Seen on May 5, 2009 - A Netflix dvd
Cast: Meg Ryan, Annette Bening, Eva Mendes, et al
A "screwball" comedy [Netflix categorisation of the genre) inspired by a play by Clare Booth Luce. Mary Haines'[Meg Ryan] devoted friend Sylvie Fowler [Annette Bening] discovers that her friend's Wall St. milliannaire husband is having a secret affair with a shop girl. They plot and scheme to set things right. Through many comic episodes there is a temporary split and for the while Mary transforms into a stunning fashion designer winning back her husband's love....At this stretch I don't remember the details, but we enjoyed it. However, the overall impression is that it has great witty screenplay despite its thin story line. As a remake of George Cukor's 1939 version of "The Women" this one is said to be no less a success.
Saturday, June 27, 2009
The Door in the Floor (2004)
Seen on May 3, 2009 - Netflix dvd
The movie is rated R for nudity, obscenity and sexuality.
The movie is based on the first third of John Irving's 1998 novel, A Widow for One Year.
Ted Cole [Jeff Bridges] is a womaniser, failed writer who finds success with children's stories which he illustrates himself. He uses the neighborhood women as his nude models who eventually double up as his mistresses. His wife Marion [Kim Basinger] is still grieves the loss of his two sons in a car crash for which Ted is responsible; the accident took place nearly 4 years ago. Desperate to comfort his wife and also get her off his hands, Ted hires an assistant Eddie [John Foster] for whom he really has little use. Ted Cole has a hidden agenda; he suggests his wife they try for a time living separately with a hope that this could eventually be a permanent arrangement. Eddie, who has a stark resemblance to one of the killed teenage sons, in turn has come here to learn about creative writing. Later when Marion catches the sex-starved young boy Eddie masturbating with the inspiration of her bra and panties, she soothes him his guilt, invites him to dinner and to sex. Also this intimacy between them was, on her part, without the feelings of guilt and it clear she meant it to douse the boy's sexual frustrations and make a man of him [help him come of age]. Marion also knew that her husband has indirectly meant to urge her into adultery and she eventually leaves him. But while it lasts, the growing distance between them only results in Ted being angry with the boy making him vent it in a number of ways [much like in the movie Voyeur where the husband kills himself in similar situation].
What happens when you open the door in floor and enter? You lose the terra firma. There is in fact a children's story in the film written by Ted about the irresistible curiosity of the child to open the forbidden door in the floor down which several children have disappeared earlier. The ending of the movie also shows him disappear into a door in the floor of his squash court, the literal thus becoming metaphoric. The loss of the children has opened the forbidden door for the couple and knocked down the ground on which their marriage stood.
The film leaves us disturbed enough to think deeply about this tragedy.
AO Scott of NY Times has said: "It[the film version] may even belong in the rarefied company of movies that are better than the books on which they are based."
The movie is rated R for nudity, obscenity and sexuality.
The movie is based on the first third of John Irving's 1998 novel, A Widow for One Year.
Ted Cole [Jeff Bridges] is a womaniser, failed writer who finds success with children's stories which he illustrates himself. He uses the neighborhood women as his nude models who eventually double up as his mistresses. His wife Marion [Kim Basinger] is still grieves the loss of his two sons in a car crash for which Ted is responsible; the accident took place nearly 4 years ago. Desperate to comfort his wife and also get her off his hands, Ted hires an assistant Eddie [John Foster] for whom he really has little use. Ted Cole has a hidden agenda; he suggests his wife they try for a time living separately with a hope that this could eventually be a permanent arrangement. Eddie, who has a stark resemblance to one of the killed teenage sons, in turn has come here to learn about creative writing. Later when Marion catches the sex-starved young boy Eddie masturbating with the inspiration of her bra and panties, she soothes him his guilt, invites him to dinner and to sex. Also this intimacy between them was, on her part, without the feelings of guilt and it clear she meant it to douse the boy's sexual frustrations and make a man of him [help him come of age]. Marion also knew that her husband has indirectly meant to urge her into adultery and she eventually leaves him. But while it lasts, the growing distance between them only results in Ted being angry with the boy making him vent it in a number of ways [much like in the movie Voyeur where the husband kills himself in similar situation].
