eldiez4ever Reviews

A Curry on an American Plate (2017)

Funny and emotional, quite relatable for many Indians in the States.

[10/10 · 27 January 2019]

I watched the film when it first premiered at the Alamo Drafthouse at a film festival in Houston. It was hard to hear the dialogues as they were drowned by roars of laughter in the full house. Now everyone can hear the dialogues on Prime.

We don't get to see such stories about desi underdogs in USA. The protagonists are simpletons who are easily lost in the class system of India that's carried over to foreign soil when the Indians migrate to other countries.

A bitter-sweet story about a failing restaurant, run by an emotional owner KG Patel, whose priority seems to be his friends, more than his business or family.

When his landlord asks him to leave the premise in 30 days, KG worries about his employees' future more than his own.

When he is advised to replace his employees with a completely new hotel management staff, he replies that there is no point to keep the restaurant open if his long time friends/staff are not there.

KG also cuts his visitation with his own daughter short, to go help a friend whose teen daughter was assaulted by a guest at a wedding party. This causes problem in his ongoing custody battle with his ex-wife.

But perhaps due to this goodness in his heart. somehow KG does get by, despite a completely chaotic lifestyle.

What I like about the film is that all the characters are struggling to make ends meet, yet they are not negative in their thoughts or views. Despite their financial stress that keep reflecting in their personal lives, the characters still laugh and have a great time, and that positive energy attracts other positive souls, who help change their luck.

I loved how the director handled the satire so delicately and deftly.

My favorite scenes are (a) the two Indians walking to the restaurant with their lunchboxes and ordering tea. That was straight out of Hillcroft and bringing them back in the end was absolute epic. (b) The end title sequence, especially the dance. (c) The scene when Newton argues with his dad's nemesis in the restaurant. That is one cute puppy.

I am looking forward to a sequel.

Jake and the Giants (2015)

Great Children's Picture

[31 August 2015]

I caught this film last month as part of an animation series. The film is about Jake whose parents are kidnapped by the Giants and now it is up to him to save them. With Joanie and their dog, Jake leaves to save his parents. However the giants are bigger and stronger. But with determination, faith and mental strength, Jake moves forward to face his unequal nemesis. This is a very well-made film for children. Every kid loves adventure and fantasy and this is the perfect combination that will take the audience through a roller-coaster ride, with a great theme and an uplifting finish. The music is amazing. The story idea is captivating. The characters are well-written. I love the dog. Definitely a must-watch for everyone. :)

Third Person (2013)

Under whose watch is a child safer?

[7/10 · 12 October 2014]

This movie reeks of personal touches ... and the depth of Paul Haggis is all over the screenplay.

A boy who is taken away from his mother for 'the best interest of the child', dies while in custody of his father who was supposed to be the better, safer parent.

The father Michael, Liam Neeson's character, writes a book about this, involving his ex-wife Elaine (the character of Kim Bassinger) and his troubled mistress Anna (the character of Olivia Wilde).

The characters of Adrian Brody and James Franco are fragments of the writer, as are the characters of Mila Kunis and Maria Bello fragments of his wife's.

While James Franco and Mila Kunis' story narrates the child custody phase of Michael and Elaine, the story of Adrian Brody seems to be the part of his life when Michael is in Rome after his son's death and gets caught up in trying to save the life of Monika's daughter, as if in redemption.

The three stories tie up neatly at the end, leaving us with the hope for a better tomorrow for Michael and Elaine, in the face of their personal tragedy, due to ego and power during the custody battle.

The movie is a metaphor for the legal system and its tragic consequences. Despite the erratic mental conditions, the characters maintain their dignity and composure.

It is not a movie for an audience who are not exposed to festival films or foreign films and those who are expecting a simple, linear, crash-type storyline.

A Little Bit of Heaven (2011)

how about a little bit of research on oncology and some hope & awareness for cancer patients?

