Road To Perdition (2002)

Directed By -  Sam Mendes

Cast - Tom Hanks, Paul Newman, Daniel Craig, Jude Law, Tyler Hoechlin

Too many gangster films tends to bore- Says who?, i have already watched 2 in 2 days and i am far from being bored. Before i start i have to say Hollywood has got something about Multi-starers or " Ensemble" casts as they are called in the west., they NEVER seem to get it wrong. Road to Perdition directed by Academy Award winner ( for American Beauty) Sam Mendes is a Father-son cum-Gangster revenge drama. So we have Micheal Sullivan Sr ( Two Time Academy Award Winner Tom Hanks) who is a mob enforcer for Mobster John Rooney (Paul Newman - another Academy Award Winner!) who loves him like his own son and prefers him over his own , ruthless son Connor ( Daniel Craig), during an altercation Connor ends up killing a man and is seen doing so by Sullivan's elder son Micheal Jr ( Tyler Hoechlin), Micheal Sr swears his son to secrecy, but Connor in an attempt to hush the witnessed ends up killing Sullivan's wife and younger son and this paves the , as the title says, road to perdition ( meaning utter distraction).Water serves as a motif in the film, ad its pretty interestingly interwoven in the film.it is essentially linked with death as tom hanks says earlier on in the film " that ice helps preserve the body".Water being linked with death talks about the mutability of water and links it to the uncontrollability of fate. This is the reason why the most intense ( and the best scenes) are shot in the rain.The best scene of the film is undoubtedly the one where Sullivan guns down Rooney with tears in his eyes masked by the heavy rain. This is Cinematography at its best ( No wonder Conrad L Hall is such a legend). Of the cast Tom Hanks is easily the finest of the lot as a gangster whose sole aim in life is to finish off the man who killed his family but in the process rediscovers his relationship with his father. Daniel Craig does well in a small role as the hotheaded Connor ( just like Sonny Corleone), Jude Law as the psychopathic assassin does not have much to do and frankly overacts for the most part, Paul Newman as Mob Boss John Rooney is very restrained (unlike most gangster portrayal's we see) and he takes the Marlon Brando route in portraying a man torn between his son and the one guy he loves the most, Tyler Hoechlin undoubtedly has the most difficult role in the film as a boy who initially has difficulties coming to terms with his father's profession then starts enjoying it and eventually understands that that is what his father had feared the most. The entire Father- Son story is fleshed out beautifully and very naturally so much so that most of us would actually relate with it. Tyler Hoechlin and Tom hanks make this movie what it is ( taking nothing away from Newman).the direction by Sam Mendes is what it should be like, the best quality that Mendes possesses is that he breaks down all his films to the complexities of human nature and brings it out perfectly, trust me when i say this but despite being a gangster film the execution of this one is very similar to American Beauty and his much later Revolutionary Road.Mendes instead of just showing them as gangsters goes deep down and tries to delve deep into their internal complexities. Notice the scene where Newman and Hanks have one final confrontation in the church and you will understand that Mendes has not made a film on gangsters but a film on human beings who just happen to be gangsters and thats where Mendes scores full marks. All in All Road to Perdition is film with natural performances, brilliant camera work and masterful direction

Rating - 9.0/10

The Untouchables (1987)

