Rate the films you watched at home

[coffee_rules]

28 minutes ago, Lord said:

Can't rate those on public forum 

You can’t rate nothing right?

 

[zen]

King Solomon”s Mines (1950) 1/2

 

This is an adventure film par excellence.   It takes the viewers on a trip to 19th century Africa. You are drawn into Africa’s remoteness, culture, terrain, creatures, and the danger at almost every step. 

 

It appears as if films with adventure elements such as the Indiana Jones ones, the Mummy (1999), etc., are inspired by it.  

 

It is old fashioned but that also means that it is difficult to make a film like this today. 

 

Recenly, this was released on blu-ray by Warner Archives. The new transfer is said to be gorgeous. If you are in North America, you should look to order its blu-ray.

 

 

 

I have the film on digital where the transfer has not been updated to the latest one yet but it is serviceable.

[zen]

Drive My Car (2021, Japanese) 

 

I saw this film twice in the last few weeks. It is on Criterion and suppose to leave it in August so I took the opportunity to watch it twice. I will probably purchase it on digital (if not the 4k blu-ray) in the future. 

 

The film is based on a short story by Haruki Murakami. It has various layers to it. With a run time of 3 hours, it can be a slow burn, but it is one of the films where you like to spend time with its characters. 

 

The film has a red Saab 900 Turbo. The quirky car connected with me.  When I came to India, one of the things on my mind was to actually drive my red car.

 

When the red car was parked outside my house, some old friends came to inquire about me as seeing the car made them wonder if I was back! 

 

Overall, this is a beautiful film if you have the patience for it. In the future, it has the potential to get on my top 10 or so best films list.

 

 

 

Edited September 17, 2024 by zen

[zen]

A Clockwork Orange (1971) 

 

This is one of Kubrick’s controversial films. It is a well made film that tackles tough issues with humor/sarcasm. 

 

However, the violence and nudity, along with certain costumes and props, are vulgar. Viewers have to go through one horrific sequence after other without respite as if Kubrick is giving viewers the Ludovico treatment. As such, many (if not most) are going to find the film off-putting. I took a  off its rating for vulgarity.
 

If I have to nitpick, the ending could have been better. It is as if the unlikable key character returns to (or close to) his “original” state of mind after listening to Beethoven’s 9th, which had turned into his Achilles’ heel. What a shame.

 

Watch it at your own peril!

Edited September 1, 2024 by zen

[zen]

The Legend of Tarzan (2016) 

 

I have the 4k digital transfer of this film. I have watched it a few times so went through the film quickly, skipping some parts. The goal was to see how a modern adventure film, which takes place in a remote area, compares to King Solomon’s Mines (1950). 

The difference is telling where it makes you appreciate King Solomon’s Mines even more. The composition, cinematography, on location shooting, etc., make King Solomon’s Mines a film of a higher level. And it is a proper adventure film.
 

In the Legend of Tarzan, you can observe the hands of CGI. While the cinematography with modern equipment is good and competitive, it lacks that relative X factor that King Solomon’s Mines’ has. King Solomon’s Mines received an Oscar for cinematography.

 

Overall, the Legend of Tarzan is a decent time pass film (esp. when you don’t get into comparisons) with some good action sequences and a good performance, as is usual for him, from Christop Waltz. He is a bit like Pran, who moulds himself to a role where if he is playing a good guy, you feel that he is good, and if he is playing a bad guy, you feel that too. 

Edited September 2, 2024 by zen

[zen]

The Secret in Their Eyes (2009, Spanish) 

 

I have watched this film at least 3-4 times now. This is a unique film:

 

* It tells the story in a non-linear fashion, weaving events in Argentina from 70s to 90s. It goes back and forth b/w the periods seamlessly. 

* It is not only crime police procedural film but also a slow burn drama with a layer of romance (so not your typical fast paced crime thriller).

* The on-screen violence in the film is minimal but when shown, most of it is brutal such that the film remains in the shadow of violence. 

* Love is one of the binding elements. The two leads love each other but cannot express their feelings, and as a viewer, you are rooting for them to get together. Then, there is the grieving husband whose wife has been murdered, and for the love of his wife, he is focused on bringing the bad guy to justice (the justice system in Argentina isn’t great), so as a viewer, you want him to get justice. To get these answers, you have to watch the film till the end, and in that sense, it also builds suspense. 

 

 

PS Hollywood remade this film in 2015 with Julia Roberts. It turned out to be a bad remake. That film appeared to have a different tone and did not capture the emotional struggles of the original well. 

Edited September 3, 2024 by zen

[zen]

Paprika (2006, Japanese) 1/2

 

A surreal psychological mystery thriller. It is said that this anime has given Nolan certain ideas for Inception (2010). 

 

This film is a part of my collection. The 4K HDR transfer sports saturated colors and good contrast.

 

First, there are dreams of a person, then the dreams of multiple persons get merged, and then dreams merge with reality. Therefore, this film may require multiple viewings to grasp the finer points.

 

Overall, Paprika is a top-tier anime that provides an excellent viewing experience esp. in its latest 4K transfer. 

Edited September 3, 2024 by zen

[zen]

A Separation (2011, Iranian) 

 

This is the only Iranian film in my collection. It has won tons of awards including the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film, the Golden Bear for Best Film, the Golden Globe for Best Foreign Language film, etc. 

