Present Perfect

Thailand 2017

Details IMDB

Seen 25 January 2017

My impressions

Two men thrown into each other’s path in a foreign land. Two men with an emotional baggage. The time abroad is a time of reflection. Thinking. Reflecting.

The change in their past lives affects how they cope with the present.

The first encounter might have been accidental but eventually a bond develops.

But will it have a happy ending?

A light hearted look at friendship, love and its consequences.

My life as a zucchini

Ma vie de Courgette (original title)

France 2016

Details IMDB

Seen 25 January 2017

Ratings from other sources

IMDB 8.0/10

Rotten Tomatoes 8.1/10

My impressions

A young boy is sent to a children’s home after his mother’s death due to an accident.

There were adjustments to be made at the beginning but eventually he settled in and found some semblance of peace. All the children had varying degrees of life changing experiences and that bonded them together.

That friendship faced many tests but the bond remained strong.

A heart-warming story. It is sad and unfortunate we do not know the fate of those who might not have had such good fortune. Those who escaped the system seems too few and far in between.

Tears and laughter. 

Elevator to the Gallows

Ascenseur pour l'échafaud (original title)

France 1958

Details IMDB

Seen 2 January 2017

Ratings from other sources

IMDB 8.0/10

Rotten Tomatoes 8.1/10

My impressions

The dialogue might seem dated but has its merits in telling the story. The sequence of events that will eventually catch up with the main characters dovetailed smoothly.

An elaborate plan. Unfortunately, lady luck was not smiling on them.

Love was such a strong force in the whole story. It is ever present. In the end, the love will remain but it is at a high price

Will bitterness grow while apart from each other.

Only they would know.

The Red Turtle

La tortue rouge (original title)

France 2016

Details IMDB

Seen 24 January 2017

Ratings from other sources

IMDB 7.6/10

Rotten Tomatoes 8.2/10

  

My impressions

Such an engaging love story. It might just be the imagination of a man stranded on an island. A fantasy A dream. But what a story. The despair of knowing you are alone, the joy of having someone else, the hardships and the beauty.

The soundtrack is haunting.

Mesmerising.

Thithi

India 2015

Details IMDB

Seen 24 January 2017

Ratings from other sources

IMDB 8.8/10

My impressions

The scheme to get the inheritance left behind by the family patriarch does not go smoothly. There was a plan but alas, circumstances dictated otherwise.

Along the way, we see the lengths a person is willing to go through to get his hands on the wealth. His own father is not interested in pursuing his share of the fortune. The father has his own reasons.

But the son, has that wealth in mind. And he tries to get hold of it, by hook or by crook.

Human follies.

East Side Sushi

USA 2014

Details IMDB

Seen 24 January 2017

Ratings from other sources

IMDB 7.2/10

Rotten Tomatoes 6.8/10

My impressions

A non-Japanese as a sushi chef. Blasphemy. Unheard of. A woman. Too ambitious for her own good.

She did persevere. She did not win all her battles but others realised that given the opportunity, she would make a great sushi chef.

Uplifting.

Live by night

USA 2016

Details IMDB

Seen 22 January 2017

Ratings from other sources

 IMDB 6.5/10

Rotten Tomatoes 5.3/10

My impressions

The journey of a small-time thief caught in the middle of the fight between warlords for territorial rights. The 1920s was the prohibition years and the black market a mint. There was always a demand for prohibited items and the supply will find ways to satisfy those customers.

Joe has a good heart and being in love makes him an angel compared to others in the same profession. Nevertheless, there comes a day when he had to be as ruthless and cold hearted as his enemies.

Being Joe exerts a heavy price.

Choices.

Arrival

USA 2016

Details IMDB

Seen 22 January 2017

Ratings from other sources

IMDB 8.2/10

Rotten Tomatoes 8.4/10

My impressions

The arrival of alien spaceships puts the focus on a language expert. Her determination to understand the reasons behind their arrival rather then using an offensive approach takes up most of the action.

She finds a kindred spirit in a mathematician who is also involved in the project.

The scenes of her family life in between raised the repeated question. Has other intelligent beings had an influence on humans. In all the stories of encounters between man and those who come from other galaxies, it is usually the man who is portrayed as the uncivilized.

Even without these alien presence, that assumption may be considered uncontested.

Food for thought.

The Founder

 USA 2016

Details IMDB

Seen 22 January 2017

Ratings from other sources

IMDB 7.3/10

Rotten Tomatoes 7.1/10

My impressions

The story of how MacDonald’s started.

The founder was not even related to the MacDonald brothers but he saw an opportunity to expand the business from just a neighbourhood restaurant.

Persistence was the key word for Ray Kroc, the founder of MacDonald’s as displayed on his business card. His methods may not be agreeable to everyone, but succeed he did.

Is there any room for being nice in the cut throat business world? Must it always be profits and expansion for its own sake?

Questions.

Lion

USA 2016

Details IMDB

Seen 21 January 2017

Ratings from other sources

IMDB 8.0/10

Rotten Tomatoes 7.3/10

My impressions

Based on a true story.

The journey to find your real parents after 25 years of separation. This is just one story of a missing child in India. There are others who did not fare as well.

The tragic circumstances were indeed unfortunate. The sheer number of missing children makes finding their families a daunting task indeed. But help we must, in whatever way we can.

The human survival instinct is strong despite all the challenges that come hurtling in one’s way. This is such a story.

An eye opener.