What happens when you open the door in floor and enter? You lose the terra firma. There is in fact a children's story in the film written by Ted about the irresistible curiosity of the child to open the forbidden door in the floor down which several children have disappeared earlier. The ending of the movie also shows him disappear into a door in the floor of his squash court, the literal thus becoming metaphoric. The loss of the children has opened the forbidden door for the couple and knocked down the ground on which their marriage stood.
The film leaves us disturbed enough to think deeply about this tragedy.
AO Scott of NY Times has said: "It[the film version] may even belong in the rarefied company of movies that are better than the books on which they are based."
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Brideshead Revisited (2008)
Seen on May 2, 2009 - A Netflix dvd
Director: Julian Jarrold
Writer: Anrew Davis, Jeremy Brock
This is based on Evelyn Waugh's 1945 British classic set before World War II. But the main story about the Catholic Flyte aristocratic family who own Brideshead Castle comes through as a memoir of Capt. Charles Ryder who is stationed at Brideshead Castle during II World War. He had once been disturbingly involved with Flyte family and was a witness to the destruction of the fine young lives of the brother and sister of the family, Sebastian and Julia under the repressive influence of Catholic religion enforced by their mother, Lady Marchmain (brilliantly played by Oscar winning Emma Thompson). Lady Marchman's husband had also run away from home to live with his mistress in Venice. Sebastian loathes home while Julia is ambivalently tied to the castle. Charles Ryder who is first drawn to this imposing castle is shocked to see how the lives of the family wilt under the domineering influence of the mother. The strict Catholic upbringing spells disaster in the lives of the children, giving them a sense of sin and guilt. In revolt against this, Sebastian becomes an impossible alcoholic and Julia reluctantly marries someone she doesn't love and someone who has converted to Catholic religion in order to marry her and benefit from the huge wealth of the family. The head of the family is driven into the arms of sin and mistress in an attempt to evade the oppressively domineering wife. Charles Ryder unknowingly walks into this situation and is appalled by the tragic waste of the lives under the pressures of Catholic religion.
This narrative is appears to be a critique of Catholic religion.
Director: Julian Jarrold
Writer: Anrew Davis, Jeremy Brock
This is based on Evelyn Waugh's 1945 British classic set before World War II. But the main story about the Catholic Flyte aristocratic family who own Brideshead Castle comes through as a memoir of Capt. Charles Ryder who is stationed at Brideshead Castle during II World War. He had once been disturbingly involved with Flyte family and was a witness to the destruction of the fine young lives of the brother and sister of the family, Sebastian and Julia under the repressive influence of Catholic religion enforced by their mother, Lady Marchmain (brilliantly played by Oscar winning Emma Thompson). Lady Marchman's husband had also run away from home to live with his mistress in Venice. Sebastian loathes home while Julia is ambivalently tied to the castle. Charles Ryder who is first drawn to this imposing castle is shocked to see how the lives of the family wilt under the domineering influence of the mother. The strict Catholic upbringing spells disaster in the lives of the children, giving them a sense of sin and guilt. In revolt against this, Sebastian becomes an impossible alcoholic and Julia reluctantly marries someone she doesn't love and someone who has converted to Catholic religion in order to marry her and benefit from the huge wealth of the family. The head of the family is driven into the arms of sin and mistress in an attempt to evade the oppressively domineering wife. Charles Ryder unknowingly walks into this situation and is appalled by the tragic waste of the lives under the pressures of Catholic religion.
This narrative is appears to be a critique of Catholic religion.
