy. Never a moment of overacting. Camera work is marvellous especially ones with Day. The scene in which she teaches Grant to tie his tie in a moving car and casually inquiring when was the last time he was controlled by someone made me skip a beat or two. The humour is often subtle but there is some Physical comedy too. Cary exudes his superior charm as usual yet in no way he plays a stereotypical Cary Grant here. He brings a special touch to his Joe like he does every one of his Golden Era classics. 8/10 for me. If you're a classic movie buff and you haven't seen it yet, you've just stumbled on a gem in Mr. Lucky.

A Letter to Three Wives (1949)

Clever, raw & hilarious - Among the greatest.

[9/10 · 10 October 2018]

I've given 9/10 for this film. Joseph M Mankiewicz is, without a doubt a master film maker and one of the greatest in Hollywood, in my opinion.

The writing, casting and acting work are top class! The intro & portrayal of Addie Ross, the woman who may have ran away with one of the husbands of the three women at helm of this story is so badass and witty that it reminded me of the goosebump-y intro scenes of The Man with No Name. Celeste Holm added a lot of depth to Addie's role just with her mesmerising voice (I absolutely adore her!)

The film's humour in particular is timeless! There were some hilarious moments always interlaced with brilliant lines from start to finish, especially in the second half. Mankiewicz uses a lot of symbolic imagery too - especially in the last of the vignettes featuring Lora Mae (Her rattling home near the railroad track each time a train passes by still cracks me up!)

All the actors were brilliant, especially Linda Darnell who played Lora Mae, the most mysterious and intriguing character in the story. I also loved the Golden presence of Thelma Ritter, who played Sadie - who only had a minor role, but made her screen time as good as any in the film with her razor-sharp delivery and hilarious timing.

From the man who made All About Eve, the movie is bound to be a goldmine of witty writing and intense moments. The way the film ended was perfect - I was worried how would you end such a film, but he was up for it.

This was a thoroughly enjoyable, memorable movie worth watching again & again.

The Paradine Case (1947)

An intense, clever Hitchcokian work

[8/10 · 26 September 2018]

Hitchcock is a true legend - often wrongly labelled as master of suspense. While his ability to arouse suspense in movies are unparalleled, what he marvels on with a lot more vigour is the level of intellect in his plots. Paradine Case starts off as a very intense thriller with highly detailed shots of Ailda Valli being arrested... while you may not wonder why she is arrested, Hitchcock doesnt reveal it until she was incriminated later. From then on, there is a sense of eeriness in the setting. I have a handful of favourite scenes - but the most noteworthy is every scene when Valli meets Peck who plays an ambitious, brilliant lawyer with a soft heart for her. The way she seduces him (often with no intentions, she was just that stunning) with her intense looks.. her eyes spoke much more than her lips. You're left with no doubt why Peck goes crazy, despite having a beautiful, loving wife like Anne Todd. This is how Hitchcock gets to you. I enjoyed the long, intense scenes... this movie is beyond the court room scenes which are themselves cleverly written and beautifully shot. I also must mention Louis Jourdan who played Andre Lateur to perfection. What a character!!! One of the best of works of this extraordinary director - what a gift he was to us movie lovers... what of course escapes me is how such a beautiful work can be rated 6.5 on Imdb! Definitely go for it - not for the suspense, but for the brilliant artistry at display.

The Strange Love of Martha Ivers (1946)

Definitely worth every second of it if you're a Barbara Stanwyck fan

[7/10 · 23 June 2018]

I am a huge Barbara Stanwyck fan - knowing the eccentricities and snootiness she was known for, her acting genius especially playing femme fatales are unmatchable! The originality she brings into her characters is what makes her unique. I find it hard to imagine any other actor replicating what she does whether it is Ball of Fire or Double Indemnity or Lady Eve. In the role of Martha Ivers, Stanwyck shines like the brightest star in the whole set. She didn't have to do any of her lobbying with her strong Studio connection to make her stand out (Although rumor has it, she muscled all around to ensure she remains the star - not even Van Heflin, the real hero of the movie. There is a lingering delay in her screen entrance, and she does so mesmerizingly, leaving you completely perplexed who she really is. And it only gets trickier in the following scenes. I could not think of a more mysterious, intriguing portrayal of a character - perhaps, Sir Hopkins' Hannibal comes close. Her expressions, eye moments, the flash of emotions and sharp deliveries leave you wondering who really is Martha Ivers. To me, this is the highlight of the film.

I mustn't forget this movie had a lot of other highpoints - especially Kirk Douglas doing what he does best, as Walter. But it was Van Heflin who really proved a closer match to Barbara in the movie. He carried the nonchalance, machismo & sensitivity that Sam, the lead character represents in the movie. Lizbeth Scott isn't my favourite actor, although she is gorgeous, her acting and facial expressions were an absolute sham.

It is a wonderful noir film you wouldn't regret watching even if aren't a Stanwyck fan.

Michael Clayton (2007)

Terrfic writing - thrilling from start to finish

[8/10 · 14 April 2018]

Came here to write a review to this excellent film. Wonderfully written by Tony Gilroy. I have not seen any of his earlier/or later works except Duplicity, which to me was a pretty average film. Everyone in MC are top of the line pros - Tilda Swindon, Tom Wilkinson, Sidney Pollack and George Clooney, doing what he does best. The story is cleverly written, adapted in a tight and flawless manner. Surprised by the lower rating here. For me a good 8/10. Yes, it has an interesting ending but that doesn't do justice to the excellent journey the film takes you on from start to finish. If you enjoy edgy, legal thrillers, get yourself going with it. I've watched after an article on Atlantic describing it as a treatise on human soul's intense cry for help today. We all want something about this world to desperately change but we see it turning against us with more intensity the more we think about it.