Directed By - Brian De Palma

Starring - Kevin Costner, Sean Connery, Robert De Niro, Andy Garcia, 

Charles Martin Smith, Patricia Clarkson

For a crime- drama in Hollywood, you would generally see people like Al Pacino and Tommy lee Jones being cast, but Brian De Palma pulls this one off with a very unconventional cast ( how many times have you seen Costner and Connery featured in one !) . Set in the 1930's Palma's film talk about the prohibition era in USA. A time when liquor manufacture and sale was banned and bootlegging became a popular business , A time when this illegal empire was ruled by a certain man known as Al Capone ( played by De Niro) and how a group of "Handpicked Cops" known popularly as The Untouchables ( due to their absolute loyalty to the force) brings him down.Written like a fast paced thriller , this film has everything, A well known criminal, mapped out plot and that golden touch of Brian De Palma. . The biggest USP of the film is its plot and screenplay. The scenes are well fleshed out, right from the selection of the team to Capone's execution everything is paced well and does not bore for a single moment. The film also has its "edge of the seat " moments, notice the scene where Costner and Garcia are out to arrest one of the key men in Capone's regime in a railway station (a reference to the famous Odessa Steps sequence), De Palma sure has a way with shooting such bloodbath sequences in railway stations (which he would later repeat in Carlito's Way) pure class!. But personally my favorite scene in the film is when Costner throws one of Capone's men from the roof of a building. There is absolutely no build up in that scene and its so sudden that it amazes you. Of the cast Kevin Costner as Elliot Ness ( the person who actually convicted Capone) puts in a stellar act as the cop with high virtues who has to finally bend his ideologies for greater good. The scene where he shoots down one of the gangsters against his will shows exactly why Costner is considered an actor of high caliber. Andy Garcia as the Italian- American George Stone is understated and raw  (he is the expert shooter in the team) . As the young protege turned celebrated cop Garcia puts in the correct dose of awe and excitement needed to play a rookie cop. Charles Martin Smith in a bit role shines as Oscar Wallace the man who gives the team the needed loophole to get Capone behind bars. Robert De Niro plays the Larger than life gangster with ease. Capone, as is widely known, was a very flamboyant and glamorous person. De Niro brings out the cold bloodedness as well as the flamboyant side of the dreaded gangster with panache. But the star act of the film comes from Sean Connery. Playing the veteran cop Jimmy Malone who has the experience and skill needed to run such a team, Connery dives into his character so much so that he even gets the Irish accent spot on.The scene where his character is shot at and subsequently dies demand's respect. Hats off to "Mr Bond" for a bold performance such as this. the Academy Award ( for best supporting which Connery won for this film) was well deserved . In the end 'The Untouchables' is great cinema mainly for 4 reasons - Brian De Palma's powerful direction, a brilliantly put together backdrop , some charming performances from the actors and Sean Connery's Jimmy Malone      

Rating - 9.0/10

Dum Maaro Dum (2011)

           

                            Directed by - Rohan Sippy

        Starring -  Abhishek Bachchan, Rana Daggubati, Pratiek Babbar, Bipasha Basu, Aditya Pancholi,                                             

                                 Govind Namdeo, Vidya Balan ( in a special appearance)     

 How many times in the past few years have seen or read an Abhishek Bachchan films being panned? answer -  a hell number of times, but this film surely changes that trend.Written by the renowned Sridhar Raghavan ( Ek hasina thi and johnny gaddar) and directed by the not-so-renowned Rohan Sippy ( read Kuch naa kaho) DMD is about Goa being the drug capital of India and how a corrupt turned honest police officer ACP Vishnu Kamath ( Abhishek Bachchan) infiltrates the business of drug lord Lorsa Biscuita ( Pancholi) only to find that all roads lead to an elusive mastermind Micheal Barbossa who has never been seen and is supremely feared ( much like keyser soze in The Usual Suspects). Sridhar raghavan scripts this one smartly and allows you only minimal sympathy to be invested in each character this helps the film keep its focus on its protagonist, Goa. But the films USP is the psychedelic camerawork which gives it a "druggy high" feel. The slipshot cuts, fast zooms and the sepia tone of the films give us a visual treat never before seen in Bollywood. Hats off to Amit Roy for such superior cinematrography.The dialogues are crisp and hard hitting and if you are someone with a honey laced vocabulary you'll sure have to close your ears during some scenes.The story although watertight for most of the running time falls at times for example the part about Abhishek Bachchan turning honest after his family's death is not too well fleshed out.Of the cast Pratiek Babbar does decently as a teenager caught in the web of drugs for a higher education in USA, Rana daggubati in his debut outing looks the part but does not provide enough punch required to play Joki. As a depressed lover turned mentor to a teenager Rana fails completely when it comes to emotions, but his decent screen presence helps us overlook that. Bipasha Basu puts in a praiseworthy act as Joki's lover turned Lorsa's mole. She emotes when needed and stones up when needed. But it is ( as you have guessed) Abhishke Bachchan's Vishnu Kamath who packs in the punch.As a Corrupt turned angry young police officer Abhishek invests beautifully in his character so as to avoid any comparisons to his father and in the same time creating a comfortable space for himself. Bachchan brings out that hint of anger and that streak of ego perfectly that makes Vishnu Kamath a memorable officer on screen ( most of which are thanks to his father).At the end though the film falls a bit due to some glitches in the script it breezes through thanks to some superior camerawork, edgy screenplay, that evergreen RD Burman guitar riff and a ecstatic performance by Abhishek Bachchan.  

