It’s true that SI is Brahma, the All-Knowing, Wise One.
But occasionally even Brahma nods off, lost in the fantasy land of Samantha Jennifer Lawrence, Ingrid Bergman, Audrey Hepburn, Lakshmi Rai etc.
It’s in those lost moments when I’m exploring some nooks and crevices in the dark recesses of my unfathomable mind that my dear readers sometimes stumble upon some worth-watching movies and make their recommendations.
Unfortunately, your recommendations are quickly forgotten since they’re made to a post which eventually gets buried under the weight of newer stories (that in essence is Naveen’s grouse).
This will not happen going forward since all movie recommendations must be made only to this post.
I will ‘pin’ this post to the right column (under SearchIndia.com Movie Reviews) so that it’s always there and easily accessible.
One Condition
Readers can recommend any movies as long as they don’t feature one of these three stars:
* Trisha Krishnan
* Abhishek Bachchan
* Priyanka Chopra
In my not-so-humble opinion, Trisha, Abhishek and Priyanka are festering sores on the ugly face of Indian cinema, utterly worthless actors.
A blot on art.
The mere sound or sight of their Satanic names sends me into a catatonic rage!
Aim High
Don’t restrict your movie recommendations to just Hindi, Tamil or Telugu movies.
Set your sights higher.
English, French, Chinese, Korean, Danish…hey, let your imagination run riot.
When you make a recommendation, please provide a Wiki or IMDB link.
What Happens Next
Once you make your recommendation as a comment to this post, I will move it into this post along with the commenter’s name.
Time permitting and should the movie be easily accessible (either on Netflix or Mela), SI a.k.a. Brahma will review your recommendations as a Blog post.
Keep in mind that a lot of movies are not easily available in Amreeka
Readers are also welcome to review the recommendations but it’s unlikely I’ll approve it here unless I know you. If you have to ask what know means, then I don’t know you! 😉
Readers Recommendations
* Aaranya Kaandam (2011) – Hari, Mnx542
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aaranya_Kaandam
* 3 Deewarein – Naveen
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0338490/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3_Deewarein
* Shaitan – Naveen
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1836912
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shaitan_(film)
* Suraj Ka Satvan Ghoda – Naveen
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0108256/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suraj_Ka_Satvan_Ghoda
* Shawshank Redemption – Mnx542
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shawshank_Redemption
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0111161/
* Cast Away (2000).. Tom Hanks was brilliant – Mnx542 Done
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0162222
* The Terminal Tom Hanks again – Mnx542
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0362227
* Minority Report – Mnx542
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0181689
* Raam (2005) – Hari
http://m.imdb.com/title/tt0453190
* Kattradhu Thamizh (2007) – Hari
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kattradhu_Thamizh
* GoodFellas (1990) – Hari
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goodfellas
* The Intouchables (2011) – iamthechampion007 – Done
* Do Dooni Chaar (2010) – iamthechampion007
* Stanley Ka Dabba (2011) – iamthechampion007
* The Man From Earth (2007) – iamthechampion007 – Done. See Review
* Mr. Smith Goes To Washington (1939) – iamthechampion007
* It’s a Wonderful Life (1946) – iamthechampion007
* Sin City – Unknown Virus
* Kill Bill – Unknown Virus
* A Separation (Persian) – Unknown Virus
* Turkish Delight – Gandhiji
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/turkish_delight
Dr. Strangelove – Naveen
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dr._Strangelove
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0057012/
The Mouse That Roared
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Mouse_That_Roared
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0053084/
Jackie Brown – Naveen
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jackie_Brown_(film)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0119396/
The ladykillers (1955) – Naveen
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Ladykillers
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0048281/
Mississippi Burning (gripping crime drama about racial killings in the 60s) – Dr.Logu
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mississippi_Burning
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0095647/
In the heat of the night (Sidney Poitier at his best) – Dr.Logu
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0061811/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/In_the_Heat_of_the_Night_(film)
Kamal Haasan’s Mahanadhi where he was brilliant as the troubled father – – Dr.Logu – Done
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahanadi_(film)
Thevar magan Kamal haasan and Sivaji Ganesan’s best work according to me – Dr.Logu
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thevar_Magan
The General – VJCool
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0017925/
The Great dictator – VJCool
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0032553/
Aliens(1986) – VJCool
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0090605/
Gattacca – VJCool
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0119177/
A Clockwork Orange – VJCool
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0066921/
Finding Nemo – VJCool
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0266543/
The Spirit of the Beehive – VJcool – Done
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Spirit_of_the_Beehive
A Beautiful Mind – Sunnysonu
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Beautiful_Mind_(film)
Gladiator – Sunnysonu
Pulp Fiction – Sunnysonu
Moondram Pirai
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moondram_Pirai
Guna – Sunnysonu
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guna_(film)
13 assasins – zarboan
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/13_Assassins
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1436045/
Mother – zarboan
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1216496/
oldboy – zarboan
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0364569/
Memories of murder – zarboan
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0353969/
Woman in the dunes – VJ Cool
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0058625/ really good character study
Ran (think its on your list for a long l; long time) a very Japanese take on King Lear – VJ Cool
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0089881
The Motorcycle Diaries (Spanish) – zarboan – Done
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0318462
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Motorcycle_Diaries_(film)
Gangs of Wasseypur-I – Vivek
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gangs_of_Wasseypur_-_Part_1
Gangs of Wasseypur-II – Vivek
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gangs_of_Wasseypur_-_Part_2
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1954470/
Invictus – Boops – Done
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Invictus_(film)
Bhindi Bazaar
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhindi_Baazaar_Inc.
Ab Tak Chhappan
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ab_Tak_Chhappan
Cache – hispeed144 – Watched but Not Reviewed
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0387898/
Amour – hispeed144 – Watched but Not Reviewed
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1602620/
Boopalan – Nebraska – Done
SI Review – Nebraska Review – Rara Avis
Minor Kunju – Sigappu Rojakkal – Done
SI Review – Sigappu Rojakkal – A Kollywood Aberration
I am Brahma, But…. added by SearchIndia.com on
View all posts by SearchIndia.com →
Fantastic! 🙂
1. 3 Deewarein
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0338490/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3_Deewarein
2. Shaitan
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1836912/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shaitan_(film)
3. Suraj Ka Satvan Ghoda
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0108256/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suraj_Ka_Satvan_Ghoda
1) Cast Away (2000).. Tom Hanks was brilliant
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0162222/
2)The Terminal.. Tom Hanks again.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0362227/
3)Minority Report
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0181689/
SearchInduia.com Responds:
Added to above list. Thanks.
I’ll start soon.
Raam (2005)
http://m.imdb.com/title/tt0453190/
Kattradhu Thamizh (2007)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kattradhu_Thamizh
GoodFellas (1990)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goodfellas
Pls check these films SI 🙂
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Will do.
In your condition, you have mentioned that suggestions which have either of Trisha, Abhishek Bachchan and Priyanka Chopra should be avoided.
So are the likes of Ajith, Vishal, Kareena Kapoor, Aishwarya Rai,etc acceptable ?? 😉 😛
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Yes, sweetie!
The Intouchables(2011)
Do Dooni Chaar(2010)
Stanley Ka Dabba(2011)
The Man From Earth(2007)
Mr. Smith Goes To Washington(1939)
It’s a Wonderful Life(1946)
SearchIndia.com Responds:
The Intouchables is high on my list too.
I think SI is playing a prank on us.
Here are a couple of movies that I have recommended in the past:
American Beauty
Superbad
Matrix (Please rewatch after retooling your home theater system – For the price you paid for the Apple products, you could have set up a great home theater system. As you keep us updated on your tech gadgets, I am pretty sure you home theater is very out-dated).
Fargo
Full Metal Jacket
Two recent Tamils movies that I thought were decent:
Aadukalam
Vaagai Sooda Vaa
Gangs of Wasseypoo [sic]
SearchIndia.com Responds:
1. Gangs of Wasseypur has not released in the U.S. and unfortunately I don’t have nimble fingers (a hobbling factor for a lot of recommendations not just yours).
2. Ha ha ha, you conveniently forget that I’ve watched and reviewed several of your recommendations (Slumdog Millionaire, Temple Grandin, Aayirathil Oruvan, Illusionist, Big Lebowski, Dev D, Matrix (watched but not reviewed) etc) but mention only the ones I’ve not had a chance to get to.
You really ought to try harder and do better next time, sweetie! 😉
BTW, your time would have been better spent reading Great Deal – Free Blockbuster DVD 6-Months and getting some free DVDs and free video games.
