Godfather

An epitome of Perfection and Excellence

I remember seeing Godfather in Casino, Chennai as an impressionable 15 year old, read it much before  (Wonder how my father even allowed me to see it!!) , and across these years, Godfather has stayed alive, thanks not only to its sequels but also to the zillion variations of the theme, kept alive, by every film director who think  their filmography is  not complete without making a film on the Godfather or the Don or the underworld.

What stood out for me during this viewing?

The writing.

Absence of clutter.

The brilliant opening sequence where Coppola uses the introductory wedding scene to introduce us to all the characters and give us an idea about the Godfather's ecosystem. 

Exceptional acting performances, Intense emotions that get intensified by the phenomenal restraint of the actors.

The lovely colours and the haunting background score, that seemed to have been used like fillers between one scene and the other.

However the true education to me was the importance of lighting. I do not think i ever understood it really well until this helping of the Godfather.

The lighting accentuates the mood, the performance and every frame of the movie to incredibly dizzying levels.

If you are a person who aspires excellence, catch up with Godfather on the big screens.

Eastwood and the last farmer

Look up to them for Inspiration Unlimited

I had a huge injection of inspiration last week. Rocket Boys is reserved for a separate post.

Chances to savour the work and lives of two nonagenarians, one real and another fictional, probably inspired from real life.

Cry Macho.

Clint Eastwood, 92, there is a slouch on the shoulder, the skin has wrinkled and the voice distinctly weak and infirm, yet he is firmly in control of a coherent movie, that he acts, directs and produces. The movie may be for a discerning viewer, but make no mistake, here is someone who at 92, directs a technical fine movie eliciting top class performances from the entire crew. 

Kadisi Vivasayi, The last farmer

Here the fictional nonagenarian, a farmer, Mayaandi, focused on taking care of his farm with single minded devotion. He could care less for the world that is disintegrating around him. His world is woven around his work. Beyond a gaunt and a wooden face, there is a an empathetic core. 

By the way, Kadisi Vivasayi is one of the best movies to come in recent times. The narrative is so simple and the impact is so staggering that it brought the entire crowd on its toes to a standing ovation( the first one to stand up in excitement was my wife!!!). 

I really hope all the professionals and the students see the movie. We live in a confusing world, it is easy to become skeptic and cynical, but the lives of Mayandi and Eastwood are beacons of hope.

Hridayam, Malayalam movie

Straight from the Heart 

A man in love with Chennai transcends the boundaries of the city, to unleash a story of love and forgiveness wrenching our hearts and filling our souls with unalloyed joy, happiness and hope. 

You have seen it all and yet you invest about three hours immersing yourself In the torrent of emotions that presents itself as the narrative unfolds with unforgettable music. Pure Craft.

The film making and the story telling is lifted several notches up by some effortless acting by Darshana Rajendran, Pranav Mohanlal and Kalyani Priyadarshan in that order. 

If you can catch it theatres, do so, it is worth taking a risk!!