Nymph()maniac Vol.I and Vol.II Film Review

An old man(Stellan Skarsgård) finds a woman(Charlotte Gainsbourg) lying down hurt in a deserted alley. He takes her to his home and takes care of her. Before she goes to sleep he asks her story. She narrates her life as a sex addict.

Film's promotional posters are all fascinatingly creative

Like his(Lars von Trier) other films, there is no scarcity for cruelity, violence and sex (but unenjoyable).

The Vol.I emphasizes on the story, hence somewhat entertaining. Vol.II plays mostly on philosophies. The theories of Seligman were quite interesting yet movie doesn't feel as moving as it tries to be. Though each of them are only two hours long, they seem too long because of their slow pace.

Sex addict narrating her story

Casting is great. Everyone does justice to their role especially Charlotte's audacious acting takes the cake. Cinematography is as arty as the film bringing out some of the beautiful imagery and cruelity of the scene hand in hand with editing.

Lars von Trier as usual shocks us with his unexpected climax of the series and leaves us dumbstruck that, after all these talks of philosophies and moralities, still raw human emotions overshadows the virtue. In a way, we are made fool of watching the two movies expecting it to be philosophical enlightening but crashing down to all are bullshit in real world, just in the last two minutes of this four hour long series. This could have been better made into a single movie than into two parts. May be that would make it fit to be in silver screen. Or releasing these two as TV movies would be justifiable.

Both Nymphomaniac Vol.I and Vol.II doesn't come out as a great porn nor as a deep philosophical movie. Neverthless, they are an interesting combination of art, philosophy and sex.

'Perks of Being a Wallflower' - Film, Music Review

Emma Watson in the memorable scene of the film

A coming-of-age story of a lonely introvert boy who amidst hostile high school atmosphere is initiated into a group of friends, absorbs into the ebbs and flows of friendship, discovers love, experiences intricacies of social life.

Set in 90s, based on the novel of same name, this nostalgic trip leaves us glad for the rest of the day.

Watch out for Emma Watson who we used to know as nerdy good girl, Hermione of Harry Potter films astonishes us with her audacious acts in The Perks of Being a Wallflower. Be warned, below is a NSFW scene in the film. Yet, enjoyable.

Music plays a substantial role. Days after watching the film, my mind was humming three of the songs. Now that I have downloaded, it will be played for months to come.  :)

"Landslide" by Fleetwood Mac is dew on the flower.
Knowing that the performers are former lovers I got dearer to the song.

"Asleep" by The Smiths (hero's favourite song) is a lullaby sung you to sleep peacefully.

"It's Time" by Imagine Dragons is full of vigour and uplifting. It introduced me to the rising star band.

These aren't the only songs worth listening to, "Come on Eileen", "On Top of the World" and others make it a great soundtrack.

'Special 26' is Not So Special - Film Review

Many of you would have watched this film or may not have any interest to read a review before watching it. Yes, it's out-of-date film review. So what, as far as the review is interesting and worth the time you spend, you could give it a go. As I don't know Hindi, I waited for the release of subtitled version and watched 'Special Chabbis' pretty late.

The film starts with the bang - Akshay, Anupam Kher and two of their guys with the help of local police do a high profile CBI raid in a minister's house. Later, police and the minister friends that they were fooled and the minister was looted. The first few minutes gets our full attention, albeit we are aware of gist of the story that the duo are frauds.

Every heist the gang of four carry out is exciting. Not to mention their sudden fake raid to a traders' business in Kolkata is met with the real CBI already present there. The situation is fantastic when the real CBI stares at these fake CBI in long silence and the cons get nervous unknowing what to do next.

Meanwhile Sub Inspector of local police station (Jimmy Shergill) who unwittingly helped the cons in minister house heist was suspended and is ashamed. He knocks the doors of CBI for help to find and put those cons behind the bars. That's when well talented CBI officer played by Manoj Bajpai comes into the scene. With SI, he embarks on to hunt them down.

Devastated Akshay holding his question papers. Rain dribbles on him. You see thunders in the background and papers slip down from his hand. Oh my! Sooo touchy  :,(

While we are excited on how the story went on in realistic slick manner in the first half, the second half becomes Bollywood-ish. There are redundant and unnecessary scenes. For instance, SI going on the flashback mode for describing the events that led to Minister house heist which brought SI disgrace. Dear Director, may be CBI Officer needs those flashbacks but not the viewers!

The gang at last decides to retire with a final job of robbing a big jewellery store, unaware that CBI officer was tracking every step they take.

The plot which happens in 1987 is loosely based on 'Tribhovandas Bhimji Zaveri' jewellery store heist by a mysterious con man posing as RAW officer along with 28 other people. The case is still unsolved. For those curious minds, read about the real Indian super con.

The film deviates from the plot when conmen in the guise of CBI conduct interview to recruit 26 people for their final big heist. The interview scenes, reminding of goofy people in the auditions of nowadays' reality shows, are hilarious.

When the conmen are not in action, they would be in their hometown villages doing household works(!). I'm baffled. What did they do with the hell a lot of money (more than 50 heists as said by overacting Anupam Kher) that they still can't afford to live well!

Every morning after leaving his son in school van CBI director returns home and stares at his wife's busty chest and asks her to wear dupatta over. I don't understand why does the director wants to depict. This is shown more than once in the film. Or is it just a fill for the sexual  void created by the lack of "item numbers". Director only knows. Probably this is why the film got U/A certificate, otherwise there is no other objectionable material in it.

