Best Classic Christmas Films of all time (10+1list)

Best Classic Christmas Films of all time

written by Souranath Banerjee

Best Classic Christmas Films of all time: Ho Ho Ho, Santa Claus is here.

Well, I am sure the old bearded man is almost there, reaching your place with all your specific demands but till then you can enjoy the Best Classic Christmas Films of all time; a humble Christmas gift from Cinema Forensic!

Classic Hollywood romantic comedies with a touch of Christmas in them, the likes of It’s a Wonderful Life (1946), The Shop Around the Corner (1940), Holiday Affair (1949) and It Happened on Fifth Avenue (1947) (though these four brilliant films are not included in the list below)

Enjoy the films and yes, Merry Christmas!

10. Holiday Inn (1942)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifkmvBNQhd8

Holiday-Inn-posterDirected by Mark Sandrich, this is the story of a special inn that opens only during the year-end holidays, and gives you a performance to remember throughout the year.

Brilliant chemistry between Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire, a superb musical that boosts up the energy level of your Christmas holidays!

The song ‘White Christmas’ by Irving Berlin won the Oscar for Best Song!

9. Remember the Night (1940)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LKcLcT9dOFk

Remember-the-Night-posterChristmas can make strange things happen, it can also make a serial shoplifter and her prosecutor fall in love!

But then what happens when the trial begins?

Directed by Mitchell Leisen, and starring Barbara Stanwyck and Fred MacMurray this is one Christmas romance that can make you fall in love.

8. White Christmas (1954)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3n3-UtakD3I

White-Christmas-posterBing CrosbyDanny KayeRosemary Clooney and Vera-Ellen – and all the dancing and singing you can possibly imagine in one Christmas! 

The film has hit songs like ‘The Best Things Happen While You’re Dancing‘ and the famous ‘White Christmas’

Directed by Michael Curtiz, this musical was that year’s most successful film. 

7. Holiday (1938)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NcTo5vPm6Ng

Holiday-posterWith a dip in the jovial Christmas festive mood the film is about a man who wants to take a holiday in oder to find himself!

Original concept taken from a famous play, starring Katharine Hepburn and Cary Grant and directed by George Cukor, this is one film that dares to ask a few very fundamental questions about the balance of happiness, ambition and the need for money in our life.

6. Meet Me in St. Louis (1944)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7guqfYsG0dE

meet-me-in-st-louis-posterDirected by Vincente Minnelli, a comedy drama full of music, life, energy and Christmas mood!

Judy Garland sings the famous Christmas song ‘Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas‘ and then there is also the popular ‘The Trolley Song‘ as well.

Vincente Minnelli and Judy Garland met in the set of this film and got married soon afterwards!

5. The Bishop’s Wife (1947)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jAFneciOP0M

bishops-wife-posterA bit similar to the very popular film It’s a Wonderful Life, where angles come to solve our human problems.

With a very unique trailer, and an impressive star cast including Cary Grant,  Loretta Young and David Niven, this is one comedy drama that gets more interesting as Christmas approaches!

Directed by Henry Koster, a must for this winter holiday season.

4. A Christmas Carol (1951) aka Scrooge 

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=97PwRDfHBlg

A-Christmas-Carol-posterAdapted from Charles Dickens‘s famous novel by the same name; though numerous films are made based on it but this one is my favorite till date.

Directed by Brian Desmond Hurst, and a great performance by Alastair Sim, the story of an old bitter miser named Scrooge, who on the Christmas-eve is being haunted by three ghosts!

3. Christmas in Connecticut (1945)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePa6nx7T76w

Christmas-in-Connecticut-posterA famous food writer who claims to be a brilliant cook is giving a traditional family Christmas invitation for a returning war hero and her boss, but unfortunately the truth is she cannot cook at all!

Directed by Peter Godfrey, and starring Barbara StanwyckDennis Morgan and Sydney Greenstreet, a classic comedy drama focused on the day of Christmas. 

2. Babes in Toyland (1934)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tWAmlPclDPg

Babes-in-Toyland-posterStan Laurel and Oliver Hardy, the classic Laurel & Hardy combination that has given us numerous laugh riots is all set this Christmas to save their beloved ‘toyland’ from the clutches of the bogeymen. 

Directed by Gus Meins and Charley Rogers, a film that is funny and scary at the same time, and obviously a perfect Christmas special watch (though actually the story takes place in July).

  1. Miracle on 34th Street (1947)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ce_op2qG24

miracle-on-threefourth-street-posterAn old man is institutionalized when he claims to be the Santa Claus, every body thinks he is insane.

But then a young lawyer decides to defend him and argues in the courtroom that may be he is really THE Santa Claus.

