Charly(1968)-(Movies To See Before You Die-Drama)

Perhaps it's wishful thinking, but there are many people who wish they could learn as much as anyone else. It's sad and downright tragic when you realize you're incapable of advancing common knowledge or higher education. Some are gifted, some are slow and some are just plain retarded and will never comprehend what is being taught. But what if there was a way? What if science could remedy what nature restricted in the human brain? That is the premise for the movie " Charly.

 " It tells the story of an adult retarded man named Charley Gordon (Cliff Robertson, 1968 Academy Award winner) who is mentally incapable of surmounting even simple challenges like spelling the word 'School'. The movie has splendid dances, songs and huge colourful sets. Don’t miss the elite & amazingly choreographed dance movements of Cliff Robertson and Claire Bloom. A worth watching painting on the celluloid by the master film-maker, Ralph Nelson.

Directed By Ralph Nelson 
Starring : Cliff Robertson & Claire Bloom

Music By Ravishankar

 

 

ORDINERY-A expected,cliche&failed attempt.(Movie Review By Yoonus Mohyudhin)

Sugeeth proves himself  with his New Age Comedy and gives a new dimension to the word ‘ORDINERY’ in Malayalam Cinema. The very first thing I suggest is that don’t consider it as a comedy movie, rather see it as a drama . The second thing I would like to say that as most of the people took it as a perfectcast movie, “its not”. The casting is just imperfect and after watching it you cannot consider any other actor portraying the role of Iravikkutti Pillai among the young generation so brilliantly except Dileep.
Kunchakko Boban is again at his worst and hasn't done any justice with his character. Especially he is comparable in the scenes where he shows his anger. Equally unimpressive is Shritha Shivadas as Kalyani and she didn't provides any the dignity and beauty needed by her character. Here I would like to add that the promos of the film aren't  of its actual worth, so don’t be mislead by them. It is purely a drama in the background of K.S.R.T.C bus& their conflicts with police.
There are many scenes which are among the main highlights of the film which include :
1. Kunchakko taming a police.
2.  Dance by kunchakko in the song “Enthinee mizhi.”
3. Charming beauty of Gavi.
4. The Sequence of Iravi Kalyani with Suku.
5. Death Scene of Devan
6. And the Man to Man fight sequence in the Climax.
The movie starts slowly and is less impressive at the start. It starts picking up after 40 min and then keeps growing on the viewer. By the time it ends you  seem to mind its more than 2 hours duration, . The second half is surely more boring than the first.
Vidyasagar is excellent with his background score but is less impressive in the song department with only two enjoyable tracks “Sun sun sundhari” and "Enthinee mizhi".  The Camerawork and Art Direction are among the best and they impress to a great extent.
The entire star cast disappointments and after the lead pair, among the top are Aasifali & Ann Augastin . The surprise act is by Biju Menon as Suku. 
Sugeet makes a statement with this project and proves that he has got the dareness to think of Kunchakko as Iravi and also the capability of making a comedy movie with this theme.  The climax sequences  reminded me of“Kangaroo” which is indeed a compliment for Sugeet and his team.

To sum up, it’s a movie to be enjoyed  on dvds only and for the brilliant performances of   Biju Menon and Baburaj.  And also don’t  taking it as a comedy movie, there may be mixed reviews but you woldn't surely enjoy it.

Rating : 3/ 5 (Watch it on small screen only)

Jaws(1975)(Movies To See Before You Die-Thriller)

When a gigantic great white shark begins to menace the small island community of Amity, a police chief, a marine scientist and grizzled fisherman set out to stop it. This is the theme of Stephen Spilberg’s Roy Schieder featured classic which also won the Oscar Award for the Best editing in 1976. However, in 1956 John Huston made “Moby Dick” with a similar theme and may be Stephen Spilberg got his idea from the  masterpiece & made “Jaws” in 1975.

But if we look at both the classics closely then the  Masterpiece is quite different from John Huston’s film .  Interestingly Bollywood also came out with a similar classic in 1996 with the title “Aatank". 

On the contrary “Jaws” is more of an emotional flick with very soft and touchy sequences . The use of innovative lighting, cinematography, dialogues and even the songs woven into the storyline is just fantastic. Its really a treat to watch Roy Schieder as a cool, easy going and sober actor, even in the most difficult scenes of him dealing with the jaws. Stephen Spilbergs outstanding treatment of the offbeat subject makes "Jaws" one of the most praised movie of the American Film Industry till date.

