Archive for May, 2016


Another month of MAI MAY MOVIES, comes to an end!!
May Mai Movies for 2016Yet again, there are some beautiful movies, I watched, within this one year, that I never got to write about. Especially, the latter lot of DVD’s; that I bought Down Under, in November 2014 (majority of the films, I bought in Adelaide & Sydney; I had managed to watch back in November/December 2014 itself, and write about them, and a few last year, 2015, but here are some films I couldn’t so far); including, Lorenzo’s Oil (1992) – watched on 7th December 2015 (which coincided with the one year anniversary, of my adoption of ), In Cold Blood (1967) – watched on 16th February 2016, A Streetcar Named Desire (1951) – watched on 11th March 2016 (’twas a, 2Disc, Director’s Cut DVD; a collectors item, with a lot of special features, and documentaries), and On the Waterfront (1954) – watched on 21st March 2016 (now I just had one more film I bought in left, which I finally watched toady afternoon; see the last film on this list). There were also the trio of superb Hindi Films (DVD’s), I got down from New Delhi, India, in February 2015 (thru my old man, who flew to New Delhi, last February, on an official visit, to the Indian capital). The three films were, Haider (2014) – watched on 10th March 2015, The Lunchbox (2013) – watched on 3rd December 2015 (managed to watch, at least 2/3, last year itself), and Mary Kom (2014) on 12th January 2016! And, not to forget, the three Big Screen gems, I saw this year, at the local Cinema; the near excellent, historical epic, Bajirao Mastani (2015) – in January 2016; Leo’s Oscar winning performance (prior to the Oscars), in The Revenant (2015) – in February 2016; and, the true life story of a brave young girl, who sacrificed her life to save the lives of hundreds of passengers on board Pan Am Flight 73, which terrorists had hijacked, in 1986, in Neerja (2016) – in March 2016!!!!! Plus so many other movies; at festivals, special screenings, cable TV/channels et al.

So here is the run down, on all the films I watched, this month (May 2016) :-  

The Hero: Love Story of a Spy (2003) – An out and out Bollywood commercial film. This movie, was actually somewhat a waste of my time, but wasn’t all that bad. Quite OK actually, with an interesting enough premise. Both, Sunny Deol and Preity Zinta, were pretty good in their respective roles. BUT, the one to watch out for, was the former beauty queen, Miss World 2000, Priyanka Chopra (who’s now made her way into the United States, playing the lead in the ABC television series Quantico (2015 onwards)), in her Bollywood debut. Not only does she mesmerise you with her, cool n’ classy, disposition, but also her performance. This was the first movie, I watched this month.

Watched The Hero: Love Story of a Spy, rented on our cable television.

My Rating: Average Fare – 5/10!!!
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Black Sea (2014) – Leading with Jude Law, the film comprises of an all male star-cast, compressed into an old dilapidated submarine. This British, adventurous thriller, film, is about a gold hunt, in the depths of the Black Sea, off the coast of Georgia (the Eurasian country). It’s a good insight into human tolerance, especially when people from two different backgrounds have to work together, to achieve the same goal. This movie is really worth watching, though not among the greatest adventure films, ever made.

Watched Black Sea on HBO On Demand.

My Rating: Very Good – 8/10!!!!
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Harry, un Ami qui vous Veut du Bien (2000) – Watched this movie for a 2nd Time! I first saw this, some years ago. A movie about a man’s obsession with a married man, which proves disastrous, to the married man’s family. Very Hitchcockian, with it’s very claustrophobic atmosphere, set in a lonely house in the countryside. It’s so beautiful, and really good. My original rating stands. Though not necessarily an excellent piece of cinema, it’s really good, and was worth watching a second time.

Watched Harry, un Ami qui vous Veut du Bien on TV5MONDE.

My Rating: Very Good – 8/10!!!! (My Original Rating)
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Les Rides (2014) short film – An OK tale about a group of, fanatic four, senior citizens, who plot to run away from their Old Peoples Nursing Home. This 13 minute short film, is interesting enough, but not that great. Liked the magical realism, input.

Watched Les Rides on TV5MONDE.

My Rating: Average Fare – 6/10!!!
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Nightingale (2014) – A brilliant ‘One Man Show’, with David Oyelowo. Being the only actor, in this movie, set within the confines of his home, Oyelowo carries the entire movie on his shoulders. He plays a psychotic, lonely, war veteran, who is waiting for/expecting, a visit from an old friend. A truly tragic film, that’s worth checking out, for the performance of perfection, by British actor, of Nigerian roots, David Oyelowo, alone. The movie, on the whole, could have been better though.

Watched Nightingale on HBO On Demand.

