June 2016 | TFC

Rigor Mortis (2013) | Cantonese

Rigor Mortis (2013) | Cantonese

A very much unexpected horror film from Hong Kong film circle which i noticed from a random pick.We would have seen so many horror flicks before were thrill factor mostly rely on story it conveys but here in this case its totally different. This movie entirely driven by its breathtaking visuals supported by haunting background score creating a perfect atmosphere well suited for a horror film. VFX in this film is damn good especially the ghost characters were brilliantly crafted to perfection. A well known actor moves to a old apartment just to commit suicide, from then on this movie covers all the paranormal happenings around him from the point he attempts suicide upto his last breath. Story is so twisted that it keeps us guessing till the end but the Gothic feel it creates is so haunting then the story itself. Every frame is well crafted right from the start with some jaw dropping slow motion sequence which will leave you stunned. Second part of it is graphic in nature at most, adding to it story might feel a little disconnected but towards the end with last five minutes of the film , it would finally allow you to reason yourself to apply some logic for whatever happened so far. If you want to enjoy a different kind of horror flick unlike other usual ones then it should be in definite watch list.

Theeb (2014) | Arabic

Theeb (2014) | Arabic

A spellbinding adventurous movie about journey of a young boy THEEB who decides to join his elder brother on a long voyage through desert as a guide for their guest who happen to be a English man wanting to survey nearby water well. Theeb's father & their tribe are well known for their kindness and for the way they receive guests in addition to their skills in navigating through such tough terrain. Here starts a simple journey from eyes of theeb experiencing beautiful canyon , dazzling night sky, Camel ride, Baking bread in sand , life saving water beds and their simple life style in such harsh conditions which all adds up to the movie. But a unexpected twist to the story shatters their peace completely which forces theeb on a survival mode when Riders of the desert try to attack them. Rest is about theeb survival and his journey back home which gives a total completion to such a wonderful movie. Its not always the sun that dominates dessert but there are so many beautiful hidden things which this movie helps to explore and its always a wonderful feel to understand life of people on other side of the world. This is one must watch film who love travel & adventure films and would definitely leave you with a unforgettable experience. Just dont miss it.

Omar (2013) | Arabic

Omar (2013) | Arabic

No Wonder it was well acclaimed internationally and had a positive reception all around. A simple Palestinian drama which deals with friendship, Love and betrayal. Story about three childhood friends who join together as a resistance group fighting against the Israel who took control over their place. Omar who is the lead character in this movie gets caught in a cross fire between his love and friendship, when Israeli soldiers arrest him and try to convince him to be a mole for their ground work. Irrespective of he being loyal, still he gets labelled as traitor by the people around him. Dejected by all what has happened to him, will he still be true to his friends or join hand with Israeli's bowing to their blackmails falls rest of the story.

Movie carries mixed feelings with many twists and turns throughout. A very neat drama will lot of surprising events and with some fine heart touching moments makes it a feel good movie too. Those love portions were beautifully framed and every emotions were blended perfectly in it. I initially thought it would be a slow moving drama but on a contrary it was a engaging one giving a pleasant movie watching experience.

Dark Touch (2013)

Dark Touch (2013)

A very much under-rated psychological thriller cum horror movie which demands more attention to it. Story is so horrific, intense and graphic in nature which handles a very complex script and a complicated topic on child abuse. Though at first, we will be left with thoughts lingering here & there trying to find answers but once we start to think that we have a clear picture, we would be still puzzled to understand if all the happenings are just imagination, psychological or Paranormal in nature. There are scenes which would easily send chills and shivers to the spine keeping thrill factor at peak.A worthy engaging thriller not to be missed.

