Dil, Dosti, Etc. (2007)

An "Indian Pie" with a social message.

Not always a title will blend in everything to a discussion/monologue. The title above may not be suitable to other viewers. But I think Dil Dost Etc does have a social message which is targeted on an individual basis. This film portrays college days of Apurv (Imaan Shah) and Sanjay (Shreyas Talpade). Sanjay is a student from a middle class family in Bihar who is trying to run election and also win it by all the means he can. Apurv is his fellow mate who is born with a silver spoon. These two students have a totally different background but currently they face almost same situations in the college and they have almost opposite perspective on moral/ethics background. These two students bet to each other and that initiates a series of events which connect them together in the end.

I must say that this film is a great blend of psychology and philosophy of college students who are religious towards timely pop culture and matured audience who perhaps are competitive enough to exercise any and every means towards their goal. Debutant Manish Tiwary has written a clever script that from the first minute ("River of White Water") till the end of the film initiates and propagates various thought processes and live it open to individual comprehension. With humor as a positive ingredient his protagonists speak a language which is definitely thought for. The educational institute seems to be a perfect place to place two characters with different backgrounds and mentality. Though I have seen Sanjay at other occasions but Apurv shocks me. Not only his philosophies and self-ethics bother me but when he talks he seem to have understood a much about his surroundings. He does not apologise for a failed kissing attempt to a school girl (Ishita Sharma) and he survives a great deal of endeavor in the end. "A glimpse of the goal clears away some paths" as he utters this line I wondered where is this movie going to end. Manish Tiwary has ended this film with a social message which has to be self realised and self applied.

Imaan and Shreyas both have acted well. Shreyas as usual is very natural. It was good to see him in a matured serious role. I have never seen Imaan before but I wonder about his courage. Whether I should appreciate his ability to focus on the goal or the goal itself is a mystery. Smriti Mishra as the prostitute is also a great portrayal. The direction and screenplay are running at the same pace. For a debut this is a remarkable film. This is perhaps the best college flick since Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikander (1992) though I doubt I would watch it as many times as I watched Sanjaylal Sharma and the cycle race.

My rating: 8/10.

Jodhaa Akbar (2008)

Two hearts amidst an epic setup.

Written and Directed by: Ashutosh Gowariker.

Starring: Hrithik Roshan, Aishwarya Rai.

Music: AR Rahman.

A young boy named Jalaluddin stands on a war front In 1555AD India to be crowned as the new Moghul Emperor after the death of his Father Humayun. The ministry wages the war and defeats the rival King. They bring him in front of the new emperor and ask him to behead the defeated King. Only to find that the young emperor recognizes that disgrace is worse than a death and denies following the orderes. This young boy grows up to become Jalaluddin Muhammad (Hrithik Roshan) Akbar (as honored by his country eventually). He marries a Hindu Rajput's daughter Jodhaa Bai (Aishwarya Rai). How? You will find it out.

Jodhaa-Akbar is a story of love between a husband and a wife after they get married. Given some exposure to Akbar's learning curve to understand the common man in his country with the help of his wife's thoughts and philosophy this movies tries to connect the dots between a husband and his wife and an Emperor and his people. The first winner of this movie is writer-director Ashutosh Gowariker. Making a comeback after a highly spiritual Swades (2004) Ashtosh may not have as appealing story as Swades but the love in Jodhaa Akbar cannot be denied. He brings in different shades of connections between the two like the first time Hindu vegetarian meal for Akbar, a sword fight or a confession of love in a room lit by setting sun. Gowariker handles these facets very carefully by taking his time to create an atmosphere. He is one of the young directors with his own vision that he follows.

The next one on my list is Hrithik Roshan. With a muscular physique and eyes full of emotions his portrayal as an Emperor with roots of humanity is something to look for. An emperor slowly learning about the people around him and eventually following his heart and philosophies is a very good character to be seen. His fight with his ownself to understand Jodhaa is convincing. Not to forget Aishwarya Rai as Jodhaa bai. Personally I haven't been able to appreciate her beauty in a long time since maybe Aur Pyar Ho Gaya (1997).

I have saved the best for last and that is Mr AR Rahman. His background score and musicals like 'Jashn-e-bahaar' and 'In lamho ke' are appreciable. But 'Khwaja' is something beyond great or extraordinary. The prayer and appeal by sufi singers to the priest are nothing short of 'magical'. You will be drawn into the prayer just like the emperor when he gets up and shows his excitement to God. Wow!!!

Independent movies are said to be daring and courageous. Jodhaa Akbar may not be an Independent creation but it is a period movie with a magnitude that perhaps was last seen in K. Asif's Mughal-E-Azam released in 1960. It took 48 years for Bollywood to make a movie like this so in that sense it is a daring and courageous effort.

My Rating: 9/10.

In the valley of Elah (2007).

Welcome back Mr. Haggis!

Written and Directed by: Paul Haggis.
Starring: Tommy Lee Jones, Charlize Theron, Susan Sarandon.

'Everyday Goliath came down in the valley and challenged for anyone who wants to fight. One day a boy named David accepted it. Killed Goliath with a slingshot', as Sgt Hank Deerfield (Tommy Lee Jones) tells this story to Detective Sander's (Charlize Theron) son, she later confronts him about the inaccuracy. To this Hank says, 'Course it is true'. Hank recieved a phone call few days ago about his son's absence from a military base who got back from Iraq few days ago and disappeared from the base later. Events that follow will be strongly connected either by human nature, or the absence there of.

After writing an Oscar winning screenplays 'Million Dollar Baby' and 'Crash', Paul Haggis comes back with a story that does surprise you and shock you at the same time. Based on true events Paul Haggis has superbly wrote and directed Valley of Elah. I am surprised how could Academy awards commitee could not consider this one for the best picture? I guess days of getting preached are over after you graduate high school. Agree about the preachiness. But the way Mr Haggis makes the point is extraordinary. His story telling habits are sharp. May it be Milllion Dollar Baby, Casino Royale or Crash. This time he seems to have picked up the same pen that he put down after Million Dollar Baby, which has lines like "People die as a janitor. She could say to herself atleast I tried'. I guess that itself stirrs and changes the viewer's point of view. Valley of Elah is one good example of the cinema that keeps shaking you all the time. You say to yourself its over and it is not.

Tommy Lee Jones gives an oscar worthy performance. A retired seargent with deep eyes that are giving up after witnessing horrors and are looking for traces at the same time because his heart doesn't give up. This constant war of horror against fatherly love is constantly portrayed with a lot of anguish. He is marvellous. But in the winning race unfortunately he cannot surpass the bloody eyed Daniel Plainview's (Daniel Day Lewis) hunger to become an epic Oil-man in Paul Thomas Anderson's 'There will be blood' (2007). Charlize Theron puts on a very little makeup as a newly appointed detective being bullied by fellow seniors. Susan Sarandon gives a memorable performance as Sgt Deerfield's wife. The southern accent reminds of 'Louise'.