3. Not investing in a new TV unless it’s the Sharp 90-inch TV.
4. You write: For the price you paid for the Apple products, you could have set up a great home theater system.
True, the $1,600 or $1,700 I paid for the 27-inch iMac alone could have gotten me a whole new entertainment system (with TV) but then Apple is my mistress whose beguiling charms I find irresistible.
I’ve watched and reviewed several of your recommendations haha! Those were by the old SI. Or are you done posing as the new SI?
Yes, thanks for the BB tip.
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/turkish_delight/ is a must watch
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Stop your asinine whining.
Bottom line, SI has watched and reviewed several of your recommendations.
Scoot now!
Sorry 😕 Didn’t mean to make you mad!
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Tonight’s movie – Salmon Fishing in the Yemen.
Got some decent reviews.
Hilarious!
I’ve made many many recommendations in the past too 🙁 but SI never cared about them.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Rubbish!
SI did V for Vendetta Review – T for Time Waste? and Être et Avoir a.k.a. To Be and To Have based on your recommendations.
You even thanked SI for Être et Avoir in a comment. 🙁
Memory is so fragile, for some people.
I guess I’ve previously recommended – Shawshank redemption, but looking at the list here, it’s already there.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Shawshank Redemption is a movie that even Vadivel Azhagappan in Kovil Singarakuppam and Chellamma Mannivannan in Chinna Pillayarkuppam have watched several times.
I doubt any useful purpose would be served in reviewing it.
This is one video clip I liked (esp for the choice of scenes and the background music (John Murphy) for the most part).
Some of the best movies ever made. You’ve watched and reviewed some of ’em already. You may get some new ideas too.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mzGT3bwgH9g
May be, fellow readers too might like it.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Watched your full 10:01 min video.
Interesting that the majority depicts violence….perhaps to pander to the lust for blood and gore inherent in the human DNA. This means war (either overt or covert) will always be with us and the notion of ‘civilization’ is a myth.
Also few foreign movies (saw oldboy mentioned there) in the list.
Never heard of Equilibrium. But it seems to have a cult following after the critics tore it down. Much like Boondock Saints – I haven’t watched that either, but have heard of its cult status.
Sin City
Kill Bill
A Seperation (Persian)
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Added to above list.
Dr. Strangelove
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dr._Strangelove
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0057012/
The Mouse That Roared
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Mouse_That_Roared
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0053084/
Jackie Brown
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jackie_Brown_(film)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0119396/
The ladykillers (1955)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Ladykillers
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0048281/
Most of these movies are pretty old. I don’t expect SI to review each one but please share your comments if you happen to watch any of them.
This looks great…. keep going
My recommendations
1. Missisipi Burning (gripping crime drama about racial killings in the 60s)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mississippi_Burning
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0095647/
2. In the heat of the night( Sidney Poitier at his best)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0061811/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/In_the_Heat_of_the_Night_(film)
3. Kamal Haasan’s Mahanadhi where he was brilliant as the troubled father…
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahanadi_(film)
4. Thevar magan Kamal haasan and Sivaji ganesan’s best work according to me
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thevar_Magan
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Thanks, added to above list.
k..I wanted to say Aliens and A Clock Work Orange.. both are good.. Gattacca… I would watch Buster Keaton’s ‘General’ and Chaplin’s ‘Great Dictator’ first.
too many good movies out there..
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0017925/ The General
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0032553/ The Great dictator
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0090605/ Aliens(1986)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0119177/ Gattacca
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0066921/ A Clockwork Orange
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0266543/ Finding Nemo
I second ‘In the Heat of the Night (1967)’ and along with that comes ‘Mississippi Burning’
hey long back in the old SI days, i recommended a telugu film “Anukokunda oka roju” from the director of Aithe.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
True, we didn’t get to it but we did review your other recommendation – Salangai Oli
WE?
So the old hag is still lingering around eh? 😛 lol
hey, watch what you say!
After the psychotherapy, he/she/it is good now 😉
A Beautiful Mind : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Beautiful_Mind_(film)
Forest Gump
Gladiator
Pulp Fiction
Moondram Pirai : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moondram_Pirai
Nayagan : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nayagan
Guna : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guna_(film)
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Forest Gump and Nayagan have already been reviewed.
You write: “Compared to The Godfather, Nayagan appears obscenely crude and positively garish at times”
How? At what times? Just curious.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
1. I’m not given to explaining the obvious. 100% of Tamil movies are garish cartoons.
2. You’re asking me to get into the details of two movies that I saw eons (in SI time) back.
Godfather had a classic soundtrack, Marlon Brando’s peerless performance and a gripping drama.
In comparison, Nayagan was merely adequate (by Tamil movie standards, that is). Thank God, Tamil movie fans have seen their folly and kicked Kamal Hassan aside. Even Tamils don’t love Kamal Haasan any more.
But you do ask a valid question – If time permits, I’ll watch them both again and do a separate post one of these days highlighting the differences between the original and the imitator.
Vicky Donor(2012)….Finishd watchin it juz nw….lovd it
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Definitely.
hi SI, here i got list of sm interesting korean and japanese movies
1)13 assasins
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/13_Assassins
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1436045/
2)mother
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1216496/
3)oldboy
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0364569/
4)memories of murder
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0353969/
P.S .13 assasins is one of my best movies,i’d say must watch one really.i’m curious to see what’s ur opinion gonna be on these movies
thanq
SearchIndia.com Responds:
I’ll start with 13 Assassins, easily available (on Netflix Instant).
SI has already reviewed a bunch of Korean films.
Wow,it seems there are sm really interesting movies in the list u provided above, i’m gonna watch sm of’em right away..
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Good, sweetie.
Start with I Saw the Devil (bad guy Choi Min-sik is the same fella who sparkled in oldboy).
Yeah, i’ve watched it long back and also read ur review.
I started with “the chaser” its a “fine gripping crime thriller along the lines of the revenge story I Saw the Devil” just like u said, une fantastique film.
your post on ‘Salmon fishing in the Yemen’.. made me remember ‘Big Fish’ http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0319061/
I don’t think It’ll have the heart of classy European films but it has much heart for an American film.
and ‘Edward Scissorhands’ http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0099487/ got Depp as Edward.
Immediately I can type
Hollywood;
Talented Mr. Ripley
Mystic river
Unforgiven (client eastwod)
Tamil;
Kalavani
Kanchana
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Thanks, will add to above list.
I’ve seen The Talented Mr.Ripley but never got around to reviewing it.
Office Space (It is unlikely that SI would have missed this)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0151804/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Office_Space
SearchIndia.com Responds:
No. Looks interesting though.
Just ordered it….should get it by early next week.
Did you watch it?
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Not yet, Blockbusted hasn’t sent it.
So, I’m getting it from NFLX. Should be here Sat or latest Mon.
Ok. Did you happen to watch any of the other stuff I recommended?
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Not yet.
I have just re-signed up with Netflix DVD. Ditched the anemic Instant program.
First, Office Space, Dr. Strangelove, the one on Crackle and then the others.
Just finished Motorcycle Diaries. Very good!
Any plans to review Office Space? Did you like it?
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Overall decent movie.
The last third of the movie was kind of so-so but the ending was cute and made up for it.
Review? Most likely, yes.
You have missed adding it to the list about and you did not review it. 🙁
SearchIndia.com Responds:
If I see less movies, I could probably review more. 😉
A difficult tradeoff. These days, I don’t review at least 25% of what I see.
Try to watch
Mayakkam Enna
(Dhanush starring – Selvaraghavan film) (a good one with subtle acting by dhanush and I felt it a neat film)
Woman in the dunes
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0058625/ really good character study
Ran (think its on your list for a long l; long time) a very Japanese take on King Lear
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0089881/
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Added to above list. Soon.
Watched an Uruguayan movie recently. will do a short post on it.
The Motorcycle Diaries(spanish)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0318462/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Motorcycle_Diaries_(film).
one of the best movies i’ve watched.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Added to above list.
Kung Fu Hustle
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0373074/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kung_Fu_Hustle
This is a funny action movie currently available free on Cracle via Roku. It is nonsensical but fun.
it laughs at itself
http://www.imdb.com/media/rm825799936/tt0835418
Olivia Munn looks enticing.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Depends on what else is available….she lacks the classy looks of, say, a Drew Barrymore, Keira Knightley, Charlize Theron or Jennifer Lawrence. But a million times better than my Hollywood bete noire Cameron Diaz.
Olivia ought to find a better director than Jambulingam.
I was only looking at movies releasing this weekend. Jay has had two huge cult hits – super troopers(89% audience liked it) and beerfest (76% audience.)