Classics are always a source of inspiration for all. Therefore famous  directors,Rene Cardona Jr & Antonio Marghareiti again reused this concept for their hit movies “Tintorera" & "Killer Fish” respectively.  Students of media world and film-making should watch all these films together to understand how a director can use his own personal vision to come up with a completely different and entertaining movie on an otherwise similar and inspired theme.

Directed By Stephen Spilberg

Starring : Roy Schieder, Robert Shew & More.

Music By John Williams

SHIKKARI-Could Be Better With Such A Talented Star Cast.(Movie Review By Yoonus Mohyudhin)

If you take a look at the starcast of “Shikkari” then you just cant help expecting a worth seeing movie. With names like Mammootty, Suresh Krishna, Mohan and Innocent coming together, it was lot more expected from the director Abhay Sinha. I have read some reviews from reputed persons, praising the movie to great lengths, but I don’t agree with it as I found it just poor and its nothing path breaking or something great novel in the movie apart from its top rate performances.

The story line moves around a Software professional Abhijit (Mammooty) is Arun when he delves in to the pages of a novel written by Gopinath Shindhe. As Abijit evince interest in knowing more about the past history because the pages in the book are missing.  Now whats new in that, I couldn’t understand. The only difference this time is that the missing connection is novel and not the film (as we have seen in VELLARIPRAVINTE CHANGHATHI). Another addition is that the director tries to add some Shikkari kind of patriotism in the movie by showing that we cant control what destiny has in store for us. But the film lacks the grip in the second half and also has an unexplained and sudden climax. For some viewers it may be a kind of Artistic touch to the movie but I would like to disagree to that thought completely, as I neither found it entertaining or enlightening.

The best part of the movie is Mammootty, who is superb in double role. He plays the patriotic sequences and the serious ones with equal conviction. And the next revelation is Punam Bajve, who also acts this time impressively. 

The worst thing is that the recently famous and talented “Suresh Krishna” of “Kerala Varmma Pazhashi Raja” fame is completely wasted with very few and unimportant scenes. His associate in the movie gets more serius lines than him and suresh krishna surely deserved a better role. He  serve as harmless appendages; nothing more, nothing less.

Mohan and Innocent are fine as always but Tiny Tom does an excellent job . The background music and few songs are just ok. The film is not a historical as shown in the promos on air, so that is another drawback in the movie.

In all a lot more was expected from this team after their earlier ventures. The film is a multiplex movie with some artistic touches to it, but finding viewers even there, will be a tough task in the coming days.

Ratings : 1 / 5

Serpico(1973)(Movies To See Before You Die-Crime)

Sidney Lumet proved himself to be a highly competent and effective director/storyteller for the true story of New York Officer Frank Serpico, who became famous after appearing to testify before the NAPA Commission about payoffs and corruption in the Police Department. At the time, it was unheard of, and it gained Peter Maars attention to write the book, which thus got transferred to the screen as so. But what makes Serpico such a riveting and eye catching picture today are the little things about it, little details in specific scenes and locations that help ring Serpico's emotions far more than true- it's just there.
 Even more amazing on the part of the actual filming of the movie is that it was at the time filmed backwards (started with the beard, then the mustache, then clean-shaven).Al Pacino, right off of the first part of the Godfather trilogy, took this role with all the fire and compassion that he had in him. He sees in Serpico not just an honest cop wanting some balance and honor in his work, yet also a man, who can get as joyful and humorous as he can act subtle, furious, and thoughtful. This will always remain one of his stand-out roles after all the Scarfaces and Scent of a Woman pictures he can do because he, as well as Lumet, know how to approach such a saga. Plenty of great, compelling set pieces, and even sweet ones (like when he first buys the sheepdog as a puppy). 

Directed By Sidney Lumet

Starring : Al Pacino, Bernard Barrow, John Randolph & Sal Carollo

Winter(2009)&Vaasthu Shasthra(2004)

The star studded movie, directed by Deepu Karunakaran borrows heavily from “Vaasthu Shasthra” (2004) featuring J.D Chakravarthi. The Malayalam version also has a haunted house with a new couple and there is a imaginery guys of child too. Even the profession of the pratagonist is the same of a doctor as in the Hindi flick. 

Other than this, the basic theme of the movie is also quite similar to a American Film“The Shining” (1980).