In the end the winner is Mr. Haggis for cleverly twisting and turning the story just about right to create an environment where an aging father faces the fear of Goliath to slingshot him. But the reason for initiation of fear is far placed than the termination.

My Rating: 8/10.

Oscar Nominees/Predictions.

My predictions are in Italics. Movies that I have not seen are asterisked.

1. Performance by an Actor in a leading role:

-George Clooney in “Michael Clayton” (Warner Bros.) *
-Daniel Day-Lewis in “There Will Be Blood” (Paramount Vantage and Miramax)
-Johnny Depp in “Sweeney Todd The Demon Barber of Fleet Street” (DreamWorks and Warner Bros., Distributed by DreamWorks/Paramount) *
-Tommy Lee Jones in “In the Valley of Elah” (Warner Independent) *
-Viggo Mortensen in “Eastern Promises” (Focus Features).

2. Performnace by an Actress in a leading role:

-Cate Blanchett in “Elizabeth: The Golden Age” (Universal)
-Julie Christie in “Away from Her” (Lionsgate) *
-Marion Cotillard in “La Vie en Rose” (Picturehouse) *
-Laura Linney in “The Savages” (Fox Searchlight) *
-Ellen Page in “Juno” (Fox Searchlight).

3. Performance by an actor in a supporting role:

-Casey Affleck in “The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford” (Warner Bros) *

-Javier Bardem in “No Country for Old Men” (Miramax and Paramount Vantage)
-Philip Seymour Hoffman in “Charlie Wilson’s War” (Universal)*
-Hal Holbrook in “Into the Wild” (Paramount Vantage and River Road Entertainment) *
-Tom Wilkinson in “Michael Clayton” (Warner Bros.) *

4. Performance by an actress in a supporting role:

-Cate Blanchett in “I’m Not There” (The Weinstein Company) *
-Ruby Dee in “American Gangster” (Universal) *
-Saoirse Ronan in “Atonement” (Focus Features) *
-Amy Ryan in “Gone Baby Gone” (Miramax) *
-Tilda Swinton in “Michael Clayton” (Warner Bros.) *

5. Adapted Screenplay:

-“Atonement” (Focus Features)Screenplay by Christopher Hampton *
-“Away from Her” (Lionsgate)Written by Sarah Polley *
-“The Diving Bell and the Butterfly” (Miramax/Pathé Renn)Screenplay by Ronald Harwood *
-“No Country for Old Men” (Miramax and Paramount Vantage)Written for the screen by Joel Coen & Ethan Coen
-“There Will Be Blood” (Paramount Vantage and Miramax)Written for the screen by Paul Thomas Anderson.

6. Original screenplay:

-“Juno” (Fox Searchlight)Written by Diablo Cody
-“Lars and the Real Girl” (MGM) Written by Nancy Oliver
-“Michael Clayton” (Warner Bros.)Written by Tony Gilroy *
-“Ratatouille” (Walt Disney)Screenplay by Brad BirdStory by Jan Pinkava, Jim Capobianco, Brad Bird
-“The Savages” (Fox Searchlight) Written by Tamara Jenkins. *

7. Motion Picture of the year:

-“Atonement” (Focus Features) A Working Title Production Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner and Paul Webster, Producers *

-“Juno” (Fox Searchlight)A Mandate Pictures/Mr. Mudd ProductionLianne Halfon, Mason Novick and Russell Smith, Producers

-“Michael Clayton” (Warner Bros.)A Clayton Productions, LLC ProductionSydney Pollack, Jennifer Fox and Kerry Orent, Producers *

-“No Country for Old Men” (Miramax and Paramount Vantage)A Scott Rudin/Mike Zoss ProductionScott Rudin, Ethan Coen and Joel Coen, Producers

-“There Will Be Blood” (Paramount Vantage and Miramax)A JoAnne Sellar/Ghoulardi Film Company ProductionJoAnne Sellar, Paul Thomas Anderson and Daniel Lupi, Producers.

8. Best animated film:

-“Persepolis” (Sony Pictures Classics) Marjane Satrapi and Vincent Paronnaud *
-“Ratatouille” (Walt Disney) Brad Bird
-“Surf's Up” (Sony Pictures Releasing) Ash Brannon and Chris Buck

Taare Zameen Par (2007)

A tale of an Artist.

Starring: Darsheel Safary, Amir Khan.
Screenplay by: Amol Gupte.
Directed by: Amir Khan.

A drop of a red paint falls on a canvas. Then a finger comes and adds some yellow color to that drop. The drop shows some light turbulent mixing of smaller pigments of yellow and red, then that same finger starts mixing those colors. Then appears a creation of color on canvas as seen by Ishaan (Darsheel Safary), an 8-year old kid who just destroyed his graded exam solution of non-art subjects. Well, because he failed in those. There is something that drives Ishaan away from the books and exams to painting, to catching fishes in the gutter, to jigsaw puzzles, to almost anything that catches his eyes. He mentions his teacher that the letters in the book are dancing. That would make him dyslexic. But not dumb. Perhaps his vision is different than an average human being. When he has been send to a boarding school hundreds of miles away from his home then it appears as a child departing from his parents in his flip book. Can we help Ishaan? Perhaps professor Nikumbh has the answer. You have to watch Taare Zameen Par, to know what that answer is.

Amol Gupte wrote the screenplay for this beautiful and powerful film. He also was a creative director and I guess that is the basic need of this film. The number one thing expected from any filmmaker is to create sympathy for his protagonist. May it be emotional, but definitely has to be psychological. Amol Gupte puts you right where you are able to observe through Ishaan's eyes at a kid sitting on his father's shoulder and slurping a shaved ice cone. So much indulgence that it makes you unaware of the cone in your 'own' hand that melts and falls. There are so many sequences like those and Amir Khan (also the debutant Director) understands the conveyance need of those visuals as much as Amol Gupte and creates an impact. Slow motion gives us time to understand Ishaan's fast grasping. The connection of images, surreal, if I may, of the solar system to the math problem in Ishaan's exams is simply brilliant. How Ishaan thinks and imagines and applies it to his real world creates sympathy. Not to forget the confrontation by professor Nikhumb to Ishaan's parents is one of the scenes with convincing words. Perhaps convincing for any parent. There does exist get-beaten-first-followed-by-triumph-later-superhero psychology which works. Amol Gupte and Amir Khan both have done a great job.

