The Movie Theater that is my house

Well, I was supposed to put in a post about the political situation in Karnataka...but i'll postpone it for later. Writing about such stuff just gets me all angry and frustrated.

My DVD collection is goin great guns and i'm doin an average of 3 DVD purchases a week. Here is a list of movies that I have watched over the last coupla weeks. Mind you, some of these movies you would have never even heard of, but these gaurantee total entertainment

Goodfellas



This movie was rated the best movie of all time on a poll sometime ago, beating the VonTrapp family (The Sound of music ....I wouldn't know) and even The Godfather (sacrilege). Though the movie's great, with sterling performances from DeNiro and Ray Liotta, and Joe Pesci, this mob drama is not a patch on the prior mentioned classic. But a great watch nevertheless.

Scarface



Two words. Tony Montana. Pacino's stunning display of histrionics leaves me baffled as to why he did not get an Oscar for this role. Directed by Brian De Palma, screenplay by Oliver Stone (now a superb director in his own right), this movie stands out for the fact that there isn't a single postive character.

Carlito's Way



Pacino again. This time around he plays a former drug runner trying to go straight. Carlito Brigante, the Peurto Rican mob man is brought to life by Pacino's powerful yet underplayed performance. Well supported by an ensemble cast.

Frankie and Johnny



By now, you guys must've guessed I have a Pacino Special DVD. But this one's crap. The only saving grace is an ethereal Michelle Pfieffer. Gary Marshall, director, of Pretty Woman and Runaway Bride fame gives us a dud.

Heat



One of the greatest casts i have seen on screen. Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, Val Kilmer, Charlize Theron get together in this movie, to give us one of the best heist dramas of all time. This movie is not as much about the heist as it is about DeNiro and Pacino trying to out-do and out-think each other. Directed by Michael Mann, this is one of the must watches.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory



A charming departure from all the above mentioned movies. This is about a poor kid Charlie, who gets a chance to visit the Chocolate Factory, owned by the eccentric and reclusive Willy Wonka (played delightfully by Johnny Depp, who apparently based this character on Michael Jackson). If this sounds too mundane for you, well, you're greatly mistaken. Because when Tim Burton and Johnny Depp get together for a movie, it's pure magic on screen. And yes, the Oompa-Loompa's are played by an Indian. Now there's a patriotic reason to watch this movie.

Layer Cake



One of the more stylish mob dramas I have seen. Matther Vaughn (Guy Ritchie's erstwhile partner) dons the directors mantle this time, with Daniel Craig (the new James Bond) playing the narrator (un-named throughout the movie). Very stylish, very classy. And yes, the incredibly hot Sienna Miller makes a fleeting appearance.

Sarkar



The best Hindi movie of 2005. Thre are no rights or wrongs. Ther is only power. Need I say more? The best performance ever by Amitabh (according to me at least), terrific backgrond music and a tight narrative, Ram Gopal Varma scores big time with this crime/power epic, which he terms as his tribute to The Godfather.

Maria Full of Grace



I have written a post earlier after i read it's screenplay. But I am equally moved by this movie. The movie tilte says it's based on a 1000 true stories. By the way, this won a Golden Globe for Best Foriegn Language movie.

Green Street Hooligans



A movie about football violence in England. Elijah Wood plays a Harvard student, who takes the fall when his room mate gets caught with drugs. He flies to England to be with his sister and her husband, when he is introduced to the heady world of Football Hooliganism by his brother-in-laws brother, where violence gives him an incredible but dangerous high. Great movie, with splendid performances.


Well, thats all for now. But i'll keep posting more about the movies that I watch. The Holy Cow has mooed on.