Movie - 65, Black Panther

Black Panther (2018)

Seen and written: 15 February 2018

(Cineplex Mississauga)

"When people are suffering, build bridges, not barriers."

This quote (may not be word-to-word the same) from the climax of Black Panther summarizes the politics that lies evidently afloat within the movie. In times when prominent world leader figures and authorities are taking steps towards divisive politics, Marvel gives a different message to people. And they do it with style.
With an all-Black major cast except for Martin Freeman and Andy Serkis, Black Panther had already become a revolution in mainstream Hollywood cinema. Even though the narrative is kind of old and predictable, the movie certainly delivers what it promises - a stellar superhero entertainment with all the action and humour you need, only this time, it's a wave of fresh air because of the cast, who are otherwise almost always typecast in such movies. With Black Panther, they are unbound and take in all the glory that they rightly deserve. 

Watching the movie in IMAX 3D was pure joy. While the stunning visuals of Wakanda are a treat to watch, it's the music that really stands out. Throughout the recent movies from the MCU, there has been a visible progress in the way they handle music - Thor: Ragnarok being a great example, before this one.

As I said before, the politics that Black Panther brings forward is very evident through the dialogues. One can certainly feel the parallels between the current world order when the characters talk about inclusivity, tribes, resources, weapons, leaders power, etc. The movie is most certainly a celebration of Black Pride, coincidentally or maybe intentionally releasing during Black History Month.

Black Panther neither the greatest superhero movie nor is it the first movie to bring out most of what it has done, but it's definitely the need of the hour.

Movie 64 - Yi Yi

Yi Yi (2000)

by

Edward Yang

Seen and written: 28 December 2017

This is the first film of Edward Yang that I am watching but it sure has piqued my interest in his films as well as new-wave Taiwanese films. The film follows a family in Taipei, from a grandmother to an 8 year old boy. As the title says ('Yi' is one in Chinese), the movie shows us people as individual units in the urban world, each living his/her life, fighting own struggles, finding their joys, and trying to make meaning around things happening. The director takes his leisurely pace with the movie, but the flow is seamless with equally lifelike and seamless performances from the lead cast. As humans, when we set our gaze upon something, other things are out of our vison - this simple, yet powerful thought is narrated to us beautifully from the perspective of Yang-Yang, the kid. Edward Yang also holds true to this thought cinematically, with numerous, beautiful shots along mirrors and glass window panes, showing us two sides/two worlds at the same time. 'Yi Yi' is a masterpiece, and becomes one in silence and simplicity.

Movie 63 - Ixcanul

Ixcanul (2015)

by

Jayro Bustamante

Seen and written: 26 December 2017

I can say without a doubt that this is one of the finest films I have watched in recent times. Each character is strong, independent, yet bound to the family or community by traditions and complex, adaptive way of life. The sense of alienation, neglect, and the fact that the lead characters are being taken advantage of because of their linguistic and geographical differences with the majority, are made evident to us through the splendid yet simple narrative language of the film. A big shout-out to the cast for their stellar performance. A must watch.

Movie 62, Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum

Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum (2017)

by 

Dileesh Pothan

Movie Seen: 02 July 2017 
(PVR Inorbit, Hyderabad)

Note Written: 03 July 2015

After one of the best film debuts (probably one of the best films of all-time in Malayalam) with 'Maheshinte Prathikaram', everyone was awaiting Dileesh Pothan's next venture. Expectations were running high. To match up to those expectations, also delivering something a notch above shows the dedication and passion of this fabulous director and a team that he swears by. 

I had booked the only seat that was left, it was front row (happens, sometimes). I didn't want to miss any part of the movie so I made sure that I reached an hour early to the mall(the normally kanjoos, bus-riding me took a cab and all). I walked into the auditorium 5 minutes early (to not miss the trailers; also experienced whatever feelings for the national anthem and whatever little patriotism I had sinking down through the mandatory-stand-up anthem session before the screening). It was a relief to find a familiar face sitting next to me (a friend had come as well).

Right from the opening shot of a drama-performance during a temple festival to the last shot of a lead character walking away through a busy street, it's the simplicity of the whole affair that struck me. The story is simple, the characters are people you've seen around you, and the movie is shot in a way that is no way extravagant - the camera follows the characters and the story seamlessly and doesn't take a path of its own to impress the audience. 