But how much ever you write or direct a movie, it is useless without the actors who make you feel what they are feeling in all the situations in the movie. Darsheel Safary as Ishaan falls short at nothing. He is an actor that has not been bound by anything. He excites at fishes in the gutter, he fights a bully twice his size, he feels guilty and apologises to his father at first and gets angry with strained eyebrows later at revelation of father's lie. He cries with the sorrows that you will feel and laughs with joys that shake you. Sight of a dawn over mountains and a lake creates an image in his mind that later shows up on a canvas that screams his urge to see what people don't see and you will stand beside him all the way. He deserves all the accolades he stands nominated for.

Amir Khan has chosen a unique tale of parent-kids relationship, that is sad, because that relationship has been ignored long enough to make a movie but at least now we have a movie. Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy give music to songs written by Prasoon Joshi that add to the surreal environment of this child. This movie is a great attempt to look at every child because he/she is special beyond our comprehension.

My Rating: 8/10.

No Country for Old Men (2007)

Well, Its about time.

Written and Directed by: Joel and Ethan Coen.

Based on the book by: Cormac McArthy.

Starring: Javier Bardem, Josh Brolin, Tommy Lee Jones.

Well its about time right here to get blown away. Please welcome Ethan and Joel Coen. They are carrying a metal cylinder filled to the top with a gas, under high pressure. They are going to aim the pressure hose on your forehead and put a hole about two inches deep. You fall on the floor and thats the story of you.

No Country for Old Men is a western set in the 1980's. While hunting for deers Llewlyn Moss (Josh Brolin) comes across a case full of hard cash amongst dead bodies. As aware as he is to face a shower of bullets, hardly he is aware of facing Anton Chigurh (Javier Bardem). Anton is someone who would kill even after getting the money just for the inconvenience he had suffered, as Carson Wells (Woody Harrelson) mentions to Llewlyn who is under a medical observation in an hospital for the wounds he suffered from ..............well, Anton. So what happened, and what would happen? Even if you guess you are not going to believe what happens in this country.

If you appreciated the cold-blooded wood-chipper body disposal in Fargo (1996) or fearless furious bullet shooting by Albert Finney in Miller's Crossing (1990) then you would know how fantastically Coen Brothers directed those crime thrillers. No doubt they have tight screenplays but also they sure do take their time to make a point and numb you. The visuals are gritty, bloody and absolutely extraordinary. There are sounds, there are shadows, there are quiet walks and there are blow ups of cars. And then there are punch lines like "How much you have ever bet on a coin toss?" Coes brothers come back after almost a decade with never before energy and a sharp edged knife. I smell Academy nominations for adapted screenplay and direction. This is a marvellous creation.

One face is unforgettable on this desert and that is Javier Bardem's outlaw. He is innocently quiet and stays that way while terrorizing every one who crosses his path. His self sufficient operation of bullet ridden wounds lets you know that help is the last thing he needs. He has all the tools and if there is something missing, he has the brain and guts to get it. He has no sympathy but just a determination and will cross boundaries to follow that determination. This is perhaps the baddest character after Tony Montana and his "little friend". Absolutely Unforgettable.

Josh Brolin and Tommy Lee Jones as the sheriff are also entertaining and believeable. Woody Harrelson makes a short appearance with the same mystic smile from Natural Born Killers. But in the end its the desert of Texas and the deep philosophical roots that perhaps are dying with the old cowboys since the new outlaws make you forget the "ethical" Clint Eastwood from Dollar Trilogy.

Please go and watch this intense heart-stopping drama that would keep you on the edge of the seat.

My rating: 10/10.

Lars and the Real Girl (2007)

A plastically real and hilariously warm love story.

Written by: Nancy Oliver.

Directed by: Craig Gillespie.

Starring: Ryan Gosling.

As opening credits fade, Lars (Ryan Gosling) is seen watching from a window. His neighbour, Karin (Emily Mortimer), comes in and invites him for lunch. He promises and never shows up. Gus (Paul Schneider), Karin's husband, wins 5$ bet with her. Lars goes to the office. Doesn't talk with anybody. Lars comes home and sits on the bed and is frozen in a stare on the empty wall. Six weeks later Lars knocks on Gus and Karin's door and invites them to meet his girlfriend, Bianca, who is half Brazilian half danish, and bound to a wheel chair. She is religious and so Lars and Bianca decide not to sleep on the same bed. If this isn't intriguing enough then what happens after that is hilariously shocking. Lars is in love with a DOLL. Is it shocking now?

First time adventure by Director Craig Gillespie and first writing for the screen by Nancy Oliver (also the writer of "Six Feet Under"), Lars and the Real Girl is a complete knockout. How much ever "anatomically correct" their "plastic" creation is, it is absolutely alive. Why is Lars with the Girl? Will his neighbours accept this? Where is this all going? Let me say something, you will believe in Lars.

Ryan Gosling is FANTASTIC! Its about time Hollywood needs a new face. Unfortunately he isn't that new. Previously acted in Half Nelson (Academy Award nomination for Best Actor) and Fracture, Ryan is perhaps using his potential to push himself farther than his own imagination. This is the best performance by an actor in a long time. He is simply brilliant. His conversations with Bianca, his dancing in the party, his "in love" smirks and the ability to converse as humoristically anti-social as possible is unbelievably amazing. This is a very well written character. This is a sure oscar nomination performance and possibly a win.

Nancy Oliver and Craig Gillespie have raised a point that perhaps goes to the very core of any social system. We love someone as a friend, a brother, a sister or a son and we love what they love. We never mention about the unusual things they do. Our love binds us to them and persuades us to care. Every single factor in any social circle is touched in this beautiful tale. This is a little tricky explanation of how this concept attacks to the very basics. If you remember Sideways and if you felt completely different about "Old Wines" then think about this. When Paul Giamatti and Virginia Madsen are talking about their penchant about wines, they explain in a realization that they are actually talking about themselves. The wines they talk represent them. Now that is a best example of screen writing basics exploring to the very core. You can talk about wines and convey your feelings to the person next to you. The way Lars and the Real girl screenplay attacks to the very core of the social system is just the same. Situations are created and questions are answered. This is a story about true love. Moreover it is about us. Our ideas, our faiths, our hatred, our fears, our laughter, our tears and our urge to be human.

Well, don't you want to know what happens to Lars and his Real Girl?

My Rating: 9/10.

The Number 23 (2007)

2+3=5 :: Chaos.

Starring: Jim Carrey, Virginia Madsen.

Directed by: Joel Schumacher.

Written by: Fernley Phillips.

The explanation of the events in this movie is pretty much summarized in the title of this review. CHAOS. I got that synonym for No. 5 from the DVD extras of this movie. It does actually suit to the events, but do not confuse with the feeling that so chaotic that it is difficult to comprehend.

