IN BRUGES

There are very few Crime/Comedy movies around. And that too British. 'In Bruges', was released in 2008 and is a very well made, entertaining flick.

The movie is about 2 contract killers, who are told to move to Bruges, a medieval town, located in Belgium. Colin Farrell plays the role of a young, naive, atheist contract killer, who couldn't even get his first hit right. The movie is about how they are supposedly stuck in a 'borin' fuckin' hell' of a place and what turn of events occur next.

It is easy to just sit and watch this movie, without thinking much about what else you have to do in life. The story is very good. The narration is smooth. Plus, the british accent and the dialogues, make it fun to watch.

Final Verdict: In mood for a British Comedy movie, a la some Guy Ritchie flick, this is the movie you need to watch.

IMDb Page: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0780536/

CITY OF GOD

I started out intending to watch "Life of Others", a German movie. But I wasn't really feeling like reading the subtitles, so after a lot of search I zeroed in on "City Of God", a Brazilian movie! Well, as they say(?), it's not you who chooses the movie to watch, it's the movie which chooses you.

The choice ended up being a good one. Crime, Drugs, Romance, Drama and Sex; All that you could need in a movie after a hectic exam period. City of God is based on a 'ghetto' near Rio de Janeiro, where displaced people move in; A place bustling with poverty, violence and drugs; A place where you could either be a 'hood' or a 'cop'. The story tracks the lives of two kids, growing up in the same environment. They have their stories entwined. While one of them grows up to be a crime lord, the other struggles to find a way out of the hood by becoming a professional photographer.

The story is smooth. It is the 60s and 70s, so you could see the renegade sex/drugs/rock-and-roll culture of California which somehow brimmed over into the 'City of God'. The story tracks the characters through their adolescence and narrates their thoughts flawlessly. A dark humor pervades through the movie and is actually pretty awesome (if you have a taste for it i.e.).

Final Verdict: This will definitely entertain you; If you are prepared to read a movie. 'nuff said!

IMDb Page: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0317248/

1984

Based on the famous George Orwell novel, this movie is more about concepts and theories about freedom and thought. The movie tries to clarify the abstract concept of freedom and tries to give it a form.

The society in the movie is governed by the IngSoc, a totalitarian institution, headed by the 'Big Brother'. The protagonist, John Hurt, is a writer who has views of his own which he can't share with anyone else. He meets a girl, and they have a passionate affair. But all this is outlawed under the new laws, where any kind of thought and opinions are banned! The guy and the girl are caught. But the movie doesn't end there. The captive protagonist is used as an example to show that under extreme circumstances, a person may be convinced to see what he should and not what he actually does. And there lies the fallacy of freedom. Freedom is when a person might speak what he thinks. But what if he has to think what someone else says he should.

The movie is very well made. The scenes are elaborate and the acting is impeccable. The story might not be that enthralling but the concepts and thoughts portrayed in the movie make it attractive.

IMDb Page: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0087803/

THE COMPANY MEN

I found this movie, mentioned by someone on Quora. The guy said that the movie gives us an insight into the corporate world, of which many people are a part of. The movie is about job, life and job-life.

When a certain big firm is facing financial crisis, it resorts to corporate downsizing, resulting in many people losing their jobs. The movie is about them, and how they tackle their situations. It's about hitting the rock bottom and then planning your way out. It teaches us that we might like to start from where we fell down, but life generally doesn't have a 'save' option. We have to start from somewhere down below and work our way up.

The movie is very well made. The theme of the movie was pretty run-of-the-mill and that doesn't allow for mind boggling cinema. But, guess what, sometimes, a dash of reality is all we need!

IMDb Page: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1172991/

MEAN GIRLS

This movie was one of the defining projects of Lindsay Lohan's career. It focuses of the dynamics of a group of schoolgirls and all the amusing and weird things that they do. 