The Great Journey (2004) | French

The Great Journey (2004) | French

Easily one of best road trip movie i have seen and would stay in my top favorite list for ever. A father and son decide to take a road trip to mecca from France which is about five thousand miles far ,a Journey that would embark a life changing events for them with new experiences every single day facing challenges at every turn. This journey brings them both together providing a opportunity to understand each other and also learning many lessons on their way keeping them forward against all odds. Relationship between father and son was beautifully portrayed in this movie and its so loving to see them keep traveling together irrespective of all indifference in their opinion on many things. Though the story ending leave us with a heavy heart yet this film creates so much wonderful feeling on us giving a nostalgic feel throughout. May be we all need such long journeys together which can bring people to a better understanding and also to gain many new experiences en-route. A masterpiece film which cannot be missed and a experience which cannot be ignored. Must watch.

Letters from Iwo Jima (2006) | Japanese

Letters from Iwo Jima (2006) | Japanese

Unique treatment to a war film like never seen with a poetic touch to it, a patriotic film depicting soldiers & generals who sacrificed life for their country during Battle between Americans and Imperial japan at IWO Jima island. Film gives a close encounter on dark side of war were behind all bullets & guns there are always men men with emotions, feelings n fear who pull the trigger. It would be a much easier battle for them om the field then their actual fight within them-self when they had to choose between their country and family, which only few men raise to the occasion willingly while others been forced to take it without any option. We could see both these kind of men in this film while justifying each ones decision for doing things what they had to do. Though Japan has lost the battle there, the undelivered letters they written to their family survives for a century when this island gets surveyed in a later time. Those letters, their confession and their sacrifice before their last breath makes core plot of this story. Have seen many war films but this definitely got a delicate touch to it especially with a magical bgm supporting it. This is a very lengthy movie but definitely allows us to travel with it. One of must watch films from Clint Eastwood not to be missed.

Ilo Ilo (2013) | Singapore

Ilo Ilo (2013) | Singapore

A simple heart touching family drama coming from Singapore film industry. Movie depicts the pure innocence love & bonding between a mischief kid and a Filipino caretaker who comes to work in Singapore leaving behind her own 12 month baby under the care of her sister. So she had to sustain and endure whatever it takes to keep her new job safe as she is very much dependent on it .Whatever that young kid does to bully her, she had to keep herself calm and situation under control so it doesn't escalate to that boys parent which could cost her job easily. What turned sour initially grows pleasant as story moves forward with their bonding growing strong everyday with that kid starting to like her and respect her for her love n care for him. Separation is all evident and to the end how hard it would be for a young heart to swallow it been beautifully portrayed in this film.

The best thing about this film is the way it travels with time making us connect with it all along till the end and allowing us to empathize on what every character played in this film makes it a best part of this movie. Hardly with four characters, they created a wonder out of it and i would say this should be a must watch film on every movie buff list. A one time journey that need to be experienced and felt. Have fun watching

Private Eye (2009) Korean

Private Eye (2009) Korean

Very plain and neat Investigation thriller giving a noir feel just like old days. Movie about a young medical student who gets tangled unknowingly in a murder which he didn't commit decides to hire a private investigator to find real killer and to clear his name from this crime. Their journey starts from there on while witnessing many such murders in same locality with similar modes operandi. Rest of movie follows their investigation technique the use to crack this case to bring real killers to surface finishing of with a perfect twist to the tale involving many other powerful men responsible for this crime.

Whats best about this movie is the way they handled the script & executed it with such simplicity creating a reality feel to it which was well supported by grandeur visuals and soulful BGM. Chances that many might find it cliche if we watch it now but considering the period it was released , this was a well celebrated movie with a huge box office hit during those days. This film will sure give you one fine experience of movie watching with complete satisfaction and one that would make you travel along with it till the end. Enjoy watching it.

A Werewolf Boy (2012) Korean

A Werewolf Boy (2012) Korean

A very nice feel good romantic film with lot of emotions packed in it. A family consisting of a single mother with two young daughter due to personal reasons decide to move to their farm house in a less densely populated village with only few neighbors around. While they try to settle in their new place, they happen to find a young boy in their shed adjacent to their house. Realizing he is a orphan and that he doesn't behave normal as any-other kids around, family decides to give him food and shelter till they could find a right home for him. Only their elder daughter Sun-yi finds him to be a werewolf and she decides to hide this fact while slowly training him on human behavior making him accustomed to the people around him. Sun-yi starts to like him and their bonding grew stronger every day as it passed while he protecting from any dangers that comes on her way. Irrespective of all her tries to keep it a secret, news of him gets out resulting in a chase out while police & scientist try to capture him as a subject for their experiment. How Sun-yi protects him from these danger and did the survive these odds follows rest of the story.