Directed by George Seaton, starring Edmund Gwenn,  Maureen O’Hara,  John Paynea film specially made for all you Christmas romantics. 

and (The ‘+1′ film is not necessarily the best but certainly the most innovative one. A must watch).

+1. The Thin Man (1934)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mqpO6mx8WCE

thin-man-posterDirected by W.S. Van Dyke, if you want your Christmas to be with a hint of excitement, this light hearted murder mystery is exactly the one you are looking for.

And William Powell and Myrna Loy together, they have the best on screen chemistry ever seen. 

A detective suspense thriller with a comic touch. A perfect Christmas special.

Similar Interest: Best Hollywood Classic Romantic Films

Similar Interest: Best Classic Silent Films – the power of visuals

Similar Interest: Best Classic Short films ever made

Similar Interest: Best Bollywood Classics

Similar Interest: Best of Film Noir

Poster courtesy: www.doctormacro.comwww.impawards.comwww.imdb.comen.wikipedia.orgwww.filmtotaal.nlthethinman1934.com.

Mumbai Comic Con Cosplay

Mumbai Comic Con Cosplay.

written by Souranath Banerjee

Joker-damaged

The most fun weekend of this season. A never ending fancy-dress party, full of energy and enthusiasm – Mumbai Comic Con is here!

MaleficentDeath

The term ‘Con‘ comes from the word ‘fan convention‘ which relates Batman-Joker-In-Loveto any event in which fans of a particular film, television series, comic book, actor, or an entire genre of entertainment gather together and actively participate in it.

Egyptian-girl

So ‘Comic Con‘ essentially means a fan convention of anything and everything related to comics!

Being a popular world event since the 1970s (originated in San Diego), in 2009 Comic Con Express (the first of its kind in India) was held in Mumbai, the traveling version of the Annual Indian
Comics Convention.Little-HulkLittle-Ironman

Then, in 2011 Twenty Onwards Media organized Comic Con in New Delhi, and since then, every year the popularity of this event is growing fast.

TransformersTrio-costume-girls-MidCU

Now Comic Con India is held in all over India – in Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad and Bangalore.

Suicide-squad

And 19th and 20th Dec 2015 was the time for the Mumbai Film and Comic Con and there was a special (costume playcosplay competition organized by the ReedPop Mumbai’s Biggest Cosplay Competition.

ReshaJoker-Mayur
And this year’s participants have gone out of their way to be brilliantly creative and innovative with their costumes.

Pikachu  On-phone

From Hulk to Ironman, Poison Ivy to Pikachu, Suicide Squad to Transformers, Batman, Robin, Joker, Wonder woman to V for Evil-face-painted-womanPoisonIvy-PirateVendetta, Maleficent, Star Wars characters – not a single comic star is being missed out!

Interestingly most of these costumes are hand made, and almost all the face/body paints are experiments done by non professionals.

Samurai-Darth-Vader

This year’s Mumbai Comic Con was undoubtedly a success and a brilliant arena to display your cosplay talents.

Adventure-world

Hope to see you all next year with the same level of passion and exuberance. Till then keep your costumes ready!

Bajirao Mastani (2015)

Bajirao Mastani review.

written by Souranath Banerjee

‘Cheeteh ki chaal, Baaz ki naazar aur Baji Rao ki talvar par sandeh nahi karte, kabhi bhi maat de sakti hai.’

My Ratings: 4/5.

Almost twelve years back in 2003, director Sanjay Leela Bhansali wanted to make a film Bajirao Mastani with Salman Khan and Bajirao-Mastani-poster2Aishwarya Rai in the lead roles. But fate had some other plans. 

Finally in 2015, the film was made, i may add very beautifully made, with a fresh cast, Ranveer SinghDeepika Padukone and Priyanka Chopra.

Now, there are rarely any Bollywood films (if any) that are so pleasing to your eyes that the story, content and characters almost get sidetracked by the sheer beauty of each and every frame.

Bajirao Mastani is one such example of cinema.

Mr.Bhansali along with his cinematographer Sudeep Chatterjee and production designers Saloni DhatrakSriram Iyengar and Sujeet Sawant have managed to create stunning painting-like-shots (many Bajirao-Mastani-poster3of the frames in the film actually resembles classic paintings of famous Marathi painters) and have enthralled us with these great visuals through out the film.

And talking about the story of the film, (without going into the debate of how much historical authenticity it has), I would say it comes under the classic ‘doomed love story’ category, where love wins only through destruction of them who are in love!

Baji Rao Ballal Balaji Bhat, a great Maratha general of the early 1700, who though happily married and Hindu, falls in love with a charming half-muslim princess Mastani and eventually makes her his (second) wife.

