The Conjuring - the new horror film on the block!

           A lot of nice things are being said about James Wan's latest film, The Conjuring, and they are mostly true. However, as a true horror film fan, I was slightly underwhelmed. Mostly because of the whole exorcism element, since I never find it scary nor interesting to watch. But other than that, the movie did not disappoint me at all. Just make sure that when you watch the film, no one tries to ruin it with their stupid banter or any other disturbances. If they do, feel free to unleash the demonic-possession attack on these hooligans. Because The Conjuring isn't a film that is out there to give you cheap scares. It is in no hurry to scare you; it takes its time in effectively building up the atmosphere and unveiling the bits of the story piece by piece, just like in horror classics - The Haunting, The Innocents, The Changeling, etc.

       TC is lushly shot, brilliantly performed and effortlessly directed. Three highlights of the film for me are:

Vera Farmiga

a) Vera Farmiga - Amazing casting choice! I've always loved the actress' work but here she sells you every damn outlandish concept convincingly and without a hint of effort. And damn those eyes speak volumes!

b) Lili Taylor - Haven't seen her earlier work. But after the film, it had me looking her up on Wikipedia. Look at her in the scene when she hears claps at the dead of the night. Riveting and realistic!

Lili Taylor

c) The theme music - Oh, the music! One of the most terrifying pieces of theme music ever! No exaggeration. Hear it at night when you're alone, I did and just the thought of it now gives me the chills.

         However, I will admit that I missed James Wan's sheer horror-assault of Insidious, which had me pausing the film in between just to gather myself and breathe. There are no innovative scary scenes here, maybe one or two at best. But then again, the film is supposedly based on a true story. Most of the second half didn't do much for me, especially the climax, since we've seen it way too many times. And if filmmakers are attempting to make an exorcism film now, they have to start being innovative. Most of the elements in the exorcism scenes here are way too passé! But thankfully, they are towards the end.

         The Conjuring is at best an old-school horror film in a new package. Just because it is old school doesn't mean it isn't effective; it is way better than most horror films these days. Just don't expect it to be like the terrifying Blair Witch Project, the innovative Paranormal Activity, the can-scare-the-daylights-out-of-you Insidious or even the ballsy and claustrophobic The Descent. The Conjuring might not give you nightmares like any of these above mentioned films do, but it'll surely show you a great time.

          Don't think and just go for The Conjuring. It really is worth spending your money on and definitely worth watching in a theatre. If you haven't watched a good horror film in a while, you mustn't miss this. It might not stay with you for long but the terrifying theme score definitely will.

A long love affair, called - Titanic

                I don't know how appropriate it is to say this but it is because of the incident that happened on this date, 100 years ago, that we got a masterpiece, a modern classic, an unforgettable and a life changing experience in the film Titanic. A film that is certainly the greatest film ever, for people of my generation and a movie that has been a major part of us while growing up. A film that set the standards for us in movies and in terms of making 'em.

                On the 100th Anniversary of the sinking of the RMS Titanic, I cannot thank James Cameron enough for making this film; bringing this tragic story, of the magnificent ship, to us. Although he did bank on this story of human loss by making billions but he did justice to the incident by giving us a humanised potrayal of the tragedy, paying attention to every detail without over exploiting the incident and having us sympathize with the people on board. Having said that, we also can't deny that we enjoy every bit of watching the ship sink. Hell, we went to see the ship sink all over again in 3D this year! No one can deny this that the film is a spectacle! But honestly, it wasn't just because of the ship that we spent 250 bucks for watching it again, 15 years after its original release. We went to see the Titanic that Cameron presented us - with Jack, Rose, James Horner's amazing music, Celine Dion's awesome song and, of course, the jaw dropping technical marvel! We really feel like we're ON the Titanic!

