Remember the Titans

monkeyrating: 9/10

This is the movie most coaches and sportspeople would wish they had seen earlier. This is the movie many teamleaders would wish to own. This is the movie, no matter who you are or what you do, will open your eyes to INSPIRATION.

waddabout: Based on a true story, this movie is the amazing tale of triumph - not of a sports team alone, but also that of trust above colour - and of humanity over prejudice. It depicts the touching tale of how a mixed colour sports team in a colour conscious america witnessed its own transformation of unity and drove it to overcome everyone. How one small group of people could set an example for a nation. And of how one small man, with one small job - of coaching a local football team, could MAKE THAT POSSIBLE!

This movie is apart from most other inspiring movies in the sense that it thrills, if feels, it makes you move and jump in your couch - and in your head. It goes beyond a docu-drama movie into the realms of sheer gripping entertainment and yet manages to deliver its message as perfectly as possible.

monkeyrespect to: Denzel washington is definitely the star of this movie. No one could have delivered this role with more conviction than him. You can FEEL him make the miracles happen!

watch out for: music that gets you addicted, great performances and gooosebumps during the sport sequences!

i say: I definitely recommend this movie to every one.

Get the DVD. and share it with 'your team' for sure.

trailer:

The Dark Knight - Excellence returns to Gotham!

What a movie!! Absolutely mindblowing! Even if i wasnt a hardcore fan of the dark knight - aka Batman, i'd be blown away!
This movie does absolute justice to the graphic novel and goes beyond. Christosopher Nolan has outdone himself with this piece of art. The Dark Knight goes beyond the genre of an action-caped crusader movie into the realms of philosophy and the nature of the human mind. It graphically as well as overtly explores the concepts of heroism, ethics, justice and choices. Four of the most fundamental issues that have probed people for centuries. This movie explores it, and delivers it with conviction through its characters.
In terms of acting, i can bet on the fact that Heath Ledger will bag an oscar for his negative performance as the clown.
The entire movie is filled with so much drama that the entire 152 minutes of the movie give you the greatest sense of satisfaction you ever found in a theatre.
Im going to watch this movie again for sure. I think you should catch it too.

**BTW, kindly ignore what they have done to the Batman's mask.
THEY FLATTENED IT AND IT LOOKS DORKY BEAKED! AAARGHH!

Watch The Trailer and get synopsis n stuff at the Official site - which btw is super awesome too: http://thedarkknight.warnerbros.com/

Happiness

When Jenn Stuczynski jumped 4.90 then 4.92 at the US Olympic trials everyone started saying that: 'Isinbayeva is finished, we have a new star’.

Just a week later, Isinbayeva, the world record holder in pole vaulting, proved them all as wrong as can be. At the Golden League in Rome, coming back stronger and harder than before, she broke her own previous world record to set an incredible one of 5.03m!

Now that's what i call Happiness. Pure joy.

Look at her face. You can feel it. You can feel her heart tearing out into shreds as she screamed with happiness.

How many of us have really felt that kind of happiness? How many of us feel that kind of happinesss?

Living our day to day lives like cattle. Going on doing the same routines, day in and day out. Where is the sense of achievement. Or more importantly, hard earned, heart driven, soul tearing achievement!

When was the last time you felt like you'd done the gift of life some justice?

When was the last time you felt that your life was really worth its existence?

When was the last time you drove yourself to something that made you think, 'Yes... I made it possible!'

When was that? For most of us... that was probably long ago. For most... long long ago. And for a few... can't even remember.

When faced with questions and controversy, most of us just hide. Recede. Get hit back into our shells. We fail to realise that what we are shying away from is that little piece of semi sadistic, yet well deserved happiness that lies at the other of silencing our critics for good. And that only comes through a performance that lies beyond ourself. It lies in pushing ourselves beyond the temptation to recede, into the realm of fire driven ambition and persistence. Into a 'mission' to outperform ourselves to what we belive is our true potential. Towards silencing everyone who ever thought otherwise. Towards being what YOU belive you are.

There's no better answer to critique in words. And there's no other ridicule to ridicule in action.

Drive yourself beyond a critique and towards the end, no matter what the outcome - you most probably find yourself still invincible in your confidence - coz you know deep within that you have done what you could to take yourself beyond what anyone could imagine. And that's what counts!

What does it take us to go beyond ourselves to achieve a moment of pure happiness?

Its just a guess, but i think its just a small change of perception.

That's the key i guess. to happiness.

Hancock - good fun but NOT worth the hype, really!

Will Smith! Now that’s a man who can really carry an entire movie on his shoulders. Even if it’s a super-powered one. And Hancock is just evidence to that.
This crisply made modern day tale of a superhero and the media and the relationship between them is pretty well put together. And packed with Will’s awesome comic timing and brilliant acting this movie makes a worthy watch.
The topping on the cake would be the awesomely planted surprise shocker in the movie. It makes a fresh viewing and makes what could be just another post-modern superhero movie into something larger. But yet, I’d say its quite a one time watch only. Entertaining, but in second seats as compared to its release rival – Kung Fu Panda.