But Baji Rao’s family (especially his mother and brother) are not too happy about this second marriage. So correspondingly, they humiliate Mastani and try to kill her a couple of times.

Bajirao-Mastani-poster7At the end, they do understand that ‘Baajirao Ne Mastani Se Mohabbat Ki Hai, Aiyashi Nahi’, but by that time it was too late!

Acting wise. superb performance by Ranveer Singh; his way of speaking Marathi, his body language as a warrior, his confident dialogue deliveries – basically he did look the part.

Deepika Padukone and Priyanka Chopra also did great job, and played out the perfect love triangle scenario.

Even the secondary characters Tanvi Azmi (as mother), Milind Soman (as minister), Aditya Pancholi (as the rival), Vaibbhav Tatwawdi (as brother) and Mahesh Manjrekar (as Maratha King) – all were at their best.

The content is relatively simple but the presentation is creditable, a Bajirao-Mastani-poster4bit too loud often (specially the dialogues) but again, that’s the part of Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s filmmaking style I guess.

A clever move to put a disclaimer in the very beginning of the film which basically said that the film doesn’t claim to be faithful to any historical facts; and then only did all the fuming historians calm down and concentrate on their popcorn tub.

Don’t forget the numerous elaborately choreographed dance sequences; decent musical score by Sanchit Balhara and Sanjay Leela Bhansali himself.

Do watch it in big screen to absorb the opulence and grandeur of this film.

P.S – Bajirao Mastani is banned in Pakistan since it is regarded as ‘a historical drama that is indirectly against Islam and Muslims.’ (No idea why or what that means).

Poster courtesy: www.muchask.netdailyroabox.comwww.bollywoodmdb.com

Best Bollywood Thrillers 2015 (10+1list)

Best Bollywood Thrillers 2015.

written by Souranath Banerjee

Bollywood Thrillers 2015 – People in general are instinctively curious by nature, which obviously makes them so very fond of thrillers.

And 2015 has been indeed a thrilling year for Bollywood!

Enough murder mysteries, conspiracies and suspense dramas, be it fictional or based on real events, most of these films have managed to keep us guessing till the end.

So without any more introduction, let the list begin Bollywood Thrillers 2015.

10. Charlie Kay Chakkar Mein

Film Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RHzVCdpXBDc

Bollywood-Thrillers-2015Multiple homicides caught on camera and now it is the job of the Commissioner of Police (Naseeruddin Shah) and his rookie assistant (Auroshikha Dey) to connect the clues and decipher the mysterious case. 

Directed by Manish Srivastav, a classic suspense drama based on the many definitions of truth, or may be the multiple perceptions of it.

9. Main Aur Charles

Film Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wOF9MlEOfuE

Bollywood-Thrillers-2015A biographical film on the charismatic con man and a deadly serial killer Charles Sobhraj. 

Directed by Prawaal Raman, the film focuses on his jail break, and also his master plan where every other person is a pawn in the game.

Randeep Hooda brilliantly played the lead, supported by Richa ChaddaTisca Chopra and Adil Hussain

8. Baby

Film Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Yu_2nyOP5o

Bollywood-Thrillers-2015As part of a Counter Intelligence Unit, an elite team is desperate to prevent a terrorist attack on India.  

Directed by Neeraj Pandey, this one is a thrilling espionage drama full of tense heart racing moments and well choreographed action.

Akshay Kumar taking the lead, the film also has Danny DenzongpaRana DaggubatiKay Kay MenonAnupam Kher and Rasheed Naz among others.

7. Detective Byomkesh Bakshy!

Film Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZG–GOpi_0g

Bollywood-Thrillers-2015Saradindu Bandopadhyay’s renowned Bengali detective is back in action; he is young, ambitious and ready to learn from his mistakes.

(Click for the review)

Directed by Dibakar Banerjee, and Sushant Singh Rajput in the lead; set in the 1940’s Calcutta, a mysterious case needs the attention of Mr.Byomkesh.

6.  Badlapur

Film Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9KEoZanqlOE

Bollywood-Thrillers-2015Directed by Sriram Raghavan, a unique thrilling tale of injustice and revenge.

The film is unusually realistic with strong and well motivated characters.

(Click for the review)

Brilliant performances by Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Varun Dhawan, accompanied by Radhika ApteVinay Pathak and Divya Dutta.

5. Nh10

Film Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9icNqWlylw

Bollywood-Thrillers-2015A perfect romantic trip turns into a nightmare.

(Click for the review)

Directed by Navdeep Singh, this is one hard hitting thriller where a urban woman experiences the brutal face of rural India, as she unintentionally becomes involved in a case of honor killing.