[1/10 · 9 September 2012]

So anything goes in Hollywood movies to make them pretty and saleable! Granted! But how about some correct jargons and dialogue like a medical instead of "your cancer is all over your colon" ... and how about, can a patient on chemo go to a public place like a night club full of smoke? oh wait she is accompanied by her doctor who just a while ago asked her for a "drink"... a drink? really? in the middle of treatment? I donno what to say about this movie... I wish it promoted a little bit of awareness and hope for the cancer patients instead of making it look like oh so rosy and then have an ending to make it romeo-julietish! Gael Garcia is soo good in Spanish films, I don't know why he acts so weird in English movies. Casting was mismatched. There was no chemistry. Why did they cast Gael Garcia? Kate Hudson did not look like a terminal colon cancer patient. Losing so much blood (which is unavoidable in colon cancer sorry Hollywood) will make her anemic and very sickly...not so much color and energized eyes ... And why are we rooting for her? The character did not come up in anyway that likable or extraordinary, even with her constant grin. Oh and those jokes thruout the movie... !!!!! speechless

The Day My God Died (2003)

Extremely Powerful Depiction of the hypocrisy of human rights

[10/10 · 8 December 2011]

This is a must-see film for everyone to understand what sex trafficking does to human lives, and what the girls sold to prostitution go through every second of their lives... the unthinkable act of selling kids as young as 6-7 year old who are constantly raped and tortured to satisfy their buyers, usually leads to their death through HIV/AIDS. Even after death, these girls are denied human rights when their cremation costs 10 times more than normal deaths. Kudos to CNN Hero Anuradha Koirala who continues her battle to rescue girls through her organization Maiti Nepal. And kudos to the rescued girls who continue to advocate this cause and join hands to banish sex slavery and trafficking. And kudos to the men who marry these rescued girls and help them get back a normal life which most of us are blessed with. This film is definitely a passage to the brutal and obscure life of girls who are sold to forced prostitution in exchange of foreign money.

Son of the Bride (2001)

Its like an Old Wine

[10/10 · 6 December 2010]

Today was the 5th time I watched the movie, although after a considerable gap and I loved it. It left me emotional and extremely content. Juan Jose Campanella, as in all his movies, champions the portrayal of this utopian love with breathtaking conviction. The script is perhaps one of the best that I have enjoyed in the last decade. Even though its so Argentine, it translates into a universal language of love, longing and life. Full of witty dialogues carried out by amazing performance and extraordinary insight into the present Argentine society thrown nonchalantly throughout the 123 minutes of the feature.

Ricardo Darin as Rafa Belvedere, a 42 year old restaurant owner from Buenos Aires, fits into the character to the tee.

The two stars of Academy Award winning Argentine foreign feature "The Official Story," Norma Aleandro and Hector Alterio play the parents of Rafael Belvedere (Darin) and once again carry the movie to its very deserving Oscar nomination. In this latest viewing of the film, I enjoyed more the at-times-subtle and at-times-sarcastic nuances of friendship and relationship.

Its a must see for everyone who loves their parents, their partners, kids, spouses, friends, employees, employers, colleagues ... etc etc etc

Its one of the most beautiful and uplifting film of this generation.

Campanella rocks!

Miracle at St. Anna (2008)

Are the critics Stupid???

[10/10 · 30 September 2008]

I have always ignored the warning to ignore the critics. After coming back from Miracle@ St Anna I checked the critics reviews everywhere and for the first time I said to myself "F$%K the Critics." Yeah the Italians are upset, the Americans are upset... but the hobos get an Oscar... I loved this movie. This was Spike at his best. If this is not great film-making, what is? How much more could he have done? The canvas, the storytelling, the entertainment value, the visuals, the performance, the spunk, the languages, the empathy, the friendship, the courage, the screenplay... Miracle @ St Anna has it all. Sorry Haters but this is a Spike Lee Joint that I went to see and I came back more than satisfied. I didn't even know that it was close to 3 hours when the movie finished. I just wanted it to keep on going. And thats when I knew I loved it. On my way back I was remembering when I went to see "Saving Private Ryan" and I can't help thinking that there were only 9 people in the theatre tonite watching one of the best movies of the year with me and I just don't know who to blame!

