This 1993 movie is a typical Anthony Hopkins stunner (how I missed it!). We landed on this after desperately flicking the remote to get something to watch. This is a book made into a lovely film. The story is about an English butler (Anthony Hopkins) in the loyal service of Lord Darlington. Anthony Hopkins uses every part of his body to recreate the character. He hardly acts.
If you have not watched it, try it on Netflix.
Rated G.
What a fresh breath of air. The movie brings the smell of first rain on a dry soil. Like मिट्टी की खुशबू (மண் வாசனை ). It reminds you of those good movies of the 70’s like Chit Chor. Simple and very topical movie. Thoroughly enjoyed it. After 12th Fail yet another blockbuster with no big actors or banner. Don’t look for logic.
Must Watch.
Netflix-PG
Poverty and desperation can drive someone into a visious web. Low/Middle income Chennai Icehouse, mother from an orthodox family joins a call centre to improve the quality of her family. First of many mistakes she will commit.
Aiswarya Rajesh gets a meaty role which she has grabbed it with both the hands and turned out a stellar performance. Her main stay is acting and she is good at it. She might one day join the ranks of good female actors from south.
The story line is gripping making you sit and watch. For once a movie with no romantic songs, forced comedy track, fight sequence, punch dialogue and plastic charctaer. What you see is what get movie. Almost all characters are relevant and do their jobs to add value. The husband is progressive man supporting his wife under difficult circumstances.
Good watch for adults. Thriller.
Rated: MA
I started watching somewhat skeptically. Half way through I pinched myself to assure that I was watching a Tamil movie. So so far away from the run of the mill. Political thriller with ‘time loop’ concept. Best case production. Bit lengthy and sagging at times still very watchable. Bold approach and hopefully we may see more ventures away from run of the mill. Watch it. Long movie and needs to be seen in one go.
Rating: MA15. Themes and violence.
It took well over 50 years after Padosan in 1968, to show the South Indian/Tamilian way of life without any prejudice and cheap fun making. Hats off to Dharmatic Entertainment to go against the flow and produce an ‘Indian’ movie.
The movie is about a quintessential Tamil family (families) living in Madurai. The characters speak Hindi occasionally mixed with Tamil. While most of the Indian language movies are littered with English dialogue, this is a novel attempt. And the Tamil and Hindi are as close to native dialects without any mimicry.
I am a fan of Sanya (from Pagglait). She is a breezy and natural actor. Don’t worry too much about her casting in a typical Tamil family role. Her free flowing acting makes you look at the character and not the actor, credit to her.
Good entertainment which deals with a very current topic in the lives of younger generation of India. The narration is just about right. It will vibe with many young adults. Good clean Friday evening entertainment.
Don’t use a magnifying glass and pick up slips and mistakes. They are a minor part of the main flow. The chances are movies which follow will do better.
Rating: PG.
AMAZON PRIME
Not for Children
I thought the 6 stars will tell the story. But to to be sure…
For the cinematic production this movie is a mile stone. You will not believe the quality of production.
A bit of history .
On 13th April 1919, under the orders of the British army Brigadier Reginald Dyer, many people were killed in Jallianwala Bagh.
Michael O’Dwyer, Lt. Governor of Punjab, endorsed the actions of Reginald Dyer. Udham Sing was deeply affected by the incidents and takes action in his hand.
This movie is about Udam Sing and Michael O’Dwyer.
It is a very very sad and grim part of our independent struggle. Many in India, Britain and the world know very little about the Jallianwala killings. The movie is dark, grim with lots of gore and blood. Yet it is based on real events and a story that needs to be told from the Lion’s point of view and not the Hunter’s view.
The acting, production and music makes it a classic. I felt it is a 6 star movie.
Rating: MA – not for children.
When you think they can’t produce a better movie, the folks from Kerala come up with one better. The bar is raising all the time. This is a gem of movie, sensible, honest, and inspirational without compromising the cinematic appeal.
I am rating it before going further. You can stop here and watch the movie and won’t be disappointed. 
