1minutefilmreview

The Steel Helmet

noreply@blogger.com (1minutefilmreview) — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 17:58:00 +0000

Director - Samuel Fuller

Genre - Action/Drama/War

Samuel Fuller was one of those old school filmmakers who made movies shot with straightforward, no frills manner. His scripts and content are often altogether unconventional for its times though. Subversive and controversial, they often ensure the director stayed well outside the Hollywood system. This picture's dialogue were so uncompromising it drew the attention of the FBI. Sergeant Zack is a no nonsense, hard as nails soldier with a heavy cross to bear. When he joins a lost infantry outfit of young and green men, an uneasy discomfort begin to form in the air, his scruffy ways of warfare rubbing off on the greenhorns like sandpaper to smooth baby bums. Packed with manly, gruff and puff action scenes, this is a war movie which hold no punches.

3.5 STARS!

All about The Steel Helmet

Death of a Cyclist

noreply@blogger.com (1minutefilmreview) — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:49:00 +0000

Director - Juan Antonio Bardem

Genre - Drama/Thriller

Sometimes a movie can be so powerful it has the ability to change society. We believe 'Death of a Cyclist' is such a movie. Essentially, it is a murder thriller but look closer, search yourselves and you will find that it is so much more. A navigator on morality? A call to arms for those who dare to dream and rebel against the old guards? An attack on those who are perched up high up in society's upper classes? A reminder to always have faith and not give in to our darker temptations? Take your pick. We took away so much from this picture it made us believe all over again in the dignity of courageous cinema. What's the difference? Courageous cinema doesn't just reflect our world, we're better people because of it.

5 STARS!

All about Death of a Cyclist

The Ides of March

noreply@blogger.com (1minutefilmreview) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:03:00 +0000

Director - George Clooney

Genre - Drama/Thriller

With this picture and 'Drive', Ryan Gosling has performed a back to back feat of giving us two incredibly memorable roles in current cinema. He is well at the top of his game at this point in time when most of the young actors at his age are still looking for that elusive gem role which would put them on the big league. Credit also has to be given to George Clooney, who directed a hell of a movie here, the story of which is from a play called 'Farragut North'. A political thriller with emphasis on the character evolvement of a junior campaign manager (Gosling), the story takes us on a whirlwind tour of how dirty and unscrupulously without mercy the games played by men in politics can be.

4.5 STARS!

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A Separation

noreply@blogger.com (1minutefilmreview) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 17:35:00 +0000

Director - Asghar Farhadi

Genre - Drama

Everyone and all mothers should watch this movie. Directors, producers,scriptwriters and actors should have the DVD with them at all times as a reminder to be better at what they do. That is how insanely perfect this movie is for us. It is acted with such natural ease the believability factor becomes unquestionable, and directed with such a firm hand it renders most of what Hollywood puts out embarrassing. This is Iranian cinema at its peak looking down on all the poseurs out there. A couple on the verge of divorce encounter a host of problems which test their resolve, sliding their lives into chaotic instability. Before you go 'typical family court drama', let us assure that this is much more than that. It is an investigative thriller structured around a very human drama which will incite you to re-examine your view of what's right and wrong. This sits on the altar of cinema and inspires an almost spiritual adoration of the art form.

5 STARS!

All about A Separation

You Are the Apple of My Eye

noreply@blogger.com (1minutefilmreview) — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 14:47:00 +0000

Director - Giddens Ko

Genre - Drama/Romance

Adapted from a popular novel, this movie directed by the author himself was a big box office hit in its home turf. Alas, we do not think that it deserves such warm reception. Crass and juvenile in its presentation, this coming of age story with aspirations in tackling comedy and romance fails at both. The only saving grace here are the 'not so bad at acting', quite likable leads. We were really put off by the constant mention of sex, distasteful sexual innuendos and far too many masturbation scenes. 'American Pie' wasn't all that sophisticated too, but at least it didn't disguise itself as a love story.

