Thursday, January 12, 2012

Modern-Day Classics That Must Be Re-Visited


Some movies are such that they don't satisfy our hunger in a single-viewing. Calling such movies masterpieces or gems would be a gross understatement. These movies are not only critically-acclaimed and mass-loved but they manage to delve into our psyches and remain etched in our memories like the engravings on a stone. I've not include the popular ones like 'The Godfather' , 'Gone With The Wind' etc but   some highly-acclaimed and some lesser-known ones.

1. Fight Club.

Directed by the legendary David Fincher, This Helluva movie not just entertaining throughout but is also throughly savage and disturbing.
The spell-binding act by Edward Norton, Bradd Pitt and also by Helena Bonham Carter transcend the film to altogether different levels.
It is a movie that requires multiple viewings to fully take-in the symbolisms hidden throughout.

IMDB SynopsisA ticking-time-bomb insomniac and a slippery soap salesman channel primal male aggression into a shocking new form of therapy. Their concept catches on, with underground "fight clubs" forming in every town, until an eccentric gets in the way and ignites an out-of-control spiral toward oblivion. 

My Rating: 10/10.









2. Requiem For A Dream


Directed by Darren Aronofsky, the movie may be a bummer to some audiences, so harsh is its view of the drug culture.
 The jump cuts, split screens and jarring, distorted images used to show lives spiraling out of control may be found by someone to be a bit repetitive but it is necessary for a film that shows the adverse effects of drug-abuses.
The movie can serve as a perfect anti-drugs campaign.




IMDB Synopsis: 
Drugs. They consume mind, body and soul. Once you're hooked, you're hooked. Four lives. Four addicts. Four failures. Despite their aspirations of greatness, they succumb to their addictions. Watching the addicts spiral out of control, we bear witness to the dirtiest, ugliest portions of the underworld addicts reside in. It is shocking and eye-opening but demands to be seen by both addicts and non-addicts alike.
My Rating: 9/10

3. Memento


Name any psychological thriller and there are high chances that Memento springs to mind. Directed by one of the most intelligent and smart filmmakers of recent times, Christopher Nolan, Memento is a mind-numbing and a mind-boggling masterpiece. 
The ingenuity employed in the film by showing the film by showing scenes alternatively in reverse order chronologically as well as 'In-Order' the film keeps the viewer on the edge-of-the-seat throughout. 
The scenes manage to evoke a mixed bag of emotions comprising shock,sympathy,terror etc...It's one of the many psychological thrillers  but not one of them...Both..Confounding and equally clarifying.
It is a must must watch for all...
Synopsis Not Required for Such A Gem.

Rating: 10/10 + Two Thumbs Up...



4.Mulholland Dr.


 Perhaps a lesser-known movie, directed by the twisted director David Lynch, no synopsis or a summary can do justice to the movie. The Movie is as twisted as any movie can get. It is also a Hate-It Or Love-It kind of a movie where either the viewer feels haunted long after the show concludes or he feels cheated by the director.
Anyways the movie traces the life of a wannabe young actress with dreams to make it big in Hollywood. There are many subtle nuances throughout the movie and the viewer needs to pay full attention to fully grasp the meaning the movie tries to convey. Dark and Disturbing....

Rating: 8.5/10.





5. Following

This has to be one of the least-known gem but also one of the most-promising debut by the genius, none other than, Chris Nolan. The 69-Minute movie shows what a genius can do to a seemingly normal plot of murder and double-crossing. 
It's a low-budget gem par-excellence. 

Synopsis: A young writer who follows strangers for material meets a thief who takes him under his wing.
Rating: 9/10.

Potential Golden Globe Winners



So the much-hyped and much-awaited GGs return again this Sunday. Below are the top-most contenders who may prove to be a force to be reckoned with...Here are few reasons why...