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Good Lord, RT critics rating for Babymakers is an abysmal 6%.
Can it sink any lower?
Plus, it looks like a limited release film.
Don’t be surprised if it makes it to the new releases this Tuesday on RedBox! 😉
Magic Mike also have Munn, but the crowd will be looking elsewhere. It(MM) has a surprisingly good rating on RT.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
I regret not seeing Ted and Magic Mike when they released.
Now, I’ll probably wait for the DVDs.
Gangs of Wasseypur-I
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gangs_of_Wasseypur_-_Part_1
Gangs of Wasseypur-II
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gangs_of_Wasseypur_-_Part_2
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1954470/
The above two movies actually form one 318-minute movie which has been cut down because the ch*****as, the Bhons****s and the haramzaades of our great country can’t sit through, or even understand a good, intelligent movie.
Features excellent, restrained, passionate and subtle performances from Manoj Bajpai, Tigmanshu Dhulia, Richa Chaddha, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Huma Quereshi, the whole cast, actually. No over-the-top overacting. A rare gem to find in the Bollywood Cesspool.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Added it to above list. Thanks.
I’m keen on seeing Gangs of Wasseypur but it never made it to the U.S.
Every Telugu and Hindi and most Tamil films make it to our shores but not Gangs of Wasseypur.
Strange!
There was a mistake in the previous comment. It is “cast” and not “caste”. Sorry if it offended you or your readers, SI.
Anyways, it seems as if the typical Indian mentality has spread into the net as well; trashy excuses for cinema that blubbering baboons(Shah Rukh, Salman et al) spew, churns out millions of bucks, but brilliant, intelligent cinema like Gangs… never does make any money, which is why no director wants to take the risk.
The only one who did dare to, was Ram Gopal Varma, and now, he’s been turned into a self-confessed delusional voyeur (did you see the way the camera was moving near Nathalia Kaur in that pathetic “Department”? Disgusting!). Sad times, sad times, indeed…
At the risk of being insulted, I want to point out that I recommended a film of Kamal Hassan’s: Kuruthipunal.
The links:
Wikipedia:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuruthipunal
IMDb: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0285665/
SearchIndia.com Responds:
1. Sweetie, I don’t know how I can get my hands on Kuruthipunal here.
Alas, stealing doesn’t come easily to me. Can’t believe I was born in Mera Bharat Mahaan.
2. Fixed your cast typo. Don’t worry, my readers are not easily offended. Truth be said, if it’s not offensive it ain’t their cup of tea. 😉
3. I have not seen RGV’s Departed so I missed the many charms of Nathalia Kaur.
4. Gangs….both Part 1 and 2 have yet to make it to our shores.
Kuruthipunal is a decent film and an official remake of Govind Nihalani’s Drohkaal.
At the time of its release it was known for being a rare movie with no songs.
Naveen: Don’t forget PC Sriram’s direction. Frankly, I never found it earth-shattering, but it was something unique that no Indian director had done before.
SI: If you can bear the abominable quality, The whole film is uploaded in parts on YouTube. I watched the whole film that way.
A desperate plea from me…Please DO NOT, AT ANY COST, watch Department. Please, you will want to hang yourself after watching that thing.
As for Nathalia Kaur, I assure you, she is one of the most vulgar foreign imports that Bollywood has shipped in; expressionless, poor lip-syncing, vulgar and crude damsel she is.
Gangs… may not be aired because of its violence, I suppose. It’s rated ‘A’. It should actually be A+…
SearchIndia.com Responds:
I’ll see if I can watch Kuruthipunal on YouTube.
I have no intention of inflicting Ms.Nathalia Kaur upon myself.
Am surprised that Gangs… has still not made it to the U.S.
http://www.planetbollywood.com/Film/drohkaal.html
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Sweetie, it may be hard to get hold of Droh Kaal (1994) now!
Plus, Netflix doesn’t have it.
just in case you haven’t seem ‘The Gods must be Crazy’ http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0080801/, you ‘ll love it.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Yes, seen it…..a million years back.
Akira Kurusowa’s Dreams http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0100998/ Beautiful thought provoking and not made for box office.
Ingmar Bergman’s Seventh seal. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0050976/ .
Krzysztof Kieslowski’s The Decalogue http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0092337/ a TV miniseries
It’s kind of awkward recommending films of the masters, most of the films do live up to expectation.
BTW have you seen ‘M'(1931) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0022100/. one of the best I’ve seen.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Will do Kurusowa’s Ran and Dreams soon.
No, have not seen ‘M.’
Thanks..
try Dancer in the dark for a very different musical. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0168629/
Two of the most awesome masterpieces of that freak of nature, Daniel Day Lewis:
Gangs of New York
Wiki: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gangs_of_New_York
IMDb: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0217505/
There will be Blood
Wiki: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/There_Will_Be_Blood
IMDb: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0469494/
Then Akiro Kurosawa:
Rashomon
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rashomon_%28film%29
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0042876/
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Have seen the first and second. Will definitely watch Rashomon.
Invictus
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Invictus_(film)
SearchIndia.com Responds:
OK, but first Thooral Ninnuu Poochu tomorrow.
What happened to thooral ninnu pochu?
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Scared to switch on the DVD player after seeing a bunch of fine foeeign films last week.
Most likely, will watch Thooral Ninnu Pochu tonight.
It has terrific songs.. ranking among IR’s very best.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
We’ll know in a little while how good the songs really are. That is, if I’m still sober. 😉
In the memory of Mandela, why don’t you watch “Invictus” sometime in which Morgan Freeman portrays Mandela..?
By the way, what happened to “Thooral Ninnu pochu” that you said in the above comment?
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Watching Invictus now.
Went in the rain to my local library to borrow the DVD.
The sacrifices I make for my readers! 🙁
This is what makes SI distinct 🙂
It was informative for me since I did not know much about Mandela and Apartheid earlier.
But won’t be so in your case I guess.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
It’s noon here. I’ll try to have the Invictus review by this evening (my time).
Another masterpiece by Day-Lewis:
In The Name Of The Father:
Wiki:en.wikipedia.org/wiki/In_the_Name_of_the_Father_(film)
IMDb:www.imdb.com/title/tt0107207/
Watch this clip, it’s beautiful, especially the background music score:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RgUWn0gVpq0&feature=fvwrel
SearchIndia.com Responds:
I will watch this for sure.
My long years on this planet has taken me into courtrooms in more than one continent.
But never have I seen or even heard of an outburst in court even remotely like that shown in countless Hollywood and Bollywood films including the above.
Courtroom unreality in movies is an hyperbole that has no end. A Few Good Men, Insaaf Ka Tarazu etc
the recommendations had KillBill, but no Kill Bill 2, the 2nd part has the story..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QsaG8rJGlyQ
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0378194/
SearchIndia.com Responds:
OK, Thank You, Sweetie!
Hey u havent watched any of ma suggestions yet….Atleast watch ‘The Man from Earth’……u’ll love it…..trust me
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Been busy watching a bunch of foreign films (Headhunters, Hedgehog, Monsieur Lazhar, A Separation).
Will watch The Man from Earth on Thursday.
Oh great…..
Hey SI, here is another recommendation that is most likely to trigger another “Indian movies are junk” rant from you.
Watched a movie called “The Attack” yesterday at the TIFF.
Made by a Lebanese-American filmmaker, it tells the story of an Israeli-Arab surgeon in Tel-Aviv whose wife turns out to be a suicide bomber.
Absolutely gripping and very poignant.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
1. Just saw your e-mail.
Please go ahead with the review.
2. I’ve opened up the registration…You can create a registration in her name.
3. Are you attending the Toronto Film Festival….Cloud Atlas?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cloud_Atlas_%28film%29
Watch Bhindi Bazaar
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhindi_Baazaar_Inc.
I haven’t watched the movie myself but just a few scenes and they were quite nice. The story seems to be different so is the narrative.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
If I can get it here.
Just finished watching The Departed. Mon dieu, what a story, what a director Scorsese is…Why don’t you post a review for it instead of reviewing lousy Indian Movies.
Apart from that, I also watched Gangs of Wasseypur.
I am itching to write a review of that Magnum Opus. How do I do that?
SearchIndia.com Responds:
1. The Departed is one of those movies we watched while traveling (Pittsburgh). By the time, we returned to home-base there was a lot of other pending work and we never got around to reviewing it.
2. You write: I also watched Gangs of Wasseypur. I am itching to write a review of that Magnum Opus. How do I do that?
We don’t know about you. But when we get an irresistible itch to pen a review, this is what we do. We first turn on the computer, place the keyboard in front of us, pick a convenient chair and start banging on the keys. 😉
A few months back, we spent a few minutes on your blog. You do have a flair for writing. So your Gangs of Wasseypur review should make for interesting reading.
