Which non-indian film u saw recently has made u post here???

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Tom Hardy Double Dhamaka

Lawless [2012 : English : Drama (Crime, Biopic, Epic, Gangster, Social)]
A film by John Hillcoat
Country : US of A

Also starring : Guy Pearce, Gary Oldman, Jason Clarke, Mia Wasikowska, Jessica Chastain & Shia LaBeouf



Bondurant brothers traffic moonshine whisky in their county during the prohibition. Its a period where syndicates and mafia groups open their shops. Rakes, a reputed guy from Chicago wants a share from the brothers in their buisness, which obviously is refused. Thus Rakes plots the doom of the brothers and they confront him in the county which is Lawless.

Amazing film. It is a quick ticket to 1931. Performences were remarkable. Glad that the film, eventhough it had potential to, did not move away from its genre, and kept its whole running time quite intense and at times funny. But it can disappoint fans who wish to see Guy Pearce or Gary Oldman, or for that Tom Hardy himself as their roles look like an extended cameos. Nevertheless, when they are on screen, we get rewarded. Actually, the story moves in and around Shia, which is quite a disappointment, eventhough he tries his best.

Lawless - A slice of moonShiny days



The Drop [2014 : English : Drama (Crime, Suspense, Gangster)]
A film by Michaël R. Roskam
Country : US of A
Based on Animal Rescue, a short story by Dennis Lehane

Also starring : Noomi Rapace & James Gandolfini

Bob tends a bar. Syndicate uses this bar to launder their money. When a break-in robbery threats the bar, the Syndicate decide to take matters in their own hands. Caught inbetween is Bob who is not willing to take The Drop.

Dennis Lehane stories don't need any introduction. The Drop-the film is intriguing, with an awesome performence from Tom Hardy as Bob. He is well supported by James Gandolfini as Cousin Marv. The film is average to its best depending on the investment you wish to make. A well adapted tale, with some very good dialogues in it.

The Drop - Decoy

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Films from England

If you liked 'hooligan' movies The Warriors or Harry Brown, these 2 Brit Films should interest you.

Film 1

We Still Kill the Old Way [2014 : English : Drama (Action, Crime)]
A film by Sacha Bennett

Starring : Ian Ogilvy, Dani Dyer & Others



When Ritchie's brother gets mob-murdered, he comes out of his exile and teams up with his trusted camorades in crime, to flush out the killers and send a message to others that they are back and they still kill the old way.

Ian Ogilvy just keeps the movie kicking forward. His pals are at times funny, and limited times gruesome too. The hooligan gang leader Dani Dyer did give some daring performence, worth metioning as its his first film. The movie moves without any hinderence and does not give time to ask questions. Worth your Sunday afternoon.

We still kill the old way - And they got the message.

Film 2

Guvnors [2014 : English : Drama (Crime)]
A film by Gabe Turner

Starring : Doug Allen, Harley Sylvester & Others



Adam, the hooligan-gang leader, during an interrogation comes across the name Guvnors. He wanted to know more about Guvnors, so he pays a visit to a bar which is said to be crowded by Guvnors. He is not quite welcomed there when he mocks at a old fella. This incident of insult takes high on Adam, thus he is bound to take down the Guvnors, the oldest and the terrific gang of London.

A nice little film, and having a twist in such a brit-hooligan-genre film is a suprise eventhough the twist came as a pie on the face, but the film is quite enjoyable. Harley Sylvester as Adam has given a memorable performence. The cruelity follows as a shadow in every scene he is present. The Guvnors did some remarkable job too.

Guvnors - Kingdom of Hooligans

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This is for Quentin Tarantino (QT) and Guy Ritchie (GR) fans. Missing their movies, here are two movie which could get a pass, and it follows the same pattern of humour, action, violence, characters, dialogues & filming as one could watch in the OT & GR films.

Film 1

The Baytown Outlaws [2012 : English : Action]
Country : US of A
A film by Barry Battles

Starring : who cares, its just a pop-corn movie (but the poster is just wonderful, one of my favorite one)



Brick Oodie: They took the kid. I thought I told you to strap him in.
McQueen Oodie: They took the fuckin' door, man. I really don't think a fucking seat belt would have mattered, right?