My Rating: Pretty Good – 7/10!!!!
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Brigitte Bardot in Voulez-vous Danser avec Moi (1959)

Brigitte Bardot in Voulez-vous Danser avec Moi (1959)

Voulez-vous Danser avec Moi (1959) – A hilariously fun filled crime comedy, set in a dance school, in Paris. The movie is about a happily married man, who gets caught into blackmail, for no real fault of his, and in turn for a murder, in a dance school. He is assumed to be the culprit, and only his wife believes he is actually a victim of circumstance. Soon she ventures into the school, in the guise of a dance teacher, to solve the crime on her own, against the wishes of her husband. Henri Vidal is hilarious as the husband, as are the other supporting characters, in their respective roles; with interesting cameos by Serge Gainsbourg and Dawn Addams. But, it’s Brigitte Bardot, as the bewitchingly beautiful and innocent wife, who steals the show, with her stunning performance, her perfect comical expressions and the dancing diva’s well choreographed movements. She’s hilarious, she’s fun. And thanks to her cutesy spy work, she’s the one that ultimately solves the mystery. A sexy young Miss. Marple, or Mrs. Pollifax, if you may (with apologies to Agatha Christie and Dorothy Gilman, respectively).

This movie is a must see, especially if you love Bardot. On IMDB it seems to have an average rating, but I couldn’t help laughing. And kudos to the movie, for  daring to showcase, one hell of comical sequence that takes place in, a queer club, with drag performances, in an acceptable manner; and this was a movie that came out in the 1950’s. In fact, to portray homosexuality, cinematically in the open, as being normal, would have been groundbreaking, back in the day.

Sadly, 40 year old actor, Henri Vidal, died soon after he made this movie. This was his last screen appearance!

Watched Voulez-vous Danser avec moi on TV5MONDE.

My Rating: Near Excellent – 9/10!!!!
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Kill the Messenger (2014) – A Biographical film, on journalist Garry Webb, who committed suicide in 2004. The film is set in the mid-1990’s, when he uncovered the CIA’s major role in bringing in huge amounts of cocaine into the United States. It’s a beautiful, and sad, story about a man, who truly tries to make “America great again”, by exposing the big shots, responsible for ruing his country; thus his family might have to pay the ultimate price for it.

The movie dulls at time, and the suspense isn’t necessarily continuous. You tend to lose focus at times. Yawn a bit, here and there. But it’s still quite good, and worth seeing at least once.

Watched Kill the Messenger on HBO On Demand.

My Rating: Pretty Good – 7/10!!!!
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Squatters (2014) – Two homeless youngsters, break into a house of a wealthy family, when the family is on vacation. The son of the rich family, and one of the homeless kids, fall for each other. The movie actually went pretty well, until the love angle ruined it for me, somewhat. Still the whole experience, was not that bad. In fact, the ageing, Richard Dreyfuss, and the young, Thomas Dekker, were pretty good in their respective roles.

Watched Squatters on HBO Signature.

My Rating: Average Fare – 6/10!!!
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Jean-Claude Brialy, le Goût des Autres (2013) – An interesting insight into the life of legendary French film star, Jean-Claude Brialy. This documentary delves deep into the star’s life of hosting parties to his close friends, in his big mansion. With appearances by celebrities, Alain Delon, Nana Mouskouri, Claudia Cardinale, et al; ’twas an enjoyable show.

Watched Jean-Claude Brialy, le Goût des Autres on TV5MONDE.

My Rating: Very Good – 8/10!!!!
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Poltergeist (1982) – A much awaited venture, I finally watched it. ‘twas a very good horror film. I wouldn’t exactly call it an excellent movie, nor among the greatest of the horror genre (in fact it seemed a tad silly towards the end), but I thoroughly enjoyed this piece of supernatural drama. In fact, as the movie sees it’s ghosts through the eyes of a child, it gives it a creepy cuteness.

The film’s lead character, is the child star, Heather O’Rourke. She’s the first human, to feel the presence of the Poltergeists. And the movie revolves around, her capture, by the spirits, and a couple of television sets. But to me, the star of the film, was their golden retriever named ‘E. Buzz’ (pictured below). In fact this dog, plays a prevalent role, in the entirety of the film. A Very Good Horror Classic!!

Curse of the Poltergeist: Both kids playing the two daughters, died, in real life, within the 80’s decade. Dominique Dunne, who plays the teenage daughter, was murdered by strangulation, by her boyfriend, in 1982, itself. She was 22. And O’Rourke, suddenly fell ill, and died of a cardiac arrest, at the age of 12, in 1988.

Watched Poltergeist on HBO.

My Rating: Very Good – 8/10!!!!
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Horror Films Above: Poltergeist (1982) Below: As Above, So Below (2014)

Horror Films
Above: Poltergeist (1982)
Below: As Above, So Below (2014)

As Above, So Below (2014) – Silly Horror movie, filmed in the ‘Blair Witch Project’ style. No where near as great as The Blair Witch Project (1999). Only saving grace of this, pretty idiotic, horror flick, was that it actually showed the real catacombs of Paris (which I visited back in 2009), before venturing further deep, under the catacombs. As they ventured deeper the film got sillier still.

