Harsh realities from Peru.

Días de Santiago (2004) directed by Josue Mendez

Recommended by a journalist from a communist country during a film festival I had some initial hesitation regarding watching this film. However after having seen this highly artistic film,I am ready to say that it is one of the most
original films made in recent times.I find it difficult to swallow the comparison made with US film "Taxi Driver". By making such a weird comparison people are belittling this film.My favorite moments from this film are the confrontation scenes. They bear testimony to the fact that a person besieged with problems has to fight ferociously to overcome all troubles. Some of the sequences had a dream like air to them.To a layman the title of the film "Days of Santiago" suggests how he passes his days.But to a serious film goer it
denotes the entire past,present and future life of Santiago. Peruvian actor Pietro Sibylle is a great attraction of this film. The troublesome feelings of anger,hopelessness, frustration, anxiety and despair are much too visible on his
woebegone face.A truly valid reason to watch this film.

Meaningful film with Jeremy Irons and Robert de Niro.

The Mission (1986) directed by Roland Joffe

The Mission directed by Roland Joffe cannot be termed as a film which can masquerade as some kind of populist entertainment stuff. It is not at all a film which entertains in the manner most of the films do. It is a film which makes us think as to what our past history was. The important message the film gives us is the reminder that numerous wars were fought in order to attain the religious supremacy of a particular religion. Now for those who think that The Mission is not a slice of history but a movie, I would say that both the leading actors are absolutely impressive. However it is Jeremy Irons who is in full command of his acting capabilities as the priest. Robert de Niro is good too as the man who repents after killing his brother out of revenge. The amazing thing is the manner in which South American native people have acted. Watching them perform alongside Hollywood bigwigs one wonders how they have not been influenced by them. The sad part of this film is its end which might appear as pessimistic to certain viewers.

This is not about a Las Vegas gambling house.

Casino (1995) directed by Martin Scorcese

I have never been a great follower of Martin Scorcese and I have never bothered to find out the reasons for which his films are admired both by critics as well as cinema lovers.All that I know is that the themes of his films are different and that he gives a so called specific Martin Scorcese touch to them.Casino is a bit long film for its 180 minutes duration.Sometimes it seems like a documentary about gambling industry.Acting performances by Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci are OK.Sharon Stone's acting performances are plain bad and sometimes it appears as if she is having a tough time giving a decent acting performance.Message of the film is still not clear to me as Scorcese has neither painted a glorious portray of casino industry nor does he appear to have a critical stance against gambling as a vice ? This film is good from a sociological point for those people who would like to catch a glimpse of the rise and fall of a powerful gambling boss.