That conversation happens during a badass chase sequence when 'the kid' gets picked from a moving car by thugs on a Ramming-Gun Blasting-Huge-Truck. Oodie brothers live an unimaginable life of serving crime by doing a crime. When they get a contract that not only helps them financially but also go on hiding, they accept it without calculating the concequences. The kidnap was easy, but it is very difficult to keep the package as it belongs to the most notorious ass kicking mafia lord Carlos, who can go to any extent to get back what belonged to him and he has just started by announcing a bounty on the Oodie brothers, and man, what you gonna see is not something hitting the fan, but what after it had just hit.

What makes the movie hillarious are the principle characters, their mannerisms and obviously their dialogues. The scenes, be it action or thrills, just add up to it. The Oodie Borthers, played by Clayne Crawford as Brick Oodie, Travis Fimmel as McQueen Oodie & Daniel Cudmore as Lincoln Oodie, were funny. And Billy Bob Thornton as Carlos and his side kicks were hillarious too. The stunts were good, and the film does retain some seriousness here and there, which helps it big time. The film has got some cool soundtracks too. Just sit back and enjoy your next 90 minutes.

The Baytown Outlaws - "Welcome to the South, <censored> !"

Film 2

Redirected [2014 : English : Heist (Crime, Comedy)]
Country : Lithuanian-British
A Film by Emilis Vėlyvis

Starring : well Vinnie Jones is there, who else you want !



Three friends - well there are four actually, the last one joins only in the last - so, four friends take away what should not be taken from Golden Pole (thats the name of Lord who runs illegal Casino). They thought their escape to another country, say, Malaysia, will solve all their problem, when another problem strikes them in the form of a Redirection, that their flight could not land in Malaysia due to Volcano Smoke, instead it landed in Lithuania. 'Lith-a-fucking what?' happens when Golden pole comes in search of them at a place where their vaccation is already turning into a nightmare.

After a long long time, I totally laughed out watching this movie. This movie is really funny. The whole setup is hillarious, and the suituations they all get mingled-in are tickling. I think its the last film by the actor Vytautas Sapranauskas, a very grand actor who is no more. He comes as the priest, and adds more fun to the adventure. Even though most of the jokes (dialogues) are Rated R, well, how well could an adult enjoy if its made like yet another Devine Disney Fairy Tale. More than having the regret of missing it, you will not have the regret of having watched it.

ReDirected - Laughter on wheels

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Song of a Gun [2014 : English : Drama (Heist, Crime, Suspence, Action)]
Country : Australia
A film by Julius Avery

Starring : Ewan McGregor, Brenton Thwaites, Alicia Vikander & others



A complicated story, not only in its telling but in its structuring too. I found this movie interesting as it includes several genres inside itself and never sticks to any particular, thus providing an wholesome entertainer for every viewer. JR with 'past-emotional-problems' meets the notorious Brendan Lynch in the prison. From there he gains a healthy relationship with him, which leads him to become his main partner in crime. Slowly JR starts to understand and tries to cope up & live in the world where deception is the core part.

The Drama unfolds beautifully, where the JR/Brendan relationship is masked under action. The sentiments of both needing each other for reasons from their past is just sprinkled allowing you to narrate it all by yourself. Then you have the female character Tasha, who initially is a solid bridge, but later turns to be the draw bridge. It has loads of awesome background music and soundtracks accompaning the entire film, which really helps in mounting the needed emotions.

Sun of a Gun - Fire(in)arm

Here is an amazing song that features at a crucial point of the film : Enter One by Sol Seppy

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Before I go to Sleep [2014 : English : Thriller (Suspense)]
Country : United Kingdom
A film by Rowan Joffé
Based on the novel by the same name authored by S J Watson

Starring : Nicole Kidman, Colin Firth, Mark Strong (awesome actor) & others



Christine leads a routine life - wakes up, dresses up, eats, goes to bed, wakes up - well whats new in that ? Just that she does not have any memory. Each day is new to her. She lives like a stranger to herself. Dr. Nash helps her to regain herself, but in turn puts her life in jeopardy when she slowly turns the stones that confuses her very existence and doubt on everyone around her, including Dr. Nash.