The number 23 is the title of the book William (Jim Carrey) gets as a present on his birthday by Agatha (Virginia Madsen), his wife. As he reads through it, he first gets fascinated by the creativity by the author and then starts to think that the events in the books are very similar to his life. So he starts obsessing and is on a mental journey to figure out what happens next.

BRAVO Fernley Phillips for this unique and stylized thriller. This is his first ever screenplay. All the characters and, if I may say, their surreal counterparts are simply fascinating. The blend of confusion and curiosity is well written. It makes you think all the time. Now this project makes me curious about his next project with Bryan Singer, about two teenagers' journey from chat introduction to bloody violence.

Being a drama/thriller-genre lover I never thought I would ever write about action director Joel Schumacher. But I am here for the reason being he perhaps was the best person to picturize this chaos. Looks on the faces of Jim Carrey and Virginia Madsen are choreographed to the almost perfection of their character requirements. As if this is what screenwriter had in his mind. The lights from the fires, the wet dirty roads, suicide blonde sequence, dark nights and background score, these are the things to remember and the director has put it in a box that makes this a visual treat, just like Kate Beckinsale's stylised Vampire-Vulcan-high-tech thriller Underworld (2003).

It would be ignorance to neglect Jim Carrey from this review. The rubber faced comic gives yet another great performance after Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004). He makes the obsessed William and diabolic Fingerling a must watch. His eyes shed tears and blood. This is what makes him sit on a curve and swing back and forth between the good and evil. Same goes with Virginia Madsen as Agatha and Febrizia. Wow!.

This is an edge-of-the-seat thriller. Do not miss it.

My Rating: 8/10.

Chak De-INDIA (2007)

A highly spirited thrilling ride.

"The next 70 minutes are yours. Not even God can take it away from you. Go get them". As Kabir Khan (Shah Rukh Khan) gives the speech to its hockey team, you feel the moment with him. As if you are standing in that locker room and you are going to play that hockey match with the rest of the crew. This feeling will follow you on a fantastic ride called as Chak De-INDIA. This is not a story of champions. This is not a story of freedom. This is not a story of strength to win. This is not a story of extraordinary people who fight against out numbered enemies. But this is a story of gaining high spirits among individuals who come together and achieve something they never knew how to.

Kabir Khan is a newly appointed coach of Indian women's hockey team who are prepaing themselves for upcoming World Cup championship. The hurdles for the coach are not just to bring the team together and train and teach what they exactly need to, but also to answer to the criticism from his fans about his missed stroke when he played in Men's hockey finals. Not to mention his fight against himself about that lost game. As the team is introduced at the signup desk, the women from every corner of India make you laugh and curious. They can be wearing a bully's attitude, I-am-so-hot attitude or just plain simple girls lived under the shadow of the family. But they have one thing in common. The passion and talent for the game. They can make friends or enemies among themselves, even though they are in the same team, but the journey ahead towards the final glory is extraordinary.

There was a movie. Ab Tak Chhappan, (2004) that shook so many audiences and critics. Shimit Amin, the same director, now handled Chak De, and surprisingly his knife feels as sharp as his last cut in 2004. The whole tone and attitude of excitement, pain, zyst and glory is so unbelievable that it feels as if Bollywood is waking up and breathing. The expressions on each player's face are captured magnificently and straight to the core. Jaideep Sahani, the writer who previously wrote Ram Gopal Verma's gangster thriller Company (2002) does a memorable comeback with Chak De. I mean the MacDonald's scene, the coach's speech, the final goal and the diligence of keeping away from any cheesy dialogues just makes me say one word. WOW!Thank You Aditya Chopra for bringing this team together.

Now definitely Shah Rukh Khan has to be mentioned here. He is not the usual, mindless college boy who whines over some troubled relationships just to shake those faint hearted who worship him. He is a tough and determined hockey player who knows what he is talking about. With a rough stubble and Ray Ban aviator sunglasses he makes his appearance felt. No cliches, just passion.

Well, the hockey team is rather something to watch, than to read right here. So just go ahead and walk in to this locker room and listen to the coach and chat with these passionate women.

My rating: 9/10.

Pan's Labyrinth (2006)

A Dark and Violent Unicorn.

What fairy tales and unicorns have brought untill now is a fantasy world. Those stories start with 'Once upon a time' and end with 'happily ever after'. What Pan's Labyrinth does is pushes it further by not just connecting with the real time but interfering with it. Set in 1944 this is a story of Ofelia (Ivana Baquero), who is reading a fairy tale and is on a quest to find the clues to unlock a mystery. While doing so she is following her pregnant mother on a journey to meet her new father, Captain Vidal (Sergi Lopez). Vidal is a Captain of Spanish army. While Ofelia and her mother visit Vidal, Ofelia finds a layrinth located close to the mill where they have stationed. An insect takes Ofelia to the labyrinth where she meets Faun/Pan who explains her purpose over there. The colorful trip that follows their conversation is a fantastic journey.

Kudos to Mexican writer/director/producer Guillermo Del Toro. He has come up with a great new narrative to a fairy tale. This fairy tale has all the classic ingredients of mystery, clues, fantasy and beautiful visuals. The blending of reality and fairy tale is quite clever. Before you comprehend the connections the story goes further and opens up new horizons to explore. Anymore I will say and it will spoil the movie watching exprience.

Ofelia and Captain Vidal are the most memorable. 11 year old Ofelia is perhaps a package of innocence and a lot of energy who is not so happy with her step father. Her eyes speak of the curiosity and anxiety at every single point in the movie while lighting up the screen with her smile. Captain Vidal is a self-sufficient Fascist who polishes his own shoes. He is an intelligent, shrewd and ruthless Captain. Sergi Lopez has brought an attitude that will fear every character around him. A fine performance.

The character of Faun has a striking makeup that got Pan's Labyrinth one of the three Academy Awards, the other two for cinematography and costume. In one scene a soldier points Captain to a hill and then as Captain looks through binoculars all we see is green jungle and a trail of smoke coming out of the woods. The panning of the camera during the introduction of Faun is also fantastic. The cinematography by Guillermo Navarro is on the top of the list of things to look forward to.

This is a fairy tale from a whole new point of view that will open up questions and the answers to those will create memorable thoughts.

7/10.

Life in a Metro (2007)

Same old same old from a new writer.

The title of this movies gives an idea of the setup of the movie. City of Mumbai with local trains, clubs, shopping malls, cell phones, rain and good looking people on the street are the basic assumptions behind the title. What the story brings is an interwoven but not complicated lifestyle of about a dozen characters. Shikha (Shilpa Shetty) is married to Ranjeet (Kay Kay Menon) who is having a no strings attached romance with Neha (Kangana Ranawat) who is sharing her apartment with Shruti (Konkona Sen-Sharma) who is not just Shikha's sister but is also having a buddy Monty (Irfan Khan) who previously got acquainted with Shruti as an arranged marriage proposals while Neha is stalked by Rahul (Sharman Joshi) who works at a call center under the supervision of Ranjeet. Is that all? Actually no. Shikha, after the dissappointment from her marriage with Ranjeet, is having a 'butterflies-in-the-stomach' romance with Akash (Shiney Ahuja).