2.5 STARS!

All about You Are the Apple of My Eye

Sweet Smell of Success

noreply@blogger.com (1minutefilmreview) — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 10:20:00 +0000

Director - Alexander Mackendrick

Genre - Drama/Film-Noir

Screenwriters would give their arms and legs for the gift of being able to pen the precision sharp lines in this film. No time or cinema reel were wasted here as barrage after barrage of 'quick on the feet' dialogue takes center stage, spewed almost unceasingly out of the characters' arsenic lips. Tony Curtis plays a press agent named Sidney Falco who has to depend on a spiteful, arrogant columnist (J.J. Hunsecker) played by Burt Lancaster as his meal ticket. When Sidney is asked to do J.J. a favor which compromises Sidney's already thinning view of honor and integrity, what will he choose? They say money is the root of all evil and this movie certainly went out of its way to show how low some of us can stoop to gain a whiff of success. Tony Curtis shrugged off his pretty boy image (this was a different era, mind you) to play a scheming, no good hammerhead and Lancaster exuded an even more despicable great white shark. Together, they represent a hunger for capitalism and a disgust of moral justice. That is actually the crux of the story and the lesson of never giving up our humanity no matter what reverberates even to this day.

5 STARS!

All about Sweet Smell of Success

Senna

noreply@blogger.com (1minutefilmreview) — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 17:39:00 +0000

Director - Asif Kapadia

Genre - Documentary/Biography

An impeccably realized documentary about legendary Brazilian F1 driver, Ayrton Senna. Through the ups and downs of his career, we are shown the strength of his character and the moments which define him as much more than a well paid F1 driver. Loved and worshiped by Brazilians from all walks of life, he was an inspiration to millions at a time when his home country was in poverty and depression. The director Asif Kapadia deftly maneuvered the film with humor and tension-filled shots of races, often emphasizing with dramatic results the rivalry between Senna and Alain Prost, his nemesis on the race track. For those who know next to nothing about cars (including ourselves), this aspect is a relieve because heavy mention of the technical parts of F1 would have gone over our heads completely. All in all, this is the most exhilarating and moving documentary we've ever seen. Senna was truly a remarkable man and the film does justice to his legend.

5 STARS!

All about Senna

Rakht Charitra 2

noreply@blogger.com (1minutefilmreview) — Sun, 25 Dec 2011 16:38:00 +0000

Director - Ram Gopal Varma

Genre - Action/Crime/Drama

We put our foot in our mouths when we raved in the review for the first movie that this continuing saga starring Vivek Oberoi will be awesome. We still stand by the first part that it was indeed good. The sequel however, leaves a bad aftertaste. The story here is underdeveloped and looks as if it was done in haste. The ending is abrupt and frankly, a discredit to the first film. Pratap (Vivek) here is like a shadow of himself in the earlier picture. Self-doubting and not as cocksure as he was before, Pratap is defeated time and again by his new nemesis. We weren't even sure who to root for anymore. The 'villain' who was out for revenge or Pratap, who disappointed us with his lack of resolve in dealing with his enemies. Like a cold chapati, this one shouldn't have been served up.

2 STARS!

All about Rakht Charitra 2

Araya

noreply@blogger.com (1minutefilmreview) — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 16:09:00 +0000

Director - Margot Benacerraf

Genre - Documentary

A Venezuelan documentary about the salt pyramids in a place called Araya and those who made their living there. Trust us, whatever job you're doing right now, it is nothing compared to what these people have to put up with. They toil from day to night, with little payment and in the scorching sun. They were resigned to their fate since childhood and it is the only thing they know. The director chose to shoot like a fly on the wall (in this case, on a salt pyramid) what they actually do in a day. After you watch this, you'll appreciate your job and life like you never did before. It is an affirmation of the human ability to take on what seems impossible and turn it into an amazing possibility. The cinematography in black and white was illuminating too. Take a chance and give this a try. You won't regret it and might even learn a thing or two about human being's indomitable perseverance.

5 STARS!

All about Araya

Thor

noreply@blogger.com (1minutefilmreview) — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 19:45:00 +0000

Director - Kenneth Branagh

Genre - Action/Adventure/Fantasy

Directed by Kenneth Branagh, this is his first foray into commercial film-making. Previously, Branagh was mostly known for bringing adaptations of Shakespeare's plays such as 'Much Ado About Nothing' and 'Hamlet' to the screen. Although 'Thor' is a God with mythical leanings and his background story is indeed very Shakespearean-like, this is still a huge departure for Branagh. The world in which Thor lives serve well to transport our minds in tandem with the story's progression. We often shoot down the use of CGI but in here, the imagery constructed is wondrously captivating. Resembling a Greek or Shakespearean tragedy amped up with otherworldly disbursement of comic bravado, Branagh has turned the Superhero genre into something with more bite. Thor is a God amongst mortals, and in Branagh's hands, this distinction from the rest of Marvel's and DC's universe of Superheroes is clear. Maybe 'Superman' stood a chance of competing with such an invincible Avenger, but in the big screen at least, that possibility had already ceased to be with the 'Superman' franchise being quite dead in the water. Oh, did we mention that this movie is mighty entertaining as well?