A Clockwork Orange (1971)
Seen on May 2, 2009 - A Netflix dvd
Director: Stanley Kubrick
Writer: Based on Anthony Burgess's novel
Theme: Condemnation of the fascist subjugation of human will into unquestioning conformity. The narrative shows how an amoral punk, Alex, is given to brutality, violence and criminal aggression. When imprisoned he is treated with the recent Lodovico chemical techniques and is completely transformed into an individual who loathes all forms of aggression, including sex. This experiment on him was State-sponsored with the alleged purpose of destruction of crime and violence in the country. But the corollary of this experiment is that it also destroys finer things in man such as appreciation of music. Outraged intellectuals protest against this. Fearing revolt from the enraged public, the state finally reverses the experiment by restoring freewill to Alex.
The film comes to you as a stage play, giving the whole a surreal fictional quality, thus rejecting the representational realistic mode. The events and settings are theatrical from the beginning to the end; even the language has the format of a drama. The staginess is perhaps an artistic strategy providing a short-cut to conveying the message.
The title too is meant to convey at once the theme which points to a machine-like man (Orang in Malayasian language means man).
Director: Stanley Kubrick
Writer: Based on Anthony Burgess's novel
Theme: Condemnation of the fascist subjugation of human will into unquestioning conformity. The narrative shows how an amoral punk, Alex, is given to brutality, violence and criminal aggression. When imprisoned he is treated with the recent Lodovico chemical techniques and is completely transformed into an individual who loathes all forms of aggression, including sex. This experiment on him was State-sponsored with the alleged purpose of destruction of crime and violence in the country. But the corollary of this experiment is that it also destroys finer things in man such as appreciation of music. Outraged intellectuals protest against this. Fearing revolt from the enraged public, the state finally reverses the experiment by restoring freewill to Alex.
The film comes to you as a stage play, giving the whole a surreal fictional quality, thus rejecting the representational realistic mode. The events and settings are theatrical from the beginning to the end; even the language has the format of a drama. The staginess is perhaps an artistic strategy providing a short-cut to conveying the message.
The title too is meant to convey at once the theme which points to a machine-like man (Orang in Malayasian language means man).
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Finding Neverland (2004)
Seen on March 16, 2009 - A Netflix dvd
Story takes to 1903s when J.M. Barrie's friendship with a family inspired him create the children's classic Peter Pan. A remarkable movie that bares the processes of writing by man of imagination. Child-like Barrie drowns himself in imaginative games with children of a widowed-mother and spends far too much time to care for his own wife. This leads to gossip, but the outcome of this absorption with children's amusement results in an all-time children's classic. This has touching moments at the end.
Story takes to 1903s when J.M. Barrie's friendship with a family inspired him create the children's classic Peter Pan. A remarkable movie that bares the processes of writing by man of imagination. Child-like Barrie drowns himself in imaginative games with children of a widowed-mother and spends far too much time to care for his own wife. This leads to gossip, but the outcome of this absorption with children's amusement results in an all-time children's classic. This has touching moments at the end.
Monday, June 22, 2009
Babel (2006)
Seen on March 15, 2009 - A Netflix dvd
Based on the Mexican writer Guillermo Arriaga's novel and directed by the Mexican director, Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu, Babel explores the idea that what happens in a remote corner of the world could have global ramifications sending ripple effects to far flung places. Almost an innocent act in an obscure place in Morocco of a Japanese tourist gifting a rifle to a shepherd has tragic and absurd consequences for an American tourist couple there and this results in an unfortunate effect on their children back home as well as on their Mexican baby-sitter. The whole series of events triggered by one absurd occurrence having effect in several different parts of the world, fall into a pattern in this film. But in this pattern there is one inexplicable lose end which concerns the Japanese girl and her sexual frustration. But the idea of the movie is good. The director could have dispensed with the lone loose end. Or is it possible that with this loose end the director is adding significance of the apparently unrelated events by calling the whole a babel? We liked it for exploring the idea of gratuitous absurd fate of man.
This film won 2007 Oscar for Best Foreign Lang. Film. Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett played lead roles in it.
