RIMasud65 Reviews

Paatal Lok (2020– )

Came For The Story, Stayed For The Characters

[8/10 · 7 July 2020]

I always love movies/ tv shows that try to tell a good story and infuses cultural, social, religious tidbits that is unique for that particular place or country. 'Paatal lok' does this in such a wonderful fashion. The central plotline was good enough. But what made it so compelling is its characters and their jurney through life. Brilliant acting from all the cast members made it vibrant display of characterization. Moreover, this show never shies away from portraying of many of the darkest aspects of indian society and culture e.g. caste system, sexual violence, rampant corruption, interference with freedom of speech, persecution of people of different sexual orientation etc. All these help to give a raw and naked picture of the underbellies of indian society unlike commercial bollywood pictures. We, south asian people, tend to hide our darker corners and feign peace and happiness. This type of show should come more frequently from south asian region and break the taboo.

In Search of Famine (1981)

An Underwhelming Experience

[7/10 · 16 June 2020]

I watched this film with a lot of expectations. Maybe that is why now i feel kind of dissapointed. Don't get me wrong. It is an excellent film by its own merit. There is no doubt about it. It has a a unique 'film within a film' premise. It tries to focus on one of the the darkest corners of bengal history. There is also a ' art vs reality' vibe undercurrent here. Moreover it has a political element. The director tried to shed light on the class struggle between the proletariats and the elite and how it may have a role in engendering famine. This film deals with so many serious issues that it cannot help but be preachy at times. Especially the local school headmaster character and his sermons feel kind of forced. Look, i get the points the director wanted to make but in doing so, he sacrificed a good deal of spontaneity. That is my nitpick about the whole film. If it were less preachy and more spontaneous, then it would definitely make a more pround impression on me

Blood and Wine (1996)

Criminally under-rated

[8/10 · 13 December 2017]

This movie is a pure gem for any neo-noir fan. It boasts fine performances from veterans e.g. Jack Nicholson and Michael Caine. The plot is age-old heist gone wrong with new twists and turns. But it never ceases to loose your attention. The direction is top-notch. If you are a fan of film-noir orJack Nicholson and/or Michael Caine , this is a must watch for you.

Mother! (2017)

Unforgettable!

[8/10 · 13 December 2017]

A lot of viewers and critics disliked this movie. I can understand why. This is a movie that defies all expectations for a Hollywood movie. . The events that take place on the screen are beyond any logical reasoning in traditional sense.But if you look beyond the literal meaning of what's happening, you will find a film so rich with with symbols and metaphors on such a timely topic. Actually it's not that tough to connect the dots and find out what the director is trying to say. You may argue whether all those weird imagery and hell-on loose chain of events were necessary. But that is what called art. Only a true artist can create an absolute mind-**** like this to express his ideas.

Dark (2017–2020)

WOW!

[9/10 · 13 December 2017]

This was a mind blowing experience! I did not expect that much from this series. From very beginning to the last, i was totally hooked. It's part atmospheric horror, part spooky supernatural drama in a suburban setting and last but not the least , a sci-fi noir. A pure gem. Eagerly waiting for next season.

Panic Room (2002)

A Decent Thriller

[7/10 · 26 June 2015]

David Fincher is one of my favorite contemporary directors. I've watched almost all of his more famous movies but somehow missed this one. So I thought to give it a shot. And I enjoyed it thoroughly. It's a claustrophobic thriller which acts more like a cat and mouse game.Almost completely shot indoors, yet it showcases some of Fincher's best efforts with the camera.Like always, Howard Shore has done a brilliant job with the score, setting the tone of this pulsating thriller.Jodie Foster is outstanding as a recently divorced mother with a teenage daughter(played by a very young but brilliant Kristen Stewart!) who isn't scared to take matters into her own hand. She is intelligent and likes to take necessary risks.More a player than a pawn. Her worthy opponent is one of the illegal intruders (played with excellence by Forest Whitaker). He is spot on as a criminal with compassion who is somehow forced to play the role of an antagonist in the great game of life.

I wouldn't rank it among Fincher's well-known masterpieces like 'Seven'/'Fight Club'. But, overall, a decent 'edge-of-your-seat' thriller.No doubt about that.If you love this kind of movies, then you should give it a try.