                We celebrate this film, around the world, indirectly celebrating the accident. But we cared to know about the tragedy or took even a remote interest in the ship because Cameron gave us an eternal love story amidst the tragedy. If it wasn't for that, Titanic would have been just another ship that sank. So, on behalf of everyone, I thank James Cameron for making Titanic, going all the way down to Atlantic's bottom, romancing the wreckage and telling us this story! For making us cry for Jack and Rose's love for each other, for having us hope we find someone with whom we can have that. (Even if we're not good at drawing!) I don't know about others but I can't help well up a bit whenever I watch the film, whether alone or with my loved ones. It's hard to not fall in love with the film and even harder to forget it. It still won't have you taking your eyes away in its 3 hours or so run time. As a kid, I just watched the film to see the ship sink. I understood the story only after I grew up. And when I did, it hit me so hard that the film became really close to me, like no other, and still is.

                Taking this opportunity, I also want to Thank Cameron for giving us Leo and Kate! The film made these extraordinarily talented actors famous around the world, giving them the attention they truly deserved. I love them, I heart the film and I truly admire the person who made this film - the man who said on the Oscar stage,"I'm the king of the world!" - James Cameron. I love him too! :')

Agent Pakau!

            I've been a fan of Sriram Raghavan's work ever since I first watched Ek Haseena Thi. It was instant love and respect, that was further intensified by the brilliant Johnny Gaddar. So, naturally, I had expectations from Agent Vinod, even if the trailers never really appealed to me. I guess it is because of those expectations that the film disappointed me.

            To begin with, the film doesn't have a feel of a Sriram Raghavan film; the realism, the uncompromised direction, sharp detailing, the Neo-Noir touch -all of it is missing! It's total Bollywood here, from the sudden and weird humour to the yikes-ily composed mujra number popping in between or the absent logic in between  or the romantic number in between a thrilling action scene or the entire romantic track in itself! Am sure all this has been done on the insistance of the producers, to raise the film's commercial viability.

            The film doesn't have a bad premise at all. In fact, it starts off in a brilliantly done sequence telling us what exactly the agent is after. But that's only at the beginning,  the keeps-you-guessing  feel of a spy film that leaves you on the edge of your seat is sorely missing here. Even it is written in the script, it just doesn't translate on screen. This is mostly because the actors are too busy trying to look good especially, Kareena. She sucks to the core! And when I say this, she really does! One of the twists involving her, during the intermission, lacks the punch because of her uninspired acting! I don't know what happened to the actress who gave us Omkara and Jab We Met. She seems uninterested half the time. And I don't know why she was absent from the scene of her character's conclusion. Saif, contrary to what others are saying, didn't impress me much either. He isn't bad of course. In fact he is one of the only elements about the film that worked. But he is capable of doing much better! (Read Ek Haseena Thi, Omkara, Being Cyrus)The supporting cast doesn't impress much either, lot should be credited to the bad characterization; some are real stereotypes like the fake white lens wearing character played by Shahbaz Khan. Plus, the ever brilliant Zakir Hussain is given such a small part!

            What works in favour of the film is it's Cinematography, smart Editing and some of the action sequences that are quite thrilling. The music by Pritam is god-awful! Yes, it is. I mean that in context of not suiting the film. The song Pungi is enjoyable as a stand-alone song. I like it too. But it isn't meant for a spy film. And the way it's been used in the film, it's appalling! Why try so hard to impress the audience? I think, if the Producers would have let Sriram do his work, the film would have been much better and the audience would have liked it for what it is! (Kahaani, for example) You can't put all the elements, that the audience likes, in one film. What comes out is a royal mess! (Look at the Charlie Chaplin scene, in this one. Messy!) It's because of all these elements that the film has an inconsistent tone.