Based on the Mexican writer Guillermo Arriaga's novel and directed by the Mexican director, Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu, Babel explores the idea that what happens in a remote corner of the world could have global ramifications sending ripple effects to far flung places. Almost an innocent act in an obscure place in Morocco of a Japanese tourist gifting a rifle to a shepherd has tragic and absurd consequences for an American tourist couple there and this results in an unfortunate effect on their children back home as well as on their Mexican baby-sitter. The whole series of events triggered by one absurd occurrence having effect in several different parts of the world, fall into a pattern in this film. But in this pattern there is one inexplicable lose end which concerns the Japanese girl and her sexual frustration. But the idea of the movie is good. The director could have dispensed with the lone loose end. Or is it possible that with this loose end the director is adding significance of the apparently unrelated events by calling the whole a babel? We liked it for exploring the idea of gratuitous absurd fate of man.
This film won 2007 Oscar for Best Foreign Lang. Film. Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett played lead roles in it.
Veera Drake (2004)
Seen on March 13, 2009 - a Netflix dvd
Working as a cleaning woman for upper-class families, Veera Drake has a secret life devoted to helping hapless women induce miscarriages of unwanted pregnancies--something that was illegal in the 50s England. However she is finally caught and prosecuted, but in mitigation for her selfless work her sentence is commuted.
Won two BAFTA award for Best Actress [Imalda Staunton] and Best Costume Design. Also won 3 Oscar nominations.
Working as a cleaning woman for upper-class families, Veera Drake has a secret life devoted to helping hapless women induce miscarriages of unwanted pregnancies--something that was illegal in the 50s England. However she is finally caught and prosecuted, but in mitigation for her selfless work her sentence is commuted.
Won two BAFTA award for Best Actress [Imalda Staunton] and Best Costume Design. Also won 3 Oscar nominations.
What's Eating Gilbert Grape (1993)
Seen on March 12,2009 - A Netflix dvd
Based on Peter Hedges' novel, this is about commitment, responsibility and love. It has the stamp of Lasse Hollstrom (known for Chocolat, The Hoax, Shipping News). Gilbert Grape's [Johnny Depp] family consisting of his retarded brother Arnie [brilliantly played by Leonardo DeCaprio], two unmarried sisters and an unmanageably corpulent mother. Grape puts his responsibility before his own life and is very patient and protective about the uncontrollable brother whose antics often prove to be a source of trouble from townsfolk. He even sacrifices his love interests and remains unmarried. When finally the overweight mother ostensibly kills herself to spare him her responsibility (and possibly of the ridicule from townsfolk), he decides to burn the house with her body because he didn't want to make a joke of his mother among townsfolk by hiring a crane; he wants her to die in dignity. At the end he takes his retarded brother with him when sets out to start his own life with his girlfriend.
Based on Peter Hedges' novel, this is about commitment, responsibility and love. It has the stamp of Lasse Hollstrom (known for Chocolat, The Hoax, Shipping News). Gilbert Grape's [Johnny Depp] family consisting of his retarded brother Arnie [brilliantly played by Leonardo DeCaprio], two unmarried sisters and an unmanageably corpulent mother. Grape puts his responsibility before his own life and is very patient and protective about the uncontrollable brother whose antics often prove to be a source of trouble from townsfolk. He even sacrifices his love interests and remains unmarried. When finally the overweight mother ostensibly kills herself to spare him her responsibility (and possibly of the ridicule from townsfolk), he decides to burn the house with her body because he didn't want to make a joke of his mother among townsfolk by hiring a crane; he wants her to die in dignity. At the end he takes his retarded brother with him when sets out to start his own life with his girlfriend.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
The World According to Garp (1982)
Seen on March 11, 2009 - A Netflix dvd
Based on John Irving's novel this is about a writer [Robin Williams] and his fiercely feminist mother [Glen Close](who got pregnant sleeping with a dying soldier while attending on him as a nurse during the war).
