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.

'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 Yes, it's out-of-date film review.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

In the Mood for Love (2000) - Film Review

I haven't watched much of Chinese or Japanese films. When I was surfing the web for romantic films, I stumbled upon the acclaimed Hong Kong director Wong Kar-wai's In the Mood for Love (2000). Inquiring further revealed that this film has won several awards and accolades in film festival circuits including the prestigious Cannes Film Festival.

The film opens with these words running in the black screen -
"It is a restless moment. She has kept her head lowered... to give him a chance to come closer. But he could not, for lack of courage. She turns and walks away."
And it pretty much sums up the film.

The film is set in Hong Kong of 1962. In an apartment, Mr. and Mrs. Chow rents a room in the same day as Mr. and Mrs. Chan. The spouses of Mr. Chow and Mrs. Su Chan often do overtime shifts so they find themselves spending time alone in their respective rooms. Being next-door neighbours they come across each other in the daily life and become friends.

Chow and Su while dining together outside, they figure out that their spouses are having illicit affair. They get hurt and decide that they should never be unfaithful like their spouses. They analyse how the affair happened between their spouses by re-enacting. As the time goes by, they end up falling in love for real. But their conscience represses them to continue. After much deliberation, when they decide to live together their fate separates them forever.

Given the theme of the film, one may guess that there would be many intimate scenes. There is none. Yes, not even a single kissing scene! That makes this film special.

Another interesting feature in this film is that both Mr. Chan and Mrs. Chow are never seen in the screen. Thereby, the director prompts us to focus on Mr. Chow and Mrs. Su Chan's relationship rather than their illicit spouses'.

The film intricately weaves the circumstances that leads the next-door neighbours - Chow and Su to build a rapport - like, been rented the rooms in the same day, their belongings get interchanged by the movers; Chow asking a favour from Su (who works in a shipping company) to get a ticket to Singapore for his friend; Su asking for newspaper from Mr. Chan; they come across each other when they individually go to buy noodles...

The story might seem simple but this film is not for the entertainment but to taste... even the subtle details.

The background music is soulful which lingers even after the film ends. The exquisite cinematography also captures the mood well. Both music and cinematography bolsters this emotional and visually stylish film to row smoothly like a boat in a peaceful sea.

A gritty roller coaster ride - X (2011) film review

 

I usually have the habit of reading reviews and searching info about the film before I chose watch it - I didn't want to risk end up seeing a dead boring one despite of spending time and bandwidth to download it.

This time around, I chose a film randomly and watched it. It happened to be a new lesser known Australian film. Impressed by the film I wrote the review in IMDB. This is my first review in IMDB site.

You may read the review in IMDB here or read it below.

Holly (Viva Bianca) is a call girl who is in her last night job before she's going to quit and start a new life in France with her obsessive client.

Shay (Hanna Mangan Lawrence), a 17 year old who had a troubled childhood arrives in Sydney for her first night on the job. She faces the arduous nature of the job (having no money even to eat) - giving handjob to an old man, jealousy of other street hooker and pimps.

Holly and Shay cross paths for a job. When both of them witness a murder by a crooked cop, it turns out to be a cat and mouse chase with unexpected twists.

There's a lot of nudity and sexual acts - including Holly's opening lovemaking scene with a male prostitute before the rich middle aged women. Though one may get the idea even from the movie poster that this is an erotic movie, it is more apt to be tagged as a thriller than an erotica. None of erotic scenes are meant for us to enjoy it because the Director (Jon Hewitt) doesn't wants us to; instead he wants us to concentrate on the hard-hitting storyline.

There is commendable acting by every character involved in this thriller. And cinematography aids us to glue to our seat.

This is an exploitation movie in line with Irreversible (2002) with ultra violence and sex abundantly thrown in.

'Engeyum Kadhal' Movie Review

Engeyum Kadhal

Genre - Romance.
Story - What does it mean?

Who can watch:
Lovers.

Girls?

Indeed, it's for girls (It's romance, man!).

Guys?
Guys can watch it for:
Music. Though songs has the western hue, Harris Jayaraj has made romance flew in his breezy music.

Bubbly "Chakaravalli" Hansika Motwani.

Especially, will be remembered for her orange saree look in the song "Nangaai".

Visuals.
Free France tour!

Verdict:
Colourful visuals by Nirav Shah, France, Hansika Motwani, Jayam Ravi (For girls), gentle humour with Raju Sundaram makes us forget the storylessness of the film in the direction of Prabhu Deva.

Watchable once.

Vaanam Music Review

For several days, I didn't hear any upcoming film's music albums. When friends play a song that I haven't heard, I ask them which film does that song belong. They see me surprised, "என்ன, இது தெரியலையா?" For a couple of days, I have been hearing some upcoming music albums.