Rating -  8.0/10  

7 Khoon Maaf (2011)

Directed By - Vishal Bhardwaj

Starring - Priyanka Chopra, Neil Nitin Mukesh, John Abraham, Irrfan Khan, Aleksandr Dyachenko, Annu Kapoor, Naseeruddin Shah, Vivaan Shah

Early on in the film Sussana's( Priyanka Chopra) butler comments that " Sussana ma'am raasta nahi badalti , kutto ka bheja uda deti hain" and this sets the tone for Vishal Bhardwaj's much awaited black comedy.The premise that most people know is about a woman Sussana Anne-Marie Johannes who in her quest for love and peace encouters and and murders a series of husbands.What people dont know is how beautifully Bhardwaj's scripts it.Adapted from Ruskin bond's 6 page long short story Sussana's Seven Husbands , Bhardwaj underlines the entire story with an underlined tinge of humour and dark sarcasm to bring to the audiences what is easily one of the most interesting films in recent times.With every passing murder you sympathise with sussana and yet you see that she becomes more ruthless in her decisions and her executions, and that requires some killer writing which vishal bhardwaj is an ace at.The excellent dialogues of the film are courtesy Gulzaar saab which contain some soul stirring shayaaris and some cringe-worthy vernacular abuses.If anything fails in the film is the length , at 2 hours and 45 minutes any film in the world is bound to lose its steam and quite expectedly the films loses its steam after the 3rd or 4rth murder and there comes a point where you know whats going to happen and you are just waiting for the murder to happen.Although it is difficult  iam sure Vishal Bhardwaj could keep the suspense alive.Of the cast Annu Kapoor proves to be the most convincing and funny as the nymphomaniacal Inspector keemat lal, the sixth husband of sussana , his character right from him staring at her legs to his excessive use of viagra are genuinely funny and interesting, Note the scene e\whre the marriage of sussana and keemat lal is shown and in a split second his funeral is shown, fine work of editing.Of the other husband Neil Nitin Mukesh gives a rare realistic potrayal of an egoistic and possesive army man and Naseeruddin Shah shows what experience can be, for any bengali  he is easily the most enjoyable character in the film. John Abraham proves to a sore thumb and competes with a stone when it comes to giving expressions and irrfan khan comes with a convincing performance of a sexually sadistic urdu poet which makes you actually want to kill him. An excellent performance is delivered by Vivaan shah (who also happens to be the narrator of the film) and he proves why he is Naseeruddin shah's son.But as is expected the films cruises on the shoulders of its protagonist Priyanka Chopra. Chopra gives that rare performance of a girl who at one moment makes the audience pity for her and in the other moment shows a streak of violence.Hats off to piggy chops and iam quite definite she is sweeping all best actress awards next year. In the end the film works on a stellar casting, perfect  screenplay , bold and carefree direction and a thumping performance from the leading lady yet due to its shortcomings its a strictly one time watch 

Rating - 7.9/10

The Black Swan (2010)