Movie is so good especially acting of Chul-Soo as werewolf was top notch. The way he gets introduced into the movie at the beginning and how he gradually evolves in time was wonderfully portrayed in it. That unsaid love and those emotions were too high between the two leads and it was a brilliant execution to bring in such a feeling from a movie of this subject. There are even some brilliant action sequences especially that transformation scenes were just jaw stunning. With that off a beautiful ending with a cute reunion was a delicate touch which adds more favor to this film. Overall this is one worthy flick definitely not to be missed.

11 A.M (2013) Korean

11 A.M (2013) Korean

A very bold attempt and one of Brilliantly executed time travel flick coming from Korean Industry supported by a engaging script handled with perfection & precise attention to details. Movie is about a group of scientist who are locked down under a secure Lab beneath sea tasked to invent time travel machine. With years of work yielding no positive results, Russian sponsors for this program decided to pull the plug and to stop wasting more time n resources on this project. Though this invention is premature for final testing, considering the pressure coming from Russians to evacuate their lab, they as a team decide to run test under great risk with a jump to next day ie 24 hours from current time with only 15 minutes limited open window before the machine returns back.

With their life at stake but considering years of hard work as their priority, two scientist risked them-self and traveled through time successfully only to find total chaos and destruction of lab with their entire crew gone missing from the scene. With limited time, they managed to grab CCTV footage from future and returned back to their present time. When they started to analyze footage, they are shocked to see the kind of events that took place in future with entire lab going on flames at exact 11am next day. So with time running short, did they manage to change the future, survive through time, Did they succeed in making a perfect time machine which they desired to and did all crew safely returned to their base at the end follows rest crucial part of the story.

The most important factor that we can notice in this film is the way they connect the dots with precision ,sequencing the events from the present to that of the future without any overlaps running them in a linear way. Theory of time travel is still something debatable not proven with facts , considering it this film looks more or less flawless with the theory they decided to follow bringing people from different period in same timeline. They could have had more scenes involving time travel machine which was something i expected, nevertheless it still managed to engage till the end with a brilliant screenplay. Overall this is a must watch film for movie buffs who love time travel flicks. happy watching.

The Deal (2015) Korean

The Deal (2015) Korean

It will be easily one of best nail biting revenge cum serial killer based thriller films ever made in Korean films in line of I saw the devil , chaser etc. This film is about a deadly serial killer a role played by one of famous actor Park Sung‑woong known for movies like For the Emperor , New World , Commitment and in this film he delivered a outstanding performance justifying his role perfectly that too with a killer smile on his face always.

Many girls start disappear in soeul and people are in fear for a serial killer is on lose. The last victim was a pregnant women kidnapped and killed brutally by the same killer burying her somewhere deep down the forest where all his victims end up finally. And these killing ends when he gets arrested by police for a hit and run case which on further investigation brings out the truth to the outside world followed by conviction and sentencing. Movie kick start when last victim's husband steps out to seek revenge and more importantly to find his wife missing body. On the other hand brother of the same victim is a senior police officer who had to uphold the law irrespective of his true feelings and anger. While one person seeking revenge and the other trying to stop him from committing crime , it becomes a cat and mouse game between the too. At the end, did he seek revenge, was her corpse found and did the killer survive forms rest of the story.

Movie is so gripping till the end and veru interesting to the core. Gruesome at parts, Thrilling at most and spine chilling at few , this film will sure give you a complete feel & satisfaction of watching a thriller film. Though there is not much surprise element to the story as the strict doesn't depend on it, it surely lived through the characters who delivered their best performance. There was a prison fight scene which was terrific and at same time jaw dropping and the last seen with overflowing emotions could easily make your heart heavy. Overall a perfect film definitely not to be missed.

