notofdisdimention Reviews

Ford v Ferrari (2019)

Good but not among the best

[7/10 · 27 February 2020]

As it has an expected plot the screenplay should have been different.

Also in terms of the philosophy it doesn't have is great there. It's more of a homage to the greats of the racing world.

Claire's Knee (1970)

LET'S TALK OF A DIFFERENT POINT OF VIEW

[9/10 · 9 October 2019]

Well, I came across this movie while reading Roger Ebert's Awake in the dark and thankfully was able to get a chance to get a hold of Éric Rohmer's masterpiece Claire's Knee. I hadn't read Ebert's review (usually I watch a movie before going through the reviews) so was not sure what was I going into - haven't watched any trailer as well so I was not sure what this would be about, but with my experience with foreign movies I was sure it would be good and I guessed by the name that it suggested something like Lolita or many other movies based on such abnormal (sometimes immoral) desires.

So, when you start with the movie you are somewhat aware where this is going - the expected storyline basis the title- but soon comes to these well-performed characters and while getting engrossed in the discussions between characters on love, choices, life, etc. you get more understanding on the way each of them sees the world - what they desire? what they like? and why they do so? The great part with such discussion was that first, it didn't go into a preachy tone- that x is right and y is not, each of them had their views which they justified by their past or by their behavior - it reminded me of the Before trilogy and, second, while listening to such great lines, one start thinking and contemplating of one's own stand on the topic of love, moral & desires.

There is a scene where the protagonist talks about a notion where he as a person do not have desires on the beauty aspect of women but because of a character his friends ask him to play, he started thinking like that character, and somewhere knowingly or unknowingly he too as a person starts to have those desires. The beauty of this notion is that this happens to the viewer as well, you don't look at claire's knee or her in that sense- but because the movie tells you that this is important - this is beautiful - and to be desired you look for it in that passionate way. You too, play the character in the movie.

Precious (II) (2009)

The movie deserves more acclaim

[9/10 · 3 February 2017]

Just for starters, please do watch the film.

First thought that it is not a movie about black people (like all those movies showcasing about the discrimination shown/was shown to them).

The movie is about HUMANS, about the precious people we have around. It is a bold movie, which questions how we treat people, how the media/society have changed our perception of beauty, and how tough is it for girls who have to live a life of "Precious".

The acting is amazing, and the technical aspects of shooting dream sequences will remain fresh for a long time.

Overall, the movie is too bold to be a Hollywood product. It has that quality and vibe of world cinema

The Celebration (1998)

Tell, Don't show

[8/10 · 3 February 2017]

The cast and the most suitable directing style for a sad topic creates a gripping movie.

The story is about a high-class family; the secrets and behaviors of its members, and how things unfold at a family union party of the Dad's 60th Birthday.

The way the director/story introduces the characters is amazing if you miss a moment you might miss on some plot points. The cast is amazing and brilliant in their performance. Some scenes are bizarre and reminds one of Bunuel's The Exterminating Angel.

There are lot movies made on such topic where a family secret is revealed at some party/reunion, but this movie is a lot better and different from those because is also shows(in a dark sense) how the society/close by people reacts to it.

Phobia (I) (2016)

Great acting lifting an intelligent movie

[9/10 · 28 May 2016]

The first reaction one will have after watching this movie is that this is just not a simple thriller movie but also has a thought- provoking message and of course Radhika Apte's acting is amazing.

Starting from the trailer- The movie looks promising and you are reminded of Ram Gopal Verma's Kaun (starring Urmila Matondkar). Here I would like to clarify that Phobia's story or concept is completely different from Kaun, even the circumstances are totally different.

Movie- As almost all thriller movie this also starts with a tragedy but slowly builds up to be much more than a movie of a personal experience but one also thinks of how we(society) thinks/acts in many situations. As the movie progresses it transforms from a movie about a 'phobia' to the protagonist's character to a great and very fresh climax (Credits to the director).

Direction- Amazing, great camera shots create the feeling of fear

Acting- Radhika Apte was great in her previous small roles in many movies but here she shows her full potential that she can carry a movie alone on her shoulder

Titli (2014)

A typical Indie release i.e. a story/incident you will remember

[7/10 · 30 October 2015]

'Titli' for me is a movie which makes an impact because of the unique storyline, the plots and themes it covers at ground level is new and honest. The movie shows that how the circumstances in which a poor and ambitious person gets into causes him to take shortcuts and involve in evil means. How the rich and powerful and the so called 'friends' try to take advantage of your situation.

The story is about a poor family, comprising of people who won't blink before doing any harm to others. The members are working as a watchman, or at petrol pump as shown in some scenes, but to earn money they con people and steal their cars. To improve the chances of them to con people they know that they need a girl in their gang , and they get the younger son married to Neelu, and hence her story also comes in the picture where it is shown how ambitious she is but is also fooled because of blindly trusting strangers.

The director did a great work at showing the tension between the characters and the way he showed the brutal hammer scenes is praiseworthy. But he is swayed away with those long "ART MOVIE" shots, the shots were unpolished and the meaning he wanted to come out of them was also not effective.

The writing for some characters was really deep and sensitive. Like the father - a selfish person who just cares for his food and TV, and don't object to the wrong his sons are into. Rarely a character like this to be seen in bollywood.