I think that sums it up. Now the question is what next? I guess thats when Anurag Basu (writer and director) starts his imagination or experiences with relationships. Compared to his previous project, Gangster (2006), the script of 'METRO' is rather crispier and the characters look more intelligent and believable. Even though there are almost 6 parallel stories in the script there is not a single time when it confuses. From the introduction of all to the finales writer keeps you on the same page as his. The ambiguities of extramarital and unsure relatioships are well written. Although intial fast pace of the script in the first 1 hr. drags a lot in the later half. The melodramatic finales of different couples are laughable. Save Shikha and Akash's temptations and anxieties. In a way this movie has almost nothing new to offer. What actually it offers is Shilpa Shetty's comeback and she perhaps steals the show with her looks. What accompanies is Shiney Ahuja (alway impressive) and Konkona Sen. Surprise package includes Sharman Joshi's ambitious character. His story with Kangana Ranawat (another 'for your eyes only') reminds of Shahrukh Khan and Juhi Chawla in Yes Boss (1997). Also why there was the story of vintage actor Dharmendra and Nafisa Ali???

Music score by Pritam will add a star to this movie. The picturizaion of these songs is also a fresh new way as opposed to the same old aerobics or dramatic styles. Direction of few scenes, like the erotic sequence of Shikha and Akash uses a good mixture of lights and shadows which also is pretty well acted by the two. Last but not the least Irfan Khan's Monty is quite memorable. He is funny as hell.

In and all the stories have been seen and heard before but fresh new faces including Shilpa Shetty and a nicely written screenplay will make this one a good experience. Worth a look with some pocorns and a gulp.

Rating: 5/10.

Children of men (2006)

An extraordinary visual ride.

Written and Directed by: Alfonso Cuaron.
Starring: Clive Owen and Michael Caine.

Theo (Clive Owen) walks into a coffee shop flooded by people watching a breaking news of accidental death of a youngest human alive, 18 yr old 'Baby Diego'. The year is 2027. Theo walks out of the coffee shop and waits outside a little far from the entrance to light his cigarette when suddenly there is a loud bang and we see the coffee shop blown apart. Though I saw this scene during Children of Men's Best Cinematography nomination during 2006 Academy Awards, I still was shocked at second viewing and wanted to applaude for the directorial skill .

Children of Men is a dystopian story set in 2027 UK. While Government is on a 'Holocaust' like mission to hunt down illegal immigrants and deport them, a group of people called 'Fishes' is showing resistance. But above all the greatest problem the humanity is facing is the absolute infertility. There have been no recorded births since last 18 years. Among this turmoil Theo gets a request from his ex wife Julian (Julianne Moore) to have a refugee transported to a safe location. As story continues a girl is found to be miraculously pregnant and now Theo wants to save her from the tyranny of the Army soldiers and Fishes. The premise of the story sure pulls you towards this movie but what you see is even more stunning.

The list of accolades starts with Alfonso Cuaron, who previously directed Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2003). Just like the amazing last sequence shot in two points of view at the end of Harry Potter, Children of Men has three single take sequences. The first car chase scene that starts with Theo taking a nap and continues till the pull over by the cops, is the greatest chase I have ever seen. Though the complexity of this chase scene and the single take war sequence makes them as impossible as a human being living 200 years, the CGI effects are of course expected but the important thing is the way the post production unit put it together. It is seamless. The smooth continuity makes those single take scenes a visual beauty. No doubt it was made easier for the post production unit by Mr Cuaron's pre mind set of how this film is going to look like. Simply brilliant and unforgettable.

Next up is screenwriting for this visual treat. There was contribution from about six people, including the director himself. One of the memorable dialogues is Jasper's (Michael Caine) explanation of entanglement of faith and chance. Also the conversation between Theo and Julian is interesting. The pace of the movie is well tackled. When Theo has to follow the messenger right after a dog-race is quite fast paced and explains the quality of time and also gives director more than one opportunity to create surprising acts in the event of pace.

Acting department has some very solid performances. Clive Owen's reaction when Jasper is talking about faith and chance or when he tries stands alone in the woods right after the car chase makes him the number one person to watch for. Michael Caine also delivers a powerful performance as Jasper. Claire Hope Ashitey as Kee is another actor with extended limits. She is quite natural. Julianne Moore looked more concerned about pronouncing the right accent, but did not distract from the movie.

In the end I would like to say that watch this movie. Solid direction, acting and striking images make this one unforgettable.

My rating: 8/10.

Inland Empire (2006)

Attempt of Experience Through a Mastermind.



Written and Directed by: David Lynch.

Starring: Laura Dern and Justin Theroux.

4 Years ago I watched a movie. In that movie when Naomi Watts wakes up and her neighbor calls her name as Diane, which previously was Betty and Diane is living in a filthy barren house wearing a dirty stinky bathrobe instead of a fancy silkish red bathrobe worn by Betty while living in a fabulous LA apartment during first half of the movie. It is important to mention that both Diane and Betty were played by Naomi Watts and all these changes in the story were without any warning, and that is when I realised I have to watch this movie again. So I watched it immediately after it was over, then again and again and again trying to figure out what is the basic plot. It played in my mind for months and this became the movie I have viewed THE maximum number of times ever. I spent hours and days watching it and theorizing it. In the end I gave up when I realised that this movie is all about the experience of watching it. The name of the movie was Mulholland Drive (2001).

Enter stage 10 of a hollywood studio where 'On High in Blue Tomorrows' is in production. Laura Dern (as Nikki) is playing Susan and Justin Theroux (as Devon) is playing Billy. The director of the movie during rehearsals reveals a fact about the movie that it was in production before. There was something 'in the story' that stopped the earlier production by previous filmakers. Now baffled as they can be, both Nikki and Devon get intrigued. The production of 'Blue Tomorrows' continues and strange things start to happen. First one is suspicion of invasion of privacy on stage 10 during rehearsals. Devon follows the 'sound of footsteps' but finds no one. Then follows a series of scenes of a lady watching a movie, a group of whores, shooting of Blue Tomorrows, a cold and gloomy street where people talk Polish, three Rabbits and Nikki and Devon. These scenes are connected to each other either by same dialogues, same characters, same gestures, same ambience or a watch. Because Lynch creates these images which require your attention, it furthur helps to get confused and curious as to ask question what happened next? This realization of connection and curiosity happens at every single point of the movie. Not to mention there is non-linearity as well. Now to explain how scenes are possibly connected will spoil the movie.