Jackie

USA 2016

Details IMDB

Seen 20 January 2017

Ratings from other sources

IIMDB 7.4/10

Rotten tomatoes 8.010

My impressions

No one can ever fathom the feelings of Jackie Kennedy when her husband was shot. This is an attempt at going into her psyche during the assassination, her last days in the White House which ended with the state funeral.

Kudos must be given to Natalie Portman who tried to convey to the audience, Jackie's struggles during those tragic moments.

We can only speculate on what made her take certain decisions that has left a mark on history.

Questions will remain on what exactly were her thoughts during those uncertain times.

La La Land

USA 2016

Details IMDB

Seen 9 Jan 2017

Ratings from other sources

IMDB 8.7

Rotten tomatoes 8.7

My impressions

My first movie for 2017 and what a good start, I kept postponing watching it as usual even though others highly recommended it.

It was a very pleasant surprise. The opening sequence itself foretold of how the film will carry you along into that bygone era of musicals, humming the tunes. The tunes are not show stoppers per se but memorable nevertheless.

I am impressed when the two leads voices became almost a whisper. No shouts but just heart felt longings of when man meets a woman.

A delight.

Apprentice

USA 2016

Details IMDB

Seen 21 December 2016

Ratings from other sources

IMDB 6.8/10

Rottentomatoes 7.5/10

My impressions

A man’s inner turmoils leads him to work with the man who hanged his father. The reality of the hangman’s job gives him food for thought. On the surface each crime justifies its punishment. But when it comes to capital punishment, would that be a solution?

A must watch. 

The 5th Wave

USA 2015

Details IMDB

Seen 15 January 2016

Ratings from other sources

IMDB 6.0/10

Rotten Tomatoes 4.0/10

My impressions

A loving family but events changed the dynamics. Losing one by one the closest to you and suddenly your last link to that family unit is also taken away. You vow to rescue him no matter what happens.

The whole story has its fair share of nerve wrecking moments but we have seen iy all before. This time with the additional out of this world nemesis. The pyrotechnics are there but seems a bit lame compared to the big budget blockbusters.

Here the emphasis is on the family unit and the main characters try as best they could to potray that side of the story.

Dissapointing.

The Hateful Eight

USA 2015

Details IMDB
Seen 12 January 2016


Ratings from other sources

IMDB  8.1/10
Rotten Tomatoes  7.4/10







My impressions

Eight characters stranded together during a snow storm. Each with his own thoughts and intentions. Who can be trusted? Ideals, friendship, family and loyalty play a role.

Prejudice, greed and remembrance of things past are revealed during those times together. Would the power balance remain until the end or a surprise occur.

Not a the usual western. Fun to watch, waiting in anticipation for the next scene. What does the director have in mind.

Absorbing.

The Boy and The Beast

Japan 2015

Details IMDB
Seen 11 January 2016


Ratings from other sources

IMDB  7.6/10










My impressions

Both misfits and their first encounter did not start on a smooth footing. They grudglingly settled into a routine of learning from each other, knowing each had his own strength.

When it comes to the crunch, fighting the bad guy, sacrifices are made. This is also the moment to show that the good is worthy of support. The good despite having a valid reason to exert revenge rise above that basic instinct.

In the end we have to listen to our conscience.

Phanthai Norasing

Thailand 2015

Details
Seen 9 January 2016

My impressions

This historical drama shows how much loyalty plays a part in an ordinary person's life. Even though the king is not as bad as what the people assumed, Norasing 's sacrifice to the king goes beyond the normal step one would take in a similar situation.

That dedication or some might say blind devotion to a leader does not occur only in the past. That same streak can still be seen now nfluenced perhaps by the dictum that the leader can do no wrong.

The Dressmaker

Australia 2015

Details IMDB
Seen 8 January 2016


Ratings from other sources

IMDB 7.5/10
Rotten Tomatoes 5.9/10






My impressions

I always look forward to anything that Kate Winslet does. She might be over the top in some instances but overall she conveys the turmoil that the character has endured throughout the years.

Pair that with Judy Davis as the mother and we get a delightful look on a mother daughter relationship. The small town has its own secrets and the daughter who is back will definitely upset the status quo.

Savour the dialogue. Funny, sad.

The Big Short

USA 2015

Details IMDB
Seen 7 January 2016


Ratings from other sources

IMDB 8.1/10
Rotten Tomatoes 7.8/10










My impressions

A few men try to take advantage of the impending financial crisis in the 2000s. The magnitude of the losses that will be incurred in future was beyond their initial estimates.

The story explains the whole setup in an easily understood jargon for the layman. Cameo roles by some guests who are not usually associated with the financial industry makes the topic closer to the public. Meanwhile, the use of visual aids when explaining certain subject matters makes it more palatable. All of these nevertheless does not make one an expert on the whole mechanism.

The bottom line is the general public will usually be the ones who get burnt.

Iris

USA 2014

Details IMDB
Seen 6 January 2016


Ratings from other sources

IMDB 7.0/10
Rotten Tomatoes   7.4/10










My impressions

She defies a category. Her knack in putting together objects that seem so ordinary into a work of art comes from the heart. As she said, she does not have a method. It is inborn. Some might not take to her fashion style. Too loud, colourful, extravagant even in some cases.

It is not mere throwing of random items into a heap. There is an uncanny beautiful attractive twist to the whole combination. Her travels had brought wonders to her home and others.

The documentary shows the geriatric starlet in her element. We get a glimpse of her devotion to her calling and the love of her life, her husband. It would be difficult to find another Iris.