This is probably very much like the novel, an open-ended story meant to present a microcosmic sampling of the trends and types that dominated the social scene at the time. It's peopled mainly with a radical feminist single mother, a transsexual, fanatics opposed to radical ways of feminists, well-intentioned head cases, etc. The single mother is shot dead while addressing a feminist gathering while her son is shot dead by a malicious neighborhood girl in a gratuitous tragedy.
Glen Close won Best Actress Oscar for her role in this.
Based on John Irving's novel this is about a writer [Robin Williams] and his fiercely feminist mother [Glen Close](who got pregnant sleeping with a dying soldier while attending on him as a nurse during the war).
This is probably very much like the novel, an open-ended story meant to present a microcosmic sampling of the trends and types that dominated the social scene at the time. It's peopled mainly with a radical feminist single mother, a transsexual, fanatics opposed to radical ways of feminists, well-intentioned head cases, etc. The single mother is shot dead while addressing a feminist gathering while her son is shot dead by a malicious neighborhood girl in a gratuitous tragedy.
Glen Close won Best Actress Oscar for her role in this.
Terms of Endearment (1983)
Seen on March 11, 2009
Story of a mother (Shirley Mclain) and daughter (Debra Winger)who have their faults like everyone else and they move apart. Alone the mother, at this late age, takes it up with a neighborhood retired astronaut (Jack Nicholson), while the daughter, living away with her family, has an affair outside marriage if only to spite her two-timing husband teaching college. The film has a touching ending where the daughter dies of cancer leaving her three children in charge of her mother.
This film won 5 Oscars for Best Director (James L. Brooks), Best Picture, Best screenplay (James L. Brooks), Best actress and best supporting actor (Jack Nicholson).
Story of a mother (Shirley Mclain) and daughter (Debra Winger)who have their faults like everyone else and they move apart. Alone the mother, at this late age, takes it up with a neighborhood retired astronaut (Jack Nicholson), while the daughter, living away with her family, has an affair outside marriage if only to spite her two-timing husband teaching college. The film has a touching ending where the daughter dies of cancer leaving her three children in charge of her mother.
This film won 5 Oscars for Best Director (James L. Brooks), Best Picture, Best screenplay (James L. Brooks), Best actress and best supporting actor (Jack Nicholson).
Evening (2007)
Seen on March 10, 2009
As old Ann Grant lies dying, she recollects her romance of 50 years past. Vanessa Redgrave plays the role to perfection. The narrative comes through reminiscences as in Anthony Minghella's "English Patient". She recalls haltingly the long-past moments when she sang at her friends wedding, her drunk brother's crush on her, her moments with her lover, etc. even as her daughters are resolving their differences and are completely at a loss to relate to her nostalgia. We liked it.
As old Ann Grant lies dying, she recollects her romance of 50 years past. Vanessa Redgrave plays the role to perfection. The narrative comes through reminiscences as in Anthony Minghella's "English Patient". She recalls haltingly the long-past moments when she sang at her friends wedding, her drunk brother's crush on her, her moments with her lover, etc. even as her daughters are resolving their differences and are completely at a loss to relate to her nostalgia. We liked it.
Mr. Brooks (2007)
See on March 10, 2009
About a well placed serial killer (Kevin Costner)who is clever enough to get away with it. He even outwits a blackmailer who unpredictably witnesses his crime once. He has a daughter whom he loves and to save her he uses his skills as a killer.
About a well placed serial killer (Kevin Costner)who is clever enough to get away with it. He even outwits a blackmailer who unpredictably witnesses his crime once. He has a daughter whom he loves and to save her he uses his skills as a killer.
The chamber (1996)
Seen on Feb 18,2009
Yet another story about a death row criminal (Gene Hackman)whom his lawyer-grandson (Chris O'Donnell) tries to save in the last days before execution in an effort to exculpate his deeds as a member of Ku Klux Clan. This is based on Grisham's novel. Interesting.