 

The film has a wonderful screenplay. The characters - a man whose dad suffers from Alzheimer's, his wife who wants to go abroad and leave Iran, the daughter sandwiched b/w the two and trying to get them together, a careless house maid, her angry husband, their kid, a judge investigating the case that they are involved in, etc., are all weaved together seamlessly. There is almost no background score in the film but you don’t notice that. 

 

It also captures the everyday life of common men in Iran nicely. 

 

 

Edited September 4, 2024 by zen

[zen]

Annie Hall (1977) 

 

An intelligent comedy drama by Woody Allen. It is a film that keeps you smiling as the jokes keep coming. Great stuff. 

 

The film won 4 Oscars including the best picture. 

[zen]

Harakari (1962, Japanese) 

 

A mesmerizing Samurai drama film (most of the action is at the end of the film so this is NOT to be watched as an action film). Brilliant cinematography. B&W suits the film. Solid acting as well. 

 

Last time, I saw this film was in 2019. Also in September. And most likely on the 13th too!

 

 

Edited September 17, 2024 by zen

[zen]

Vivre sa vie (1962, French) 1/2

 

A story about a woman in a downward spiral. What is interesting about this film is its B&W cinematography with close-up and tight framing in the 4:3 aspect ratio. 

 

 

 

In Contempt (1963), Godard pushes CinemaScope and color. In Vivre sa vie, we get to see him push the 4:3 format for close-ups and tight framing.

 

Jean-Luc Godard  

Edited September 17, 2024 by zen

[zen]

Breathless (1960, French) 

 

A French new wave film about a car thief who kills a policeman and then goes to Paris to pursue his love interest to go with him to Italy and also to meet an acquaintance to collect money that is owed to him. The police have identified him and are closing on him. Will he swim or sink? 

 

 

Edited September 28, 2024 by zen

[zen]

There Will Be Blood (2007) 1/2

 

Based on the novel Oil!, this is a period epic about an oilman. It has a good performance, as is usual for him, by Daniel Day-Lewis as the title character of Plainview. The film has some commonalities with Citizen Kane (1941).

 

The first half is strong esp. the segments involving the search for oil. The second half loses steam relatively as it focuses on unwinding the key character. His motivations are revealed. He also turns into a “slasher”. 

 

At times, the length of the film. which is around 160 minutes, is felt.

[zen]

Magnolia (1999) 

 

The film has an ensemble cast that takes part in interconnected story lines that happen around the same time. 

 

The film is over 3 hours long, so it can be broken in 2-3 parts. 

[zen]

Pickpocket (1959, French) 1/2

 

Director Robert Bresson likes to make films where the key characters are more or less stripped off emotions and/or personal style (so a Robert De Niro or an Al Pacino might not work in his films).

 

Pickpocket tells the story of a man who is out of work but thinks himself as special (maybe a super hero). He resorts to using his talent to pick pockets. After going through various experiences, he realizes that he loves the woman who has been around to support him, and thus finally displaying emotions. He took a long winding path to arrive at the close destination. 

 

 

 

Edited September 17, 2024 by zen

[zen]

Shutter Island (2010) 1/2

 

Overall, this is a solid film with decent acting and good outdoor cinematography. The use of colors in the segments involving DiCaprio’s dreams/visions/flashbacks is good, contrasting with the relatively stark color palette outside of these segments. 

 

However, it plays better in the first viewing, which for me was when it was released in theatres. On repeat viewings, it may lose some of its charm, appearing more dialogue and exposition oriented, lacking interesting characters, and feeling maybe a bit long. 

 

Subconsciously, I was comparing Shutter Island with:

 

The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1920, German) 
 

I like its gothic atmosphere and unusual sets! It showcases German Expressionism and is among the best silent films.

 

 

Edited September 19, 2024 by zen

[zen]

The Truman Show (1998) 

 

What an amazing concept for a film  … In one way or the other, we are all Truman Burbank living in a fake world … Jim Carrey does well in a dramatic role. 

 

This film is a part of my collection. In the past, I avoided watching this film as its Blu-ray was relatively poor. On its 25th Anniversary, a new transfer in 4K was launched. 4K is the way to watch this film:

 

 

[zen]

PS below the score of the Truman Show: 

 

 

 

 

 

[zen]

Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow (1963, Italian) 

 

Marriage Italian Style (1964, Italian) 

 

The two films directed by Vittorio De Sica, and starring Sofia Loren and Marcello Mastroianni. 

 

The first film is an anthology of three stories, while the second one is one long story, practically making it an anthology for four stories told over two films!

 

Last time that I watched these films was in June 2022. It was good to revisit them - watching Loren and Mastrioanni together on screen is fun!

 

Edited September 19, 2024 by zen

[zen]

Grave of the Fireflies (1988, Japanese) 

 

A touching tale about two orphans’ fight for survival during the US bombing of Japan and post WWII. This is among the best Studio Ghibli films. The anime is tragic like Ozu’s films such as Tokyo Story (1953).

 

PS Grave of the Fireflies is based on a semi-autobiographical short story - Link.

Edited September 19, 2024 by zen