dasdebanjan-27889 Reviews

Rashomon (1950)

Distinguish work

[10/10 · 16 January 2023]

Rashomon is a crime drama film by Akira Kurosawa.

If we treat the entire film as a one story, the accounts by the main characters in the film on the 'murder and rape' are each itself a substory. The framework on that done by Akira Kurosawa is very interesting. He unfolds a social scenario of medieval Japan through the woodcutter, priest and the common man. This is why we don't need very exact background of the notorious bandit Tajomaru. He and his crime is not acceptable in the society. To punish him a trial session is made. The camera here is leveled with the height of eye witness. A brilliant interpretation from the director. Imagine the first version from the woodcutter. Like these the whole cinema stands on the great camera work. Actor Toshiro Mifune, Machi Kyo, Masayuki Mori and Takashi Shimura are impressive in their work.

Ponniyin Selvan: Part I (2022)

Good story and better cinematography

[5/10 · 11 January 2023]

The film starts with the prologue by Ajay Devgan and the story takes nearly 3 hours to complete.

'Chakravarty' Sundar Chola has two sons and a daughter. While one son Aditya Karikalan is invading through the north, the other son Arunmozhi Varman is heading towards the Lanka. In a war Aditya defeats Rashtrakuta. After the win Aditya sends Vandiyathevan to Kadamboor to investigate secretly and after that he will go to Tanjore to inform to 'Chakravarty' and he is ordered also to meet Aditya's sister Kundavai at Pazhayari Palace. If the first part of the three hours tells Aditya's story and the adventure of Vandiyathevan. The second part goes to Arunmozhi who is known as Ponniyin Selvan. The entire film stands on the conspiracy happening inside and outside the Tanjore palace. You have to wait for the 2nd part to see what happens in the next.

Viewers may ask about the comet in the film. But I will say that why are you using our fort in a scene. The set design is good enough for the film. And in realty the swords are too heavy to move. The actors in this film are good, excellent music. You will find possibly a great scenerio of that time.

Snow White and the Huntsman (2012)

Steady performance by all in this film, a good weekend movie

[5/10 · 31 December 2022]

Ravenna(Charlize Theron) has a shady past. Using her dark power she becomes the queen of the king Magnus and killed him on the very first day. With the help of Finn she captures the castle and the princess Snow White(Kristen Stewart) is sent to prison. With this, misery comes down over the people. Ravenna has a mirror, which tells the truth. The magic mirror tells Ravenna that to achieve immortality she needs the heart of the princess. On the other hand, after escaping from prison, the princess is chosen to end the misery upon her people. With the help of dwarves, William and the huntsman(Chris Hemsworth) she attempts to reach Duke Hammond's castle. On her way Ravenna manages her to eat an apple. Princess finds the apple given to her is poisoned. Ravenna leaves, but the princess must stay alive.

Actors specially in the main characters are well. Well costumes and balanced cinematography.

Gravity (2013)

Overall a good film, down to earth

[7/10 · 29 December 2022]

Three astronauts is in space. When Ryan Stone(Sandra Bullock) and Sheriff are repairing the Hubble Telescope, Matt Kowalski(George Clooney), a veteran astronout and the commander of the space shutter Explorer is giving them company. He continuously talks to Ryan in between explorer captain and mission control. Now reports are received that space debris are coming forth towards them, they have to leave the mission there. All dies in the shuttle. But, Ryan and Kowalski manage to survive in this disastrous situation. They reach near ISS where Matt releases himself in the space to save Ryan. The sole survivor of STS-157 Ryan have to return to the earth using Shenzhou space craft.

There is hardly a transition effect in this film. Which depict that 'How' is so important in this film. Must say that the film has a great continuity and becomes a one character movie in the end. To portray the space director uses reflections, lights, sound everything. Kowalski once says to Ryan, "You gotta admit one thing, can't beat the view".

The Jewel of the Nile (1985)

The sequel to the movie Romancing the Stone is a entertaining one

[4/10 · 28 December 2022]

In the film Omar is going to proclaim himself as the leader of the tribes in a ceremony at Kadir. Before that he asks Joan(Kathleen Turner) to write his biography. Joan leaves for Africa with Omar. She was spending times with Jack(Michael Douglas) on a boat. Now she will have the lavish palace of Omar to refresh her mind. Jack determines to go Greece. But knowing that Joan's life is in danger he comes to north Africa with Ralph and Tarak. Where eventually Jack gets know about the Al-Jawhara, the Jewel of the Nile.

Jack- Why'd you keep it from me?

Joan- Because I thought if you knew, you wouldn't come with us.

Jack and Joan tries to enter Kadir with Al-Jawhara to oppose Omar. But Omar catches them. Ralph(Dany DeVito) rescues them and they steal the show from Omar.

Talking about the post production, In this romantic comedy film the transitions should be more precise, especially in the desert scene.

Jack- Well, you got your story.

Joan- I got a lot more than that.