Anushka Sharma‘s best performance till date.

4. Rahasya

Film Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cvm-KpdRrbk

Bollywood-Thrillers-2015Directed by Manish Gupta, a film that is loosely inspired by the Arushi murder case.

A doctor accused of killing his own daughter, but the evidences somehow doesn’t add up. Kay Kay Menon as the CBI investigating officer finally brings justice to this mysterious case.

A perfect thriller with solid performances by Ashish Vidyarthi and Tisca Chopra

3. Drishyam

Film Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AuuX2j14NBg

Bollywood-Thrillers-2015A thrilling tale of a common man who by his intellect and imagination tricked everyone in order to save his family.

Directed by Nishikant Kamat, a south remake starring Ajay DevgnShriya Saran and Tabu.

A thriller that keeps you on the edges of your seat and doesn’t reveal the suspense till the last shot of the film.

2. Talvar

Film Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQNMsw8Ljjc

Bollywood-Thrillers-2015Directed by Meghna Gulzar, this one is a well researched version of the Noida Double Murder Case of 2008, also known as the Aarushi-Hemraj murder case.

(Click for the review)

Very natural performances by Irrfan KhanKonkona Sen SharmaNeeraj Kabi and Sohum Shah among others.

One of the best realistic thrillers of this year. 

  1.  Titli

Film Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OOqiQiMkXDA

Bollywood-Thrillers-2015A family whose family-business is car-jacking, often violently abusing the passengers and looting their valuables.

The youngest member of this family is named Titli (Shashank Arora), and this is his story of freedom.

(Click for the review)

Directed by Kanu Behl, the film is nominated in the Cannes Film Festival, a gritty thriller that shouldn’t be missed.

and (The ‘+1′ film is not necessarily the best but certainly the most innovative one. A must watch).

+1. Kajarya

Film Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8_1jBPqL9K8

Bollywood-Thrillers-2015Directed by Madhureeta Anand, this one is not the ideal Bollywood thriller you expect but nevertheless, a very significant film of this year.

(Click for the review)

It focuses on the issue of female infanticide and tells a dangerous tale of murder, betrayal and injustice. Brilliant performance by Meenu Hooda

Similar Interest: Best Bollywood Thrillers of 2016

Similar Interest: Best Bollywood Thrillers of recent times

Similar Interest: Best Psychological Thrillers

Similar InterestBest Spanish Thrillers of Recent Times

Similar Interest: Best South Korean Thrillers of recent times

Similar Interest: Best French Thrillers of Recent Times

Poster courtesy: filmywave.commovies80.com

Tangerine (2015)

Tangerine review.

written by Souranath Banerjee

Not all Christmas films are made for kids and have Santa Claus in them. 

My Ratings: 3.9/5.

Director Sean Baker‘s revolutionary low-budget feature Tangerine is currently taking the rounds of the various prestigious film festivals, and it rightly deserves both the curiosity and attraction of the film-lovers across the world. 

tangerine-posterTangerine, a film entirely shot on an Apple iPhone 5s, actually three of them; with clip-on anamorphic lenses, handheld Steadicam mounts, and the Filmic Pro app!

This makes the film one of a kind, a so called trendsetter!

But the real reason why Tangerine succeeds is because while watching, it never gives you the impression of a film shot with ‘iphone’. And on top of that, it has a fast paced storyline with quirky characters and pumped up music, enough to hold your attention throughout the 88 mins of its runtime.

Tangerine is a transgender drama (a revenge drama), revolving around two trans sex workers Sin-Dee and Alexandra (Kitana Kiki Rodriguez and Mya Taylor), whose friendship is being tested as they confront each other after enduring a trippy day full of odd yet exciting events.

tangerine-poster2And then there is Razmik (Karren Karagulian), a married Armenian taxi driver who is stuck in-between his family (wife, kid and a suspicious mother-in-law) and his weakness for sex with the transgender prostitutes.

With an overall comic touch, the film though set in West Hollywood showcases a completely deglamorized version of its surroundings; it concentrates on the tough neighborhoods, the street hookers and their shady pimps, the immoral family men – basically the reality of life.

Full of energy Tangerine is one of the most significant movie of this year, also nominated as the 14th best film of the year in ‘Sight and Sound’ magazine’s annual critics poll for 2015.

Don’t you miss it.

Poster courtesy: www.impawards.comwww.sosreelthoughts.com.

Youth (2015)

Youth review.

written by Souranath Banerjee

You say that emotions are overrated. But that’s bullshit. Emotions are all we’ve got.

My Ratings: 4.4/5.