Though not the worst film experience ever, it’s still quite pathetic. And the movie defies gravity. The more and more, they went deeper into the underworld, I actually expected them to come out of the Pacific Ocean, on the other side of the globe! Yet, actors, Ben Feldman and François Civil (pictured above) were actually good enough in their respective roles.

Watched As Above, So Below on HBO On Demand.

My Rating: Pretty Bad – 4/10!!
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Le Lieu du Crime (1986) – I really enjoyed this film, starring Catherine Deneuve, Nicolas Giraudi, Wadeck Stanczak, and the yesteryear starlet, Danielle Darrieux. The way the movie began, it reminded me of Charles Dickens’ Great Expectations (which also happens to be my favourite Dickens novel). The movie centres around, a young boy named Thomas (Giraudi), who’s mother (Deneuve), falls in love with the criminal (Stanczak); Thomas meets, early on in the movie; and has a one night stand, on a rainy night, with tragic circumstances. With a superb cast, headed by Catherine Deneuve, this movie, is really a unique tale, revolving around a ‘boy who cried wolf’. The kid is such a story maker, nobody, except his mother, believes his story, about what he witnessed. This coming of age, tale, is a must see, especially if you are a fan of Catherine Deneuve, like me. And the kid is brilliant, an added bonus.

Watched Le Lieu du Crime on TV5MONDE.

My Rating: Very Good – 8/10!!!!
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Into the Storm (2014) – Yet another, idiotically disastrous, disaster film. About a unimaginably massive tornado ravaging a small town called Silverton. The one good thing about this flick, was that it showed the, ironically calm, inside (the eye) of the tornado. Calm within the storm.

Watched Into the Storm on HBO On Demand.

My Rating: Near Worst, film experience, ever – 2/10!
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Timbuktu (2014) – A masterpiece of movie making!! The term ‘Timbuktu’ is generally a synonym, for some remote unknown place. But, it is in actuality, a name of a city, in Mali, in West Africa. I was always aware it was a place, somewhere in Africa, but this is the first time I saw something/anything about the place known as Timbuktu. The city is full of, beautifully designed, aesthetic, mud huts.

The film itself, is very sad, and a superb Art House film, about the lives of the poor inhabitants of Timbuktu, under Jihadists control. Anyone even slightly opposed to their strict laws, are punished severely. This movie is based around a cattle herder, and his nuclear family, relaxedly residing away from the city of Timbuktu, in the sand dunes of the Sahara Desert. But, sadly, he gets pulled into the city, and imprisoned/sentenced to death, for an accidental crime, he didn’t plan to commit.

Director, Abderrahmane Sissako, has brought out a brilliant piece of socially touching experience; and this film took home two prizes, at the 67th Cannes Film Festival, held in 2014. Sissako was also nominated for the Palme d’Or, that year, for Timbuktu. Plus it won the ‘Best Film’ award, at the Africa Movie Academy Awards; along with a ‘Best Director’ win for Sissako.

Watched Timbuktu on TV5MONDE.

My Rating: Excellent – 10/10!!!!!
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L.A.dy Dior (2011) – This is an advertorial Short film, starring my favourite French star of today, Marion Cotillard. Cotillard plays a crazed actress, who can’t handle the pressure of being the face of a famous brand of handbags (‘L.A.dy Dior’, obviously). A hilarious 6 minute short, where she ultimately throws a tantrum, which only helps the advertising campaign. Enjoyable enough, thanks to Marion Cotillard. Love L.A.dy Cotillard!!!!

Watched L.A.dy Dior online, on Youtube.

My Rating: Pretty Good – 7/10!!!!
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LEFT: Marion Cotillard in L.A.dy Dior (2011) RIGHT: Xavier Dolan in J’ai Tué ma Mère (2009)

LEFT: Marion Cotillard in L.A.dy Dior (2011)
RIGHT: Xavier Dolan in J’ai Tué ma Mère (2009)

J’ai Tué ma Mère (2009) – The two prominent factors, that make this film so uniquely impressive, is the fact, that Xavier Dolan’s directorial debut, was written by Dolan, at the age of 16, and he was still only 19 years old, when he directed it. The movie was released at the 62nd Cannes Film Festival (rather it premiered at the ‘Director’s Fortnight’), in 2009. Not only did Dolan, get a standing ovation, he also walked away, with three awards, at the festival, that year. I first heard about this film, and Xavier Dolan, in May 2009.

The movie, itself is so brilliantly made, and moving, I was hooked to the screen from start to finish, engulfing each and every emotional moment felt by it’s characters. The depth of human emotion, portrayed in the film, is so painfully real, my heart just leapt out. This is amongst the best movies, that I’ve ever seen, and ‘twas a long awaited venture, pour moi.