Directed By - Darren Aronofsky

Starring - Natalie Portman, Mila Kunis, Vincent Cassel

When i had downloaded the "The Black Swan" the first thought that came to my mind was "BALLET" and i was definite i'd find it boring but what followed was 108 minutes of cinematic brilliance. Then i gave it a thought and i relaized i had skipped one of the most important facts of the film , it was made by the maker of "requiem for a dream" so it was hardly expected that this film will be below standards. To talk about standards, it is something that aronofsky has set for himself and which he surpasses with ease.As has already been noted Aronofsky excels in films dealing with hallucination and psychological upheavals.Black swan is about Nina Sayers (Portman) a shy and introverted new yorker suffering from possibly an extreme case of inferiority complex. She gets the role of her life in the ballet company in which she performs. but the role requires a perfect execution of two alter egos, One good and One dark, Nina excels in the good one (White Swan) but is somehow uncomfortable with the darker one ( Black Swan) . Enter Mila Kunis as Lily , and intern in the company who is perfect for the role of the dark alter ego.What follows is Nina's Obsession with role of the black swan and an inbuilt fear which threatens to destroy her. Of the cast, Vincent Cassel as the ballet director Thomas excels in a bit role. Mila Kunis shows an earnestness hardly seen by relative newcomers and gets into the skin of the character with ease.But the real stunner in the film (as you have already guessed ) is Natalie Portman as Nina Sayers. Portman delivers a performance which is creepy, endearing and soulful.Watch the scene where she goes and kisses Thomas after the first performance as the Black Swan.This performance will go down as a benchmark. Such films are very difficult to handle, but The Black Swan glides on Darren Aronofsky's uninhibited and bold direction and a killer performance By Natalie Portman.Seldom have you ever seen a film which is so alternately disturbing and exhilarating.

Rating - 9.2/10

COUNTDOWN 2010

The Best Films of 2010


Number 5

Raajneeti

Directed By - Prakash Jha

Starring - Ranbir Kapoor, Nana Patekar, Ajay Devgn, Manoj Bajpai, Arjun Rampal, Naseeruddin Shah, Katrina Kaif, Sarah Thompson

Where most multistarrers proved to be a dud in recent times.Prakash Jha made a gritting tale of family and politics with a mammoth cast.His Godfather-meets-Mahabharatta tale proved to be one of the biggest hits of the year with stand out performances led by Nana Patekar and Ranbir Kapoor. The supporting cast was brilliant too withe the best of the lot being Manoj Bajpai, Ajay devgn's role was badly written but he somehow managed to flush out a commendable performance. But the surprise package was Arjun 'no expression' Rampal as Prithvi Pratap. Although personally i consider this to be Jha's weakest film in comparisn to his earlier gems such as mrityudand and gangaajal, but nonetheless an excellent watch!!.

Number 4

Peepli Live

Directed By - Anusha Rizvi

Starring - Raghubir Yadav, Omkar Das, Shalini Vatsa, Mallaika Shenoy

Who better to make a film on media antics than a journalist. Peepli Live showed that rare storytelling flare which is missing in bollywood. A film on farmer suicides, peepli live was a satire on the entire system in general and the media in particular. Aamir Khan as producer once again proved that his choice of scripts is far superior to his contemporaries. The cast featuring mostly new faces was amazing , with natha ( Omkar das) being the best of the lot. Proof - it is india's entry to the oscars.

Number 3

Udaan

 

Directed By - Vikramaditya Motwane

Starring- Rajat Barmecha, Ronit Roy, Ram Kapoor

A coming of age tale, Udaan was a cannes selection , we understand why. This film is highly recommended to the younger generation.The best thing about this films is that it does not take sides it simply tells a story of growing up boy and the various phases in his life. Ronit roy ( the SRK of indian television) was a revelation and rajat barmecha is sure to be the next darsheel safary. Udaan has already won 5 awards in different film festivals and will surely win more in the upcoming ones.