Watch trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rZQQgvhn4jg

Kung Fu Panda - Prepare for Awesomeness!

This is one movie you just got to got to got to watch!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The promotions for this movie have been apallingly badddd! But what a movie this is!!!!! Thank god i went for it - or i would have never discoverd what AWESOMENESS truly is!!!!!
This year (2008) had been pretty dissapointing in terms of movies for me - except for I am Legend... and now Kung Fu Panda. Jack Black lends his characteristic insanity to this animated flick with full gusto and conviction. The story is simple and adorable, and the characters are too. Though the characters hardly have many dialogues, it is only in the end that you realize that all of them have been played by amazing actors like Jackie Chan, Angelina Jolie, Lucy liu et al!
The movie has everything - fun, action, story, meaning, a take home message and more than everything, as Jack Black would call it - Awesomeness! A 100% must watch! Buy - steal - do whatever!
You just got to watch this movie! AND own the DVD!

General gyaan:

Kung Fu Panda is an animated film about a panda who learns martial arts and then uses this new ability to fight his enemies. Kung Fu Panda is being directed by John Stevenson and Mark Osborne and produced by Melissa Cobb. The idea for the film was conceived by Michael Lachance, a DreamWorks Animation executive. The film is due for release on June 6, 2008. It will be distributed by Paramount Pictures.The film stars the voices of, among others, Jack Black, Seth Rogen, Jackie Chan, Dustin Hoffman, Angelina Jolie and Lucy Liu.Story: Po (Jack Black) is a panda who is a kung fu fanatic, but whose defining characteristic appears to be that he is the laziest animal in ancient China. Evil warrior Tai Lung (Ian McShane) has escaped from prison, and all hopes have been pinned on a prophecy naming Po as the "Chosen One" to save the day. He has a kung fu master, Shifu (Dustin Hoffman) who "has trained five of the greatest warriors that the world has ever known", to help him.Notably, all the original disciples of the main masters are animal stances or styles commonly used in the art of kung fu - Tigress (Tiger), Monkey, Snake, Crane and Mantis. Shen Lung Kung Fu uses those animals as a base for the whole system.

Watch Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-IXsokyKNFM

Cinderella Man - An inspiration to every father, husband, soul.

If you are a parent, or a child, if you have ever known what it feels like to be cared for or to care - this is one movie that you must must watch! More than through the trials of a champion, this movies takes you through the trials of a loving father and a caring husband - the pain and desperation of poverty and the faith and power of hope.

Crowe's depiction of the protagonist touches you perfectly in ways that would moisten your eyes if you have in your life ever seen a "rainy" day. Though many would say this is just another boxing movie, i would beg to differ. The critics have their picks against the movie, but i still find it a really inspiring movie. Maybe the most important reason why this movie deserves a place in any good DVD collection is that it teaches you to be a better parent, a better person and a stronger man against adversities.

This movie does to you what 10 self help books would never be able to. It's a little piece on visual nirvana, if i may call it so. Absolutely love the movie! A must addition to your DVD collection.

Watch Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DlbHzcH4VJY

Kill Bill - Vol.1

"Vengeance is a dish best served cold." Quentin Tarantino's masterpiece onscreen adaptation of THE BRIDE (a Japanese graphic novel) is one hell of a show! from blood and gore to philosophy from music to moves - this movie is one piece of work that'll leave an image on your mind for life! The best saga of rage and revenge you'll ever come across! This movie definitely features on my top 10 of FILM-MAKING greats.

The way Tarantino brings post-modernism to cinema is artistic! He has used almost every possible trick in the book of simplicity to add effect to every scene as an individual piece. Black and white scenes, animae, monotone film, graphic novel style edits - he's used it all within this one film. Uma Thurman carries her role of a revenge seeking killing machine to perfection. But hey, that's like the welcome cherry on the cake. And then there's the music! You'd wonder where all Tarantino went to scout for his music! Authentic Japanese music, techno, retro, country, jazz, pop - every soundtrack used in the movie is just so different and fresh and so perfectly in tune with the movie scenes that it blows your head off!

The gore is really level ten gore though, you may be warned. There is so much artistic bloodshed in the movie that my mom was duly thrilled. Yes, she loves violence - as long as its coming from a woman. As in Kill Bill. Maybe that's why this movie is many a girlie's favourite too. Great way to get over your ex! Pop in some pop corn and watch that woman smash those men! Awesome!

