Tag: world cinema

Jurassic World (Dir.: Colin Trevorrow; Cast: Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard, Irrfan Khan, BD Wong et al.) The first time you hear that soundtrack play and the expansive visuals take shape before your eyes on the big screen, you feel having broken even. Having recovered your ticket prices, you tighten your seat belts for some…

American Hustle (Dir.: David O. Russell; Cast: Christian Bale, Amy Adams, Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence et al.) American Hustle is the top dog at the Oscars this year with 10 nominations, including the big ones for Best Motion Picture, Best Director and Best Performance in Leading and Supporting Roles for both actors and actresses. It…

Gravity (Dir.: Alfonso Cuaron; Cast: Sandra Bullock, George Clooney et al.) Gravity is a tremendous experience. I can’t say if this comes closest to experiencing space without being there, because: first, I haven’t been there and second, this is the only space-themed 3D movie I have watched. Having said that, Gravity sure is “one hell…

Lincoln (Dir.: Steven Spielberg; Cast: Daniel Day-Lewis, Sally Field, Tommy Lee Jones et al.) The Steven Spielberg-directed Lincoln won two Oscars. But it could have easily won a couple more. Dealing with a momentous period in the life of the larger-than-life Abraham Lincoln and the events around him in his final years, the film achieved…

The Lone Ranger (Dir.: Gore Verbinski; Cast: Johnny Depp, Armie Hammer et al.) I watched The Lone Ranger on a flight entertainment system on a long flight back home. It is an ideal film for such purposes: passing time and having a few laughs on the way. Some have described the film as “Jack Sparrow…

Life of Pi (Dir.: Ang Lee; Cast: Suraj Sharma, Irrfan Khan, Tabu, Gerard Depardieu et al.) Life of Pi is the latest offering from Oscar-winning director Ang Lee. The film is based on the novel with an identical title by Yann Martel. Life of Pi is one terrific example of being a meaningful film which…

Autumn Sonata (Dir.: Ingmar Bergman; Cast: Ingrid Bergman, Liv Ullmann et al.) Autumn Sonata is a gem of a film from renowned Swedish director Ingmar Bergman which centres around the complicated and difficult relationship of a famous pianist, Charlotte and her eldest daughter, Eva, portrayed by stalwarts Ingrid Bergman and Liv Ullmann respectively. Autumn Sonata…

The Dark Knight Rises (Dir.: Christopher Nolan; Cast: C. Bale, M. Caine, Marion Cotillard, Anne Hathaway, G. Oldman, M. Freeman, Tom Hardy et al.) Note: These being early days in the life of the film, this review attempts to steer clear of the plot and possible spoilers. With The Dark Knight Rises, Christopher Nolan took…

Saving Private Ryan (Dir.: Steven Spielberg; Cast: Tom Hanks, Matt Damon et al.) Steven Spielberg?s World War II drama, Saving Private Ryan is more of a drama than a war film. The war in?Saving Private Ryan is the stage, setting up a playground for a number of individuals caught in a singular situation, forced to…

Real Steel (Dir.: Shawn Levy; Cast: Hugh Jackman et al.) Real Steel is a heartwarming story of estranged father and son bonding and an underdog story packaged in a new bottle – in a world of robots boxing it out in arenas for professional glory and money in an imaginary future world. Hugh Jackman stars…