RANG RASIYA (2014)

RANG RASIYA (2014)

Director: Ketan Mehta

Writers: Sanjeev Dutta, Ketan Mehta

Stars: Randeep Hooda, Nandana Sen, Paresh Rawal

Runtime: 132 minutes

Strength: Accurate portrayal of 19thcentury India, good depiction of Raja Ravi Varma

Weakness: Too artistic for the mainstream audience, first part of the movie is too slow

Rating: 2.5/5

Plot: A look at the life of 19th century Indian painter Raja Ravi Varma.

Review:  Art-centric biopics are a rarity in Hindi cinema. There isn't anything of significance; therefore, Rang Rasiya can't be compared to anything. Writer-director Ketan Mehta's cinematic celebration of the life and times of Raja Ravi Varma skillfully harmonizes the sweep of period drama, the allure of pretty images and the impact of emotional intensity on a wide canvas that delivers more than just pretty frames. The film articulates ever-relevant truths about the continuing assaults on artistic freedom and the huge gap that separates the exuberance of the imaginary world from the cruel exigencies of real life.

The remarkable story of the 19th century Kerala-born painter who altered the face of Indian art forever by taking the icons of Hindu mythology out of the temples and royal palaces is told through flashbacks and the fragmentary reminiscences of Raja Ravi Varma's illustrious protégé, Dhundiraj Govind Phalke.

This film has been adapted from Ranjit Desai's Marathi biography of Raja Ravi Varma which probes multiple themes - freedom of expression, religious bigotry and class divides, and the dilemma of a woman who dares to surrender herself completely to the man and artist she loves. The film swings from the highs represented by the unrestricted passion that drives the process of creativity to the lows brought on by the interventions of self-appointed guardians of conventional religious belief. Rang Rasiya is bolstered appreciably by the strong performances by the two principal actors - Randeep Hooda as Raja Ravi Varma and Nandana Sen as his muse in Bombay, Sugandha Bai.

Rang Rasiya is by no means a perfect film, but for the manner in which it tackles an extensive range of important themes related to the place of art in a tradition-bound society, it is an impressive achievement.

     Reviewed by S.M. Intisab Shahriyar

Credit : http://www.thedailystar.net/

Will 2015 Be The Best Movie Year Ever?

DID YOU KNOW?

Here's 3 of next year's biggest films!

FIFTY SHADES OF GREY (February 13)

Based on E.L. James' erotic best-seller, Fifty Shades of Grey follows Anastasia "Ana" Steele, a 21 year old college senior. In place of her friend Kate, Ana interviews 27-year-old Christian Grey, a successful and wealthy young entrepreneur. From this meeting on, Christian engages with Ana in a new type of relationship - BDSM. Fifty Shades of Grey has become a global phenomenon and the trilogy has been translated in over 50 languages worldwide since its release. To date, the "Fifty Shades" trilogy has sold over 70 million copies worldwide in e-book and print, making it one of the fastest-selling book series ever.

FURIOUS 7 (April 3)

If two bald headed baddies in one film wasn't enough, let's add Jason Statham as a revenge seeking assassin to the testosterone hyped duo of Vin Diesel and the Rock. A continuation of the franchise, Fast and the Furious 7 continues after Dominic Torreto and his crew took down Owen Shaw, his brother, Ian Shaw, now wants revenge. Screenwriter Chris Morgan has altered the script, but it remains unclear how Paul Walker's death will be addressed. After initial speculation that the character will be "retired" or killed off, it was reported that remaining scenes featuring Walker will be completed using body doubles and CGI faces.

THE AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON (May 1)

Earth's Mightiest Heroes must reunite when our planet is threatened by the incredibly powerful robot Ultron… who may or may not be a cast off from Tony Stark's army of iron suits (depending on which rumors you choose to believe). Joss Whedon once again helms an ensemble adventure for Marvel, concluding the studio's Phase Two with an expected bang that could set the stage for Phase Three. Whedon's blockbuster kicks off the busy summer slate, and should get us started on the right, explosive foot.

Credit : http://www.thedailystar.net/

UNDER TH E SKIN

UNDER  TH E SKIN

Director: Jonathan Glazer

Writers:  Walter Campbell, Michel Faber

Stars: Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy McWilliams, Lynsey Taylor Mackay

Strength: Fantastic Cinematic shots, a compelling premise

Weakness: Too long for a movie with very little dialogue

Runtime: 108 minutes

Rating: 2.5/5

Plot: A mysterious woman seduces lonely men in the evening hours in Scotland. Events lead her to begin a process of self-discovery.

Review:  Scarlett Johansson plays a mysterious extraterrestrial stalking unsuspecting lonely men along the West Coast of Scotland. After assuming the appearance of an unfortunate Scottish dame, Johansson's unnamed alien prowls the streets in a cargo van, pretending to need directions in an effort to seek out unsuspecting loners willing to throw caution to the wind and accept a ride only to meet their doom at her slaughterhouse lair.

Jonathan Glazer directs Under the Skin, which was inspired by Michel Faber's 2001 novel of the same name. However, while the movie borrows the core premise of the book, Glazer trades out a number of key details in the interest of a significantly more subtle narrative. While many may show displeasure at this, the end result is a beautiful and haunting movie that prioritizes nuance at nearly every turn, sacrificing traditional moviemaking elements to provide an opportunity for thoughtful insight into the human condition.

That said, despite its “Scarlett Johansson is a seductive alien” marketing hook, fans of the actress or the sci-fi genre will probably find Under the Skin is too abstract for mainstream appeal. While it succeeds as contemplative artistic expression, moviegoers who were expecting a detailed story about aliens hiding in plain sight will be left quite unsatisfied. Also, it felt like many of the scenes could have been made shorter and thus create a more tighter experience. Still, for viewers who are not put-off by a philosophical glimpse at humanity through the unique, and callous, perspective of an extraterrestrial creature living (and hunting) among us; there are plenty of interesting ideas and gorgeous visuals to appreciate in Under the Skin.

Credit :http://www.thedailystar.net/

Reviewed by S.M. Intisab Shahriyar