Yet another story about a death row criminal (Gene Hackman)whom his lawyer-grandson (Chris O'Donnell) tries to save in the last days before execution in an effort to exculpate his deeds as a member of Ku Klux Clan. This is based on Grisham's novel. Interesting.
Notting Hill (1999)
Seen on Feb 2, 2009
Another story about a famous rich actress (played by Julia Roberts) falling in love to marry an obscure person (Hugh Grant).
Another story about a famous rich actress (played by Julia Roberts) falling in love to marry an obscure person (Hugh Grant).
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Just Like Heaven (2005)
Seen on Feb 11, 2009
Dr. Elizabeth Masterson (Rees Witherspoon) has been in coma in a San Francisco hospital for months and meanwhile a lonely landscape artist David (Mark Raffalo) moves into what used to be her apartment. The place is haunted by her protesting spirit and David soon begins to learn about her. Fantasy takes over here. Being a doctor Elizabeth's spirit helps him do things that people fail to comprehend. Having fallen in love with her finally, he intervenes desperately with hospital authorities to dispose off her body taking her to be dead after a protracted period. Thus he is instrumental in keeping her alive when she finally recovers from coma. This is an unconvincing story but, as it turns out, is very entertaining. It even persuades us to believe its fantastic story line in a certain sense.
Dr. Elizabeth Masterson (Rees Witherspoon) has been in coma in a San Francisco hospital for months and meanwhile a lonely landscape artist David (Mark Raffalo) moves into what used to be her apartment. The place is haunted by her protesting spirit and David soon begins to learn about her. Fantasy takes over here. Being a doctor Elizabeth's spirit helps him do things that people fail to comprehend. Having fallen in love with her finally, he intervenes desperately with hospital authorities to dispose off her body taking her to be dead after a protracted period. Thus he is instrumental in keeping her alive when she finally recovers from coma. This is an unconvincing story but, as it turns out, is very entertaining. It even persuades us to believe its fantastic story line in a certain sense.
Hoax (2006)
Seen on Feb 11, 2009
Richard Gere, the struggling writer achieves phenomenal success by playing a hoax on a prestigious publisher by offering to write biography of the legendary billionaire Howard Hughs who is known to be notoriously inaccessible to the general public. Richard Gere gets away with it somehow. This is funny and strange.
Richard Gere, the struggling writer achieves phenomenal success by playing a hoax on a prestigious publisher by offering to write biography of the legendary billionaire Howard Hughs who is known to be notoriously inaccessible to the general public. Richard Gere gets away with it somehow. This is funny and strange.
Dalton Callohan
Seen on Feb 2, 2009
Reminded one of "Mayor of Casterbridge" in its structuring of the story. But slightly different. We somehow liked it. Don't remember the details though.
Reminded one of "Mayor of Casterbridge" in its structuring of the story. But slightly different. We somehow liked it. Don't remember the details though.
Friday, June 19, 2009
Pallbearer (1996)
Seen on Feb 9, 2009
Tom Thomson [David Schwimmer] called upon to play pallbearer by the mother of a young man he really didn't know. In the course of the relationship that develops with the mother he even sleeps with her, as it turns out, because of his sympathy for her. But he is in love with another girl his age [Gwynneth Paltrow]. This provokes, surprisingly enough, feelings of jealousy in the mother. It's quite a job for him to extricate himself out of this.
Tom Thomson [David Schwimmer] called upon to play pallbearer by the mother of a young man he really didn't know. In the course of the relationship that develops with the mother he even sleeps with her, as it turns out, because of his sympathy for her. But he is in love with another girl his age [Gwynneth Paltrow]. This provokes, surprisingly enough, feelings of jealousy in the mother. It's quite a job for him to extricate himself out of this.
While You Were Sleeping (1995)
Seen on Feb 9, 2009
Lonely Lucy [Sandra Bullock] wanting to marry someone and actually ending up marrying his brother.
Lonely Lucy [Sandra Bullock] wanting to marry someone and actually ending up marrying his brother.
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