The Englishman Who Went Up a Hill But Came Down a Mountain (6/10) (1995)

A feel good movie about the war times when a Welsh village is about to lose their latest asset owing to two Englishmen just doing their job. The towns folk set about the task of convincing (or is it duping? or is it just transmitting their point of view?) the duo about "reconsidering" their execution of their job. They do it in a perfectly Gandhian way - non-cooperation. Romance is thrown in, and some rules to the air. Making a mountain out of a mole? You have come to the right spot.

The Englishman Who Went Up a Hill But Came Down a Mountain (6/10) (1995)

It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World (1963) (7/10)

Saw this again after several years. I did not laugh as much, and it seemed a tad slow especially in the earlier part. That may be because it was the unabridged original version. But its still pretty good for a movie that hasn't got anything. Just madness. Not methodical either. One chase after another, and things just being taken apart. Of course it is overdone. But thats the whole point. If there is one.

It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World (1963) (7/10)

Valu AKA The Wild Bull (2008) (8/10)

Another delightful movie starring Atul Kulkarni. It hits the bulls eye in capturing the peripheral village atmosphere replete with its politics and pettiness as also purity and plain pleasures. There are no complications and everyone can be hopelessly selfish as that is the only way that exists. Dealing with the job at hand. Long term plans normally do not feature. Take the bull by the horns.

The sprinkling of innocuous humour is what makes the movie stand out. It fits in very naturally. Forest the brother of documentary? Perhaps only when a girl can dance like a bull.

Valu AKA The Wild Bull (2008) (8/10)

50 First Dates (2004) (6/10)

A serious topic handled in an entertaining way. So much so that most people will likely leave without realizing the seriousness of it. The good thing is that there is no moralizing, or judging that is depicted. Some core human qualities come out as do some frivolous.

50 First Dates (2004) (6/10)

Happy Gilmore (1996) (6/10)

A silly funny movie with nothing profound in it, except perhaps some clean much needed ridicule of the flogging game. Go without expecting moralizing, life changing stuff and you will enjoy it. It does not drag, maintains a good pace of well spaced fun. You may not want to watch it on a big screen unless you also carry some friends and popcorn with you.

Happy Gilmore (1996) (6/10)

Om Shanti Om (2007) (7/10)

Despite being a Shahrush movie, its fun. He has overacted, especially in the first part, but that can be pardoned because he wants to be a movie star. And of course what better person to imitate than himself. In fact, one endearing thing about this movie is that it stars many big gums often in guest roles with most imitating themselves. Its healthy to see that people can laugh at themselves. It has many interesting self-refs, stories inside stories. Not quiet Mandelbrot set, but fairly close to one of ACT dialogue in GEB. In a way.

Om Shanti Om (2007) (7/10)

Avaghachi Sansar (1960) (8/10)

Though a rather old movie, does not seem dated at all. If at all, some of its thoughts are worth enfranchising by the folks today. Keeps you smiling if not laughing through sterling performance and excellent lyrics and even a wonderful classical dance sequence. But it is the plight of a husband-to-be of finding more in a not-too-complicated series of alomst unfortunate events that the movie delights you. Knowing Pune is an asset, but by no means necessary.

Avaghachi Sansar (1960) (8/10)

Lakhachi Gosht (1952) (5/10)

One of the oldies showing the struggle between surviving for the sake of ones art and for ones love, the later needing one to earn a lot of money. Or times spending even more. The bons between the two artists friends is a bit strange. I guess that kind of separate-us-not was sort-of assumed between any pair being depicted in movies around that time. The songs are good, but the movie shows a bit of age overall.

Lakhachi Gosht (1952) (5/10)

Kay Dyache Bola (2005) (6/10)

A fairly good comedy, marred by two facts that its a remake of an English movie (my cousin Vinny) and that some of the cross-questioning which reveals flaws in the original accounts could in no way have been thought of by the viewers. Otherwise the marathi touch and the humor is worth a watch (though slow at times). The fire alarm episode seemed rather out of place, and the bookies also seemed to be an add-on that did not gel too well. The anandibai bit was excellent, and the last argument was impressive.

Kay Dyache Bola (2005) (6/10)

The Terminal (2004) (6/10)

An interesting version of living out of a box. The difference being that you are made to live so. Or at least apparently. Despite being allowed to escape if you don't understand the opportunities, are those opportunities at all? Human persistence (either way) sustains its goals until they are overcome. A good combination of persistence, taking the law to the extreme, humanity (or some strains of it) and in general hilarity springing from the unfamiliar. The airport is clearly a miniature version of the United States itself.

