Alain Resnais makes his family of actors to sing great French songs ! ! ! !

On connaît la chanson (1997) directed by Alain Resnais

In many ways "On connait la chanson" is precursor to a new method of film-making undertaken by veteran French director Alain Resnais.This is the second film by Resnais (I want to go home) which has palpable American influence on French culture.This is a film which features many versatile actors of French cinema who are part of his family of actors.Those who have seen "Coeurs" will have no trouble recognizing these stars.Jean Pierre Bacri and Agnès Jaoui act as a couple who worked with Resnais on this film's screenplay.The philosophy of this tender,light hearted film is simple.If life is a song then a song must be sung.What we see and hear are many great songs of French music which were originally sung by famous French singers such as Alain Souchon,Edith Piaf,Jane Birkin etc.It can be surmised that in order to create suspense at the beginning of the film,Resnais even transported us back in past when he showed that Nazis had invaded Paris to destroy French capital.It is a great feeling that nothing like this happened.

Cyrano de Bergerac : a great introduction to the richness of French culture.

Cyrano de Bergerac directed by Jean Paul Rappeneau

Cyrano de Bergerac is one of the most perfect films made in French language.It is a film which must be shown to all connoisseurs of French culture as it makes for the most perfect introduction to French civilization.The greatness of Cyrano is universal as he teaches us some of the most essential human values such as friendship,love, sadness and trust.It is a film for which everybody has worked hard under the leadership of French auteur Jean Paul Rappeneau.There is an air of authenticity in the portrayal of France circa late 1900s.This has been achieved by creating magnificent sets,marvelous costumes and a cast of many junior artists.Jean Paul Rappeneau allows us to be transported to a time when innumerable duels were fought over women, pure love was omnipotent and poets and artists were venerated.When we watch this film,we come to realize that Gerard Depardieu is exceptionally great as troubled Cyrano who has hidden many deep secrets in his heart.It is due to the greatness of his personality that we choose to own his sadness in order to lessen his pain.There are no so many films which can have such an effect on movie goers. This is the best virtue of this historical drama.

Hollywood's dumb fascination for misleading title ! ! !

Pretty Woman (1990) directed by Garry Marshall

Films about hookers and their patrons are a common feature of all national cinemas.According to a rough estimate films about hookers have always been a good box office proposition.This might be because of people's belief that they are objects of reverence.This is the reason why Hollywood is not at all an exception as far as films about women of easy virtue are concerned.The only thing which differs American/Hollywood films from those of other countries is their narrative structure.Hollywood cinema relies more on the external appearance of hookers whereas world cinema focuses more on internal quest of hookers for achieving a state of security,safety,prosperity and happiness.Pretty Woman fails to deliver because it is not at all serious cinema.It can neither be termed as a prototype of fun cinema as it lacks credibility which is evident in Leaving Las Vegas.As Hollywood film industry has its own peculiar way of portraying hookers viewers have little or no choice of rejecting such flicks.There are plenty of gaping holes in Pretty Woman.It is being labeled as a fairy tale of a hooker with golden heart.This is absurd as viewers are not in a position to figure out whether it is due to severe distress or a young girl's desire to lead a lavish life.Pretty Woman is a dismal failure as in real life people deal harshly with hookers making their lives miserable.Pretty Woman is a historic blunder too as it degrades women.

Ben Sombogaart : A Dutch filmmaker who makes clean films for children.

Het Zakmes (1992) directed by Ben Sombogaart

Dutch film "Het Zakmes" is better known as "The Penknife".It is a brilliant family drama with light comedy.There are scenes in this film where both these genres overlap but all possible confusion is prevented due to mutual symbiosis of different protagonists.This is the perfect film for somebody who wants to have a good laugh with family.This film provides excellent commentary on the state of family and friendship as its director Ben Sombogaart created an ingenuous tale involving irresponsible adults and innocent kids.Adults are shown to misuse their status by not caring for young children.This is the reason why Het Zakmes shows that adults live in their own shell impeding on their children's creativity.The touchy issue of race relations in Holland has also been treated in this film.A beautiful lesson that can be learned is that most of the children have good memories and separation from their friend is unbearable,unpardonable act for them.This is precisely a core element of this dutch film.

How can Mr.David Cronenberg write a history of violence ! ! !