N.B. Just sent you an e-mail on the procedure for GOW review.
Can you post the link to VivekVenkatSubramaniam’s blog?
I saw GOW last week… looking forward to the review and then will post comments! 🙂
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Can’t remember now…as I mentioned earlier it’s been a few months since I looked at it.
http://underdogvivek.blogspot.com/
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Bing has a job for you…they want to improve their search capabilities vis-a-vis Google.
I think Naveen used bing.
You guys overestimated me.
I was too lazy to search and filter and locate so i simply asked and I knew I will not be disappointed. 😉
I’ve updated my blog since the last few months.
Can Si care to pay it a visit and give me some feedback about my writing.
I also sent you the review of GoW a few seconds back. Have your received it yet?
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Sweetie, it requires chutzpah of a high order to expect me to publish your review after you explicitly told me that you/your friend downloaded the film and watched it.
May the merciful Allah guide you along the righteous path!
Recommendations….
1. Charlie Chaplin’s “The Great Dictator” and “Modern Times”
2. Bollywood film “Company *ing Ajay Devgan, Vivek Oberoi and Mohan Lal.
Disclaimer: It has been many years since I saw Company. I though it was good back then.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Thanks. Will watch.
Have u watched and reviewed Sixth Sense?
If not, do it.
It’s a very good movie. Wonderful performances by Bruce Willis and that young boy.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Sixth_Sense
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Watched it few years back (but not reviewed).
One of the better films from Manoj Shyamalan.
Would you post a review in the coming days?
Btw, I watched X men First Class today. A prequel about Charles Xavier and Magneto. Takes a few liberties and even deliberately has some differences from the previous x men movies.
But I liked the movie. Had some decent acting and story.
Recently rewatched Mrs. Doubtfire. Still hasn’t lost it’s charm. Robin Williams is superb.
Avvai Shanmugi is pathetic compared to Mrs. Doubtfire.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
1. Sixth Sense review? Parkalam (we’ll see).
2. But what I’ll definitely review is The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.
Just finished watching it…lovely film. Set in India.
3. I must watch Mrs.Doubtfire!
I’ve seen both Robin Williams & Kamal Hassan in several movies.
Robin Williams is a class actor.
Kamal Hassan is a crass jackass, good enough only for the Tamil idiots who know no better.
4. Worse, the asshole Kamal Hassan steals or is complicit in theft.
Here’s an example of the thieving asshole Kamal Hassan:
Original – Nonpareil Bill Murray
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EB-Nks9TffU&feature=relmfu
Stolen – Thirutu Lavadai Kabal Kamal Hassan
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZwu-VuAnfI
Gosford Park
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0280707/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gosford_Park
SearchIndia.com Responds:
French film The Women on the 6th Floor sounds similar.
Does Women have mystery in it?
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Not these French babes, which I suppose makes the film different from Gosford Park.
Looks like someone’s on vacation unless you’re using a VPN. 😉
yes.. right now i am using my kindle 3g for surfing.. heathrow doesnt have free wifi :^
http://www.thehindu.com/arts/cinema/of-course-velu-nayakan-doesnt-dance/article4008896.ece
I am not recommending a film, but thought you should read this article…… Read it with an open mind….
http://www.thehindu.com/arts/cinema/of-course-velu-nayakan-doesnt-dance/article4008896.ece
And by the way, someone mentioned X-Men: First Class as one of the films you need to watch, I agree with him….It’s a very nice film and neatly made……. Unless you start comparing them with all time great films like Citizen Kane and The Godfather……..
I am quite amused you missed out on Watchmen and Sin City?
SearchIndia.com Responds:
1. Interesting piece, your Hindu link above.
Provides some color on the making of a film Nayagan that so many idiots consider a ‘landmark.’
2. Nayagan is itself a very mediocre film…but I guess in Tamil Nadu any shit is a classic for the philistines who know no better.
And just because a fucking failed rag like Time hails it, Nayagan ain’t gonna become a classic.
Pick 100 movie-lovers outside Tamil Nadu and I bet at least 99 wouldn’t have heard of Nayagan.
3. Kamal Hassan Writes: Nayakan was one of the films — along with the films I’ve done with Balu Mahendra, K. Vishwanath and, of course, my guru K. Balachander — that made me decide that I should not be doing short-lived masala movies anymore. Except nostalgia, they added nothing to my career. I was fed up.
Total Garbage…. because Kamal Hassan did the exact opposite
Look at Kamal Hassan’s filmography here.
AFTER Nayagan, the Thiruttu Lavadai Kabal Kamal Hassan went on a Masala stealing spree Thenali, Manmadhan Ambu and God knows what else.
4. Kamal Hassan shines in Tamil Nadu for one reason and only one reason – Because when a buffoon is compared to jackasses (like Surya, Vishal, Ajith, Vijay, Simbhu, Vombhu, Kombhu etc) the buffoon cuts a more endearing and appealing figure.
BTW, I paid a visit to White Castle! 🙁
Not as bad as Agneepath 😉
I’ll do a brief post tomorrow, pictures and all.
Nine to Five became Magalir Mattum
She-Devil became Sathi Leelavathi
Mrs. Doubtfire became Avvai Shanmughi
What about Bob became Tenali
Very bad things loosely inspired Panchatantiram with atleast 1 scene that was completely copied
Vasool Raja MBBS, a remake of Munnabhai MBBS, which was somewhat inspired by Patch Adams
Romance on the high seas became Manmadham Ambu
Kurudhippunal was an official remake of Drohkaal
Unnaipol Oruvan was an official remake of Wednesday
Anbe Sivam and Virumandi were said to be copies of “Planes, Trains and Automobiles” and “Life of David Gale” but having watched those movies I can say for sure that these two were not copied.
Kamal did a few other movies in between these movies ranging. Some were good but most of the others were average or sheer junk.
This is not how the resume of a “Legend” looks like.
Coming back to Nayakan, I always felt it was a below average movie with some good acting.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
As I’ve said ad infinitum, outside of Tamil Nadu 99% of people would not be able to tell whether Kamal Hassan is a human, a red-bottomed baboon, an ingredient in Chicken Tikka Masala, a nasty species of rodents, a Dengue-causing mosquito, a Pan Pizza, a diaper for the incontinent elderly or a brand of Ribbed Condom!
I’m inclined to believe that the 99% is smarter….In life, sometimes ignorance is indeed bliss.
A recent interview of Kamal Haasan. He shamelessly lies about lifting stories from other places.
http://www.ndtv.com/video/player/ndtv-special-ndtv-24×7/kamal-haasan-talks-about-vishwaroopam-and-hollywood-debut/252100?hp
SearchIndia.com Responds:
1. “When I write, they’ve been my stories.” – Kamal Hassan
Liar, Liar, Liar.
2. Ha ha ha Kamal Hassan boasts he graduated from Sivaji Ganesan to Dilip Kumar to Marlon Brando….
This podiyan (kid) is not even half as good as Jennifer Lawrence in her first film Winter’s Bone for which she deservedly got an Oscar nomination.
3. Kamal seems to be a well-read person.
He comes across as a knowledgeble person but copying other people’s work without even acknowledging is a disgrace.
Off topic… saw this? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bdgHuYFndW0
and then this… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oz3Lpk-XDP8&feature=related
😀
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Expect to receive a PayPal invoice for $99 from me toward cleaning charges….I just puked on my beautiful iMac after watching the second video. 🙁
SI said: “BTW, I paid a visit to White Castle! ” — Seriously, I was referring to the film Harold and Kumar at the White Castle, not to the White Castle itself 😉
Disclaimer: Aswin Kini will not be responsible for any of the good/bad things being said about White Castle…. 😉 Agneepath, yes, White Castle…. definitely no 🙂
There you go 😛
As for Agneepath, don’t get me started again… Hey you even had Pokkiri rated as a good film in one of your review…. Guess Intelligent people do make mistakes 😉
I saw Argo, Headhunters and Margin Call over the weekend.
Margin Call and Argo were very good. I would put Margin Call as the marginally better one.
Headhunters was ok-ish.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
I’m keen on seeing both Margin Call and another recent film on the financial sector Arbitrage (Richard Gere).
Margin Call is available on Netflix streaming.
I am making full use of the free 1 month netflix trial.
I have something running even when I am not watching. 😀
SearchIndia.com Responds:
You write: I have something running even when I am not watching.
Spoken like a true desi.
Sock it to those greedy bastards!
