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Reviews
Sea Shadow (2011)
Truly Peaceful
As soon as I saw the trailer for the Sea Shadow I was certain this was one movie that would raise the bar for Arab movies all over the Middle East, and quiet honestly that is exactly what it achieved.
Right from the first scene of the movie you understand that Nawaf Al Janahi's approach was to make a subtle lighthearted charming drama of life outside the glam and glamour that is often represented as the 'UAE' lifestyle. This is perhaps why the movie would appeal to the masses, because behind all the charity balls, concerts and horse racing there is a different life in the UAE. A more simpler life where a bicycle is one the most important possessions in a family, smart phones are not norms and roasting crabs at the beach could be the high light of your day.
In technical terms the movie was amazing, you have to realize the movie was entirely shot in Ras Al Khaimah, there were no sky scrapers or fancy cars and to make an old community look as charming as it did, must have taken a fair amount of hard work from the entire cast and crew. There were some absolutely sublime shots and crisp editing in the movie that provide make you nostalgic for life outside of the city. One must mention the background score in the movie, it was absolutely brilliant and just fit in perfectly with the feel of it.
Acting department was quiet natural with most character's playing their parts pretty well, but to be fair Neven Madi simply stole the show. Her portrayal of the vulnerable girl next door might actually be one the best ever. There is more character development of Kaltham's character than any other, which is one of the only thing I think the movie lacked. I would avoid discussing the story here in for anyone who hasn't seen the movie yet, but to say the least it was charming.
Overall this is one charming movie that shouldn't be missed. Its one of those immersive experiences that allow you to escape out of the city for a good 90 minutes and transport you to a much more simple and serene lifestyle that has never been shown before in a major UAE based motion picture. Lets hope the DVD comes out soon because this is definitively entering my library!
Shadow Man of Wazir (2011)
Obscure....that's how to describe it
The movie center's around a so called Shadow man who like many of the urban legends only exists in tales described from mouth to mouth. Whether real or not is what the mockumentary revolves around.
What one notices from the very beginning is the dark gritty look the movie posses from the very first scene, that sets the mood just about right for the rest of the run time, although at times lighting seemed to be a bit of an issue. If watched with a little patience it really hooks you into this so called 'shadow man' character, although sometimes it does feel like the movie was more centered around the life of the interviewees than the Shadow man himself.
The movie it up online on IMDb itself, so go ahead and see for yourself what it is all about. Hope for a sequel with a stronger script and more intrigue into the urban legend that it revolves around.
Pather Panchali (1955)
The way of life through Ray's eyes *May contain spoilers*
Pather Panchali is one movie that touches the inner soul of whom so ever seeks to find themselves. Ray's extraordinary ability to bring out the most raw feelings from the audience without being the least bit dramatic is all visible in this first installment of his masterpiece.
Although the story line is seemingly thin, its the depth and slow development of the characters that gets to the audience. Ray uses relationships as the strongest tool in his narrative, he breaks beyond the normal conventions of good or bad, but builds more on the 'nessesities of relationships'. One fact that surprised me in the comments is a lack of this understanding. For example Apu's mother and her Husband's old sister(the legendary old woman), they have a relationship pelted with nessesary Harshness. The scenes where the Old woman tries to bond with Apu's mother but without results is heartbreaking. Although at first you would think Apu's mother is a horrible person, on second thoughts you would realize she's simply putting her children before this woman who at an old age had become an extra mouth to spend for at home. Ray is so brilliant in his narrative that even the worst of worse characters gain the audiences sympathy.
The beautiful camera work, music is something almost all reviews have inolved in them. Though before ending this review Id like to answer one question that haunts quiet a few people 'Why is this movie so great?' Well in all honesty amidst all the poverty, The characters in Pather Panchali live the most purest of lives, one devoid of the evils of politics, racism and all such Urban social evils and absurdities. They live among nature and touch on the very basics of life, something most of us can never feel because we're lost in a seemingly materialistic world.
Monpura (2009)
Not all its cracked up to be
At about Mid 2008, Bangladesh went through this amazing Movie revival, Everyone literally couldn't wait for the release of this highly anticipated movie starring Chanchal and Farhana. I guess it really didn't live up to its expectations, at least to me.
To begin with the stories potential was completely lost, it was a one of a kind story but there wasn't really much of plot of character development going on. The movie was just a whole collection of one beautiful shot after another. Even though it was a love story there wasn't much of development there.
Now lets go to the good bits, the imagery and obscure dream sequence towards the end was amazing. To top it up and what has probably been the saving grace for the movie was the music. Yes Arnob's music can single handedly make yous it through this movie. the classic titles like 'jao pakhi' and shonar moina paki are still alive among the crowds.
Even then Monpura has proved a major movement for Bangldeshi Movie revival and has safely broken all records set by Bangladeshi movies in the last 50 years. This one's still going down in history. Good watch if you don't expect much