Now after writing these two paragraphs I am sure I got you confused as to ask me what is Inland Empire all about. The tagline says "A Woman In Trouble". David Lynch summed the whole story up in this one line. Because there in no way anybody can write a review of any David Lynch movie. His movies do not conform to any other movies that have a plot and a set of characters that play what they are meant to be. Lynch always defies these rules and has his own vision. If you are looking for a plot or an explanation then rather do not bother. Because Inland Empire is about 'the experience of watching and its effects on the viewer'. In his autobographical book Lynch on Lynch, where the author interviews him about his movies and paintings. When they talk about Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me (1992) Lynch said that he recieved hundreds of letters from the girls who saw this movie and who had some personal experience of physical abuse from parents at some point during their lives. All those girls asked Lynch 'how could he create an exact feeling of what they went through?'. This itself says that his movies create a particular emotion that can only be felt and experienced. He takes you on a ride and you just see all those strinkingly unforgettable images, feel those emotions, hear those extraordinary series of sounds and come out of the theatre realising that even the front door of the auditorium looks different than when you came in. This is the effect due to 'Lynch-stinged' mind.

My Rating: 9/10.

Grindhouse (2007).

Greatest homage to dead exploitation genre.

From Wikipedia:
Grindhouses were the cinema halls known for non-stop programs of B movies, usually consisting of a double feature where two films were shown back to back.

About 10 years ago I remember going to a B-grade movie theatre in India with my cousin and my brother in law to watch a sexploitation flick. I remember looking away from the screen for some shocking scenes. Today I sat through Grindhouse and yes I did look away because of some ugly and disgusting scenes. I guess Tarantino and Rodriguez pretty much brought everything back in Grindhouse, a two-movies-back-to-back feature film.

Planet Terror.

Written and Directed by: Robert Rodriguez.
Starring: Naveen Andrews, Rose McGowan.

This is the first offering of the "Grindhouse" directed by Robert Rodriguez. This is a Zombie movie. They always have a doctor whose experiment goes wrong and people walk who were assumed dead. They either have slashed faces or some skin irritation the size of coconuts. They always march together and always have a thirst for human blood. So some good looking women who never got lucky enough to get to the Big Banners, always wear exotic clothes bought from a Dollar Store and carry machine guns along with some legendary B-grade actors with shotgns on a killing rampage. This time there is a slight twist that the chick has lost a leg and apparently her co-star has found a way to use the "leftover" to install a gun that can be used to point and fire so as to add a factor of action to the sleazy body. Wow, now that is a sensational innovation that can be sold which fits an exploitation cinema's definition. There are some scenes that can make you sick to the stomach but at the same time are hillarious.

Death Proof.

Written and Directed by: Quentin Tarantino.
Starring: Kurt Russell, Zoe Bell.

This is the second offering after few fake movie trailers. This redneck car-chase genre movie is directed by Quentin Tarantino. This one actually is a lot better than the first offering. Tarantino does make this one look like a B-grade, but at the same time he does not forget to use hiw own styles and techniques. May it be 'this-converstation-has-got-something-to-do-with-the-next-half-hour' screenwriting technique, very typical Tarantino, or high pop culture references. Death Proof IS a Tarantino movie. The camera angles by QT himself during the car chase are quite fascinating. Last 20 mintes or so are the peak of sensational values. Zoe Bell's stunt is the key aspect of this chase. For these minutes the movie is recommended.

Both the directors have 'aged' the reels purposely. They also added 'missing reel, sorry for inconvenience-thetre manager' slides during the movies. In Death proof at one point the camera starts to zoom out and in a second starts zooming in as if to specify "unskilled cameraman". Go Enjoy this movie. Oh yeah, I strongly remember not taking any females with me during my visit to a Grindhouse in India.

My Rating: 8/10.

Eklavya:The Royal Guard (2007).

A guard's quest to fulfill his religion.

Directed and written by: Vidhu Vinod Chopra.

Starring: Amitabh Bachchan, Saif Ali Khan, Boman Irani.

Enter a royal mansion of Rajasthan, India that is filled with secrets. The royal guard Eklavya (Amitabh Bachchan) is humble, sincere and ruthless. He is guarding the king Rana Jayawardhan (Boman Irani). Like one of the characters Eklavya from the epic Mahabharata, who cut his thumb off as a gesture of respect when his Archery teacher asks him to as fees for the teaching, this royal guard is also determined to protect his king so as to consider this job as his only Religion. What secrets this mansion is hiding? What happens when one tries to blow off the lid off these secrets? Will Eklavya be able to follow his religion? Well the questions are answered, except for one which you will see at the end.

After giving Khamosh (1985), Parinda (1989) and 1942-A love story (1993) Vidhu Vinod Chopra comes back with his own screenplay and his own vision blended in a big screen art piece. Like those other films he still has his cutting knife as sharp as it was before. Little rugged tip though. Mr Chopra has created a dark sequence that can only be understood from voices in the background. He has created a scene where camera is panning over the entire entrance way towards the mansion that reminds Kubrick and Fincher's fluid-track camera. He has created a thrilling sequence involving a car standing close to a running train along with sprinting camels in one of the deserts of Rajasthan. He has created a dark and glooming atmosphere throughout the entire movie which will keep you glued to your seat. He has a vision and he has stick to it all the way almost till the last 10 minutes of the movie. Actually he did give a sign of a grand finale with Harshwardhan's (Saif Ali Khan) gesture which if Mr Chopra has stayed with then this tale would have made sense and fit to all of the character's intentions. But unfortunately Mr Chopra goes a little further which will steer away this car ride out on a gravel road where the scenery is hazy due to the dust. At this point perhaps he could not decide if he can still continue to be an artist or rather make money out of this? Its upto you how hard you take those 10 minutes. Personally Mr Chhopra was already impressive enough to give an exhilarating experience through his quality cinema.

Mr Bachchan as the royal guard has a style and attitude that would take his character where you believe him completely. When he stands next to the bed where queen Suhasini devi (Sharmila Tagore) is lying, he has the eyes that will negate the possibilities of any words from the screenplay. The sequence of chopping off the bells tied to a flying dove's feet is at first seems little cheesy but sometime later helps you understand how unique his talent is. Though his expressions are not new but still he performs with utter honesty.

Saif Ali Khan as the prince charming lights the screen with his persona. His performance is the second memorable followed by Boman Irani as the king and Vidya Balan as Harshwardhan's lover Rajjo. Jackie Shroff makes a comeback to commercial cinema after quite a while. Seems like Mr Chopra wanted to bring Shubhankar from 1942-A love story. He is little more older, tired and less believable. Sanjay Dutt and Raima Sen contribute a little to the story.

Cinematography by Nataraja Subramanian is quite stunning which requires an auditorium viewing.

