''When Harry Met Sally...'' (1989 movie)- Review

Directed by: Rob Reiner

Released: 1989

Country: United States

Main cast: Meg Ryan, Billy Crystal, Carrie Fisher, Bruno Kirby, Steven Ford

Genres: Romantic comedy, Drama

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Review

Harry Burns and Sally Albright first meet while sharing a drive to New York from Chicago. Harry is the boyfriend of Sally's friend Amanda. They don't get along very well. Harry comments that men and women can never be friends, because sex always gets on their way. Sally disagrees. Upon reaching New York, they part their ways, because according to Harry, they cannot be friends.

Five years later, Harry and Sally meet for the second time. Sally is in a relationship, and Harry will be getting married soon.

Five more years later, they meet again. Both are single now... Sally's relation with Joe ended, and Harry and Helen are divorced. Harry and Sally become best friends, with both of them sharing everything with each other, talking on phone late into the night, going here and there, taking meals together. But will they always be able to remain friends, or will it turn into a romantic relation one day?

Their story is told with sudden interruptions, where elderly couples reveal how they had met, how they had fallen in love, how they had got married, and how their love has lasted over the decades.

Nora Ephron's screenplay was extraordinary. The dialogues are witty, the situations are humorous. Near the end, the situations does get a bit serious, but however, the humorous part remains active all the time! Harry and Sally are both remarkable characters. Both are funny and sweet. 

So many hilarious scenes, it would be difficult to mention all of them! One of the funniest scenes was Sally faking an orgasm (and the epic dialogue that follows: ''I'll have what she's having!''). When Jo is going to get married and Sally calls Harry, and she's crying, and taking a tissue paper one after another, that scene was also extremely funny. There are many touching and emotional scenes as well, for example, the ending, and many scenes throughout the film. And then there are the colorful sceneries, backgrounds, and the pleasant background music.

When Harry Met Sally is a lovely and refreshing film. Romantic comedy as a genre is extremely tired, and this is one of the examples of great films in this genre. Rob Reiner's direction is excellent. Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal also give excellent performance. And there is Nora Ephron's screenplay. These make it an excellent film.

4.5 out of 5

''The Skin I Live In'' (2011 movie)- Review

Directed by: Pedro Almodovar
Released: 2011
Country: Spain

Genres: Drama, Sci-Fi, Psychological thriller, Horror

Rating: 4.5 out of 5
  
Review

Ah, Pedro Almodovar, you are amazing. The Skin I Live In is meant to be a psychological thriller. The result is a blend between thriller, horror, drama, and sentiments. While chiefly a thriller, it also touches sentimental aspect, though there is no melodrama. The Skin I Live In is a haunting film,  a disturbing story told beautifully, with an excellent presentation and screenplay.

Robert Ledgard (Antonio Banderas) is a plastic surgeon and is successful in face transplantation. He comes up with a new idea, about skin that are resistant to insect bites, burns, etc. He is, however, forbidden to go on with this experiment.

But however, secretly, Ledgard has kept a young woman, Vera, hidden in his home. He is testing that very idea on Vera. Vera is kept hidden in a room of his house. She can't get out. The only people who know about her existence are Ledgard and his servant, Marilia. 

One day, an odd man wearing a tiger costume arrives in the house. He is actually Marilia's son, Zeca. Marilia tries her best to get rid of him. She cannot let anyone get a hint about Vera. However, Zeca discovers Vera, and then after breaking into her room, rapes Vera. However, Robert soon arrives and kills Zeca.

Marilia reveals to Vera the tragic past of Ledgard, about the suicides of both of his wife and his daughter. From that time, Vera and Robert seemingly fall in love and Robert is promised that they will be no more locked doors in future.

And then... there is flashbacks... We are shown everything of the past. Of what exactly had happened to Robert's wife and daughter. And who Vera actually is. A tale of suicides, revenges, mistakes, desperation, and terrible results of revenge.

The back story is shocking. Just shocking. It was like... a bolt from a blue! I mean, it is kind of a twist. And the background is told so beautifully, and often disturbingly.

The first hour of this film is spent with introductions. We are introduced to the characters, the situation. But we have no questions about who Vera actually is, how Vera is related to Ledgard's tragic past.  She just seems an innocent girl, an innocent victim of Ledgard's experiments.  The next part is the flashbacks, the background. The flashbacks answer the unasked questions. Ah, my mouth dropped open with surprise! Each of the back stories were so fascinating and shocking.  I'll say no more about this part!!! The last part... well, I better not say anything about that! 

Antonio Banderas is excellent as Ledgard. Elena Anaya, as Vera, delivers a strong performance as well. With strong performances, excellent concept, and an extraordinary screenplay this is a splendid film. It was so haunting, so amazing, so memorable. The last scene almost brought tears to my eyes!! Almodovar, salutes to you!