Since the time I have seen a movie called The Great Beauty (2013), the name Paolo Sorrentino has become synonymous with extraordinary cinematic experience; I think he is the Fellini of our time.

Youth-poster2And recently, the eminent director’s next venture got revealed, Youth.

A highly anticipated film casting Michael CaineHarvey KeitelRachel WeiszPaul Dano and Jane Fonda among others. It was screened at the JIO MAMI 17th Mumbai Film Festival and indeed, the film lived up to its expectations and much more.

Nominated for the acclaimed Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival, the film (as the name suggests) glorifies Youth and also, in a more subtle way manages to humor and honor Old age!

Set in the backdrop of an exotic hotel at the foot of the Alps, the story revolves around two friends Fred, the renowned composer and Mick, the famous film director (Michael Caine and Harvey Keitel), who are on a vacation, reminiscing and contemplating about the little details of their lives. 

Youth-posterTheir friendship is almost as old as they are; and moreover Fred’s daughter (Rachel Weisz) is married to Mick’s son. But instead of getting involved into the chaos and confusion of their children’s lives, they prefer to indulge in their past, precisely in the days of their youth.

Those wistful memories, the remembrance of many laughter and amusements, some unfinished arguments and a few age old secrets never to be unlocked.

Nostalgia isn’t what it used to be!

And then of course, with the arrival of the sensuous Miss Universe (Madalina Diana Ghenea), youth is envied and relived at the same time!

The film also boasts of Paul Dano playing a celebrated actor observing people for a particularly challenging future role, Rachel Weisz as the ‘daughter’ going through an emotional turmoil, a Youth-poster6brilliant short yet powerful appearance of Jane Fonda and interestingly enough, a tribute to the football legend Maradona played by Roly Serrano.

With a hint of surrealism, the film flows through various emotions, often spoken and mostly felt.

Soulful dialogues and haunting images, brilliantly orchestrated by the music of David Lang and a visual treat – thanks to Luca Bigazzi.

Though I personally liked The Great Beauty better than Youth but never the less, this is Cinema at its highest form!

Young or old, you must not miss Youth at any cost.

Poster courtesy: www.traileraddict.com

Best Animated Films of 2015 (10+1list)

Best Animated Films of 2015.

written by Souranath Banerjee

Quality animation films are always a treat to watch; they are probably the only perfect definition of family entertainers that brings a smile to each of our faces regardless of our age.

A glance ahead confirms that 2016 promises some of the best yet-to-release animated films such as Kung Fu Panda 3, Finding Dory, The Secret Life of PetsMoanaKubo and the Two StringsThe Red TurtleZootopia and Ice Age: Collision Course.

But before we take the leap into the future, let’s appreciate our present and be thankful for the Best Animated Films of 2015!

And the list begins.

10. Shaun the Sheep Movie

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQvwiOWpj7o

shaun-the-sheep-movie-posterFrom Aardman Animations, the animation studio that earlier gave us the adventures of Wallace & GromitChicken Run and also Shaun the Sheep (TV Series).

Directed by Mark Burton and Richard Starzak, a film that continues the legacy of Shaun (who is ‘the sheep’ of course).

Highly entertaining without having a single dialogue (only animal sounds), and it’s made over a period of six years by twenty animators each producing two-second footage per day!

9. Battle of Surabaya

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jar7zUU_Kls

Battle-of-Surabaya-posterDirected by Aryanto Yuniawan, it’s about (as the title suggests) the historic battle of Surabaya, more of a dramatic version of it punched with a romantic side line.

Shown from the view point of a patriotic young lad named Musa, and his heroic adventures during the time of war.  

Superb animation, brilliant music and a decent story line, an Indonesian animation feature with great promise.

8. The Prophet aka ‘Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet’

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwQbMxDcRGE

Prophet-poster8 segments directed by 8 different directors including Roger Allers (the director of popular films like The Lion King and Open Season).

The film as the name suggests is a take on Kahlil Gibran’s best seller book ‘the Prophet’.  Though not as inspiring as the book, but definitely it’s worth a watch.

Voiced by celebrities like Liam NeesonAlfred Molina and Salma Hayek (she is also one of the producers of the film).

7. April and the Extraordinary World

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-39w9wsaq4s

April-Extraordinary-World-posterDirected by Christian Desmares and Franck Ekinci, this film has the most unique tale to tell.

In the 1941 France, the scientists are getting disappeared and thus the world is deprived of it’s inventions!

A young girl Avril (voiced by Marion Cotillard) is in search of her scientist parents and tries to solve the entire mystery.

6. The Peanuts Movie

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8pCoVQDD-OY

peanut-movie-posterThe disastrous Charlie Brown and the ever-confident Snoopy – you simply can’t get enough of them.