Lindsay Lohan is a girl who had been home-schooled till her high school. The movie is about her story through her junior year of high school. She joins the school as an amateur in the social dynamics of the regular high school. She then goes on to join 'the plastics', who are a group of the meanest and most conceited girls in the school. The movie subsequently tells her story with all the underlying comedy involved.

I watched this movie because it was somewhere near the top of a 'Chick Flicks You Can Watch' list of a popular men's magazine. I was just curious about it. And by curious, I don't mean sexually, just pure and simple curious. The movie, at least, has less of 'perfect guys' who have as much existence as aliens and Santa Claus. It has more of how girls act in their social circles.

IMDb Page: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0377092/

DEVIL'S ADVOCATE

It's not uncommon for people like us to watch scenes of a certain movie over and over and over just to enjoy how they make us feel. This movie has acts and scenes which which are one of a kind. I had not yet seen better arguments in favour of the dark side of human nature.

Keanu Reeves plays a young lawyer, who hasn't lost a case in his life. He is made an offer to take up a job under Al Pacino, which he couldn't refuse. What seems like a light at the end of the tunnel turns into an approaching train and everything around him, his life and family starts falling apart quickly. And while all this is happening, you can't help but feel that his conspicuous boss is executing a sinister plan and the young lawyer is a small part of it.

The movie has a overlying supernatural theme but is not overshadowed by it. Al Pacino puts in a sterling performance. Three of his best soliloques are in this movie. He is the actual devil's advocate in the movie, taking up and justifying positions which are inherently considered evil or wrong by convention.

IMDb Page: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0118971/

WALL STREET(1987)

A beautiful cinematic portrayal of the stock marketing world and the Wall Street. Although the content might have gotten a little too obsolete by now but it sure makes for a wonderful watch. The superb, quality dialogues delivered just perfectly by Michael Douglas and the all time charmer Charlie Sheen makes the experience even better (Although he does start losing it when the character gets a little serious). Apart from it, it's altogether a typical 80's movie. Everything from soundtracks to the technology gives a pure 80's feeling.

Final Verdict: An entertaining flick that quite nicely tackles the old money v/s ethics issue and leaves you with a moral. Watch it for the thrilling acting performance, the amazing dialogues, the 80's feel and to gain a new perspective !

IMDb link : http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0094291/

MAN FROM EARTH

Beautiful script, a gripping storyline, couple of rooms and a handful of talented actors, is sometimes all you need to make a fantastic and entertaining movie.

This insipidly wrapped yet surprisingly brilliant movie is just the perfect example to this fact. It is a thought provoking, intelligent movie that dares to challenge the existing and mainstream beliefs. Just don't lose the track of dialogue exchanges otherwise it might turn boring and confusing.

Final Verdict: No famous cast, no special effects, no high class cinematography. It only comes with a package of quality dialogues and a storyline that just leaves you awe-struck.  Don't judge this movie by its poster or poor description on IMDb. Watch it if you are a fan of philosophical and debatable issues and you've just got yourself the next topic for dinner table! Watch it if it has been long since someone told you a great story, which made you wonder!

P.S.- The movie picked up recognition via the word of mouth, long after it was made. It led the director to thank the torrent networks for helping publicize the movie.

IMDb Page: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0756683/

25th HOUR

This is definitely one of the most underrated movies. Having come across it on one of my wiki walks, I checked it out and boy.... it blew me away; Mostly, because I was not expecting anything special.

Edward Norton delivers an intense performance as a drug dealer who has been convicted to 7 long years in prison. The movie narrates his last day as a free man, the end of which would mark a long night for him. One might wonder if it makes for a good plot. Believe me, the story won't let you leave it alone for a moment. It has got a great narration and the story to match. It has 2 soliloquies, one of them intense and hateful while the other is liberating and full of optimism. They both depict the ongoing mood and feel of the movie.

This one of the 10 star movies that everyone should watch. It plays in front of you and changes your mood, leaving you with a happy feeling.

IMDb Page: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0307901/

PROJECT X

Movies are a means to escape the banality and drabness of the journey called life. And when you do need an escape (we all do sometimes), you have an option of watching this movie.