4.5 out of 5



 

''V for Vendetta'' (2005 movie)- Review

Directed by: James McTeigue
Released: 2005
Country: United Kingdom

Genres: Action, Fantasy, Thriller, Mystery, Crime

Cast: Natalie Portman, Hugo Weaving, Stephen Rea, John Hurt, Stephen Fry

Rating: 4 out of 5

Review

V for Vendetta is a thoroughly entertaining and energetic film- I'm speechless. It impressed me. A lot. I mean, it's such a fast-paced, well-made film! I just had to stare at the screen because it was so... AMAZING!

Set in a near future, V for Vendetta depicts the world as a chaotic place. Most of the nations of the world are in a state of great turmoil, but only the United Kingdom prevails. But it prevails with cruelty, intolerance, oppression, under the leadership of a dictator, Chancellor Sutler. 

Evey Hammond is a regular, normal young woman who one evening goes out for some chore. But there's a curfew. The ''Fingermen'' secret police stop her. There is something wrong in their intentions. Evey, searching for a way to escape, becomes helpless. However, she is soon rescued by a mysterious person, covered in black clothes and wearing a Guy Fawkes mask. 

Portman and Weaving in ''V for Vendetta''

Evey spends some time with the mysterious masked man, who, in front of her eyes, destroys the Old Bailey. Known simply as ''V'', he is apparently a vigilante. He wants to make the country peaceful again. He wants to give the people a peaceful life, a life without the oppression, without the the cruelty, without the intolerance, that they are leading now. His past, related to a detention camp, is revealed in course of the film.

Meanwhile, the police looks for both the masked man and also Evey- because she was seen with V during the destruction of the Old Bailey. Meanwhile, taking over the television, V calls for the citizens to revolt on the 5th of the November, the next Guy Fawkes Day. Police are looking everywhere for V. It is the strict command of Sutler. But V has his own genius hiding place and method. And he also protects Evey- who is suspected of having connections with V and his plans.

What follows are revelations, surprises and V's work on the revolution...

The film was extremely energetic and attractive. Natalie Portman is touching and effective as ever. Hugo Weaving never shows his face, he always remains hidden behind the mask, but nevertheless gives a superb performance. Stephen Rea as the inspector was also fascinating. John Hurt's role as the antagonist is significant but his appearances are mostly brief so it doesn't get much deep. Imogen Poots is present as Valerie, a small role with no speaking lines, but nevertheless is memorable.

Some scenes are very memorable. The last scene, as an example. Also, the scene when there is rain in the rooftop, and parallel is drawn between Evey and V (the time when V had been burning because of the terrible fire at the detention camp) is also quite memorable.

V for Vendetta is overall a memorable movie. The fight scene near the end seemed slightly illogical but it was okay, on the whole. With excellent performances, superb scores, and a wonderful script (based on a graphic novel Alan Moore and David Llyod), V for Vendetta is indeed a must watch.

UPDATE: 2013 movie goals

I had made a list with six movies, but now I've come up with another title. Here is the complete list.

1. Gone with the Wind
2. La Dolce Vita
3. The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly
4. Ben-Hur
5. Pulp Fiction
6. The Tree of Life
7. 2001: A Space Odyssey 

''Ikiru'' (1952 movie)- Review

Directed by: Akira Kurosawa
Released: 1952
Country: Japan

Genres: Drama

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 

Review

Life is beautiful. And a purpose is needed to realize this beauty of life. Without a purpose in life, how can one understand the real reason life is for? If one spends his life doing his work without pleasure, without a purpose, then isn't it a great injustice `to his life? Life is brief. We need to make the best use of this small time by having a purpose to live our life.

The protagonist of Ikiru, Watanabe-San (Takashi Shimura) is Section chief of Public Affairs at the city hall. He has been doing this job for thirty years. He has not been leading his life. Instead, it seems that he has just been passing his time. There is no pleasure, no purpose, in the work he does and the life he leads. After his wife's death, twenty years ago, he has done all he can for his son. But in return, he gets absolutely nothing from his son and daughter-in-law, who are rather interested in his pension money.

Then one day, Watanabe-San learns that he has stomach cancer. And just then, he comes to understand how he had spent thirty years with absolutely no pleasure and no purpose. And then, he decides to reclaim those thirty lost years of his life. He begins to start looking for a purpose in his life just at the time he realizes that he has not much time left.

He looks for solutions, he looks for the ways by which he can make up for the time he has lost, the time he has spent without any pleasure. And finally, he finds a purpose in life through his work. He undertakes the initiative to transform a cesspool, filled with mosquitoes, into a children's park.

The main concept of the film is itself so very beautiful. We just sometimes don't realize how beautiful life can be. We just have to look for the ways which can make our life meaningful. A purpose in life is absolutely necessary. A purpose, an initiative. We need pleasure in the work that we do. 

A very memorable thing in the film is, when Watanabe-San understands that he needs to have a real purpose to make up for the lost thirty years, when he undertakes the initiative to construct the park, the ''happy birthday'' tune is played at the background. This thing is indeed very symbolic. The ''happy birthday'' tune indicates that at last, after thirty years, Watanabe-san has found a purpose. He may have just five months left, but yet, these five months will give him the pleasure that thirty years couldn't give him.

