"The Audition," directed by Martin Scorsese, left me feeling a bit disappointed and disenchanted. The film came across as somewhat amateurish and indulgent, lacking the depth and creativity that I have come to associate with Scorsese's work. Rather than revealing the brilliance and innovation that define his other films, this short felt more like an ego-boosting exercise with a juvenile imagination. The narrative lacked complexity, coming across as a rather simplistic depiction of what could have been a dream short. Most notably absent was Scorsese's renowned panache, a quality that usually permeates his films with an irresistible charm and sophistication. As a result, I found myself feeling not only let down but also somewhat saddened by this unexpected departure from the director's usual brilliance. While some may find enjoyment in its unique approach, "The Audition" failed to resonate with me and left me longing for the mastery that Scorsese has showcased in his other works."
Reviews
9 Reviews
Narcos: Mexico
(2018–2021)
I love Michael Peña, but he is seriously mis-cast in this series and role
21 March 2019
Mis-casting if ever there was one
16 July 2012
Warning: Spoilers
With relatively good expectations I went to see this film, only to truly experience the most nauseating awful movie I have seen in a decade. It was difficult to pin down all the reasons why I thought it was so dreadful, but mis-casting was definitely one of them. K. Knightley once and for all proves she has limited acting range. I'm British, and if this is an example of someone from England then god help everyone's perceptions of us. She would not last one minute in the general public and be put away in an asylum for the deranged and annoying. The plot holes are too many to mention, but to point a few: was a light aircraft capable of flying across the Atlantic?; if she (Knightley) claims she could sleep through Armageddon, she would have been in England before she woke up and realised where she was. Why was there a dog in the story? Why when he returned to his apartment after the riot was it not trashed?
It is difficult to say whether the script given to a couple with better on screen chemistry and acting range would have saved this movie. Steve Carell looked as lost and clueless as his character, and that's not a compliment. He's been in much better films; a decision to take this role was a mistake.
The pace was way too slow and only made worse by the uninteresting characters. To think they would fall in love and Steve would not stop vomiting listening to the over the top English accent delivered from Knightley was just too unbelievable.
I think I left the movie with an audience trying to hide their disappointment.
It is difficult to say whether the script given to a couple with better on screen chemistry and acting range would have saved this movie. Steve Carell looked as lost and clueless as his character, and that's not a compliment. He's been in much better films; a decision to take this role was a mistake.
The pace was way too slow and only made worse by the uninteresting characters. To think they would fall in love and Steve would not stop vomiting listening to the over the top English accent delivered from Knightley was just too unbelievable.
I think I left the movie with an audience trying to hide their disappointment.
Heyy Babyy
(2007)
Disturbing
17 March 2008
Warning: Spoilers
This film may have earned a couple of extra stars if it was not for some distasteful content in the film. The manner that this film dealt with the specific key turning point in the lives of the 3 main male characters at which point they change their feelings towards the baby girl is alien to me as a UK westerner.
What starts out as a mild comedy, turns in to horror and disgust, when these 'so called' lovable guys shouted "bitch" at a crying baby girl after which they dump her outside a church where she almost drowns and dies! It's not that I am not used to seeing shocking scenes, but these 2 scenes were completely out of context from the flow of the rest of this film, and left you with nothing but disdain for the 3 main characters and their transformation in to lovable caring father figures.
Totally tactless on the part of the director.
What starts out as a mild comedy, turns in to horror and disgust, when these 'so called' lovable guys shouted "bitch" at a crying baby girl after which they dump her outside a church where she almost drowns and dies! It's not that I am not used to seeing shocking scenes, but these 2 scenes were completely out of context from the flow of the rest of this film, and left you with nothing but disdain for the 3 main characters and their transformation in to lovable caring father figures.
Totally tactless on the part of the director.
Swades
(2004)
A Director in Full Control of his art
11 December 2007
Swades is simply one of those rare gems that once you see them you know they're special, and realise there is so much depth to their beauty.
