Tag Archives: Liam Neeson

Silence (2016)

Silence Review

written by Souranath Banerjee

A film apparently waiting to be made for the last two decades; is it really worth the wait?

My Ratings: 4/5

Finally Martin Scorsese unfolds his latest, his so called ‘passion project’, and his third religion-based movie after The Last silence-reviewTemptation of Christ in 1988 and Kundun in 1997. And it’s an absolute beauty!

I pray but I am lost. Am I just praying to silence?’

Adopted from Shûsaku Endô‘s novel by the same name, it’s a tale about two Jesuit missionaries Rodrigues (Andrew Garfield) and Garupe (Adam Driver) who travel all the way to Japan to confirm the fact that one of their mentors, Father Ferreira (Liam Neeson) has publicly denounced God!

‘The moment you set foot in that country, you step into high danger.’

An eternal conflict about faith, religion and theology that seems to have no conclusive ending, or may be there is one?

silence-reviewThe film manifests some top notch performances specially by Andrew Garfield who is undoubtedly the most promising young actor of recent times!

Adam Driver is also superb and Liam Neeson as the wise controversial Father excels without fail. Even the Japanese cast Yôsuke KubozukaShin’ya TsukamotoTadanobu AsanoIssei Ogata and Yoshi Oida – they all have made their presence felt in the film.

Rodrigo Prieto does wonders shooting the mysterious foggy outdoors of Japan, and three times Oscar winning editor Thelma Schoonmaker creates magic with the images!

silence-poster2And composer duo Kathryn Kluge and Kim Allen Kluge truly do justice to the score of Silence.

Surprisingly non-commercial, even a bit too arty and poetic contrary to Scorsese’s usual raw, gritty and direct approach but then again it’s a 2h 41min of absolute visual brilliance.

It so much reminds you of Akira Kurosawa‘s work, not only because of Japan being the backdrop but also for the overall treatment and space used throughout the film.

‘I worry, they value these poor signs of faith more than faith itself. But how can we deny them?’

The premiere of Silence was held at the Vatican; and for me it matches up to be one of the best films directed by Scorsese till date – ‘Sometimes silence is the deadliest sound.’ 

Poster courtesy: www.impawards.com.

Best Jew-Nazi dramas during the Holocaust (10+1list)

Best Jew-Nazi dramas 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 Germany 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.

Numerous films and documentaries have been made to portray those unpredictable and desperate times.

Interestingly the films listed below neither emphasize on the WWII nor particularly based on the inhumane concentration camp stories; these films tell the tales of those who defied against the barbaric massacre of human lives, of those who challenged the deadly systematic annihilation and survived (or at least tried to).

Most of these films are based on true stories and are definitely the best Jew-Nazi dramas in the times of Holocaust.

Please have a look.

10. Black Book (2006)

Original title: Zwartboek. Language: Dutch.

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKEDKF8iDUw

black-book-posterDirected by Paul Verhoeven, this one was the official Netherlands entry for the Best Foreign Language Film category for the Oscars.

A Jewish singer who transforms herself from a war victim to a spy, she uses her charms and also puts her life at risk to pass German war secrets to the Dutch Resistance.

A visual treat and a plot that has so many twists to keep you guessing till the end.

9. Sophie Scholl: The Final Days (2005)

Original title: Sophie Scholl – Die letzten Tage. Language: German.

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x14U3R3-dFE

Sophie-Scholl-posterThe White Rose was the German World War II anti-Nazi resistance movement and young Sophie Scholl was one of the most prominent members of it. 

The film is a dramatized version of brave Sophie Scholl’s arrest, her interrogation, her trial till her sentence in 1943 Munich. 

Directed by Marc Rothemund, a chilling war drama, a must watch. 

8. In Darkness (2011)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SHuPtd9oCSQ

in-darkness-poster

Leopold Socha, a man probably lesser known than Oskar Schindler but then again he saved numerous lives in the Nazi-occupied Polish city of Lvov during Holocaust.