A harsh thing that is showed is Watanabe-san's son's attitude towards him. After his wife had died, Watanabe-san did everything he could do for his son. The flashbacks show Watanabe-San cheering for his son at a game, and comforting his son before a surgery. And now, the son for whom he toiled his whole life, doesn't even pay respect to him.

Takashi Shimura is an excellent actor. The feelings of Watanabe-San is brought to life by him. The pain, the regret of the character is very well portrayed.

Ikiru is an inspirational film about life, that how purpose is so important to make our lives beautiful, peaceful, meaningful. Beauty is present in our life, we just need to have a purpose and pleasure to realize that our life is beautiful.

4.5 out of 5

Movie goals of 2013

I know, I'm making this list in July- half of 2013 has already gone by, and I've made up my Goals list in this month?!?

Actually, I've been planning on this list for a long time. And finally, I've come to the conclusion to have these six movies in my ''Goals'' list. (I hope to watch these six great movies this year!).

Despite being a crazy movie lover for a long time, I'm surprised  after thinking about how many great movies I haven't seen yet. I haven't seen Citizen Kane. However, I won't be listing that in my 2013 Goals List because I want to be more experienced and more skilled before I watch this movie, often considered to be the greatest movie ever.

Anyways, enough talking for now. The six movies that I'm planning that I must watch in 2013 are:

1. Gone with the Wind
2. La Dolce Vita
3. The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly
4. Ben-Hur
5. Pulp Fiction
6. The Tree of Life

''The Bridge on the River Kwai'' (1957 movie)- Review

Directed by: David Lean
Released: 1957
Country: United States , United Kingdom

Genres: War, Drama, Adventure

Main cast: William Holden, Alec Guinness, Jack Hawkins, Sessue Hayakawa, James Donald

Rating: 4.5 out of 5
 
Review

Lieutenant Colonel Nicholson is a stubborn and firm character, and so is his rival, Colonel Saito. David Lean's The Bridge on the River Kwai, is set during the World War II in a Japanese camp for prisoner-of-wars. This is not a violent war film; the war violence is really mild and the overall presentation is not violent at all, yet it is an intense film, and sometimes, overpowering.

Colonel Saito (Sessue Hayakawa) has the orders to complete a bridge by a due date. He orders all the prisoners, including even the officers, to work on the bridge. But Lieutenant Colonel Nicholson (Alec Guinness) says that employing officers in such manual labor is strictly prohibited. But Colonel Saito is stubborn and firm in his decision. And so is Nicholson. And when Nicholson orders his officers not to join in the work, Saito keeps them all (including Nicholson) locked up.

But as mentioned, Nicholson can be extremely stubborn as well. He won't give up his decision. And finally, after a rather long time, Saito agrees, because he has to complete the bridge in time. And if such inconvenience and disagreement continues, there would be more and more delay on the work.

Meanwhile, Commander Shears (William Holden) manages to escape from the camp. Soon, he manages to arrive in Ceylon. There, Major Warden asks him to help them to destroy the bridge that is being built. And after some hesitation, Shears agrees. 

On the other hand, in the camp, Nicholson is working wholeheartedly and co-operating with Saito to build the bridge. And he is working with all his spirits. When asked by someone why he is working so hard on the bridge, Nicholson says that he wants to prove to the Japanese that they will never be able to break the spirits of the British. And one day, after the war, when trains will run over the bridge, people will know that the bridge was made by British soldiers, not by slaves of a prisoner-of-war camp.

The hard work of the prisoners in building the bridge, and the mission of Major Warden, Shears and the others with them, to destroy the bridge- is shown together, is merged together. The adventures of Warden and Shears and the others with them is very well told through the well-created situations and beauty, remarkable cinematography, locations, and score.

The very first scene, where a prisoner-of-war bribes a Japanese Commander so that the latter enlists him as sick (so that he doesn't have to participate in the constant manual labor), made me really very interested in the film. There was something so very remarkable about the storytelling, that it became very engrossing. So excellently acted and written and directed, the film sometimes can become overpowering. It remains engrossing throughout. One of the most memorable scenes is  the scene after Colonel Saito changes his mind. The joy of the prisoners after hearing this declaration was so beautiful, so well-written. The climax is slightly disturbing yet can be so very emotional and intense!

Alec Guinness does justice to the character. The stubbornness, the firm determination of the character, all these are really very well-acted by Guinness. Also remarkable are William Holden, Jack Hawkins and Sessue Hayakawa.

The Bridge on the Rivers Kwai was an engrossing film throughout. Not my favorite war film, but I did love it.

4.5 out of 5
 

''Goodfellas'' (1990 movie)- Review

Directed by: Martin Scorsese
Released: 1990
Country: United States

Genres: Biographical crime drama

Main cast: Ray Liotta, Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci, Lorraine Bracco, Paul Sorvino, Chuck Low, Frank Vincent

Rating: 5 out of 5

Review

Martin Scorsese's Goodfellas tells the story of mobster Henry Hill's life. A great screenplay, performances and Scorsese's great directorial talent makes the film an absolute masterpiece! 

