Full Metal Jacket : by Stanley Kubrick

First film which I got the privilege to watch from the sanctum of a director named Kubrick ..

Full Metal Jacket is a war film with never seen before journey of cadets to the unfeigned world at war!

It follows the metamorphosis of US Marine squad during their training phase and then of Vietnam Tet Offensive War of the two plebe nicknamed "Joker"  & "Rafter Man".

This 1987 flick , has the most realistic & gruelling army sequences that I have ever witnessed specifically when you see CGX prevalent these days.

The initial reels introduces the hard task master , the drill instructor "Hartman" . His motto is to train the cadets to the pinnacle of emotional and physical strength through sheer brunt of swearing and abuses.

One of the cadets "Private Pyle" takes the brute of Hartman and is totally unresponsive to the hardship.
The culmination of the first half was an absolute bolt from the blue , blew my mind and hit me hard !!

The dialogues are just raw barrage of mouth uttering which in a funny way makes me ask for more.

My Fav Dialogue , Speech from Hartman :

"Today, you people are no longer maggots! Today, you are MARINES! You're part of a brotherhood! From now on, until the day you die, EVERY MARINE is your BROTHER!

Most of you will go to Vietnam! Some of you will NOT COME BACK! But, always remember this - the Marine Corps lives FOREVER! And, that means you will live FOREVER! "
 
The Vietnam war sequences are earthy & traverses the journey of  the "Joker" as the Combat Correspondent at Vietnam along with "Rafterman" as the photographer.

The enemy combat near the ascendancy is extremely detailed and expertly shot.

Stanley Kubrick has proven  , that attention to detail with deftness behind the camera makes a film...

 - A Technician's delightful story-telling medium!

Rating : 4.0 / 5.0

To Kill a Mockingbird : by Robert Mulligan

To Kill A Mockingbird has been regarded as a classic of modern American literature and a Pulitzer prize winner.

Having an adapted screenplay written on it for celluloid must have been a challenging process , since the cine goer must be enthralled to the same degree as the book.

1962 , Drama film adaption is indeed a classic and touted as one of he finest in American cinema.

To begin with , the storyline is set in an era of 1930's where prejudice and racism exists in a small town of Alabama & Great Depression is prevalent.

The unique part of the screenplay is its narrative which is crafted through the eyes of 3 characters and told from a little girls point of view.

The 3 main role plays :  

• Atticus Finch  ,the lawyer and a father to two kids , played brilliantly by Gregory Peck
• 'Scout' Finch , the 6 year old school going kid.
• 'Jem' Finch , the older brother of Scout.

The movie in its initial reels talks about the innocence of the children and their experiences in the neighbourhood. They are in awe of the reclusive neighbour 'Boo Radley'  played by debutant Robert Duvall.

Atticus meanwhile is appointed to defend a black man , accused in a rape case. Tagged as 'nigger lovers' , the kids are humiliated at school.

The storyline tempo picks up in the latter half , & the culmination gives you a sense of self-realization , a thought provoking kick!

Gregory Peck is exceptional as Finch , the supporting cast is at par , and the acting of the kids is superlative!

To Kill a Mockingbird is truly a master piece and perfect adaption to the tome

Rating : 4.5/5.0

Dabangg : by Abhinav Kashyap

Dabangg , an unusual title , a typical usual bollywood potboiler in store is what I expected.

'Wanted' being at the back of my mind , with crap screenplay and Salman doing his childish antics , I was apprehensive.

As I came out of the cinema hall, watching Junior Kashyap's directorial debut , I just could not stop grinning and laughing!

Dabangg is the story of a corrupt police officer 'Chulbul (Robin Hood ) Pandey , set in Lal Ganj , Uttar Pradesh .. perfect setting for a masala script.

The film in its initial reels , does nothing to generate a plot.
Chulbul is introduced with lot of fanfare , with top notch action with a comic element , a la' Jackie Chan.

The supporting cast in Vinod Khanna (his step-father) , Dimple Kapadia (his mother) and his step brother played by Arbaaz  and their relationship with Chubul forms the backdrop for the latter half , with UP politics thrown in.

Sonakshi Sinha , the female debutant has not much to do in the 'Salman' extravaganza , but she plays it with subtlety.

The romantic track between Salman and Sonakshi is something to look forward to. Music plays a big part in making the canvas colorful.

The title track , Tere Mast Mast & Munni are absolute riveting chartbusters! ... Malaika Arora Khan has lit up the screen with her oomphatic dance moves in Munni. All credit to Saajid Waajid music duo & Lalit Pandit (of Jatin-Lalit fame)  for a melodious playlist.

Dialogues , Music , Salman Khan , Comedy , makes Dabanng , an absolute masala bollywood caper!

Go and Njoy Carefree Cinema!

Rating : 3.5/5.0

Peepli [Live] : by Anusha Rizvi

Peepli Live is a comical satire on the village life prevailing in India with the omnipresent farmer suicides.

It also delves into the 'Limelight & TRP'  hogging media fraternity and its workings through the eye-piece of the journalist turned director herself : Anusha Rizvi.

Aamir Khan Productions has been into subjects which are untapped and unexplored in Bollywood , & Peepli is one such pointer.

It is a simple story of a farmer named Natha who is out of money to support his family comprising of his brother played by Raghuvir Yadav , his wife and his ailing mother.

The elections are near in his district and he comes up with an idea of committing suicide to get compensation for his family from the Govt. and as a result save his land.

The film takes pot-shots and hilarious anecdotes upon the Media and the Politicians as the news of Natha's suicide leaks out.

The performances are exemplary with Natha played by Omkar Das Manikpuri, expressing with minimum interlocution.

Special mention to the supporting cast :

• Budhia Das  (Raghuvir Yadav )  -  Brother in need , a brother indeed , quintessential , Mr Yadav.
• Amma (Farookh Zafar)  -  Natha's ailing mother , brings the house down :) 
  
• Dhaniya (Shalini Vatsa) - Her constant bickering sets the tone of the frustration of the family.
• Nandita Malik (Malika Shenoy)  - Modelled on , Barkha Dutt , very convincing portrayal.

The length of the film is just over 1.5 Hour mark making it enjoyable ride till it lasts. Music scope is less but is gelled well into the screenplay.

A Nice , well documented and researched satire after a long time!

Rating : 4.0/5.0

Shutter Island : by Martin Scorsese

Shutter Island is an adaption of a psychological  thriller novel by Denis Lehane published in 2003.

Martin Scorsese has his best bet in Leonardo Di Caprio to play the protagonist 'Teddy Daniels'.

He has been his favorite since Gangs of New York to The Aviator to The Departed.

Shutter Island has an eerie millieu right from the outset....

Daniels , a U.S Marshall with his new partner Chuck is entrusted with the job of finding clues to en ravel the disappearance of a criminally insane patient from Ashe cliff hospital on the remote island.

The Island has many deranged patients and the hospital is headed by Dr. Crawley played by Ben Kingsley ( Gandhi Fame ).

The film had me focussed right in , each moment a revelation into the mystery surrounding the screenplay.

Somewhere the sequences between Daniel & his wife got me cringe , but soon it became evident the crux of it all. 

The editing is superlative with attention to detail on the creepy Shutter Island. The background score compliments the ghostly tone.

Performances , exemplary by Caprio , he is growing in stature with such skills in acting , he will surely get his hands on the Oscar statue soon.

If you have not read the book ...

Watch Shutter Island for Scorsese & Caprio combo which lights up the celluloid each time every time.

Rating : 4.0/5.0