kundan-nitrkl Reviews

The Happening (2008)

Never go by the ratings. I found it interesting !

[7/10 · 1 August 2008]

I had some time before watching this movie so checked out some reviews. All of them were pointing me not to watch. I consider Shyamalan as one of the gifted and talented director so I watched the movie anyways and I was not a bit disappointed, at least if I go by the reviews. One must be able to appreciate the hard work put in by Shyamalan. Its a original story, made nicely enough to capture your attention throughout the film. New York city is suddenly attacked by some mysterious agents which drives people to commit suicides and this is spreading. The people are clueless. There is chaos. Elliot and friends try to get out of the city into a safer place but it doesn't always happen the way you want it to be. Elliot has to save his love and his friend's daughter out of this and then begins an adventure.

Its been Shyamalan's trademark that in his movies the characters are always above the story and same happened in Happening. Mark, I thought, was perfect for the job. The others were not much attractive but one must not miss that since Mark is the main protagonist and the movie completely revolves around him. Mark was excellent. With the occasional comedy and romance thrusted in, the movie was worth the time. The plot is good enough to hold you back and spasmodic thrills bring chills. I consider this another excellent piece from Shyamalan although it will be always below Sixth Sense or Unbreakable but I admit I have enjoyed every movie of him. It deserves a better review and rating than this. Take my word, never go by the rating and you will find it good enough.

The Dark Knight (2008)

Joker is immortalized

[10/10 · 22 July 2008]

Ah! Words fail me. It is hard to imagine what more Heath ledger had in store before he left us. We never knew him truly. He was struggling to prove his merit and he did it with immortalizing Joker. The personality of Joker was typical of a villain that one finds missing in regular movies. After watching it, I think the whole film industry around the world has woken up to the true villain. It will be very difficult to find Ledger's replacement because he left Joker where no one can ever think to match him.

Initially I thought the votes and praises for TDK were sympathy. I went to see the movie unprejudiced and I came out praising Heath without bounds. His screen presence is amazing, his mannerism is awesome and the look on his face is bold, confident. He is afraid of the death in the face of it. He is funny and he is cruel. He has his style and moves and I loved every single bit of it. Others were mere puppets dancing around him (seemed to me) while he ruled it all. Other characters are good enough to make the film fine but Heath made it beyond excellent.

The movie is worth every money and time spent. Heath deserves an Oscar not out of sympathy but he truly deserves that for Joker. After TDK, Jack Nicholson's was a mediocre. Watch it for everything you longed for. I bet you'll not be disappointed. Watch it for Heath alone and you will get the whole package.

Smokin' Aces (2006)

no less than 10/10

[10/10 · 9 March 2008]

Yeah......the movie completely deserves it. There are a very few movies whom i rate excellent and smokin aces is definitely one of them. The movie is full of twists and turns, surprising at every scene, totally edge of the seat. I was disappointed to see the IMDb rating and after I watched it I thought is as an injustice. The same happened with tears of the sun although i liked this one better than that. All the characters are awesome. The real show stealer for me was Martin Henderson. He doesn't appear more often but every time he appears, leaves an unerasable mark in the memory. If I would watch it for the second time, it would be definitely for him (although there are million other reasons). Another strong character was that of Reynold's. He proves his maturity at acting. Ray is as usual his best. All others have done a descent (spl reference to the neo-nazi group) job and full credit to the creators. Once in a while you see a film like this. There are small stories intervened, the connections between one and the other creates a way for others to connect. All in all a total entertainment esp. when its a thriller full of heavy star-cast and the story.

Awesome Awesomw Awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Just watch it before you change your mind. Trust me!

Mozart and the Whale (2005)

Not that good enough!!!!!!!

[7/10 · 9 March 2008]

The story of the film is very strong and it could have been far better if the delicacy of the relationship and the hurdles it finds when both the companions are crazy were depicted more clearly. I was expecting more. Although I was disappointed that it didn't do proper justice but never regretted to watch the film. I think I'll like to watch it again some time. Kudos to the efforts of Josh and Radha although Josh impressed me more. While Donald's disability was more pronounced in the screen little was shown about the problem with Izzy. The subject is very daring and needs full justice. The movie does open our thoughts towards the Aspergers and thats the biggest accomplishment for it. Such social films are more encouraged. Initially I was wondering about the title selection but in the middle of the movie, I found it perfect. It couldn't have been better. Its Halloween that the real of oneself comes out and aptly, they are the whale and the Mozart.

Match Point (2005)

wow !!!!! **spoiler**

[9/10 · 24 February 2008]

I have heard a lot about Woody Allen and I was excited before watching this one as this was my first movie of Allen. Nevertheless I was not disappointed. It was amazing. The story was one of the greatest and the casts were awesome. The twists and turns (although that came late in the movie) were worth the long duration of the movie. The movie is slow in pace but I understand the necessity as the story needs a lot of relationship make and break in between the final climax. I am myself a firm believer in luck so I could very easily relate my thoughts with the protagonist and approve the story and the twist at the end. I especially liked the scene where Chris talks with the ghosts. The reasoning he provides are worth preserving and I cannot forget the lines ever. It makes his actions totally acceptable. Awesome ! Majestic !

