Reviews by Reno

Sorry guys, I was busy last week and I have not seen a single movie. Saw this one recently, so here's my review. One of the interesting documentary series about the human civilization. Mainly focused on the birth and traveled path of the sub-continent culture and religions. This 6 episode documentary series was told right from when humans are beginning to migrate from the Africa through briefing some important historical events that took place in the last two millennia till the present time.

Each episode tells different timeline of the all good and bad occurrences including some of them we already know and that we are not. The British historian and archaeologist Michael Woods travels across the South Asian countries, revealing what he had found in his expedition. In my opinion, what everything he says or find in the quest are probably not accurate, but 'might be like this', 'might be like that' kind of very close truth that we can get. Mainly because of the Indian culture and civilization were assorted with myth. So that's not an easy task to disclose in a short time of the research, the top to bottom of thousands years of the rich history with lots of ups and downs.

1. Beginnings:

In the first episode, it tells one of the first human migration out of the Africa which took place 75,000 years ago who sailed to the west coast of the southern India. Few millenniums later the agriculture began with the idea of domesticating wild animals. While population increasing they moved towards the north where the great Indus civilization began which gave the name India and Hindu to identify the present sub-continent people. Michael Woods also visits places to find evidence of what Rig-Vedas' mentions. Half of this episode was roughly predicted, but still can't be neglected the discovery he made.

2. The Power of Ideas:

In this part the story commence around 7,000 years ago, that mean 5,000BC where the system of life order begins. Later chronicled the first ever king Chandragupta Maurya who stood against Alexander the Great. Afterwards the birth of Buddhism and Jainism, and the spiritual side of the India. The fascinated thing was India is a place where it changes the people from their desire of thirst to the spirituality. And still happening like history repeating itself. Who knows Hitler would have invented a new religion and become a god if he'd Invaded India rather going after his neighbor countries. Don't take it offensive because in this episode that is what you learn, men with swords to the enlightenment.

3. Spice Routes and Silk Roads:

It is one of the best part of the story narration. The first east and west encounter. It's all about trade and business between India and, Greeks and Romans. Indian spices and, silk and cotton weaving made the subcontinent the world's first economic powerhouse. In return, most valuable metals and liquor what India gathered that lead to become rich to richer. At the same time in northern India, Buddhism traveled to the China and further east in coming centuries. The India's famous story 'The Ramayan' was first written before the hundreds of its version come into the different languages in the later years.

4. Ages of Gold:

The golden era which mainly focuses on the southern kingdom during the Chola dynasty. One of the ancient surviving languages of the world is the Tamil like the Greek. The perspective of Tamil culture, especially the birth story of classical dance, Bharathnatyam and world first sex guide book Kama-sutra was told. Many rituals and festivals that still followed in an old method was revealed. The Michael Woods visit to the places like Tanjore and Madhurai gives some idea about still standing architectural structures. Overall, it is a south Indian slice of the whole sub-continent's long standing history.

5. The Meeting of Two Oceans:

So this is where collision begins between outside religion and the sub-continent's. Islam makes it way to the India during the eleventh century. It was not easy for the outsider to invade India that history says many great personalities were failing to do that. But Moghals are the first to invade the sub-continent. Very important aspect and time of the Indian history, especially religious perspective. Because if you see now, the Islam spread from Persia, Afghan, Pakistan to the east Myanmar, Malaysia and Indonesia. But India and Indians are only who stood and fought against forced Islam conversion. Refused to accept it and that made Muslim kings change their style of rule in coming centuries after witnessing a series of grand failures. That is, to live together, the concept of unity in diversity began.

6. Freedom:

In this final episode, it chronicles the last invader of the subcontinent from the west, the English. They put an end to the Islamic ruling in the India and also brought the advanced technologies with them like guns, trains etc. The Indians suffered under the British raj over high taxation, but in other side the birth of modern India was taking place. Mahatma Gandhi himself a law graduate from London college who later fought for freedom with his Ahimsa tactic.

In history there have been many empires of the sword.
But only India created an empire of the spirit.

With notifying Indian Independence struggle the story brings the curtain down to the narration. If you see the present India, it is not like what it was told from this documentary. Some people remained same from the centuries and generation after generation teaching art and technics to the children, but some are changed like the evolution happened. Especially, after living under different foreign rulers over the 1,000 years, the last 60 years of freedom is what gave them license to do everything they want. And that liberty is what the today's mess you can find in Indian sub-continent.

Can Indian once again rise to become the leader of the world economy like it did thousands of years ago is the future have to wait and see. In the next couple of decades, India is going to put the American economy behind and compete with China for the top position. Once again, I remind you, that many events were predicted, according to the proof the BBC got. So mostly about the possibility than actuality, especially the occurrence that took place before the Buddhism. It is a must see documentary, there are lots that we can learn from it or get some ideas overs those times lifestyles.

9.5/10

The director might be soaring after back to back success. Interestingly, both the films dealt with writers, but the main themes were romance. He's just a two movie old and now the movie goers can expect eagerly for his next venture. This movie was based on the teen novel of the same name about a 16-years-old cancer patient.

