Kaala Patthar: Amitabh Bachchan is Gritty, Grungy and Great in this Salim-Javed scripted disaster drama

Amitabh Bachchan and Salim Javed are like our Olivier and Shakespeare .They are the greatest Actor - Writer collaboration in Hindi film history. Even in world cinema, it's rare to find a combo like this, who practically came up together, each complementing the other. They brought in a completely new aesthetic to Hindi films which … Continue reading Kaala Patthar: Amitabh Bachchan is Gritty, Grungy and Great in this Salim-Javed scripted disaster drama →

Rio Bravo: Howard Hawks’ classic Western is one of the greatest and most entertaining John Wayne films ever

Howard Hawks' Rio Bravo(1959), starring John Wayne, Dean Martin and Angie Dickinson is one of the best and most entertaining Westerns ever made. It's also the definitive John Wayne Picture, that shows all the facets of Wayne's screen persona to the fullest. "I have a strong affection for the singing sequence in Howard Hawks’ Rio … Continue reading Rio Bravo: Howard Hawks’ classic Western is one of the greatest and most entertaining John Wayne films ever →

Sharaabi : Amitabh Bachchan is Intoxicating

India has never seen a bigger  movie star than Amitabh Bachchan. His first movie performance was in Saath Hindustani released in 1969, which means, that this is his 50th year as a movie actor. To commemorate this auspicious moment. i intend to write a series of pieces on my favorite films of his. I start with Sharaabi, as … Continue reading Sharaabi : Amitabh Bachchan is Intoxicating →

Virumaandi: This brilliant reimagination of Rashomon is the ultimate Kamal Haasan meta movie

Even after 16 years, Kamal Haasan's Virumaandi packs a visceral punch, and for all its debt to Rashomon, it is his ultimate meta movie that analyses Myths, Movies, Truth and Reality. Francis Ford Coppola's The Godfather and Martin Scorsese's Goodfellas are two of the greatest films ever made. They are also the greatest movies made … Continue reading Virumaandi: This brilliant reimagination of Rashomon is the ultimate Kamal Haasan meta movie →

Al Pacino: Two scenes from the first two Godfather films shows that Pacino is the greatest actor of his times

A  scene each from the first  two Godfather films shows that Al Pacino is one of the greatest actors ever to appear in motion pictures. Watching Francis Ford Coppola's restored version of the Godfather trilogy was an awesome experience. I have seen the film countless times before, but the prints were never good enough, some … Continue reading Al Pacino: Two scenes from the first two Godfather films shows that Pacino is the greatest actor of his times →

Thugs of Hindostan is a fantastic tribute to Masala cinema and its leading men

On why thugs of Hindostan is no lazy rehash of the masala formula , but a well constructed modern tribute that echoes back to best of the genre. Thugs of Hindostan has flopped badly at the box office. Neither the big star cast, nor the lucrative diwali weekend could save the film. The film critics … Continue reading Thugs of Hindostan is a fantastic tribute to Masala cinema and its leading men →

Bullitt: Peter Yates’ gritty, seminal cop thriller gave Steve McQueen his most iconic role

Bullitt(1968) finds Steve McQueen at the peak of his powers. As a film it isn't much, but It's a perfect example of what we call a 'Star Vehicle': A very generic film with a very convoluted plot and very little characterization that's elevated to another level by the charisma and Screen presence of its iconic star. Steve McQueen … Continue reading Bullitt: Peter Yates’ gritty, seminal cop thriller gave Steve McQueen his most iconic role →

VISWAROOPAM 2 : MY “STAB” AT REVIEWING THE MOVIE

My thoughts on Kamal Hassan's Vishwaroopam 2 inspired the great cartoonist S.Ravishanker of Zola Zone to make a fantastic cartoon. Following are my thoughts on the film. The  cartoon with my thoughts can be found on his site on the following link https://thezolazone.wordpress.com/2018/08/16/viswaroopam-2-mank-takes-a-stab-at-reviewing-the-movie/amp/ For a man who sang Kadavul pathi mirugam pathi Kalanthu seytha, Kalavai naan,, … Continue reading VISWAROOPAM 2 : MY “STAB” AT REVIEWING THE MOVIE →

Amitabh Bachchan in Don and Mohanlal in Chithram: Two Superstars, Two seminal Films, Two Iconic roles

Amitabh Bachchan’s Don and Mohanlal’s Chithram, 2 Iconic films of  the 2 most beloved superstars as well as the greatest actors of the country celebrate their 40th and 30th anniversary respectively this year. Here is a look back Amitabh Bachchan and Mohanlal made their debut in movies almost a decade apart. Bachchan in 1969 with … Continue reading Amitabh Bachchan in Don and Mohanlal in Chithram: Two Superstars, Two seminal Films, Two Iconic roles →

Amar Akbar Anthony – Mother India’s children

This was my ode to Amar Akbar Anthony, one of the greatest masala films ever made. Particularly poignant due to the recent death of Actor and Screenwriter Kader Khan who was one of the creative forces behind this film To talk about the greatness of Amar Akbar Anthony is to talk about the genius of Manmohan Desai. … Continue reading Amar Akbar Anthony – Mother India’s children →

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 →