Most silliest of them all is the reason behind why Akshay became a 'super' con - he failed in CBI officer exam. Atleast if he had failed continuously or had to go tough way bribing people it might be justifiable. Better, his background should be avoided. It does no help in the plot. Viewers didn't ask for it.

Akhay kumar's romance with southern actress Kajal Agarwal is another unnecessary gap filling sub plot to run the film for two and half hours - the typical indian film running time.

Y U NO STOP FROWNING? 

The film which was realistic in the start takes a wrong theatrical turn in the middle and ends with another bang. The second half of the film is unconvincing. In the later half, even Anupam kher is overacting and Manoj Bajpayee comes around with frowned look rest of the film (except at the end where he laughs hysterically). But the film doesn't fail as an entertainer.

Overacting Anupam Kher.

Fast paced Cinematography and apt editing elevates film even whenever the story lags. Background score is overbearing at times. "Mujh Mein Tu" is a soft solo romantic song. There are three versions, including promotional one sung by Akshay (synths help him a lot), all of them are soothing. Other songs are forgettable though they are all situational melodies.

Having an interesting plot 'Special Chabbis' could have been as punchy as 'A wednesday', if the frills were avoided and if it didn't try to be a mass pleaser.

Music Review: "Calling You" mesmerises

"Calling You" is the OST of the film Bagdad Cafe.

I had no intention to write a film review for Bagdad Cafe! When I started off the music review of "Calling You", I thought of writing a word or two on the film which would aid the readers to get the clearer picture on the lyrics and theme of the song better, but it eventually became many paragraphs, :P  so I decided to post both as separate posts. You may read the film review here.

Jevetta Steele
This Academy Award nominated song was originally sung by Jevetta Steele as a film soundtrack; written and composed by Bob Telson.

Softly beginning, Jevetta eloquently reaches crescendo and seamlessly to decrescendo throughout the song without breaking the prevailing solitude. The little known Black singer perfectly brings out the-lonely-seedy-motel-somewhere-in-the-desert atmosphere through her voice.

Numerous covers have been released by many artists. Of those, here is a notable few.

Céline Dion
Being a star, she brought much more international attention to the song by performing it in the Paris live concert. With her wonderful falsetto singing ability, she actually over-dramatises the song, so it seems a bit inapt contrasting the simple lyrics. One may prefer this version if it's heard irrespective of the lyrics or the film.

Jeff Buckley
Unlike others, Jeff Buckley presents us the guitar version. He is famed for his skill in singing falsetto and he utilizes it well here.

George Michael
He could be stated as the best male rendition of the song. He has that amazing raw masculine voice matching female voice of Jevetta Steele. He employs a female singer to sing high notes, differing from the usual solo singing norm others' does for "Calling You". The female singer who performs the high notes sounds like a distant voice.

Barbra Streisand
Her rendition is stylishly elegant but misses out the pulse of the film.

No matter whoever sang it, it sounds good because of the song's mesmerising rhythm. Thanks to Bob Telson! And only Jevetta soulful voice brings out the memoirs of 'Bagdad Cafe' when we hear it.

Film Review: 'Bagdad Cafe' is a Little Gem

Bagdad Café also known as Out of Rosenheim is a 1987 German film in English language.

Bagdad Cafe

The oddball film begins with a German tourist couple fighting in the middle of nowhere in an American  barren desert. The big lady walks away from him - alone to a motel she sees in sight. The grubby ill-maintained motel is owned by short-tempered Brenda who just then had an argument with her husband which resulted in him leaving the motel.

The big lady who was suspiciously ill-treated by Brenda, later befriends her and brings on colorful changes into the lives of Brenda and other characters such as her son, daughter and people residing in the motel. When the motel is being transformed from grimy to an exuberant one, the sheriff makes her to leave the country because her tourist visa got expired. The motel deteriorates back to square one. Will the saviour return?

The film ends with a hypnotising song - "Calling You" sung by Jevetta Steele and leaves us feeling good for the rest of the day.

Though the plot is simple, it is not the plot that makes this film special but the mood it invokes throughout the film and prevails even after hours we finish watching.

Director Percy Adlon has chosen perfect cast for the apt characters. Despite being a plump woman, the German Marianne Sägebrecht throws a beautiful aura around her. CCH Pounder as an irritable motel owner performs well.

The colours of the film literally changes from heat of the summer in the course of bleak atmosphere to vibrant colors when the motel is in better transformation. This subtle cinematography adapts us to the changing mood of the film.

The film plays ancient narrative plot -- an unknown hero arrives in the troubled land, saves the people in turbulence and disappears to nowhere. It is also said that there are allegories in the film referencing to Greek mythology.

This simple poetic film may not be everyone's cup of tea but it could haunt you for days if you let yourself go and relish the nuances of the film.

Location

Photo courtesy of Wikipedia

The film was shot in a Sidewinder Cafe, Newberry Springs. Few miles away, in a Californian ghost town, the original abandoned Bagdad Cafe is situated. The Sidewinder Cafe took advantage of the film's popularity and changed it's name to Bagdad Cafe - which has now became a tourist attraction.

It is said that German Director Percy Adlon's trip with his wife Elenore Adlon through this desert inspired him to make the film.

Outer view

Interior of present motel

Enjoy visiting these links:

• Present Bagdad Cafe pics
• Bagdad Cafe in Trip Advisor
• Bagdad Cafe's site
• In Wikipedia
• Interesting pics