J’ai Tué ma Mère, which, when translated into English, means, ‘I Killed my Mother’, is a semi-autobiographical film, by Xavier Dolan. It’s deals with a tiresome mother/son relationship. They both love each other, and neither is a bad parent nor bad child, but they were just not meant to live together. Hubert (Dolan) believes he was born into the wrong family, rather, more specifically, the wrong mother (played by Anne Dorval). And he wishes to get away from her clutches, as soon as possible. But Hubert, is still a 16 year old, thus it’s impossible to get away at that young age. His father, who left when Hubert was a little kid, is no where in sight (who turns up only to make a brief appearance, to intervene in the son’s life, and makes things worse for poor Hubert). You sympathise with Dolan’s juvenile character, Hubert, and understand what he’s going through. But, at the same time, he’s still only 16, and has a freedom, some 16 year olds would only dream to have. Plus, his mother is not all that bad. Mothers can be really stressful sometimes, even to their adult kids. But Hubert’s mother, comparatively, hardly does anything to stress him out, even though he seems to lose his patience with her. She’s neither strict, nor harsh. He does what he wants. She doesn’t necessarily interfere with his studies, or future plans. YES, she’s not perfect, nobody really is, but she’s far from being the worst mother ever. Yet, Hubert feels suffocated, and annoyed, with her existence. When the mother finds out about her son’s sexuality, she doesn’t seem to mind that he is gay, but what disappoints her is, the fact she had to find out about it from someone else, rather than her own son. Thus, she’s also an open-minded woman. At the same time, Hubert, isn’t necessarily a closeted homosexual. He is open, but doesn’t seem to think it necessary to let her know, that he has a boyfriend (played by François Arnaud). The film doesn’t deal with Hubert’s sexuality as such, for that’s not what the story is about. The story is about his love-hate relationship with his mother. His sex life, has nothing to do with it. Instead of a girlfriend, he just happens to have a boyfriend, in a very acceptable and normal manner. That’s how the world today, should be. Of course, there is a gay-bashing scene, towards the end. Most probably, just to tell us, that’s something Dolan had to deal with too, in real life, and/or to show us, that the world is still not as broad-minded, as it ought to be.

The film isn’t all serious and depressing, it has plenty of comical interludes. In fact, the movie is sad, but not at all depressing to watch, and very entertaining. Xavier Dolan is really sweet, and adorable, even when he is angry. I love the scene where he comes home one night, all drugged (a one time thing, in the film), and wakes his mother lovingly. She is not at all angry at him. Dolan’s character is really sweet, when he tries to be extra nice to his mother. Of course, he’s not patient enough, for the niceties to last, and his mother doesn’t really help either. Yet, both of them, are actually good people.

There is plenty of screaming matches, in the film, plenty of drama, and more than enough comical moments, to make you cry and laugh (sometimes at the same time), with a few, very Dolanisque surreal moments!! One of the best films ever made. Dolan’s now, most probably, my favourite Canadian director, and definitely my youngest favourite film director. The only other, directorial venture, of his I’ve seen is, Laurence Anyways (2012); another brilliant Canadian film.

Watched J’ai Tué ma Mère on TV5MONDE.

My Rating: Excellent – 10/10!!!!!
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Tere Bin Laden: Dead or Alive (2016) – Tagged as the “million dollar fake”, this is an almost brilliant piece of satire, from Bollywood.

Released earlier this year, a sequel/prequel to Tere Bin Laden (2010); which came before, the actual Osama Bin Laden was killed; this is a hilarious movie, about what happens post the death of this, FBI’s, most wanted terrorist. Both, the Americans, and a Taliban arms dealer, try to get hold of a Bin Laden look-alike, an Indian actor (played by Pradhuman Singh). The Americans want to film, the death of the fake bin Laden, to prove to the world, that they’ve actually killed, this founder of al-Qaeda, whilst the arms dealer, wants to use the doppelganger, as proof, that Bin Laden is still alive.

The movie is a hilarious parody, on both, the Taliban regime, and America’s ‘War on Terror’. I haven’t seen the original Tere Bin Laden (poster pictured, right atop). In fact I had assumed, that’s the movie, I watched on Sunday morning, the original film, till I read the synopsis now, on IMDB, and realised actor, Manish Paul (who plays a Bollywood director, responsible for making the ‘Osama bin Laden’ doppelganger, popular; and in turn putting their lives in danger), didn’t even star in the first one. So I actually tweeted the wrong movie. Slightly disappointed about that. Now I really want to watch, the original. A lot of people, who loved the original, seem to have hated this. But I really enjoyed this farcical film. It’s definitely worth a watch. Plus, there were no cheap antics, like puking, or passing out excess gas, or any other stale jokes, or anything sickeningly grotesque, that make you feel disgusted, instead of actually enjoying a film. So, I thought it was a really clever comedy. Thus, kudos to director, Abhishek Sharma, for bringing out, such a fun movie, to sit through.