Number 2

Ishqiya

Directed By - Abhishek Chaubey

Starring - Naseeruddin Shah, Arshad Warsi, Vidya Balan

Trust vishal bhardwaj to come up with raw, dark films. His brand of films is unique in indian cinema and this has been continued by his protege abhishe chaubey. Set in UP this film is about two thugs and femme fatale whom both fall for and the subsequent events leading up to a brilliant climax. The films as has already been mentioned is dark and extremely raw ( evident from vidya balan's sulphate comment).Vidya Balan puts in a stunning performance and is definitely in contention for the best actress awards. Naseeruddin Shah is at his usual best but the actual stud in the film is arshad warsi. Vulgur, cheap and raw warsi brings in life to babban.All in all a must watch

Number 1

My Name Is Khan

Directed By - Karan Johar

Starring - Shahrukh Khan, Kajol, Jimmy Shergill, Zarina Wahab, Sonya Jehan, Parvin Dabas, Arjun Mathur

You can make fun of his stuttering or his over melodramatic films but when king khan gets into form there are few who can beat him. If Swades proved he is a good actor and chak de india further consolidated this stand then MNIK has taken him to newer levels. As the autistic rizwan khan out on a mission shahrukh showed the worlds that he is more than just a superstar . To qoute  Rajeev masand " to call this SRK's best performance is demeaning what he has actually done".

Rizwan Khan has Asperger's Syndrome since birth; he has a problem expressing emotions, he rejects physical intimacy, he's bothered by crowded spaces and loud noise, and he's disturbed by the sight of anything yellow. Other than that, he's quite smart actually. He can repair faulty home appliances and crack word puzzles in an instant. What he cannot mend is his wife's broken heart, when 9/11 delivers a personal blow.

My Name Is Khan is an inherently sincere, yet unabashedly sentimental story of Rizwan Khan and his Forrest Gumpish journey across America to meet the US President so he can tell him that every Muslim is not a terrorist. Kajol gives a stunning performances as Mandira rizwan's hindu wife. Karan Johar tugs at your heartstring with such earnestness that you cant help but give your heart away to this film

COUNTDOWN 2010

Bollywood has had its share of ups and downs here's bringing the worst and best films of last year.....

Worst 5 Films of 2010


Number 5
                                                                  Raavan

Directed By - Mani Ratnam

Starring - Abhishek Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Vikram, Govinda, Ravi Kissen, Priyamani.

Ratnam was qouted as saying that raavan would be the most suprising film of the year, and suprising it was because with a man like Mani Ratnam at the helm of affairs , Raavan was plain trash from start to finish. Admitted the storyline was a good take on Ramayana and there was some breathtaking cinematrography but that cannot make up for the Bachchan duo's OTT act and cold chemistry.Sout Superstar Vikram and ravi kissen did put in a commendable act but it was govinda as the new age hanuman who was the best of the lot. That says a lot about the film !!!!

Number 4

We are Family

Directed By  - Siddharth Malhotra

Staring - Kajol, Arjun Rampal, Kareena Kapoor

Stepmom remake has all the dharma elements sets, cute kids, huge stars, tearjerking moments what it did not have was logic and script. Kajol and Kareena did put up a good act but Arjun Rampal was at his usual Expressionless and disinterested.The kids apart from the youngest one acted retarded most of the times ( special mention to aliyah ).All in All this film was useless :)

Number 3

Housefull

Directed By - Sajid Khan

Starring - Akshay Kumar, Arjun Rampal, Rittiesh Deshmukh, Deepika Padukone, Lara Dutta, Jiah Khan

Someone please go tell Sajid Khan that he does not know how to make a film!!! first Heyy babyy and now housefull he has taken up a mission to bore audiences. Stale jokes, bad acting ( obviously Arjun Rampal), bad  storyline, Housefull was full of flaws, but yet it managed to be a hit. and its high time Akshay Kumar learned to choose his scripts.

Number 2

Kites

Directed By - Anurag Basu

Starring - Hrithik Roshan, Barbara Mori, Kangana Ranaut, Kabir Bedi, Nick Brown

Clearly the script was written by Rakesh Roshan since all his scripts are the same stuck between somewhere in 1970's. International stars, Super hype and brilliant chemistry between mori and hrithik coulnd help this films from sinking, why? because it was simple badly made.A clear Rakesh Roshan interference helped the film in becoming one of the worst of the year.

Number 1

Action Replayy

Directed By - Vipul Amrutlal Shah

Starring - Akshay Kumar, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Neha Dhupia, Ranvijay Sinsh, Aditya Roy Kapoor

Lets not waste time talking about it , everyone knows why its a bad film....its got akshay kumar :p