Eklavya asks a question that how far can you go to be RELIGIOUS? This movie is a great attempt which deserves applause.

My rating: 7/10.

300 (2007).

Comic book with a soundtrack.

Directed by: Zack Snyder.

Writing credits: Frank Miller (Graphic novel).

Starring: Gerard Butler, Dominic West.

300 is a transformation of the Frank Miller's graphic novel of the same name published in 1999 into a digital movie with a techno soundtrack. This is a tale of 300 Spartans who fought about a million Persians at Thermopylae in 480 B.C. Led by King Leonidas these 300 soldiers fought for the glory by making a phalanx at the entrance of a mountain pass over three days.

300 is quite a graphic film directed by Zack Snyder who previously created Dawn of the Dead. Some of the scenes like the one when Leonidas rejects the offer of earth and water or the blinking of a wolf's eyes in the dark or the rhino killing sequence are directly creditable to Mr Snyder. But then his direction tries to make an epic but fails at the urge of creating an actual portrayal of Frank Miller's vision on a big screen. When I saw The making of 300 the filmmakers evidently mentioned the idea to make a movie almost similar to the comic book images used as story boarding for quite a few scenes. That limited the scope of not just directing but also screenwriting for Zack Snyder and Kurt Johnstad. While watching the movie there seemed no sympathy to the urge of glory of the 300 Spartans. Not to ignore cheesy romantic dialogues between Leonidas and Queen Gorgo. Key scenes have limited words. Mr Miller himself has claimed to have changed the history to make it look cooler. The battle scene dialogues between fellow Spartans sound like conversation between a bunch of college kids watching a Monday Night football game at a local Hooters. Also there is quite a fascination with flesh exposure in the movie. There is squirting of blood throughout. But what is missing is a solid story-telling. This would make this a mediocre movie watching experience.

Acting department doesn't have much scope. Everyone required to be on an adrenaline rush which is probably why they scream their 'glorious' dialogues, say for instance 'Tonight we dine in hell' or 'This is Spartan'. Rather one thing the actors were expected to have was 'six-pack abs' and they all count six each. Well if you just expect about 2 hours of entertainment then this is a movie that looks and sounds cool.

Do not go to the theatres. But do watch it on an HD pay-per-view to experience the fascinating use of colors and sound.

My rating: 4/10.

Zodiac (2007).

Search for the Zodiac.

Directed by: David Fincher.
Writing Credits: Robert Graysmith (novel), James Vanderbilt(Screenplay).
Starring: Jake Gyllenhaal, Mark Ruffalo, Robert Downey Jr.

Two teenage lovers on a date take a little detour in Vallejo,CA. . While sitting in the car they see a black car come close and stop nearby and just drive off. Not so soon it vanishes in the dark they hear tires screeching and the car comes back. It stops and a dark figure gets out and walk towards the couple with a flashlight just like a cop. When the boy is about to say anything we hear the shot and the guy falls on the seat in a slow motion. Next is the girl. When the dark figure finishes off we hear an emergency call over a pan shot of California made to a nearby police station supposedly by the killer himself to report two dead bodies in a car.

Zodiac is a story about a cartoonist Robert Graysmith (Jake Gyllenhaal) of the San Francisco Chronicle. One day the 'Chronicle' receives a letter about a guy who calls himself as Zodiac. Letter mentions few details about the murder of two teenagers sitting in a car which cops missed out during the investigations so to prove writer's identity. While Robert's curiosity is raised with a code given in the letter received by the Chronicle, he continues to decipher it. Then over the next few months follows a series of murders and letters which baffles everybody. Inspector Toschi (Mark Ruffalo) shows most interest and the urge to find the killer. The problem is since the murders occurred in different counties of California the mutual coordination of different jurisdictions is slowed down due to limited sources of communications of the '70s. Zodiac receives advantage of this. Not to mention lack of physical evidence from the crime scenes.

From all the given evidence and piled-to-the-sky confusions forms a tale of a serial killer. But this is more like a tale of Robert's persistence to find Zodiac. Mr. Robert Graysmith, a real life SF Chronicle cartoonist, wrote a novel titled Zodiac. Though James Vanderbilt wrote the screenplay, actually the tell-a-tale of all the events and a possible pointing of the finger to one suspect by Mr Graysmith is quite interesting. At first the tale made every attempt to confuse the audience just to put in the position of the cops who did not have a clue themselves. It was nearly halfway thru the movie when Robert starts his own investigation is when the fog starts to clear up. From the codes written by Zodiac at the crime scenes to the phone calls he made, Mr Graysmith created enough suspicion to one suspect for this thriller. This is a good attempt to create a picture of the '70s San Francisco turmoiled by Zodiac.

David Fincher, who previously directed the cult classics like Seven (1995) and Fight Club (1999), comes up with yet another dark creation. Though there were no usual tricks of Fluid-Track camera, he did use his experience and knowledge to create shadows and paced the heartbeats of the viewers in the suspenseful moments. He gives a touch of his dark world that would remind the video of Janie's Got a Gun. But unfortunately this is not a Fincher movie to expect an unexpected ending. Maybe the book is written like that.

On the acting note Jake Gyllenhaal still reminds teenager Donnie Darko (2001) making it hard to believe that his character in Zodiac has a daughter. But he is able to convey the persistence of his obsession with Zodiac. Mark Ruffalo is rather convincing as a frustrated cop. Robert Downey Jr still gets his bits of punchlines with an icing of little humor. Though the expectations from Chloe Sevigny were limited she still makes a mark. '70s style soundtrack adds a little flavor to this tale.

On a final note, this movie is worth one viewing. But you can wait for the DVD release.

My rating: 6/10.

Jackass: Number Two (2006).

Sickly Brilliant.

Starring: Johnny Knoxville, Bam Margera, Steve-O, Chris Pontius, Preston Lacy and Jason 'Wee Man' Acuna.

Director: Jeff Tremaine.

Writing credits: Johnny Knoxville.

When was the last time you felt like being a teenage again? When was the last time you wanted to play a prank on your friend? When was the last time you wanted to feel craziest ever? When was the last time you wanted to witness something that would not be afraid of death? If that day is today, go rent Jackass: Number Two and get a couple of tissue papers to wipe your tears off because you are going to laugh till you drop.