Knowing that Vaanam in Yuvan Shankar Raja's music is going to be released tomorrow, I heard it's songs (after a month of it's music launch!). I haven't ever written music reviews but may be because of marathon music hearing session plus a lot of time available for me to waste, I write this one:

"Vaanam"
A song with quality in this album!
Na. Muthukumar's penned this philosophical song where an awakened soul finds the path to happiness, after it was wounded.
Yuvan's music+vocal magic retains.

"Who Am I"

Surprise song. Drums and guitar play gives a rock number - new to tamil cinema.
Benny Dayal sings a man's quest about himself in a despair state but sounding like a Superman's or Spiderman's signature music!

"No Money No Honey"

A good kuthu paatu sung by Simbu, Srikanth Deva and Andrea(!) about the influence of money in our lives.
Fold your tongue, fold your dhoti, lift your chest, tap your feet, shake your hips...

"Cable raja"
An intro kuthu song for Simbu with his dad's immortal dialogue - "வாடா எம் மச்சி, வாழக்கா பஜ்ஜி...
உன் உடம்ப பிச்சி, போடப்போறேன் பஜ்ஜி..."
and typical "டண்டனக்க டண்டணக்கா..." music.

"Evandi Unna Pethan"
There's nothing much to say about this song, as everybody would have heard it. A club song with worst lyrics by Yuvan and Simbu. If you liked "Adrarra nakku mukka..." or "Manmatha raasa" then this is the song for you.

Somewhere in the web, I saw an agitated guy's comment:

"Unna Paatha First Second’la Lyricsa Kaanum
Thaedi Paakuraen Kandapadi Naanum
Paatha First Second’laernthey Lyricsa Kaanum
Thaedi Paakuraen Kandapadi Naanum
Sathiyama Ennaku Lyrics Vaenam
Kandippa Ennaku Music Vaenum
Sathiyama Ennaku Lyrics Vaenam
Kandippa Ennaku Music Vaenum
Onnu Lyrics Kandu Pudichu Kudaen
Illa Romba Simple Music Ennaku Kudaen
Illa Thayavu Senju Oru Gun Eduthu Avana Sudaen
Evan Da Lyrics Potaan...
Avan Kaila Kedacha Seththaan Seththaan Seththaan...
Evan Da Avana Pethaan...
Avan Kaila Kedacha Seththaan Seththaan Seththaan....

Hmmm... ஐ அண்டர்ஸ்டாண்டு இஸ் பீலிங்க்ஸ்...

இத வரலாறு காணாத வெற்றி பாடல்-ன்னு வேற போஸ்டர்ல போடறாங்க!

ஐய்யோ சாமி...

Verdict: Pass.

The Illusion of Reality

A successful businessman tells the secret of success to the failing businesswoman (Carolyn) in the film - American Beauty:

"In order to be successful, one must project an image of success at all times."

A transsexual (Agrado) on theatre stage, to the audience, in the film - Todo Sobre Mi Madre (All About My Mother):

"You are more authentic the more you resemble what you've dreamed of being."

'Apoorva Sagodharagal' tricks of Kamal Hassan

After all these years, I watched Apoorva Sagodharagal (1989) only recently. As usually Kamal's film is nice. While enjoying the film, I was also wondering on how they shot midget Kamal's scenes.

It was very interesting to analyse the tricks they used to shoot Kamal as a midget. Here are some of the tricks the film guys used to shoot the midget 'Appu' Kamal...

It's not true as it was marketed that Kamal tied his legs for the whole film to act as a midget. In most of the scenes where Kamal comes as a midget, they show only his body above his hip or knees.

In the scenes where midget Kamal is showed completely as standing, they should have dug up the surface and buried his legs. He could shake his body but wouldn't move his place in the dance sequences. Only because of this trick, they were able to film him at top angle, but not for any other scenes.

His walking scenes also used the same trick of 'dug up surface' and they made him to walk in that pit while others walk on the surface. If we notice, we could find that these kind of trick scenes were shot at the ground level at some distance. So one would be deceived because of that angle.

There are few scenes where he was showed swinging the legs childishly or keeping one leg above the other. They filmed these scenes by using 'dug up surface' trick, making Kamal to stand inside a hole and making another real midget guy to stand upside down in the hole - thereby the guy could hide his body inside the hole and could shake his own legs, deceiving as if Kamal's legs. Otherwise a puppeteer would hide his body in the hole and puppet fake legs by wearing midget Kamal's pant in the hands and moving accordingly. If we look these scenes attentively, they wouldn't show his back (or buttocks) because it's risky as it would reveal this trick.

A fan's note

I like you, Jim!

Because you make me smile.