ramsri81 Reviews

The Orphanage (2007)

Excellent Thriller from the Spanish Team...

[9/10 · 15 April 2008]

This movie is more a intelligent thriller with some scary scenes. The story revolves around a former inmate at a Orphanage comes back to her roots and buys that property planning to convert into a place for special children. The trouble starts when her son starts conversing with a invisible friend who brings just more than trouble. The rest of the story is very suspenseful and will turn out to be a very good thriller (with more European Flair) with a few scary scenes. I am very impressed with the recent horror flicks from Spain. They are high on quality, acting and likability index.This movie is definitely for people looking at a alternate story telling for a horror/thriller flick with a spooky house. The characters play their part well and location of the Orphanage itself plays out like an other character in the movie.

Memories of Murder (2003)

Memories of Masterpiece!!!

[10/10 · 14 April 2008]

I was lucky enough to check some discussion on Oldboy when many people were suggesting this movie is good. In fact its a lie, this is a masterpiece. I actually felt the local cop approach to being more comical, only after realizing it was a metaphor of the Korean Dictators who used similar approach to keep control of the people. The story based on a series of deaths at Gyunggi, in South Korea and the police department's individual handling the case. The initial supposedly random death becomes a thrilling game between the serial killer and the cops. The clues which they use to identify the misfortune involved in finding the result of each of the case is what really the core ideology of this masterpiece. The actors are uniformly brilliant , be it the chief investigator from the town, his mental sidekick, the inspector from Seoul and the chief. The various suspects add more mystery to the case than reveal it. The methods used for identifying the culprit are innovative and refreshing. I love the sound track, the classic ending and on the whole this special movie. If you love thrillers and don't have a problem reading subtitles then I can promise you will not be disappointed. For making a masterpiece this one gets 10/10.

Oldboy (2003)

Slow Poison to your veins....

[10/10 · 14 April 2008]

The brutal expression of this complex plot is what makes this movie a masterpiece. Chan Wook Park's latest installment of his Revenge series is clearly a work of superior art. The real winner here are the makers of the movie, the direction, cinematography, music, actors , their performance is immense and simply brilliant. The plot is complex but revolves around the life of Oh Dae Su getting abducted and locked in a prison for 15 years for no reason whatsoever. Then one day just like 15 years earlier he is released for one reason, to find he was locked. The rest of the movie shows how he achieves this and what are the twist and turns to achieve the same. The people who he meets during this time are really the real bearers of this story and the uniform brilliance in acting really makes the whole time spent on the movie worthwhile. The movie is very stylish, very graphic with blood and gore, very touchy on some I think this masterpiece is not given enough recognition over other similar movies. I hope this movie is never remade in any language since the subtle brilliance will definitely be lost in translation. I heard a Indian Crap was made lifting the story from OldBoy but we can blindly ignore the movie knowing nothing will even come close to the real masterpiece. This is deservedly in the Top movies in IMDb and should stay there forever.

My rating 10/10 for giving me immense pleasure in viewing this masterpiece.

REC (2007)

Frightningly Simplistic... Scaryingly Stylish...

[10/10 · 14 April 2008]

WOW!!!! This was one thrill ride. I am actually repenting for reading some of the reviews before hand since it could scared my wits of if I had not known the plot. The talent of Jaume is clearly expressed in the simple story of a documentary of Rescue Operation gone seriously wrong. The characters, the plot, the shocks, the first point view , the deaths all add up nicely for this movie. The main protagonist in the movie is actually a normal person like us who sees all the things which go out in a apartment block. The witty dark humor, racist under tones, the insecurities of the people living in a apartment block, political satire all are a part of the society we are living and portraying the same as a back ground one hell of a movie is a real achievement by the makers of this classic. I have seen Cloverfield and it left me with motion sickness, but this one clearly far superior and more engaging will definitely give you the scares when u think about darkness. The hysterical madness we are put through for more than 1 hour is worth it and is a definite winner. I was hoping this will be not remade into another Hollywood trash but I am too late. Hopefully Jaume involvement in that project will add the require class needed to make the remade movie successful. My rating is 10/10 simply for trying something different and still giving the scares.

