This week (that year)

"Cinema can fill in the empty spaces of your life and your loneliness.” - Almodovar


All Images courtesy - google search


The Descendants - 2011
I was not sure while watching this movie that I was liking it. But you know some lingering feelings one feels well after a movie has finished (the entire point of the movie watching experience according to me). I had a surge of well being and peace after watching this one. Hawaii, the music, the laidback script just telling a story and not preaching anything, may be the factors that worked for me. Alexander Payne's direction is equally nice, giving footage to the locales and the characters to tell the story and letting the camera go on a journey with them.




Tree of Life - 2011
Tree of life evokes all your senses. It makes you sit through it with wonder, awe, tears. Its a movie which needs to be felt and is a sheer triumph of narrative. Through its vivid imagery.
Take a bow Mr. Malick.




Drive - 2011
After the longest time I caught an acclaimed movie upon its release and without reading any reviews. What. An. Experience!
Ryan Gosling, the underrated superstar is the man! Not just that everything in the movie feels so real, yes the action scenes too! That applies to all the A-star supporting cast. Chilling crazy movie! Noir and awesome.
And amazing background score (gives it the 80s feel)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-DSVDcw6iW8




Midnight in Paris-2011
A Woody Allen movie which is so endearing and straightforward in its approach that you can't help but lurve it! And if you love getting nostalgic, even merry for you.
Perfect casting in the form of Owen Wilson and the beautiful Marion Cotillard. And the Paris of the 1920's. Ooh la la :)






Black Swan - 2010
A Darren Aronofsky movie should not need recommendation. If the legacy continues i.e. Absolutely gripping thriller. Involves you so much that at a point it becomes difficult to get out of Nina's life. A rarer movie of recent times which has left an impact long after watching it. This one belongs to Nina (Natalie Portman i.e.)






Band Baaja Baaraat - 2010
They (the makers) cannot get any better than this. It is wonderfully refreshing. There are no typical dramatic scenes, silent montages, sad songs, pining, waiting. Instead lovers communicate and they work (/work around ?) themselves out. Absolutely loved the script and execution in terms of direction, acting, cinematography. And to top it such amazing chemistry between the lead actors. Bread pakode ki kasam, this will not disappoint you.


Dhobi ghat - 2011
Recommended for its very smart and intelligent direction. I found the film extremely refreshing. Highly recommended.








Last Tango in Paris - 1972


So powerful a movie in its sheer crude depiction of human emotion and vulnerability, that it moves you. There are situations in it which you don't understand, but sometimes isn't that life ? We don't comprehend what's going on and baffled we just carry on. It is a great movie. In every sense of the word. I felt amused and helpless. I felt ashamed at the crudeness of it all too. Mr. Ebert here gives such a wonderful review. 
Btw Marlon Brando is not needlessly called the greatest actor of all times. Highly recommended if you really appreciate raw portrayal of emotions.


Watchmen - 2009

It's the first movie of 2011 for me. Well I watched it on 31st but had missed the initial 15 minutes, so today officially finished it. I have a liking for superhero genre. Watchmen falls in the very dark category though. Yeah darker than batman. The movie retains the graphicness of the comics. And makes a very good watch especially the timeline all mixed up keeps one rooted. I have never read the dark horse comics but something tells me that I should have. Anywho, highly recommended. Watch at your own risk though, owing to the violence and bloodshed.

The boy in the striped pyjamas - 2008
Every time I watch a movie related to the holocaust I am left speechless. This movie based on the novel by the same name looks at those times through the eyes of a curious 8 year old. It reminded me of the death eaters and their loyalty to the dark lord. It reminded me of the dilemma of morality taking a step back over loyalty to evil. This poignant and tragic tale is portrayed amidst innocence. A tear inducer and a must watch!





The most charming affair to date! If I was given the chance I would really like to meet Rick and Ilsa and live with them during those times. Rick the sentimentalist has won my heart. And Ingrid Bergman (Ilsa) is the most delicate and beautiful woman I have ever seen. I was in love with Casablanca's grandeur, its details, its markets, its clubs! Oh casablanca, I must visit thee!


Fargo comes into those rare movies, which amazes you at every turn. In spite of following a pretty predictable storyline and mediocre twists, the script wins every time. Hands down! The most incredible thing about the movie is even the smallest role played by the actors live behind impressions of the characters. And I also digged the Minnesota accent and the background score.
It's a must watch. Yah you betcha!



Roger Ebert aptly describes the movie as the 'greatest anti-war movie ever' on the cover which I have put up. This is the rarest animation film whose every frame moves you. It does not employ any of the gimmicks of technology that we have today, instead it tells a simple war story of loss, struggle and survival. It is so powerful and poignant that, Seita and Setsuko have made a permanent place in my heart. I hope they do so in yours too. It is a must watch!

Available on youtube in English. I watched the original Japanese version with subtitles. Loved it more.
Caution - It is out and out waterworks.inc. It will melt even the strongest of hearts. Do keep tissues handy.


Bengali cinema is enchanting. And Rituparno Ghosh does it once more for us. Set in the eastern hills of India, the film slowly makes a room in your heart with its delicate relationships, lingering romances, use of rich poetry (Tagore, Lennon, Shakti Chattopadhyay). It is available with subtitles on youtube. A must watch!


Ever since I saw this one, I am wondering why did Sandra Bullock get the academy award for this one ? May be the other nominated performances were not great either. Anyways, the movie is still worth a watch, if you have time and nothing else to do on a lazy Sunday. Typical sports movie sans any new angle. Bullock is herself as the feisty, fiery, Chanel wearing Leigh Anne Tuohy.
Quinton Aaron as Michael Oher (big Mike) is earnest. Direction is average. But you can still take your chances.



It has made to my all time favourites list. Howlarious laughs and subtle dialogues. And do I need to say anything about the star called Robert Downey Jr. ?

This film is extremely sweet (may owe it to the Bengali language), touching and shot in a very beautiful village. Aparna Sen's delicate handling of human relationships makes her one of the few talented directors that we have.
Only weak point - its pace (can feel painfully slow if you are not into the drama genre).
Also I watched it without subtitles, so had to listen to the Bengali dialogues very carefully. If you can get hold of a print with subtitles, then you will like it even more.

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