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SunnyBMS
Reviews
Lo imposible (2012)
Movie about being prevailed
This feels like a movie about previlage where one western/white family (who is apparently broke to begin with as they show them discussing
bad financial situation in the beginning) takes a vacation to a Thai resort, get hit by a massive tsunami and then in the end get a huge PRIVATE jet (assuming insurance with their governments help?) to fly the sick heroine to the best hospital in all of Asia located in Singapore, with just this ONE family in the entire HUGE aeroplane, while millions of other under previlaged tourists and locals are dying and rotting. I really hope this is not entirely a true story because it's sickening to watch the selective entitlement and previlage bestowed only to certain group. While I am glad the female protoganist got help, its almost leaves you with a bad taste with overly dramatic heroism depection. The real heroes are the ones that rescued them but the focus is entirely on the heroine and her superhero son. Only saving grace is that the oldest boy did a great job with his acting ( they almost made this boy look like a super hero, over the top but that's not his fault) and Niomi Watts is a pleasure to watch, good actress. Over all a BAD movie that failed to capture the overall emotions and damage suffered by millions during this unprecedented natural disaster. Do yourself a favor and watch a documentary instead, if you are interested to learn or just see the tsunami and how it affected people. This movie is more geared to immature audience that get inspired and awed by heros.
P.S I am not saying the main characters were not heroic in real life, I don't even know how much is true. My review is about the movie itself and the angle it took and not the real family involved. I am sure they deserved to be saved like everybody else deserved too.
Arangetram (1973)
Daring and enlightening
A lot of Balachader's movies broke stereotypes and much ahead of it's times. This is a very unconventional and shocking story of a daughter in a Brahmin family secretely turning to a prostitute to feed her large family. The mom keeps having children they can't afford to feed, there is a social message there. I don't understand some of the criticisms about portraying a Brahmin prostitute... why not! The point is that this girl was willing to do what it took to take care of the family and the fact that she's from a Brahmin family and her dad was a priest only drives the nail harder. It shows the guts this initially careless and naive young girl had, to do to what she had to do, given the horrible circumstances she was put through and sacrifice she made for the family that did not do anything in return. A very powerful story, wonderful direction and a very strong storyline with no frills makes this movie a powerful gut wrenching, poignant classic. Movies such as this are hard to come by, especially in the these times of unrealistic Hollywood and Bollywood movies made to appeal the masses. The fact that a storyline like Arangetram was not only conceived but turned into a successful movie shows what a truly great director K. Balachander was.
Aval Oru Thodar Kathai (1974)
Female lead role to die for
I have not seen a film with such a strong and meaningful yet realistic female lead role. I am not taking about superwoman kind of role here. Balachader's movies were way ahead of it's time and this is a fine example. They lead a actress is beautiful, strong headed yet so venaurable. As the other reviewer mentioned , the fact that the name Kavita became so popular is the best award an actress, director or a movie can ever get. A true gem in Indian cinema.
Marupakkam (1990)
Beautifully Narrated
The story is beautifully narrated. It's is layered very artistically in a way it's not overwhelming but still intrigues the audience, revealing the dying fathers past bit at a time. The dialogs are crisp and the acting
/plot is very realistic. This is how a movie should be! Definitely recommend this to Indian/Tamil/Indy movie fans. This is a rare gem.
Life of Pi (2012)
Prepared to be Wowed. Truly Magical!
I loved, loved the movie. Makes you think about it long after it's over.
Are there differences between the book and the movie? OF COURSE. So what?!? Many people have not read the book (including myself) and many that did read the book failed to understand/did not completely understand the spiritual and philosophical aspects of it, mostly because many terms are based on several philosophies from different religions and not to mention usage of Hindu philosophical and some Tamil words throughout the story. The movie somewhat simplifies all that and brings an otherwise impossible story to the big screen. It's truly magical.
You may want to look up "Life of Pi" terms for better understanding. Also there are a lot of words spoken in Tamil language and an entire song in Tamil – "Pi's Lullaby" which actually is a great song -
http://www.amazon.com/Pis-Lullaby/dp/B00A12VUM4/ref=sr_1_1? ie=UTF8&qid=1355507080&s=dmusic&sr=1-1
The movie has a lot of scenes that have so much meaning and depth if you understand the Hindu philosophy and culture. For instance - mom seeing revolving earth in the mouth of young Krishna, Lord Vishnu coming in the form of a snake to save the world or the Kathakali dance sequence. These scenes have deep meaning and importance to someone who is familiar with Hindu culture and the scriptures but even if you don't, the story is still very powerful and leaves a lasting impression.
Mychael Danna's score is awesome. Special mention -"Pi's Lullaby" This song is in Tamil language. Just like the movie, the sound track takes you to another world! Bombay Jayshree has such a soothing voice that will drift you into another world!
If you are an atheist, I don't expect to come out of the theater a converted believer, but it will make you think about the power of FAITH!
Run, not walk, to the theater and see this in 3D before it's gone.
P.S: To those who wonder and to Mr. Martel - I prefer the story with animals! This is what this book/movie is about!
Uncle Buck (1989)
A Great Feel Good Classic
A great feel good movie that will warm your heart. At first I was not sure if this is an 'adult' movie or just another teenage comedy about some crazy baby sitter. I ended up enjoyed watching it. This movie is for the entire family.
John Candy is superb as Uncle Buck. He brings the character alive. This is his first movie I watched and I am already a fan. The character was very obnoxious and very likable at the same time and Candy has performed the role really well. I was sad when I looked him up and learnt he passed away at such a young age. I plan on watching some more of John Candy's movies this holidays.
Watch it, if not for the heartwarming comedy, then for John Candy. It almost made me want to have a crazy uncle!
RIP John Candy.
Apoorva Raagangal (1975)
A Rare Melody
This movie is a complex riddle of 'raagas' (Melodies). The directory has very cleverly employed the ragas into the movie that adds a very appealing musical touch. If you don't understand classic Tamil (I can only understand about 60% classic Tamil), watch it with subtitles, even though English subtitles cannot do justice to some amazing monologues. The heroine tells a puzzle to distract the older guy she had just met. The puzzle sticks to your head throughout the movie as you are trying to solve it and then you watch in awe as the drama unfolds. I don't want to give away the puzzle nor the plot. However you need to understand Tamil well to get the puzzle or be prepared pause to read/ reread the subtitles.
The title "Apporval Raagangal" meaning "Rare Ragas" or "rare Symphonies" couldnot have been any better. This is indeed a rare gem and a classic raga!
Go watch it! It plays with your senses and stirs emotions.