1.
Michael Fassbender
The actor Michael Fassbender was born in Heidelberg, Germany. He is of German and Irish parentage. His father is from Germany and his mother is from Northern Ireland. Michael was raised in the town of Killarney, Co. Kerry, in south west Ireland. At the moment he is based in London, England.
“ Best Actor - Drama for SHAME

Golden Globe always favor up and coming actors who have the possibility of being a power player in the industry. Michael Fassbender is certainly is in everyone's radar after performances in high profile movies in both fronts--- the critics table and the box office. Also, they just have honored George Clooney in recent years and Brad Pitt is the perennial nominee. I say he has the best chances of winning. ” - myc4971

2.
Meryl Streep
Considered by many movie reviewers to be the greatest living film actress, Meryl Streep has been nominated for the Academy Award an astonishing 16 times, and has won it twice. Born Mary Louise Streep in 1949 in Summit, New Jersey, Meryl's early performing ambitions leaned toward the opera. She became...
“ Best Actress - Drama for THE IRON LADY

The Hollywood Foreign Press adores her in any movie that she does and this year. Sure, Viola Davis and Tilda Swinton gave magnificent performances that rivals Meryl's performance but several critics and award giving bodies have already weighed in to her favor. Golden Globes is going to oblige. ” - myc4971

3.
Jean Dujardin
Actor, The Artist
In 1995 he began his first one man show, the same year he met Bruno SalomoneEric ColladoEmmanuel Joucla and Eric Massot with whom he created the "Nous C nous". In 1999, he became "Loulou" in Un gars, une fille. This part permitted him to show his talent to a larger public. Since the end of "Un gars, une fille" in 2003, he has appeared in many films.
“ Best Actor - Musical/Comedy for THE ARTIST ” - myc4971

4.
Michelle Williams
Actress, Shutter Island
Michelle Williams, a small town girl born and raised in rural Kalispell Montana, had numerous small Movie and TV parts before scoring a regular part in the now popular Dawson's Creek. She was the young alien in the movie Species and then was seen in A Thousand Acres.
“ Best Actress - Musical/Comedy for MY WEEK WITH MARILYN ” - myc4971

5.
Martin Scorsese
Director, Goodfellas
After serious deliberations about entering the priesthood - he entered a seminary in 1956 - Martin Scorsese opted to channel his passions into film. He graduated from NYU as a film major in 1964. Catching the eye of producer Roger Corman with his 1960s student films (including co-editingWoodstock)...
“ Best Director for HUGO ” - myc4971

6.
Christopher Plummer
Actor, Up
Until the 2009 Academy Awards were announced, it could be said about Christopher Plummer that he was arguably the finest actor of the post-World War II period to fail to get an Oscar nod. In that, he was following in the footsteps of the late great John Barrymore, whom Plummer so memorably portrayed on Broadway in a one-man show that brought him a Tony Award...
“ Best Supporting Actor for BEGINNERS ” - myc4971

7.
Octavia Spencer
Spencer is a native of Montgomery, Alabama; which, she claims is the proverbial buckle of the Bible belt. She's the sixth of seven siblings and holds a BS in Liberal Arts from Auburn University. A "closet" lover of acting, this practical Alabamian knew that she'd someday work in the film industry, but never dreamed it would be in front of the camera...
“ Best Supporting Actress for THE HELP ” - myc4971

8.
Alec Baldwin
Actor, The Departed
Raven haired, suavely handsome and prolific New York-born actor Alec Baldwin is easily the best known of the four Baldwin brothers appearing in the cinema (for the record, the others are Stephen BaldwinWilliam Baldwin and Daniel Baldwin). Alec burst onto the TV scene in the early 1980s with appearances in several series...
“ Best Actor - Comedy for 30 ROCK ” - myc4971

9.
Amy Poehler
Actress, Mean Girls
After the Upright Citizens Brigade sketch show came and went, cast member Amy Poehler joined the cast of Saturday Night Live in 2001. Her star was the brightest during that time and, by the end of Christmas break of that year, she became a regularly featured performer. She has brought a slew of great performances on every show...
“ Best Actress - Comedy for PARKS AND RECREATION ” - myc4971

10.
Idris Elba
Actor, Thor
“ Best Actor - Miniseries or Movie for LUTHER ” - myc4971

11.
Kate Winslet
Actress, Titanic
Ask Kate Winslet what she liked about any of her characters, and the word "ballsy" is bound to pop up at least once. The British actress has made a point of eschewing straightforward pretty-girl parts in favor of more devilish damsels; as a result, she's built an eclectic resume; that runs the gamut from Shakespearean tragedy to modern-day mysticism and erotica...
“ Best Actress, Miniseries or Movie for MILDRED PIERCE ” - myc4971