Ashutosh Gowariker clearly demonstrates once again that he is a director in control of his art, and message that he wishes to portray in this art form. His genius here was to chose an A-list actor who would not only do justice to the central character, but also give the kind of exposure an important film like this commands. In my opinion Shah Rukh Khan delivers a career best performance in his role as 'Mohan'. You see SRK stripped of his usual Bollywood fare, and deliver a honest but charismatic performance that is truly trying to make a change in this world. Credit for this performance must not be taken away from the director, who helped extract those extra little nuances and depth from his lead actors.
The messages in this movie do not instantly throw themselves at you, rather they are conveyed like subliminal images and in the form of body language. The cinematography is original and flows gracefully throughout, and it makes an impact in epic terms when you least expect it. Style is never sacrificed over substance, but nevertheless the film has so much style it goes unnoticed on a first viewing. Characters are given the opportunity to breath a personality which is rare in modern Indian cinema. Both the script and screenplay simply mesmerises.
You take so much away with you in this movie that it's almost thought provoking. There's a yearning to know what happens to these characters after, and a hope that they do live on in happiness.
One of the best Indian movies of the decade.
Ashutosh Gowariker clearly demonstrates once again that he is a director in control of his art, and message that he wishes to portray in this art form. His genius here was to chose an A-list actor who would not only do justice to the central character, but also give the kind of exposure an important film like this commands. In my opinion Shah Rukh Khan delivers a career best performance in his role as 'Mohan'. You see SRK stripped of his usual Bollywood fare, and deliver a honest but charismatic performance that is truly trying to make a change in this world. Credit for this performance must not be taken away from the director, who helped extract those extra little nuances and depth from his lead actors.
The messages in this movie do not instantly throw themselves at you, rather they are conveyed like subliminal images and in the form of body language. The cinematography is original and flows gracefully throughout, and it makes an impact in epic terms when you least expect it. Style is never sacrificed over substance, but nevertheless the film has so much style it goes unnoticed on a first viewing. Characters are given the opportunity to breath a personality which is rare in modern Indian cinema. Both the script and screenplay simply mesmerises.
You take so much away with you in this movie that it's almost thought provoking. There's a yearning to know what happens to these characters after, and a hope that they do live on in happiness.
One of the best Indian movies of the decade.
Ram Gopal Varma Ki Aag
(2007)
Set Aag to Ram Gopal Varma's ki Aag..................
11 December 2007
Warning: Spoilers
I cannot say that Aag is the worst Bollywood film ever made, because I haven't seen every Bollywood film, but my imagination tells me that it could well be.
This film seems like an attempt at artistic suicide on behalf of the director, and I for one be believe he has been successful in his mission. No A-list actor outside of this film would risk sharing the same billing as him for all the humiliation this film is bound to carry with it.
But lets not just blame the director here, there is the cinematographer, who looks like he's rehearsing for the amateur home movie maker of the year award. There is the over dramatic score, that hopes to carry you to the next scene. The lighting man, who must have been holding a cigarette in one hand and light bulb on pole in the other, and hoping that the flame burning off the cigarette would add to that much needed light in every scene. And, of course the actors! Some of them are by no means newcomers, else all could be forgiven here. The ensemble of actors in Aag were put together to promote a new beginning and dimension to the re-make of India's most loved movie of all time, 'Sholay'. One must not forget that these actors were not forced in to this film, they are A-list and willing participants to something that, let's face it would surely have had high and eager public expectation??? So it begs the question, Amitabh aside (for now), did the other actors really believe their performances even attempted to better the original? Did Amitabh Bachchan read the script and believe that people would remember his dialogue in this farcical abomination of a film? Don't be stupid, of course he didn't, this was a demonstration to the public of how much money talks hence can make actors walk.
I truly hope everyone involved is satisfied with what is truly a vulgar attempt to remake a classic film, which only succeeds in polluting everyone's mind when they watch the original.
This film seems like an attempt at artistic suicide on behalf of the director, and I for one be believe he has been successful in his mission. No A-list actor outside of this film would risk sharing the same billing as him for all the humiliation this film is bound to carry with it.