Enter a zone where blindfolded Knoxville gets knocked out by a randy bull, or he sits on a big red rocket on the way to moon, or Bam Margera makes a ski slide in his own house so that he can tear off the front door, or Wee man sits on a stool butt-naked where he gets hit by a professional playing card thrower, or where all the performers gather at a skate park and their goal is to not to get hit by sandbag while riding a bike or skateboards. When I saw Jackass: the movie (2002) I was surprised at the extreme stunt ideas especially the butt x-ray. I did not think that Knoxville and the crew can ever top that but apparently they did. The last stunt of the taxi-cab prank was just hilarious and actually very intelligent. When Johnny and Bam Margera come up with ideas for stunts then it raises a question of why do we need a director. May be to select which scene to go first and for editing. Rest of it is just pure adrenaline and self-humiliating acts. Some times it really tests the limits of how much one can take as an audience. Some are brilliant stunts and some acts will make sick to the stomach.

In the end its creditable how Johnny Knoxville, Bam Margera and the rest of the crew formed the shock values throughout the movie. This movie is something for a Jackass fan.

My rating: 7/10.

The Departed (2006).

Infernel Boston Affairs.

Starring: Jack Nicholson, Matt Damon and Leonardo DiCaprio. Directed by: Martin Scorsese.

Screenplay by: William Monahan.

Oh my god. Here we go. One more time Academy is lagging far behind to praise someone's talent. This time this 'lag' is the only thing that is going to get Mr. Martin Scorsese an Oscar nod. Not his movie The Departed.

The Departed is about two undercover employees. Undercover cop Billy Costigan (Leonardo DiCaprio) breaching in Frank Costello's (Jack Nicholson) gang while Frank has sent Colin Sullivan (Matt Demon), whom he trained since his childhood, to become a Boston state detective. Soon enough Frank and the Boston police department know about these two respective rats and then begins the search of who is who.

Adapted from Hong Kong action flick Infernel Affairs (2002) this is a pretty fast paced crime drama with lots of blood and extensive language which was good to see in a movie other than SAW franchise. I have not seen the original but seems like Departed has picked up the ambiance decently. Story is quite interesting showing two sides of the same job of being undercover. Screenplay is quite humoristic with some punch lines. For instance 'a cop or a mafia when facing a gun, whats the difference?'.

Acting department is highly creditable. Mr Nicholson is quite brutal and ruthless. His ability to make the characters he plays more interesting is still quite evident. Damon perhaps pulls the best performance. DiCaprio is also convincing in the portrayal of the undercover cop. Alec Baldwin, Martin Sheen and Mark Wahlberg are short lived but memorable.

The problem is that in the beginning the movie is quite slow. It took almost an hour during the "who's the rat?" search when it became interesting. The screenplay makes an honest attempt to keep you glued in the first few minutes but I was waiting for Mr Scorsese to pull some of his classic tricks to create accurate picture of the character's feelings on the actor's face. But the wait was broken by Mr Monahan when he wrote some dialogues and put in the character's mouth. The screenplay is witty but at the same time its tempted to be commercial by its strong language usage. May be perhaps that's the reason Departed has been approved by masses. Not necessarily it has any reason to do so. But yes this time it feels like Mr Scorsese will finally win the statuette and shut all the media activity surrounding his zero Oscars. Unfortunately Academy missed him during Taxi Driver (1976) and Raging Bull (1980). Even though Mr Scorsese did make homages to his own cult classic Taxi Driver twice. The stick-up scene in the convenient store and the porno theatre reminded Travis Bickle and his mystic smile.

One thing very refreshing during the movie was the use of Comfortably Numb by Pink Floyd. It actually fits to the situation between DiCaprio and Vera Farmiga. The ending minutes of the movie not necessarily have justifying explanations. What happened to DiCaprio's envelope that he gave to Farmiga? Only assumptions will give the answer.

My Rating: 6/10.

Little Miss Sunshine (2006)

A Fresh Breeze of Rain.

Directed by: Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris.

Screenplay by: Michael Arndt.

Starring: Abigail Breslin, Steve Carell, Alan Arkin.

Ever since Mr Robert Redford founded Sundance film festival 25 years ago young and budding talents have had a stage to express their thoughts. The expression of these thoughts were termed as Independent Movies. Every year there is something new to see and listen to from Sundance. But no matter how much the way of expression of thoughts has changed some rules are very basic and cannot be changed for ever to cinema. Rule one: Originality of Vision. Rule number two: Focus. There have been very few movies, not just from Sundance but also from Hollywood, CA that can handle both of these together. But when a movie handles both then you realise it is definitely good. This is exactly what has happened with Little Miss Sunshine. Right from the opening scene when Olive's (soon to be 11, Abigail Breslin) glasses reflect a Beauty Peagent's results declaration on the TV she is watching this movie keeps you glued to your seats. Olive rewinds and plays it over and over and then tries to mimic the winner's first expressions. You cannot look away from the screen.

Little Miss Sunshine is about a family residing in New Mexico. This family has all the ingredients of 'Dysfunctionality'. Drug addict grandfather, typical American mother (Toni Collette) fighting through everyday wars say for instance ignoring criticism over buying chicken bucket everyday for the dinner, a father (Greg Kinnear) giving lectures on how to be a winner, a brother (Paulo Dano) who has Nitzche as his idol and has taken a vow of silence, a homosexual suicidal uncle (Steve Carell) and a van with the stick that operates only past 1st shift. Ofcourse the most important character is Olive who is a budding artist with a dream to win a child prodigy contest "Little Miss Sunshine" to be held in Los Angeles. What is her talent we won't know till the end but she is getting training from her grandfather.

This family, after few hitches, sets off on a road trip to LA to support Olive's performance. Before even they set off the movie proved its potential. Thanks to Abigail's scream as she listens to the message confirming her chance to enter the peagent. This movie promises fun and stand right to the very core of the fun. The funny moments are interwined together smoothly. Nowhere you feel a demand from the directors, Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris. They have done a great job presenting this story nicely written by Micheal Arndt, who also is not so far from any accolade.

First person to be remembered is Olive, Abigail Breslin. She is the sunshine that gives all other family member a reason to stay together in the van. The scene in the Motel where the family takes a hault overnight where Olive is talking to grandpa is just beyond any words. This actress has no limits. This performance is seen very rarely. Her innocence, strength and determination is unbelievably put together with very simplicity. She doesn't seem to have any barrier. This is an Oscar worthy performance but I will be surprised since Academy did not bestow Leonardo DiCaprio when at the age of 17 he played mentally challenged Arnie in Whats Eating Gilbert Grape (1993). Just Marvellous.

Steve Carell is the next person who is memorable. Troubled from past relationship and unhappy with professional rival's success he meets his friend at a gas station and the change in the facial expression is amazing. He is the most hilarious 'runner' among all. You will know what I am talking when you will watch this. He deserved an Oscar nomination as well. But other actor who received the nomination is Grandpa played by Alan Arkin. Just listen to the way he is expressing his thoughts. Rest of the member of the family also make every attempt to make you laugh.

On a final note, I mention again that this movie is just about having fun and it stands to its promise. This is definitely one of the top movies of 2006.

My Rating: 9/10.