arnab_das Reviews

The Test: A New Era for Australia's Team (2020–2024)

Stunning behind the scenes look at the revival of Australian cricket

[10/10 · 13 March 2020]

The Test is a beautifully crafted documentary. Having unprecedented access to the Australian cricket team's dressing room and meetings, the makers of the documentary take us on a long journey towards the revival of Australian cricket post the ball tampering crisis.

As a cricket fan, I not only loved the behind the scenes glimpse into the top tier sport, I also loved the frank confessions from the Australian cricketers about the tough road that lay ahead of them. I hope Amazon sanctions more of these cricket documentaries from now on. They're a delight to watch.

Slumdog Millionaire (2008)

I really don't know why everyone's getting so carried away!

[7/10 · 31 January 2009]

OK, Slumdog's a really good movie. That's it! Its good! So what? Does it deserve an Oscar? No, it doesn't. I'm an Indian, and I'm supposed to like this movie. Even if I manage to put aside all those negative things which have been shown about the country, I still can't find the one thing which is making everyone turn their heads and clap for this movie! I really cant!

Point is, this is a good movie, but its too overrated! Put your hand on your heart and ask yourself a question, have you not REALLY seen a better movie in 2008? REALLY??? I think you have.

The performances of all the actors are quite good, although in my opinion, Frida Pinto (Lathika)leaves a lot to be desired. She really could have done a lot better job. The child actors are awesome, wait thats an understatement, they are outstanding! I really haven't seen better performances by people so very young.

In short, a nice movie, but a bit too overrated.

Dil Dosti Etc (2007)

What is such a big deal with this movie?

[5/10 · 28 January 2009]

I watched it a couple of times over, and no matter how much I try to look "deep" into the "thoughtful" aspects of this flick, no answer came up to me.

This seems to be an utterly confusing movie from an equally confused director! Seriously, what does this try to depict? Does it wanna depict true love? Conflict between love and sex? Yes to some extent, but it jumbles up the plot so irreparably that it's utterly impossible to get the "message".

In short, watch this stuff if you wanna get a taste of how a director blows up what could possibly have been an awesome movie!

Pathology (2008)

A very average "fictional" thriller

[5/10 · 6 January 2009]

I'm absolutely stunned at how stupid directors and producers have become to depict doctors in such shabby light! I bet they have a personal grudge against doctors. Or else why would anyone construct such a seemingly stupid movie, where medicos are depicted as killers! This is sending a wrong message.

The movie's gory and is full of sexual content. The only thing which stands out amidst all that crap is the acting skills of the lead actors. Its stunning to see what good performances can do to a mindless script. That was the only thing which kept me in my seat throughout the one and half odd hours. And that's the only reason why I've given it 5/10 instead of 1/10.

If you want to see what doctors are absolutely NOT, go watch this movie. Otherwise, strictly stay a mile away from this. This is one nauseating, inaccurate depiction of the lives of doctors. Its better to remain ignorant about their lives than to have a misconception.

Ghajini (2008)

Do Not Miss This One!

[9/10 · 30 December 2008]

After a long and tedious wait Ghajini arrived. There was a lot of skepticism about it being a direct rip of its Tamil counterpart as well as Memento. However when one enters the movie theatre, those factors are hardly on one's mind. And any thought of all those things indeed vanished from my head the moment the movie started.

Ghajini is one of the best thrillers to have come out of the Bollywood stable in recent years. And to top it all, it has a nice dose of humour as well. Aamir Khan once again proves that he's not just the best in business, but he's the one leading the way for Bollywood to make better movies. Indeed as many users have mentioned the villain Ghajini does not look menacing enough. But lets face it, gone are the days when villains used to be called Mogambo. And gone are the days when villains used to have a scar faced appearance. The new age villain is what Ghajini is.

The acting is superb to say the least. (Although Jiah Khan really spoils the party. She's better at romancing a senior citizen than playing such characters.) Asin is absolutely brilliant and leaves a lasting impression. She makes you feel the depth and the pain of the "Kalpana was killed" tattoo. And finally, Aamir Khan. Well, what more can one say about this man who has changed the landscape of Bollywood movies. Once again he delivers a power packed performance, I could almost feel his emotions within me!

Watch this movie for its complexity and its simplicity. The complex character of Sanjay and the beautiful and cute Kalpana makes this movie one of the best movies of 2008. What an amazing way of making the year so special!

Quantum of Solace (2008)

The most disappointing Bond movie ever

[6/10 · 17 November 2008]

I am absolutely stunned at how amateurishly a Bond movie can be made! Quantum Of Solace doesn't have any quantum of theatrical solace in it. A perfectly disappointing movie apt enough to ruin all the rave reviews received by the Bond franchise after Casino Royale.

