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The Kashmir Files (2022)
First telling of this story
Among the ocean of mediocrity that bollywood routinely churns out, this movie is remarkably different. Let us see what works in this movie and what does not.
1. The cinematic device of using past-and-present timelines is not very effectively executed. There is no finesse of Pulp Fiction type. The final slaughter meant to be the conclusion, was so disconnected from the rest of the movie that it could have been just an independent footage.
2. The characters of Brahmdutt and his friends are very poorly written. Their interactions seem forced. There are abrupt interruptions like the video call from Brahmdutt's daughter, which is never explored further. Even Radhika Menon comes across as unconvincingly manipulative. Why does she have to suggestively "smile" when singing the word "allah"? It betrays sincerity. A real Radhika Menon would sing that with conviction not with a sleazy smile.
3. The antagonists. Yes. The biggest problem is AN antagonist. How can such a mass slaughter, spanning across decades, can have ONE executor. Extremely cringy bollywoodisation (of Zanjeer vintage) of such a serious matter. The same person comes across every time any killing takes place. It is as if Bitta was singularly responsible for all the murders, including that of rousing the Islamic frenzy in each and every kashmiri muslim.
4. Then there is the protagonist. This movie would be much more convincing if Krishna Pandit would remain a manipulated pawn even till the end. All of us know and have met such manipulated pawns all our lives. An unredeemed "protagonist" works much better for this movie. Remember this movie covers a forgotten and ignored genocide. A movie like this CANNOT have a single protagonist or antagonist.
5. Shot selection could also have been handled better. But jarring shots was probably deliberate so as to mask the contrived-ness of the scenes. Witness the circular camera movement when Brahmdutt is lecturing Krishna or the now-slanted-now-inverted camera movement when Krishna delivers his final talk. Smarter writing would obviate such devices.
What works in this movie - a lot really. The agony of Kashmiri Hindus have never been given space in any media. No one has ever told their story to the wider world. In that sense, this was a "revelation". Whatever be the flaws in writing a "story" is more than made up by the perfect depiction of the horrors felt by the victims. All along the movie, there is a sense of an impending doom. In the movie that doom is shown as a climactic massacre. However the real doom is not the genocide (which is well depicted) but the forgetting of the genocide (which this movie does not explore).
What should have been done: better writing, better writing and better writing. Vivek Agnihotri handles the filming very well. Better writing would also give him better expression with the camera and sound.
Crime Patrol (2003)
Unprecedented
This series is unprecedented in the world of Indian TV.
For years, Indian TV has been riddled with poorly directed/edited/acted dramas all of which borders on the ridiculous without exception. They all feature lavish makeup/jewelry on the actors, very few of whom can emote anything of substance. Those who are talented find themselves stunted by the lack of anything worthwhile. 99% of the directors are amateurish and editors probably do not know ABC of editing.
Till Crime Patrol ...
For the first time, I find myself watching a Hindi channel ... and really looking forward to. Now even WW2 based shows and African lions hunting countless wildebeests (my perennial favorites) are relegated to the back-burner. Some of the episodes of Crime Patrol are so gripping that I do not remember watching any movies of comparable quality ... either Hollywood or Bollwood. Honest! I am not making it up.
There are crime deeds so wanton and so horrifying that I make sure no one younger than 25 gets to watch them. If I cannot stop younger folks from sitting in the same room, I flip the channel and bear with them through something fluffy. Then in my privacy, I search for those episodes on YouTube.
And did I say how thankful I am that all the episodes are present on YouTube unabridged!
This series has restored my confidence on the Indian police. The actors (esp Mr. Sanjeev Tyagi) who portray police officers in this series now look like super heroes ... nothing escapes them ... no criminal dares mess with them ... they will solve everything ... spare no wrongdoing ... avenge each victim. And occasionally they portray their human sides too (like when Mr Tyagi played an about-to-be-transferred police officer in search of a missing child).
Usually each episode depicts an independent story (sometimes in 2-3 parts) somewhere in India. Usually Maharashtra gets represented most frequently, maybe due to proximity of the crew. The names are fictionalized and some trivial events too ... but the ages/places/sequence is taken from police files and media clippings to recreate the story as truthfully as possible. And more often than not, the events are so recent that it boggles the mind. Very impressive achievement.
Suddenly a new unthinkable thing has happened in my family ... now my wife gets to scold me for being glued to TV.
