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nicole666
Reviews
My Bollywood Bride (2006)
Where Bollywood meets Hollywood
"My Bollywood Bride" is a very cute and entertaining "Sunday night-feel good" movie which I've just seen it at the Indian Arts Council Film Festival in NY this weekend! It's a "fish out of water" story filled with cute scenes and dialogs starting in Venice Beach and ending at the diner table of Reena's house in India. Some of the dancing scenes are intense, powerful, fun to look at and I was in particular struck by the choice of beautiful Indian wardrobe and the intensity of some of Mumbai's street scenes well captured by the cinematographer John Drake. Nice production value! Although, I personally would have wished to see more of those Venice Beach scenes.
Some of the performances are outstanding. Just to look at Kashmera Shah as Reena, she who looks like as beauty from another planet. Her dancing and acting throughout the feature are just marvelous and provides the audience with a great inside look into the capability of some of Bollywood's top A-list actors. Other excellent performances such as the riksha driver and Alex' new best friend in India are played so well that you will just have to fall in love with them! Also a very notable screen- and dance performance by Neha Dubey. I've heard some (girls) say that Jason Lewis looks even better in this cute flick than he did in "Sex in the City"...
A "must-see" not only for independent or Bollywood film fans - but for everyone!
Babel (2006)
Cinematic Masterpiece
This is an amazingly dramatic, moving story told in a non-linear form by the great director Alejandro G. Inarritu. It encourages one to think deeper about the world's current social, political situation and its impact on the whole world.
Looking at Inarritus previously directed films "Amores Perros", "21 Grams", "Babel" is another gritty, harsh look at today's society and I found its rawness pretty mind- blowing. I sincerely think that he's one of the most talented directors out there.
The emotional ups and downs throughout the story makes you enjoying (or, depending on your personal emotional state) every single minute of this over 2hr. long feature. At the end, not everything seems as hopeless as one would think - just like every day life! The framing and composition of the picture is another noteworthy remark, which also includes the very beautiful music. One of the best films this year so far and a very intelligent, provocative "Mini-Hollywood" film with an excellent cast. A must see!
Atanarjuat (2001)
Poetry in Motion
I've seen "Atanarjuat" years ago in a small theater and was astonished to see so how so much beauty can be combined on one single screen! Then again, I just came across it at my local video store. It's not only the scenery that's mind blowing but also the (innocent) very natural, raw acting that makes this an outstanding art film. The story is being told the the viewer in such a natural, simplistic way, it's hard to believe that life that far up north in the Arctic can be so cruel, and, if things go wrong - they really do and could mean a huge disaster. One wonders why there are not more such well made and breath taking stories like "Atanarjuat" around?! The music is supporting the picture with a graciously, with a strong effect on the viewer as well. At least, it worked with me..It kinda reminded me of "Whale Rider" because of its innocent story telling. A must watch! Again and again and ....