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