The Savage Princess (1952)

Mehboob's AAN print in Technicolour

[4/10 · 27 December 2022]

There is a community named Sang, lives in a village which is surrounded by the small hills. Their chief is Jai Tilak(Dilip Kumar). They are very open minded by nature as the agriculture is their main occupation. The Maharaj(Murad) admires the Sang people. He decides to transfer the power to the people of his kingdom. His brother Samsher Singh(Premnath) and sister Raj(Nadira) is against the decision. When everyone knows the Maharaja is out for treatment, he takes the disguise. And when Jai continuously tries to establish the inheritance in front of the princess Raj, immoral Samsher Singh captures Mangala who likes Jai, and throws her in Sikerwadi prison. She dies there and the people of Sang gathers to defend themselves. By the way Jai kidnaps the princess and they fall in love. In a dream sequence Raj mentioned herself as the princess of Tamle. Finally in the annual gathering Samsher tries to present himself as the king. But Jai again appears in front of him. Samsher Singh dies and Jai rescues the princess.

A good film from the 50's, approx 161minutes.

Aandhi (1975)

A good drama that rejects the trend

[5/10 · 26 December 2022]

At beginning we see Chandra Sen(Om Shivpuri) is talking against Arti Devi(Suchitra Sen) in the public meeting for the upcoming election. There are also other political parties in this contest. But Arti Devi has advantage in this ground as the daughter of K. Bose. She married J. K(Sanjeev Kumar) against her father's decision and unfortunately failed to continue their relationship further more. Their daughter Manu reads in Shimla now. After 9 years Arti and J. K come near accidentally like their first venture. J. K reviews their memories with Arti at Ashiyana. But the outside world plots to do harm in their relationship. When everything is going out of controll she steps up in front of the public. Director maintained the pace of the story throughout his film. Good songs with scenic beauty.

The Adventures of Tintin (2011)

Waiting for the next Tintin movie

[5/10 · 25 December 2022]

This is a good adaptation from 'The Adventures of Tintin' series by Hergé. You can invent the series afresh after watching this movie in home. I watched the 1992 Ellipse Nelvana animated series of Tintin then. The 3D animation and uses of motion capture is not new to me (watch- King Kong, Van Helsing, Avatar, Life of Pi). The expression of the characters are well. On the contrary imagine the sleeping scene in the Karaboudjan ship, which you can find exaggerated. In it's previous how Tintin meets captain Haddock is little bit tricky. But, the transition of the battle scene in the desert is absolutely overwhelming. Beside this, according to me sound could be more effective in this film. Anyway I am waiting for the next Tintin movie by Steven Spielberg.

Thirst (1957)

A good alternative final part

[7/10 · 21 December 2022]

Vijay(Guru Dutt) is a shyer(poet) since his college time. Now he is going through an insecure life. Because his approach to the society is different from others. Gulabo(Waheeda Rehman) is the one who wants to understand him. But there is also an another woman Meena(Mala Sinha) who liked Vijay in her college days. Vijay learns with the time as the incidents happen in his life and finally steps out from the unfaithful world. There is a lots of supporting characters in this movie. Excessive close up shots are there in a scene. Unavoidable dark spaces in a frame. Zooming in, zooming out with some striking editing skills. But don't miss the final part of the movie. It will take some extra time in the end. A good movie with 9 songs except some mistakes in the set design.

Marakkar: Lion of the Arabian Sea (2021)

You can watch it till the end, full of historical events

[4/10 · 5 January 2022]

To involve the audience as usually the director has used a lengthy amount of footage for the introduction of Marakkar played by Pranav Mohanlal. I think which is unavoidable. And it is visually stunning. A well balanced script, thus you can watch it till the end. In this type of films camera moves fast. So, when the characters having their dialogue inside a room, those camera movements just exaggerate the scene.

Naam Shabana (2017)

average film

[4/10 · 19 April 2017]

Naam Shabana brings forward the background of Shabana, a character from 2015 film Baby. Taapsee Pannu plays the role of Shabana in both films. The film starts with the failure of Indian secret agency to catch Mikhail. Mikhail is an international arms dealer. First half of the film is slow. But it is not boring. Throughout the film Taapsee assures us in her own way that she is quite able to handle the situation. But story does not allow her. In story Shabana is a sub urban girl. Ranvir Singh (Manoj Bajpayee) picks her & trains her for secret service. When the time comes Shabana is sent for Mikhail. Ajay Singh (Akshay Kumar) and Om Prakash Shukla (Anupam Kher) from Baby team are here to support Shabana. Finally Shabana kills Mikhail and Ajay Singh arranges a secure way out for Shabana.

Dangal (2016)

A good film

[6/10 · 26 December 2016]

The story is about Geeta, daughter of Mahavir Singh Phogat wins gold in wrestling at the Commonwealth Games. Obstacle comes in this journey at multiple levels. But Mahavir with his strong determination & experience help Geeta to overcome all these obstacles. Finally Geeta reach in the final. Aamir Khan & his team successfully make the audience a part of this journey and give them a learning experience. Thanks to director to keep the subject simple.Nothing special to say about camera work except these wrestling scenes. Same thing about editing. Music is used appropriately in this film. You cannot ignore these songs. A good film at the end of the year.