3.5 STARS!

All about Thor

Drive

noreply@blogger.com (1minutefilmreview) — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 16:29:00 +0000

Director - Nicolas Winding Refn

Genre - Crime/Drama/Thriller

Set in the 80's with a pulsating mood-driven soundtrack by Cliff Martinez (we thought it was composed by Angelo Badalamenti at first), this Nicolas Winding Refn vehicle incorporates arthouse sensibility within the genre of action drama. Ryan Gosling plays a stunt driver who occasionally drives the getaway car for robbers. His enclosed world starts to overturn when he falls in love with his neighbor (Carey Mulligan). When her deadbeat husband comes back into her life, our hero is forced to make some of the hardest decisions ever in his life. Ron Perlman and Albert Brooks (playing well against type) are the quintessential thorns in his side, their presence symbolizing bad omens forever waiting to throw his life into the bowels of damnation. There are so many reasons why we love this film we don't even know where to begin. Let's just say everything that could go right in a movie did here, and everything that could go wrong didn't. Oh, and Gosling is so irresistibly cool in this he quite possibly could kick start a trend with toothpicks!

5 STARS!

All about Drive

Band of Outsiders

noreply@blogger.com (1minutefilmreview) — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 16:27:00 +0000

Director - Jean-Luc Godard

Genre - Crime/Drama

Jean-Luc Godard's uber-hip film about two small time hoodlums and the simple-minded girl who went along with their undesirable acts of crime. Unlike the usual treatment of movies depicting robberies and criminality, Godard's style is one of carefree nonchalance. Preferring to show them talking endlessly and idling their time away. When the crime does happen, let's just say...it ain't 'Heat'. But the thing is, the movie still remained cool without all the fast paced action. Godard is a funny bird. When others fall into formation and fly south, he takes the opposite route deliberately, spreading his wings proudly and without fear of the unchartered territories. As cineasts, the discovery of Godard's genius is like an unearthing of a priceless treasure. Highly enjoyable tryst with a true master of cinema.

5 STARS!

All about Band of Outsiders

Conviction

noreply@blogger.com (1minutefilmreview) — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 15:46:00 +0000

Director - Tony Goldwyn

Genre - Biography/Drama

Sam Rockwell plays a wrongly convicted person in a law drama which plays all its cards right. Innocent man - check. Corrupt system - check. Vindication in the end - check. When a courtroom picture takes all these into consideration and is based on a true story to boot, it's highly unlikely that it won't appeal to the general audience. We ourselves admittedly, have a strong liking for movies like 'Hurricane' where the person who is wrongly put in jail makes it out and justice is finally served. In 'Conviction', the selfless advocate of the poor bastard is his own sister (Hilary Swank) who studied law so she could become a lawyer and get her brother out for Christ sakes! That alone upped the tear-tugging factor and watchability a hundred notches.

3.5 STARS!

All about Conviction

Important Announcement!

noreply@blogger.com (1minutefilmreview) — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 15:55:00 +0000

A blog by the name of Movie Junkeee (moviejunkeee.blogspot.com) has ransacked our trove of reviews and claimed it as his own (word by word and by manipulating posting dates)! This is a gross infringement of our blog which we worked hard to maintain. To have an entire blog made up of other's toil and time is just plain rude. Should we be flattered that he chose our reviews to plagiarize and not the writings of other reviewers? No! We feel like we've been burglarized. So, we hereby would like for this blog to cease operations with immediate effect. That is the decent thing to do.

What do you think, fellow bloggers? Is this guy a deadbeat or what?

Let Me In

noreply@blogger.com (1minutefilmreview) — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 13:03:00 +0000

Director - Matt Reeves

Genre - Drama/Fantasy/Horror

After watching the original 'Let The Right One In', we were a lil' skeptical when it was announced that the story would be given an American treatment. The inclusion of Chloe Grace Moretz in the cast gave us hope though and we dived in. The verdict? We're glad to announce that this is just as good as the original. Goes to show that with the right cast and a story which begs retelling, lightning can and will actually hit twice. While the Swedish version was more of a slow burn which practically exploded sky high at the end, this one maintains an on the edge quality throughout. The brutally violent air which peeked out on occasions in the Swedish version is let out to roam freely here, with a rhythm which is faster and more pronounced. Like a Beatles song, a good story CAN be given a lil' tweak and still be just as great. But if you don't know who the Beatles are and don't get the reference, go back to listening Britney Spears and watching movies like Final Destination 10.