The Wages of Fear (1953)

South American Adventure with European Taskforce

[9/10 · 10 January 2008]

This movie has supposedly won the 1953 Grand Prize at Cannes. The plot is revolving around a group of men who are penniless at a place (supposedly some South American Country) and accept a dangerous job of transporting some explosive chemicals through the rugged country. I was not quite sure of the setting of the movie, whether they were trying to name the title on poverty under which the men were or the adventure comparing with the risk of losing their life. Either ways the movie is full of nice scenes of camaraderie. The outdoor sets for this movie is extensive, and the depiction of the 1950's South America isn't that easy. All the places give us a very nice and nostalgic view on how beautiful the place was. The European task force consisting Messrs Yves Montand, Folco Lulli, Peter Van Eyck, Charles Vanel act important roles in the movie. The movie is about the conflicts of the actors needing money for different reason as for the emotions they go though in course of their journey to the land of no return. Really a master piece and even though many claim Sorcerer is a better movie than this (it is the 1971 remake of this movie) I personally feel this is a better movie. I rate this one 9/10

Izo (2004)

The Holy Fountain (of blood)

[7/10 · 10 January 2008]

Well everybody knows what we are expecting when we see a Miike film. He is one of the very few surrealist horror director in the world. This movie is everything El Topo,Terminator, Judge Dread, Rambo,Gothic & Roman Epics put into one. The story is supposed to be of a warrior who has returned to earth for revenge. The torture scenes will make you flinch, the various episodes will make you scratch your head and with all those crazy things you will still appreciate Miike's effort. The characters, the crazy ways they kill him, Izo's flawless performance, the music, the editing, the camera angle's everything is special. Its more like Miike has donned the cap of a psychotic philosopher who goes to preach the world with blood. Its really difficult to get a DVD version, but I think if you are a Miike fan you should definitely give this movie a shot. Having seen more weird things in his movies than in my whole life I can safely say you will not be disappointed. I rate this one 7/10

The Abandoned (2006)

Realistic Masterpiece

[10/10 · 10 January 2008]

What a movie? Was blown off with the story and the concept. The first film of Nacho after a few controversial short movies is really commendable. The story is refreshingly new and is much much better than the other movies in the horror festival. The acting is uniformly excellent and those scary characters are believable with nice landscapes. The summary of the movie is a women returning back to Russia (her homeland) to claim a property which has been passed as per will to her. The remaining of the movie revolves around she wanting to go and see her parents home and what unfolds is terror. During the movie she encounters a person who introduces himself as her brother. Don't miss this master piece. Frightningly scary. My rating is 10/10 for the story itself.

Saw III (2006)

Hello Everybody ..Want to see a good movie???

[9/10 · 8 January 2008]

Well One thing Saw Franchise always delivers is the tag line. They have been innovative and wicked in equal measures. Well lets see how this sequel to Saw 2 is. The story is more complex. The traps are more twisted and he has in fact out done himself on some of the sub plots present in the movie. I think the Saw guys are just fooling people when they there is no need to see the old movie to understand the story. With people who have seen the first and second movie itself it is puzzling in a few sequences, God save those who start the franchise from SAW 3. The story is the same, saw traps a few more people, asks a few to make decisions and based on the decision makers discretion some one bleeds (hmm ... Sweet!!!). The blood is there, traps are there, unfortunate victims are there and in the end it gives a satisfactory feeling knowing JIGSAW is no more there but a bit disturbing knowing there are still people trapped (meaning more movies from the studios to cash in on the SAW craze). Lets hope this is the last movie and a fantastic trilogy has come to an end. I rate this movie 9/10.

A Pure Formality (1994)

One Pure Cinema ....

