1917

The extraordinary stench of war is cloaked in cinematic exuberance.

Time and again, I guess, it is important, for us to remember the nemesis that war can cause.

The movie not only reminded you of Stanley Kubrick's Paths of Glory, but also Spielberg's Saving Private Ryan, but has the unmistakable aesthetics, poetry, poignancy and lament that Sam Mendes alone is capable of  expressing.

While one was in awe of what was being offered, I am not sure if 1917 is going to make the best picture this time. The theme is repetitive and there is one sequence of a young baby in the middle of the war field which seems to have been force fitted into the scheme of things. Two of the three action blocks were distinctly unoriginal.

1917 has a good probability of winning

Best Original Music score, best cinematography ( 95% probability), best Sound mixing, Best production design (I am predicting a 100% possibility) and best Sound editing. 

All sound departments will have a tough fight from Ford vs Ferari. 

I sincerely hope the Best original music score goes to 1917. Just can't get better.

I have not seen four films out of the 9 or 10 nominated for Oscar this year. I feel  Marriage Story still has the best shot at Oscars for the best picture. I will check out on Parasite before I take a considered bet.

Psycho, Tamil movie

A first rate solid thriller

The movie is strictly for Adults. At VR Chennai, the movie had to be stopped for a few seconds to usher a scared viewer out of the hall.

The movie is a tribute to Alfred Hitchcock.

You cannot miss Psycho( 1960) and most certainly Frenzy. You cannot miss the protagonist of Wait Until Dark. You cannot also miss Ramayana, the abduction of Sita could not have been more subtly narrated. Toss it up in the framework of the cat and mouse game, and serve it in slow burn style with the the most masterfully unobtrusive background score of Ilayaraja, minimizing the backstory and  almost removing the sentimentality and melodrama, what have you, Myskkin's best work till date.

While it is indeed a glorious tribute to Alfred Hitchcock, Mysskin still seems to be compelled by the local sensibilities and caters to explicit violence. 

This wonderful movie could have been lifted several notches, if they could have cast somebody other than Udhayanidhi Stalin. Not a single muscle seem to exist on his face!!!

For lovers of cinema this is a must watch.

Darbar

Getting 'Rajinified' can have collateral damage as a Cinema Lover

Having invested in Rajini for the last 40-45 years, I guess I have earned my right  to express my disappointment, resentment, sadness and anger, as a fan.

The biggest regret when one watches Darbar, is the extraordinary hard work, exuberance, energy, swagger and the ever increasing charm of this super talented super star could have been leveraged to serve us a wholesome , satisfying cinema. Rajini, you shall forever be enshrined in our hearts, Sir. Sadly, Sir, for the first time in these last 40-45 years, I did not experience the goosebumps, especially reserved for you.

When the trailer was released, the expectation skydived to a new low, probably one of the most unimaginative trailers, that has ever been released. As a fan I was truly concerned.

Many a times, I used to think, that processing of cinema happens  in the mind. The realization has been, for me,  that it begins chemically. The body has to be warmed up to the idea and then the juices start to flow.

Lo and behold! without my knowledge, I slept twice, during the film, once during the first half and once during the second half. I really did not care to understand where I had dozed off, Probably never mattered.  

I switched off, from the word Go.

Arguably AR Murugadoss's worst movie of his career, one is enraged at such attempts, as Murugadoss is very capable, knowledgeable and understands all areas of cinema.

If Tamil audiences, can endorse 'Uthiripookal'  in 1979-80 and make it a silver jubilee hit,, they can certainly endorse a well made Masala film in 2020.

As an audience, I think we deserve better.

A request to Rajini:

With de ageing technique in place, I  think you can, like Robet De Niro, 76, says,  act for another 30 years. Can you kindly work on a variety of scripts? We would like to savour the actor in you? That way you can also get a break from the boredom you may be experiencing as a star.

PS:

Whoever designed Rajini's Police Uniform, it was one hell of a shoddy job. The fold on the shirt sleeves was a bad choice. Having Rajini wear, the pant above the navel, would have help hide the small paunch and enabled an more erect stance. A better shade of Khakhi, slightly darker, slightly richer could have also helped.