Just wanted to add, an explanation for the title. ‘Bin’ or ‘Bina’ in Hindi, means ‘Without’, and ‘Tere’ means ‘Yours’. Thus the, first three words, of the title could either translate as, ‘Without You Laden’ or ‘Yours, Bin Laden’; I think the latter sounds more like it. Either way, the pun is on the word ‘Bin’. It would have been a more hilarious pun for the word ‘Bin’, if it were in English (title/film), considering what the word ‘Bin’ stands for in the English language. Throw it in the Bin Laden!!!!!

Watched Tere Bin Laden: Dead or Alive on Star Plus.

My Rating: Near Excellent – 9/10!!!!
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Airlift (2016) – Set in Kuwait, this is based on a true story, of the airlift of Indians based in Kuwait, during the Invasion of Kuwait by Saddam Hussein’s Iraq, carried out from the 18th of August, 1990 to 20th October, 1990!! Air India, along with Indian Airlines, helped evacuate 170,000 people by civil airliners, whilst 500 people left by a ship, during the Gulf War. It took 63 days. This happens to be the biggest rescue mission, of human evacuation, in the world. Two Indian’s living in Kuwait; South Indian Businessmen, Mathunny Mathews, from Kerala; and North Indian, billionaire, Harbajan Singh Vedi, from Punjab, putting their ethnic differences aside, came together, and ended up playing a major role, in helping get Indians to safety.

The movie, however, is a fictional account, combining the two Indian’s heroic work, into one character called, Ranjit Katyal (played by Bollywood star, Akshay Kumar). Indian actress, Nimrat Kaur, plays his wife. A near brilliant Bollywood commercial venture, by director, Raja Krishna Menon, about a story that deserved to be told. Thanks to Bollywood movies like Neerja and Airlift, more recent, modern Indian history, won’t be forgotten.

Watched Airlift on Colors (a channel I practically never watch, glad I did on Sunday night).

My Rating: Near Excellent – 9/10!!!!
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10 Things I Hate about You (1999) – A modern, late 20th Century, adaptation of, William Shakespeare’s 16th century comedy, The Taming of the Shrew.

This comedy, could have easily veered towards being just another teenage chick flick, but it’s much more than that. I was pleasantly surprised, how much I enjoyed sitting through this flick. The movie has a brilliant young cast, including the late Heath Ledger, along with Julia Stiles, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Andrew Keegan and Gabrielle Union. The movie also stars comedians Larry Miller and Allison Janney, in supporting roles.

Set in a High School, the film is about softening up an uptight girl, who refuses to date. All the absurdism of a perfect Shakespearean comedy, from the 1590’s, brought into the modern world of youth, of the 1990’s. I thoroughly enjoyed it. But it would have been more interesting, if I did actually get to watch it, as a teenager/young adult, than today.

I recently mentioned this movie, last month. See my Blog-post Shakespeare: Intellectual Minds and Beyond!!, from April 2016.

Watched 10 Things I Hate about You on HBO On Demand.

My Rating: Near Excellent – 9/10!!!!
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Jacques Bernard in Les Enfants Terribles (1950)

Jacques Bernard in Les Enfants Terribles (1950)

Les Enfants Terrible (1950) – Watched this, collaboration of two greatly creative talents, today afternoon!! Loved it, just as much as the book!!

3½ years ago, I read Rosamond Lehmann’s English translation, of Jean Cocteau’s famed French novella, Les Enfants Terrible!! Author, artist and film personality, Cocteau’s book, was illustrated, with his own artwork, as well. Being an artist(e) myself, I not only, loved the book, for it’s literature, but also for Cocteau’s works of modern art. And, I blogged about the book; when my Blog, was still pretty young (almost 9 months old). Later, 1½ years ago, when I visited Australia, I bought a lot of DVD’s, including the film adaptation of, Les Enfants Terrible. But it’s only now, I finally got to watch this movie. This is the last, of the movies, I bought Down Under!!

Les Enfants Terrible, the movie, is a brilliant adaptation, of an equally superb, piece of, inked, fiction. Author Jean Cocteau (a film director himself), supposedly, commissioned Jean-Pierre Melville, to make the movie, based on his beloved novel. Beautifully photographed, with dim, darkly lit, interiors; skilfully directed, with superb acting talents, the moody expressions, along with, Jean Cocteau’s, own vocals lending the narration, this is one hell of an extraordinarily exceptional piece of cinema. Now, amongst my, favourite French films, ever.

The movie, was practically word to word, as I remembered reading in the  novel. The only major difference, for me, was the fact that, I envisioned the brother and sister, Paul and Elisabeth (played by Edouard Dermithe and Nicole Stéphane, respectively, in the movie), as two pre-teens, in the start of the book, who gradually transform, into young adulthood, later on. Same with their friend, Gerard (Jacques Bernard). But in the movie, they seemed liked young adults/late teens, from the very beginning. None the less, the film was perfectly made, as perfect, as perfection goes. The crazed games, played by the siblings: their weirdly possessive, yet ambiguous, relationship; isolated, cut off, from the rest of the world; this movie is a deep psychoanalysis into the crazy human psyche, almost just as much as the book. It, like the book, reminded me of Bernardo Bertolucci’s, The Dreamers (2003). The Dreamers, was set in 1968 Paris, during the student riots.