Check out at :

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0416282/?ref_=nm_flmg_prd_24

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0081505/

The Terminator(1984)(Movies To See Before You Die-Science Fiction)

Is there a better person to play a cyborg than Arnold? For this movie he was a massively built oak tree of a man. His strange accent makes for a perfect callous robotic sounding killing machine. It's almost like his voice is a computer read out ( which I guess it is in one sense ). Terminator is one of those films that started something huge. People didn't realize it at the time, but the careers of Arnold, Cameron and perhaps even guys like Micahel Biehn, Lance Henriksen and even Bill Paxton were substantially started because of this film. And Cameron must have liked working with them so much that he gave all of them substantial roles in his next film ( Aliens ).
As we all know what the story is, I'll just tell you a bit about what is so fascinating about it. First I have to mention Michael Biehn.
 He has the real starring role.
 Directed By James Camaroon 
Starring : Arnold Shwatznegar, Michael Beihn, Linda Hamilton, Paul Winfield 

Music By Brad Fiedal

Austin Powers:The Spy Who Shagged Me(1999)-(Movies To See Before You Die-Comedy)

A very simple yet entertaining comedy with Mike Myers playing great games and tricks, he is famous for. It is a funny story of Dr. Evil is back...and has invented a new time machine that allows him to go back to the 60's and steal Austin Powers's mojo, inadvertently leaving him "shagless".. All characters in the plot are linked to each other and the happenings lead to hilarious situations.

The movie is not fast paced but the script is very evenly placed with well written characterizations and funny scenes for the entire star-cast. A must watch for Mike Myer movie lovers as it is better than his Waynes World movies with more richer content.The first Austin Powers film wasn't much good but it did have a few laughs and clever ideas. . A good choice for a light entertaining family movie weekend.

Directed By Jay Roach

Starring : Heather Graham & Mike Myers

Dirty Harry(1971)(Movies To See Before You Die-Crime)

A sensitive portrayal of a police’s character and his loyalty for nation directed by one of the 10 top film makers of U.S.A, Don Seigel. Rated as one of his finest works, the movie talks about true patriotism and its sacrifices. Dirty Harry also gave Eastwood a definitive Hollywood identity after leaving spaghetti westerns behind.

Clint Eastwood will be remembered forever as “Dirty Harry”, a cop who knows how to honor the commitments made in life. He truly takes you inside a cop’s heart and you can feel the hardships he is suffering in the changing circumstances.  The voice of Lalo schifirin in the background, and the soothing melody, really makes it a poetic experience, not to be missed at any cost. You will have to see it to experience the emotions. His dialogue with criminals is delivered behind the barrel of a devastatingly phallic Magnum hand-gun. "Feel lucky, punk?" he taunts one wounded miscreant in a famous line he repeats at the end of the film.

Directed By Don Seigel

Starring : Clint Eastwood, Andy Robinson & Harry Guardino

Music By Lalo Schifirin

The Karate Kid(1984)(Movies To See Before You Die-Martial Arts)

I being a child of the 80's have a soft spot for this movie. Yes it is predictable,but what makes it a great movie is the performances by the 2 main characters. Ralph Macchio is great as a teenager that is bullied at his new school. But the movie belongs to Pat Morita as Mr. Myagi. He plays an old apartment maintenance man that befriends Macchio. He becomes his karate teacher, but they develop a great friendship that makes the movie all the more enjoyable. The great thing is that the movie shows that the old man comes to need the kid as much as the kid needs him, it is a touching relationship. 

Directed By John G.Avildsen

Starring : Ralph Machchio & Noriyuki 'Pat' Morita

Kintergarten Cop(1990)(Movies To See Before You Die-Comedy)

Here's an odd combination of humor, kids' cuteness, violence and suspense. The beginning, and the last third of the film provide the violence.
 In between is a nice story of a tough-guy cop becoming a loved and respected kindergarten teacher.The cuteness comes with the kids, who are nice and funny and with Penelope Miller's character. Miller sports wholesome looks and, except for the end when things get tense, a clean mouth.
The star of the film, Arnold Schwarzenegger, shows a good flair for comedy as the tough guy-softie. This might be Arnold's most likable role. It was interesting to see Carroll Baker again, an actress I hadn't seen since the 1960s. 
Directed By Ivan Reitman 

Starring : Arnold Shwatznegar, Penilop Annmiller, Pamela Reed & More

Music By Randy Edelman

Conan:The Barbarian(1982)(Movies To See Before You Die-Sword and Sorcery)