A hilarious and charming story of the beloved ‘Peanuts’ gang, presented by Blue Sky Studios (the creators of Ice AgeHorton Hears a Who! and Rio).

Directed by Steve Martino, this is the first theatrical ‘Peanuts’ film after 35 years, since the death of creator Charles M. Schulz in 2000.

5. The Good Dinosaur

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=daFnEiLEx70

good-dinosaur-posterDirected by Peter Sohn, this is the unique story of an Apatosaurus named Arlo who strays away from the comfort of his home and in his quest to return back he makes new friends and experience life in his own way. 

From mega studios Pixar Animation Studios and  Walt Disney Pictures, this is a film full of joy, warmth and inspiration. 

Nothing new in the story though but told with great style and conviction. A visual treat.

4. The Little Prince

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fEPqgSNLfK8

Little-Prince-Poster

A French production, the film is an adaptation of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry‘s The Little Prince.

A beautiful story about a little girl who is preparing herself for the grown-up world!

Directed by Mark Osborne, and voiced by famous stars like Rachel McAdamsPaul RuddJeff BridgesMarion CotillardJames FrancoBenicio Del ToroPaul Giamatti and Vincent Cassel. 

3. The Boy and the Beast

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uifJLWoWv8c

boy-and-beast-posterWritten and directed by Mamoru Hosoda, this one is a brilliant fantasy film from Japan.

 A Studio Chizu production who gave us Wolf Children in 2012, this is the story of a boy who is trained in the arts of fighting by a beast (from an imaginary world) and it’s also about the special bonding they share.

Breezy story telling, classy animation and a few moments of pure emotions.

2. Inside Out

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=seMwpP0yeu4

Inside-Out-Poster1Joy, Fear, Anger, Disgust and Sadness – the ultimate conflict of emotions inside the head of a young girl and much more.

(Click for the review)

Directed by Pete Docter and Ronnie Del Carmen, and presented by Walt Disney Pictures and  Pixar Animation Studios, this one is a must-watch for all film lovers.

For me, the film has by far the best concept for any animated film ever.

  1. Anomalisa

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DT6QJaS2a-U

anomalisa-posterDirected by Duke Johnson and Charlie Kaufman, this film is a rare gem that needs to be cherished and relished to its maximum potential.

(Click for the review)

A man bored with his life is seeking for some excitement, some incentive to go on. And then he meets a girl who seems to be the solution of his problem!

A highly sensitive yet melancholic film with the best stop motion animation till date!

and (The ‘+1′ film is not necessarily the best but certainly the most innovative one. A must watch).

+1. Extraordinary Tales

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j4IDwG_FMpM

Extraordinary-Tales-posterDirected by Raul Garcia, this is an animated anthology of 5 dark and haunted stories, all of which are adapted from the works of the brilliant writer Edgar Allan Poe.

The film has great animation and visual story telling and the stories can’t be any better (since written by Poe).

Something different from what you generally expect from an animation feature. Worth a watch.

And finally, a few entertaining films of 2015 that didn’t make the list: Minions, Hotel Transylvania 2Asterix and Obelix: Mansion of the GodsHomeAdamaStrange MagicThe SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water and Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection ‘F’.

Similar Interest: Best Animated Short Films (10+1list)

Poster courtesy: www.impawards.comwww.flickeringmyth.comca-tsuka.tumblr.comwww.goldposter.comwww.cartoonbrew.com, variety.comwww.peanutsmovie.comwww.rotoscopers.comwww.flickeringmyth.com, hype.mywww.imdb.com.  

Angry Indian Goddesses & Kajarya – the voices of the Women of India

Angry Indian Goddesses and Kajarya – the voices of the Women of India.

This week, the voices of the women of India are doubly intensified!

written by Souranath Banerjee

It has always been a paradox that in a country like India, whose gender has been proudly defined as ‘female’; our beloved ‘mother land‘; where people visualize and worship the female form as their Goddesses but at the same time issues regarding angry-indian-godesses-poster2women empowerment‘ are still been a topic of considerable concern!

And it’s about time that the current Indian filmmakers should focus on these various dilemmas and intolerances faced by the women of our country, and portray the female sentiments, their grievances and exasperations, their demands and desires, and even their vulnerabilities on celluloid.

And the good news is, that’s exactly what they are doing!

kajarya-poster2And the result is the release of two ambitious films this week, Angry Indian Goddesses and Kajarya.

Apparently, both the movies concentrate on telling stories based on the lives of the Indian women of our current society but then again, these two films are poles apart in the way they are made and also the amount of impact they make.

Firstly, let’s talk about the much hyped film Angry Indian Goddesses made by renowned director Pan Nalin (of Samsara fame).