Frozen River (2008)

Real, Edgy and Entertaining

[10/10 · 1 September 2008]

Frozen River reminds me how blessed I am that I live in a country that allows me to watch the best of independent films every day...

Melissa Leo was of course amazing but Misty Upham just stole the show.

I am appalled by the beauty of the film and the story that is so novel and gritty. Courtney Hunt has held the film so coherently throughout. And with such powerful integrity of characters.

The Mohawk culture was so beautifully portrayed. I just loved it. The details on each character was so well observed.

I just wish there was a subtitle when the Pakis got out of the car so the people who do not speak Hindi or Urdu would understand the importance of the situation.

This one is a must see for anyone who loves good movies.

Uttara (2000)

Poetic

[10/10 · 22 June 2008]

I found this movie absolutely arresting and poetic. The shots were beautiful and the characters serene. The dialect was so well orated by the actors. Tapas Paul is such a good actor. And its brave of him to experiment with such artsy films despite his urban star status.

Being away from my own home, I can relate to the importance of letters which later became phone calls and now emails.

Dasgupta is a class act and I love the way he picturizes his films and tells his stories. Its so beautiful and there is so much depth into the stories.

I wish to see more such films from our contemporary Bengali filmmakers because we are not really only pop culture.

Granted it could be slow for people who are used to the commercial cinema and Bollywood but this is a must see for all art lovers.

Striking Range (2006)

Loved the First Seven Minutes, Loved the action

[10/10 · 23 June 2007]

Being an action film, Striking Range kept the mood going throughout with its brilliant sound effects and editing. The music and the start of the film was awesome. Music was great and the film had its action going throughout.

The first seven minutes was the best in the film. It set the mood which is what its supposed to do. The action scene with Lou Diamond Phillips and Tom Wright with a matter-of-fact discussion while facing San Banarje (the hot mafia guy) was amazing. I wish we had seen more of Banarje who brought so much energy and color to the scene.

Overall it was a great film and for action slick lovers this is a must see movie. Great work by Daniel Millican. And all you Lou Diamond Phillips fans out there, this is a comeback for him. He has his million dollar smile going and he is hotter than ever.

The Libertine (2004)

I really really like you now!!!

[10/10 · 8 October 2006]

Since I try not to miss any Johnny Depp movie, it was obvious I was gonna pick this one up as soon as it came out on DVD. Despite negative reviews about Libertine as boring, slow, etc etc from the 'avid movie watchers' I was certain the movie had to be good because I have faith in Depp's choices. Truly, Lawrence Dunmore did an amazing job as a director to bring the play to screen in such a powerful and intriguing manner - from the captivating first monologue to the most painful scene between Depp and Morton towards the end - the movie hooked me in its entirety.

Depp gave a superior performance as "Johnny, the Earl" and made it so believable, every moment of it --- the humor, the anguish, the despair --- all but the sex part of it! Samantha Morton was brilliant and John Malkovich was so magnificent in his portrayal of Charles II. The torment of Elizabeth and John was so beautifully built, and Depp's gradual change through the end of the movie reassures his existence as perhaps the best, brightest and truest artist in world cinema.

Domino (2005)

A Genius of a Filmmaker

[10/10 · 19 October 2005]

I must say I didn't have much expectation from the movie even though The trailer itself had Tony Scott written all over it. I thought it was one of those experimentals that studios made and it would only have those technical games that most of the times take you away from the story and all you remember are 'cool shots'. And then to my utmost pleasure, I found not only the subject so mindblowing but also the storytelling was so overwhelmingly amazing and sensitive - the love story so awesomely portrayed, the turn it takes at the end with passionate patriotism, the human element throughout the film, the goldfish, the humor and the wit - and the whole story never losing its essence between the 'cool shots'. WOW! I just loved every frame of the movie and hoped that it would not end.