            What the producers have tried hard is also to get a U/A certification by compromising on scenes where the scene required to have a bit of a mature take. Like the scene with a Moroccan security guy, who wants to bed Kareena,  is shown cartoon-ishly dancing around in the hotel (to an old Hindi song), in his boxers, to seduce her. A few minutes ago, in one of the scenes at a ballet show, he's shown looking down a woman's cleavage with sheer lust making them uncomfortable. Now, am not sure if it is supposed to be quirky characterization or what. It just doesn't translate but ends up being a bad scene. It's these types of scenes that makes Agent Vinod just another Bollywood film. I'm stressing on the word "Bollywood" here. I hate the word. It's wannabe-ish. And that's exactly what this film ends up being. It wants to be a spy film as good as James Bond, but doesn't come close even after stylish production values.

            Yet, I won't say I'm disappointed in Sriram Raghavan. I have faith in him and his style of filmmaking. His first two films are evidence of the fact that he is one of India's great filmmakers. And here, I'm not using the word "great" casually but with the weight it's supposed to be used. If you don't trust me, watch those two films. They truly are underrated gems, without the backing of big producers and distributors, which is also why they didn't get him enough recognition. As far as this film is concerned, his vision was compromised with and it's evident throughout. Actually, every great filmmaker once tries his hand at making a big budget commercial film which often gets hijacked by the producers and the film fails miserably (For eg. James Cameron's Piranha 2, Darren Aronofsky's The Fountain, Guy Ritchie's Swept Away). But atleast it'll get Raghavan recognition and a huge paycheck. After which, I hope he goes back to making the kind of films he made earlier. After all, his fans (like me) have waited for 5 years since his last film. And we deserve a treat. Hell, he deserves a treat for himself by getting to make something that he really wants to in a way that he wants to.

            Now finally, on an ending note, if you really want to watch this film, go ahead. It's not a bad film, it's brilliant in parts but not so brilliant in it's entirety. Just don't expect it to overwhelm you. And for others, watching Kahaani again would a far better option. It's this year's best film, so far. (I say that even if I didn't like the end.) Or watch Ek Haseena Thi and Johnny Gaddar on DVD. These films will surely leave you mesmerized.

Me - The Oscar-phile

    The Oscars just ended this Monday. And just like a cine-phile, am also an Oscar-phile. I really am! I have been mesmerized by the Oscars ever since I first watched the live telecast of the ceremony in 2009 when Slumdog Millionaire won. The sheer grandness of it, when the world was going through recession, left me speechless! Just like Billy Crystal said in his opening monologue this year, "Tonight let's enjoy yourselves. Coz nothing can take the sting out of this world's economic problem like watching millionaires present each other with golden statues!" Watching that grand ceremony 3 years back, I knew I was going to follow them for the rest of my life. This year, too, I followed the updates on 'em ever since the HFPA announced the nominations for Golden Globes. And then began the efforts of watching these movies from various sources even if they hadn't released in India up until the last week. When the nominees were announced, like every year, there were some surprises and some disappointments too; like Tilda Swinton's exclusion from Best Actress for We Need To Talk About Kevin, The Ides Of March and Take Shelter not being nominated for Best Picture, etc. It was a rather long wait. And finally 27th arrived. The excitement was so much, I'd keep waking up in the middle of the night thinking I overslept. This went on since 3 am and finally at 7 am the Live telecast started and it was time to watch the event I wait for an entire year and one that is certainly, for me, one of the highlights of the year.

So this is my review and the highlights of the 84th Annual Academy Awards:

