Monos

Monos

On a faraway mountaintop, eight teenaged guerillas with guns watch over a hostage and a conscripted milk cow. Playing games and initiating cult-like rituals, the children run amok in the jungle and disaster strikes when the hostage tries to escape.

Monos by Alejandro Landes is a war drama that is both visually and psychologically disturbing.Set in an unspecified location, it establishes a barely organised group of teenage guerrilla fighters with combat nicknames known collectively as the “Monos”, and it doesn’t take long for the guns and hormones to impel things into dangerous and destructive territories.

The bare, almost feral mystery of being thrown into their savage world without any kind of guidance creates an immediate you-are-there ferocity. Faint echos of a larger Civil War loom on the periphery, but our attention is catapulted towards the microcosmic hell of the hidden countryside. This is fringe-world, immersive cinema that ascends as high as the foggy mountain tops, and descends as low as the untamed jungle. It's about the gradual decay of power structures, of governmental systems, and the absurdity of children mimicking the horrific actions of adults in distant spheres.Composer Mica Levi delivers  jittery, soul-crushing, hypnotic score.  Just an overall well-crafted, unnerving experience that does more with little by demanding viewers to thoughtfully fill in the chaotic dots and dashes.

Sudani from Nigeria

Sudani from Nigeria

Majeed, a football manager, recruits three Nigerian footballers for his team. When Samuel, one of the players, is injured, Majeed lets him stay at his house and over time, they develop a close bond.

This sports Drama movie is the directorial debut of Zakariya Muhammed. It is an endearing film with heart warming characters and commendable actors. It is a simple story of a Mallapuram Family and with great portrayal of the passion and love for football in the state.

Sudani from Nigeria is a kind of film that very successfully subverts all identities that one attribute for a film that in first look is a generic comedy sports movie, the kind that we have watched a countless times. And once you watch it, the film is nothing but a simple and grounded depiction of the Malabarian culture

They say guests are treated as Gods when they visit homes in India. This adage perfectly suits this refreshing gem with the some of the most richly drawn characters I have seen in quite some time. The final shot is my favourite in the film.

A movie which portrays the definition of Humanity and everyone should watch it. The climax will touch the hearts of every football fan out there.

Kumbalangi Nights

Kumbalangi Nights

Saji, Bonny, Bobby and Franky are siblings who mostly do not get along. However, a series of events forces them to keep their animosity aside and support each other.

Kumbalangi Nights is a masterpiece "Malayalam cinema is poetic." After Charlie, I enjoyed this movie a lot. Incredible visuals, lighting and locations. This is a feel good family drama, moves very beautifully. The family is flawed but they unite for each other. A well written poetry about humanity. Actors are so good and looks so realistic in their roles. The story touches viewers, the feelings they have for their family, specially Saji . So pure and realistic. Amazing.

Favourite so far.pits four loser brothers against the "perfect man" & superbly gear-shifts genres from a quirky family drama to a hyper creepy take on patriarchy & toxic masculinity as the perfect man with the perfect smile harbours another sinister primitive persona. The visual imagery coupled with stunning background score speaks so much in the film that at times you don’t need dialogues to take forward the story & that makes entire experience so magical.

One of the finest to come out of Malayali Cinema. Definitly worth watching.

Thunder Road

Thunder Road

Jim Cummings stars as a police officer from Texas who deals with the death of his mother while giving a heartfelt eulogy at her funeral. Inspired by the music of singer-songwriter, Bruce Springsteen.

Thunder Road by Jim Cummings is a delight to watch.The short Film which was released led to making of this movie.The acting by Jim was incredible the portrayal of raw Human Emotions was something which completely blew me off.

The character was something which we haven't seen a lot in movies and its filled with anger,love and respect.His take on such a tragic subject was very well and there is always a little bit of humor in any tragedy which was written very well.We can feel his pain and experience the transformation of his character.It's a film about how we deal with grief but whatever the grief is the film never depresses us and has Humor to balance it out.
There were few shots which i thought were unnecessarily lengthy but that could be because of watching the short film first and then the movie.

