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howard78
Reviews
A Touch of Frost (1992)
Sterling acting. Deep character development. Slow paced detective tales.
The series is based on the novels of R.D. Wingfield. Each episode is about 1 hour 45 minutes. The show came out in 1992 and aired for 13 years. The lead, Det. Frost is a quirky but brilliant investigator. Although the episodes move slowly, there is a great deal of character development in the show, far beyond that of Law and Order and all other American crime shows. Much more empathy and compassion is shown in the way victim's families are portrayed and their pains explored. Where the show really excels is in the acting. The acting is simply brilliant. Off the charts! I've never seen anything like it on TV. Even the bit players are consummate performers. It's like watching fabulous theater. I recommend this series highly for those who will relish the acting as well as the slow, detailed pace. How
Inside Man (2006)
One of the worse movies I've seen in recent years. Simple awful.
Where to begin? Well, the best part of the film is the A.R. Rahman song that plays throughout the introduction and credits. It is simply superb. From there, the movie slides downhill rapidly. The dialog is gratuitously laced with 4 letters words, dull and implausible. Everyone is compelled to be vulgar in this poorly made movie. We have the usual pointing out of post-9/11 bigotry and abuse of 'people of color'. The big-name actors performances are wooden, stilted. ALL of them. And, a few of those big names CAN act. They just are not inspired to do so in this bomb. The direction is mediocre throughout and often poor. It reveals how Spike Lee is a 'made man' in Hollywood who can seemingly do no wrong even while producing pot-boilers such as this. The musical score we are tortured with throughout the film is one of the worst I've heard in any move, anytime. Terence Blanchard hasn't a clue as to how match the score to what's going on during the film. Honestly, this score is embarrassingly bad. My wife asked me how the movie could be released with such trite, canned music. I guessed correctly that the composer must be a friend of Lee's. Really---the musical score is atrocious. I humbly ask Blanchard to watch any episode of Lost Season 1 or Field of Dreams to learn what GREAT music can do to enhance a film. I could go on and on and say more. This film isn't worth watching and it isn't worth writing about. Really. It is THAT bad.
Veer-Zaara (2004)
A masterpiece of film making!
The summary says it all: this film is a masterpiece from one of the greatest directors of our time! The cinematography is simply stunning. The performances are all tremendously inspired. (Thanks to Yash Chopra)The love story heart-warming, touching and deeply moving. There is also wisdom in the movie. For example, we get the mystical explanation of the number '786' in Islam and Sufism.
The music is marvelous and the script brilliant.
I could go on and on, but, simply put, the movie is riveting from beginning to end. Upon my first viewing I thought it to be in the class of films such as 'Lagaan' and 'Fiza'. But, upon seeing the movie 2 more times, I believe it is even better than those two fine films.
Veer-Zaara
it's my tribute to the oneness of people on both sides of the border." - Yash Chopra
Wo de fu qin mu qin (1999)
A masterpiece of film making!
Poignant. Touching. Brilliantly filmed and acted. Wonderful musical score. The cinematography looks would make even Ansel Adams mouth drop in wonderment and appreciation. The shots are painstakingly framed in the most exquisite manner imaginable. As a photographer I just sat there and gasped over and over again at the genius of Yimou Zhang's eye. Both the B&W and color shots are staggering somewhat reminiscent of Carl Dreyer. This is a film to be savored. Gently sipped. A film from the heart where the main characters need not speak words as their eyes and their gestures reveal their loving devotion. In many ways this is my favorite of Zhang's films. I cannot remember anything that has come out of Hollywood in decades that even remotely approaches his genius.
The Village (2004)
A huge disappointment. Shyamalan's first poor film.
I have been a huge fan of M. Night Shyamalan's movies since "Praying With Anger". Although I have never had the pleasure of meeting him, he is, in fact, a neighbor of mine. "The Village" is his first colossal disappointment. It falls short on many levels, in many ways. Firstly, the dialog is painful and often inane. It is hard to fathom how such a poor script got by even the most basic editing. The musical score is too loud, too jolting and not 'in tune' with what is occurring on screen. The story is a boring mess. William Hurt is a strain to watch as he speaks with painfully and inappropriately long pauses in a monotone that baffles. Signoury Weaver is wooden and plastic. Her presence detracts from the film. Bryce Dallas Howard and Joaquim Phoenix are the only actors to perform with depth and feeling. They are the only saving grace of the movie and are a pleasure to watch. The gifted Adrien Brody stuck with the role of village idiot is a non-factor. The movie isn't a complete waste as Night delivers some intriguing footage from time to time, enough to keep it from being a total bore. But the tale itself is so absurd and pointless if not unjust and the 'twists' so lame that I give the film only a 4 out of 10.
Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India (2001)
Entertainment at its very best! A MUST see!
I am still seething with disappointment that this film did not win the Academy Award for best foreign language film the year it was nominated. What is especially upsetting is that the movie that did win was far inferior in every way imaginable. Ah, yes, the politics of The Academy!