Adding to the above said, 'Thondimuthalum Driksaakshiyum' has extremely thought of and well-written dialogues. This doesn't mean that there is any flamboyance involved. There are no punch-lines. But through blink-and-miss dialogues, the movie speaks of topics that the society (the Kerala public image/conscience) in general chooses to give a blink and a miss - subjects of caste, of class, of politics, of identity, of authority, of poverty, of survival, and most importantly, of what constitutes right and wrong. 

Since most part of the movie takes place in a police station, concerning the interrogation of an accused, I was wondering where had all the swearing gone? All those police characters and no one even used a curse even when they were angry and beating the accused. I thought it was because Dileesh Pothan was making a goody-goody film; then came a scene with more than a score of beeps within a minute or so. Oh, how relieved I felt! Then I knew it was not Dileesh Pothan effect, but 'Janamaithri'(people-friendly) police effect.   

Coming to the performances, the people who absolutely stole my hearts were the female lead Nimisha Sajayan (as Sreeja) and the person who played the S.I. character (forgot his name). Brilliant they were, considering it's their first movie venture. Fahadh was a delight to watch; Suraj and Alencier essayed their roles perfectly. The numerous other new faces (especially the police characters) were good as well. I hope this trend of bringing in so many new faces (as we witnessed in 'Angamaly Diaries' as well) continues - there is a lot of untapped potential among us. 

'Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum' is as simple as a mirror turned to our society. If such simplicity can stir the audience and make them throng the screens so much, why do majority filmmakers of today go for embellishments which in no way help the plot? The answers, I think, are pure passion to the medium of cinema and the knowledge and craft of how to tell a story effectively. Way to go, Dileesh. Waiting for your next.

Book - 62, Farewell Waltz

Farewell Waltz (1972)

by

Milan Kundera

Book Read: 16-17 March 2016

Note Written: 30 June 2016

It's been a long while now since I read this book by Kundera. I do not remember the finer details but I have a vague idea of the events and characters of the novel. Farewell Waltz follows the life of many characters - people as different as it can get - a trumpeter, a nurse, a doctor, a boyfriend, a foreigner, an ordinary woman undergoing treatment etc. The book has a lot of dark humour in it, based on the existential and emotional crises of people (us) which attain different forms with time. 

People's reaction to different things varies from time to time, person to person. Sometimes, coincidences can get as weird as it can. Life is full of surprises - be it good, bad, or worse. It is hope or optimism that takes people forward I guess - well there are people who cling to things and memories but they do not think it is the end of their lives because there is some element of hope left in them - whether they know it or not doesn't matter. 

Back to the novel - compared to other Kundera works I've read, this one didn't impress me as much, but was an interesting read nevertheless. 

Movie - 61, The Station Agent

The Station Agent (2003)

by 

Thomas McCarthy

Movie Seen: 06 December 2015

Note Written: 08 December 2015

Ronnie Manuel Joseph (my cousin/aspiring film-maker/already short-film-maker) recommended this film to me. Another incentive to watch was that there was Peter Dinklage in it. When I did a brief search online I found that this film was his breakthrough role. The story follows a lonely man who moves to a train depot which he inherited and his experience with the people whom he meets there. 

'The Station Agent' is a light-hearted, simple film. Some of the characters were really great - my favourites are Cleo the kid and the non-stop talking Joe. The alienation faced by people who are 'different' in our society and the general public's attitude toward them, shown through the film, is easily recognizable from all around us. People should see people as people. The walks through the railway tracks, the train watching, the pocket watch, all were elements that strike you emotionally as well as being realistic. It is the normality of the whole film that makes it special. A wonderful watch.

Book - 61, A Dance with Dragons

A Dance with Dragons (2011)

by

George R R Martin

Book Read: 04-15 March 2016

Note Written: 22 June 2016

'A Dance with Dragons' is massive, going over a thousand pages. It took me nine days of commute reading to finish the book (I think I am getting faster at reading with each book). The novel is a delight for the fans of the series but the problem is that there are too many characters in it, too many perspectives to follow, too many settings to know and still more of new popping up. 

George R R Martin could have split the book neatly as he did with 'A Storm of Swords'. I think even the author is experimenting with the styles of crafting a massive series such as this. 

As usual, there are many plot twists, horrific deaths, moments of awe and everything you expect from the series and the author. You also find additional stuff than the TV series, which has actually moved ahead of the book with the season just aired. Still, once you have read the books and watched the series, you feel like a 'know-it-all' and can throw in facts here and there during GoT discussions to the annoyance and wonder of the 'only TV series' people. It's a great feeling, hehe. It goes something like this, "See, in the book it is like this..."