Overall Thunder Bird is worth watching.Also do watch the short film first and then watch the movie(Highly recommended)

Jojo Rabbit

Jojo Rabbit 

Jojo is a lonely German boy who discovers that his single mother is hiding a Jewish girl in their attic. Aided only by his imaginary friend -- Adolf Hitler -- Jojo must confront his blind nationalism as World War II continues to rage on.

Taika Waititi's adaption of book Caging Skies - Jojo Rabbit is a Dark, Humorous and Heartwarming and Sad at some times.He did a great job in screenplay.An absurd amount of passion is put in a film that would otherwise be very hard to work.

The tone of the film goes from Happy, Laughs to sad very quickly this effect of generating laughs from viewers to making them sad at the next instant is cleverly portrayed in the screenplay of the film.Considering how Taika Waititi portrayed the war and its effect on young minds is great, Humorous and is refreshing after watching some intense war movies.

Waititi's Portrayal of Imaginary Hitler was something only he can pull off.The Tonal shifts were sharp and also did affect viewer's experience overall which is something you don't expect.It is a movie which shows overcoming of blind fanaticism and indoctrination showing that Monsters aren't born but they are created.The acting by Roman Griffin Davis is absolutely amazing his portrayal of a 10 year old boy so great was something you don't see easily.

Cinematography was good and was something i forgot to notice soon as the screenplay is that good. which is a good thing in terms of film making.
Overall Jojo Rabbit is a must watch film and is something which one would never forget easily.

Samsara

Samsara -

The quest of one man's struggle to find spiritual enlightenment by renouncing the world. And one woman's struggle to keep her enlightened love. But destiny has other plans for both of them.

The Film follows a young monk named Tashi who after spending Three Years meditating in a Himalayan cave decides to leave his monastery to pursue Human desires.The Theme of the movie as described by Tashi's Mentor is "IS IT BETTER TO SATISFY A THOUSAND DESIRES OR OVERCOME ONE".

This work by Pan Nalin an Independent film maker covers a lot of timeline in its screenplay and is full of Buddhist wisdom and conflicts with quiet introspection.Set in the backdrop of Ladakh there are stunning visuals and great editing is done even the smallest sound of rustle of wind is caught brilliantly.The films pace is a little slow and is Monotonous at time but it all adds to overall experience of the film.The cinematography is Good with a hauntingly beautiful Musical score.

The film has done well portraying a lot with very little with good Acting captivating Story Telling.The movie was released in 2001 so don't be confused with the Movie by same name but released in 2011.

The Director Pan Nalin's other works which are worth experiencing are - 
Faith Connections -  https://killmereviews.blogspot.com/2019/12/faith-connections.html 
Valley of Flowers 

Uncut Gems

Uncut Gems

A charismatic jeweler makes a high-stakes bet that could lead to the windfall of a lifetime. In a precarious high-wire act, he must balance business, family and adversaries on all sides in pursuit of the ultimate win.

Adam Sandler plays a phenomenal role of a Jewish New Yorker High end Jewelery dealer who has trouble with the money and gets into a lot of trouble.The Safdie Brothers follow up to their breakthrough movie Good Time ,Uncut Gems plays to the tune of an exasperated study in commodity, running around until it passes out on the concrete, its specificity in the early- 2010s giving way to a cosmic pain, a neon-glow of worthless lives and unending transactions. Yes, it's a very funny work, given substantial gravitas by Adam Sandler's god-tier performance, but only to heighten how sickly each frame and movement is.

The interior locations are often separated, buzzers and closed-circuit security and locked doors keeping characters whirling within the energy of their lives, in every direction, the camera barely keeping up. It's only when the film slows down, sometimes merely to catch a breath, that it's clear that our environment allows for no self-reflection or understanding of ourselves.
"All I am, is what I'm going after" and all that . The rest of the time, it's too busy to think of anything other than the flow of experience, big scores, the tension of language and deals. I don't think I've ever seen a film as well-paced and as strategic in its rhythms as this one.

1917

1917

During World War I, two British soldiers -- Lance Cpl. Schofield and Lance Cpl. Blake -- receive seemingly impossible orders. In a race against time, they must cross over into enemy territory to deliver a message that could potentially save 1,600 of their fellow comrades -- including Blake's own brother.

