Apur Sansar

Andrew Niccol is the writer of The Truman Show. His directorial venture, In time, is a film set in the future with a plot that has its share of fun. But the strangeness of the plot also causes enough trouble with the makers. It is an interesting idea based on time and it takes its time to completely give its concept. But it seems Niccol still has traces of his Truman hangover! The concept spreads to more people and characters unlike Truman Show but constrains itself to a rather small world. And the proceedings does not have  too much complications and leaves space for plenty of loose ends. Even the casting of the film does not seem completely convincing making the flaws in the writing seem even more bigger. The film tries to provide with happenings with time but sadly things seem a little funny at times when it isn't meant to be. The visual effects of the film does work well and the shots capture the characters with immense smartness. But there is something not right about the...

Ram Gopal Varma's Rakht Charitra is a multi lingual film that has been based on true events. The film has been conceived in two parts though the Tamizh version was merely the second part. The second part infact sums up most of what was shown in the first part in its initial minutes. (Note that the film was called Rakta Charitra in Telugu and Ratha Sarithiram in Tamizh.) I doubt if the film has a so called powerful plot. It is just another story of power and revenge and of course the treatment makes use of enough and more gore for the sake of justifying the title! The film is filled with scenes that have been quite neatly written but it is the weird vision of Ram Gopal Varma that makes Rakht Charitra one interesting watch. The film has RGV's stamp all over it with the loud background score, and stunning use of slow motion. There is an irritating voice over to the film as well which narrates almost everything that we see for the sake of maybe the 'Dummies' who are wa...

All the world's a stage, And all the men and women merely players; They have their exits and their entrances; And one man in his life plays many parts; His acts being seven ages. These are the words of Shakespeare and the story of Truman is very much summed up in these lines.  The Truman Show is terrific idea. I watched the film and loved it. The writing was exceptionally brilliant and Jim Carrey as Truman and Ed Harris as the creator of the show were just perfect. I really don't know what I should write about the film but it was one that affected me well. I did not have anything beyond the world of Truman to think for hours after I saw the film. Such a cinematic and surrealistic idea portrayed with immense class and maturity. Peter Weir's execution and Andrew Niccol's writing simply make the show of Truman an experience that is emotional and almost unforgettable. The Truman Show has serious content and that is something that would be very relevant for a ...

I had seen My Dear Kuttichathan in 3D when I was very young. It would be more than 15 years I guess but I still have memories of the awesomeness that I had experienced through the stereoscopic 3D then. To revisit the film again upon its 2011 re-release (This was the second re-release of the film. The film is called Chhota Chetan in Hindi and Chutti Chathan in Tamizh.) was an experience that I never wanted to miss. My dear Kuttichathan has been directed by Jijo and this was India's first stereoscopic 3D film. He was also the man who came up one of South India's first 70mm film with Padayottam. I still wonder why Jijo did not make many more films and it is strange that there weren't anyone to carry on the inventive nature in making films in Malayalam even afterwards. My dear Kuttichathan does not have a story credit. But I have heard that it has been based on a short story that was written by non other than Padmarajan himself. It is a remarkable story that the film narra...

Delhi Belly is, an English film that is partly Hindi, directed by Abhinay Deo and produced by Aamir Khan. The film written by Akshat Verma is another tale of confusion and chaos. The witty dialogues and the wonderfully well worked out situations for humour make this an entertaining and delightful watch. It is a comic thriller that works just like one of those Guy Ritchie movies like Lock, stock and two smoking barrels or snatch. The writing and the visuals of the film makes use of a style that manages to blend a 70's retro style and a post 2000 modern style with class. The balance between the styles opens space not just for something not much seen but also for some interesting humour. Jason West has literally made a masterstroke with the shots of Delhi Belly while Ram Sampath comes up with an extraordinary soundtrack that gives total support to the style of the film. With supremely intelligent casting, the makers of Delhi Belly have a clear winner right from the word go. Ofcou...