Hazel Grace, who is battling between life and death is also a strong fighter against all the odds. When her mother sends her to attend the group therapy she meets Augustus Water, a fellow member. As she is being sarcastic, Waters finds an interesting character in her. A friendship develops and they spend more time together. Even knowing there will no future together, the relationship progress and how everything ends is the rest.

Apparently, the world is not a wish-granting factory.

Usually cancer themed movies are called tearjerker films. Surprisingly, this movie's aim was different. Of course emotion strikes, but the story narration and character developments were the basic goal. Three-fourth of the movie was well told story about teen romance. The afterwards account begins with a twist which were portrayed in the usual manner. Like all the movies, kept sentiments in the last part. The last quarter was very predictable, but they avoided cliche as much possible.



The parents' role was kind of mysterious one, that diverts viewer from their anticipation. Interesting it also creates some doubts. Compared to the previous movie 'The Spectacular Now', Shailene Woodley looked completely different. That means the physical transformed to look a perfect 16 year old was amazing. Her performance as well gives an impression that the Hollywood's future Academy award grabbing the female lead is on making. At this rate she can do that like Jennifer Lawrence did.

As for the lead actor, it is a good breakthrough and expecting the same result from his next movie as well. This movie, which runs over a 2 hour was smartly sliced the contents and organized those on the right spots. Many had agreed it was a fine cinema transformation from a book. So you can try this, but be careful because nowadays most of the teens movies are overrated because of the overwhelmed teen audience. The warning meant only for the older people. I'm sure the youngster will love this movie, I mean most of them.

Theme about the youngsters are always soaring with high commercial elements with lots of comedy that hardly brings any smile on us. This was one of the teen movie based on the true story of the two friends which is mostly uninspiring, but a well told story.

The young actor from one of my favorite teen movie 'Project X' was incredibly good. He's really showing some characters that he may become a valuable property in the Hollywood in the near future. He also reminds me a crossover outcome of Seth Rogen and Jonah Hill.

Well the story was about two school dropouts who decide to do business on marijuana import-export. Since it is not illegal in the nearby place to their's across the border, they draw a master plan to execute and succeeds and what comes later is you've to see. Actually, one of a better movie told from the negative side of the social welfare. So good to enjoy the film, but not to follow it.

A dark comedy movie from the Britain which was partially based on a novel of the same name. The second movie together for the rising stars Imogen Poots and Aaron Paul after 'Need for Speed'. The trailer was one of the reasons I watch this movie. It created an interest in me for some uniqueness in its theme. But in the end when I watched the movie now it did not last much longer.

Usually movies will have best shots for last parts, but here it came very early. The opening scene was the movie's highlight, get off with the fun and then while advancement it slowly died. The concept was really a good one, the story created around it was not. I expected twists and turns in last parts that never came. So, in the end it became a simple and the usual entertaining movie.



All the actors were good, but their characters were not convinced enough. The developments were to blame because all the four main characters were not exposed well on the screen about some of the mysteries of their earlier stages. I mean the story talks about each of them's difficulties they recently went through and 50% of them remained unexplained phenomena. Like, what was the Aaron Paul's real problems and about Imogen Poots little sister etc.

Beside all these flaws, there's little enjoyments. Toni Collette and Pierce Brosnan's roles were made sense and blended well with the concept. But when it comes to performances all the four were equally good. Overall, a fine subject was wasted for not that good story. Yes, a little let down movie, should have been a better. I don't know the book, maybe they should have adapted it straight without changing much. A decent movie to watch and no guarantee of satisfactory because differ from people to people.

6.5/10

You know what, the movie's visual effects were better than its actors. The acceptable stunts and graphics for a B movie, but the let down came from the performances. I don't know what happened to the director, he used to make the better movies in his early career and now he lost his way. Maybe the big stars don't believe in him that may lead him to recruit second stream actors.

The romance portions were too bad, no chemistry, physics, mathematics, nothing, but just an ordinary without the feelings. When it comes to the game of throne, that's looked okay as it scripted like 'snakes and ladders' game. Anyway, it was a well known story among most of us which was altered and told somewhat differently. Disappoint is there though still somehow watchable.



Don't force yourself for this, because you are not going to miss any masterpiece. It's becoming a habit in Hollywood, like I already mentioned in a review a year ago that two same thematic movies coming out of a same period. So this time Dwayne Johnson's movie wins the race, according to the ratings and reviews across the internet, but I still have to see it first before compare them both.

They say it was based on the true story of a man who lived in the latter half of the 1800s. Kind of the biographical movie, but largely inspired from the real incidents rather than story from one man's perspective. The story narrates from the two sets of actors that they come together at the end. One from the Utah, American and other from British pilgrims.

The theme was related to the religious and a man with the healing power. Few scenes are hard to accept as it makes no sense when it comes to the reality of life on the earth. As a fictional movie about human spirit it is a lovable movie and I liked it, but as a real perhaps no one buys it. Because it is like the adult version of what kids believe, Santa and fairies.