The actress to look out for, in Les Enfants Terrible, is Renée Cosima, who plays Paul’s two androgynous sexual attractions; a young boy named Dargelos, in the first half, and later on a girl (model) named Agathe (since I had read the book, I realised that, the school bully, Dargelos, was being played by a female, in the guise of a male; though it’s really not at all noticeable, otherwise). Her transformation, from a thuggish young boy, to a beautiful young lady, is incredible. It’s hard to believe, the dirty rugged boy, and marvellous model, who shows off her elegant legs, is played by, the one and the same, young French actress Renée Cosima.

With it’s surreal dreamy moments, towards the end, Les Enfants Terrible, is almost Shakespearean, the way it’s conveyed. The inevitable tragedy, that lies ahead, is obvious. The game, they played in their ‘ROOM’, of irritating one another, when younger; continues, to a final finish, that can end, only with death. A sad film. The novel came out in the Roaring 20’s, but the film, seems to be set, in the modern day, i.e. the post-war 1940’s!!

Love the Movie!! Love the Book!! Love the Book more, actually; but as a film, this is an excellent watch. Also do check out my quick write-up, on the novel, Les Enfants Terribles (The Book), from December 2012!!!!!

Watched Les Enfants Terrible on DVD.

My Rating: Excellent – 10/10!!!!!
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Nuwan Sen’s Film Sense
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Mai May Movies 2016

…AND THE WINNERS  are …

Ken Loach wins the Palme d’Or for I, Daniel Blake (2016)

Ken Loach wins the Palme d’Or for I, Daniel Blake (2016)

The Cannes Film Festival, for the Year of the Sweets, finally came to an end, last night. Like a true film fanatic/movie maniac/Cinema enthusiast; I stayed awake past midnight, on this side of the planet, to see who won the Palme d’Or, Grand Prix, et al, at Cannes, this year; on a special feature on the news channel, FRANCE24.

Xavier Dolan wins the Grand Prix for Juste la Fin du Monde (2016)

Xavier Dolan wins the Grand Prix for, Juste la Fin du Monde (2016)

Ken Loach won the Palme d’Or for the British film, I, Daniel Blake (2016); which happens to be Loach’s second Palme d’Or; and young Xavier Dolan won the Grand Prix for the Canadian movie, Juste la Fin du Monde (2016)!! The Palme d’Or (a.k.a. Golden Palm) is the highest honour at the Cannes Film Festival; and French New Wave actor, Jean-Pierre Léaud, received an honorary Palme d’Or, this year, for his contribution, to the world of Cinema. Grand Prix (a special jury award), is the second most prestigious award of the festival. The Pame d’Or, initially was known as the Grand Prix du Festival International du Film, and at one time, as the Grand Prix du Festival; which should not be confused with the modern day Grand Prix. The Grand Prix, itself was once known as Grand Prix Spécial du Jury, and later as Grand Prix du Jury. Both the Palme d’Or and Grand Prix, are awarded to the film directors, for what is considered the best movie, for the year. The ‘Best Director’ award, was a tie, this year. Romanian director, Cristian Mungiu; for Bacalaureat (2016); and French film director, Olivier Assayas; for the English language movie, Personal Shopper (2016); tied in for the ‘Best Director’ award. Iranian director, Asghar Farhadi, took home the award for ‘Best Screenplay’; for Forushande (2016). Iranian actor, Shahab Hosseini, bagged the prize for ‘Best Actor’; for the same movie; whilst Filipino actress, Jaclyn Jose, won the prize, for ‘Best Actress’; for Ma’ Rosa (2016). British filmmaker, Andrea Arnold, was awarded the Jury Prize (the third most highest honour, at the festival), for American Honey (2016).

The Late Nellie in Paterson (2016)

The Late Nellie in Paterson (2016)

Among other awards; the Un Certain Regard Award (for ‘Best Film’) and the Un Certain Regard Jury Prize, went to Finland’s Hymyilevä Mies (2016) by Juho Kuosmanen, and Japan’s Fuchi ni Tatsu (2016) by Kôji Fukada, respectively. The Queer Palm Award went to French director, Sébastien Lifshitz, for his documentary, Les Vies de Thérèse (2016). The L’Œil d’Or (or The Golden Eye), awarded to documentaries only, was given to, Brazilian Film Director, Eryk Rocha, for Cinema Novo (2016). The Palme Dog Award (awarded to the best performance by a canine), was posthumously awarded to, a female English Bulldog, the late, Nellie; for USA’s Paterson (2016) by Jim Jarmusch. In the movie, Nellie, stars as a male dog, named Marvin.

