Category: Epic

The Irishman : Martin Scorsese comes full circle with this mournful eulogy to a lost era

Martin Scorsese's latest crime drama The Irishman , starring Robert De Niro, Al Pacino and Joe Pesci, finds the master director on familiar territory, only this time, a little less flamboyant and a lot more introspective.    Martin Scorsese may be the greatest director ever to walk the earth, or maybe, he is not. But … Continue reading The Irishman : Martin Scorsese comes full circle with this mournful eulogy to a lost era →

Once upon a time in the West: Sergio Leone’s epic, all-star cast Western fairy-tale is one of the greatest movies ever made

Director Sergio Leone's magnum opus, Once upon a time in the West(1968), starring Henry Fonda, Claudia Cardinale, Charles Bronson and Jason Robards, is considered one of the greatest Westerns ever made. Like the title suggests, its an exaggerated, fairy-tale for adults, set in the old West. "the rhythm of the film was intended to create … Continue reading Once upon a time in the West: Sergio Leone’s epic, all-star cast Western fairy-tale is one of the greatest movies ever made →

The Searchers: John Wayne’s greatest performance powers John Ford’s seminal Western magnum opus

May 26th marks John Wayne's birth anniversary. To commemorate this moment, here is a look back on his greatest performance in his greatest film. John Ford's Magnum opus, The Searchers(1956), is universally considered the greatest, and the most influential, Western of all times, and often makes it to the top ten list of the greatest … Continue reading The Searchers: John Wayne’s greatest performance powers John Ford’s seminal Western magnum opus →

Scarface: Al Pacino’s electrifying performance powers this brutal and uncompromising Gangster epic from Oliver Stone and Brian De Palma

On Al Pacino's birthday, here is looking back at his grandest and most popular performance from the 1983 gangster epic, Scarface, written by Oliver Stone and directed by Brian De Palma. “ Al Pacino's performance in the 1983 gangster classic, Scarface, is an instance where the lead star\actor takes over a film completely with his … Continue reading Scarface: Al Pacino’s electrifying performance powers this brutal and uncompromising Gangster epic from Oliver Stone and Brian De Palma →

The Guns of Navarone: Gregory Peck leads an all-star cast in the first of the WWII ‘Men on a Mission’ epics

The Guns of Navarone(1961), adapted from Alistair Mclean's eponymous novel, Directed by J. Lee Thompson and starring Gregory Peck, David Niven and Anthony Quinn in lead roles, is an Oscar Nominated epic, adventure film, which was the first of the 'Men on a Mission' movies set in the backdrop of World War II. "You have … Continue reading The Guns of Navarone: Gregory Peck leads an all-star cast in the first of the WWII ‘Men on a Mission’ epics →

Jeremiah Johnson: Robert Redford is sublime as the Mountain Man who became a legend in his own time

Sydney Pollack's 1972 film Jeremiah Johnson is one of the most poetic and atmospheric westerns that is at once mythical and a myth-shattering visceral experience. Jeremiah Johnson has one of my most favorite movie openings of all time:  Robert Redford, wearing an Army uniform, is seen stepping off a barge into a rustic settlement- what … Continue reading Jeremiah Johnson: Robert Redford is sublime as the Mountain Man who became a legend in his own time →

Doctor Zhivago: Omar Sharif excels as the titular romantic pacifist in David Lean’s epic tale of Love, War and Russian Revolution

Sir David Lean's classic romantic-war epic, Doctor Zhivago(1965), is adapted from Boris Pasternak's novel by the great writer, Robert Bolt. The film boasting an all-star cast comprising of Omar Sharif, Rod Steiger, Alec Guinness, Julie Christie etc. explored love and loss in the background of the first World War and the Russian Revolution. I think … Continue reading Doctor Zhivago: Omar Sharif excels as the titular romantic pacifist in David Lean’s epic tale of Love, War and Russian Revolution →

Ben-Hur: Charlton Heston’s career-defining performance powers William Wyler’s magnificent epic

William Wyler's spectacular epic, Ben-Hur(1959), is famed for its grand sets and great action sequences, like the famous chariot race and sea battle. In actuality, it is a classy, intimate human drama that puts its emphasis on great themes and ideas above all else. I like portraying heroes of antiquity whose values were grander and … Continue reading Ben-Hur: Charlton Heston’s career-defining performance powers William Wyler’s magnificent epic →

Gods & Demons: 25 Glorious years of Devasuram and Manichitrathazhu

Devasuram and Manichitrathazhu, two of the most popular and iconic films in Malayalam film history were both released in the year 1993. In the years succeeding their release, they have achieved mythic status in pop culture and solidified forever Mohanlal’s reputation of being one of of the greatest and most versatile star actors in the … Continue reading Gods & Demons: 25 Glorious years of Devasuram and Manichitrathazhu →