The Post, Much Ado about Nothing!!!

Mesmerizing as Spielberg's direction and Meryl Streep acting may be, the drama about the decision to publish the details in Pentagon Papers, is disappointing. 

Spielberg uses his skills to extrapolate a content for a short film into a full blown feature.

The vacuousness and the hypocrisy surrounding the American leadership does not surprise us any more.

You still may not want to miss the post for Spielberg's silken touches and the ability to conjure those magical shots. As Meryl, the owner of Washington post, restlessly mulls over the various options, the camera rises above focusing literally on her head and slowly does an arc, you know that Meryl's head is truly reeling. There are these innumerable shots that can take your breath off.

Then there is Meryl Streep as Kay Graham. To me Kay Graham as found in the movie, defines the ability to Compartmentalize , a true sign of a great leader, an absolute essential for any human being. Meryl infuses so much life into her, a great grand mother, a fantastic mother, a business women, a friend, a great ability to connect with people, a decisive leader, a great listener and communicator, a phenomenal boss, a patriot and a superlative human.

Meryl, I do not know how you do it, but the effortlessness, with which you hardly leave traces of any of your previously enacted characters leaves me dumbfounded. The gait is new, so is the voice, and so are your eyes which speak even when you do not. I just like to understand the homework you do before accepting the role, the way you process information and then execute. 

My doubt was resolved yesterday, you are the greatest actor to have ever acted in this planet and probably will be for a long long time.

Mukabaaz aka Pyar ki baaz(i) aka Dil Ki baaz(i)

I no doubt had a whale of a time watching Mukabaaz. 

I was reminded of this great song, "Bongu Bongu, Sulife Sekaru".(Kaddhalum Kadanthu Pogum), Bongu loosely translated means cheating.

Well, dear Anurag, I thought you cleverly marketed a Love Story as a Sports Drama. Well you should do more love stories. Bharat Maata Ki Jai, The Good News and bad news is that you have so beautifully integrated into main stream cinema.

The music brought in so much life,  that it had had me swaying in the seat and foot tapping for a long long time.

I liked Vineet Kumar Singh. Mohammed Ali would have been proud of him. He floats like a butterfly and stings like a bee. I liked his restlessness. He literally zips across the scene every time he is in the frame. This almost got me wondering is he was an athlete and not a boxer.

I savoured the beauty of the rustic Hindi to my heart's content.

I would like to see you have a fling at Comedy sans cynicism, sarcasm and anger. Will that not be  a challenge that you will relish?

Hope may not be a bad thing after all. If intelligent people give up hope, where is the hope for this country.

Looking forward to wonderful films from you.

All the money in the world

Who do you want to gaga about, Ridley, Christopher or Michelle?

At 74, Clint Eastwood, in reverence of Sidney Lumet, 80, at that point of time, felt he was like a child. It is pertinent to note that Eastwood reinvented himself at 62, in 1992, with Unforgiven. After directing the soulful and scintillating "Sully" at 86, at the ripe young age of '88', he is all set to release, "The 15:17 to Paris", next month. The child seems to continue its work with unabated enthusiasm. 

Ridley Scott, 80, another child of the lord, criss crosses across genres, from a historical to science fiction to  horror to  drama all in successive years with extraordinary ease. With some time available on hand, he also dons the mantle of Executive Producer for "Blade Runner 2049'.

It is interesting to note that in " All the money in the world", the movie had been completed with Kevin Spacey as Paul Getty. On November 8, they decide to reshoot and then another 'child', Christopher Plummer(88) shoots between November 20 and November 29, and the movie gets released on Dec 18/Dec 25. The decisiveness and the ability to execute, is truly inspirational!!!!

Amidst all this action, Ridley has time to get married at the age of 78!!!. Ridley you must be truly gutsy!!!!

Much as I adore, Kevin Spacey, Christopher Plummer as Getty, unquestionably, is the better choice for the role. His swagger with his sagging skin, brooding eyes,, the greed and monstrosity, and despite the air of  perceived invincibility, a streak of vulnerability, seems like Plummer was always born for this role. Remember Plummer nonchalantly ripping of the Nazi flag in 'Sound of Music' with a smirk on his face!!!. I was right about Mark Rylance in Bridges of the Spies, I have a strong feeling the Plummer may just walk away with best supporting actor this year.

I had goose bumps watching Michelle Williams. I wish I knew how to hoot. I would have let a  few let loose today at the hall..The writing is so respectful to the women, the mother, and the emotional strength that a women can alone bring to the fore. When Valiance rules over vulnerability, the spirit of a (wo)mankind, prevails!!! 

Meryl, you have worthy adversary, at the Oscars this year!!!

Star Wars: The Last Jedi

One of the more interesting installments of the Franchise.

I found this dialogue noteworthy

This is how we win. Not by fighting what we hate, but by saving what we love.

reminding of Patton's memorable dialogue(contrasting?)

Now I want you to remember that no bastard ever won a war by dying for his country. He won it by making the other poor dumb bastard die for his country.