Cannes Sweet Year: Nathalie Baye, Xavier Dolan and Marion Cotillard, at the festival, on DAY-9

Cannes Sweet Year: Nathalie Baye, Xavier Dolan and Marion Cotillard, at the festival, on DAY-9

These are some of the main awards mentioned here. There are various other awards, at the Cannes Film Festival. So congratulations, to all the winners, of the 69th Cannes Film Festival. Year of the Sweets!!

I’d love to check out most of the films, shown at Cannes, this year. The only sad part for me was, Marion Cotillard didn’t receive any special recognition, for her work, this year. But this, 40 year old actress, is a superbly talented performer, and has won many accolades in the past, including at Cannes. And she no doubt shall, in the near future as well. At least, 27 year old film director, Xavier Dolan, won for Juste la Fin du Monde, which starred Cotillard. Dolan also won the Prize of the Ecumenical Jury, for the same movie, this year. Both Xavier Dolan and Marion Cotillard happen to be frequent faces at the Cannes Film Festivals, especially within the last decade. They are the future!!!!

All The Best!!!!!

Nuwan Sen’s Film Sense

P.S. Tweets relating to Cannes 2016

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The ever stunning, Marion Cotillard, looking classy as ever, in a black dress, on Day 9, of the Cannes Film Festival

The ever stunning, Marion Cotillard, looking classy as ever, in a black dress, on Day 9, of the Cannes Film Festival

On Day 9, of the Cannes Film Festival, for 2016 (that was on Thursday, 19th May 2016), Marion Cotillard walked the red carpet, yet again. This time it was for, the Canadian film she stars in, directed by, young Canadian film director, Xavier Dolan. The film was Juste la Fin du Monde (2016), English title being, It’s Only the End of the World.

TOP: Xavier Dolan & Marion Cotillard   BELOW: The Female cast of the movie, with the young Director, Dolan

TOP: Xavier Dolan & Marion Cotillard
BELOW: The Female cast of the movie, with the young Director, Dolan

The bewitching beauty looked gorgeous as ever, in an Audrey Hepburnisque, style, little black attire. Her kind face, charming smile, her eyes sparkling, no doubt, this ravishing beauty, is one of the most beautiful film actresses of today, not to mention, greatly talented. Being a great fan of young Xavier Dolan, am really keen on checking out, Juste la Fin du Monde, as well, which, alongside Cotillard, co-stars Vincent Cassel, Nathalie Baye, Gaspard Ulliel and Léa Seydoux. Xavier Dolan attended last year’s festival (May 2015) as a Jury member. Other movies shown on the 19th of May, included, the Romanian film, Bacalaureat (2016), a.k.a. Graduation (English title); and a midnight screening of Gimme Danger (2016). Directed by Jim Jarmusch, Gimme Danger (his second movie shown at the Cannes this year), is a documentary based on musician Iggy Pop, and his rock band from the 1960’s & 70’s, ‘The Stooges’.

The Cast; (L-R) Gaspard Ulliel, Léa Seydoux, Marion Cotillard, Xavier Dolan (Film Director), Nathalie Baye & Vincent Cassel; of Juste la Fin du Monde (2016), at the 69th Cannes Film Festival, on Thursday night (19th May 2016)

The Cast; (L-R) Gaspard Ulliel, Léa Seydoux, Marion Cotillard, Xavier Dolan (Film Director), Nathalie Baye & Vincent Cassel; of Juste la Fin du Monde (2016), at the 69th Cannes Film Festival, on Thursday night (19th May 2016)

Yesterday, Sean Penn’s The Last Face (2016), and Danish Director, Nicolas Winding Refn’s, The Neon Demon (2016), opened at Cannes. Penn’s film was cited as being the worst film shown at the festival, and The Neon Demon was booed at. I might still check them out, if I come across them; but this Friday’s, two unpopular film entries, interest me the least.
Cannes Sweet Year - Day 11 (Queer Palm)Today, Day 11th, the 69th Cannes Film Festival, comes to an end. They’ll be showing the French film, Elle (2016), by Dutch director, Paul Verhoeven; along with the Iranian movie, titled, Forushande (2016), a.k.a. The Salesman (English title), by Asghar Farhadi. The Queer Palm takes place today as well. Xavier Dolan’s Laurence Anyways (2012), won the Queer Palm, back in 2012. Laurence Anyways was an excellent film, to come out of Canada. And tomorrow, the winners shall be announced; and I can’t wait to find out who shall take home the prestigious Palm d’Or this year. The Year of the Sweets!!