The Private Life of Plants (1995)
Basis of life
It is well known that the plants form the basis of life as we know it. Except some archea and/or underocean geothermal power supported beings, rest all are dependent upon plants. That makes it is so utterly surprising that most of us would consider plants a boring topic and give anything to see a lion chase a gazelle even after seeing it umpteen times in Discovery.
Enter David Attenborough !
After seeing this series you would never see the plants the same way. David has a way of narrating natural world like no one else. I have seen many of his documentaries. But I must admit that nothing prepared me for "Private life of Plants". David has exceeded himself and it seems that it cannot be surpassed except of course when he comes with another of his tales. Watching this documentary is much more exciting than any movie, even for the documentary non-buffs ... for me who thrives on docus it is God's gift.
It is impossible to write about all the wondrous plants, extraordinary flowers, brilliant adaptations, exotic geographies and many more that David chronicles. And after all you have seen, you will be far from saturated ... you will wish to watch 100 more such episodes.
Cannot give it less than 20 stars out of 10 !!!
WALL·E (2008)
Cuteness conquers everything !
Movies do not come cuter than this. Wait ... nothing comes cuter than this ! You have to see it to believe it.
Wall-E is a robot which has characteristics of a two year old child and physique resembling a dog. For the first 15 minutes you see how this robot works in the (future) uninhabited earth ... nobody speaks in this part and you suspect how the movie will proceed. Things get moving after Eve visits, befriends and leaves Wall-E. Watch the movie to know who Eve is and what happens afterward.
The high points of the movie are the space dance and reawakening of Wall-E. Even though Pixar never disappoints, with this movie they have raised the expectations sky high. The movie feels like a 'real' movie. In other words it combines the best of 'movie' and 'animation'. I am eagerly waiting to see what Pixar comes up with next. Movies rarely come better than Wall-E.
The Straight Story (1999)
Straight out of Paradise !
Fifteen minutes into the movie and this is what your reaction is likely to be -- WOW !!!
First the technicals : background score - superb, filming location - breathtaking, camera work - amazing, dialogs - something to remember, characters - straight out of haven ... i could go on and on. each aspect sufficient to ensure this movie in movies hall of fame.
But let me talk about the heart. Did I say heart ? Yes sir, this movie has got a heart ! Sentimentality which is not mushy. Grandpa's lessons which you like to hear again and again. Families having so much warmth, you wish to be around with them always. Kindness which makes your heart swell. You are likely to sit in awe of this wonderful movie after it ends, not wanting to move. In a world of movies ridden with expletives you wouldn't believe a movie like this exists.
Thank you David for bringing us back to haven !
Blue Velvet (1986)
Talk of serendipity eh
Let us talk of serendipity ... amateur detective activism by serendipity !
why would you spot a cut ear in your neighborhood ... serendipity ! why would a detective live in your neighborhood with a pretty daughter ready for dating with you .. serendipity ! along with dating why would she agree to become your associate in the most bizarre outburst of detective creativity ... serendipity of course stupid ! what an idea of dating BTW !! in your first crime detection foray why would you find a key resting in the kitchen table which happens to be exactly the key needed to open the doors ... serendipity honey ! all this and followed by more and more windfall of luck. one would be sufficient to make James Bond happy !
usually in any movie with such a plot you would laugh hysterically. this dud of a movie does not even manage to induce a smile ... only long yawns. strictly avoidable fare. looks old and jaded too in addition to being a soporific crime thriller.
one recommendation though - look for the expression in the face of the detective when he is first informed about the cut ear ... you would be forgiven to think as if he himself committed the crime.
Fight Club (1999)
Drivers of Fascism
One of the most thought provoking movies I have seen. It aims to shed some light on the originators of fascist movements taking root all over the world. Everywhere someone - some twisted mind - is out there to take control of emotionally vulnerable people and then channelize it to their own end. To make the connection with fascism clear, in one of the memorable scenes Tyler asks its recruits whether they have black shirts/jackets/etc - recall the Blackshirts of Mussolini URL = http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blackshirts . Take the Al-Qaeda, Lashkar or Hitler, Stalin all seem to have a basic lack of respect for human life and they all are like Tyler ... the only difference being Tyler (I mean Norton) tries to redeem himself in the end. Sure as hell we know rest of the Hitlers and his ilk never knew what they were doing ...
And why just fascists ... even religious preachers, communists or just about anybody who is fanatic enough to convert others to his point of view with a crusaders zeal (to the point of trying to eliminate people if they do not convert) all come under the scanner in this brilliant movie.
On a different note, for a long time I was under the impression that this movie is one of "Fast and furious" varieties ... am happy that ultimately I overcame my inhibition to see this masterpiece.