The opening scene shows three men driving, when something makes a noise. They get out of the car and check the trunk of the car, where there is a bloodied man (who apparently the three men in the car have beaten in this way).  The men comment that the man hasn't died yet, and then, umm, make sure that he is died. Then the protagonist, Henry Hill, narrates that he had always wanted to be a gangster.

A flashback shows us the teenage life of Henry Hill. Leaving school, Hill starts working for the Luchesse crime family. And he soon gets close to Jimmy Conway (Robert De Niro), a feared mobster, and over time, he has a blooming criminal career. The film focuses both on the personal and professional life of Henry Hill, including violence, crimes, robberies, love, adultery.

The actors do a great job. Ray Liotta, as Henry Hill, gives a particularly splendid performance.  From the beginning to end, Liotta gives a performance so great that brings the character to life. The ambitions and reactions of the characters are very well portrayed by Liotta.

Among the supporting characters, a memorable performance is given by Joe Pesci. Pesci plays Tommy, one of the most memorable characters from the film. Tommy is hot-tempered and violent. Robert De Niro is amazing as always! Lorraine Bracco, as Henry's wife Karen, is VERY memorable as well. Bracco brings into life the feelings of the character: the love and constant worry for her dear husband, the anger and sorrow after coming to know of her husband's extra-marital affair, and her will to forgive her husband so easily. Overall, the characters are very well written and portrayed.

The screenplay, by Martin Scorsese and Nicholas Pileggi, is based on the book ''Wiseguy'' by Pileggi. The screenplay is VERY excellent as well. The violence, the dialogues, the humor here and there- are all very mentionable. The violence is frequent but does not get disturbing.

I LOVED this film because it was so excellently-written, directed and acted! It is a fast-paced and enjoyable film and is a must watch! Amazing film!

5 out of 5

''Safe Haven'' (2013 movie)- Review

Directed by: Lasse Hallström
Released: 2013
Country: United States
 
Main cast: Julianne Hough, Josh Duhamel, Cobie Smulders, David Lyons, Mimi Kirkland, Noah Lomax, Irene Ziegler

Genres: Romantic drama, Mystery

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

Review

I must say that after coming across several negative reviews of this film I thought that it may not be a satisfactory film. In spite of that, I decided to watch this film because I had absolutely loved the original novel by Nicholas Sparks. And I must say that I wasn't disappointed with this film. I wasn't at all disappointed with this film. It may not be an excellent film, it may have qualities of chick flicks, but however, I liked this film.

Based on the novel by Nicholas Sparks, the style of storytelling in the film has a difference from the original novel. However, I really liked the alterations. I try NEVER to judge a film based on how much accuracy it has with the novel it is based on. Therefore, though the style of storytelling is altered and different, the film itself is beautiful. Not excellent, but yes, really nice.

A mysterious woman named Katie (Julianne Hough) arrives in a small fishing town. There, she becomes friends with a store owner, Alex, and also becomes close to his little daughter, Lexie.  Katie also become close with her neighbor, Jo (Cobie Smulders). 

Slowly, Alex and Katie fall in love. In course of the film, Katie's background is revealed. Her real name is Erin. She has run away from her abusive husband, Kevin, and has taken a false name and false identity. When Alex comes to know about this, he decides to help and protect Katie. 

However, Kevin cannot forget Katie. He takes all efforts to find Katie, to take his wife back home. What happens? How can Katie hide from her abusive husband? Will Katie and Alex able to find peace through their love?

Julianne Hough's performance as Katie is really excellent. Josh Duhamel and Cobie Smulders also give remarkable performances. Another aspect that requires special mention is the background music. I was highly impressed by the background music. From the beginning to the end, the score kept amazing me, because it was very pleasant and beautiful.

The screenplay is also pretty good. As I mentioned before, there are several differences in the storytelling from the original novel. And I really appreciated the style of storytelling. The twist at the end is very well portrayed and the ending was really wonderful! However, I must say that the climax is slightly altered and has much less suspense than that of the original novel. 

Overall, I thought it was a good movie. I didn't love it, but I did like it. Sometimes, I was indeed slightly disappointed because of *a few* of the differences in the storytelling, I liked the overall movie.

3.5 out of 5

''City Lights'' (1931 movie)- Review

Directed by: Charlie Chaplin
Released: 1931
Country: United States

Genres: Romantic comedy, Drama

Rating: 5 out of 5

Review

A story can be full of fun throughout. Again, a story can be a mixture of laughs and emotions, a balanced mixture of both of them. City Lights is an example of such a film. Charlie Chaplin brings to screen a sweet love story, with the addition of situations that keep us laughing throughout.

The protagonist of this film is Chaplin's most memorable character, the Tramp. One day, he meets a blind girl who sells flowers. Slowly, he becomes close to the blind girl. For some reasons, the blind girl thinks that the tramp is a wealthy man. The girl lives in poverty with her grandmother. To give the girl some financial support, the tramp finds a job. But very soon he is fired for being late on his job. 