Nuwan Sen’s Film Sense

Marion Cotillard on Sunday evening, at the Cannes Film Festival

Marion Cotillard on Sunday evening, at the Cannes Film Festival

On Day 5, of the Cannes Film Festival, for the Year of the Sweets (i.e. yesterday), Nicole Garcia’s Mal de Pierres (2016); English title From the Land of the Moon, in the running for the prestigious Palm d’Or; was released. The movie stars, two of my favourite French stars, Marion Cotillard and Louis Garrel, in the lead. The 40 year old actress was glowing, in a simple gold slit dress, at the red carpet, yesterday, as she attended the premiere of Mal de Pierres.

Marion Cotillard & Louis Garrel, at the 69th Cannes Film Festival, yesterday evening

Marion Cotillard & Louis Garrel, at the 69th Cannes Film Festival, yesterday evening

I’ve been constantly on FRANCE24, checking out, as much as possible, to see what’s in store, at the Cannes Festival, this year. Last night, when I heard Mal de Pierres, was being shown, my heart sank, along with excitement though, for I wish I were there, in the French Riviera. My favourite film critic, of today, Lisa Nesselson, spoke about the movie with much enthusiasm, citing what great film this was. This is a movie, am really keen on checking out. Unfortunately I didn’t get to see, Cotillard walking the Red Carpet, neither late last night, nor today. But saw plenty of stills online. She looks Beautiful!!

Yesterday evening: Matt Bomer & Ryan Gosling, at the Cannes Film Festival

Yesterday evening: Matt Bomer & Ryan Gosling, at the Cannes Film Festival

Along with the French film, mentioned above, two American movies were also shown yesterday; Andrea Arnold’s, American Honey (2016); which is actually a British/American collaboration, starring Sasha Lane and Shia LaBeouf; and Shane Black’s, The Nice Guys (2016), with Russell Crowe, Ryan Gosling and Matt Bomer. Both sound quite interesting, as well as the previous movies that were shown at this years festival; opening with, Woody Allen’s, Café Society (2016), starring  Jesse Eisenberg, Kristen Stewart, Blake Lively and Steve Carell.
Cannes Sweet Year - DAY 6 (3 Movies)Today afternoon, I watched an interview on FRANCE24, with Aishwarya Rai, who is in Cannes, for the screening of her latest movie, Sarbjit (2016); which is a commercial Bollywood film, based on a true story.

Tonight, the gritty documentary, Hissein Habré: une Tragédie Tchadienne (2016) a.k.a. Hissein Habré: a Chadian Tragedy, by Mahamat-Saleh Haroun, from Chad, is to be shown; along with, Hell or High Water (2016) by British born director, David Mackenzie, Paterson (2016) by Jim Jarmusch, Loving (2016) by Jeff Nichols, Hands of Stone (2016) by Venezuelan director, Jonathan Jakubowicz; all American flicks; and the Singaporean movie, Apprentice (2016), by Junfeng Boo.

Nuwan Sen’s Film Sense

Today the Cannes Film Festival for 2016, begins!!
Cannes Film Festival 2016 (poster)The 69th Cannes Film Festival is scheduled to start today evening, and shall run till the 22nd of May, 2016. The festival has a really interesting selection of movies, by reputed directors, from around the globe, in store. Am really keen on checking out the highlights of the show, especially on FRANCE24, and to listen to Film-Critic, Lisa Nesselson’s insight into this year’s selection. Plus hopefully, sometime soon, I’ll get to check out the movies, being released, at this year’s, Cannes Film Festival.

Nuwan Sen’s Film Sense

Remembering Audrey Hepburn on her 87th Birth Anniversary
Nuwan Sen

Can you guess which Birthday cake represents which Audrey Hepburn Film?

Some My Favourite Audrey Hepburns films through Birthday Cakes

Last year, in June 2015, for the Blogiversary of ‘Silver Screen Serenade’, I sent a post (an Audrey Hepburn Cake quiz), as it coincided with my 40th Birthday, on 22nd June 2015. But She didn’t post it on the 22nd itself, but on a latter date. Anyway, today, I thought, I’d re-post the same cake quiz, for Audrey Hepburn’s 87th Birth Anniversary, on my Blog. None of the bloggers at ‘Silver Screen Serenade’ were able to guess which ‘Audrey Hepburn’ movie, each cake represented. Let’s see, how many of the cakes, my blogging community will be able to get. Hopefully all. 😉
Nuwan Sen’s Film Sense

P.S. Do check out the original post, from ‘Silver Screen Serenade’, from Last Year.
I’ve re-blogged it below!!

Blogiversary Bash 2015: No Nonsense with Nuwan Sen

Silver Screen Serenade

Even Audrey is impressed by this party. Even Audrey is impressed by this party.

Happy Monday to all you fine folks! Erm. Maybe “happy” is too strong a word for a Monday. Tolerable Monday? Whatever the case, I’m here to make your Monday infinitely better with yet another splendiferous guest blogger for my Blogiversary Bash. Who is this splendiferous guest? Mr. Nuwan Sen from No Nonsense with Nuwan Sen!

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