Madame Kidman all the way, eliminate here, the movie goes down the sink. Mark Strong as Dr. Nash supports her brilliantly eventhough his role is close to a cameo. The whole suspense is wonderful and you seem to be suddenly following Christine. Well, the only drawback that I found is in the ACT3, it was quite rushed. They could have taken much more time as the previous acts were gripping and narratively strong. Suddenly they deceided to finish the affair, and the movie ends. But, the suspense is well gaurded even through a rushed climax.

Before I go to Sleep - Remember Me

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Two Modern Cinema Westerns

Film 1

Salvation [2014 : English : Western]
Country : Denmark / South Africa
A film by Kristian Levring

Starring : Mads Mikkelsen & Eva Green (wonderwoman)



Jon is sucessful after years of toiling in the 19th century America. He is now ready to bring his family-his wife and kid-from Europe into the shelters of the new found land. Arrival goes well, but before they reach the doors of their dream-life, nomad cowboys massacre his family. Steping on the path of vengence, Jon searches for his Salvation.

The entire film is well shot, be it sets or dusty atmosphere or gun slinging, everything is sleek. The film carries the traditional charisma of westerns and touches few aspects revolving around the period 1870. Mads Mikkelsen is terrific and Eva Green is awesome. The other supporting cast mingle in the story giving it the necessary ambience. A crisp little western which should appeal to the fans and neutrals.

Salvation - Absolution

Film 2

The Proposition [2005 : English : Western]
Country : Australia
A film by John Hillcoat

Starring : Guy Pearce, Ray Winstone, Emily Watson, Danny Huston, John Hurt & Others



Charlie Burn is offered a proposition - Kill your Big Borther to save your Little Brother. Thus charlie voyages through the dune to find Arthur and save Mikey.

This film was was proposed to me a while back and was lying in my never-ending pending list. Glad that atlast I watched it. The film ran inside me for couple of days and had to revisit it many times during the weekend. The Proposition-the film, is a simple story, but what complicates it is the narration. It has got all the needed Western Style ambience, but what makes it apart is its indepth structure which is the skin, but when you peel it, its goes deep, deep down. When you watch the movie, it too looks simple, with not much detailing involved. But when you see its other side like 'who-is-who', slowly you get introduced to the power of film making. And the OST by Nick Cave/Warren Ellis is mesmerising.

The proposition may not appeal to the normal eyes, but its a feast for anyone looking beyond what they just saw. Invite me to a discussion, I will be more than ready to participate.

The Proposition - Redemption

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Final movie before a break, the Hollywood movie of the year 2014 :

Nightcrawler [2014 : English : Thriller (Drama)]
Country : US of A
A film by Dan Gilroy

Staring : Jake Gyllenhaal, Rene Russo, Riz Ahmed & others.



"If you want to win a lottery, you have to make money to buy a ticket"

Louis Bloom (calls himself Lou - Cliché - Loup in french is for Wolf, and the 'p' is silent when pronounced), Lou is excellent in what he does-robbing, stalking, negociating, arguing, etc., - which makes him the best knowledgeable criminal too. When he learns the art of making money through "When it bleeds, it leads", he instantly jump on to this opputunity wagon and starts filming events that pass during the night and bids the visuals to news channels. From here he builds a niche for himself in buisness and its not only about how he crawls to reach there, but who actually he is during the night.

Been seing Jake from Donnie Darko days, in many variety of films like Brokeback Mountain & Zodiac and with my limited knowledge over the craft, I can say that Nightcrawler is his best performence till date. The character Louis Bloom is going to become a cult and there are going to be analysis and study over Jake's performence and Dan's characterisation. The film is a small university by itself and shines in every aspect be it as a original feature and also for the different homages it pays to movies like Taxi Driver or Magnolia.

There is no disturbance in the movie as its flow is purely circumstantial. This is the very important aspect of the film where you are forced to travel with Lou and abide by his decesional forces that are taken wrt to the present. No memory recap, not 'I am this and I am that', but all clutched inside the events that happen. Here is where the beauty of the script lies, where Dan slowly emits the poisonous Lou. Rene Rousso was marvelous. Riz Ahmed was too good. The candid way of filming certain portions increases the curiosity and builds in the needed suspense. There is a fanstatic chase that should keep your heart pumping more for a while. James Newton Howard soundtracks for the bgm of the film varies too, just like Lou, and its very apt.