I think this is the best sword and magic / fantasy movie ever made. Unlike the second Conan movie (the destroyer, which was a huge disappointment) this is dark, dirty, violent (with the harsh way) and most of all faithful to the original Conan by Howard. By that i mean that conan wasn't a joker and babyoiled coverboy like in the sequel. Only part of the movie that i weren't content about was the childhood of conan, the part where he grows up spinning some goddamn wheel of fortune, Howard specifically points in many novels that Conan was grown free in the Cimmeria. Despite the this awkward transition to skip the childhood of Conan this still is the best fantasy movie ever made.

Directed By John Millius

Starring : Arnold Shwatznegar & Others

UNNAM- An average thriller with good nio noir sequences.(Movie Review By Yoonus Mohyudhin)

In a straight review UNNAM is not what you expect after seeing the promising promos. It’s a mixture of thriller and nio-noir sequences. Whereas the nio-noir sequences are highly enjoyable, there is no thrill in the suspense and murder mystery element of the script. The film is said to be a remake of a HIT Hindi film JOHNY GADDAR [2007]. The Hindi original must be more enjoyable fare as it was a big hit but the malayalam version lacks the right punch needed for a blockbuster.

In fact director Siby Malayil seems confused in whether to make a family film or a fast paced thriller. Many plots and characters are deliberately inserted, which are clearly spotted by a average filmgoer too.

For instance :

Aasifali’s character of aloshi is the most unimpressive one. He just plays the role and doesn’t seem to be interested in the movie at all.

The murder mystery has no surprise element in it .

The most disappointing thing is that Nedumudi Venu, an actor of endless capabilities has got no definite role and he is just included in the movie to add to its project value. He has no involvement in the script and is just wasted as a supporting character. However it is his own brilliance that he again comes up as the best thing in the movie with his excellent sentimental timing.

Even Lal, is not given the mileage he needed and he is also just another character in the script.

The action sequences  and the last song of “Aasif Ali” are clearly added as the last moment insertions. The director could have easily avoided them.

Rima Kallingal  as Jennifer is given unwanted footage. She just acts in the movie as a routine work.

The script surely has a new concept, but is not handled in a promising manner. Music is also below average.. The only enjoyable moments in the movie are the scenes with Lal & Nedumudi Venu. They both are highly entertaining together and the viewer keeps waiting for them to come on screen again.

In all, Unnam is certainly not a good thriller movie but can only be seen once for the neo-noir by the talented pair – Lal & Nedumudi Venu.

Ratings : 2.5 / 5

Be Kind Rewind(2008)-(Movies To See Before You Die-Comedy)

Michel Goundry shook the whole American Film Industry, critiques and viewers all, with his comedy movie “Be Kind Rewind” in 2008. This is the  brainchild of Michel Gondry the one time video maker turned director of 'Eternal Sunshine..' and 'The Science of Sleep' and once again there's a visual feast on offer.

 On many levels this is just a clever comedy but on many others its much more than that, it is a homage to film-making as a whole, the death of artistry in the face of technology, the sense of community that cinemas can bring in a world where cinema is struggling against the internet and apathy. Jack Black and Mos Def play at odds friends who have an outlet running the local video store 'Be Kind Rewind', with the huge DVD emporium down the road the business is struggling and in danger of being pulled down to make way for condos. After a freak accident wipes all the tapes in the shop the pair decide to remake all the films rather than get caught and lose the shop and this then is where Gondry et al step up to the mark and let their imaginations run wild with hilarious consequences.

 The first film they make is 'Ghostbusters' and it sets the premises of what is to come as they do their own versions of 'Robocop, Lion King, Rush Hour 2 and Men in Black to name but a few. Black and Def play off each other really well but it's the ingenuity in the sets and lo-fi costumes that make all these little twenty minute 'Swedes' (The tapes are described as having come from Sweden as an excuse for higher rental fees and longer wait times) brilliantly funny. They are even available to watch online and you're also encouraged to make your own! The story is for want of a better word silly and my only criticism I have is that Gondry tends to be too whimsical and over idealistic at times but that said he is portraying a fantasy world where he can play like a child with bits of old rubbish and sticky back plastic and come up with stunning arty creations that shine on screen. With so much subject matter to work with Gondry picks films that he is sure most people will have seen, although I hadn't seen 'Rush Hour 2' and so struggled to find all of that section funny, so on the off chance you haven't seen any of the films being Sweded you may wonder what the hell is going on. Strongly recommended for comedy cinema lovers, to be seen as a must.