Since you’re of Indian origin, I don’t have to tell you that you can sign up for another ‘trial’ account (husband/wife/uncle/aunt/stepfather/grandfather etc) and get another 30-days free.
Now, don’t you dare ask me how I know that or if I’ve done that. 😉
They may ask for a credit card in a different name.
BTW, an SI blog reader just now asked about the Hollywood collection on NFLX. Please respond to his/her question since you’re more current on the NFLX streaming service.
I watched Margin Call this weekend. 25 minutes into the movie was so gripping — the first thing that popped into my mind were your words.
But the DVD got stuck right at that moment. So I ordered it again and watched it. It was really good.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
I watched Arbitrage but never got around to Margin Call. I’ll try to see it tonight.
Just read on wikipedia and found it interesting,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Spirit_of_the_Beehive
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Read the Wiki profile. The Spirit of the Beehive looks very interesting.
Last night, watched a nice Russian film Elena.
No Country for Old men
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No_Country_for_Old_Men_(film)
One of the best crime thrillers i have seen. Javier Bardem’s acting is top class.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Seen it. Fine film. I’d definitely love to watch it again.
If you like Javier Bardem, you’ll surely enjoy his Biutiful – http://www.searchindia.com/2011/02/04/biutiful-review-oscar-worthy-gem-a-movie-so-good-its-not-for-the-desi-schmucks/
The Others(2001)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0230600/
Nice movie with some twists and turns..!!
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Personally, I find it difficult to sit through ghost, haunted houses, werewolf, witches, Paranomal kind of films. Those genres don’t appeal to me much. Saw two or three trailers from those genres when I went to Killing Them Softly.
Watched Polisse last night.
Superb French film set within the context of the everyday working of Paris’ Child Protection Unit police division.
Won the Jury award at the 2011 Cannes Film Festival.
@SI: “Personally, I find it difficult to sit through ghost, haunted houses, werewolf, witches, Paranomal kind of films. Those genres don’t appeal to me much. Saw two or three trailers from those genres when I went to Killing Them Softly.”
Pretty much the same here. But if I remember right, Others doesn’t try to scare you. It works because of a well-narrated story and good all-round acting.
Btw, I watched Look Who’s Talking (1989) today. It was quite amusing and it’s the first movie I’ve watched starring John Travolta where I actually liked him very much. I’ve always considered him an average actor.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
1. John Travolta is chow, finished. It’s his ghost that you see lingering around.
Speaking of Travolta, I still love his famous You Should be Dancing and other videos from Saturday Night Fever:
You Should be Dancing – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZfJaKTWS5E
and to a lesser extent
Night Fever – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-m9ZP_tTtLc
In the 1990s, for a brief spell we kind of liked Kirstie Alley.
2. Watched a crappy Disney film last night – The Odd Life of Timothy Green 🙁 – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Odd_Life_of_Timothy_Green
I liked Travolta was in Get Shorty, Pulp Fiction and Phenomenon and it could be because of his role in the story.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
He was alright in Pulp Fiction. But that movie was greater than the sum of its parts. The crackling dialogs, the action etc all contributed that it’s hard to pinpoint the role of any single element.
“John Travolta is chow, finished. It’s his ghost that you see lingering around.”
Agree 100%
The You Should be dancing video is quite good. This guy can definitely dance.
Didn’t watch the second one as the internet connection is quite slow.
Btw, what happened to Cast Away?
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Due to some mess up, it got pushed down in my Netflix queue. I should get it either tomorrow or Tuesday latest.
Ab Tak Chappan – *ing Nana Patekar
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Added to NFLX que and moved it up.
Right now watching Hope Springs (from RedBox) – Meryl Streep, Tommy Lee Jones, Steve Carell.
Tonight, we’ll watch an old Sadhana, Sanjay Khan, Balraj Sahni film Ek Phool Do Maali.
Great Songs from Ek Phool Do Maali:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4t5b-OaSrRo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NCBEqDqjX-M
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ajt-Hvzfrs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1SiKOwAjX0
Hey, its been a long time since i recommended movies like Its a Wonderful Life, Do Dooni Chaar, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, Stanley Ka Dabba and so on. I understand that u must be busy, but pls try to watch them. I can assure that u wont b disappointed.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Sweetie, I will do every single one of your recommendations (as long as they’re available).
I divide my time between new movies that I review, movies I watch but don’t review (like Hope Springs and Ek Phool Do Maali that I watched yesterday) and old movies that I watch and review.
Please be a little patient.
Plus, the hyperactive Telugu Biddas here are impinging on my time with their wild antics! 😉
k…i’ll wait
Wanna break from the regular stuff..
watch http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0058625/, I’ve already recommended.. ..
and you are missing ‘RAN’ by Akira kurosowa,.. extremely well directed and colorful
SearchIndia.com Responds:
I got Woman in the Dunes once but for whatever reason couldn’t watch it. I will get the DVD again.
Tonight, I’ll be watching one of your other recommendations The Spirit of the Beehive. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0070040/
You suggested Spirit of the Beehive on Nov.19, 2012.
Is Amour http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1602620/ releasing in the US?
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Yes, but in limited release (which means in very, very few theatres).
Have you seen it?
Not yet, SI.. Waiting for the DVD.. I guess the DVD will be out sometime in March next year.
Amour has got very positive reviews at Cannes and has also bagged the Palm d’ Or. Please do watch & review Amour.
Also, have you watched one of Michael Haneke’s earlier works – Caché ?
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0387898/
Watched The White Ribbon sometime back. Also, I read your review on The Piano Teacher.. Looks interesting..
One more film I’d love to recommend is Rodrigo Cortés’ Buried – http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1462758/ Watched this movie last year.. And has some very positive reviews..
SearchIndia.com Responds:
1. Sweetie, the nearest theatre where Amour is playing now is Lincoln Plaza in NYC, roughly 480-km (round trip).
I was in NYC on Christmas day and watched Quentin Tarantino’s Django Unchained there. Had I known Michael Haneke’s Amour was playing in NYC, I’d have definitely seen it there.
I greatly loved Haneke’s White Ribbon, which I saw in a theatre in Philadelphia two years back and subsequently reviewed on SI (see link above).
I’ll try to watch Amour when it comes to Philadelphia next month.
Just realized Amour features Isabelle Huppert, an extraordinary actress. I’ve seen her in The Piano Teacher.
2. No, I have not seen Caché. I just ordered the DVD and should get it on Saturday.
3. I’ll definitely watch Buried. Just added it to my Netflix DVD queue. I was aware of this film but never managed to catch it.
But, from what I’ve heard – looks like Isabelle Huppert would have very little screen space in Amour..
SI, why don’t you review animated movies?
Not sure if I have missed any of your reviews on animated movies. But, I’d like to recommend Mary and Max – http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0978762/
Watched it last week.. Deserves the high rating on IMDB.. Is it available on NetFlix?
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Animated movies don’t touch my soul as much as flesh-and-blood characters do.
I have watched a few at SI reader VJCool’s request but could never summon the enthusiasm to review them.
Yes, Mary and Max is available at Netflix. I have added that one as well.
Somehow I’d be more interested to watch Tom & Jerry or Donald Duck than animated movies.
The Tintin movie was an exception.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
I prefer Ben & Jerry to Tom & Jerry. 😉
Tintin was an exception for me too. I watched it because I’d read scores of Tintin comics in a previous lifeime.
Talking of ice creams, the Green Chilli restaurant that I reviewed many months ago has Kwality Ice creams. They have a variety of desi flavours such as Sapota, Chickoo, Paan Masala… 1 scoop costs $4!!
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Pan Masala Ice Cream?
Good Lord, What Next? – Zarda Beeda Ice Cream?
Not sure if you have tasted the Paan Pasand candy in India. It used to be a big hit back in the 80’s and 90’s. This ice cream tastes a little like that candy.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
No.
The only Candys I’m familiar with are Cotton Candy and Calvin Candie of Candieland.
Ha Ha… i have seen Pan Pasand in desi stores here…
SearchIndia.com Responds:
People say these Pans are mild stimulants.
But I prefer my stimulants to be better smelling and to come in liquid form from sealed bottles.
I guess this http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0775489/ (The Illusionist (2010)) will be one animated film you will write a review . not the disney kind or the miyazaki kind , not anime but the french kind, a la Triplets of Belleville http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0286244/. the triplets was out of the box. but the illusionist is within the box but fresh.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
The Illusionist seems to have a touch of The Artist or is it vice versa?
Except being french and almost silent, Illusionist is different from Artist.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
OK.
The Intouchables
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Intouchables
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1675434/
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Definitely…Already high on our list.