Oliver Twist (Indrans) will tick all the boxes for an ordinary Malayalee. He is short, thin, ordinary looking, mild mannered and you will not notice him sitting next to you in a train compartment. But he has a big heart, loves his family and can smile. The iPhone stands between him and his sons (eldest, one ihit wonder movie writer and the youngest a current crop of social media junkie). While everybody around him are highly connected with gadgets and social media, Oliver tries to connect with his sons.
The movie presents real day events in any middle income/affluent households. The ever increasing generation gap is further widened by modern technology. It is a problem every parent faces and at times is a night mare situation.
The movie presents the classic ‘Old’ and ‘Young’ conflict. The narration is brilliant with terrific acting all round. Indrans (Senior Oliver) deserves any award anybody can throw at him. His role has no punch dialogues, mannerisms, walking styles, flashy dresses. He can’t hit ten people with an umbrella let alone one with his bare hand. His dress is standard issue and acts like a quintessential Malayalee. Yet he impresses you with his ability to portray a simple mild mannered senior troubled by everything going around and one who has to change to be static.
Like many Malayalam movie avoids all the stereotypical scenes and sticks to the core idea. It never deviates the course and never over doing it.
I loved the movie and felt very positive and inspired. I also liked the message by one of the sons ‘ Home is where I can be imperfect’. Very true.
Watch it.
AMAZON PRIME
Rating: Must see for teenagers, young adults and old adults.
Don’t get put off by the title. It is a code name for a Indian RAW agent. An Indian airlines plane, IC 691 is hijacked from Delhi during Madam Indira Gandhi’s time as PM. For the first time the PM decides to take action with the help of the RAW agent/s. Bell Bottom is the leader for the assignment.
Akshay Kumar is Bell Bottom. He fits such roles to the ‘T’. Patriotic and garden variety human being with a special talent. This role is no exception. He puts in a classic, sharp and a low key performance. Makes brilliant watching. His portrayals are honest and projects an Indian in his elements.
Movie is inspiring, gripping and crisp. The story telling, cinematography and the out door scenes are top deck. This is not a Jason Bourne thriller but a close desi cousin. There is always the ‘Fast Forward’ to help you edit the movie the way you want and remove forced stereo typical scenes.
Good movie to watch.
Rating: MA15 Adult Themes.
The film is inspired on the life of the Mexican popular singer Pedro Infante Cruz. But the real hero is Pedro Guadalupe Ramos (Omar Chaparro).
Pedro Infante brought happiness to millions with his singing. But he had an issue. He can’t control his emotion or action when it comes to women. Big time womaniser! After his death he is in suspended state because the God can’t decide whether to send him to hell for his womanizing excesses or heaven fro doing good to millions. He gets a second chance after 60 years of suspended state to change is ways and remove the womanizing blemish.
He is made to enter the body of Pedro Guadalupe Ramos ,who is a Pedor impersonator and currently in coma, and prove he will be a one woman person. Gudalpo Ramos, like his original was cheating on his wife with her cousin. Enter Pedro Infante into his body and he wakes up. And the riot starts.
This is lively light hearted comedy drama with wonderful songs by Pedro (real singer who died in 1957).
Good movie for fun and enjoyment. Not for children.
NETFLIX
Rating: MA15 Adult themes and scenes.
Simon is released from prison on Parole. Old habits never die and he is on a plot to steal the most valuable diamond. He is smart, intelligent and a crook. Combination for a super smart heist of most protected diamond. What is more beautiful and classy Julia (Berenice Bejo ) is the women who holds the key to the safe.
What follows, as you can guess, is ingenuity, smartness, seduction and a smart act. Although plans seldom go where the planner wants it.
This is a polished and quintessential French flick. Classic French movie underplaying and tells the story as it is. It is a gripping movie with a straight down the line and subdued yet livley performance by Yvan Attal (Simon) and Berenice Bejo. Good winter night escape. Watch it.
SBS DEMAND
Rating: MA15 Adul
t themes.
Chak's Movie Reviews 