It’s a relatively easy-going masala film with spicy dialogues and peppy music, in a way showcasing India to the world (pretty much tailor-made for the International festivals), and definitely The ultimate manifesto of feminist problems. My Ratings: 3/5.

angry-indian-godesses-poster1Six friends (along with a maid) get together to celebrate the wedding of one of them in the ultimate fun paradise of India, Goa. And there, they not only open up to each other and discuss all their individual problems, but also get into some tough situations themselves.

And eventually the current male-dominated society makes them very angry and by the end of the film they have all become ‘Angry Indian Goddesses’ (a direct reference to the angry Hindu Goddesses Kali).

Scoring points for the film are the effortless acting by the girl team Tannishtha ChatterjeeSandhya MridulSarah-Jane DiasRajshri DeshpandePavleen GujralAnushka Manchanda and Amrit Maghera And also Cyril Morin‘s music.

The film’s energy level and intention is no doubt commendable but the quest to tap on every possible female related problems along with an extra dramatic (illogical) ending; well, at least it’s entertaining but a bit too mainstream to expect from Pan Nalin i guess.

On the other hand, the film Kajarya, made by debutant writer/director Madhureeta Anand focuses on the specific problem of ‘female infanticide’ (the deliberate killing of newborn female children) and churns out a thrilling tale surrounding the issue. My Ratings: 4/5.

kajarya-posterIn a village not far from New Delhi, a young ambitious reporter named Meera (Ridhima Sud) tries to investigate a suspicious case of child sacrifice and soon meets Kajarya (Meenu Hooda) who shares some terrible facts that eventually becomes the prime media story.

But in this whole incident of finding the gruesome truth and then in the process of punishing the guilty, the lives of these two women, Meera and Kajarya become entangled in a strange way.

Brilliant acting by the two main characters, good story telling and direction, and powerful score by Richard Horowitz.

Though the ending is a bit too hasty for me but Kajarya surly raises some important questions for our society to answer, a film that doesn’t shy away from addressing such serious issues with enough courage and honesty.

Overall both the films solve their purpose, they are made for different kinds of audiences and I am sure they are successful in their own ways.

More such powerful Indian films should be made and encouraged; but then again, they shouldn’t be treated simply as a trend or the latest formula to box office success.

‘We cannot all succeed when half of us are held back’ the perfect words of wisdom by Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai.(also recommend He Named Me Malala, a documentary recently made on her courageous life).

Poster courtesy: www.koimoi.comwww.imdb.comfilmicafe.coindiannerve.comthereviewmonk.comwww.india.com.

Best Concentration Camp films during the Holocaust (10+1list)

Best Concentration Camp films during the Holocaust.

written by Souranath Banerjee

For anybody who is not familiar with the word ‘holocaust‘ (though i doubt that), it is a term used to define the genocide in which approximately six million Jews (including one million Jewish children) were killed by Adolf Hitler through his Nazi regime.   

There were another five million non-Jewish victims of Nazi mass murders as well.

And thus, in between1941 to 1945, while Hitler was fighting the WorldWar II in the forefront, approximately eleven million people were executed in a preplanned and secretive manner throughout Nazi-Germany and the other German-occupied territories.

Unlike many films that tell the tales of those who defied against the brutal German command, the films listed below are based on the inhumane concentration camp stories where the Jews were locked up for an indefinite time period, forced to barbaric physical labour in exchange of minimum food, before they were finally terminated (either gassed or shot or tortured to death).

Only a few lucky Jews did survive to tell the horrifying tales, their memories of misery and agony, their permanent nightmares.

Many of these films are based on true stories and facts, and are definitely the Best Concentration Camp films during the Holocaust.

Please have a look.

10. Escape from Sobibor (1987)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZkueQG7dnDk

escape from-sobibor-posterSobibor was one of the major death camps set in the eastern Poland and needless to say, a place that saw some of the most terrifying accounts of atrocities during the Nazi rule.

Directed by Jack Gold, this film takes us into factual account of the superbly graphic and realistic tale of how the Jews revolted against their captors, a mass escape that was planned.

Superb performance by Alan ArkinRutger HauerJoanna Pacula among many others. 

9. The Counterfeiters (2007) aka ‘Die Fälscher’

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4LTu_ou9Rc

counterfeiters-postersThis one tells the true story of Salomon “Sally” Sorowitsch, the master counterfeiter who was involved in the largest counterfeiting operation in history, Operation Bernhard.

A thrilling film directed by Stefan Ruzowitzky, about the master plan of the Third Reich to flood the rival country’s economy with fake currency, a game to sabotage the allies’s economic.