He risked his own life hiding Jewish refugees from the Nazis in the sewers for almost 14 months! 

Directed by Polish female director Agnieszka Holland, a heart touching story of humanity and valor. 

7. Inglourious Basterds (2009)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KnrRy6kSFF0

inglorious-bastards-posterFiction at it’s best; two separate plans to assassinate the Nazi leaders unfortunately coincide and how!

Quentin Tarantino‘s take on the gruesome times of history – a drama told in his unique style, quirky and essentially violent.

Brad PittChristoph WaltzMichael FassbenderDiane KrugerEli Roth among others. One of the most popular one in the list.

6. Defiance (2008)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-9eUXSzZNk

defiance-posterIn the Belarussian forests the Jewish brothers escapes from the Nazis and built their own village to protect themselves and also 1000 other Jews. 

Directed by Edward Zwick, this is the epic story of defiance as some Jews decided to fought back against their oppressors.  

Daniel Craig and Liev Schreiber great performances indeed. 

5. The Diary of Anne Frank (1959)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7zDyJcF3ko

diary-of-anne-frank-posterIn Nazi-occupied Amsterdam, a young Jewish girl named Anne Frank is forced to hide in an attic with her family and a few friends. 

The film is based on the real accounts of events documented by Anne herself in her diary.

Directed by George Stevens, this one is a brilliant tale of the war seen through the innocent eyes of a young  girl hoping to be free some day.

4. The Pawnbroker (1964)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNLBKdV83co

pawnbroker-posterA Jewish pawnbroker who once survived through the savage concentration camps is too damaged and scarred to trust or love others. 

An unforgettable performance by Rod Steiger, a brilliant actor of his times.

Directed by Sidney Lumet, the film is a gem and deserves much more recognition and popularity than it ever earned.  Please do watch.  

3. Amen. (2002)

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

amen-posterKurt Gerstein, a German sanitation engineer who developed the lethal gas Zyklon-B, didn’t realize that the same gas will be used by the SS to kill millions of Jews in the camps.

He in order to stop the genocide tries to inform the Pope Pius XII and ask for the Vatican’s help.

Directed by Costa-Gavras, a film full of passion and drama.

2. The Pianist (2002)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_jE7-6Uv7E

pianist-poster1Talented Adrien Brody as the pianist who desperately struggles to escape from the clutches of the Nazis and from being sent to the ghettos and executed.  

Directed by my favorite director Roman Polanski, a film so powerful and emotional and yet very realistic. 

The best Holocaust movie ever made – yes, my vote surely goes for this one.

  1. Schindler’s List (1993)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JdRGC-w9syA

schindlers-list-posterMaster director Steven Spielberg tells the tale of Oskar Schindler, a German business man who is responsible for saving many Jewish lives (more than 1000) from being gassed during the Holocaust.

Liam Neeson as Schindler has given his career best performance.

Probably the most popular film representing this particular historical period.

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

+1. Downfall (2004)

Original title: Der Untergang, Language: German.

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wD1Riwv5wqw

downfall-poster1

This particular film explores the final days of the Reich and of it’s leaders such as Himmler, Goring, Goebbels and Hitler himself.

April 1945, chances of Germany winning the war looks grim but still the paranoid dictator wants to fight till the end. 

Directed by Oliver Hirschbiegel, one of the most microscopic view on last days of Hitler. 

Similar Interest: Best Concentration Camp films during the Holocaust (10+1list).

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

Most anticipated world films of 2014 (Part 2)

And here comes the Part 2 of the most anticipated world films of 2014 yet to release. The trailers are convincing enough to make us impatient but all in good time.

For Most anticipated world films of 2014 (Part 1) click the link below:http://www.cinemaforensic.com/most-anticipated-world-films-of-2014/

Here follows a list of another Ten films that promises awesome entertainment. Do enjoy the trailers for now and make sure you don’t miss any of these on the big screen.

Let the fun begin.

A walk among the Tombstones (releasing on 19th Sept)

Film trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6HDQ_PEVgwI

a walk among the tombstones

A private investigator is engaged in a dangerous hunt to find a drug lord’s wife who has been kidnapped and killed.