Daniel Craig does his best to save a sinking ship (the movie, I mean), and the other actors chip in but all their good work is hardly enough to make this a movie you'd appreciate.

Italy has never looked so disappointing and I'm appalled at the director's inability to depict the scenic beauties of the wonderful country, something that made Casino Royale a super hit of a movie. Sloppy direction and absolutely awfully shot sequences that almost made me fall asleep in the theatre, makes Quantum Of Solace my pick for the most disappointing Bond movie ever.

Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle (2004)

Comedy As You Want It!

[7/10 · 21 October 2008]

As simple as that, this is a comedy served to you exactly as you want it. No holds barred, super awesome stuff.

If you're looking for brilliant acting performances, good cinematography and all...this is not your movie. But, if you are looking for a movie which is funny enough to make you fall off your seats, this is definitely it! John Cho and Kal Penn deliver a truly hilarious performance as Harold and Kumar. The comedy is bang on and the comic timing of the two lead actors couldn't have been better...

Oh, and by the way, this is not exactly a family movie. So, a warning if you're planning to watch this at home.

The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)

Awesome! Simply Awesome!

[8/10 · 21 October 2008]

Yup! Thats all I can say, AWESOME! Pursuit of Happiness is about dreaming big, transforming your dreams and living them. The theme is so universal and so very appealing, that it stays with you long long after the movie's over. And for some like me, I think it'll stay forever.

Brilliant performances throughout. Will Smith delivers his greatest performance yet, and shows why he's regarded as the best in the business. Even the little Jaden Smith moves you with his charm. He's so young and has so much promise. Surely a superb actor in the making.

Watch this movie not just because it will be worth your money, but because it'll stay with you as one of those very few movies which you cherish and would love to talk about when you grow old...

Get Smart (2008)

What is this stuff?

[5/10 · 21 October 2008]

To be frank I really don't see the point of making this movie at all. There's absolutely NO comedy whatsoever. Even if there is, its too few and too far between. The performances are below par to say the least and the best comic line in the movie is so boring that it wont even make u move much from your seat, forget about falling off.

So, this movie isn't a comedy. Fine! Is it an action thriller? At some level it does try to be one. But there are far too many movies in the action-thriller genre for you to get excited in the least by this sloppy flick.

The only reason that you might want to watch this movie is to see Anne Hathaway. She looks awesome, and delivers a performance good enough to make the movie watchable, but hardly enough to make it a good one.

A severe disappointment.

Superbad (2007)

Wow! What a pleasant surprise!

[9/10 · 14 October 2008]

To be frank, I watched this movie with absolutely no real expectations. I thought maybe it would be fun watching some really stupid movie that weekend and how pleasantly surprised I was! I really can't remember any teen movie, if may so call it, which has been so very touching and true! Most teen movies are like over the top comedies, but not this one though.

Jonah Hill and Michael Cera are absolutely awesome as two fun loving Americans about to graduate. And Christopher Mintz just adds to the hilarious factor of the movie.

The performances by all the actors are quite good and although the movie just about loses it in the middle, but in the end it just ends superbly. And most importantly, the comedy is absolutely bang on! All in all, a fun movie to watch with your friends and will leave you wanting for a bit more in the end! Worth a watch.

Rock On!! (2008)

Bollywood Movies Come Of Age!

[9/10 · 18 September 2008]

At last we have a movie on rock! At last we have a movie which appeals to the youth without getting preachy, at last we have a movie which has a soul, at last we have a movie which boasts of not just good actors but of great performances. That's all that "Rock On" is! Farhan Akhtar, take a bow! What a performance! I really cant recall someone doing so well in his debut film. And he does look like a rock-star! (We don't have many of them in India unfortunately) Arjun Rampal once again proves his critics wrong by his acting skills, Purab Kohli, a not really popular name in Bollywood shows that he cant be ignored anymore, Luke Kenny delivers a heart-warming performance and Prachi Desai is simply superb as Aditya's wife...

Apart from some great acting what strikes you is the music. I haven't heard much of Hindi rock and the soundtrack of this movie is sure to start a trend in that genre. The vocals may not be good, but who did ever claimed that rock music was about vocals? The music is soulful and you will certainly have to leave your seats and applaud the music director as well as the vocalists.

In short, Rock On is a welcome change for movie lovers. Let's just hope the film directors get the message and we get to watch such wonderful movie in the future...

I Am Legend (2007)

Dunno Why This Movie Became Such A Hit

[5/10 · 17 September 2008]

To be very frank, I really don't think this is such a wonderful movie after all.

The film takes off well, however it loses its direction in the middle, and completely messes up in the end! This is exactly what happens when one has a great plot in hand and does a sloppy execution of it.