Movie releasing on DVD on Jan.15.
Thanks.. A few more recommendations:
Synechdoche, New York (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0383028/)
Pan’s Labyrinth (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0457430/)
Amores Perros (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0245712/)
Darren Aronofsky’ Pi (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0138704/)
and Black Swan (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0947798/)
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Seen Black Swan, Amores Perros and Pan’s Labyrinth from your list.
BTW, I watched Michael Haneke’s Cache the other day!
Good!
Amour just won the Golden Globe for Best Foreign Language film!
SearchIndia.com Responds:
As did two of my favorite actors, Christoph Waltz and Jennifer Lawrence!
Can we expect a review of Cache sometime soon?
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Sweetie, right now, I’m busy binging on Ulaga Madayan ThiruttuLaiKa’s movies. In the last few days, I’ve seen Tik Tik Tik, Thoongathe Thambi Thoongathe, Ullasa Paravaigal and I have lots more to see. 😉
But I’ll have another good one (non-Indian film) for you soon before Cache .
Thank you!
Watched Beasts of the Southern Wild (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2125435/) .. Wonderful performance by Quvenzhané Wallis..
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Looks very interesting!
Please do add it to your review list..
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Will do.
We’ll get back to our foreign/Indie movie reviews starting this Monday.
Great! 🙂
One more recommendation..
Looper director Rian Johnson’s Brick(www.imdb.com/title/tt0393109)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0048424/
another movie I’ve not seen.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Looks very interesting from the summary on Netflix.
Watched Amour yesterday. It is without doubt THE best film I’ve ever seen!!
SearchIndia.com Responds:
What a coincidence…
A short while ago, I popped in the DVD of French actress Marion Cotillard’s 2012 film De rouille et d’os (Rust and Bone) and just before the movie started the trailer of Amour came up!
Yet to watch Rust and Bone .
How was the film, SI?
I remember watching Jacques Audiard’s A Prophet after reading the film’s review on SI.
Amour is very much worth the hype!
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Very Good!
You can still count on the Europeans to put out a fine film without the gee whiz gimmickry! Will review it tonight/tomorrow!
has anyone recommended ‘Shaolin Soccer’ and Kung fu hustle’.. yet.. thats some serious spoofs .. try when tired of serious french films.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
I doubt it.
BTW, I watched your recommendation My Neighbor Totoro the other day.
it’s.. wellll..
Would like to know what someone who doesn’t get easily impressed by animation thinks..
Maybe a review.. and if possible Miyazaki’s adaptation of Howl’s Moving Castle will also do..
SearchIndia.com Responds:
I’ll try to do the Totoro review tonight if I can stay up without the soothing touch of my masseuse, Ms.Bacchus! 😉
Will watch Howl’s Moving Castle after penning the review of the Chinese gem that I saw last night – A Simple Life (2011).
My Choice of Movies Include,
Iran-Turkish Movies:
Children of Heaven – Favourite
Color of Paradise – favourite
Songs of Sparrow – favourite
Uzak
Offside
A Separation
Fireworks Wednesday
Chinese-Japanese-Korean Movies:
In the mood for love
OldBoy – favourite
I saw the devil
The horse thief
Chungking express
two guys – humour
Project A – stunts and humour
City hunter – nice stunts and humour
36th chamber of shaolin
The taste of tea
The twilight samurai – favourite
Tokyo story – favourite
The bird people in china – favourite
spring, summer, fall, winter and spring – favourite
Battle royale Part I – favourite
13 assasins
The yellow sea
sonatine
european movies
the lives of others – favourite
volver – favourite
talk to her – favourite
the grocer’s son
the edge of heaven
the fox and the child
Indian Movies
a wednesday
hera pheri
road, movie
mahanadi
aaranya kandam
anjathe
bhindi bazar
drohkal
shankarabharanam
sudigundaalu – movie on capital punishment, role of parents in one’s life
swathi kiranam
American-british-australian movies
dirty pretty things
28 days later
the godfather
goodfellas
Taxi driver
big fish
shaun of the dead
mad max 1
raging bull
rambo part 1
ruthless people
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Wow! That’s an impressive list.
Looks like me you too are not a big fan of animation films.
I’ve seen some of the films in your list – The Grocer’s Son, Taxi Driver, I saw the Devil, Hera Pheri, 36th Chamber of Shaolin, Yellow Sea, A Wednesday etc.
I watched Yellow Sea a second time recently.
(Sorry, for some reason your comment went into the spam folder….and I just noticed it.)
I have seen mainly Hollywood animation movies and i am not impressed by them. Madagascar or Ice age or Lion King have some moments, but i dont find myself completely immersed in such films.
My all time favourite films (at this moment) should be Children of Heaven; Spring, summer, fall, winter and spring; Songs of sparrow; The Godfather; Tokyo Story; Taxi Driver; A Wednesday and Life is Beautiful (I missed movie in list).
Request you to provide reviews of some of above said films. I was primarily attracted to your site on account of your bold, dissecting reviews on Movies.
Primarily the way in which a lady reviewer replied to idiotic Ajith fans in Billa 2007 movie review, is simply awesome.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Life is Beautiful is reviewed on SI.
A Wednesday we touched upon while reviewing the horrible Unnaipol Oruvan….tonight or tomorrow I’ll try to see Godard’s Breathless.
Children of Heaven
Looks like A Wednesday has been remade in english as A Common Man starring Ben Kingsley in the titular role. I wonder if it would make the same impact as A Wednesday did. Heard that Neeraj Pandey and Chandan Rutnam have tweaked the screenplay.
One more wonderful film that I watched last week – Confessions aka Kokuhaku (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1590089/)
And, this one – Timecrimes (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0480669/) – one helluva film. SI, please do add this one to your review list.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Krishna Pandit Bhanji (Ben Kingsley) is always a joy to watch but with A Wednesday….if you’ve seen it once in any language the thrill is lost.
Will see Confessions soon given my partiality to Oriental films!
Very true.. Will be watching Waking Life (www.imdb.com/title/tt0243017/) over the weekend. Looks interesting..
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Looks like a rather unusual film.
A very unusual film, indeed!
BTW, watched Shane Carruth’s Primer (www.imdb.com/title/tt0390384/).. pretty much had the same feeling I had when watching Terrence Malick’s The Tree of life
SearchIndia.com Responds:
I’ve watched Tree of Life but couldn’t make much sense of it…plus I was sleep when I saw it late night. I’ll try to see it again.
Watched The Impossible last night. Good one.
Naomi Watts got an Oscar nomination for the film. Will review today.
Just finished watching the japanese movie- the departures.
I recommend this to SI
Searchindia.com Responds
Sure, sweetie.
I’ll try to watch it on Saturday. Just returned Hitler’s Children, a documentary.
So I should get a new DVD the day after tomorrow from Netflix.
Finished Amadeus today.
While I don’t give any judgements of mine, I’m unsure if I should recommend it.
– There are good chances that you have already watched it.
– The movie is 3 hours long.
– Indeed, I stopped watching this, after 2 hours. Then went to study some history related to this and then the interest popped up again. After that, much of the movie made sense to me, that I re-watched some of the scenes again from beginning and I liked them.
– You claimed that You’re no great fan of Mozart and the likes.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
When did I say I’m not a fan of Mozart.
That must SI 1.0. 😉
SI is now on Release 5.8. Please update your system.
Okie, then this movie will make sense to you 😉 [it will, even though if you were not.]
But you did say that here – http://www.searchindia.com/2013/02/01/vishwaroop-opens-to-mostly-poor-reviews/#comment-28811
😉
SearchIndia.com Responds:
It’s hard to explain the above Mozart comment because I have multiple classical CDs (Mozart, Strauss, Tchaikovsky etc). Most likely the Mozart comment was made in a relative sense.
Including the songs purchased from Apple iTunes, I have a large collection of over 400 classical tracks.
Right now, I’m listening to Mozart Symphony #40 in G Minor, K 550 Molto Allegro on CD 1 from the Mozart 50 Classical Highlights 2-CD set. I purchased the CD set at Circuit City in circa 1996 in New York.
You can listen to the same track at
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-hJf4ZffkoI
No Amadeus? 🙁
SearchIndia.com Responds:
This Saturday!
I’m waiting to make my next recommendation 😉
If you finish Amadeus / or say No plans for Amadeus, I’ll make the next recommendation..!!
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Dunno why NFLX keeps sending me vague movies like Life is Sweet. And my life is anything but!
Hopefully, I’ll get Amadeus by Wednesday.
I’m getting The Green Mile on Monday.
If it’s on MGO or Hulu, I’ll watch it tonight.