1.  First off, the ceremony was low on grandness scale and that was really a disppointment. One of the things that makes Oscar special is the grandness of the ceremonies.
2. As much as I love Billy Crystal, I really am not a fan of Hollywood Musical numbers. Was awkward during the entire opening number. Another complaint - not enough of Billy Crystal's jokes! Come on, the guy does awesome thought guessing game. (Be on the lookout, Sajid Khan might copy that act again in one of his hosting acts! :P) Plus, opening monologues ought to be really funny like the one with Ellen Degeneres at the 79th Oscars and Alec Baldwin & Steve Martin at 82nd Oscars.
3. George Clooney kisses Billy Crystal! Billy Crystal later calling him an excellent kisser! Fun!
4. Angelina Jolie, looking smoking hot, walks up to the stage with a thigh high split black gown and exposes her thigh with a pose. It wasn't just me but everyone in the audience that gasped! What a moment! :P (This will join the "Memorable Moments in Oscar history" list soon!)
5.  The year dominated by movies about movies. Yay for that!
6.  No disappointment with winners in any category. They all were too good!
7. Surprise musical performance by A R Rehman! (Not exactly a performance but whatever!) And Natalie Portman's grand entry with the music from Swan Lake playing in the background. Nice!!
8. Watching Octavia Spencer win and Christopher Plummer's awesome acceptance speech.
9. Cast of Bridesmaids talking naughty on stage by using length of movies as a euphemism for...you know what!  
10. And finally, the moment people will talk for days - Meryl Streep's Oscar win! A long overdue Oscar with 17 nominations and 3 wins! Everyone cheered for her when she won. That moment alone described how precious she is for the movie world. Plus, it had her choking up with such a heartfelt speech. This win alone made the predictable ceremony worth all the time.
    

    Finally, the award season comes to an end. I don't know how seriously I take the Oscars, even if they leave me sleepless. The thing is - not every good movie can be rewarded with a win or a nomination. There are too many good movies out there to reward! But the best part about the Oscar season is that we get to see so many good movies, both nominated and snubbed, get the attention they deserve, followed by intense discussions and debates about them. Another good part is watching the awe inspiring and talented actors, who've put in year's of efforts in their art and soul into their characters, finally win. I might even dare to say that it's for the actors alone that I watch the ceremony. Really! Throughout the entire ceremony I waited for the Best Actress category (the toughest category every year including Best Director). I jumped and danced when Meryl won. Yes, it was a paisa wasool moment for me even if I equally wanted Viola Davis to win (She was magnificent in The Help!).
  
   Finally, the Oscar updates will stop. Everyone will recover themselves from the Oscar fever. But will be waiting for next December for another set of awesome movies from every corner of the world to wow us. Up until then, Long Live the Oscars!

Film lover's film reviews!

I've been wanting to write a blog for a LONG time now. But couldn't, coz I couldn't find a topic. So without any fuss, am just gonna go ahead and let my post be about something I really love - watching movies and writing about them.


So I'll start off by recommending 2 brilliant short films. Proud to report that both are made by my classmates, although am recommending these films solely because they stayed with me. These films though student-made are strong enough to compete on a professional level.

1. Face to Face.
Directed by: Bharat Pawar
A man, while taking a leak in a public urinal, sees a flier of a missing person. The man, intrigued, goes on a hunt to find the missing man. Now, will he find this person in this huge sea of people?
This little gem of a movie, just 3 minutes long, says so much in it's run time that it will take you a lot more views to fully grasp it. It ain't anything heavy, the subtlety will require you to watch it the second time with a lot more attention so that you can understand the subtext. It's simplicity and music will charm you and the underlying message will leave you applauding. This is short film-making at its best!

2. Bheed.
Directed by: Aamir Bengali
A family coming to terms with the bitter truth that the man of the house has abandoned them for a better life in the Maximum City and that their lives won't be the same again.
This movie ain't anything out of the box. It's just a simple and a true story of thousands of families that have been left alone because of the lure of the City of Dreams. Guided by strong performances by every actor (supporting and lead), brilliant camerawork, effortless narration, make-up and good production values, the film shows us one's denial, another's anger leading to a subsequent breakdown. Not everyone will like this movie, it's far from perfect, it even becomes melodramatic towards the end, but lovers of intense scenes will love it.

Both the films deal with the same topic, crowded Mumbai and people getting lost in this crowd - one in search of Gandhi and the other in search of a better life, as is explained by the powerful montages of the crowded city in both the films.
Watch both the films, if you get the chance, but without any expectations. Watch for what the filmmakers have to tell you and the chances are, you won't be disappointed.
Signing off, then!
Cheers! :)