A masterpiece by Sam Mendes based on his Grandfather's tales about things which happened during WWI. Saw this epic movie late after the Oscars yet in a packed Theater.1917 is an example of perfection.This movie is a masterpiece of Direction and perfect Cinematography.

The Cinematography by Roger Deakins is incredible.The whole movie is One-Shot movie or at least it was made in such a way with clever long shots and incredible editing that it shot in a single take.The continuous unbroken shots worked well and was immersive for the audience.The Musical Score by Thomas Newman is beautifully composed and goes well with the film.

What Deakins pulled off is impressive especially with Écoust at night being lit by fire and flares was stunning.The camera for the whole film was focused on two Protagonists and has induced empathy due to the depiction of War through their expression and the acts committed during the war.

It's immersive, gripping, realistic, captivating and intense.Definitely worth watching it. 

If you are interested in learning how the movie was shot using continuous takes and made to look like a single shot film watch this video - 

Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro

Jaae Bhi Do Yaaro

Two photographers, who are employed by a newspaper editor to expose the scandalous activities of the rich, come across corruption by a builder and accidentally photograph a murder.

The 80's classic is a great social commentary on the corruption in India which is sadly relevant even today. Kundan Shah was inspired by Antonioni's film Blowup released in 1966 and He has maintained the comedic tone throughout the movie despite delivering the social message is what makes this movie unique. It deals with the corruption theme in a very Satirical way right from the opening lines "hum honge kamyab ek din".

A photographer-duo start a studio only to find wrong things happening right from its launch. However, the photographic assignments lead them to expose shady facts about the city's builders, municipal officers and others. The film exposes many evils through its hilarious style, which weaves into its narrative, slapstick comedy. 

The story telling of this movie is amazing and how it transforms itself from comedy to drama to crime and corruption is enjoyable. The Direction and Cinematography were great.
The final scene where all they characters meet at a drama theater where Mahabharata is going on, they sabotage the drama and start to play different characters was the funniest scene to watch. 

The climax showed that even Sudhir (Ravi Baswani) and Vinod (Naseeruddin Shah) tried to fight the evil and corruption they still are caught in the web of it and finally they are stranded to their helpless life.Truly this movie is a landmark in the sense of its essence.

Marriage Story

Marriage Story
A stage director and his actor wife struggle through a grueling, coast-to-coast divorce that pushes them to their personal and creative extremes.

Noah Baumbach's Marriage story is a complete film in my opinion.He navigates the audience into some sincere and uncomfortable emotional territory as he follows a couple going through a divorce.

The film begins with Nicole (Scarlett Johansson) and Charlie (Adam Driver) reading a list of each other’s special qualities. We soon find that they are reciting their lists, not as endearments, but as an assignment from the mediator. A lot of credit goes to Baumbach who not only crafts the film behind the camera but provides a sharp script providing both sides of the argument. Both the characters are well written and you just see them as they are. The characters and conflicts are so well thought out that even if you side with one of the characters you don’t feel that the other one is poorly motivated in any way. Another strength of the film are the supporting characters. Especially the two cutthroat lawyers played by Laura Dern and Ray Liotta, and Alan Alda as the soft and charming lawyer. Though this film is emotionally heavy, yet it has plenty of comedic moments in it.

The cinematography was brilliant. The framing and blocking of the characters within the scene was well thought out, which shouldn’t be a surprise as the film was heavily rehearsed, almost like a play. The movie was shot on film and gives it a nostalgic  feel to it. There are two instances in the film where a long take is used and in both the scenes, the two characters are the only ones speaking or singing. The editing is absolutely fantastic in this film. The use of close ups in the more intense scenes or the use master shots when Nicole visits Charlie at his place is done brilliantly. Music is pretty good and it goes perfectly with visuals and the story. The strength of the film lies in the writing and the acting. 

This is film making at its finest, a brilliant film.

The Lighthouse

The Lighthouse

Two lighthouse keepers try to maintain their sanity while living on a remote and mysterious New England island in the 1890s.

After watching The Lighthouse i can remember only one masterpiece Stanley Kubrick's The Shinning.