8. Sophie’s Choice (1982)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=STPJVf6wqCk

Sophie's-Choice-poster

The perils of the memories from the concentration camps could be too much to lead a normal life.

Directed by Alan J. Pakula, the film through several flashbacks confronts the brutalities of the Holocaust while telling a very passionate story of three individuals. 

Meryl Streep won her first Oscar as Best Actress in a Leading Role and brilliant performances by Kevin Kline and Peter MacNicol. Drama at it’s best.

7. Seven Beauties (1975) aka ‘Pasqualino Settebellezze’

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nxyPnyEeBUg

Seven-Beauties-poster

A lesser known masterpiece, a film that is so full of energy and thrill, a roller-coaster ride of extreme events, an unique story of a holocaust survivor, and all that with a bit of humor added to it.

Also nominated for the Academy Award (Best Foreign Language Film).

Directed by Lina Wertmüller, and a once in a lifetime performance by Giancarlo Giannini. 

6. Fateless (2005)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F61yBTHB9nA

fateless-posterA 14 year old Hungarian youth, captured and sent to the concentration camps where he witnesses suffering and cruelty, experiences hatred and disgust, sees innumerable illness and deaths, and finally understands the meaning of being a Jew.

Directed by Lajos Koltai and written by Nobel-prize winner Imre Kertész, this one is one of the most realistic depiction of the Nazi concentration camps. 

5. The Boy in the Striped Pajamas (2008)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ypMp0s5Hiw

boy-in-the-striped-pajamas-posterDirected by Mark Herman, this is a story told from the perspective of an eight-year-old boy, the son of the Nazi commandant at a concentration camp.

The young child befriends a Jew kid on the other side of the camp fence but their innocent friendship turns into a disastrous ending. 

A story told to it’s full emotional and sentimental potential.

4. Life Is Beautiful (1997)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=16RZHqCIy9M

life-is-beautiful-poster1Directed and masterfully performed by Roberto Benigni, this is probably the only movie made on Holocaust that takes a humorous route and also becomes a huge commercial success.

Also won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film (Italy).

A father desperate to protect his son when captured and taken to a concentration camp, uses his wit and imagination to entertain and motivate his son till the very end of the brutal war.

3. Playing for Time (1980)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M2Q00–HTJY

Playing-for-Time-posterJewish French musician and cabaret singer Fania Fenelon Goldstein, joins a group of performers who are spared their lives so that they can entertain the Nazis by performing music for them.

Directed by Daniel Mann, a stunning and dramatic film and a brilliant performance by Vanessa Redgrave.

An underrated TV movie that deserves global acclaim.

2. Europa Europa (1990) aka ‘Hitlerjunge Salomon’

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JqMBNCo7LPE

europa-europa-posterBased upon a true story of Solomon Perel (taken from his book), the film tells the historic story of this Jewish boy who, in order to save his life poses as a German!

Marco Hofschneider plays the part with great conviction along with Julie Delpy.  

Directed by Agnieszka Holland, this is one thrilling story of survival, an attempt to dangerous yet innovative.

  1. Kapò (1960)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sOPQx3NmApw

Kapò-posterNominated for the Academy Award (Best Foreign Language Film), this Italian black and white film tells the fantastic story of a Jewish teenage girl whose survival instincts keep her alive when she arrives at a brutal concentration camp at a young age of 14.

And ultimately she evolved into a  “kapo” – a prisoner who watched over the other fellow prisoners.

Directed by Gillo Pontecorvo, and such a brilliant performance by Susan Strasberg, this gem of a film deserves much more fame and popularity than it currently gets. 

and (The ‘+1′ film is not necessarily the best but certainly the most innovative one. A must watch).

+1. Conspiracy (2001) 

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vWLvq0jC-c0

Conspiracy-posterDirected by Frank Pierson, this one is a chilling reenactment of the 1942 infamous Wannsee Conference where the Nazi and SS leaders gathered to finalize the Holocaust!

Lead by SS-General Reinhard Heydrich, they calmly discussed the “Final Solution to the Jewish Question” and thus the perfect plan of world’s largest genocide was hatched and ready to put in action.

The film The Final Solution: The Wannsee Conference (1984) also deals with the same subject and is also worth watching.

A few spine-chilling documentaries on Holocaust that depict the real trauma of the time without much dramatization – Shoah (1985), Night and Fog (1955), Triumph of the Will (1935), Siege (1940), Numbered (2012) and The Sorrow and the Pity (1969).

Similar Interest: Best Jew-Nazi dramas during the Holocaust (10+1list).

Poster courtesy: www.impawards.comfilmow.comen.wikipedia.orgwww.imdb.com.