I have been a film score and classical music fan almost 15 years now. Although my library is pretty huge, it isn’t as big as many of you think.
Back in 1992, I saw an independent film from India called Parinda from director Vidu Vinod Chopra. Notice I didn’t say bollywood. That’s because it wasn’t your typical bollywood film and by those days standards, it was one of the most brilliant story with brilliant performances and outstanding direction. The film’s subject line was relationship beween two brothers and one of his girlfriends relation with the mafia world. Without saying much, the film opened up with this classical piece which I am sure you have heard of many times.
It’s called Fanfare of the Comman Man by Aaron Copland
Although, there are many great foreign films out there but while back I had the pleasure of watching an Iranian Film which was nominated for Best Foreign Picture in 1999. The film was called ‘The Color of Paradise’.
I have seen this film twice in the past 5 years and everytime I see it, it just gets to me. I don’t want to giveaway anything and the trailer doesn’t either but it’s a powerful story of a young boy and his family. It will get to you at several occasions.
Watch the trailer below and get it from your local library or video store. It’s worth the search.
For those who haven’t seen the new full trailer of Will Ferrell’s action adventure comedy ‘Land of the Lost’, be sure to check it out. Not only it has exciting FX, some old time humour (thanks to no crude humour) and tons of action but believe it or not it also pokes fun at NBC Today’s Matt Lauer interview with Tom Cruise. See for yourself.
Yes I know, I didn’t make ‘Revolutionary Road’ but considering it’s a film by one of the most amazing storyteller out there, I couldn’t resist but to share this story. Directed by Sam Mendes (American Beauty), ‘Revolutionary Road’ is based on Richard Yates’ 1961 novel, the novel and the film take an in depth look at a bad marriage of Frank (Di Caprio) and April (Winslet).
The latest issue of American Cinematographer interviews director Sam Mendes and cinematographer Roger Deakin. Both talk about how they used simplicity to tackle this couple’s sadistic tale of marriage. Having seen this incredible film, I did notice the simplicity of shot compositions as well as in editing this film that brought me closer to the characters. As filmmakers, I think many of us try to get stylish shots but we must first understand the story and the characters and then film it accordingly.
Below is an excerpt from the article but you can read it in entirety over here.
On Revolutionary Road, the requirements of the story, and Mendes’ desire to tell it in an “unadorned” style, led to a visual approach Deakins calls “very straightforward.” The cinematographer notes, “It’s a film about a marriage falling apart in this supposedly idyllic suburbia, and when you’ve got two great actors in a story like that, you don’t want to do much with the camera. You just want to photograph it as best you can to let the audience see the characters and the performances that give you the characters.” The close focus on Frank and April also led Mendes and Deakins to make decisions about shots only after the director had thoroughly rehearsed DiCaprio and Winslet in the space at hand. “It wasn’t like working with the Coen brothers, who decide in advance exactly how something will be staged and shot,” says Deakins. “This wasn’t the kind of film where you were going to impose anything, really, on what the actors were going to do.”
Hi everyone. I am working on two short film scripts at the moment and hoping to get them made before Summer 2009. I will be keeping everyone posted on progress but right now both are in 1st draft stage.
I would love for a scriptwriter or two to give me their opinion. So if you are interested, drop me an e-mail.
On this past Sunday, just like that I decided to head out to theatres for a late 10:30 p.m. show to watch one of the most acclaimed films of the year, SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE.
Not an avid fan of Danny Boyle, I basically went to see this film based on it’s original story, backdrop and music composer (A.R. Rahman). And boy what a great decision I made. This was an incredible film that actually highlights the real india where real people live unlike those that we see in bollywood films.
I don’t want to spoil anything but there is definitely more to the film than those that have seen the trailer. The film does get disturbing at some points but it’s a story of human spirit against all odds.
The film began with a scene where Jamal is being tortured for something that has been not revealed. Of course, in the world we live in, I and certainly others thought that he was wrongly accused as a Terrorist. But no, that certainly wasn’t the case. I have to commend the writer and director for deceiving the audience here. I love it when I predict wrong.
I absolutely loved how director Danny Boyle ran side to side comparison between two brothers (Jamal & Salim) in this film. And music, Good lord. It’s phenomenal. I have been following A.R. Rahman’s work since 1994 and pretty much have all his albums. This album has to be his most different album to date and mind you it has received Best Music for Golden Globe. Don’t believe me? Listen to this track. One of my favorites.
I hope this film wins in some category at Globes and hopefully at Oscars as it’s a film of epic proportions yet a small tale of a family raised in the slums of India
I am not a hardcore trekky like a lot of those people who go to Star Trek Conventions wearing a Romulan costume or Klingon make up but I am a Star Trek fan. Especially of ‘The Next Generation’.
However, the upcoming film which is the prequel to the original ‘Star Trek’ series and is directed by J.J.Abrams (creator of ‘Lost’) looks extremely promising. See for yourself.
On Monday night, I saw back to back shows of ‘Wanted’ & ‘Wall E’. No I didn’t use one ticket but used two cineplex odeon passes I had thanks to spending money on my mastercard.
‘Wanted’ is one heck of a exciting film with a good story line and humour. I enjoyed it very much. My only beef with the film was that in some ways it promoted the idea of guns being cool and if you are not a assassin you are no one. For adults that premise doesn’t bring much harm but youngsters these days, that’s way too much. I was thinking about that during the film and felt upset but then after the film, I looked behind me and found a 11 year old with their parents. Now what’s that??? Kids are bad these days but parents are getting worse. What’s the point of bringing them to such film. Yikes.
As for ‘Wall E’, it is by far the best animated film ever made and definitely one of the best films ever made. It has such a heart just like other Pixar films but a brilliant story and a thought provoking message. Not to mention lots of humor. So check it out with your kids or nephews or nieces or whoever. The film is for everyone.
I am not a hardcore trekky like a lot of those people who go to Star Trek Conventions wearing a Romulan costume or Klingon make up but I am a Star Trek fan. Especially of ‘The Next Generation’.
On Monday night, I saw back to back shows of ‘Wanted’ & ‘Wall E’. No I didn’t use one ticket but used two cineplex odeon passes I had thanks to spending money on my mastercard.