For the first time we don’t see the others as bit players dancing around an infallible protagonist but as people in their own right, professionals confronting each other but nonetheless tragic elements within a single diminished structure.
Through its feature length, Herman’s House touches upon the issues of institutionalized racism in the United States, delayed justice, fate of former Black Panther activists, and makes a strong case against prolonged solitary confinement which Jackie considers to be ‘torture’. But at the primary level it remains a story of hope, friendship and unconquerable human spirit. And that is what gives Herman’s House its universal appeal.
Director Bart Layton does justice to and builds on this intriguing tale, through creative re-enactments, complete with low-key lighting and black and white effects, qualifying the film, in his own words, to be termed as “non-fiction film noir”.
Karan Johar has no grand story to tell but he has pinned up smart and interesting pins to hold the restless generation by his master ways.
In its conceptualization style and execution Looper is compelling and brave. It uses the much abused clichés of time travel (you meeting your future self for example), futuristic thrillers ( a mother and son stalked by a warrior from the future) and fear in isolation
here is without doubt some vicarious pleasure to be had in seeing the rich and mighty stumble. Especially in these tough times when jobs are fast becoming a precious commodity and inflation and high taxes play havoc with household budgets the world over. Against this backdrop getting to see almighty tycoons such as Lehman Brothers [...]
Barfi builds itself upon nostalgia, an eternal feeling of loss that we live with as we grow older and wiser and that’s why Barfi works wonders. Right from the Murphy radio, radio Ceylon and steam engines -memories are evoked of days when life used to be so simple, so fun-filled (quite boring for many).
Rituparno Ghosh, tried to put up a slice of life topped with contradictions and anomalies – he succeeds fairly and Chitrangada will remain an important film in Indian cinema for raising the doubts, contradictions and confusions about identity – sexual and/or gender.
Jalpari, based on the issue of female foeticide, maintains a fine balance and never goes overboard preaching the cause. In fact, it weaves it cleverly into an adventure thriller which successfully drives the message home and is palatable to children and adults alike.
The best part of the film are its characters—the shuttlecock boys—who are surprisingly real in depiction and effortless in their performances.
Recommended