But the girl is now in a situation of extreme difficulty--- she needs to pay the rent of the house she lives in. The Tramp starts doing all he can to help the girl, which he succeeds in doing, but for which he needs to sacrifice a lot.

The film has an important subplot. One day, the tramp convinces a drunk wealthy man not to commit suicide. After this incident, the man starts thinking the tramp as a friend, even inviting him to stay with him at his house. However, as soon as the man becomes sober, he does not seem even to recognize the tramp. From that time, whenever the man is drunk, he suddenly recognizes the tramp as a friend. This recurring friendship will ultimately bring the tramp both the solution to his problem, as well as misery.

Almost every scenes of this film is filled with humor that made me laugh out loud! The very first scene shows the unveiling of a statue, but when the statue is unveiled, the tramp is sitting on the statue! Again, the scene where the tramp saves the wealthy man, the scene where the blind girl mistakenly pours water on him (intending to water her flowers), and so many other scenes!

The sweet romance and the Tramp's will to help her, despite himself being a, umm, tramp, is extremely touching. Later in the film, the misery the Tramp has to go through is very emotionally intense. Chaplin crafts the entire film so well, with such talent, with his great direction, screenplay and acting. The antics of the Tramp are extremely funny, and Chaplin, with his great skill, brings that to screen brilliantly. Virginia Cherrill as the blind girl gives an excellent performance as well. The ending is very touching and beautiful.

Overall, this is a masterpiece. City Lights extremely funny sweet, touching, wonderful romantic comedy that I'd recommend to everybody!

5 out of 5!

''ParaNorman'' and ''The 39 Steps''

ParaNorman (2012 movie)

Directed by: Sam Fell, Chris Butler
Released: 2012
Country: United States

Cast: Kodi Smit-McPhee, Jodelle Micah Ferland, Tucker Albrizzi, Anna Kendrick, Casey Affleck, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Leslie Mann, Jeff Garlin, Elaine Stritch

Genres: Comedy horror, Adventure, Fantasy, Family

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

Review

Norman is a boy with an unusual quality: he can communicate with dead people, including his late grandmother. His parents don't appreciate this quality. He is bullied at school, being called a ''freak''.  He learns in school about a person who was accused of being a witch, three centuries ago. The ''witch'' gave a terrible curse to the seven people who had accused her, causing them to become living deads (zombies).

One day, Norman comes across his elderly and strange uncle Prerderghast, who tells him that since he can communicate with dead people, only he can save the town from the zombies by keeping the curse under control. Norman is puzzled, but after the sudden death of Prenderghast, his (Prenderghast's) ghost visits him, giving him instruction about how to keep the curse under control.

How can Norman control such a terrible curse, all by himself? There follows twists, perils, revelations, and humor.

ParaNorman was a fun watch. I liked the overwhelming humor, the comedic horror elements, the twist, and the truth. The voice actors do a great job. The visuals are also great. The scene I loved most was the final confrontation between the ''witch'' and Norman. It was superbly designed, and the scene following this, the scene at the forest, was also beautiful. Overall, it was a light and refreshing film.

3.5 out of 5

The 39 Steps (1935 movie)

Directed by: Alfred Hitchcock
Released: 1935
Country: United Kingdom

Genres: Mystery, Thriller

Main cast: Robert Donat, Madeleine Carroll, Lucie Mannheim, Godfrey Tearle, Peggy Ashcroft, John Laurie, Helen Haye, Wylie Watson

Rating: 4 out of 5

Review

Before he moved to Hollywood in 1939, Alfred Hitchcock, one of my favorite directors of all time, made many films in Britain, almost none of which are particularly remembered as his great movies. However, two of his British films, The 39 Steps and The Lady Vanishes, are often considered among his great films. The 39 Steps is often considered to be one of the first movies where Hitchcock showed his common elements: the excellent suspense mixed with humor, the man struggling to prove his innocence, and one of the very memorable features of his films, the blonde heroine. This is the film where Hitchcock introduced a blonde heroine who is found in many of Hitchcock films.

In the midst of the chaos that suddenly start in a music hall,  a man named Richard Hannay meets a strange and mysterious woman who looks very afraid and requ

ests Hannay to take her to his home. Hannay, though puzzled at the woman's attitude, does so. There, the woman introduces herself  as Annabella Smith demands absolute security and solitude, and tells Hannay that she is working to unravel spies who are going to smuggle a secret very valuable to the country. But because of her work, the spies are wanting to kill her. Hannay doesn't know whether to believe her or not, but nevertheless shelters her. Late at night, when he is sound asleep, Annabella rushes to him, apparently having been stabbed by the spies, and soon dies. Hannay, confused what to do, decides to go to Scotland, where Annabella was supposed to meet somebody important. Meanwhile, word gets around that it was Hannay who killed Annabella. Now Hannay can prove his innocence in only a single way: he has to expose the spies who are planning to smuggle the secret out of the country.

