Classicists often examined the connection between music and image. Likewise, Indian systems of music – Hindustani and Carnatic – depend a lot on romantic verses. These words/lyrics were often penned by literary greats for their spouses, mistresses or muses. Indian film music stemmed out of these very same styles, is […]
Read Time : 9 Minutes
“Ae Dil Hai Mushkil”… Friend zone is not always a joke!
The biggest challenge for cinephiles in Mumbai, on this date, is to lower their standards when it comes to characterizing a film as good or bad. After a week-long Mumbai Film Festival, a mainstream Bollywood film would be a much-needed coming-to-terms exercise. By the way, Karan Johar’s latest Ae Dil Hai […]
Read Time : 3 Minutes
L’Avenir (Things To Come) – Perfection, thy name is Isabelle Huppert!
How uneasy will it be if a film expects its powerful lead performer to ‘rescue’ it? That is precisely the case with French filmmaker Mia Hansen-Løve’s inert drama L’Avenir (Things To Come). Helmed by the magnetic Isabelle Huppert, the film comes off as intellectual. Playing a philosophy teacher, Huppert’s Nathalie lives […]
Read Time : 4 Minutes
‘After the Storm’ review – a truthful picture of life and its unsaid miseries
Acclaimed Japanese filmmaker Hirokazu Koreeda appears to be a keen observer. It is perhaps in the detailing, he tends to know his characters inside out. Had his actors ever questioned what his lead (Ryota) would be doing on a New Year night, Koreeda would have had a pointed reply. With […]
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“Bacalaureat (Graduation)”… is a clash of ethics and legitimate ambitions!
Set in a gloomy Transylvanian town, Cristian Mungiu’s latest Bacalaureat (Graduation) works on various levels. Following a familiar, universal arc, Mungiu introduces us to Dr. Romeo’s practical ambitions for his daughter being challenged by an unforeseen jolt. With no option than to compromise on the very ethics he taught his […]
Read Time : 3 Minutes
‘Personal Shopper’ review – an unnerving Olivier Assayas thriller
Personal Shopper directed by veteran French filmmaker Olivier Assayas‘ is a psychological thriller. Excepting the lead actor’s profession, the film is about anything but shopping. Barely 5 minutes into the film, Assayas makes his stance clear on what lies ahead. Telling the tale of Maureen who’s a stuck-up staff of […]
Read Time : 4 Minutes
Tschick (Goodbye Berlin) – Fatih Akin’s ode to adolescence
Two teenagers. A stolen lada. No agenda. One helluva road trip with a Richard Clayderman cassette tape springing a bright surprise. Fatih Akin’s Tschick has all trappings of a riotous commercial bromance – just that the protagonists are in their adolescence. Screened at 18th MAMI Mumbai Film Festival with Star, Tschick interestingly is […]
Read Time : 4 Minutes
‘Kinara’ Is Akin to Reading a Mellow, Atmospheric Novel
Gulzar’s Kinara is special. One of the reasons being Hema Malini who is in her elements here. Not without that quintessential south Indian fragrance she brings in, Kinara is comfort zone for her. There is dance, emotions that fluctuate from mild to heavy-duty. There’s also some great music and an easy-breezy way of […]
Read Time : 7 Minutes
‘Pulimurugan’ review – a new standard for Malayalam mass entertainers
Imagine a fascinating to trip to the woods, that you always dreamed of taking. A solo expedition where you encounter giant trees, wild animals and life in its very raw framework. This is new for a commoner whose forgettable national park visits showed him tigers and other exotic animals put in a better show than their […]
Read Time : 8 Minutes
Mirzya – An overdone romance where the lovers hardly connect…
Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra gave us two of the most ‘agreeable’ films of 21st century – Aks and Rang De Basanti. He also made Delhi 6 and Bhaag Milkha Bhaag which were middling to some, stirring to others. All of them generated conversations galore – on their respective stories, making, music and […]