HELL ON EARTH: THE FALL OF SYRIA AND THE RISE OF ISIS(2017): 10/10

Ok, maybe this is not really a movie. But it’s definitely something to be seen. In fact, if there is only one documentary that you can watch during the entire year, let it be this one! One of the best documentaries i have ever seen. The narration begins in 2011 and follows through the story of Syria and ISIS until 2017. Informative, shocking and a definite must watch!

I believe there are too many documentaries out there, showing all sorts of nonsense, but considering the role of ISIS in recent years one cannot miss this wholistic piece on Daish. There are multiple stories running parallel in the film and the most important one(personally to me) is of a refugee family who stakes everything to try and get to out of Syria. The crew and the film makers have done an excellent job to collect all the video footage and compile it into this beautiful film which highlights the entire story that has led to the Rise of ISIS. The movie does not shy away from holding all the forces accountable and makes a definite point of highlighting how the Western interventions in the area have to the rise of ISIS.

The documentary contains some valuable insights from the experts in the field(some relevant and some irrelevant). The narration is excellent and footage is almost unsanitized; sure enough to shock the conscience of persons who are against accepting refugees from the Hell which Syria has become.

I hope this movie finds the right audience in terms of the people who are opposed to acceptance of refugees and believe Syria should resolve its own conflict or the ones who believe intervention in Syria is uncalled for. I know there isn’t a simple solution to the situation that exists in Syria right now, however i hope this documentary plays a little role in raising awareness amongst people and move them atleast into trying to find one!

10/10: Nothing need be said!

Shimmer Lake(2017) 8/10 Netflix: A wrong for a wrong can make a right!

Netflix brings together a few lesser known actors to collaborate and bring together a beautiful film with brilliant story telling!

Once again, i will try and review the movie without revealing too many details(although this is a really hard one). You may note a pattern in the kind of movies I like, movies that keep you guessing and keep you entertained through each second. Shimmer lake does exactly that! The narration is so good you wouldn’t want to move from your seat without finishing the movie.

Thankfully, it’s not a long movie, you can catch it any evening you want, but i would recommend that it be an evening where there is no possibility of you leaving the movie halfway because you simply won’t be able to.

Set in a small town where everyone knows each other, three guys decide to rob a bank(or do they really decide themselves?). Things go south when one of the robbers betrays the other two and sets in motion a series of events which end badly.

The only question that one must contemplate after watching the movie: is the movie morally right? Yes. I would certainly agree with the moral dilemma the movie puts you in.  I mustn’t lie, after watching the movie i was taken aback, i didn’t like the story, was it morally unacceptable to me, maybe, maybe not? I debated with myself whether it was really morally right and after two days i decided that it was.

The one thing that stands out in the movie are the shades of Gray each character plays. The debates you have with yourself about who is protagonist or antagonist during and after the movie are powerful and challenging. The movie is no blockbluster, but it’s certainly a must watch!

I would rate the movie a 8/10.

L’ Instinct de Mort(French)(2008): Riveting 9/10

Based on a true story, the film depicts the infamous life of Jacques Mesrine. The movie has Vincent Cassel play the role of Jacques who has done a fantastic job of portraying the character. Great story, good directing and phenomenal acting make the movie a definite(x2) must watch.

Good action movies which keep you glued are great and when they are based on a true story they are simply SPECTACULAR. This movie is a definite must watch for Action & Gangster movie fans. The first scene catches you, ties you to your seat and keeps you high for the next 2 hours. There are many movies which show the lives of criminals but this one stands out! Each scene is important in the build up to the end. You wouldn’t feel a drag for a single second, in fact, once the movie ends you would be left wanting for more.

Set up in Paris and Canada of the 1960s the filmmakers do an amazing job of taking us back to that era, each car, fashion and look has been made to look authentic and you are whizzed back in time to live with Jacques Mesrine through his edgy life. The movie truly gives a sense that if there was a ever to be a criminal James bond it was one and only Jacques Danger Mesrine.

Engaging and entertaining I would give this movie a definite 9/10 and it would go right on top of my gangster movies along with Scarface.  

Wonder Woman: What the world needs right now! 8/10

Brief: Diana is born on an island hidden from the human world. Alas, not for too long as an airplane during world war II crashes into the ocean near the island. Finding out that the world is at war, Diana feels obligated to save men from Ares(the god of war) who she believes has led the humans to the path of destruction. What unfolds is funny, entertaining and inspiring at the same time!

To begin with the movie is simply brilliant! It is a much needed break from all the other stupid superhero movies which have been released in the past days(with a sole exception of the Guardians of the Galaxy 2), including Batman V Superman, Civil War etc.  Frankly, Wonder Woman is what the world needs right now in terms of the entertainment it offers as well as inspiration it delivers (taking on the problems of the world single handedly). There is a kick you get when Diana says “i will stop the war”, “i will kill Ares the God of War and save the world”. I guess we need more people who are naive enough to believe they can change the world as otherwise, being fully aware of the challenges that lie in the road ahead one is just overwhelmed.

The story is simple, a powerful girl standing up to men in a mans world, and much too powerful for anyone to defeat. The story includes a much needed holistic perspective of the world right now, how bad it has become and the only solution to be offered is love. Last movie i saw which did something similar was transformers but now they have kind of ruined the whole franchisee by making endless transformer movies.

The actors have all done well, especially the actor who plays the role of Ares( i won’t tell you the name as it would be too much of a spoiler). The graphics are simply brilliant( I watched the movie on imax and i am certainly not complaining) and lastly, there is something really awesome seeing a hot woman kick everyones ass. MUST WATCH!!

I would give it 8 stars out of 10.