This modern psychological horror masterpiece is a film which captures your imagination and keeps you unsettled throughout the film.Its gripping, thrilling , scary sometimes comedic psycho horror film.This is a film which a person experiences.The viewers are questioned in every scene of the film about how the subconscious mind overpowers a person's sanity.

The cinematography of the film is the best I've seen all year.with Brilliant lighting a use of locations for wide shots.The B/W format of the movie paired with 4:3 or a aspect ratio of 1.19:1 doesn't let the viewers lose any of their attention.It brings the feeling of claustrophobia to our minds.The production design  of the film was fantastic. The Musical score is excellent and complements to the visuals.The sound of the lighthouse Foghorn throughout the movie is haunting yet seductive and infectious .

Both Robert Pattinson and William Dafoe's performances are very strong and unsettling like the film. It was clear the moment both actors appeared on the screen that this was going to be something special. To put it simply, this is the result of everyone behind the film being on the same page and doing their absolute best. It’s not something where one can pick his favorite aspect, it’s all overwhelmingly good. It was clear throughout the film that this was not the end of this experience, with sounds and images so specific and beautiful that we don’t see them leaving our heads anytime soon. It was clear the moment the credits rolled that this is going to go down as a classic.

Parasite

Parasite
All unemployed, Ki-taek’s family takes peculiar interest in the wealthy and glamorous Parks for their livelihood until they get entangled in an unexpected incident.

My expectations were high but HOLY FUCK.

Bong Joon-Ho's depiction of satire in social class division in South Korea is incredible.The film is mostly divided into two locations Ki-Taek's house in a poor area in South Korea and Mr.Park's rich household with a basement.We follow Kim's family and how by a stroke of luck he starts working for the wealthy Park Family.As the rest of Kim's family seeks opportunity to earn money and plan to remove the rest of the staff and take those jobs themselves.

Bong Joon-Ho addresses the much deeper theme of Social Class divide among the people but with satire and bringing smiles to viewers.As the movie goes on it gets dark but the director has kept the satire alive very well. The title of the movie did fooled me as everything turned upside down.

Most of the movie takes place on two locations - Kim's house in a basement and Park's rich household in another part of the city. Both the locations were extremely detailed and made to the point of perfection.It's a beautifully made film from the views of Direction to Cinematography and Editing.With a fantastic cast and their well written character. the film did  won Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay.The Musical score made the scenes look and feel great to add to our responses.

It is dramatic, thrilling and sometimes scary with Family Tragicomedy. It manages to incorporate all these genres quite brilliantly and it never feels like it is turning out to be a big mess.

One thing which i observed was the Director used a lot of stairs - People going up,going down, running up, falling down. Given that the film portrays the class divide in society the use of stairs makes a lot of sense with people above the basement as rich upper class and people in the basement as hardworking people.

Bong Joon-Ho during acceptance speech for Best Foreign Language Film at Golden Globes.

If you love watching movies it's good to keep the preconceived notion of language and culture 

aside for watching some great masterpieces and support all sorts of films.

Easily one of the incredible movie made which i can recommend to everyone.

Portrait of a Lady on Fire

Portrait of a Lady on Fire

France, 1770. Marianne, a painter, is commissioned to do the wedding portrait of Héloïse, a young woman who has just left the convent. Héloïse is a reluctant bride to be and Marianne must paint her without her knowing. She observes her by day, to paint her secretly.

Portrait of a lady on fire is a refreshing and highly textured film that explores the emotions of love and desire.

The clandestine stealing of forbidden glances. The thankless task of trying to tamp a lover's image into folds of your brain. The dread of said image fading.the smoldering slow burn of impossible yearning and the explosive fireworks when it's reciprocated.The sizzling sound of final farewell.

The Director Céline Sciamma  packs each frame with tangible emotion, and she does it all without any manipulative score. we know exactly what to feel every time purely on basis of the performance and Claire Mathon's cinematography. Music is only utilized sparsely.

The film is an underrated masterpiece and lucky to finally watch and review this movie. Great Cinematography and with good portrayal of colors in Shots. Portrait of a lady on fire deserves more attention than it already has.It's a film no Cinephile would want to miss.