Iam recommending the animation film Rio.
And perhaps The Fan. Robert De Niro was simply exceptional.
In Hindi, perhaps older ones like Saajan, Darr(good acting by Shahrukh Khan).
In Tamil, Mayakkam Enna( inspired by A Beautiful Mind), Mounaguru (wonderful acting by Arulnidhi) and Naan (inspired by The Talented Mr.Ripley)
SearchIndia.com Responds:
I’ll do Darr first. I thought I’d reviewed it. Apparently not. Will watch again and review!
Listening to Tu Mere Saamne from Darr in the background as I type this response.
One of the first songs I purchased on iTunes many years back!
Jaadu Teri Nazar is also good!
F**k! I almost forgot about this Mayakkam Enna stuff while watching A Beautiful Mind.
A Beautiful Mind is a beautiful film – a biopic of John Nash. Mayakkam Enna is no where close to it.
Please do watch one of these days even if you don’t prefer to review it.
One more recommendation – The Body
(http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1937149)
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Looks very interesting…but I can’t seem to find a legal subscription copy.
God, how I miss Blockbuster at moments like this!
Watched The Broken Circle Breakdown http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2024519/ recently.. Looks like this film would be a strong contender at the Oscars for Best Foreign Language Film!!
SearchIndia.com Responds:
1. I’ll see if I can get The Broken Circle Breakdown on DVD.
2. I watched Philomena in DC yesterday. Review coming in about 10-minutes.
A contender for the Oscars!
http://www.efilmcritic.com/review.php?movie=12151
a film you mayn’t want to watch anyway …
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Reading the review in your link, I had a deja vu feeling.
I must have watched Naach but for some reason I am unable to find it in the SI review collection. http://www.searchindia.com/search/bollywood-movies/index2.html
Rewatched an old classic – “Silence of the Lambs”
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0102926/?ref_=nv_sr_1
Am not able to get the performance of Anthony Hopkins out of my mind.
A really haunting performance. Please review it will ya.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Sure, I like the old geezer.
SI, please watch 7 Cajas
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2333598/
I’m pretty sure you will not be disappointed.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
7 Cajas is currently not available on Netflix.
Let me check on Amazon and Hulu.
SI,
I watched “Nebraska” film recently.
I wanted to recommend it to you. Please try watching it, if you had not already.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Sweetie, Nebraska is on my agenda too.
I shall definitely watch it.
Very soon.
I think it’s out on DVD now. So it shouldn’t be a problem at all.
SI,
Not often I recommend Tamil movies to others.
I suggest you have it in your list – “Pannaiyarum Padminiyum”.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Sweetie, I will. Soon!
Aiaiyoooo Noooooooooooooooo. I saw that travesty in Dallas a few weeks ago.
The only reason was a persistent cousin and my tummy filled from an Indian buffet.
Thaanga mudiyala da saamy!
SearchIndia.com Responds:
That bad, eh?
Here I was thinking of buying the DVD! 🙁 My last Tamil film was Vijay’s emetic Jilla! Yuck!
Thanks to my local library, I just watched a lovely French Film now: Avenue Montaigne
Biutiful!
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0444112/
Most U.S. libraries should have it.
In my case, it was a persistent nephew.
Except for the length (longer shots at times) and the bad-luck sidekick, I was fine with the rest of the movie.
May be because, I’ve met such people in my village during childhood.
I’d like to recommend Kamal-Sridevi starrer ‘Sigappu Rojakkal‘.
I’ve always thought of it as the most watchable of a very few decent Tamil thrillers from 70s and 80s.
It’s available on Youtube.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
I’ve seen Sigappu Rojakkal multiple times. When it first released in the 1970s and again, 8-10 years back.
I reviewed the film before the SI blog was set up and long before I watched countless French, Italian, Japanese Korean, Chinese and Hollywood classics!
If I were to review Sigappu Rojakkal today, I’d do it differently because of my better exposure to classics of World Cinema.
But you wanted the Sigappu Rojakkal review, and here it is:
http://www.searchindia.com/search/tamil-movies/sigappu-rojakkal.html
Thanks…
I wondered why I couldn’t find this review when I searched for it initially.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
You’re welcome, Sweetie! 🙂
I watched “Rush” recently and quite liked it.
Based on the true story of on-track rivalry between two F1 racing drivers (Niki Lauda and James Hunt).
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Off-but-related topic: Michael Schumacher, the injured racer seems to be improving.
One of these days, they’ll make a movie on his skiing accident!
I am keen to know how the doctors retrieved him from coma after so many days. Has Jesus re-incarnated?or was it Tirupathi Balaji’s handiwork? Did the doctors grow the damaged part of his system back using stem cells and cloning??
SearchIndia.com Responds:
We’ll know when the movie comes out three years from now! 😉
3 years?
No way, I fully expect Kollywood will expel one sooner than that.
Ajit Kumar will play the leading role.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Here I was…about to go to sleep.
And you mention that shaniyan Ajith ‘&*#%)&%’ Kumar’s name! 🙁
If you love Morgan Freeman, you may try David Fincher’s Seven……
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Even if I/others don’t love Morgan Freeman, I’d still enjoy/recommend David Finch’s Se7en. 😉
Remarkable film!
“Along came a spider” and “Kiss the Girls” is also worth a watch. Not in the same league as Se7ven though.
SI – Did you ever watch “Burn after Reading”?
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Not yet, sweetie. I’ve put a Post-It so that I don’t forget it when I return my current NFLX DVD Free Fall (a German gay love movie between two cops) tomorrow.
Have you reviewed it?
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Not reviewed.
We watched it twice and also mentioned it on one or two occasions.
I recommend “the band’s visit” – an Israeli movie.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Looks interesting.
I’ll try to do it next week.
Awaiting a writeup on India’s MoM. http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-29307123
SearchIndia.com Responds:
India’s space missions seem like an exercise in vanity with little tangible benefits for the country or its people.
What prestige or benefits can these fanciful trips bestow on a nation that lies at the bottom on almost every measure of development or civilization.
Another way of looking at Mars Orbiter Mission is $74 million (cost of Mars mission) less going into the pockets of corrupt Cong/BJP/DMK etc leaders or bureaucrats.
On a frivolous note, if Bollywood’s Sridevi, Akshay Kumar & Amitabh Bachchan are congratulating India’s Mars mission, it can only mean the mission is absolute junk. 😉
http://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/amitabh-bachchan-congratulates-india-for-magalyaan-success/article1-1267829.aspx
@SI
Technology developed for space missions have been wholescale adopted for making ballistic missiles. ISRO very much pays for itself that way. Perhaps among the rare govt orgs to do so. Unless you think with neighbours such as China and Pakistan, India doesn’t need such deterrence.
I’ve started to not buy the whole ‘India is the worst’ bit as I’ve realized 1) it isn’t true 2) even if we play along, say we set ourselves higher standards than Pakistan or Congo, it will only be used to shame and abuse Indians and never to motivate them to get better.
For example:
http://www.livemint.com/Leisure/vsPAWFHbBY0qbtA1oRveFM/How-the-middle-class-failed-us.html
Note how Indians specifically Hindus (another variant just focuses on Brahmins or ‘upper castes’) are demonized ruthlessly while interestingly the only fault that can be found with Muslims is their one instance of animism (read paganism). Hmm fancy that. Continue the abuse by taunting Hindus that they don’t set up schools unlike missionaries- conveniently ignoring state control temples that ties up much of Hindu wealth in banks which can then be taken over and spend by government and blatantly discriminatory laws that favors minority educational institutions- the latest one being RTE that has caused thousands of Hindu schools to shut down in an already poor, illiterate country.
Finish by ignoring 200+ years of colonial exploitation and 60+ years of criminally culpable wealth destroying Marxist economics. Voila! Shame and rule them. Nice trick I would say.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
1. You write: Finish by ignoring 200+ years of colonial exploitation
If you believe the arguments of Hindi Equilibrium, you’d realize the colonial exploitation (at least in some domains) is often exaggerated. In many respects, the British maintained the status quo. When I do the review, I’ll provide relevant excerpts. Be a little patient. Am busy with other stuff right now.
2. You write:…. 60+ years of criminally culpable wealth destroying Marxist economics.
Another example of naive throw the baby along with the bath-water.
Wealth/capitalism is not the panacea for the world’s/India’s ailments.
Income growth, when it happens, is often accompanied by remarkable Income Inequalities. Examples – India, USA etc.
Marxism has had a tempering impact on the criminally exploitative aspects inherent in Capitalism.