Veteran (2015) Korean

Veteran (2015) Korean

A nice Crime action comedy flick from a well known actor Jung-min Hwang known for movies like You Are My Sunshine , Bittersweet life , Private eye etc. Its about a upright detective Seo Do-cheol known for his short burst of anger tangled in a case which involves son of a rich business tykoon assaulting a truck driver when he demanded them to return the contract money they owe him for his work. Brutally assaulted and pushed to coma while the people responsible for his condition easily getting away from this crime using their money and influence , Detective Seo takes this up personally even if the crime didn't fall under his jurisdiction and how he fights back to get justice to the victim irrespective of all odds that comes against him follows the rest of the story. Movie is fun at most times with quirky comedy from the lead actor and his police team , along with some cool stunts..this is definitely a cool and entertaining film and a good time pass one.

Chronicles of Evil (2015) Korean

Chronicles of Evil (2015) Korean

What happens when your actions of past comes back to haunt you , this film is exactly that. A newly appointed decorated captain Choi Chang‑sik gets framed to commit a murder in self defense which he didn't intended to do. As it might bring down his fame and recent promotion , when he starts to cover up that incident from his own investigation team clearing up all evidence that arise , things gets more heated up. Life of Choi Chang‑sik gets more complicated for a righteous detective like him becoming more hypothetical with every step he takes to hide the crime he committed resulting him in committing more crime above it. When he was so sure that it all was due to his own actions that his life was so messed up , events take a complete U turn there with a brilliant and unexpected twist to the tale. Even so till the last minute story kept a unpredictable knot without loosing its grip and it was way good twist then expected. This film definitely keeps you at toes and a perfect crime thriller deserves a one time watch.

The Survivalist (2015)

The Survivalist (2015)

During times of food shortage and starvation, one person isolates himself deep inside the forest with a small farm land growing his own food and living a secure life with the limited resources he accumulated over time.But things get messy when a mother and her young daughter get to him to seek help looking for food and shelter. From there on , Trust , emotions , hunger take a toll on their life affecting each one in their own way letting their own survival options in stake.Did they make through with their indifference , did they survive through such tough times forms rest of the story. Movie was okay but rather felt like a sitcom as it keeps revolving at a single place with very minimal characters at play. It failed to bring the emotions and feelings of a person properly and it hardly helps us connect to this film. Movie is okay at parts but not really a good survival film unlike what this poster says.Just a one time watch if you like such movies of this genre. Else safe to skip it.

The Cobbler (2014)

The Cobbler (2014)

Story of a shoe maker who happens to own a magical Sewing Machine passed on from his great grand fathers giving him ability to change himself as a person who owns the shoe. He could disguise himself as other person completely changed until he removes their shoes which allows him to walk the path of other men and live their life. With such a ability what all could he achieve, will his path set to good or evil falls the rest part of the story. Adam Sandler did good as a lead role but somehow movie slided itself on both serious and fun at same time giving us a confused feel. Steve Buscemi Known for fargo and Con Air did a brilliant cameo in this film. The last ending scene was good when adams father reveals a secret about his identity. Overall a movie which can be seen once just for the concept but not much of a engaging one.

Colonia (2015)

Colonia (2015)

I had no clue until i watched it today that this movie is based on a Cult organization and a Secret Camp called Colonia Dignidad in Chile which was used to Torture prisoners. At first felt it was a script about a imaginary place were story revolves around a girl who risks her life to save her boyfriend taken as a prisoner to that same camp. But to my shocking end credits gave me shivers all over. Glad this movie ending was good which is one convincing thing yet the cult that follows written all over sets it apart. This would stand as one of best cult films in recent times which is closely based on true events and a real place that existed once. Definitely enjoyable and a must watch film.

