PURAMETSU

I always expect something unexpected when I come for a Tarkovsky's filmography and I ofc, came in with totally blank canvas for Tarkovsky's movie magic to color me. So, without much to expect, I jump right in. Mirror is a drama that is supposedly loosely autobiographical movie that has a very lynchian way of direction. He uses memories and past in a way that could leave anyone scratching thier heads. But he did intend on making such a movie as to truly emulate how a person reminisceshis childhood and how things back then and now change through perception and as he grows older. The non-linear format can catch many off guard and the mediative pacing is very indulgent but it was a two bladed sword for me, overall. Cinematography is just a treat to watch. Some shots from this movie will always be immortal and just something that can't be put to words. Uptill now, this has to be the most beautiful Tarkovsky movie, not just thematically but visually as well. Margarita Terekhova as Mother is phenomenal with what she was able to bring to this movie. Her eyes, her mannerism and her subtleness brings a feeling of melancholy and pity for all the mothers who were struggling those days of wars. The way she portrayed both characters so distinctively is simply admirable. A tour de force, indeed. Ignat Daniltsev also delivers with his performance. The way he plays both the young narrator and his son, just like the character of mother, there is a lot of similarities and yet Tarkovsky doesn't ignore the differences. The way actors play different characters to highlight thier similarities and differences whilst making us dive into the subconscious mind of the Narrator is genius, tbh My gripe with the movie is sadly, personal. The themes of the movie doesn't hit home to me and the non linear screenplay took me away from the emotional core that could have been poetic and memorable. It has many metaphorical visuals that are absolutely stunning but very hard to decipher. Yet again, Tarkovsky said just feel the movie and all but I cant help it. Again, I blame my expectations and it led me to believe it would be emotional and riveting as Solaris but its non linear screenplay and its hit and miss metaphor filled visuals took me out completely and I couldn't connect with it and I think its just matter of time and perspective, which calls for a second viewing in a near future. I loved the visuals but compared to his other works I have watched, it feels a bit distant and I wasn't emotionally invested in it like I thought I would.

2014 was the time when I watched "Ek villain" on a "4 movies in 1" cd from a local video shop. I thought, despite the filmmakers shamelessly stealing the movie remake right and churning it into an emotional bait, the movie did well with its soul stirring music and some good acting, especially by Ritesh Deshmukh Later in 2017 or so, I found out the movie it was "loosely" based on was the movie called "I saw the Devil" and for a long time, I just thought, what was the point of me watching it anymore? I had already watched an emotionally saturated indian version of it. But fast forward to 2026, I wanted a thriller movie after watching some real slow burners and I don't even know how I was reminded of the movie but I said YOLO and pressed play. I saw the Devil is a crime thriller that on a surface feels like an usual cat and mouse chase but within it lies a tale of revenge, vengeance, grief and dehumnaization and how humans that are blinded by it can turn into something totally sinister and how quickly the lines of morality gets blurred. There are some wonderful shots here. Not for the faint of the heart as the director does not shy from gore and other gross stuff. One specific shot of the camera constantly on the move inside a vehicle as chaos ensues within it, was just priceless. The confined space and lack of stable visual orientation keeps the scene chaotic and terrifying. Truly a thriller that leaves no stone unturned. Lee Byung-hun, this man is such an underrated gem of an actor. I was totally spellbound by his performance in the heavily underrated "No Other Choice" by "Park Chan-Wook" and I was so pleasantly surprised to see him here again. He plays this greiving fiance that gets sucked in this dark hole of revenge and vengeance so well and the way he plays this restrained version of the character with such cold exterior yet you see the pain caused to him, linger around him constantly. Such a great actor again doing his job amazingly. Choi Min-sik, "Oldboy"?? HELLO? There is no sign of him whatsoever, I didn't see an actor, I didn't even see a human, tbh. Just like the title, I saw the literal embodiment of a devil. He drowns inside the role of this sick, pathetic and relentless killer that has no sense of morality and remorse. Whilst Bollywood is obsessed with layering thier antagonists with a cause or reasoning. Choi Min-sik's Kyung-Chul has none and it should stay like that because no amount of sad backstory can justify such character and there is no reason to humanize such character. The cat and mouse chase between these two and the accursed dynamic they share is the crux of the movie. The director also flips the script on this saga of revenge and makes us as audience to also contemplate the sinking feeling of revenge just like Lee Byung-hun's character. I came thinking I would be just watching an original movie which was already spoiled by its mid remake but I left the movie absolutely mind blown and finding the remake couldn't even come close to it was such an euphoric feeling. A classic south korean thriller that was unapologetic and went to those dark places and themes that barely get a light on.