Terms of Endearment (1983)

Beautiful film in many ways

[7/10 · 15 April 2017]

I felt a strong urge to write a review for this film for two reasons. 1. Debra Winger and 2. Jack Nicholson. Really, this film couldn't have been nearly half as good if it weren't for the brilliant performances of these phenomenal artistes. Enough has been said about the film over the year for its teary eyed scenes (which I had to drag myself through) and its seamless blending of comedy and drama. Debra was brilliant throughout - she lived her character so cleverly that you couldn't doubt for one bit even after many years of seeing the film that she was only acting that role. So powerful. Jack Nicholson does what he does the best - being the bad boy, flare up his charms whenever he's on screen and simply, deliver some of the finest lines in the film! It seems that Jack played himself in the film, but it was a treat to watch. He rightfully earned his Academy Award while I felt bad Debra couldn't get any for that role. Shirley Mclaine, a legendary actress could easily portray the most unlikable character of the film. Danny DeVeto and John Lithgow gave some realistic portrayal in their cameos. One must also comment how beautifully the film is shot - Aurora's house and her garden is like a beautiful Renoir itself (Which is her favourite painter). The powerful scenes in the film couldn't have made a lot of people cry if it weren't for the melodious background score by Michael Gore. All in all a great film to watch. I felt sad at the end and you will too.

Curb Your Enthusiasm: The Grand Opening (2002) Season 3, Episode 10

One of my favourite episodes, hilarious, witty and intelligent

[9/10 · 5 May 2016]

CYE is one of the best shows ever. Larry is my favourite funny guy. Whatever he does, thinks and says I find funny and intelligent. No, strike all that off. Consider me as someone who never heard of Larry. And believe me, this is one of the funniest shows you'll see.

This one (*Grand Opening*) in particular is one of the funniest of the many fine episodes the show has produced. I love how Larry got inspired by the kids at Jeff's daughter's school who shaved their heads in solidarity to a fellow student who had to go through chemos and gone bald. Wonderful use of Larry's well-known allegory around baldness bias. While its funny, it makes you think too. Watch how Larry turned around challenging situations (first no chef, then a swearing chef) around his restaurant. Enjoyed every bit of that last scene. One of the best episodes!

The Shawshank Redemption (1994)

The only time I'd call anything The Best Film Ever Made.

[10/10 · 27 November 2015]

This is it, I have always been so careful on not getting carried away while watching great films and calling it the best. I am talking about the league of The Godfather, Casablanca, The Good The Bad & The Ugly and 12 Angry Men. So I always called each of them one of the best. I never believed THE BEST ever existed. It can't be, right? How can anything be the best or perfect. Definitely not perfect film. There's got to be something wrong somewhere I just need to look close enough.

But I was wrong. Although I knew I was all the way. Right from the very first time I watched The Shawshank Redemption on HBO in 1997 (18 years ago) and I waited 18 years, 5 thorough viewings, 1 sceptical review before I wrote my final judgment of this film.

This is the best film ever made. Spotless. True classic. And it was not even directed or acted by the legends we know today. Sure they are true legends. But what Frank Dorabont, Tim Robbins, Morgan Freeman & their amazing crew did is something extra special. They created the best work on cinema ever with almost none of those legends working on them.

This film needs no further description. Ten out of ten in every department of film making. Full of incredible moments. Beauty, class and intellect in almost every scene. You do not need to know the No.1 film status on IMDb for over a decade to actually believe in the power of this genius work of art. This is the best, if there is one. This is the film that reaffirmed my faith in hope, human perseverance and friendship. I'm sure there are many who believe this isn't that great, but I am glad I think otherwise - and believe me, its a great feeling. Of having found the best film, being a huge film lover. 10/10 - the only time I ever did or would do this on IMDb or elsewhere.

The Visit (I) (2015)

Truly creative Night Shyamalan as we know him

[8/10 · 3 October 2015]

There has been plenty of talk about The Visit being Night's come back film. I wouldn't go too deep into the whole "career nosedive" of his as many "critics" put it but would touch up on a small insight. I loved The Sixth Sense, Signs, The Village and Unbreakable but I did not like After Earth, The Happening and Lady in the Water. So how many other directors are there who made only fantastic films in their career? William Freidkin, Milos Forman, Oliver Stone and even the great Sidney Lumet made some bad films continuously in their career. How many hurled hate mongering at them? Not many, and rightly so, because they are still great and their good films are still good films. So is/are Shyamalan & his good films.

You probably know The Visit's plot already - it is told through an interesting storytelling device of raw footages of a young documentary filmmaker (highly resonating with today's age which makes film making anyone's game especially for children). Night combines horror & comedy so skilfully and deftly that it was possible for the audiences to laugh and scream at one minute and then scream at the next. There are some disturbing turns in the story and some hilarious moments too - both co-exist perfectly throughout. When you think about it in the end, the humour had a good place in the story. The funny scenes involving the children were all based on an assumption us, the audience and some characters were on. Both children - Olivia DeJonge and Ed Oxenbould - were excellent. Highly talented and funny. Night also achieved all this with remarkable simplicity. There are no complex layers or non-linear timeline - it was a simple story with a simple twist that runs through a 7 day period. I heard the entire theatre laugh out and enjoy thoroughly when the credits were rolling. You'll see why.

Shyamalan is a fine director, this shouldn't surprise many who liked his earlier work. If you're not one of those getting onto silly bandwagons of hatred or fanboyship without a strong rationale, this film will entertain you for sure. IMO, The Visit is probably not as good as Sixth Sense but just as enjoyable as ANY good horror films in recent years.