CIRCUMSTANCE (2011)

Director:
Maryam Keshavarz

Writer:

Maryam Keshavarz

Starring:
Sarah Kazemy
Nikhol Boosheri
Reza Sixo Safai and others

Circumstance is an Iranian movie made by debutant director Maryam Keshavarz. Now what really drew me to this movie was the unconventional plot. Keshavarz is blessed with truckloads of talent but unfortunately that only includes the direction part, her writing is sub standard to say the least. The first thirty minutes keep you interested but after that, the script nosedives into obscurity.

The story revolves around Atafeh (Nikhol Boosheri) and Shireen (Sarah Kazemy) who develop feelings towards one another but blame the "circumstances" for not being able to do much about it. The plot is complicated further with the addition of Atafeh's brother Mehran (Reza Sixo Safai). He has feelings for Shireen and resorts of extreme methods in order to satisfy his needs. The only well written scene comes somewhere within the first thirty minutes of the movie, when Mehran pushes a drug addict he meets in the mosque away, while another man helps him by giving him food. This scene is well captured.

 Keshavarz naivety is apparent from her handling of the scene when the characters talk about dubbing Sean Penn's Milk. The dialogues elicit laughs at the sheer awkwardness with which they are delivered and do not work. Another problem I faced while watching this movie was the risque content. The scenes of intimacy are beautifully captured but they are far too many and it spoils the impact of the movie, which is seductive at first but transcends into senseless glob of amateurish writing.

The performances of the lead actors is commendable considering that most of them including Sarah Kazemy and Nikhol Boosheri are first-timers. It is sad that the people associated with this movie have lost their right to enter Iran but what is even sadder is that they lost it because of a movie that promises much but delivers precious little.

Pranit’s Rating: 5/10

REAR WINDOW (1954)

Director:
Alfred Hitchcock

Writer:

John Michael Hayes

Starring:
James Stewart
Grace Kelly
Wendell Corey and others

Rear Window is my second Hitchcock and the only conclusion that I have come to is that, I have no clue as to how he is so highly regarded. Firstly the movie has like two to three scenes which is good, direction wise. Then comes the editing of this movie, which feels like the work of a two year old who has just discovered the effect, fade out, and hence incorporates it everywhere, making it a difficult watch.

The acting is fine but the screenplay is a let down. The story revolves around a photographer who is confined to a wheelchair due to a broken leg, and he suspects his neighbour of committing murder As an interesting idea, the movie works but the screenplay is to amateurish and is laced with nothing memorable. James Stewart has a few good dialogues and so does Themla Ritter, but that's all. One is bound to forget the movie as soon as it is over.

Pranit’s Rating: 5/10

KAI PO CHE! (2013)

Director:
Abhishek Kapoor

Writer:

Abhishek Kapoor
Chetan Bhagat

Starring:
Raj Kumar Yadav
Amit Sadh
Sushant Singh Rajput and others

Kai Po Che! is definitely the best movie of this year. The movie is based on Chetan Bhagat's bestseller 3 Mistakes Of My Life. Well firstly I would like to say that I thought this book would have made a drab, boring movie but I was proved wrong by Mr. Kapoor. The cinematography of this movie is one of the best ever. The screenplay steers clear of cliches and ridiculous dialogues, which is a refreshing change. Abhishek Kapoor delivers the second best directed movies of all times (only behind Rang De Basanti). This movie seems so close to his heart, that each reel oozes love, dedication and exceptional vision.

The performances of the leads are very good. The most convincing of the lot is Raj Kumar Yadav as Govind, a smart calculating guy, who is not the biggest fan of taking risks. In one particularly stunning scene his usual calm demeanor is replaced by raw rage. Debutants Amit Sadh (Omi) and Sushant Singh Rajput (Ishan) are also impressive (Sushant being slightly better). Amrita Puri is charming and her romance with Govind is sweet and well crafted. This movie is a masterpiece, don't miss it.

Pranit’s Rating: 8/10

WITNESS FOR THE PROSECUTION (1957)

Director:
Billy Wilder

Writer:

Billy Wilder
Harry Kurnitz

Starring:
Charles Laughton
Tyrone Power
Marlene Dietrich and others

I just can't get enough of Billy Wilder. His direction is stunning, there is no doubt about that, but his writing is at another level all together. His ability to come up with the most ingenious dialogues is what sets him apart from most of the other screenplay writers. This movie revolves around Leonard Vole (played by Tyrone Power) who is being attested for murder. He approaches Sir Wilfrid Robarts to help him stay out of jail.

Now the story has a lot of twists and turns towards the end of the movie and consists of one of my all time favourite male performances in the form of Charles Laughton, who plays Sir Wilfrid Robarts. Tyrone Power is decent but over does it in some parts. Elsa Lanchester also shines in her role of Nurse Plimsoll, a woman hell bent on getting Wilfrid Robarts into prime health as the movie starts with him having just recovered from a minor heart attack. The smart script and execution will keep you interested for the whole 116 minutes running time. Don't miss this one.

Pranit’s Rating: 8/10

EASTERN PROMISES (2007)

Director:
David Cronenberg

Writer:

Steven Knight

Starring:
Naomi Watts
Viggo Mortensen
Vincent  Cassel and others

Eastern Promises is Cronenberg's attempt at a Russian Godfather. Cronenberg's intentions are very noble but unfortunately heis given no substance to work with. Steven Knight's writing is amateurish at best and utterly laughable otherwise. The dialogues are layered with cliches and the "apparent" twists in the movies can be seen from a mile out.

The acting department also lets the movie down. Naomi Watts is very average in her rendition of a mid-wife, who is determined to find the relatives of a child whose mother died during her labour. The only saving grace in this movie is Viggo Mortensen who is chilling and his motives are never really clear, which makes his character a tricky one. Apart from him there is nothing really of note in the movie.

Pranit’s Rating: 5/10

THE KID WITH A BIKE (2011)

Director:
Jean-Pierre Dardanne
Luc Dardanne

Writer:

Jean-Pierre Dardanne
Luc Dardanne

Starring:
Thomas Doret
Cecile De France
Jeremie Renier and others

The Kid with a Bike is a queer movie. I am not sure as to what the directors were trying to show with the help of the movie. Thomas Doret's performance was something I wasn't very impressed by. Cecile De France on the other hand delivers a good performance. The script has little to offer in terms of memorable moments. The only scene I particularly enjoyed was towards the end when Doret is presumed dead and the first thing the people who discover him do is to cover their tracks. It is not something I would recommend.

Pranit’s Rating: 5/10

GAME OF THRONES (SEASON 2)

Creators:
David Benioff
D.B. Weiss

Starring:
Lena Headey
Peter Dinklage
Michelle Fairley
Emilia Clarke and many many many more

Game of Thrones Season 2 is much better when compared to the first one. The main reason is the fact that the writers no longer concentrate on showing every character in each episode. Now I particularly enjoyed Peter Dinklage's performance in the first season but in the second season he is way below his best. As a plotting, cunning dwarf he shines but when the writers require him to embody the role of a vulnerable man the  performance is way below par.

Now one just cannot give the gist of a Game of Thrones episode let alone giving the gist of the season. Far better writing is a highlight of this season. This season I would also like to commend George R.R. Martin who is the author of the books and the writer of the best episode of this season, as his imagination is truly mesmerizing. David Nutter and Alan Taylor also excel as directors and the final episode is simply stunning. Alan Taylor, who has been busy directing TV shows has been handed the reins for the next installment of Thor and he thoroughly deserves it. The final two episodes really stand out, do watch this show, you wont be disappointed.  

Pranit's Rating: 8/10