Alfred Hitchcock's excellently directed film really fascinated me. I hadn't watched a Hitchcock movie for a while (the last I'd watched was Notorious, back in April), so it was great to return to his movies! I liked the depth of the situation and the characters. Madeleine Carrol, who played the first ever blonde heroine in Hitchcock films, gives a very remarkable performance. Overall, it is an enjoyable, suspenseful film and one of the earliest marks of the greatness that Hitchcock would be showing in future with such great films as Vertigo, Psycho, The Birds, Strangers on a Train, and Shadow of a Doubt.

4 out of 5

''The Lost Weekend'' (1945 movie)- Review

Directed by: Billy Wilder
Released: 1945
Country: United States
 

Main cast: Ray Milland, Jane Wyman, Phillip Terry, Howard Da Silva, Doris Dowling, Frank Faylen, Mary Young

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Review

The Lost Weekend  intensely explores the horrors of addictions- the psychological and financial horrors that can result because of addiction, and also how such obsessions can affects and may even ruin lives. The film tells the story of such a person who is addicted with alcohol; it presents a painful, intense, and disturbing story of the life of a alcohol-addicted person over a weekend, the reflections, memories, pains, hopelessness and fake resolutions of such a person.

Don Birnam (Ray Milland) is a recovering alcoholic ''writer'', apparently suffering from writer's block. In the very beginning of the movie, we see Don and his brother Wick (Phillip Terry) in their small apartment. They are planning to spend the weekend in the countryside. But Don has a secret. He is trying to put a bottle of whiskey in the suitcase, without his brother noticing it. Apparently, Wick is trying hard, extremely hard, to get his brother out of this alcohol obsession. However, Don gets the opportunity when his girlfriend Helen (Jane Wyman) arrives and tells him that she will be attending a concert, and has an additional ticket. Don persuades Wick to attend the concert with Helen. However, circumstances cause Wick to discover the hidden bottle of whiskey. Wick empties the bottle... and then Wick and Helen leaves, trusting that Dick won't do anything wrong, as there is no money in the house with which he can buy a drink. However, Don discovers the house cleaner's salary hidden in a sugar pot, steals it, and goes to buy drinks.

After returning from the concert, Wick and Helen understand in an instant what has happened. Wick is furious, and leaves for the country without Don. Helen waits for Don for a while, then sticks a note to his door and leaves.

For Don, this becomes the most nightmarish weekend ever, perhaps. He goes through so many incidences within this single weekend, he goes through a lot: depression, want of money, false resolutions, memories, and starting to have a distaste at life. He decides to start writing but he can't find the words! He needs alcohol! He steals. His heart breaks. He becomes depressed. What will happen?

It was a very intense and heartbreaking movie, and very engrossing yet painful to watch. Perhaps  most people who are addicted to drugs, alcohol, etc., go through these painful incidences. There are certainly cure for addictions, and people around the addicted person try to convince him that there is a way, there is a cure, there is no need to lose hope. But the addicted people are only thinking about the incidences, the heartbreaks that they had to go through because of this obsession. They have lost hope. Yet certainly, if people don't hate them, rather tell that there is a light of hope, that they can be cured, then certainly, the addicted people can have faith in themselves, and work to cure themselves. I loved the character Helen, played by Jane Wyman, because of this. She could get out of her relationship with Don, but she didn't. Why? Because she loves him, she wants him to be alright. So she keeps giving him hope that he can be cured with proper treatment and firm resolution.

Ray Milland portrays Don excellently, and absolutely deserved the Academy Award for Best Actor which he won for this film. The screenplay by Charles Brackett and Billy Wilder was amazing and vivid as well. The background score, which sometimes resembled those of horror movies, is very memorable as well. 

Mostly the film centers around the tragic weekend of the protagonist, and there are supporting characters as well, who despite of their small screen presence, give excellent performances as well. Overall, the film deals with a realistic and disturbing subject matter and is presented excellently. The protagonist, Don, represents the tragic lives of the people who are addicted with alcohol or drugs. The film is painful yet very powerful.

4.5 out of 5!

''A Beautiful Mind'' (2001 movie)- Review

Directed by: Ron Howard
Released: 2001
Country: United States

Cast: Russell Crowe, Jennifer Connelly, Ed Harris, Paul Bettany, Josh Lucas, Christopher Plummer, Vivien Cardone, Anthony Rapp, Adam Goldberg

Genres: Biographical drama

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Review

Ron Howard's ''A Beautiful Mind'' is based on the life of John Forbes Nash Jr., an American mathematician and Nobel Laureate in Economics. The film vividly explores Nash's experience with schizophrenia, his struggle against the delusions he experiences as a result of the condition, his doubt about what is true and what is not, and we see how he fights against the disorder and though the disorder remains, he eventually has faith in himself. Ultimately, the film leaves us both teary eyed and smiley. A Beautiful Mind is beautiful like it's name, deep and touching.