5 STARS!

All about Let Me In

Cold Fish

noreply@blogger.com (1minutefilmreview) — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 14:15:00 +0000

Director - Shion Sono

Genre - Drama/Thriller

Ozu and Kurosawa were pretty gung-ho about directing films about family values and how important it is to preserve those values. Shion Sono's picture here is like a rebellious reaction to that. Based on a true story, it's as if Sono is using the movie to say that although those values might be noble and righteous, the Japan that he knows now isn't living according to them. Which explains there is a rot in society and Sono has a way with showing the other side of humanity which is quite eye-opening. The characters here are shown in the harshest light and as cold as can be, which explains the title. You won't be able to sympathize with these people but watching them succumb to their fates won't be gratifying either. We get what Sono is bringing to the table. The thing is, we're not sure showing so much negativity helped the movie. The pessimism was definitely unnerving and we would've liked to have a lil' more hope in the cards.

2.5 STARS!

All about Cold Fish

Wu Xia

noreply@blogger.com (1minutefilmreview) — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 17:12:00 +0000

Director - Peter Chan

Genre - Action/Thriller

Peter Chan Ho Sun surprised us with this action thriller. Playing a detective who investigates with medically-inclined thoughts (almost like a forensic expert), Takeshi Kaneshiro plays down his looks to give the most standout performance of his career. Donnie Yen plays a simple man with a complicated past caught in the center of a murder scene and everything comes to boiling point when Takeshi uncovers a hidden secret. Wang Yu makes a comeback as a villain to beat all villains! His character is so menacing we could feel every shiver and tremble his victims experienced in his presence. All in all, this picture is different enough (the wondrously dynamic cinematography helped) and the martial arts is choreographed with just the right amount of fresh perspective to make it entertaining.

3.5 STARS!

All about Wu Xia

Martyrs

noreply@blogger.com (1minutefilmreview) — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 14:28:00 +0000

Director - Pascal Laugier

Genre - Horror/Thriller

The cinematography in this film is handled with panache and the acting by two of its leading actresses commendable. Those are the key points which made viewing it bearable in a very minimal way. If you're looking for a credible or entertaining story however, please give this a pass. Torturous and stomach-churning to watch for even the most seasoned gore flick lover, we had to endure scene of inexcusable, irresponsible violence. There are ways to show violence in a more clever, audience-friendly method as in 'The Human Centipede'. Most of you must be thinking we've gone mad depicting Tom Six's perverse virtuoso as being friendly to viewers but if put in comparison with this, it really is. So there you have it. Our take on a putrid piece of cinematic poison.

1 STAR!

All about Martyrs

Gran Torino

noreply@blogger.com (1minutefilmreview) — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 15:03:00 +0000

Director - Clint Eastwood

Genre - Drama

Clint Eastwood discards most of his tough guy image to play a grumpy geezer who lives alone with no time for socializing. Things begin to change when he takes an interest in the well-being of his next door neighbor's young son. A victim of gang members, the kid is taken under the protective wings of Eastwood's character who angers the hoodlums enough that they declare war on him. In a similar vein as Eastwood's masterstroke, 'Unforgiven', this film is an allegory on the affect of revenge on those who are embroiled in its fiery pursuit. It is as if by making these stories, Eastwood who in his heyday projected the act of violence as cool and righteous is actually making amends by showing the other side of it. And as the poster boy of 'shoot first, talk later' in a previous life, he is ironically the perfect candidate to turn the tables on being trigger happy in films as well as in real life. Give peace a chance, Eastwood seems to be saying. Now if the rest of the world complies it would really make his day.

4 STARS!

All about Gran Torino

3 Idiots

noreply@blogger.com (1minutefilmreview) — Sat, 10 Sep 2011 12:44:00 +0000

Director - Rajkumar Hirani

Genre - Comedy/Drama/Musical

A sense of skepticism hounded us before our viewing of this, our experiences with modern Hindi movies have not been all that positive you see. We're glad to say now that if all Hindi pictures were like this, we're absolutely converted! Funny, original, tearful, dramatic...we even enjoyed the songs and dances! Aamir Khan plays an oddball genius of sorts who changes the lives of everybody around him in college. With two of his friends, they get up to all kinds of shenanigans that may look foolhardy at first but turn out to be quite ingenious and surprisingly thoughtful. The picture goes on in this vein throughout and it plays like a thinking man's 'American Pie'. The kids of THAT dumb film think of nothing but sex. Here, the thoughts are more about helping others, about friendship and taking care of your loved ones. Now, isn't that more worthwhile?