The movie made me jump out of my seat. Watch it and you wont regret. just keep patience.

Invincible (2006)

It has got everything for a movie to be liked

[8/10 · 23 February 2008]

The story is nothing new except the locations, actors, directors, special effects etc. A poor bartender who has been deserted by his wife tries hard to meet the ends but the good thing is that he plays football. So eventually he is encouraged to play for the eagles team where he excels and makes a name for himself. Such rising hero stories are not uncommon in fact people like to get encouraged. People like such movies where a poor man rises to fame by hardwood. So I am not going into much deeper appreciation here. "Rudy" is also similar to this and I liked that too.

Mark has done a great job and so did the director. The 80s era was beautifully depicted. Others were also impressive esp Banks (she is beautiful !). The special effects were delicately made and the high points of Vince's rising was shown with time. The slow motions were catchy and every time raises your hackles. Ericson was safe by choosing a subject like this. I would like to see more of him when he tries something out of the normal. Watch the movie for a nice feeling at the end. You also feel you can do something and be known !

I'll Always Know What You Did Last Summer (2006 Video)

One of the most pathetic movie !!!!!!!!!!! **SPOILER**

[1/10 · 19 February 2008]

I would have given it a zero if possible. The most pathetic suspense thriller I have ever seen. What made them do it? Isn't the money not dear to them or are they so full of it that they found out a way to waste it. I lost the interest from the very beginning of the movie. Basically there are two types of suspense thrillers. One that is very serious and the suspense is maintained till the end. You scream O my God at the end when the secret is out and you always go back and forth and analyse the events and know when to look for the clue. A fine example would be "Final destination" The second category is where its a total nonsense. There is no story but it has loads of humor. People watch such film without their brains so many enjoy them. I also like those. For eg "Scary movie". This movie falls in neither of the categories. It was full of craps but still tries to be serious. And when the secret is let out in this movie you are left frustrated and irritated and angry. You develop a strong urge to kill the makers of this movie. You feel cheated. The mystical figure would come out from no where and then vanish into no where. It was more surprising that the figure uses modern gadgets like Cellphone SMSs to scare his targets. Every thing in the movie was hard to swallow and total rubbish. The director and writer aren't aware of the term "Reality". This is a Humble request from me, Please don't watch this movie. If you can do anything (anything) else then thats always better than watching this movie.

Confessions of a Dangerous Mind (2002)

Clooney has a long way to go

[6/10 · 19 February 2008]

Frankly speaking, I was expecting more from the film. It could have been better had it been directed by some experienced directors like Spielberg or Scorsese but nonetheless, Clooney did a good job. I actually appreciate his handling of the suspense. For any movie it is very important and delicate. For some time I forgot about it but Clooney bought it on my face with beauty. Rockwell was good but I liked Clooney especially. His facial expressions were saying it all and his screen presence was influential. Drew also looked mature and so was Julia. Cameo by Brad Pitt and Matt Dillon was duly noticed. I wouldn't like to comment on the story selection by Clooney but somethings in the movie were indigestible. I made some search on the internet and found that Chuck Barris may be lying about his CIA stunt. This made me feel light but again "Truth is stranger than Fiction".

Watch it for the turns and twists and amateur direction by Clooney!!!!!!!!

Blades of Glory (2007)

Could have been Better !!

[7/10 · 17 February 2008]

No offense to Josh or the Cox but I believe the film could have been a lot better if made less exaggerated. The story builds up nicely. Both Will and Jon are OK and so were the rest. The only thing that stands out is the humor and more importantly the skating stunts. Applause for the efforts. Will is trying to be original and Jon is trying his best to fit in and both have done it well to some extent. The bitter part to swallow were the occasional exaggeration which were tasteless e.g the jet-type exit of the actors from the stadium at the end. The climax was delicately managed but this one ruined it. After all its the finishing touch that matters the most!!!! Once again thumbs up for the skating and the beautiful Jenna and the "that blonde is a dude!". cheers!

Blow (2001)

Here comes Johnny Depp !!!!!!!!

[9/10 · 17 February 2008]

When the movie started I actually had a thought if this is Martin Scorsesse's movie because of striking similarity with "Goodfellas" but I was never disappointed by Ted. I have watched a lot of stories based on someone's life but this movie is special for me only because of Johnny Depp. I had heard a lot about his potential and saw him in Pirates of Caribbean trilogy but didn't quite like him. After this movie, everything is changed. Not only Depp displays exemplary acting talent he also showed his potential in carrying the film single handedly. Two scenes of the film stands out for me. The one outside the court house with Barbara and another towards the end where he knows about the FBI plot. There were numerous more instances of him handling the situation beautifully. The eighties life was beautifully depicted. Ray and Penelope were average. Ray was better. The climax is very very touching and Depp has done justice to it.

Hats off to Depp. Watch it for Depp and Depp only.