However, Will Smith is definitely the saving grace for the movie. Great performance from him as always.

Agreed that the movie has a chilling storyline, but there are far too many flaws and mistakes around. In fact even a single watch is sufficient to spot some of them! And the worst part of it is after making such a great start to the movie, the director just seems to lose it all thereafter. He fumbles with the ending and what you get is a really irritating termination of what could have been one of the best science-fiction movies.

Music and Lyrics (2007)

Good Movie With Some Heart Warming Music

[7/10 · 17 September 2008]

This is definitely a movie you're going to cherish for a very long time. It may not be one of the best movies of 2007, but it has something so very special about it that it will definitely touch your heart.

Hugh Grant as a "has-been" musician is simply superb with his one liners and comic timing. No one could have done the role better! And he can sing, that's for sure!

Drew Barrymore chips in as well, with her acting as well as her singing skills! She definitely wins hearts with her performance.

Finally the music... After a long long time, I got to hear something so raw, so pure, so awesomely straight-from-the-heart music. The songs are really really good and the tunes are superb! You'll definitely keep humming a few tunes after you've watched the movie.

Music And Lyrics is heart-warming, innocent comedy, and it will win your heart for its sheer simplicity.

Ratatouille (2007)

The Lion King Faces Some Competition, At Last!

[9/10 · 17 September 2008]

Ratatouille is path breaking stuff. Animation movies are no longer for kids and people who are kids at heart, this is serious stuff. The movie so eloquently and beautifully depicts the story of a rat and his misadventures and triumphs, that you are forced to wonder, does The Lion King really has that insurmountable tag with it? The animation is superb, to say the least. The dialogs are awesome, emotions overflow throughout the length of the film but you don't feel the slightest tinge of boredom.

Watch this movie and give a thumbs up to all those programmers who keep us entertained with some wonderful animations!

Pure brilliance at its best! That's all I can say to sum things up...

The Dark Knight (2008)

The Best Movie Ever

[10/10 · 16 September 2008]

This is definitely the best movie I've seen, and I'm quite sure the best movie one will ever get to see! Christopher Nolan rocks! Not just because of the fact that this is the best Batman movie made, not just because of the amazing special effects and action sequences, but also because of the fact that this movie is a worthy tribute to one of the finest actors delivering one of the best performances of our time. I have well and truly been, as one my friends most eloquently put it, "Ledgered" and "Jokered" all at the same time! Heath Ledger has delivered a thoroughly amazing and stunning performance, which to a large extent overshadows the acting talent of Christian Bale, who one again delivers a flawless performance after Batman Begins. He is well and truly worthy of the great old Batman suit! And the rest of the review is all about Heath Ledger, for I am left with no other option but to praise him for the best performance of this decade.

We have always found Joker to be a guy with a makeup resembling that of a...well...Joker! Which made it almost impossible for us to realize the fact that this man beneath his makeup is a human being, but in this movie the makeup has been "toned down", so that we are able to see a more realistic Joker, a more deadly Joker, who is not just a psychotic killer, but also an emotional blackmailer. Every scene that the Joker appears in, takes your breath away! Such a pity that we wont be able to see more of Ledger ever again... Let us all pay us deepest regards to this wonderfully amazing actor of our times.

Tight plot, amazing special effects, stunning action sequences and brilliant acting performances definitely makes "The Dark Knight" a real gem of a movie! No wonder, it features in the top 10 of the TOP 250 MOVIES list compiled by IMDb.

Batman Begins (2005)

Superhero Movies Won't Be The Same Again!

[9/10 · 16 September 2008]

Lets start off with the fact that this movie isn't what a typical "superhero" movie is supposed to be.

Batman Begins is all viewing Batman in a new perspective. While reading Batman comics one never really gets to wonder what goes on inside the brain of a superhero like him. But in the movie, the conflict between good and evil, the mental struggle of Bruce Wayne has been depicted superbly. Hats of Mr. Nolan for that!

The movie is definitely quite long but more importantly, throughout the entire length of the movie, you wont really want to leave your seat. The acting talents of Christian Bale, Michael Caine have been fully utilized and the result is a worthy beginning movie for the great Batman series. Every aspect has been taken are of with panache, starting from how and why Bruce chose to be Batman to the most detailed developments of his Bat suit and car.Batman in this movie is no longer a smart superhero who fights villains, but a normal human being like you and me, a normal human being who has realized what he's capable of! If that's not inspiring, then what is, I don't know! Fast paced, slick and some awesome action sequences make this movie quite "realistic".

All of this makes it not just a great beginning to the Batman series, but also one of the very best movies you're like to see in your lifetime!