This is the film you got to be watching the next time you switch on the media player.

Nightcrawler - Malevolent

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WhoAmI [2014 : German : Thriller : 1h45m]
Country : Germany

Written & Directed by Baran bo Odar



Who am I ? I am Benjamin. And this is my story.

Just like the unix command 'whoami", the film shows, well, a hacker tells us WhoHeIs. Much much more happens in this film, where the narrative is so elegant.

WhoAmI - IAmInvisible

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Dias De Gracia (Days of Grace) [2011 : Spanish : Crime (Drama, Thriller) : 2h10m]
Country : Mexico

Written & Directed by Everardo Valerio Gout

Living in Mexico is like Hell. Sometimes you live to say it. Sometimes you don't.

Here is a police officier trying to battle himself out of corruption & smoking out the rats and then there is a wife stuck between law, ransom & deception when her husband is kidnapped. Inbetween is a kidnapped victim who is masked and tortured by an unknown gang in an unknown dungeon. The 'here', 'inbetween' & 'there' are magically transformed to the years 2002, 2006 & 2010 by just a 360° pan. And thats what makes and marks this movie as an epic.

Technically the movie is brilliant. Louis Sansans cinematography and Gout's idea are fabulous. This film has everything in it right from steadicam, moving/shaking camera, fades, blurs, dissolve, slow motion, grey to bleached-out colors, jump cuts, cross cutting, shot reverse shot cutting etc. There is a gun shootout/chase that happens around 20mins into the film, its a single-take - I would roll on the ground to get the 'mise-en-scène' for this particuar shot. The whole narrative is quick, fast paced and even the Drama unfolds in a thrilling manner. Apart for casting and acting, the load of characters handled through a complex narrative shows the command of the director over the writer in Gout. The music is fabulous and the heavy beats blends thoroughly with the edit-cuts.

This movie maybe confusing as there is not much distinction between the events happening 4 years apart and also it unfolds as a single story of jumbled scenes. A little attention here and there will reward immense satisfaction. If you have watched & liked the Portuguese films City of Gods (Cidade de Deus) & The Elite Squad (Tropa de Elite), I am sure you will enjoy this movie too.

Days of Grace : Terrific

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Child 44 [2015 : English : Mystery (Drama, Thriller) : 2h40m]
Based on Bestselling Novel by the same name by Tom Rob Smith (I have not read this novel, heard that its the first in the Trilogy)

Directed by Daniel Espinosa (Safe House)
Adapted by Richard Price (Ransom)
Produced by Ridley Scott (Prometheus)

Starring : Tom Hardy (Max Rockatansky), Noomi Rapace (Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows), Gary Oldman (JFK), Joel Kinnaman (RoboCop), Vincent Cassel (The Monk) & others

There is no murder in paradise.

Yet another hard hitting Drama from Tom Hardy, where he undulates through changing atmosphere of the film. 'Child 44' narrates the story of Leo, a MGB agent, [MGB : Russian inital to Ministerstvo gosudarstvennoy bezopasnosti : English - Ministry of State Security, we will leave SSSR, CCCP or Soviet Union in choice). An orphan boy is baptised with a new name Leo who becomes a valliant soldier during the 2nd world-war and then takes an important position in MGB. The 10 years transition after the war, Soviet Union is a peacful land where there is no crime - 'or is it so ?', is what we see next to the Bio-pic of Leo. Mingling inbetween are the marital & professional life, its mishaps and hicups faced by Leo. There are many things in motion already, when a bit of spy angle & secret services are briefly introduced. And to make sure you are quite glued, a serial killer is thrown in to mount up the tension.

The film pretty much gives a painted image of Russia post-II-World-War. The ambience is great. The shots are a poetry. The narration is poignant. The performences are intense. The action is live. And the thrills are 'seat-scratchers'. It has enough drama & exploration and the events end up with realisations. I enjoyed the flow of the film, its dark setup and how the events were coupled with each other, just as mentioned before - a painting.

Child 44 - Less aint none*

(* From the novel "No Country for Old Men" by Cormac McCarthy)