But lets not just blame the director here, there is the cinematographer, who looks like he's rehearsing for the amateur home movie maker of the year award. There is the over dramatic score, that hopes to carry you to the next scene. The lighting man, who must have been holding a cigarette in one hand and light bulb on pole in the other, and hoping that the flame burning off the cigarette would add to that much needed light in every scene. And, of course the actors! Some of them are by no means newcomers, else all could be forgiven here. The ensemble of actors in Aag were put together to promote a new beginning and dimension to the re-make of India's most loved movie of all time, 'Sholay'. One must not forget that these actors were not forced in to this film, they are A-list and willing participants to something that, let's face it would surely have had high and eager public expectation??? So it begs the question, Amitabh aside (for now), did the other actors really believe their performances even attempted to better the original? Did Amitabh Bachchan read the script and believe that people would remember his dialogue in this farcical abomination of a film? Don't be stupid, of course he didn't, this was a demonstration to the public of how much money talks hence can make actors walk.
I truly hope everyone involved is satisfied with what is truly a vulgar attempt to remake a classic film, which only succeeds in polluting everyone's mind when they watch the original.
Om Shanti Om
(2007)
Would have worked great as a 70s style flick......
4 December 2007
Warning: Spoilers
I haven't wrote on this or any other internet board recently, but being an avid film fan I felt compelled to comment on this film.
It appears that friendship can go a long way in Bollywood, even to the point where some of the most talented people in the industry are willing to risk their careers to help others out. Of course, I am referring to the friendship of Farah and Shah Rukh Khan
What on earth was SRK thinking of when he agreed to do a 2nd film with his so called director/friend Farah Khan?? The guy is either an absolute saint for helping her out 'twice', or is just on his own ego trip demonstrating an over the top performance in this film. I realise that Farah Khan has helped many people look good in Bollywood as a dance choreographer, and I agree she has done an excellent job. I also believe that everyone should have an opportunity in life to try something new, and she has chosen directing. However, her entrance in to the film industry as a director has been so pompous it pains me. This woman is so clearly riding on the back of someone else's success it's criminal. Why would any debut director be so reliant on major Bollywood talent, totally forget about the manner in which a story is told, and then, expected to be taken seriously? I am not in the habit of being cynical, so please allow me to clarify the point I am trying to make here. Farah's directorial debut with Main Hoon Naa was supposedly a hit film, whether this is true is either questionable, such publicising is notunheard of by the media. Both that film and 'OSO' in my opinion are an exercise in excess and plagiarism at their very best. She must have watched Sholay when she was young and taken the character Veeru's dialogue... "Ise story meh emotion hai, drama hai, tragedy hai" right to her heart, because there are lashings of all 3 in both of her films without any real context whatsoever.
For me, there are 2 things that barely save OSO as a film, the first is the cinematography, it is beautifully shot that you almost forget the story is by far the most elaborate revenge plot EVER to be told in film history; the second saviour is the dance numbers, we all know Farah controls this area well. However, if any director wanted to surprise the public by having a 'surprise star guest appearance', one particular song in this film (and you'll know which one I mean) just killed that idea for every filmmaker in the future. In typical Farah Khan 'excess' style, she decided to invite (or beg) everyone in the Bollywood film industry to come along and make a 'surprise' appearance in this film. The shear amount of actors that turned up is embarrassing. I seem to remember the film 'Naseeb' did that with just the right amount of content, in this film it goes on for what seems like forever.
On a positive note, the 70 styles and atmosphere were captured well; just a story told in that era would make a great modern film on its own. Deepika Padukone's debut has to be commended also, a lady to watch out for in the future. And there are some good comedy sketches, in particular the Manoj Kumar beating, although I heard that was going to be cut out because of protests from people with no sense of humour.
I liked the fact that the first half of film did not take itself seriously, but the second half is appalling. Would this film have got any visibility if another actor had taken SRK's place, unlikely.