The story revolves around a teenage high schooler and his epic birthday party. The movie focuses on the party from the perspective of the cameraman, a character about whom nothing much is revealed. Anyway, the party turns out to be something out of the extraordinary, the severe consequences notwithstanding. 

The movie is fun, and if you are a fan of getting high, you can watch it on one of your trips. (The fun and feel of the movie remain the same even if you are not a big fan :p). So go on take this trip. You just might figure that you actually needed it!

IMDb Page: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1636826/

CHINESE COFFEE

A broke, struggling writer gets fired from his part time job as a doorman. Goes to his hapless friend to claim back some money he once borrowed, but rather ends up having a long introspective conversation about his past love, loss, life and a book he just wrote.

The movie is mostly shot in a single room and involves a frenetic one on one conversation between the two characters, both of whom are dilettante artists living a bohemian lifestyle. Direction could have been better but a great screenplay with superbly realistic dialogues and acting makes up for almost everything.


Final Verdict : If you have a taste for stage play based movies such as 12 Angry Men and are a true Al Pacino fan, this is the movie for you !

IMDb Link : http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0118852/

WHATEVER WORKS

Dark Comedy about an eccentric Physics Genius turned quetching Existentialist who has abandoned his family, work and luxuries to sway away the remaining years of his life. Not the best movie by Woody Allen but that's exactly what makes me recommend it to you. Vivid cinematography, interesting dialogues, powerful quotes and a smooth storytelling will surely make it a journey worth. 

A little clichéd but "Sometimes a cliché is the best way to make one's point."

Final Verdict : Just so you know, this is not the feel good movie of the year. So if you're one of those idiots who needs to feel good, go get yourself a foot massage or something..!

IMDb Link : http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1178663/ 

THE BONE COLLECTOR

If you haven't watched a decent crime mystery movie recently, check this title out. It is much like a regular serial killer movie. Only that it has the awesome Denzel Washington and the non-lip-job hot Angelina Jolie in lead roles.

The lead, Washington is a quadriplegic detective on the verge of becoming a vegetable for the rest of his life. He is approached by the NYPD to solve an abduction/homicide case. Washington, aware that he cannot personally scour the crime scene, needs someone with the "magic eye", a penchant for forensics. That someone is played by the beautiful Angelina Jolie.What follows is a string of incidents that change both their lives and make for some very interesting movie.

Final verdict: This is not very different from the other serial killer movies. But it is surely more interesting than many, and better made than most. If crime thrillers are your type of movies, try this.

IMDb Page: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0145681/

ANTWONE FISHER

We all take our families for granted in some ways or the other. But this movie shows you the importance of people to call your own. This movie will make you feel loved no matter what!

The movie starts with a young sailor, Antwone Fisher, who seems to be suffering from some kind of emotional instability. He is sent to a Navy psychologist, played by the extremely talented Denzel Washington. The problems dont seem to on their way to being over. In fact the matters complicate when Antwone gradually reveals his sad and subdued past. What happens next? How does the Antwone story end? Watch the movie, it is an interesting one.

Final Verdict: The story will take you from anger to fulfillment all in the course of the 2 hrs. And it might just bring tears in your eyes.

IMDb Page: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0168786/

THE PIANIST

Sometimes when millions suffer and die beyond our own control, we humans like to take solace in stories of those who escaped the worst.

The Pianist is a movie based on true accounts of a jewish pianist and his life in a WW2 ghetto. The story documents how the jewish were made to leave everything that they ever owned and confined in areas ironically termed as "shelters". It also portrays the grim life in the worst living conditions possible and you can't help but feel the dark shadow of death and desperation shrouding the movie. The "pianist" does escape being deported to death camps. But the question is: Can he survive in spite of being given several chances?
Watch to find out. It makes for quite some thrill!

Final verdict: The movie is a bit dramatized in parts but well worth the watch. If you can handle a re-watch of the Schindler's List, go for this movie.

IMDb Page: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0253474/