After watching a few movies, I decided that it will be important for me to keep track of these movies. So I started noting them in a draft blog entry. A few weeks later, I decided I should write something against each movie. Not really a review but the reason for me to choose the movie and my experience while watching the movie. I started it in December and am now travelling backwards to catch up while I continue to watch movies. I think the catching up will take time and also, the list is getting long. So I decided to publish the list of movies month by month.
I am done with December. So this becomes the first month to get published. I hope to go back and complete the previous months in January itself.
Note: I watched a few series too and I have included them in this list.
Count from August 2023: 85.
December 2023 - 14 movies and series
- The Family Man (season 2): I enjoyed watching the first season of The Family Man. I enjoy watching Manoj Bajpayee. I think this role fits him well. I liked the not so pleasant ending of the first season. So I waited eagerly for season 2. But season 2 got immersed in controversy about the reference to the Eelam movement in Sri Lanka. There was also some controversy about Samantha who played a Tamil terrorist in the series. So I decided to keep away from this season. But at the beginning of December I reached a phase where I was not sure what I should watch. So I watched the second season of The Family Man and I am glad I watched it. It is quite tight and Samantha is good. As in series one, there is a good balance of thrill and family moments. The icing on the cake is Manoj Bajpayee though.
- Eternals: I loved this movie. Why the hell was this movie thrashed and trashed? The story is interesting and gripping. The casting was a trifle annoying, especially Salma Hayek and Angelina Jolie (I never thought I will say that in my life). But as I said the story is quite gripping.
- Black Widow: I did not expect to like this movie. I am not sure why. In the Avengers world, Black widow gets sidelined by Iron man, Thor and Captain America (among others). So I did not believe this to be a strong character. Also, the fact that Black Widows dies in Endgame reduced my interest in the movie. But the movie proved me wrong. It was good. It has almost all the required elements for a hollywood masala (almost as there is no romance). Much better than the sentimental nonsense called Endgame and Wakanda Forever.
- Indian Jones and Dial of Destiny: The movie did not deserve to flop. That does not mean it is a good movie. It looks like a poor man's 'Raider's of the lost ark'. The climax is quite nonsensical. Shockingly, I found Phoebe Waller-Bridge annoying; she just does not fit the role. I think Indiana Jones does miss Steven Speilberg.
- Get out: Amazing movie. Dark and uncomfortable. 30 minutes into the movie, I had to take a break and I could only go back to the movie 24 hours later. After that I was not able to stop watching it. Eerie and edge of the seat movie. I think the movie has many layers but for me it was just great to watch it with the most obvious two layers.
- John Carter: I have no idea what to make of the movie. I thought I did not like it but I could not help it though. Apparently, it is based on the book written in 1912 by Edgar Rice Burrogh (the one who wrote Tarzon) "A Princess of Mars". Ultimately, it is a dumb entertainer. One that I would not recommend to anyone who thinks Govinda movies are crap.
- Romancham: What a brilliant movie! Midly spooky and terribly funny. Just maintains an uncomfortable feeling through the movie and does not make it scary except in a couple of places. The scene involving Chemban Vinod is funny. The conversation between Jesus and Krishna is outstanding and I was disappointed when it ended abruptly. Its interesting to note that I was planning to write something along those lines a few months back. But the realization that most Indian writers' writings are based on mythology made me stop, at least for now. Getting back: Arjun Ashokan is brilliant in the movie. I am glad I watched but wonder why I did not see it earlier.
- The Killing: The movie is directed by Stanley Kubrick - the only reason I started watching it. It is a short one hour and twenty minute movie. The movie is a documentary with a narrator in the background. It recounts the incident of a day or two and it is done so with timings. I found the movie interesting with the last fifteen minutes absolutely engrossing. The ending of the movie stands out.
- Old Boy: This is considered to be a cult favorite. It appears in many lists of movies not to be missed. Every time I surfed for a movie on Amazon, it appeared. Finally, I decided to watch it. Did I like it? I don't know. It is very different from anything that I have watched. It touched a raw nerve and made me feel disgusted at times. But I am glad I watched the movie.
- Manchurian Candidate: Another Kubrick movie. Nope, this is not a Kubrick movie. About a month later, I was reading about the movie named Ronin, when I realized the director of Ronin is also the director The Manchurian Candidate, John Frankenheimer. Prime video suggested it when I finished watching "The Killing". I have heard this term earlier and had a vague idea what it meant. The phrase itself took birth due to the movie and the movie is based on a book. This link has details about the phrase, movie and the book. Good movie. Kept me at the edge of my seat. I don't think I have ever seen a Sinatra movie. I only remember him as a singer but he is good in this movie. Another good movie watched.
- A Fistfull of Dollars: I love Sergio Leone - Ennio Morricone - Clint Eastwood movies. That said, I have only watched "The Good, The Bad and The Ugly" and maybe a "For a Few Dollars More". But the former is such a good movie that I have watched it many times. The pace of the movie, the cinematography and the music are fantastic. Sergio Leone's use of close up shots (especially the eye) and the sections of silence make his movies interesting to watch. This movie too has all the trademarks of the Sergio Leone movie. But being one of his earlier western its seems a little raw. "The Good, The Bad and The Ugly" seems extremely refined in comparison. Next movie: "For a Few Dollors More".
- Désirée: I knew she was interested in Literature, History and Movies. So I mentioned to her that I saw "Napolean". She immediately asked if the movie has anything about Napolean's first lover, Désirée. The movie did not mention her. She said that she had read a book about Désirée when she was young and that this person was Napolean's first fiancée. I got curious and searched the Internet. I found that there was a book and a movie about Désirée . Interestingly, the movie had Marlon Brando as Napolean and the review claimed that he was brilliant. I agree with the reviewers. Brando seems like a textbook Napolean. As in the case of the movie 'Napolean', this movie too should have been longer but it is quite informative. A few lines on what I learnt. Désirée ultimately married a Marshall of France by the name of Bernodatte. He was adopted by the queen of Sweden and ruled Sweden for a few years. The dynasty that he started with him continues to rule Sweden even now. This means that Désirée was the first queen of this dynasty. She was not just a lover and fiancée of Napolean.
- For a few Dollars More: This one is better than 'A Fistful of Dollars'. The story line is more developed compared to the other movie. The presence of Lee Van Cleef and his character too helps the movie. The villain from the previous movie is repeated here. I somehow felt Gabbar Singh of Sholay is based on the villain character, Indio, from this movie. The Spaghetti westerns are always a great watch. Maybe I will watch it again in a few years. I will not complete the trilogy by watching "The Good, The Bad and The Ugly" again. Too many movies to watch, no point indulging in watching movie that I have already watched and remember too.
- Of Mice and Men: Many years back, I read the Steinbeck's book "East of Eden". The book is set in depression era and is terribly depressing. But I loved the book. I don't remember much about the book but I remember still that it is a good book and I enjoyed reading it. I saw the movie too but I remember even less of the movie. Since reading 'East of Eden', I have wanted to read another Steinbeck book but for some reason I never did. "Of Mice and Men" is one such book. So when I saw the title in Prime Video, I checked the IMDB rating, it was above 7. I started watching the movie. One of the lead actors seemed familiar. His name's Gary Sinise and he acted as Lt. Dan in Forrest Gump. The other lead of the movie is John Malkovich. I loved the movie. It is a sad tale but it is made so beautifully that I did not feel sad watching it. Very few sad movie have made me feel this calm. I wish I could ask someone to watch it but not many people I know care for movies as much as I do and the ones who care would already have watched this movie. So I write it here.
The End