Directed By Michel Goundry

Starring : Jack Black, Mos Def & Others 

 

Music By Jean Michel Bernard

The Third Man(1949)-(Movies To See Before You Die-Film Noir)

 

Carol Reed’s sensitive movie on the Pulp novelist Holly Martins travels to shadowy, postwar Vienna, only to find himself investigating the mysterious death of an old friend, black-market opportunist Harry Lime.This movie owes a debt of gratitude to Graham Greene, a writer who had the most developed sense of intrigue among his contemporaries and one of the best writers of the last century. The movie brought together two young villains of that era, Joseph Cotten & Alida Valli and together they were just firs on the screen.

Alida Valli  made the strongest impact in the movie and her one liner dialogues are still famous till date. Orsen Wales portrayed the role of Harry Lame. And he once again proved that the sea of talent within himself still unexplored.

 It also helped that a great director, Carol Reed, brought it to the screen.  It is rated as one of the Top 5 movies made by the one & only Carol Reed. And therefore is a must see especially for the younger generation. Also watch out for Trevor Howard in a completely different get up giving a light  performance.

Directed By Carol Reed

Starring : Orsen Wales, Joseph Cotten & Alida Valli

Music By Anton Karas

 

 

Reservoir Dogs(1992)(Movies To See Before You Die-Crime)

It depicts the events before and after a botched diamond heist, but not the heist itself.  It incorporates many themes that have become Tarantino's hallmarks - violent crime, pop culture references, profuse profanity, and a nonlinear storyline.

From the opening moments of "Reservoir Dogs" you sense that you are watching a different kind of crime drama. The style and dialog of this picture bestows a level of intelligence upon it's characters that defies the reality of their chosen profession. One of the best crime thrillers with violent crime and rich content. Having said that,this movie is absolutely riveting in it's movements from the ordinary, to the grim, to the horrific aspects of a career criminal.

Directed By Quentin Tarrantino

Starring : Harvey Keital & Tim Roth

 

 

 

 

 

Second Show-Shrinath Rajendran's Above Average Movie.(Movie Review By Unus Hashmi P.P)

In few words, the movie doesn’t seem to be a product of good. If you are expecting something on the lines of “Stop Violence” or “Subrahmanyapuram”, then you will not only be disappointed big time but would also feel shocked to see such a mediocre product for the debut of mega star's son.

He tries his hand on a biographical gangster subject for the first time in malayalam after seeing Ridley Scott's   drama“American Gangster”. But the latest one can be termed as the weakest movie made be him  which is neither a biographical nor an enjoyable drama movie.

It seems as Shrinath Rajendran started the movie with only Dulquar Salman in mind and with no script at all. The film is about young Hari who rises from an illicit sand miner to a smuggling baron in a short time. It stars  That’s the main story with many unattended plots which the director just forgets to take care of.

Dulquar Salman, just reach to jail, leaving behind his mother on the merci of God.

Sudhesh Berry comes in first half as the Top Gangster and then killed off to do some another movie I suppose.

A very weird love affair is shown between a rapper gangster and the nurse. This could have been a romantic plot but is not capable of generating any love.

Dulquar is just ok in his act and he is also helpless since the script itself has nothing to offer. Gouthami Nair (The Debutant heroine) is more expressive in emotional scenes and does her part well. The best act is there from the Sunny Vain character ‘Nelson Mandela’. In fact he is the only enjoyable element in the movie with some good scenes.

The songs have some unusual lyrics and they are used only as fillers. The otherwise beautiful city is shown as some dirty sea side village if we talk about the cinematography. The only impact the film can make is that it will be an insight into the quatation gang of Kochi for the people who have not been there and now they will be more excited to be a gunda.

In all, I just couldn’t figure out what Shrinath Rajendran was thinking to make out of this movie and what section of the movie lovers he wanted to target this time. He would surely like to forget about his debut attempt and move on to his more promising future projects.

Ratings : 3 Star (you can give it a miss easily)

No Man's Land(1987)-(Movies To See Before You Die-Crime)

This film was a vehicle for the talented CHARLIE SHEEN and D B SWEENY before the did 8 MEN OUT with JOHN SAYLES.The filmis a commentary on action adventure gun play and car theft in the age of "me" the 1980's.A rookie cop goes undercover and infiltrates a car thief ring.

 This one was released hot on the heels of PLATOON to capitalize off CHARLIE SHHENS performance in that and WALL STREET. The female characters have more to say in the movie and they all have done a commendable job. D.B Sweeney as Benjamin is classy and elegant with a style of his own. Lara Harris looks gorgeous specially in the song sequences. If you are not into crime movies then this would be a completely different kind of experience all together. A good choice for experimental cinema lovers. 

Romio and Juliot(1936)-(Movies To See Before You Die-Drama)

Undoubtedly considered the World Famous, No.1 Film, representing American Cinema all over the globe. More than enough has been said and written about this movie and every American knows and loves this movie without any exception. It’s a story of Young love is poisoned by a generations long feud between two noble families. The idea of the movie may be borrowed from Classic play of the same name & other adaptations of the play, but it should be only taken as an inspiration since the end result is classy and impressive on its own.

 Not to be missed is the fantastic background score by Herbert Stohart used brilliantly in the most famous scenes of the movie. In u.s.a, romio&juliot is treated as a cult classic, all time favourite english movie.

A must see for all., though you must have already seen it several times.

Directed By George Cukor

Starring : Norma Shearer, Leslie Howard, John Barrymore, Edna Mayoliver, Basil Rathbon & C.Aubrey Smith. 

Music Herbert Stohert

The French Connection(1971)(Movies To See Before You Die-Thriller)

One of the costliest yet most successful movies of American Film History. The film is also considered as the most grand and lavish flick ever made in American Cinema. Though you can call it a bit dramatic in current times, but still it is a treat to watch Gene Hackman, Fernando Rey & Roy Scheider together on the celluloid playing historical characters.

The new sequel is not recommended as its more looking all fake and deliberate. The prequel has more depth in it and leaves a better impact on the viewer. Making a thriller of such scale at that time of the century is really unimaginable.  The unforgettable musical score by Don Ellis is also included among the finest works of the maestro.  A fine example of Cinematic Class.

Directed By William Freidkin

Starring : Fernando Rey, Roy Scheider & Gene Hackman 

Music By Don Ellis

Cassanovva:Roshan Andrews' Average Romantic Action Thriller(Movie Review By Yunus E.K)

It is discouraging to know that in the current scenario of rip offs, remakes and comedies, a filmmaker  who known to make films on social issues also fell in the same category. Cassanovva is Roshan Andrews' average movie inspired from a well known hollywood movie. It has a slow and unimpressive start which continue after the intermission. In the second half you see the good old Roshan Andrews lost in some cliche scenes.

In short some straight conclusions about the movie are :

1. It is inspired from the famous “Love In The Afternoon”  which is directed by Billy Wilder.

2. It can also be seen as a redefined version of Benny Chan's masterpiece “New Police Story”. As here Mohan Lal take revenge for his lover.

3. There are few debutant actors in the movie-Abhishek,Shamsi,Arjun,Vikram and Midlaj.

4. This time Andrews’ ‘Jacky Chan' is the powerful “Mohan Lal” who is equally power packed and punchy as Jacky was in “New Police Story”. He is such a great actor that even when he has not got that physical appearance, still he makes you believe when he fights many men single handedly. He gets a author backed meaty role and does full justice with it. The film belongs to him completely.

Mohan Lal plays the role of Casanovva, a serial womaniser. Casanovva is the owner of Casanovva’s Eternal Spring, an international chain of flower boutiques.   He is quite impressive but also seems similar to his act of “Sagar Alias Jacky” and “Red Chillies” . Jagathi Shreekumar is there for his support .The first half pretty matches the expectations from the biggie, but in the later half while dealing with the lead man's original love with a salsa dancer named Sameera (Shriya Saran) who transforms him to a romantic than a womanizer, 'Casanovva' looks sulky and strained a bit. 

But its all the way “Mohan Lal” which you remember coming out of the theater for his gem of a performance. Shreya Sharan has nothing to do as Lal’s lover except one good scene when she die. Whereas music is satisfactory & could have been better, the background music on the other hand enhances the impact of the scenes.

The movie is tense and lacks lighter moments of good humour. Roshan Andrews never manages to impress in the second half. If only the second half had been more entertaining and engrossing, it could have resulted into a better movie. "Cassanovva" lacks the complete ingredients of a blockbuster,  and the movie should be watched only for one person, that’s Mohan Lal.

Ratings : 2 Stars (with special mention of Mohan Lal.)

Frankenstein(1931)-(Movies To See Before You Die-Horror)

Based on Mary Shelly's famous novel about  an obsessed scientist assembles a living being from parts of exhumed corpses. I just wonder in awe at the uniqueness and charm of this movie, the atmospherics, sets, backgrounds, lighting, effects, sound and visuals etc. Even by watching you just get a totally uncanny sense of being part of and being real-time witness of a magnificent period of cinematic history.The lead character innovatively tries to explore the relationships he had in his past and the reasons why they all remained unsuccessful.

You can almost taste the 1930's. It's the nearest thing you'll ever experience of whats its actually like to get in a time machine. Just switch off the lights and you can even imagine yourself being a 1930's cinema goer.  Some of the viewers may find it a bit slow but you are sure going to cherish the experience in the end. Highly recommended for lovers of meaningful and experimental cinema .

 Directed By James Whale

Starring : Colin Clive & Mae Clarke

Beautiful(2011)&Guzarish(2010)

The story of this Jayasurya starrer and V.K Prakash directed movie was written by famous actor Anoop Menon. But the plot is also quite similar to Sanjay Leela Bansali's movie "Guzarish", except the friendship angle inserted in the storyline.

Incidentally an English movie was also made on this story with the  title 'Intouchables' in 1911.

Arhatha(1990)&Anuragi(1989)

This Mohan Lal & Rekha starrrer is highly inspired from his own “Anuragi” which is also based on the problems in a factory. 

Black Narcissus(1947)-(Movies To See Before You Die-Drama)

In simple words, “That’s Cinema In Its Purest Form”. Unarguably the film deserves a standing ovation for its unusual content and for its near perfect execution. Michaell Powell and Emeric Pressburger delivers what was expected from them, an out of the routine, emotional, memorable and enlightening film which is capable of bringing changes in the lives of many socities. The film revolves around the emotional tensions within a convent of nuns in an isolated valley in the Himalayas.Black Narcissus is that rare thing, an erotic English film about the fantasies of nuns, startling wheneverKathleen Byron is involved.It is all done by suggestion, but eroticism is in every frame and image from beginning to end.

 It is a film full of wonderful performances and passion just below the surface, which finally, at the end of the film,erupts. The movie is simply above the star rating system……

Directed By Michaell Powell&Emeric Pressburger

Starring : Deborah Kher, Sabu, Jean Simmons and more.

Music By Brian Easdale

The Whole Town's Talking(1935)-(Movies To See Before You Die-Comedy)

Another under-rated gem from the master film-maker John Ford. Though this time he goes more into character details and long interaction scenes in the first half, but in the later, he is in form again. Movies based on dual role and mistaken identity are always fun to watch since they have excitement and comedy as their key ingredients. And here too John Ford comes up with a well directed movie on crime and comedy theme, inspired by a best seller story “Jail Break”

It’s about  a law-abiding man who bears a striking resemblance to a killer,  with promising surprises in the end. There are entertaining moments of a meek milquetoast of a clerk is mistaken for Public Enemy #1, and the notorious killer takes advantage of the situation. Each character adds his contribution to the movie as pure diamonds in a beautiful bracelet. The opening sequence sets the mood in with ordinary man-in-the-street Arthur Ferguson Jones leads a very straightforward life.  And then, the rest of the cast is introduced with some very interesting dialogues. Both Edward G.Robinson and Jean Arthur have given splendid performances. Edward G.Robinson is simply superb, with his short dialogues in a double role. And also worth watching is the interaction between Arthur Freguson Jones &killer Mannion  at his house in their first scene itself. 

The movie may be a bit slow for some viewers since the the usual trademark styles of John Ford, are not there. But it grows on you slowly and leaves you impressed as it ends. The interesting characterization of every individual in the story demands many repeated views of this John Ford masterpiece. In few words, it is not a usual pacy comedy, but a very good choice for students of cinema to study different aspects of movie making. In fact the movie is a fine example to teach character building in a story. Don’t expect an action packed, fast moving crime movie with great chase sequences, but instead see this movie to experience perfect scripting, brilliant direction and superb acting, all in one.

Directed By John Ford

Starring : Edward G.Robinson, Jean Arthur, Arthur Hohl, James Doulan & Others