The first part of the film explores the young Nash's (Russell Crowe) life in university. He befriends his roommate, Charles (Paul Bettany). Some years later, he falls in love and marries Alicia (Jennifer Connelly). Eventually, a man named William Parcher (Ed Harris) gives him the responsibility of cryptography; he has to unravel secret codes and plots of the Soviets. He finds the meaning of the encryption, and eventually, he gets very absorbed in this very secret task. Eventually, he becomes extremely panic stricken that his work may bring him extreme danger. He starts acting very strangely, and is sent to a psychiatric facility. There, his wife wife Alicia comes to know from Dr Rosen (Christopher Plummer) that John has schizophrenia. And then Alicia comes across shocking truths: John's best friend, his old friend, Charles, had been only his delusion. Not only that, Nash's extremely secret work of cryptography and the man named William Parcher had also been simple delusions. Alicia is shocked, but is determined to convince John of the fact. John cannot accept the fact that his best friend was just his delusion. Charles, his niece Marcee, and William Parcher continue to haunt him. But eventually, he works hard to make himself believe that they are his delusions, to make himself become aware of his disorder.

From the very first, the three delusional characters, Charles, Marcee and Parcher, seemed so very realistic both to John, and also to the audiences. When we come to know that these three characters are nothing but delusions, we are shocked as well. We see these delusional characters both from John's point of view and the point of view of the world. John comes to know that these characters are delusional, but the three characters are themselves so strong and demanding that at first he finds it hard to ignore them completely, but later, of course, he starts regaining his mental strength to finally overcome the serious disorder.

The film was so well scripted and acted! Russell Crowe's performance is m0re than excellent. As Nash, a brilliant mathematician suffering from schizophrenia who eventually is successful in overcoming his disorder, Crowe is just excellent. Jennifer Connelly as the very supportive wife Alicia is great. The screenplay by Akiva Goldsman, adapted from Nash's biography of the same name by Sylvia Nasar, is very vivid and touching as well.

Ron Howard presents a very excellent and memorable film with A Beautiful Mind, sweet and touching. I'd recommend it to everybody.

4.5 out of 5

''The Shining'' (1980 movie)- Review

Directed by: Stanley Kubrick
Released: 1980  
Country: United States   

 Starring: Jack Nicholson, Shelley Duvall, Danny Lloyd, Scatman Crothers, Philip Stone, Joe Turkel, Anne Jackson     

Genres: Psychological horror, Thriller 

Rating: 4 out of 5    

Review  

Just think of it. Three people are in a hotel alone. There is no one else. Then suddenly, things happen to one of them, terrible things. He starts acting madly and violently- ready to kill the two other people. No, The Shining is not a haunting house film. Here, the thing to fear is not the presence of spirits, but the things to fear is one of the main characters. The ghosts just form a background that is very creepy as well.   

 Stanley Kubrick's ''The Shining'' is a terrifying film, first of all, and sort of ambiguous as well. The film is somewhat confusing, because we have no idea what exactly is going on, why certain things are happening to the characters, etc. But however, this is a pretty scary and one of the best psychological horror films I've seen. The atmosphere and situations are built up so well that it's impossible to deny the greatness of this film.     

Jack Torrence, a writer, takes the responsibility of the Overlook Hotel in winter. In winters, the hotel is closed because snow makes it difficult to move; Jack and his family will be the only people in the hotel. The hotel is located in an isolated area, with no houses or people around. Jack decides to use the isolation of the hotel as a chance to pay attention to his writing. Jack hears about a tragedy that took place in the hotel. Decades ago, a man working in the hotel had killed his wife and two daughters and then committed suicide. In spite of this history, Jack decides to work in the hotel    

The family moves to the hotel. Jack's son, Danny, is clairvoyant and telepathic. He can sometimes sense what is going to happen in future. And he has a mysterious imaginary friend named Tony.  

 Soon, Danny starts sensing unnatural and supernatural things in the hotel. Twin sisters. A flood of blood. A mysterious room at the hotel, Room 237.     

Jack slowly starts getting violent, extremely violent. His nature starts changing: from a gentle person, he starts getting violent and, in short, mad. He senses ghostly presences in the hotel, encounters men from the hotel's past, and then he gets eager to murder his wife and his son...    

 The film repeatedly reminded me of a word: isolated. Just think of this. The hotel is situated in an isolated area, with no houses, no neighbors around, but only mountains and snow. And in this hotel, the three members of the family live around. You can probably guess how well the situation is built up. The production design is pretty marvelous. The hotel is luxurious and vast, which amazes not only the characters but also the audience. The background music is suitable and creepy and ghostly all around.    

 Jack Nicholson is great in his role. The character slowly becoming crazy- Nicholson portrays that very well. His performance is very scary and effective. One of the few disappointments in this film is Shelley Duvall's performance. Shelley plays Jack's wife Wendy, a very important character in the film, but her performance is rather ineffective, I should. As the son, Danny Lloyd gives a satisfying performance.     

Overall, this is a splendid psychological horror film. This may not be one of my favorites of this genre, but however, I enjoyed and liked it a lot.    

