londonmapper Reviews

Nero's Guests (2009)

A must watch

[9/10 · 6 December 2019]

This documentary places the 1991 liberalization of India, Monsanto and BT cotton issues, the growing of sugarcane, the hype about wines from Nashik, the growing costs of food in India, the increasing numbers of farmer suicides 9numbering 250, 000 in 2009 and around 350,000 in 2018), the role of the Indian media in keeping this hidden and the growing angst among Indian people in perspective. I highly recommend this touching yet hard hitting film to anyone connected with India, to understand what is truly happening in the country in its people's most basic necessity.

Note: The name "Nero's guests" refers to Tacitus's accounts of Nero's inept administration skills and his setting fire to poor and marginalized people (they would often be labeled "Christians' at that time) in order to provide lighting to his guests in his garden parties, as well as making them feud with dogs for the entertainment of these 'guests'. It asks we the people whether we want to choose to be silent "Nero's guests" apathetic and thus supportive in our silence to what is being done (by multi national corporations, national and state level governments and local money lenders) to the farmers of India.

Ram Ke Naam (1992)

Should be mandatory viewing for every Indian

[9/10 · 21 November 2019]

Despite having been a youth during the Ayodhya riots, my knowledge of the topic was as incomplete as most people of India. I had seen riots in the city I lived in, had seen the timber shops that I passed for years while walking to school burnt. 5 years later, I walked the same roads and found that the timber shops had risen again, only the ownership had changed, as had the governments. This movie - with interviews with the actual people who 40 years later had placed the idols in the mosque, the mahants who have been conducting pujas for the last 40 years, and imams of the mosque, as well as residents of Ayodhya - makes the truth amazingly clear. That the VHP and BJP together created an issue in 1985 of a non issue, mainly to come to power. That the Congress and all other parties either colluded with them or sat silent. And that the issue was started in 1949 by the DM ordering placement of the idols, then sealing the premises, and then joining politics and becoming an MP! That things were no better in 1949 than they are in 2019! Highly recommended viewing for every Indian. A big thanks to well wishers for uploading this documentary on you tube. Now that I have downloaded it, it wont matter if they remove it!

Kota Factory (2019–2021)

An endearing series, with excellent acting, puns, music and cinematography

[9/10 · 23 May 2019]

This series from TVF is extremely cute. Tracign the lives of students in Kota, a town in India which is popular for its coaching classes that prepare aspirants for the IIT JEE entrance exam. IIT tends to be viewed by Indians as a sure fire passport to the best universities in USA and the highest paying jobs in the world, hence there remain tremendous pressures of youngsters in India who try to pass their entrance exams. Kota factory showcases this beautifully.

Every actor has performed truly well, even though for some, it was their first visit to Kota or for that matter, to any coaching class.

The series has been shot mostly in black and white, and gives an amazingly poignant feel to it. If you are more than 30 or 40 years old, it is even more interesting as it is an older person's first glimpse into what happens in Kota.

The series has English subtitiles, thus can also be watched by people who don't know Hindi. The series is interspersed with poignant scenes, wisdom, innocence, jokes and puns. An excellent viewing experience :)

The China Hustle (2017)

Informative and revealing how scams never cease

[8/10 · 14 May 2018]

An excellent movie to watch. While the film does make some ridiculous generalisations ("there is no rule of law in China"), it is extremely revealing how nondescript Chinese companies that Chinese investors would not have touched with a barge pole were sold as "the next hot thing" to unsuspecting US based investors.

Of course, they could have done some homework and only invested in the 210 massive stable Chinese companies that are listed in the Hong Kong stock exchange or the 40 largest private companies like BYD listed in HKEx, greed seems to have got the better of them. In that case, retired people are no different from wall street bankers, except that the former tend to lose all they have while the latter get richer with 1 in 100 going to jail for seven years.

The documentary features excellent interviews with the wayer who represented these firms Mitchell Nussbaum, whistleblower Dan David (who is likable but at times emerges looking like a wannabe Michael Blurry from The Big Short) and Retd. general Wesley Clark who spoke at many of "investment seminars" held from 2008 to 2016 by the lead firm that sold those c#@ppy stocks and is the focus of the film (Roth Capital).

An excellent useful use of 2 hours of your life :)

Jack Reacher (2012)

Excellent - In the same league as the Bourne movies

[8/10 · 20 December 2016]

If you are looking for non stop thrills and action, this is THE movie to watch. A feel good movie, in the same league as the Bourne films and a tad more entertaining than the MI series.

The stories that you have read of the film are not spoilers - that is revealed within the first ten minutes. After that - it is a series of thrills as usually Tom Cruise can be expected to deliver.

Totally loved every minute of watching this film. The film contains all the elements of the usual FBI spy agent films. The action films of Tom Cruise - especially the bar scene is fantastic, even though you are expecting it to be.

