review:Delhi Belly

Director - Abhinay Deo
Written by - Akshat Verma
Cast - Imran Khan, Vir Das, Kunaal Roy Kapoor, Poorna Jagganathan, Shenaz Treasurywala, Vijay Raaz

Country - India [2011]


Diarrhea, diamonds & blackmail. A refreshing comedy from the Indian subcontinent. Confusion ensues as a package of smuggled diamonds is replaced by a stool sample. At the center of the plot are three room mates, a self pitying copywriter, a cynical journalist, and the photo journalist with a sideline in the blackmail game. Apart from the english dialogue it is the comically timed body language that completes the film. A soundtrack that was loved by the Indian audiences. Coming from a reputed production house the film makes for a highly entertaining 102 minutes. Vijay Raaz excels as always, this time as a gangster.

review:Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter...and Spring

Director - Kim Ki-duk
Written by - Kim Ki-duk
Cast - Su Oh-yeong, Kim Young-min, Seo Jae-kyung, Kim Jong-ho, Ha Yeo-jin

Country - South Korea [2003]


Each season passes as a child grows older. From mischievous to impetuous to angry. A monastery in a lake, located in a deep valley. Here the story unfolds of a monk watching over his pupil. A reflection on the development of human emotions, at times allowing the viewer to glance inwards. Although not for the fans of fast pace its simplicity allows room for thought as there is no gizmo hyper fluff to distract upon.

review:Memories of Murder

Director - Bong Joon-ho
Written by - Bong Joon-ho, Shin Sung-bo, Kim Kwang-rim
Cast - Song Kang-ho, Kim Sang-kyung, Kim Roe-ha, Park Hae-il, Byeon Hee-bong

Country - South Korea [2003]


Based on true events or rather murders which took place between 1986 and 1991. A serial killer creeps around small town Korea when it rains. Bong Joon-ho is the small town cop who would rather beat out a confession rather than follow procedure. Sent to assist him is a specialist from Seoul played by Kim Sang-kyung. Sprinkled with dark humor and squeamish autopsies the film's focus remains on the 2 detectives and their method. It matches the quality and substance of western counterparts like 'Zodiac' and in some regards trounces them.

review:Omkara

Director - Vishal Bhardwaj
Written by - Vishal Bhardwaj, Robin Bhatt, Abhishek Chaubey
Cast - Naseeruddin Shah, Saif Ali Khan, Ajay Devgan, Kareen Kapoor, Konkona Sen Sharma, Vivek Oberoi, Bipasha Basu

Country - India [2006]


Shakespeare's 'Othello' is loosened upon rural India. A backdrop of dirty politics, fragile loyalties and frail ties of blood. Mixed into the plot pot is a suspicious love and treacherous ambition. The rural dialect of northern India and witty dialogue goes a long way in making the film authentic. A tight script with a well tuned soundtrack keeps close minded critics of the Indian song and dance routine at bay. Saif Ali Khan as 'Langda Tyagi' makes for the most memorable negative role in years. Vishal Bhardwaj adapted 'Macbeth' for Indian audiences in 2004 as 'Maqbool', both films underline Vishal Bhardwaj's capacity to successfully portray story lines with greater depth.

review:Election

Director - Johnnie To
Written by - Yao Nai-Hoi, Yip Tin-Shing
Cast - Simon Yam, Tony Leung Ka-Fai, Louis Koo, Nick Cheung, Wong Tin-Lam

Country - Hong Kong [2005]


The Wo-Shing Society is a criminal enterprise led by a chairman, elected every 2 years. The film follows two mob bosses as they vie for the title of Chairman. Bribery, alliances and murder. The plot also centers around a 100 year old Baton that is held by the Chairman. There have been many takes on Coppola's 'The Godfather' over the years, but the concept when adapted to the modern day crime families of Hong Kong is nothing short of brilliant. The civilized dialogue only adds to the gravity of the situation.
There was a sequel 'Election 2' in 2006 where the term is up and the title is again up for grabs. As hard it is to let go of power, it is harder to shed the hold that power has on you. The current Chairman wants an extension on his term and he plays the other candidates against each other. The police is interested in a different outcome altogether, for they think it better to control that which cannot be eliminated. A must see for the criminally inclined.

review:I Saw the Devil

Director - Kim Ji-woon
Written by - Park Hoon-jung
Cast - Lee Byung-hun, Choi Min-sik

Country - South Korea [2010]


The theme is revenge. Revenge when taken to an extreme slowly slips out of control. Choi Min-sik of 'Oldboy' fame plays a rapist and mentor to a cannibal. The helplessness of his victims will stir a sleeping horror within the viewer. The hidden pleasure  comes on seeing Lee Byung-hun play games with the sadistic murderer. A cat and mouse chase in it's most brutal and raw form. The calmness with which the act of murder is committed will leave your senses numb. The plot takes hair-pin bends before coming to a climax which leaves you in a state of shock as the psychological state of both characters hits you full blast.

review:In the Mood for Love

Director - Wong Kar-wai
Written by - Wong Kar-wai
Cast - Tony Leung, Maggie Cheung

Country - Hong Kong [2000]


This film shows how subtle a love can be. Tony Leung and Maggie Cheung are neighbors in an apartment building. With their spouses working overtime and the other neighbors playing mahjong leaves the 2 to develop a platonic relationship. The slow mutation of platonic to amorous is beautifully depicted with intimate soft moments of hesitation and unsure body language. In Hong Kong of 1960's they conform to the social norms of the day and drift apart only to share moments of brief proximity years later. The film leaves you wondering which lasts longer, love or the tragedy of love.

review:the GOOD,the BAD,the WEIRD

Director - Kim Ji-woon
Written by - Kim JI-woon & Kim Min-suk
Cast - Song Kang-ho, Lee Byung-Hun, Jung Woo-sung

Country - South Korea [2008]

You will instantly recognize the title from the Clint Eastwood classic (the good,the bad and the ugly), but this film supplants it's namesake in every way. Set in 1930s , the plot is simple but the vision of Kim Ji-woon is what makes it a superior product. A treasure map, a thief, a bounty hunter, a bandit, the imperial Japanese army, Manchurian bandits.The thrills begin with a train cutting through the Manchurian desert where all the 3 characters collide and the film is set in a momentum that it will not lose till the end. The rapid scenes never make you look away. Song Kang-ho plays the funny man. Lee Byung-hun collaborates once again with Kim Ji-woon to play a brooding murderer. The climax of course is a Mexican standoff that leaves you mildly curious but mostly amused. 

               

a flickering screen

The darkness surrounds you as you sit in a cushioned seat, surrounded by a 100 or so people. The projection starts and you are lost to the world just the way the world is lost to you. Reality melts away in that darkened room to be replaced by something more vivid , something more real than your dull life can ever be...