A History of Violence (2005) directed by David Cronenburg

"A history of violence" is one of those rare films which lack usual David Cronenberg bite.If you have seen this film and Eastern Promises you will be able to recognize that both of them are similar in style.It is true that this film is violent but its violence is that of a different nature.It is a violence which unleashes itself under tremendous pressure.This violence is a quiet violence unlike gory blood bath of Texas Chainsaw Massacre and The Wild bunch.Ed Harris has done one of the most vicious roles of his life for this film.Canadian auteur Cronenberg handles social issues well as he proves that there is no respect for an ordinary man's privacy.It is due to this anomaly that one get an idea of American violence.It was nice to watch how people crave for fame but fail to deliver as most of the people act as if they were silly bystanders remaining motionless all the times when violent acts are committed.This is a good film for a family as it shows how a simple family man's life is made hell due to excessive violence.

A great film directed by Pavel Lungin after the fall of Soviet Union.

Taksi-Blyuz (1990) directed by Pawel Lungin

A post Perestroika film like "Taksi-Blyuz" must be viewed in the context of Russia after 1990s.It is a landmark film in the history of Russian cinema.It speaks about an independent Russian state which might be a little difficult for some non Russian people to understand.It must be mentioned that it is not all an American Taxi Driver.The core issues of this film are masculinity,music and patriotism but still our hero grapples with numerous emotional conflicts.In today's modern day Russia,I am sure that so much has changed ever since it was made in 1990.The taxi is old in this film and decline of Russia is becoming a sore sight for natives as well as foreigners.There are many black markets where everything can be purchased.One such street vendor sells old stuff such as a saxophone,some old clothes. This is a short story of oppressed and oppressor.This film is not for you if you are expecting to watch a modern day Russia.Taxi Bluez is not a film about poverty but about all factors known for making people come to terms with poverty.Pavel Lungin has made his film with a tinge of sadness.It is a nice thing that women have a minor presence as most of them lack strong will power.Taxi Blues is a true perestroika film to be admired for its inherent Russianness.

This is a film which can easily make François Truffaut weep inconsolably !

Machuca (2004) directed by Andres Wood

"Machuca" is an excellent film for all ages made by Chilian filmmaker Andres Wood.The best thing which can be said about "Machuca" is that it is one the those rare films which are a superb visual statement on human condition. It is true that young children will surely have a lot to learn from this film but adults can also learn a thing or two if they make up their minds to reduce conflicts in the world.Some of the major issues discussed in this film are about friendship,sexual awakening,class differences,trouble at home,trouble with church and trouble with military.In this film it is nice to see how two young boys tackle above mentioned themes with courage,determination and dignity.A moral lesson to be learn from "Machuca" is that weak souls are strong in dealing with all kinds of emotional adversities.Although films featuring young protagonists are a common trend in the annals of world cinema nevertheless Muachuca remains a totally different film as it is about self discovery,knowing one's limitations and keeping one's head straight even in the times of adversities.This is a must see film for all admirers of serious cinema,meaningful films and Latin American history.

Is this film really about the search for "The Holy Grail" ?

The Fisher King (1991) directed by Terry Gilliam

Terry Gilliam is not an ordinary filmmaker.His films offer viewers more in terms of psychedelic fun,visual delight,thought provoking ideas and sheer technical brilliance.Terry Gilliam appears to be the modern day distant cousin of maverick,iconoclast filmmakers like Terence Mallick and Alex Cox.All of them are believed to make less films with quality elements."The Fisher King" is one such film which offers an out of the box glimpse into the world of homeless people.It is a world of solidarity,companionship and mutual trust.The Fisher King also discusses the outcome of male-female relationships before the arrival of Internet to inform us as to why some of the relationships would not work ? The film is set in a time when video cassettes were a massive rage.Terry Gilliam has even attacked the media for their alleged misuse of power and authority.In this film Robin William shows us one of the most original ways of correcting one's wrong doing.On the technical front there are unusual camera angles which provides visual pleasure of high adrenaline rush-skyscrapers and areas where homeless people live.This film might soon achieve the cult film status because of its material.The message of this film is extremely simple:Anyone can become a homeless person any where,any time under any circumstances.This is because a tragedy can strike anyone anytime any place.So be nice and kind to your dear ones in order to love them forever.

A film like that of Miklos Jancso and Ettore Scola ! ! ! ! !

