We need MOVIES

As we all know the movie industry is declining in excellence. The thing that most populates our theatres today are remakes, sequels, prequels and all sort of unimaginable ways to explore box-office gold. What about the truly original, truly excellent filmmaking? We the public demand more of that. A movie remake should try to make the story more in touch with real times wile doing homage to the original movie and script.

I’ve recently been to cinema, and I watched a dreadful movie. They didn’t even try to conjure up an appealing plot. All was based on cute faces and bodies, car chases, death and special effects. The movie exploited the very same aspects it was trying to criticise, it was a painful experince. These kinds of films don’t help the position of the 7th art.

We don’t have the fabulous movie quotes, which worked even on the philosophical level; we only have foul language and poor dialogues. What about movie characters? They are lame and plain, there is no depth to them. A character is well developed when we feel identified or repulsed by it on the first 5 minutes of the story, after which we can relate to their way of thinking and acting.

There was a time when movies were beautiful; the images that they gave us were work of art. What happened to good lighting and image composition? Each movie has to have its one characteristic feel, and it should act as a brand. Some great movies still transmit a feeling just by thinking of them, just by hearing someone refer their title.

The installing and growing crises will be reflected on the film industry as we will be dumped with more remakes and such, and even less original work. Sadly the growing profits of the industry are sinking the film making essence to basal levels.

Once (2006)

Tiered of reading about old movies in this crummy old shop corner?

In respect for you I’ve watched “Once” the movie that took everyone by surprise and kidnapped the best song Oscar from Disney’s “Enchanted” (2007).

It’s a great, simple, plain, down to earth movie. It is so real that is sad to a point, but its brilliant in its simplicity and the music plays the third leading role.

So my prescription to you is - watch this movie and listen to this movie.

Rating: 8/10

The Usual Suspects (1995)

“Psycho” (1960) delivers an unexpected finish, no one can argue against it. But “The Usual Suspects” brings this ending twist to a new level. The entire movie leads you in one direction and then in the last scene of the movie you realise that the entire story being told was wrong. It is like a punch in the stomach.

A great set of actors with an amazing script on their hands. It is an instant masterpiece.

Watch it and you will spend the next week thinking about it.

By the way there is a line in “Casablanca” (1942) that goes: “Round up the usual suspects”. Is there any connection between these two facts? Who knows? I like to think there is one.

Rating: 9/10