Here's lookin' at you kid...

Casablanca (1942)

Arguably the best romantic movie ever! I didn't think so. Maybe I've become a cynic.

Rick who owns a cafe in Casablanca has a misfortunate love affair in Paris, after which he becomes a cynic. Because a girl betrayed him, he would want to watch the world burn. But when the same girl walks into his cafe one night, accompanied by her husband, who is the leader of a freedom movement against the Nazis. Rick has an exit visa which could help Victor Lazlo go to America and countinue the freedom struggle. Our hero is caught in a dilemma, of revenge or of courage and strength.

Humphrey Bogart defines how a cool voice should sound and Ingrid Bergman looks a classic beauty. The movie has a gripping storyline. And the whole part of how Rick would / could / should react when he meets Ilsa again is played very well. It brings so many different feelings and interpretations in the minds of the viewer. That is what I think the tipping point of the movie is.

Without saying, the ending has Rick helping Ilsa and Victor getting on the plane to leave Casablanca. Rick sticking his neck out for the apparent love of his life. This brings me to another point. My friend came up with this line - Nice is not natural! This theory states that man needs to be taught and reminded how to be nice. Children in school are drilled with lessons of behaiour. Elders are there to remind us at every step. Movies and music inspire us to be a bigger man. Because, it's not natural to us. Being bad, rude, destructive, revengeful is all our natural instinct. Humans are more of a self destruct machines than block builders. Rick had the-whole-movie-of-an-internal-conflict so that he would do the right thing! Why are we any different! Make mistakes, but learn from them!

Rate - 3.5/5

Live free or die hard

Die Hard 4.0 (2007)

Its a very good work out movie! (That is if you're working out and you're as old as Bruce Willis OR you think that mentioning your working out schedule would get some honeys to this blog, nobody ever visits anyway!) Its like watching the latest Indiana Jones movie : Kingdom of crystal skull, with a worn out old man playing the lead paired with a young gun (who, thankfully, is not Bruce's son...his daughter falls for him though!) Atleast that was a Steven Speilberg movie!

This movie is only about action. No brainer, blasts of fire, choppers and car action. The scenes of the F-35 jet hovering around the flyovers and how a running car takes out a helicopter are very well done. But thats about it. There isn't much to talk about in this movie. The story is too predictable, the characters are too stereotypical.

I would rather suggest you go read the book "The fall of arms" from which this movie is inspired.

Rate - 1.5/5

Man with a heart

Invincible (2006)

You might think I'm targetting actors to diss - Mark Wahlberg and Jason Statham. But thats not true. Its a cosmic plan that I only watch movies by these actors and instead of saying bad things about them, I'd be rather impressed.

This is a football-inspirational-cinderella story. Boy, am I a sucker for those! But there is something different (And you think what do I look for in movies!) This movie is based on a true story. This movie is a Walt Disney movie (surprizing, as is Pirates of the Caribbean!) And thirdly, this cinderella story is a sort of mixed bag. (Unlike Goal, where everything happens to extremes. Rise and fall.)

A 30 year old bartender gets picked for a dying football team, but its really the new coach who revives the team. The protaganists' support system (friends) and new love interest character is/are very corny. The story is pretty predictable, but thats not what keeps you gripped.

Its the film making. The movie has a very nice sepia tone off the field and a very pastel tone in the football games and practice sessions. Detailing has been given a lot of emphasis and it shows.

Heart of a person can beat his talent. The movie is about a place where people trust others on a an instinct, believe in the goodness of people and do whatever they can to make the people you really care about, happy. Gosh! I just summarized the meaning of life in three lines!

Rate - 3/5

The true test of character is when you're up against it.

Absolutely lovely

Paris je T'Aime (2006)

It means Pari, I love you. Still love the person who taught me to say that. Je T'aime beancup.

And this movie is absolutely lovely. 18 short films by 18 strong directors from all over the world. And all of them have one thing in common - strong characterization. All stories are about the multiplicity of love in the city the defines, epitomizes and destroys love - Paris!

I only knew 3 directors from the bunch - Gurinder Chaddha (Quais de Seine, of the Bend it like Beckham fame), Gus van Sant (Le Marais, of the Good will hunting and Finding Forrestor fame) and The Coen brothers (Tuileries, of No country for old men fame) But the best of the short films came from directors that I'd never heard of...

1st - Sylvain Chomet (Tour Eiffel) : how a small boy recollects how their parents meet, in a prison, who are mimic artists!

2nd - Tom Tykwer (Faubourg Saint-Denis) : a blind young man falls in love with an aspiring actor. slick wicked editing. fantastic music.

3rd - Oliver Smitchz (Place des Fetes) : How a black woman tries to save a black sweeper whom is knifed, whom she had recently encountered and events led up to him dying.

There are interestingly awesome concepts like vampires, street walking conversations, Oscar Wilde's ghost, gay flirting, asain hair cutting salons, muslim women and many many more. Watching something like this makes your mind wonder at the creative collage people can put up. Wonder, fascinate and ponder at these awe-striking storylines. Their simplicity and weirdness make them so believable. I was blown away, mentally. Physically, I was a little bored. I would've much rather enjoyed these movies independently then watching them back to back. But none-the-less, the movie is like a bunch of flowers. Fresh. Fragrant. Independently beautiful.

Please watch it with someone you love. Or atleast don't hate!

Rate - 3.5/5

P.S.:This is the first french movie I've seen with no mention of the Tour de France! But then again, how many french films have I seen?