5 STARS!

All about 3 Idiots

Knife In The Water

noreply@blogger.com (1minutefilmreview) — Sat, 03 Sep 2011 16:55:00 +0000

Director - Roman Polanski

Genre - Drama

Roman Polanski's debut as a director is really attention-grabbing. Set on a yacht for most of its duration, the movie is constantly kinetic and hypnotic to watch. A well to do couple asks a young, lone traveler to go sailing with them, setting the ensuing tension-filled drama which will keep you glued to your seat. Critics have said this film contains spades of suspense but don't expect the kind which is electrifying and jolts you out of your couch. The suspense here comes rather from a social disconnection between people with differing views. A friction of personalities rubbed together too hard. Sometimes, as shown astutely by Polanski here, the result of the latter can be more unnerving and interesting. Shot like a black and white junkie's dream as well.

4 STARS!

All about Knife In The Water

Winter's Bone

noreply@blogger.com (1minutefilmreview) — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 15:57:00 +0000

Director - Debra Granik

Genre - Drama/Mystery/Thriller

Praised to the clouds and given considerable recognition by critics, we expected much from this indie. Unfortunately, it is not as incredible as it is made out to be. Jennifer Lawrence is certainly the best thing about this movie and will hopefully come out unscathed from playing 'Mystique' in 'X-Men: First Class'. Strong-willed, stubborn, full of spunk, her role here as a young girl who has to take care of her even younger siblings when her dad ran afoul of something terrible and lost their house as a result is what pulls you in to watch this movie. Alas, the thriller we were promised went missing in action and we were left waiting for the pay-off at the end. Obviously, the critics see more to this than us. We'd like to be enlightened as to what this could be as well.

2.5 STARS!

All about Winter's Bone

Rakht Charitra

noreply@blogger.com (1minutefilmreview) — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 14:45:00 +0000

Director - Ram Gopal Varma

Genre - Action/Biography/Crime

After 'The Godfather' trilogy introduced us to an underworld of cool and charismatic gangsters, we were left hungering for more of the same, that feeling of blind adulation for criminals which feed our need to be one of the bad boys on the wrong side of the tracks. If not in real life, we reasoned, might we not have our pie in reel life? Ram Gopal Varma's intense gangster drama has lighted, ignited and blazed the trail for our illicit love affair to begin again. And oh my...what a collection of terrifying, bloodcurdling gangsters these turned out to be! We were most impressed with Vivek Oberoi. Playing the leading role of Pratap Ravi, his devilishly suave demeanor reminds us of a young Pacino as Michael Corleone. Those certainly are big shoes to fill but we feel Vivek more than held his own. We can't wait for Part 2!

4 STARS!

All about Rakht Charitra

In A Better World

noreply@blogger.com (1minutefilmreview) — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 15:18:00 +0000

Director - Susanne Bier

Genre - Drama/Thriller

We only need to look at the younger generation today in order to gauge our future. Miles apart from the innocence of our parents and grandparents in terms of using violence to solve problems, youths today will resort to blood and weapons at the drop of a slight. Susanne Bier's film is a heart-pounding, mind-wrenching look at how our children have run away from us, from the warmth and love we seek to provide for them but continue to elude even ourselves. The characters here are not merely representations of me and you, they mirror what is happening around the world this moment. The film itself and its powerful story show us what is wrong with society today. Are we to leave our children be or find a way to end the madness? We can't afford to turn a blind eye anymore.

4.5 STARS!

All about In A Better World

A Prophet

noreply@blogger.com (1minutefilmreview) — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 16:57:00 +0000

Director - Jacques Audiard

Genre - Drama/Crime

Set in France, where prisoners are so free they can dress in whatever fashion they please, have TVs, fridge in their cells and oh...get this, they can take leave days and go out into society. This notion of a 'prison' is a culture shock to us! Does this really happen in real life? Anyway, the story is of a young Arab man who starts out kind of docile in an environment where the Middle Eastern brothers and Corsicans are deadly rivals. Soon, he is asked (well, more like forced really) by the Corsicans to join them and be their gang leader's lap dog, doing his bidding and even making him coffee. A lot of stock, stereotypical scenes involving gangsters with hard ons for indiscriminate infliction of pain ensue and our lamb soon becomes a wolf, taking his time, planning his move to get a leg up on his racist, mean as nails errant master. Overlong and tiresome to watch, we felt like we were serving a sentence in prison too alongside the characters. Although, we must add that the prison featured here looks really comfortable!

2 STARS!

All about A Prophet