Allonsanfan (1973) directed by Paolo Taviani,Vittorio Taviani

Allonsanfan is one of those rare foreign language films about which dedicated viewers know a lot without having gotten a chance to see it. It is rather unfortunate that this classic film directed by Taviani brothers has neither been shown repeatedly on TV screens around the world nor its DVD is as easily available as that of "Braveheart".If we look closely at the productivity of Italian cinema,we will come to know that there is only an Italian film ("La nuit de Varennes" directed by Ettore Scola) which similar to it in terms of style and content.Allonsanfan is quite similar to a Hungarian auteur Miklos Jancso's film but with no nudity,no brutality and no humiliation.At the core of this film is a detailed description of the tough life of a determined revolutionary.Sometimes he is trusted by his followers, sometimes he is not.Family ties are of great importance for him as any other aristocrat.The only unusual aspect of his behavior is that he does not know how to maintain them.Betrayal is a repetitive element of this film as there are plenty of disloyal souls linked to our strongman.This is the reason why he fails to remain neither a true revolutionary nor a true aristocrat.The portrayal of incest is rather out of place for this film.It loses its credibility because of prevalence of dramatic situations.It is true that "Allonsanfan" is visually exquisite but it is somewhat difficult to follow the film's flow as not much of historical context is provided to the viewer.One can say that events happen of their own accord.It is only after reaching the halfway mark that viewers comprehend that Allonsanfan is one of the this film's important protagonists.A positive thing about it is its star cast with remarkable performances by Marcello Mastroianni.A must see for all the admirers of auteur cinema especially of Vittorio and Paulo Taviani.

A nice film to watch for admiring Jean Rochefort,Williem Dafoe,Emma de Caunes, Rowan "Mr.Bean" Atkinson and self made V.I.P pass.

Mr. Bean's Holiday (2007) directed by Steve Bendelack

Mr.Bean's Holiday is a unique family film which has all the necessary ingredients used in the making a successful comedy film.Apart from its numerous inoffensive commentaries of serious nature on tangible universal sentiments like love,trust,respect etc,there is plenty of scope in this film for freewheeling entertainment.The highlight of this film is that it entertains all viewers regardless of their knowledge or ignorance about Rowan Atkinson's comical genius.It might be said that watching this film might induce a feeling in some viewers' minds that Mr.Bean mocks France and French culture.This has been shown by depicting how Cannes International Film Festival derides itself by ignoring its own film fraternity in order to show over-the-top reverence for American filmmakers on French soil.This film's director Steve Bendelack offers us plenty to see including marvelous views of French countryside and TGV,French high speed train.If one has already been to France,these views would be a great source of nostalgia.If a viewer of this film has not been to France,it is hoped that it would serve as a precursor to an imminent voyage to France.An important lesson to be learned from this film involves today's globalized world where a language is not at all important as the entire world is slowly transforming itself into a huge efficient supermarket where people can go and purchase their stuff without uttering a single world of any human language.This is precisely something which enables many people including Mr.Bean to say gracias in Paris.The flip side of this case is that these people are having nice time at the expense of natives as they are being fully understood by them.Mr.Bean's Holiday is a hilarious melting pot of assorted characters from different countries such as America,Britain,Russia and France.Rowan Atkinson's performance assures us that there are neither surprises nor there is any pretence, any foul play.He does everything smoothly to ensure that everything comes out with ease like a rabbit taken out skillfully from a maverick wizard's black hat.The icing on this film's cake is the realization that only Mr.Bean is one of those lucky people who are able to enter the premises of Cannes International Film Festival by making use of a hand made V.I.P.pass.

The intricacies of Japanese society shown by Mr.Hiroyuki Tanaka

Monday (2000) directed by Sabu

Actors making films is a new trend in Japanese cinema.It is a known fact that many of them are no so successful.The only exception in the history of Japanese cinema is Takeshi Kitano who is good as an actor as well as a film maker.Monday is directed by Hiroyuki Tanaka who is one of the most important actors of Japanese cinema.In this film he has given viewers unfettered access into the minds of various sections of Japanese society.What we see in the film is the way people like a family,a salary man,some yakuzas and some of the police behave in the course of their normal lives.The idea of the film is not to criticize a section to praise a different one.In this film,Sabu wants to show us his protagonists with their real intentions,moods and motives for leading lives which they feel are suitable for them.Monday is also a plea for peace as Japanese people have suffered enormous losses in the past especially during the World War 2.This is the reason why violence has been shunned in this film.PS:kindly watch with close attention the performance of Terajima Susumu who also stars in Sabu's wonderful film "The Blessing Bell".