It appears that friendship can go a long way in Bollywood, even to the point where some of the most talented people in the industry are willing to risk their careers to help others out. Of course, I am referring to the friendship of Farah and Shah Rukh Khan
What on earth was SRK thinking of when he agreed to do a 2nd film with his so called director/friend Farah Khan?? The guy is either an absolute saint for helping her out 'twice', or is just on his own ego trip demonstrating an over the top performance in this film. I realise that Farah Khan has helped many people look good in Bollywood as a dance choreographer, and I agree she has done an excellent job. I also believe that everyone should have an opportunity in life to try something new, and she has chosen directing. However, her entrance in to the film industry as a director has been so pompous it pains me. This woman is so clearly riding on the back of someone else's success it's criminal. Why would any debut director be so reliant on major Bollywood talent, totally forget about the manner in which a story is told, and then, expected to be taken seriously? I am not in the habit of being cynical, so please allow me to clarify the point I am trying to make here. Farah's directorial debut with Main Hoon Naa was supposedly a hit film, whether this is true is either questionable, such publicising is notunheard of by the media. Both that film and 'OSO' in my opinion are an exercise in excess and plagiarism at their very best. She must have watched Sholay when she was young and taken the character Veeru's dialogue... "Ise story meh emotion hai, drama hai, tragedy hai" right to her heart, because there are lashings of all 3 in both of her films without any real context whatsoever.
For me, there are 2 things that barely save OSO as a film, the first is the cinematography, it is beautifully shot that you almost forget the story is by far the most elaborate revenge plot EVER to be told in film history; the second saviour is the dance numbers, we all know Farah controls this area well. However, if any director wanted to surprise the public by having a 'surprise star guest appearance', one particular song in this film (and you'll know which one I mean) just killed that idea for every filmmaker in the future. In typical Farah Khan 'excess' style, she decided to invite (or beg) everyone in the Bollywood film industry to come along and make a 'surprise' appearance in this film. The shear amount of actors that turned up is embarrassing. I seem to remember the film 'Naseeb' did that with just the right amount of content, in this film it goes on for what seems like forever.
On a positive note, the 70 styles and atmosphere were captured well; just a story told in that era would make a great modern film on its own. Deepika Padukone's debut has to be commended also, a lady to watch out for in the future. And there are some good comedy sketches, in particular the Manoj Kumar beating, although I heard that was going to be cut out because of protests from people with no sense of humour.
I liked the fact that the first half of film did not take itself seriously, but the second half is appalling. Would this film have got any visibility if another actor had taken SRK's place, unlikely.
Dil Chahta Hai
(2001)
An absolute film-making 1st for Indian Cinema
27 August 2001
Vaguely translated as 'What the Heart Desires', will at first bring a smirk to your face as one of those typically made up Indian Film titles. But, the title in this case is cunningly disguised, as what will be I'm sure the most talked about film of this generation for this decade. I feel it's the first movie set a milestone in Indian Cinema since 'Sholay' (1975), and can classed as a funky Generation X movie to boot.
Dil Chahta Hai explores the life of 3 friends Akaash (Aamir Khan), Sid (Akshaye Khanna), Sameer (Saif Ali Khan), and each of their ideas about love, and as a result how they affect each other throughout the movie. Nothing more needs to be known or explained about this film, except, that it contains some of the most well-timed comedy I have ever seen, best & original acting performances to date from all three actors and love interests Preity Zinta & Dimple, creative cinematography, vibrant and fresh imagery, a water-tight script, and all this from debut director, Farhan Akhtar, demonstrating he was firmly in control of his work at all times.
I knew this film was going to be good when I saw the trailer, what I didn't know, it was going be Outstanding! Go see it, you will not be disappointed.
Dil Chahta Hai explores the life of 3 friends Akaash (Aamir Khan), Sid (Akshaye Khanna), Sameer (Saif Ali Khan), and each of their ideas about love, and as a result how they affect each other throughout the movie. Nothing more needs to be known or explained about this film, except, that it contains some of the most well-timed comedy I have ever seen, best & original acting performances to date from all three actors and love interests Preity Zinta & Dimple, creative cinematography, vibrant and fresh imagery, a water-tight script, and all this from debut director, Farhan Akhtar, demonstrating he was firmly in control of his work at all times.
I knew this film was going to be good when I saw the trailer, what I didn't know, it was going be Outstanding! Go see it, you will not be disappointed.
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