Snowden (2016)

An excellent movie - a must watch for every person from any country

[8/10 · 20 December 2016]

I watched Snowden after watching an interview with Oliver Stone. I had already seen Citizen four (an equally riveting film) and wondered what more Snowden could offer.

Turns out - Stone was right. This movie is filled with surprises about Snowden's life that I never know of. No spoilers here - Just that you will start to notice new "revelations" within ten minutes of this film.

It also answers a popular retort that many of us give - "What does it matter if the government is keeping an eye on my communications? I have nothing to hide." (That used to be my retort till I saw this film) They say that some movies have the power to influence the way you think. this is one of them.

Do yourself a favour - watch it.

If not for anything else, then just for the intelligent dialogues and the sheer guts that a hitherto common man showed in our own lifetime.

Endgame (I) (2015)

An excellent film that will touch your heart and make you smile

[8/10 · 13 August 2016]

Endgame was among the nicest films I have seen this year. Based on the true story of a young rolly polly boy who lives in USA with his Mexican mother, elder brother (a star player of his school team) and his grand mother who has been teaching him chess.

The film starts to move forward within minutes, and saying anything else would be a spoiler (so yes - a lot happens - every few minutes!).

Some moments of the film tug at your heart (I could sense moments where I may have felt - and I am sure many other viewers too may have felt a feeling of deja vu - just like this child, albeit a few decades ago). Others make you smile, and some make you laugh.

If there is one thing this movie is, it is genuine. No pretenses.

It is only at the end that one realizes that this film is based on a true story of a small town in Texas.

The acting by everyone is excellent - especially the kids who act exactly like kids would have behaved. The music is lovely - Mexican style guitar mixed with simple songs.

Highly recommended viewing. Even if (perhaps especially if) you do not have any interest in the game of chess. For the film is more about childhood, dreams and people that about the game. And That, is a universal theme.

M*A*S*H: The Longjohn Flap (1973) Season 1, Episode 19

Among the funniest MASH episodes

[9/10 · 29 November 2015]

In the biting cold of Korea, Pierce receives Long Johns from home. Due to a lack of warm clothing in the unit, this soon becomes a much treasured and coveted item. He loses it to kindness, radar wins it in poker, it then moves on to the camp chef in exchange for a lamb chop and so on, resulting in hilarious twists and turns on its route, pun intended.

This is one of the first episodes that showcases what would become recurring themes in MASH - of the biting cold in Korea, the ineptitude of Army supplies (they send the MASH 4077 a full stock of summer shorts in winter, which Henry sends his "heartfelt appreciation for, but..." and the evergreen character of Klinger (Jamie Farr).

Permanent Roommates (2014–2023)

Every episode is intelligent and filled with laughs - Do not watch sitting in your office!

[9/10 · 28 November 2015]

It is difficult to watch a single episode of Permanent roommates without bursting into splits of laughter There are 5 episodes in all - each progressively longer than the previous - and each is a gem.

The series traces the story of a boy and girl in a long distance relationship - after the long distance stage and when they meet and think of renting an apartment.

Anyone who is looked for a flat to rent in any town / city in India will spot instant similarities to real life experiences - which would have been hilarious if they were not 100% true. Somehow watching it here makes them funny. Like the lost housing agent (aren't most of them?), the kind of houses shown, the issues one faces daily as an Indian youngster and a couple (and a father, and a government officer, and a...) The series is mostly in Hindi (a bit of English), but has English subtitles on you tube.

Don't miss it. I watched a few episodes more than once :)

Baked (2015– )

Dull - despite a good star-cast and good intentions

[2/10 · 28 November 2015]

I stumbled onto "baked" film while watching "News Laundry" from the latter's other viewed channels. And expected more due to the latter. Sadly I was disappointed.

The storyline is good, so is the cast (some of whom also appears now in the fantastic TVF Pitchers including the main protagonist). Some of the surprises and laughs that the film throws do surprise you / make you chuckle .

But at the end of the day, somehow this film / mini-series simply does not make you feel it was worth watching.

Do yourself a favor - watch the first 20 minutes - and stop if you don't like it (it does not get any better after that)

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008)

The worst Indiana Jones film - don't waste your time trying to watch it

[3/10 · 28 November 2015]

I purposely used the phrase "trying to watch" as this is one damp squib after the previous Indiana Jones movies. That too after about two decades of the last one.

And this comes from a die hard Indiana Jones fan who has watched "... and the last crusade" more than a dozen times.

The movie is a sad attempt to cash on its earlier parts. The storyline (if you can find it) is thin, and so are any of the characteristic Indy chases. Most of the film is too predictable and only the thought that I had paid for the ticket forced me to stay put in my movie theatre seat. Of course Harrison Ford is good, and so are a number of the cast, but ultimately the movie simply does not work.

Save your time and money - and give this film a skip.

Watch the last crusade again if you want!