Loki was on a disappointing roll when he again broke my trust with "Coolie" as that movie has aged like milk and I constantly stop myself from reducing my rating of the movie even further because that movie was intolerable at best. So, like many others, I was also one of those people who were skeptical when the teaser for this movie came. Like a director transitioning to a full fledged actor role, there is obviously some skepticism that would follow and with my diluted expectations, I step in without even watching the trailer of the movie. DC is a romantic action thriller that takes inspiration from Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay's Devdas to mold the soul of the original characters into this world filled with violence and injustice. The movie is very effective with its characters, for the most part and has some substance to back up the stylized sequences. Music is such a banger here. There are times when music becomes an integral part of the screenplay. I remember when I saw "Vikram" in a packed theatre and the score by Anirudh was so legendary in that movie. I couldn't help but bop my head throughout the movie. This movie also fills that spot for me and "Raga of Revenge" is such a strong theme reflecting pain, anger and chaos. Loki as the titular, Devadas or Das, was surprisingly good. For my pre-judgement, he completely took me off guard. Not that he does something never seen in an action genre but he has done his homework and you see him putting in effort where most actors could easily go over the top with the role. But, he brings this calm and brooding energy that just fits the movie well. This is a character that internalizes and externalizes his pain and sadness and Loki knows it and does very well. Genuinely surprised. Wamiqa Gabbi as Chandra is also such a great deuteragonist. The way she channels her trauma and pain so effectively is a testament of the actress.Her tenacity and her chaotic nature fits with Loki's Devdas like a puzzle and the dynamic the two share is actually the highlight of the movie. And after all the good points I could muster, I do have to say I am not totally ok with the movie. The movie hesitates to dwell deeper into the characters and it is so jarring to witness. The lack of time given to characters is criminal and I think a bit more runtime wouldn't have hurt the movie at all. It could've been such a strong action movie with a little bit more substance but it doesn't go all in and ends up being an okay movie but not something I would remember for a long time. And don't even talk about the so called "villain". He has absolutely no strong motive nor hunger to catch the titular duo and is so basic that I couldn't care less for his character tbh, the climax doesn't even feel like a climax, despite Anirudh and the actors doing thier best. I don't expect an outlandish antagonist for a south action thriller but when you have such a strong source material, you can't give me a deadbeat cop that provides absolutely nothing as an antagonist and call it a day. That just doesn't work for me. No fault of the actor playing it though. All in all, It is still a very fun and engaging action thriller that did manage to surprise me in spurts but the potential of the movie hurts me bad, because you see the effort by everyone and you know deep inside it could benefit from a more refined writing or screenplay. So, it lies neither on the best nor worst for me. It's somewhere middle on the spectrum.

A director that I just keep wanna come back for his innovative filmmaking and remarkable blocking and staging is none other than the GOAT, Akira Kurosawa. I have seen two films of his, Ikiru and High and low. Both were different from genre but very similar through its technicalities. Now I go for a third movie that is equally distant from the rest as I go back to 50's retro Japan again. Without a sec wasted, I press play. On surface, Rashomon is a psychological thriller but beneath it, lies a story about morality, ego, subjective truth and humanity's curse of deceiving others and themselves. Storytelling so goated, it gave birth to a new plot device based on its name and is still crazy how Kurosawa managed to pioneer it. A former painter, thus, his framing and staging is second to none. The screenplay is so tight paced, barely letting you breathe and yet doesn't feel rushed. One of the finest screenplay I have seen. Toshiro Mifune as the infamous Tajômaru is unrecognizable. He is hysterical, unpredictable and yet holds a sense of self admiration and is super egotistic. He is so different here than when I saw him first in "High and Low". Not just because he is young here but how effectively he switches the pitch of the character. Just a chameleon of an actor. There are less characters here than his previous works I had seen but the actors here are too good. Especially for the brief time he is here, Takeshi Shimura who I have been following since "Ikiru", is such a treat to watch and ofc Kurosawa ain't just gonna hand him a simple woodcutter role here. Love him everytime he graces his presense in front of the screen. Although, the movie's plot device and its premise doesn't seem new, but the fact it was introduced here makes it such a precious film. The tight screenplay, picturesque framing and sheer powerhouse performances are enough plus points to watch this movie for anyone looking for a quick yet enthralling tale that gives us more than what's on the surface.