[10/10 · 8 January 2008]

One word that can sum up this movie is Fantastic!!! The thing about this movie is I wasn't lucky like a few other people over here to watch this movie without expecting anything. I almost knew everything I needed to know about this movie even before I bought the DVD. The movie was a pure cinema in every sense of the word. I expect the movie to contain a decent story, good actors, a little bit of suspense, a little comedy (not mandatory) and a classic ending. This one provided me with all of these things and more. The movie is really a manifestation of some one's mind. The acting is uniformly brilliant. I know Polanski is a decent actor and I loved him in The Tenant, but here he is just pure Master Class.Gérard Depardieu is a legend in France and in International Cinema and he shows in this movie why is that. In a short summary the movie involves a person being questioned for staying out in the woods without any identification. When it turns out to be the Great Writer Onoff who doesn't quite remember how he came to that place. How the Inspector Da Vinci(Polanski) gets out the answer forms the rest of the story. Enjoy the movie except for one scene of crude nudity from Gérard Depardieu. That was scary!!!! I rate this movie 10/10 (inspite of Gérard Depardieu's scary back!!!)

The Unknown Woman (2006)

Slick and Cheesy Thriller.. Italian Style ..

[9/10 · 8 January 2008]

Well the summary of the story might sound like it is a Italian dish in your favorite restaurant but the fact of the matter is it is close to that. Giuseppe Tornatore has always been a director with unique vision and wonderful eye for his set location. His stories have fantastic sets created other than the story (in some case non existent). This one dwells on story and some fantastic suspense. On the face value I was skeptical about this movie offering anything nice since the Sicilian Sets weren't there ( well except for the apartment scene which was nice) but boy did it give me a punch. The movie is full of fantastically created scenes with the family and PIMP. The movie is about a Ukrainian immigrant who has come to work in Italy and wants to work as a care taker for a family who she believes has her child. The way in which she gets access to the house, how she tries to confirm her doubt on the child, how she gets man handled at the circus and how the PIMP traces are all fantastic scenes with cinematic suspense oozing from the scene. This was my second movie I am watching of Tornatore (first one being Melina, recent one being Una Pura Formalita) and I am really impressed with his movies. It gets a 9/10 only because the PIMP was really ugly (and scary). Nice movie ...

Almost Blue (2000)

Just a decent thriller with serial killer

[7/10 · 6 August 2007]

One thing I need to inform before penning down the comment is that I may have made a mistake comparing this movie with all the known gore thrillers so might not have got the deserved rating. Now a Italian town has a serial killer and he is a wacko. He is killing people. Well when you read the movie's summary from critics you may feel the movie is really special, but it ain't. Its a decent cop thriller with a serial killer. There was something bothering me through out the movie. I watched this one after "THE DEVIL'S BACKBONE" which was far superior in comparison. The movie lacked a certain tension or zest if you like to call for the crimes which would be committed by the supposed re-incarnation minded psycho. It was gore soaked (which was good by the way) but other wise nothing out of the ordinary. I generally look out of Hollywood to get good slasher thrillers and this one wasn't that. But I think the director can make a good tight slasher thriller by taking the good points out of this experimental one.

My rating 7/10

P.S: There was not even one breast shot of the lead detective.Why do you people make movies any more???

The Vanishing (1988)

Scarily Simple

[9/10 · 30 May 2007]

Honestly I dint hear about the movie until I saw the top 100 horror flicks from IMDb. Once I got my hands on this one, it was a hard choice not to see it. Well the movie was a simple and good one. Definitely disturbing for the 80's but owing to too much of violence and blood splattering movies it might not be too shocking for present day audience. This movie is different from other kidnap movies because we know all the time who is involved in it. Only difference is the relentless pursuit of Saskia's boy friend to know what happened to her. Well the tension and surrealness of the situation is very nicely shown by the lead actors and panache and effortless kidnapping of saskia is amazing. Definitely a good movie, but something seriously short making it not a contender for a great movie. Still deserves a good 9/10.

Suicide Club (2001)

Powerful and Thought Provoking

[8/10 · 30 May 2007]

I knew about this movie before I saw it, so there weren't any surprises for me when I watched it, but the message it sends is for real and intriguing. All those suicides happening all over Japan was (I guess) cinematic representation of the social situation over there. I like Asian horror, it involves you more in the movie and the characters in the movie. The most difficult part about this movie is you cannot explain the summary to anyone cause they would laugh over it. Its loosely based on the suicides which happen around Japan. An investigation opens up when they find out clues available at the suicide spot. Rest of the story follows up on whether the cops are right or not. Having said so much, I still think there were a few things I dint get in this movie (probably because they were lost in translation) regarding the ultimate motive behind all the suicides and small children asking those thought provoking questions to the girl.

All in all if you like the weird class of top notch Japanese movies and something different from Hollywood trash .. Please try this. My Rating :8/10

Apoorva Sagodharargal (1989)

Was a Phenomenon when released....It still is ....

[10/10 · 27 April 2007]

For starters the hype was always there when Kamal makes a new movie and one where one of the lead actor is dwarf tops it. When it got released it was a trend setter for how movies should be made by actors who know how to relive a role. Well the whole plot and story might be a fiction but Kamal's acting as a serious dwarf working in a circus and happy go lucky automobile mechanic is pretty brilliant. Was one of the best movies in my list for close to year or more. Music which could be catchy even today. Had the VHS tape for a long time before lost it completely would love to have it on a DVD for a collectors copy. Not seen many Indian movies for some time now but if there is any movie with little bit of Kamal in it you can bet your bottom dollar I would give it a try. 10/10 for just the inventive plot and keeping the secret of creating the DWARF till date.

Sadma (1983)

Watch It....

[10/10 · 27 April 2007]

Well I guess worrying too much on what people might think about a movie made from India is going too wayward. Whether anyone likes,appreciates,admires this movie or not it will still stay true to be one of the best movie genuinely made for actors portrayed. Well most of the South Indian movies are story based and increasingly character(actors) based. This one was just made to match the wits and acting skills of Kamal and Sridevi. Personally one of the saddest ending scene seen in films (Yes it includes international movies too). Plot revolves around the relationship between a single man and an amnesiac girl in a hill station and how things turn out in the end against the lead actor. Class Direction,Class acting,Class scenery... Just a Classic Master Piece 10/10 from my side....

All Kamal needs is one good role in a International movie to show the world what are the standards set for Indian actors in Indian movies(not just Bollywood)

Roja (1992)

Brilliant content ,Brilliant Score and Brilliant Direction

[10/10 · 27 April 2007]

Seen it ages ago ,still the memories stay as fresh as seen the first time. The deep struggles endured against militants who are humans also are brilliantly depicted in the movie. Well in the original language of the movie the scenes of village girl trying to cope up with the big city and north Indian culture are very vividly depicted by Mani(lost in translation in other languages). With a crew of supremely talented technicians and back ground staff Mani brings us another classic. He should also be credited for getting the best tunes of a innocently brilliant music genius. They just don't make music like those anymore. Personal Rating 10/10. I would prefer him to direct a movie remake of "THE TENANT" (original by Polanski)

Funny Games (1997)

Simple .. Plain...Terrifying...

[8/10 · 19 May 2006]

This one was long over due for me and for various reasons wasn't available to me for long time.But Finally have seen it ... :-) Well I knew what to expect out of a movie like these and in many other movies a reference to Funny games is made.. The plot was extremely simple...The story telling was pretty plain...But the excitement value was pretty terrifying.Not entertaining in any stretch of imagination but still a movie which definitely cannot be watched by all the people.The movie should have actually made it to a bigger audience but some how wasn't successful enough in doing it.The acting was uniformly good by all the actors and scenes where one of the strangers turns towards the camera and asks the viewers question was pretty innovative.These are the movies which leave people feeling comfortable even after you have finished watching the movie. Plot is pretty simple about a family coming to their summer home are taken hostage and are forced to play funny games with deadly consequences. A good movie (only to people who love this genre) and deserves a 8/10 in my book ....

Battle in Heaven (2005)

Plot was good ....everything else isn't

[4/10 · 19 May 2006]

Saw this movie after the hype surrounding the many nude scenes present in the movie.The actors and some emotion looked real but then when it came to acting it out, they weren't professional enough. Also the Mexican Culture and ways of life in the Mexican city also adds to the supposed plot.Some of the scenes was not needed (atleast to me) because they really dint add any value to the movie other than extending by a few minutes.Mascos looked good,Ana looked hot,Marcos's wife looked seriously obese and the marching soldiers looked fit and trimmed. I also saw a interview of Carlos and Ana which was taken after the Cannes shock treatment.He said he wanted to show real images and thats the reason he prefers débutantes in every movie.Also Marcos is supposedly a driver for his dad at the History of Cultural museum (that obviously explains his inclusion). Well the story could have been much deeper and plot a bit more refined. But its Carlos story so the verdict on this is definitely not very impressive.Still I like some shots of Mexico and the hot girl Ana.. 4/10....If you can watch it .. but don't worry if you have missed it.

Schramm (1993)

Serious look on Serial Killers

[7/10 · 19 February 2006]

Well for once I bought a movie only looking at the tag line.I really haven't seen any Jörg Buttgereit movies.The DVD I purchased had some trailers of his other movies, and comparing those with Schramm,I assume this is the most realistic movie he has ever made.It gives a good insight into the life of a loner/voyeur/serial killer and how things work out within his head.Right from the first scene till the scene he dies,the movie takes a look into the sick and disturbed mind of the protagonist himself.This film is intense,bizarre,weird,disturbing and most of all a bit original since no one would normally dare to go into the mind of the serial killers.Not in the same class of Jaime Rosales's "Hours of the Day" but still pretty OK.Definitely not for the squeamish and weak hearted only of you have a thing in for serial killer and extreme movies you can give it a shot (especially the scene where he nails his penis to the table .. OUCH!!!!).A 7/10 movie with some decent acting and bizarre scenes.

The Machinist (2004)

Sanity of Mind OR Insanity of Character????

[10/10 · 31 January 2006]

Well every once in a while we do get a movie which makes us enjoy the fact that movies were also meant to make us think about what we need to do in situations and what might happen if we do it the wrong way. This one is in the category of a dark thriller with a very dark setup with shady characters and sanity of lead character. Well giving away any detail in this movie would be a crime but to sum up the experience of watching this movie, IT IS FANTASTIC... The story revolves around a factory worker and his shocking deterioration of physical health due to prolonged insomnia.The twist and turns are deep enough to keep you glued to your seat for 90 minutes. The acting by the characters are brilliant.Cristian Bale should have got a best achievement award for just playing the role by losing close to 60 pounds and gaining it to shoot the scene where he is still good looking(Incidentally I watched the trailer of this one during the premiere of Bantman Begins and couldn't recognize Bale)Jennifer as his call girl /girl friend is good.The rest of the characters give a good performance to make this one of the best thrillers around recent times. A Definite Treat for Movie lovers...( I gave a 10/10 cause Brad Anderson's hasn't made many movies like this before except SESSION (.. Which is an other classic...) 10/10

Saw II (2005)

Oh Yes !!! Its Good.....

[9/10 · 6 November 2005]

Well yes, the critics gave this one very decent review and why not????This one, as many have already claimed is a very good sequel to the weak but extraordinarily entertaining SAW.The characters are well defined more traps more suspense and more RAW GORE............ Hmmmm What a nice recipe!!!! Well It starts from where Jigsaw left in part one, just trapping a few people in a house and asking them to get out if they can???? Well traps are as usual really innovative and gory...And oh yea there will be blood...in fact lots and lots of them.... I loved it... I saw the 22:40 show and was almost the only guy in the theater, and man I loved it.... It rings well for a SAW-3 but then the franchise may make this nice thriller into another disaster sequel... Anyways will wait and watch the third one also....Well I loved SAW so I gave this one 9 since its better.I know I haven't written anything on the movie but its for you to go and find out....

Las horas del día (2003)

Real Life is Scarry................

[10/10 · 22 September 2005]

This is one of the best movies I have seen, not because of the story, not because of the presentation of the movie, not because of the actors(all are brilliant in this on though), just the fact that real life is much more stranger and weirder than fiction. The pace of the movie added to the boring every day chores of Abel is what makes this movie special. I was expecting something exciting to happen through out the movie and when it happened it takes a takes some time to settle in. The fact that Abel doesn't feel a thing on the people he has killed makes it more special. No motive , no murder is mostly the case in many crime movies but this one breaks the stereo type and shows there are some things more stranger and weirder than motive. The actors are hand picked for their roles and Abel,Tere,Trini,Marcos and Abel's mom are just perfect. Well I like movies which leave you really unsettled in the end and this one does it to you. Probably "Funny Games" will one movie which you can relate but most movies wont come in this Genere. REAL MASTERPIECE ......... 10/10

Trouble Every Day (2001)

Another Subtle,Disturbing,Painful,Traumatic experience.................

[7/10 · 22 September 2005]

Well having seen the movie almost 4 years after its made also has its advantages, cause you may have seen more shocking movies than this or would have seen bad movies by the lead characters during the period.In fact thats what happened to me in this case,I wasn't shocked as I was promised with this movie but still Claire Denis does a very nice job with this one.Truly a story for the master story tellers a.k.a Polanski,Hitchcock,Michellangelo, .... but still good enough for a director like Claire. Béatrice Dalle does one hell of a job with her role and does it with authority, so does Vicent Gallo (I hated him in brown bunny). The rest of the cast also show how a movie can be ably supported by good actors. It takes the taboo's of society and hits them on your face. The last scene is testimonial of the whole mood and story of the film.Well giving anything away in this movie would be bad, but just for the comment sake its "a love story with a bizarre twist to it". I gave it 7 cause I have seen more shocking movies and I still don't like Vincent Gallo.But nice movie to really leave you unsettled for some time.

The Brown Bunny (2003)

Stop this guy from making movies..............

[1/10 · 26 June 2005]

I am of the opinion that every person has his/her own way of movie-making. But swear on the holy god this is seriously some psycho maniacs movie. Which language are those bozos talking in ???? What are they takin ??? Why is this crazed motoracer going cross country , why are they showing the whole damn ride till he reaches his destination, is it biographical??? If some one even is in support of this movie, they seriously gotta be one from the crew cause really cant see any body liking it....... Well lets face it ,I have seen a lot of movies without plot or even better a plot which I cannot understand. Just because a movie runs for 90 min with some sick soundtrack and one sick freak riding cross country, crying when some s*** is about to happen and meeting girls who are so freakin artificial you can sense it from the way they talk. Is this the way this guy makes movies??? If it is, then its way too bad!!! You want to see a movie about true freaks watch, taxi driver or tenant. Those guys were screwed up in their head but they had something going for them but this one damn, I wanna curse myself for getting this DVD....... Wats the big deal abt the BJ scene ???? Neither does the freak looks interested nor the b**** who gave it???? I wont even consider this movie being fit for the adults forget the kids.......... I would have loved the whole movie had they shown the whole freakin moto race for 90 minutes.

Serioussly don't like to give bad reviews to any movie only for the fact that the amount of work that goes into making one, but this time I am going to make an exception and give a serious 1.

P.S. Which language is the whole freakin movie shot????? I got a Dutch version and even the subtitles are in Dutch!!!!!!!! Wat Damn bad luck...

Pulp Fiction (1994)

QT shows why he is a super whiz..................

[10/10 · 19 June 2005]

This movie is almost incomparable in terms of the comical timing ,dialogue delivery,use of swear words, intake of drugs by lead characters, use of racist slang's. The characters chosen for the movie show through their acting why the part was written for them. Thought the movie has many loose ends, it still looks more on the lines for a sequel. I would have loved to scene a sequel for this one and the many of the untold stories to be completed. The roles of JULES,VIC,BUTCH,MIA and WALLACE are pure pleasure to watch and with Walken,Keithal,QT all making very valuable contribution this one is one true master piece. Don't know how many of the characters missed Oscar nomination?? Even though many people have said it before ,gonna say it once again THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST MOVIES TO COME OUT IN THE LAST DECADE......... 10/10 nothing less nothing more..........