The Terminal (2004) (6/10)

Yanda Kartavya Aahe (2006) (6/10)

A non-farcical non-serious, non-moralizing, but with-a-moral comedy. Slow at times, but mostly acted out very naturally. Perhaps not worth spending a lot of money to go watch it in a movie hall where you can not chat in order to let others enjoy it. A newly wed pair finds itself honeymooning in rather strange environs. Getting to know each other as well as trying to mix in the culture surrounding them makes for some interesting if at times a little far-fetched scenarios. Use is nicely made of ignorance and a private urge to keep private things private. Marathi.

Yanda Kartavya Aahe (2006) (6/10)

Bheja Fry aka Dinner Party (2007) (6/10)

This is a well made copy of the French movie Le Dîner de cons (1998). I guess no matter how well made, a copy is a copy. May be they should at least pick old forgotten ones?

The acting is good except for Asif (Ranvir) who just seems to make faces instead of acting. There are only 5 actors in this 90 minute movie anyway. There is a bit of tastelessness where they discover what is actually happening at the Juhu flat. But the plot does not stray (though it meanders) and a light vein is kept almost throughout. The 'phone and the ritual of the scrapbook are the epitome and not to be missed. Most of the work needed would have been to do the songs.

Bheja Fry aka Dinner Party (2007) (6/10)

Millions (2004) (7/10)

An interesting movie about the adults in children. Two children find a lot of cash and they want to help the needy. Until they discover the source of the money. Can they go back. The invocation of various saints is cute. And our mum is dead. Could religion be like that? Giving you strength at the expense of something else? The premise of Britain going Euro can be an evergreen one until the British economy gets bogged down. Will it herald an even more commoner currency? But we are digressing ...

Millions (2004) (7/10)

Sullivan's Travels (1941) (7/10)

A Hollywood director wants to make a movie with a message, perhaps teach people about morals and all that so they can appreciate what the world is going through with wars and all. He is reminded that he knows nothing about poverty. So he sets out to learn about it first hand, to find trouble. But its not easy, at least not the way he had hoped. But then he manages to find it, learn everything he wants to learn, is happy, and then suddently things turn really sour. It is only then he learns what reality is like. Will he survive? Its not so much a suspense as the juxtaposition of wanting to make a movie with a message, and learning that may be not all movies should be that. A little bit slow in the middle, but wonderfully done overall.

Sullivan's Travels (1941) (7/10)

Millions (2004) (6/10)

How will different people react when they come in contact with lots of money, and how does the nature or source of that money affect them? This question is dealt with in a lighter, yet somewhat thought provoking, vein in this futuristic but may be not too much in the future (because England is shown to join EU) setting. The use of saints is interesting and the child in me loved the cardboard house.

Millions (2004) (6/10)

The Man Who Came to Dinner (1942) (5/10)

This was a movie with great potential, good plot, twists and acting wasted by being a bit too verbose. Many of the dialogues and tongue in cheek remarks are excellent, but at times it seems as if it is just strung together from such remarks. Too many characters are inserted and their character built rather rapidly for specific short roles, and some people are too receptive.

The Man Who Came to Dinner (1942) (5/10)

Christmas in July (1940) (7/10)

This is a delightful 67 minute package. Very positive throughout in all its aspects. A drama that unravels following a big prize announced for a slogan contest and a false telegram notification about the actual prize. What is most wonderful is that even people who have lost or are losing something or the other are shown to take it very gracefully. So gracefully that even today you do feel that it is possible to do so.

Christmas in July (1940) (7/10)

Chess fever (1930) (7/10)

Directed by Aleksandr Dovzhenko, this 30 minute gem is about the passion of Russia for chess, and especially of the hero whose marriage is in jeopardy because of it. It is interesting to see who all plays chess, where and how. And what happens to our young otherwise romantic couple.

Chess fever (1930) (7/10)

One, Two, Three (1961) (7/10)

Billy Wilder's non-stop chattering and lashing out at socialism in a satirical manner. East Berlin, umlaut and coca-cola. Leave out some excessive talkativeness in the middle its a movie with some good twists.

One, Two, Three (1961) (7/10)

À nous la liberté aka Liberty for us (1931) (6/10)

Two prisoners plan to escape. Can they survive in the treacherous world outside? Yes, at least until no one knows they have run away. Some parts are a bit stretched, and not in the same way cartoons are when they discover gravity. That kind of farfetchedness is natural. Not enterpreunership. The good parts involve an early exposure and farsightedness in terms of assembly line technology as well as the possible pitfalls. The end is rather vague and does not seem to take you anywhere.

À nous la liberté aka Liberty for us (1931) (6/10)