Movies I liked - 1

Over the years I have watched quite a few movies. Some are the kind that I would watch over and over again, some I regret watching, some I can watch only once. There are a lot of movies I liked but then some stand out. I tend to watch anything that "catches" my interest. I am going to list a few.

 

Flavors- It's a well written comedy. The story is a snapshot about the life of the Indian Diaspora in the USA. The eccentricities and the happenings in the characters lives was something I could relate to. The sense of isolation and loneliness of the characters partly portrays what is true, within what most Americans think, is the "elite Indian" immigrants coming to the US to take their Tech jobs.

 

Lamhe (meaning Moments in Hindi) - This is a romance. I liked this movie because it was a theme that was new for that time. I loved the beautiful forts, the costumes and the desert scenes in the Movie and the songs "Morni bhaga ma naache" and "gudiya rani" .

 

Dattak (the Adopted in hindi) - Is a movie that deals with the harsh reality of modern day Individualism seeping into the Indian society. It shows the devastating result of money/ambitions taking precedence over family and relationships. The story deals with the son seeking redemption for ignoring his father for 15 years. It's a story that provokes us to think about what we are losing to gain what we think, we "Want" out of life.

 

Chanakyan (in Malayalam language) - This was one heck of a movie. I loved the “chanakya neeti” that was used. (For those who don’t understand what I am talking about,  check this http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chanakya. It had drama and comedy. The theme is of going against someone, seemingly more powerful than you are, to exact revenge. A chief minister destroys the life of the main character (played by Kamalhasan). Kamalhasan, takes the help of a mimicry artist (played by Jayaram) to Payback the Minister in Kind. How he achieves his goal is what the movie is all about.

 

Children of Heaven (in Farsi Language) - This movie is very neatly done. The theme is so simple. Its about two siblings and a pair of shoes(giggling). I really wish there were more movies like this. I don't want to spoil the fun. This is one thoughtfully, artfully made, thought provoking movie. It does have English subtitles.

 

The House of Flying Daggers (in mandarin) - Loved this movie, though I usually hate movies with computer generated scenes. Watched it Thrice. I was totally impressed, especially with the echo dance sequence that knocked my socks off (watched this sequence about 10 times). The drum beats in the scene has a reverberating quality to it. Zhang Ziyi's depiction of the Blind girl is exceptional. All three actors, Zhang Ziyi, Takeshi Kaneshiro and Andy Lau are quiet talented.

 

Butterfly (Spanish movie)-Set in the 1930's in Spain, this is a beautiful story about a teacher and a student that ends in a sort of tragedy. The theme is about the evolving relationship between a shy student and a teacher who brings out the best in him. But then the dividing loyalties, due to political upheavals brings out a side in the student, that makes one wonder if its all in vain. The movie is presented as seen through the eyes of the student.

 

Leila (Farsi movie)- This movie shows the life of a Barren woman, in an Iranian family where having a heir to carry the family name is the most important aspect of life. Leila Hatami, a soulful, quiet looking Iranian actress plays the role of Leila very well. The transition of emotions within the Wife who makes the decision to find another wife for her husband so that there is a heir is very heart wrenching (for a woman that is). It lends a different perspective of a woman's life as it is lived in other parts of the world.

 

The Last Samurai - I loved this movie. Borrowed it twice from the library and watched over 7 times(I know.. I am obsessed). No matter what I say about this movie, I feel, like its incomplete. I liked the photography, the characters, especially of Taka, Higen, Ujio, Nobutada and Katsumoto. I liked the gracefulness that this movie depicts. Tom Cruise lived up to my expectation of doing his job well. I watched this and compared it with Shogun(1980), it was nice to watch the perceptions changed. The idea of Samurai in the movie Shogun is quite unlike the idea of Samurai in Tom Cruise's version of it.

 

Dances with wolves  - I enjoyed this movie. I watched the movie about 5 times, before I returned the DVD to the library. I liked the feel of the old world, the lifestyle, the sense of integrity that isn't there today. The Character of Dunbar, his growth from being a war hero to being his own person, the choices he makes to safeguard what he sees as good and worthy, was a treat to my senses. I loved the photography.

 

The Shawshank Redemption - This was a lovely movie. The story was great, the characters greater. I loved the strength of character of Andrew Dufresne, the quiet courage, hope, perseverance and love of life that he portrays. The movie was an inspiration for me. It makes one see the treasure trove that every human being has, that no one can snatch away - faith in oneself and hope.

 

Sometimes in April - The story is about two brothers, both Hutus, one in the military, one a radio personality - whose relationship and private lives were forever changed in the midst of the Rwandan genocide. When I watched Schindler's List, I thought it was one very emotionally difficult movie to get through, I was wrong. This movie was more difficult. This is one movie I wish everyone would watch, maybe then the idea of killing another human being would become repulsive.

 

(continued in the next blog)

 

Did not want to make it too long for one read.