3. You write: Technology developed for space missions have been wholescale adopted for making ballistic missiles
Valid argument but I suppose India already has the missile technology in place for various defense initiatives.
4. Hindus are still not good at the Media/PR game that Christians, Jews and lately Muslims have mastered.
5. Your Livemint link above makes for very interesting reading! Thanks.
1) That India was able to maintain its medieval/millenia-old status quo when the home of its colonial masters along with Europe was leaping ahead in industrial progress isn’t suggestive of colonialism being non-exploitative.
2) Without colonialism and the independence movement it is hard to imagine india being as united and centralized as it is today but i think such a set up has been harmful for Indians anyway.
3) Colonialism plays a crucial role in the genocide and cleansing of Hindus from one-third of south asia. I would argue this constitutes exploitation.
4) It is unreasonable to imagine enlightenment values and scientific progress wouldn’t have spread among Indians by trade and contact alone.
5) If not for Victorian prudery and shaming by missionaries, Indians (at least Hindus) would have had an assertive and liberal sexual identity instead of the chronically repressed self-hating fare that is in vogue now. Coupled with modernity this would’ve translated into much more freedom for women to study, work and make their own destiny instead of having to constantly fear harassment when they step out as of now.
6) Marxism which was the atheistic state religion of India after Independence has been remarkably successful in re-distributing poverty. So yes I would agree with you that it has very much reduced inequality within India though drastically increased it when Indians are considered global citizens and compared to the rest of the world.
7) The poorest 5% of Americans are richer than richest 5% of Indians.
http://economix.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/01/31/the-haves-and-the-have-nots/
I agree if America had embraced Marxism American and global inequality would’ve dropped drastically. You wouldn’t have ended up so far from home and may be we could have even met each other as equals somewhere in cholamandalam fighting over the carcass of a hog to take back to our caves. 🙂
SearchIndia.com Responds:
1. Not just Colonialism. Any situation where there is gross imbalance in power relations between two sides is inherently exploitative.
Gross power imbalance is fertile ground for famines (India, Amartya has argued foodgrain shortage was not the actual reason), genocides, warped justice system, sustained inequalities, shabby treatment of minorities/Scheduled Castes/Blacks etc. There’s great depth in the word Empowerment.
But we were talking of British exploitation specifically where there’s a tendency to blame all of India’s ills on the colonial period (I’m relying to some degree on Deepak Lal’s arguments in Hindu Equilibrium here).
2. There was no colonialism in post 1917 Soviet Union. Yet, Stalin’s regime killed between 25-million-40 million by sending countless innocents to gulags or via summary executions. Again, it was the gross power imbalance between the party leaders and the hoi polloi that made them easy victims to Stalin’s manic appetites.
3. You write: If not for Victorian prudery and shaming by missionaries, Indians (at least Hindus) would have had an assertive and liberal sexual identity instead of the chronically repressed self-hating fare that is in vogue now.
Hindus have an insatiable appetite for porn text and videos.
In his Hindu Manners and Customs, French priest Abbe Dubois who stayed in South India in the late 1700s for several years mentions youngsters obsession with porn texts and pictures. The missionaries were not entrenched in India then.
The notion of Sexual repression of Indians/Hindus could be more hype than reality. There’s lot of ‘sexual play’ within Hindu families even among so-called orthodox Brahmins. Where India could differ from the West is that sexual experimentation is more an intra-family affair in India (cousins, uncles, distant relatives etc) than with third parties.
Nirbhaya and similar cases were more of opportunity crimes. An Opportunity presented itself and the criminals took advantage. I’m not even sure if there’s an increase in crimes against women in India although their reporting and police complaints may make it seem so. It’s the middle-class noise and media hype that makes it seem as if every woman is unsafe anywhere in India.
4. You write: Marxism which was the atheistic state religion of India after Independence has been remarkably successful in re-distributing poverty.
Conceptual confusion here. Atheistic state religion would suggest people were proscribed from worshipping any God. That was never the case. Instead, Nehru wisely avoided such pitfalls given the entrenched nature of caste and religion in India.
5. In my youth, I too was wildly against Marxism given reports of Stalin’s excesses, absence of many freedoms in the Soviet bloc, reports of Unions excesses in Kerala etc. But capitalism is no different given its insatiable appetite for more. When you have private prisons and private military contractors, there will be more people in prison and more wars. Corporate control over U.S. politics is near 100%. I’d argue that weakening of Communist parties in India is bad for Indian middle-class and lower-class because it removes a major pressure point on the worthless, clueless, rudderless Congress and the right-wing corporate stooges of BJP.
Unbridled Capitalism and unbridled Marxism are two sides of the same exploitative coin.
Trite though it may sound, the best ideology is one that borrows from both Marxism and Capitalism with lots of checks and balances.
5. Regarding the NYT link, the ground reality is different here. Economic slowdown over the last 10 years, outsourcing, stagnant wages etc are eroding the quality of life here. Grocery stores and fast food restaurants are not doing that well. Apple is an exception (deprived, depressed, low-income people buy into the Apple hype naively thinking it’ll put them on the same plane as the rich and better-offs).
SI: “there’s a tendency to blame all of India’s ills on the colonial period”
Indeed there are a few like that but India has quite some pro-empire types especially of the left-liberal persuasion and occasionally on the right-wing side (Swapan Dasgupta) who argue there was no Hinduism/India before the British and fondly wish things could go back to the wonderful days when white people managed things. A duller sort of this variety argue Brits saved Hindus from Muslim tyranny, gave them an identity and civilized them.
On Hindus and Sexual repression:
1) Hindu Kings had fairly lax attitudes towards prostitution. It was directly under state control and very organized. Prostitutes had respectable status in society. Arthashastra backs all of this up. This is inconceivable in today’s India.
2) Ancient Indians weren’t ashamed of the female form in any way. From Brihadâranyaka Upanishad:
http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/sbe15/sbe15098.htm
3) Buddhist monks holed up in Ajanta caves doodled pictures of sensuous beautiful black women on the walls as time-pass. They didn’t see anything wrong with it even though they were celibate.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d3/Meister_des_Mahâjanaka_Jâtaka_001.jpg
4) I am not even going to get into Khajuraho or tantra stuff but it is very apparent that average Hindus of today aren’t anywhere close as comfortable with sexuality or the female form as their ancestors. It gets strikingly reflected in their imagination of Goddesses who are always constrained in very modest sarees and blouses. Male Gods tend to relatively escape unscathed in this “cover up”.
5) Indian women are leered at and groped as a norm in every public place. They do not get out of the house after dusk in most parts of India for fear of men sexually harassing them. Here is a fairly typical account of what happens when there are a lot of sexually repressed men around:
http://www.cnn.com/2013/08/20/world/american-student-india-sexual-harassment-irpt/
http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-1023053
6) So somethings changed between then and now. What were they?
7) I don’t know what to make of the account of porn being widespread in medieval India. I would imagine young men have been always and everywhere very keen on it- even in present day Sweden or Netherlands where they are not sexually repressed.
“Atheistic state religion would suggest people were proscribed from worshiping any God.”
Not necessarily. Look at China where it is legal to be Muslim, Buddhist, Christian etc even though state religion is atheism. There are numerous countries with Christianity and Islam as state religions yet religious minorities aren’t proscribed from worshiping their Gods. Besides, I was talking in an economic sense.
“Trite though it may sound, the best ideology is one that borrows from both Marxism and Capitalism with lots of checks and balances.”
I would put Capitalism at 90% and others like Socialism at 10% to borrow from.
On Marxists in India I would say I disagree with you. The earlier India gets rid of them the better off its middle and lower-classes will be. The BJP isn’t capitalist at all. It is very socialist in its economic outlook.
” eroding the quality of life here”
Still better off than most “rich” Indians I would imagine.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
1. You write: BJP isn’t capitalist at all. It is very socialist in its economic outlook.
Far be it for me to argue the opposite.
Time will soon prove the pro-big corporation mentality of BJP under Modi.
2. True, some scholars even argue that there was no caste system before the Brits arrived….that it was an invention of the Brahmins to fool the colonial rulers….(Source: Hindu Equilibrium).
3. You write: Indian women are leered at and groped as a norm in every public place.
I don’t buy this argument in the first place in the absence of time-series data. The only evidence we have is media hype/reporting and anecdotal reports.
In any case, sexual repression is not the only factor for libido aggressive expression of men in public. It is also be a function of weak rule of law, and not enough cops in India. The no of cops per 1,000 citizens is extremely low in India.
I don’t see India’s middle class protesting over starvation, farmers’ deaths, homelessness etc. One Nirbhaya incident and they jump into the street scared it’ll happen to them too.