The Stanford Prison Experiment (2015)

Definitely worth watching, but a tad strong

[8/10 · 24 November 2015]

This is by far the best way you could ever learn abut the Stanford priso experiment (and the way we as humans behave when addressed by a person who seems to be in authority).

In fact the movie not just tells us about the actual 1971 Stanford experiment, but It also reveals a lot about how we as human beigns think.

It is difficult to write any spoilers, as all the information on the experiment is online on a number of websites. However much you may have read about it, there are a lot of interesting facts that get revealed as you watch the film.

The recreations are amazing. After watching the movie, I watched a TED talk by the actual Dr. Philip Zimbardo and was stunned how identical the person in the film looks to the real person! Ditto for the rest of the sets and the "prisoners" and the "mock up".

Watch the movie till the end - there are surprises at every corner.

Warning - The last 15 minutes need some strong stomach to stomach the scenes.

Platoon (1986)

An exceptionally strong film, but a must watch for everyone born after 1970

[8/10 · 24 November 2015]

I always found it odd that people spoke about PTS - it was only after watching Platoon that I truly realised what PTS is. The film shows us the kind of atrocities simple people like you and me carry out when in a war like situation that they are simply not prepared for. The same is perhaps also true for people in riots, civil strife and similar occurrences. The way their inner conscience probably eats them up every living day, once they are out of the situation, is what Platoon reminds us of.

Set in the Vietnam war, Platoon traces out the experiences of a young enlisted soldier. Mostly based on the director's own experiences in Vietnam, the movie reminds us in an honest yet gruesome manner the worst of war - and that there is nothing else to war.

"Platoon" should be mandatory viewing for every US, French and British diplomat and army man. Perhaps then they may learn something and we may have a world with a few less wars "created" by nations such as theirs.

Warning: The movie is heavy in content. I had to watch it in a few separate sittings simply to preserve my own sanity!

Experimenter (2015)

An excellent feel good film - a must for any person interested in psychology

[8/10 · 24 November 2015]

This film is NOT about the Milgram experiment ALONE (the one with shocks and the way we behave when prodded by a person in authority) - and that is what makes this film so interesting! The film is about Stanley Milgram the person. It only starts with his 1961 experiment (which occurred nearly around the same time as the Eichmann trials and Hannah Arendt's writings and hence garnered even more interest). It then continues to show the travails that he passed, his life and how the experiment changed people's perceptions towards him (some interesting reactions here - do watch it and be prepared for the surprises)! For such a popular experiment, there is a surprising lot that many of us (e for certain) may not have known - the film fills in that (large) gap.

There is one big difference between this film and the similar 2015 film "Stanford Prison Experiment" (which I also highly recommend) - This film has a far happier ending and hence makes it even more interesting from a cinematic perspective.

Do watch this film - you will not regret it.

The Diplomat (2015)

A well made documentary

[7/10 · 24 November 2015]

This is a well made documentary, by Holbrooke's own son (which adds to the suspense, as the viewer wonders about the relations between the director and the main character). What makes this film even more interesting is the candid remarks by Albright, Hillary Clinton and a number of eminent personalities belonging to politics and diplomacy - not just from USA but also from the Middle east. His ex wife also speaks rather honestly about their time together.

I started watching it thinking that this was a film, then realised after a few minutes that it was a documentary. Yet, it was so absorbing that I could not stop watching it. The film gives the viewer a number of powerful insights into how US foreign policy and action works, using Lebanon, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Serbia / Bosnia, Iran and Iraq as settings. The film is also rather honest, highlighting both, the victories and failures of Holbrooke, and this, I feel makes it appear even more credible.

In all respects a good watchable film for anyone interested in the secret world of international 20th century diplomacy.

Apocalypse Now (1979)

A Timeless Classic - Watch it with "The Platoon"

[9/10 · 23 August 2015]

2 hours + long - and yet I simply could not stop watching it once I had started.

I had seen The Platoon before watching Apocalypse now. The latter is absolutely amazing, and one touch less hard hitting than the former, yet leaves a lot to our imagination. Actually, I watched "the making of Apocalypse now" before watching the actual movie, and this made me enjoy it even more.

I think one reason is Francis Ford manages to tell this story "as it happened" rather than the way The Platoon was told, in other words getting emotional. Perhaps this is consciously done, as the "players" of the "war" (or should that be "interference?) in Vietnam seem to have gone about it all in an entirely un-emotional manner.

We can see repetitions of Apocalypse Now and its theme all around today too - whether it is Iraq, Afghanistan, or any other country in the Middle East that catches the fancy of Uncle Sam.

Keeping in mind that Josephy Conrad wrote this (US = Belgium, Vietnam = Congo) a good hundred years ago, I have a strong feeling that this movie and its theme will remain relevant for a long time to come - as long as humans behave like idiots and greedy war mongers.

I have added a few trivia based on the interviews of Francis Ford Coppola and his crew.