rohitrd Reviews

Boychoir (2014)

A pleasant surprise

[8/10 · 23 December 2016]

I recently caught this movie on VoD - and was really glad to have found it. While I agree with the other reviews here that the script and storyline are fairly predictable, what really makes this movie worth watching (and watching again) are two things : the music, and the performances. Talking of performances, Dustin Hoffman delivers a brilliant performance as expected of him. Particularly a few key moments really shine through with his under-toned delivery - like the scene in the school boardroom. Kathy Bates plays the perfect spoil to the uptight staff at school - and it is a joy to watch her. Equally brilliant is Debra Winger - who has perhaps just a few small scenes - and yet delivers a performance that adds to the movie. While I am no expert in music, the music slowly pulls you into the story, and really helps build the emotions in the story as we go along. I have watched this movie again - and the music itself forms a key character in the movie - I guess the credit goes to the Director to integrate the music so seamlessly. Overall it is a pleasant and uplifting - if sometimes light and cheesy - experience.

Six Shooter (2004)

Interesting short yet seems odd

[6/10 · 28 November 2010]

I am a big fan of In Bruge by director Martin McDonagh. I happened to catch this short after the screening of In Bruge yesterday on Film4. I was looking forward to watch this short and it certainly did not disappoint.

The premise of the short is a bit downbeat, about death and mourning. The way each of the characters on the train react to it is what defines these characters.

There is a stage-play like feel to the short - with the first act setting up the train scene, the whole act on the train and the last closing act after. While Brendan Gleeson is the only character present in all three acts - he is never actually in control in any, just a mere observer. And yet it's his character which is easy to identify with. The character played by Ruaiduri Conroy (quite brilliantly) sets things in motion mostly unknowingly which exaggerates (or merely brings forth) the reactions from other characters.

I certainly recommend this short to anyone who likes wit, emotions and a little eccentricity and can handle some violence along.

Duplicity (2009)

Stay with this movie, it really notches up a few levels

[7/10 · 25 September 2010]

Somewhere halfway in the movie I was thinking - Do I really care what happens? It may be a clever movie, but it does not feel personal, you don't feel for anybody in the movie. Luckily for me, I continued watching the movie. And by the end of this movie I was completely taken. It is only after the end that I realised we were completely manipulated to feel a bit impersonal early on, and then build the characters - who seem cold and distant - from there on. So full marks to the direction and the script. And to the lead pair too - they do not give you a hint. There are other things I liked in the movie too - the way it keeps playing with you again and again and again. Like that one key dialogue in the movie - repeated many times in the movie, but always with a different context, where some time you know nothing, sometime you know a little bit more than some characters, and in the end when you actually know almost everything. If you have seen the movie, you'd know which one, so I won't spoil it. Alright, there are some giveaways, where you know what you see is not what is happening - but then you still do not know the whole thing.

All in all - its a very clever movie in that it sucks you in, and makes you keep thinking even after it ends. Great achievement by Tony Gilroy in the writing and direction. I am eagerly waiting for his next ..

Outpost (2008)

Keeps you interested till end

[7/10 · 20 November 2009]

I bought the DVD in a supermarket a while ago, and finally managed to see it. Have to say that it has a very simple straight approach and keeps the distractions to the minimum. The plot is not a surprise, but is handled well, without going over the top or giving too much away at once. The gore (and there is a fair amount) is not out of place. What really makes it so better from others is the settings and the acting. While most of the cast is from UK, they act credibly enough. The location and atmosphere during the movie is kept simple, there are not many gimmicks to distract you - so the tension builds up gradually. So while you know what to expect, you are drawn in the story. The end does not necessarily meet satisfaction, but it does not disappoint by miles. I even looked at the alternate endings, and I think it was wise to leave it out. Overall - recommend this to see once.

Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani (2009)

Disappoints mildly, due to my expectations from Santoshi

[6/10 · 20 November 2009]

I can not be blamed for having expectations from a comedy movie directed by Rajkumar Santoshi. This is the man who gave us the always re- watchable Andaz Apna Apna ages ago. So I made a special effort to go see this movie after being impressed with the trailers. Given that I watch only a handful of bollywood movies, I am not sure I made the right choice. The movie is set in realms of fantasy, so I do not have any complaints about it being realistic or plausible. What did disappoint was the use of every single cliché' in bollywood tradition - orphan girl, good-for- nothing hero with a shinier-than-gold heart, the standard sets of parents, the underworld don and so on. They could be interesting if used for coming brilliance, but here they just feel forced. The dialogues seem to be written on auto-cue. Characters pop-in and pop-out at convinence. Apart from the leads, the characters are way short of achieving even a one-dimension target. The thing is though, I still enjoyed the movie. I guess its down to a couple of factors - and the most important one is the lead pair. Ranbir and Kat look great, act well (even with her acting limitations) and really make you root for them. There are a few comic moments done effectively, and the pair take a lot of credit on delivering them effectively. Secondly the music and background score are really good and carry the gaps in the plot forward without dragging too much. All in all, maybe recommended for a family outing, given my 5 yrs old enjoyed the physical comedy.