Lagaan is a marvel of fine film making. It is a triumph for Garwariker, the actors, the composer, the technicians on every level. There is immaculate attention paid to the framing of all shots. A breathtaking tour de force in Cinematography and fine acting.
Lagaan is a colorful melange of music, romance, drama and sports that is completely engrossing despite being nearly 4 hours long. This masterpiece reveals just how far Bollywood has come and, in many ways, surpassed Hollywood in inspired film making.
A must-see for the entire family!!
Annadata (1972)
A classic Hindi, chocked full of wisdom and heart.
Jaya Bhaduri at her best with a tremendous supporting cast. Terrific tale of an elderly wealthy man who comes to realize that he is valued only for his money even by those closest to him. He becomes distraught and sets out wandering the rural countryside dressed as a pauper to see if he can find just one person who will love him for his inner being, his heart.
The story is masterfully told and beautifully acted.
Wonderful songs. Chocked full of wisdom points underscoring the highest of traditional 'old-fashioned' values.
This film is a MUST SEE for all. Especially valuable for families to view together.
Bend It Like Beckham (2002)
A huge disappointment!
I so looked forward to seeing this film. Everyone I know loved it. It was billed as a teenage coming of age' film
'liberating', inspiring' uplifting' etc. I was extremely letdown. The performances are mediocre, at best. Lies and deception win out over traditional family and cultural values. The central character herself (Jess) is not even likeable. She is raised by her parents with loving but strict, core family/cultural values yet ultimately succumbs to drinking, club-dancing, sneaking out behind her parents backs, lying, and deceiving both her parents and her best friend. Is this really what coming of age' is about? Is this was truly will bring happiness? Is this virtuous? The film's mantra that parents don't always know what's best for you, that you have to live your own life', etc., is repeated so often that it becomes tiresome, and overwhelms any positive appreciation for core-family values and the traditional values revered by the central character's culture and many cultures throughout the world. Jess finally winds up stealing the young man who her VERY best friend is in love with in a romantic twist that is lacking credibility. And, all this after begging her best friend and college roommate-to be for forgiveness. In short, the 'heroine' has lost all her virtuous traditional family values. I'm at a loss as to why this film was so popular except that some may find 'liberation' from traditional values a 'good thing'. The film left me with a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach.
Sweet Home Alabama (2002)
An absolute disaster of a movie!
When I saw this movie I could not believe how bad it was!
The director must have been asleep during the shoots. All of the shots are poorly framed, dull and uninteresting, much like a lousy home movie. The performances are uninvolving.
True, I had just come from watching "Blood Simple" (an all-time classic) but, trust me, this is one awful film. It's not even worth writing more commentary.
Howard78
Abhimaan (1973)
Jaya Bachchan's performance is stupendous!
This is a rather ordinary film UNTIL Jaya Bachchan makes her appearance. From that moment on the film gathers life and breath.
Touching tale of the marriage between a very popular singer (played by Amitabh Bachchan) and a simple, devout country girl. (Jaya Bachchan)
All goes well until the public begins to prefer the wife's singing over that of her husband. Arrogance, jealousy and envy possess him.....and.......a lot happens.
I won't say more.
See it for yourself.
Jaya is completely amazing.....especially in the last 30 minutes.
Siu nin Wong Fei Hung chi: Tit ma lau (1993)
A true classic...a gem amongst martial arts films!
5 star film....yes....FIVE stars. Put aside 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon', put aside 'Enter the Dragon' and all the other martial arts films that are more well known than this one is. I was floored by this film. The direction, the sound track, the incredible fight scenes, the sweet story of 'Robin Hood', the doctor who takes from the greedy and gives to the poor and who heals body and soul, too. Action is the buzz word for this film. Get ready for some of the best kung fu scenes you've ever witnessed! The Kung Fu used in the movie is of the fantasy style but quite believable. You will be astounded but the fight scenes that contain some of the most incredible moves you've ever seen. The action in non-stop. The acting is surprisingly good. The main 'good' characters are well portrayed and quite believable. The archetypical 'bad-guy' is about as evil as you could imagine. Sit back...enjoy the ride. This is a film you'll wish to view over and over again!! (Lovers of this film will want to see 'Twin Warriors'. Same director with Jet Li and Michelle Yeogh.)
Fiza (2000)
An amazing film in all respects!!
I was completely blown away by this movie. The acting, direction, cinematography and music are all superb! The entire experience is totally gripping and overwhelmingly powerful. Various camera shots remind me of the great Eisenstein films. This is the first film I've seen of Khalid Muhamed. His genius is staggering. I then viewed Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai and am dumfounded that it swept so many (any??) awards! It is like a shallow cartoon when compared with Fiza. It boggles my mind that Kaho could have won awards in any category where it might compete with Fiza. This is the best film I have seen in a LONG time. Must see. Don't miss it! Buy it! Watch it over and over......it is a true work of art and devotion. How786