The casting is done perfectly. Shivani as Neelu is a perfect fit and same goes for Ranvir Shorey as the elder brother.

Watch this movie for an enriching experience and the surprising solutions provided to the problem of ambitiousness or desperation of a poor immoral family.

Qissa: The Tale of a Lonely Ghost (2013)

Such movies need support of the intellect movie bluffs

[8/10 · 10 October 2015]

A well-written script with an honest performance by the cast, the story telling has an Indian folk tale touch.

Tillotama Shome is great with her performance, the scenes with the mother and father are perfect and heart touching, and it is because of her performance that this movie comes out as a subtle art film rather than a Yash raj melodrama.

The movie talks about the how the desire of having a boy child was prevalent in the past and to what level the people can be obsessed with such pity things and destroy their and others happy peaceful life.

Do watch and support the movie, the movie perfectly encapsulates the sense of an Indie classic(that is a new story line) and not an artificial work like "ship of Theseus".

Ugly (2013)

Ugly - The Requiem for the Dreams

[10/10 · 26 December 2014]

So what is UGLY? Is it something like SHAITAAN, everyone has a UGLY side ..blah blah?? Or is it like Black Friday, pure reality of the system?? The best Kashyap's movie??

I would say it shows how great Anurag Kashyak is as a film maker. It is a cocktail of intensity and emotional finesse from the Korean Movies, the craziness from the Brazilian, the shock from the Italian and the Caos from Fincher.

The movie is so real, for an Indian audience he would not be surprised with a lot of things as he/she know the system, but he would definitely be surprised to see the limit of it, and to see what could be wrong. The movie shows the limit of efforts one can put and how desperate one gets. The humans are shown as parasites surviving on others, and how UGLY can they get for their survival and dreams. And when these dreams don't fulfill as planned things get UGLY

The movie is a really well written mystery thriller, the screenplay is amazing, the characters are real, and the acting is wonderful. Amazing work at the casting and background score.

There is no shaitaan side of people they are actually like that to the core -UGLY

Phas Gaye Re Obama (2010)

Away from the bollywood shore

[8/10 · 20 August 2014]

This movie is for all the movie lovers who feed on foreign language movies(not Hollywood/bollywood) for the fresh and refreshing plot and characters.

Its a story about recession and how it affects the kidnapping business and the local goons. It has a short movie kind of treatment - a problem - an opportunity - and a fresh solution.

The characters are memorable - partially because of the uniqueness and partially as they have been played by talented actors. Rajat Kapoor as usual fits in his role, Sanjay Misra is amazing in this movie too funny and he knows how to make a simple line hilarious. Neha Dhupia always does good to a strong character like she did in 'Ek challis ki last local'. Manu Rishi is memorable as Anni,(don't miss the English coaching class scene).

One thing more that makes this movie funny is the background score/music. When a gangster is telling about the difficulties he is facing in kidnapping, when a son meets his father,etc. The music is perfectly placed.

Few times bollywood make some sensible movies, and we should appreciate these.

Bound (1996)

A next door thriller

[9/10 · 30 April 2014]

A nice movie with a gripping story line.

The characters are few but are memorable, great tension scenes and well written dialogues.

Jennifer Tilly character of Corky is seducing more with her voice than her looks.

Do watch it, will remind you of those perfect murder or perfect crime movies.

Its a different story about love and betrayal.Along with nice twists and turns it is filled with a different scenario in the Italian Mob games.

Milk (I) (2008)

Do something to be proud off

[8/10 · 16 March 2014]

The best on such issue, a must watch movie which gives you a lot for your understanding of the gay community. The movie questions our believes of how the society should be or for whom it should be, the things we are taught by religion and are we interpreting it wrong ?

So I would thank the academy for appreciating the screenplay, and the acting, for it would help that many people will know about it and will watch it.

Its bad that even after performances like 'I am Sam','Mystic River' and 'Milk' Sean Penn is not considered among the greatest. Many actors just play the role and be in character whenever there are some powerful scenes, but Sean Penn was in the character from start to end not missing any spot, while giving speeches one can notice his hand movements,they were just perfect, even when he was showing Emile Hirsch his office,the scene isn't that important but he played it perfectly, and that's a performance when you act between your lines.

The way the story is told and how intelligently they put the real footage in between the film was amazing, this gave more credibility to what is shown as the inspiring story of Harvey Milk.

It gives you hope,the strength of never backing down and shows what the society thinks is your weakness could be your strength.

What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? (1962)

Role play at its best

[9/10 · 16 March 2014]

Baby Jane Hudson: I didn't bring your breakfast, because you didn't eat your din-din! -- A combination of childlike mischief with the devilish meanness.

Bette Davis showed how to play such horrifying roles. It was a treat to watch her, every frame she is in she stole it, 10/10 for her acting.

The character reminded me of Mrs. Danvers from Rebecca(1940), and also of Annie Wilkes in Misery(1990)

The movie was surprising at all aspects, the change of tone, the shades of character was so beautifully woven together by the great Robert Aldrich.

The starting was unique of its kind, a mix of jealous and selfishness within the atmosphere of cheerful and cute moments. There was always some new revelations going on, new characters being introduced, new shades of characters revealed.

Highly recommended.