No Escape (2015)

No Escape (2015)

One of best action thriller in recent times , very much underrated and hardly noticed by many. Worthy 101 minute spent and movie kicks off right from the start and it doesn't even let us take a breath anywhere till the end.Owen Wilson along with his wife & two kids immigrate to a alien country in Southeast Asia taking up a new job due to his recent breakdown in business back-home. But to his fate things are not quiet good as he expected when he arrived there as armed rebellion group were trying to kill every foreigners there mercilessly in protest against US government trying to take control over their water resources. Surrounded by thousands of rebels with weapons , Oven has to do everything it takes to keep his family safe and to what length he had to go to keep them away from harms way is rest of the story.

Movie is really good worth every single minute making us empathize on his situation and the trauma his entire family had to go through. There is no dramatic scenes anywhere but just a common man survival portrayed beautifully during entire length of this film. Pierce Brosnan Cameo was fantastic and added more punch to this movie. Overall this is one of best thriller seen in recent times and definitely not to be missed. Must watch.

Easy Money: Hard to Kill (2014) Swedish

Easy Money: Hard to Kill (2014) Swedish

Three Different Stories , Three Individuals and how they overlap each other at some point when their life revolve around one common mobster forms the base part of the story. Its all money at the end and that blood money wherever it goes , death follows and how these three people life pushed to a corner where they had to make sacrifices and choose a path they don't want to take just to keep them alive. But towards the end, its nothing but total chaos. Its not a complete action pack film but the way the story movies so steadily bring these characters together keeps us glued to this film. Its more of a crime thriller then action and can definitely be watched one.

Synchronicity (2016)

Synchronicity (2016)

Another SciFi Film based on Time travel concept where few engineers successfully able to create wormhole manually using radioactive substance using which they test some specimen to traverse through time. But the protagonist himself steps in through the warm hole, a exact replica of him from the future to the past gets created but to only discover later that no two beings sharing same conscious could exist in same universe which results in self destruction. So the events leading from there on follows the rest of this film. Movie is not that great compared to other time travel films but can be watchable for its concept and for those who love time travel films. Could have been more gripping besides the idea this film portrays and might not be everyone's cup of tea. Watch it if it fits your interest.

Midnight Special (2016)

Midnight Special (2016)

A scifi film in search of other world in different dimension.Concept was okay , the way they carried this movie is also fine but that buildup they create for it is useless. Take shelter was another similar movie from Michael Shannon which had a better ending despite being a slow runner at middle but here in Midnight special , there is hardly any logic were things just movie on as if its all disconnected. Having LED's beneath the Eyes and palms is not enough with simple parallel universe concept towards the end. Destruction of satellite, origin of the boy, Exposure to sun , Puzzling coordinates, end of days concept all doesn't add up to it or properly explained.. Easily it could have been one of best sci fi films at recent time but with amateur execution its clearly spoiled. Can be watched once just to experience sci-fi elements but it got nothing more to deliver.

Iraivi ( 2016 )

Iraivi ( 2016 )

A nice film thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it ( Excluding songs and the BGM ). On a Nutshell i see this film as life of three random people and their mistakes because of anger and loosing temper at spur of that moment. Is anger specific to any one gender ? I guess not. Irrespective of pointing fingers, any person might make mistake when pushed under few circumstances unlike in this film were actions of few individual causing chaos in life of two innocent women and in the end all men must die ;) . So rather looking into the message too deep what this movie portrays, i was still able to enjoy this film and it did entertain me well besides the dark nature which surrounds it. I am not a huge fan of SJS as a actor but i must say he gave a stellar performance in this movie followed by Anjali character who are top reasons for making me feel this way about this film. And on a special note , there were some few crisp dialogues and quotes from SJ on first half which was just superb.

These are few movies which has a potential to create mixed reviews with varied perception to a extent of guilt feel that too with a little bit sketchy dramatic second half , chances are that it might not be received well by many on a positive note preventing them from enjoying it as any other normal movie.Overall i enjoyed this film a lot but i doubt if i can watch it again second time. A attempt which deserves a one time watch for sure IMO. A stretchy session on Anger management # Iraivi