Scott Frank‘s direction – by the look of the trailer the film looks like a perfect thriller in every sense.

And according to me in such suspense-action films Liam Neeson simply can’t go wrong. Let’s wait and watch.

Interstellar (releasing on 7th Nov)

Film trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3WzHXI5HizQ

interstellar

This year Christopher Nolan comes up with a Sci-Fi thriller that looks superb (as the trailer goes till now).

With talented actors like Matthew McConaughey, Anne Hathaway, Jessica Chastain i bet the film will make enough waves all around the globe.  

A newly discovered wormhole! And a voyage in the space! An interstellar Voyage!! – Bring it on.

The hundred-foot journey (releasing on 8th Aug)

Film trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6H8pAKKkgQ

the-hundred-foot-journey

Lasse Hallström is the director who has given amazing films like ‘Chocolat‘ and ‘What’s eating Gilbert Grape‘. 

And on top of that this film has such an Indian connection.

An Indian family opens an eatery in France right across a French restaurant. Helen Mirren, Om Puri,  Rohan ChandCharlotte Le Bon – all look just perfect for the film.

Good people (releasing on 26th Sept)

Film trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rC17twr50WU

good-people

A couple in the time of financial crisis discovers a bag full of money. And they decide to keep it.

Soon enough they find themselves trapped and become the target of both the police as well as some deadly thief who knows all about it.

Starring James Franco and Kate Hudson, even good people make mistakes in the time of crisis and has to pay their price.

St.Vincent (releasing on 24th Oct)

Film trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5BVn-eyAxA

st.vincent

The main attraction of this film is none other than Bill Murray.

Of course it’s a comedy and according to the trailer it looks like a good one.

It’s about a little boy’s friendship with an unlikely old man who is completely wrong as a mentor to the child. Melissa McCarthy and Naomi Watts are also starring in the film. 

The Equalizer (releasing on 26th Sept)

Film trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qt0GkVZK8zA

the equalizer

An innocent girl as a victim, Denzel Washington, an ex commando is the savior and a lot of Russian gangsters.

What more can you possibly need for an action packed entertainer.

Antoine Fuqua‘s direction and the trailer looks damn cool.

I am sure this film will clench the thirst of all the action film lovers.

Unbroken (releasing on 25th Dec)

Film trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ebHji2c_ciU

unbrokenDirected by Angelina Jolie and written by the Cohen brothers.

The film is about an Olympic runner  by the name of Louis Zamperini who was taken prisoner by the Japanese army during WW2 but he never give up his hope to come back. 

The trailer undoubtedly looks interesting and inspirational. All the best Angelina.

Jessabelle (releasing on 29th Aug)

Film trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CoBCEdt_BC8

jessabelleA horror flick that looks decent enough to make you sit in the edge of your seat. 

Returning to her home a girl finds some tapes and eventually comes in contact with a spirit that was waiting especially for her.

I wish the film turns out to be at least half as good as the trailer. I like horror films but unfortunately they never seem to scare me. Sad.

Before i go to sleep (releasing on 8th Aug)

Film trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I9QNAJm8E5g

before-i-go-to-sleep

Nicole KidmanColin FirthMark Strong – all look stunning in this mysterious trailer. 

A woman wakes up everyday without any memory of her past – it’s a matter of who she can trust.

The concept sounds familiar but hopefully the treatment will be different and better.

Dumb and Dumber To (releasing on 14th Nov)

Film trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMxwcRck9TI

dumb-and-dumber 2

After 20 years they are back and probably more dumb than ever (if that’s humanly possible).

Our all time favorite Jim Carrey and the hilarious Jeff Daniels team up again to make us laugh even harder at their brainless comedy.

This time they are going in an adventure trip to find one of their long lost children with the motive of gaining a kidney.

For Most anticipated world films of 2014 (Part 1) click the link below: http://www.cinemaforensic.com/most-anticipated-world-films-of-2014/