Get the DVD - it's worth it. (For whatever reason you choose)

A fan made remix mash up of one of the most awesome scenes from the movie - crazy 88 v/s the bride: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k0wiNXsNIeI

Official Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AjDKhqW5vGg

Life is Beautiful

Definitely the most meaningful foreign film of all time! Robert Benigni's 'La vita e bella' or 'Life is beautiful' takes you through simplicity and happiness, humour and love. And then crashes you onto the gruesome realities of war. What conquers is the feeling that love, even against death and the inevitable end - finds a way to live on.

The movie, unlike most meaningful movies dosen't go too hard on you. It is light even in the darkest of scenes. It does not indulge is gory scary scenes that make you go pale. In fact, at times it is so subtle that you don't even realize that it made you cry until you find your tears running down your face.

In a nutshell - this movie takes you on a journey of life, faith and relationships with every emotion that you have got within you! it makes you smile, feel proud, laugh, sniffle, cry and be inspired all at the same time! This movie truly make you realise that yes, life truly is beautiful! Keep a DVD of this movie with you and it shall be your greatest asset someday!

Watch Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NBfjzzAVjWo

Satya

monkeyrating: 8/10

genre: Drama, Crime, Action

waddabout: In a nutshell, this movie is the life in the 90's of the darker sides of the dream the world calls Mumbai.

its just an honest depiction of the web of circumstances in the world - set in the reality of the dream city of Mumbai it drags you into the circumstances of the protagonist, who even as a honest, simple man ends up as an outlaw whilst safeguarding his own self-respect. And how he spirals downwards further into the whirlpools of the underworld and politics.

i say: Definitely one of my favourite Hindi movies!
Graphic and Heartwrenching!

monkeyrespect to: Manoj Bajpayee as Bhiku Mhatre is definitely one of the most memorable characters produced by bollywood. His antics and dialogues are absolutely iconic! He is the life of this movie! And then there's also his whole bunch of fun baddies like Kallu Mama and the gang.

The music is awesome! Even years after watching this movie, i still find myself humming its songs at times. And obviously- the 'junglee'/wild dancing to 'Sapano mein milta hai' - the most crazy track from this movie!
It would be impossible not to respect Ram Gopal Varma's direction and Vishal bharadwaj's scriptwriting talent in this film. it is their best work ever.

watch a scene from the movie: Satya's emotional breakdown:


all views expressed belong to an opinionated dickhead called Pushkaraj Shirke. If you have differing views, feel free to share them or visit http://www.go-fuck-yourself.com/

Sadma - Bollywood's most overlooked classic

One of the best movies to come out of India, SADMA is a mindblowing piece of film-making. ONE HAS TO WATCH THIS MOVIE!

Unlike most Bollywood crankies, this one is not just a sobby tragic story - its a movie in the true sense. It MOVES you.The movie is about a man who rescues a woman from a brothel as she is mentally challenged (due to an accident). And eventually falls in love with her. The movie flows through their entire story of bonding and innocent love right up to the end. Where comes the most powerful and wrenching twist of it all! (you have to watch it to know it).The pain and the love, the trauma and the happiness -both lost and found shall sway you to tears. Kamal Hasan's performance as the simple hearted man in love with a mentally challenged girl (Sridevi) is absolutely brilliant.

For me, this was the movie that made me realise that movies can make you cry!This movie is definitely the finest piece of work from the classic ages of Bollywood. A MUST WATCH!

The most beautiful song from the movie - 'Aye zindagi, galy laga ley': http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z9fNoT7Y1JM

Million Dollar Baby

monkeyrating: 9/10

genre: drama sport

waddabout: a professional boxing trainer cum manager helps a determined woman from a low economy class to achieve her ambition of becoming a boxer. the consequences that follow, grip them all.

# This movie is a brilliant piece of work no matter what many hard bred critics might say - it moves you if you have a heart. And is truly deserving of every nomination it got. Its a movie that leaves you out in the open with all the world has to offer - the good and the bad. And in a characteristic Clint Eastwood style, leaves you open to your own conclusions.

monkeyrespect to: Clint eastwood! for making this masterpiece! The boxing sequences are well done, the actors are simply brilliant, the direction is perfect. He actually got Hillary Swank to really train in boxing to do this movie, and that's more than just obvious by the performance she has delivered. She deserves monkeyrespect for that too!

Morgan Freeman's undershadowed performance is the layer of calm in this movie!
The intensity of each of their performances grips you as if it were all for real. If you are the kind who has grown out of hardships, this movie is sure to move you deeply.

I say: You got to own this DVD if you ever have the courage to open up and shed a tear in front of someone else. As this is one movie which will most definitely move you. No matter what.

Unlike most boxing/sports movies, this is not an all out inspirational movie. This movie is LIFE. And What's the best part of it is the misty hollow hope filled feeling the movie leaves within you at the end.
I wouldn't want to disclose it here simply for the reason that YOU need to watch this movie to know exactly HOW it FEELS.

Watch the trailer: