zen Posted April 30 Author Posted April 30 (edited) Kabhi Kabhi (1976, Hindi) First half is excellent. Starts off with Amitabh as the “shyaar”. Rakhee doing her part. Shashi Kapoor stealing the show for his jovial nature. Rishi and Neetu appear nicely paired. It has nice songs shot in picturesque locations. Second half is relatively okay driven by the estranged mother and her daughter’s dynamics. Amitabh looks lost in emotional scenes and appears to be there more for his star power. Shashi Kapoor shows his flashes of brilliance now and then. However, Waheeda lifts this section with her measured performance. This section also involves the Rishi-Neetu-Naseem love triangle, which is in a way unnecessary but put into to facilitate an emotional trigger. Some may find the final segment cheesy or a token way to tie loose ends up. Overall, it remains a solid and enjoyable film. I watched it on Netflix where the print is good and in the original 4*3 aspect ratio. If I recall correctly, this is among @singhvivek141 favorite films. Edited April 30 by zen Mariyam 1
ravishingravi Posted May 1 Posted May 1 (edited) How about Johnny Mera naam. I don't know why I didn't think much of this one in Vijay Anand's Filmography. Absolute blockbuster classic. Gosh. Vijay Anand stopping direction was such a loss. The end 30 min of the film is rivetting unwinding under one roof. And I didn't realize how good was Premnath. Edited May 1 by ravishingravi zen and Mariyam 2
goose Posted May 1 Posted May 1 Arth (1982) is an excellent watch. a story considered taboo at the time, some of our greatest actors and to top it off music by jagjit singh ! Mariyam 1
zen Posted May 1 Author Posted May 1 4 hours ago, ravishingravi said: How about Johnny Mera naam. I don't know why I didn't think much of this one in Vijay Anand's Filmography. Absolute blockbuster classic. Gosh. Vijay Anand stopping direction was such a loss. The end 30 min of the film is rivetting unwinding under one roof. And I didn't realize how good was Premnath. Johny Mera Naam is a gem. Among Dev Anand’s most entertaining films. Vijay Anand, along with Nasir Hussain, have made some of the most entertaining Bollywood films. Below are some of my favorite Vijay Anand directed films: * Nau Do Gyarah (1957) * Kala Bazar (1960) … will make it to my current top 10 Bollywood films * Tere Ghar Ke Samne (1963) … has a strong chance of making it to my current top 10 Bollywood films especially for its relatively unique story line * Guide (1965) * Teesri Manzil (1966) … My current top Bollywood film * Jewel Thief (1967) * Johny Mera Naam (1970) Mariyam and ravishingravi 2
zen Posted May 2 Author Posted May 2 (edited) The Equalizer 1, 2 & 3 (2014-2023) Part 1, part 2 and part 3 were released in 2014, 2018 and 2023 respectively. These films remind of old style action films such as Death Wish, feeling like classic films. At the moment, I prefer 1 and 3 more than 2. Part 1 for its strong Russian villain and part 3 for its beautiful locations in Italy. Edited May 2 by zen Prakat 1
zen Posted May 5 Author Posted May 5 Body Double (1984) A sexy neo noir thriller directed by Brian De Palma. It has shades and/or style of Hitchcock’s 50s films such as Rear Window, Dial M for Murder and Vertigo. The film is not a master piece like those Hitchcock films but it does holds up to be considered a good entertaining watch. The new 4k restoration is not game changing but it is a solid sorted out transfer.
zen Posted May 6 Author Posted May 6 Dead Again (1991) This film is Kenneth Branagh attempt to direct a Hitchcock like film. It has an interesting suspenseful story line, which is paired with good acting.
zen Posted May 8 Author Posted May 8 Om Shanti Om (2007, Hindi) This is an entertaining masala film. A nice touch is the throwback to old Bollywood films including the use of 70s dresses such as one that Rajesh Khanna wears in the song “Parbat ke piche chambale gaon” in Mehbooba. Some sequences or sets appear to be inspired by Singin’ in the Rain. The use of colors especially in the first half creates a vibrant environment. Besides the comedy, satire and throwbacks, it is also an intense revenge film. At times, you can feel the intensity through SRK’s acting. Mariyam 1
zen Posted May 11 Author Posted May 11 (edited) 13 Tzameti (2005, French) A brilliant offbeat film noir. The background score is fantastic. Edited May 11 by zen
zen Posted May 12 Author Posted May 12 High Noon (1952) A solid old fashioned Western! It maintains intensity and interest for most of the film. The 4K restoration is good.
zen Posted May 15 Author Posted May 15 (edited) Passage to Marseille (1944) An entertaining and good looking WWII film. It has an interesting set of actors including Humphrey Bogart. The film is known for its use of flashbacks within flashbacks. Like many Michael Curtiz directed films this one too has his signature blockbuster feel. Warner Archive has done a good job with the print but it would likely benefit from a 4k restoration and release. Edited May 16 by zen
zen Posted May 20 Author Posted May 20 Matador (1986, Spanish) A sexy thriller by internationally known Spanish director Almodovar. This may not be a film for everyone but those into this genre could appreciate it. The film has a rich color palette and contrast.
zen Posted May 23 Author Posted May 23 Fight Club (1999) This cult classic psychological thriller ranks among David Fincher’s best works. The film received a new 4k transfer where Fincher has made slight changes to the look of the film, which some may not prefer. However, I found the new transfer to give the film a modern touch.
zen Posted May 25 Author Posted May 25 (edited) Das Boot: The Director’s Cut (1981, German) Originally a 300 minute mini-series, it was edited to around 150 minutes for theatrical release, which earned 6 Oscar nominations. Later the Director’s Cut was released which added segments from the mini series to the theatrical version. The run time of this version is around 210 minutes. The Director’s Cut is said to be the most balanced version, while the mini series is for hardcore fans who want to get more into the backstories, atmosphere on the U-boat, and character development. Since Das Boot deals with life on U-boats, it can be said to be a slow burn. Therefore, it may not be for everyone. It is a good watch for those looking to see a relatively different type of war film. It is a good example of a film shot in confined spaces -> inside the U-boat. It also makes good use of sound. It is widely considered to be the best submarine WWII film and among the best war or anti-war films. Edited May 25 by zen diga 1
zen Posted May 26 Author Posted May 26 (edited) Anatomy of a Murder (1959) An interesting courtroom drama with a 160 minutes of run time. The film appears to suggest that a courtroom is merely a theatrical arena rather than a place of absolute truth. Sony has done a solid job with its 4k restoration. The new transfer was first released as a part of Columbia Classic Collection Volume 2 - 4k Blu ray set. Edited May 26 by zen
zen Posted May 28 Author Posted May 28 (edited) Shadow of a Doubt (1943) Known to be Hitchcock’s personal favorite among the films he directed. He liked it because of the film concept of introducing a dark sinister character in the idyllic, innocent setting of a quiet American suburb. The film is also grounded in character rather than simply on plot mechanics. The 4K restoration with its HDR grading is fantastic. Edited May 28 by zen
zen Posted June 2 Author Posted June 2 Top Secret! (1984) It still entertains as a parody film! The new 4k transfer is a solid improvement.
cric_fan Posted June 3 Posted June 3 (edited) I Saw The Devil (2010, Korea). Watched this at the cinema and rewatched it many times since. A masterclass in filmmaking. Starts off as a revenge story…gradually becomes darker: Obsession, hatred and psychological cost of vengeance. Choi Min-Sik (Oldboy) delivers one of the most terrifying serial killer performance. Lee Byung-Hun brilliantly portrays a man driven by grief and rage. The movie has extraordinary tension, technical excellence and moral complexity. And it is absolutely unsettling and brutal. Edited June 3 by cric_fan
cric_fan Posted June 3 Posted June 3 (edited) Memories Of Murder (2003, Korea). Like many, I had no idea that this movie existed (even though I am a massive fan of Korean movies). It stared receiving attention after Parasite was released worldwide. I searched and searched for somewhere to watch it..it was not available on disc. Eventually it was released on Amazon Prime. The film is inspired by Korea’s first known serial murder case. It follows two detectives trying to and repeatedly failing to catch the perpetrator. Masterful film making. The film’s use of rain soaked rural landscape creates an atmosphere that is both beautiful and haunting. It transforms serial killer story into something deeper. The ending is cited as one of the greatest in cinema history. Edited June 3 by cric_fan
zen Posted June 5 Author Posted June 5 Main Aur Mera Haathi (1981, Hindi) One of my favorite Mithunda films! Mithun does almost everything that you can expect from him in a masala action film. Poonam Dhillon looks nice too:
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