 4 out of 5

''Paths of Glory'', ''The Children's Hour'' and ''50/50''

Paths of Glory (1957 movie)

Directed by: Stanley Kubrick
Released: 1957
 Country: United States

Genres: War drama 

Main cast: Kirk Douglas, Ralph Meeker, Adolphe Menjou, George Macready, Wayne Morris, Joe Turkel 

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Short review: Paths of Glory takes place during the World War I. General Mireau takes the responsibility of taking the Anthill, a strong German position. Mireau gives the responsibility of the task to Colonel Dax's (the great Kirk Douglas) regiment. The attack, however, becomes unsuccessful. Mireau is furious, and decides to court martial 3 soldiers from each company. However, Colonel Dax tries to protest, saying that the soldiers must have had their reasons for not advancing towards the Anthill. Mireau doesn't pay attention. Despite Dax's attempts to protect them, the three soldiers are sentenced to death. Awaiting their death, the three soldiers lament that they had their reasons, the attack was unsuccessful because of the facts that so many soldiers were dying, there was gunfire and violence all around... So why have they been so unfairly sentenced to death?

I loved this film. It was sentimental and sad. The subject matter was very emotional. Surely, one of Kubrick's best films.

4.5 out of 5

The Children's Hour (1961 movie)

Directed by: William Wyler
Released: 1961
 Country: United States

Genres:Drama

Cast: Shirley MacLaine, Audrey Hepburn, James Garner, Miriam Hopkins, Fay Bainter, Karen Balkin, Veronica Cartwright

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Short review: The Children's Hour is nothing short of a masterpiece. It's a very emotionally intense, sad and touching film. The plot centers around two young women who run a girls' school, Karen Wright (Audrey Hepburn) and Martha Dobey (Shirley

MacLaine). Among their students is Mary (Karen Balkin), whose misbehavior often causes the two teachers to punish her. Mary wants to get rid of this school. She thinks that the teachers hate her. Eventually, Mary runs away to her grandmother one day, and tells her that Miss Wright and Miss Dobey are lesbians, and describes to her such things which make her grandmother believe the lie. Mary's grandmother, Mrs Tilford (Fay Bainter) spreads the lie, causing the parents to take away their children from the school. The lives of Miss Wright and Miss Dobey turn upside down. This lie destroys their life. People point at them and laugh. They become miserable. Karen's fiance is forced leave her...

This is a very sad and touching movie. How a lie can change people's lives, is clearly portrayed in this film. The screenplay and dialogues are brilliant. I won't comment on the acting of MacLaine, Hepburn and Garner, because perfection can easily be expected from great stars like them; it is the acting of the two child actors, Karen Balkin and Veronica Cartwright, that impresses me. Balkin, as the little antagonist Mary, gives a splendid performance. Cartwright, who had played a supporting role in Hitchcock's ''The Birds'' and whose sister, Angela, starred in ''The Sound of Music'', gives a terrific performance as Rosalie. Mary strengthens the lie by blackmailing Rosalie. Rosalie had stolen a bracelet from one of their classmates, and Mary blackmails that if Rosalie won't support her in her lie, she (Mary) will reveal what Rosalie has done.

This is a great film, with a great subject matter and great direction from William Wyler, and great performances from both the lead and supporting cast.

4.5 out of 5

50/50 (2011 movie)

Directed by: Jonathan Levine
Released: 2011
Country: United States
 
Main cast: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Anna Kendrick, Seth Rogen, Bryce Dallas Howard, Angelica Huston

Genres: Comedy-drama

Rating: 4 out of 5

Short review: Here's a lovely, bittersweet comedy-drama. It's about Adam (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), a 27-year-old man, who discovers that he has a rare cancer, and that he has only 50/50 chance of survival. And there is a mother who worries too much, a father with Alzheimer's disease, a best friend whose behavior is not quite pleasant, a girlfriend who is cheating on him, and a very caring young therapist. The film lightheartedly explores the difficulties, thoughts, tensions, and fears that a cancer patient has to go through. Though dealing with a very realistic topic, the film presents it in a light manner. The film gives us a portrait of what cancer patients go through, their tensions, fears, longing; the tensions and fears that are always present, the fears about whether they are going to survive or not. 

The acting is top-notch. Joseph Gordon-Levitt, as Adam, is excellent. Anna Kendrick, whom you may know from the Twilight saga, is excellent as the therapist. The beautiful Bryce Dallas Howard is excellent as always (she plays the role of Rachel, the girlfriend who is cheating on Adam). Rachel, a young painter, after knowing that her boyfriend has cancer, does all she can. She doesn't leave him, rather takes care of him. But later when Adam comes to know that she is cheating on him, he breaks up and burns the painting that she made for him. It's sort of shocking, because though Rachel was cheating on him, she indeed cared for him, and though it's natural that Adam was furious, his response also wasn't totally fair, because, despite what she did, Rachel had tried her best to take care of Adam.

The film not only gives us laughs, but also smiles, tears, and tensions. The film talks about a very grim subject matter mostly lightheartedly and humorously, and presents to us a very realistic topic that rarely becomes disturbing; the film helps us to look in depth of the suffering of cancer patients, and along with it's light manner, the film also has an inner depth that is grim and thought-provoking.

4 out of 5