It might be a B stream movie, but the quality was very good with the decent performances and great musics. The thing is, the true story and its logic totally demerged from my perspective. Who knows if you are a man of god, a religious type, then you may going like it.

6.5/10

This little Taiwanese movie was very stylish. The title would definitely seduce and invite those who love romantic-comedies. The same way I managed successfully and more importantly, I liked it very much. Someway the title also reminds me the Korean anime 'Stormy Night'. This was my second movie from the director. A lot different than the first movie, but nothing short in initiating creative ideas to present story in a style.

It was a simple love story with an extraordinary exhibition of the film contents. The opening was so fast, you may need some time to get in and pick up the current situation in story narration. It kind of confuses us, especially those who are depending on the subtitle because of the presentation with the stop-motion mode. Soon after you will be well set to enjoy the rest of the voyage.

Count 1 to 100, if it does not appear, it will never do.

I think the guy from 'You are the Apple of my Eye' enthusiastic to find his apple in this movie as well. A lot has improved from the earlier and his performance looks so promising that he can stay longer in this business. Opposite to him the 'One Day' girl did not stay long, sad because it was a lot like a cameo appearance. But the other chick who was the main lead was hypnotized me with her great performance and by her look.

There are many things that can be praised, but when it comes to the flaws, not many except the cliche at the end. Actually, it was well handled that can please you overall. If you notice, this movie was not widespread and not rated better. I'd say it again this movie is for die-hard romedy fans and probably for lads and lasses. A good entertainer as we ask for and that's enough for a few people like me to have a variety of movies from the different parts of the world.

A Korean comedy-fantasy. One of the most admired senior actors by me from the Korean film industry is that Na Moon-Hee. So far I have watched some of her films and loved all of them. The title says it is her movie, but she did not stay much longer as the script demanded replacement after the opening few minutes.

If you know the movie's synopsis you will understand that it is a theme kind of switching back to younger ages. Yes, like the movie 'Big'. In her parts which were the opening portions she put a great performance. After that, the young 'Sunny' girl took over the role and led to another level of entertainment filled with music and fun. Her performance and expressions were so good like her previous movie.

That's why I want to take a photograph now.
Before I grow more ugly.

As we know, the concept was too old, but the story wasn't, especially if you are a regular Hollywood movie viewer you would know that. But, surprisingly, this movie was enriched mainly because of the Korean flavor with the usual melodrama and a little cliche at some point. It was not a special movie and offers nothing new if you are familiar with Korean films. Because they applied usual Korean movie style of fun to present the story. The story was kind of predictable and that does not stop you from getting entertained.

What fascinated me about this movie was the end. The solution at the final act was well designed to fit for a movie with a concept like this to end in a better way. And further, a clean open for a possible sequel generates eagerness among the viewers if they had liked so far of the movie. It is nothing more than having a good time, which offers a little inspiration about our dream and family value. A good Korean movie, the family type movie, but everyone can enjoy it.

7.5/10

A Turkish biographical drama selected to represent the country in the 86th Academy Awards and as we know it was not nominated. The 'Rhino Season' actor starred in a prominent role and directed the movie. This was not a based on the famous people, I don't know honesty, but it is only a my guess after seeing the movie.

It is set in a small Turkish mining town around the time when the second world war was fought in Europe. It talks about two close friends Rustu and Muzaffer in their twenties who aspires to become poets. Craze about typewriters and their life depends on the poem they publish it in the book and weekly magazines. One day they meet a beautiful young women Suzan, daughter of a wealthy businessman and after that their life instantly change with lots of adventures and sorrow.

If a poet spends too long in a poetic setting
with a philistine, his poetry dries up.

I loved the cast and performances. To see their act it was so real, a soul filling character representation. And then the fourth one called Mediha introduced when the story marched almost to the end, but she was good as well alongside the director himself as the fifth main role. The love story was very interesting, but can't say awesome, especially when it ends with a twist that was the moment in the narration peaks so high.

So what's the wrong with the movie was, it did not strengthened exposing characters to the deep. Without initial development it moves on and on to the different set of places in the story. The romance portions were not quite delightful because the whole scenario related to that was like a friendship thing. But it had a reason that only comes out at the end that you have to wait until then.

As from the literature perspective, it was one great inspiring biopic about two faded personalities from the history before the world knowing them. And as from romance and friendship side, it had different level of shades that one can go through in life, I mean like happiness, grief, adventures, survival, disloyal etc. One of the best Turkish movie so far I have seen. Those who are interested in biographical movies and literature should check it out, but remember it is about romance and friendship as well.

7.5/10

I never saw its teaser, nor read its synopsis, but straight went to see it. And I kind of not satisfied for the first hour of the movie. I just wondered what was the movies' idea to fulfill the viewer's desire. Right away I knew it was not an entertainer, then it must highlight something or give a message. Till the beginning of the end, I thought the same way. Then my perspective changed, actually it changed my previous stance about all the earlier narration.

I know y'all are upset, but got to lift him up.
Let's keep him lifted up.

After witnessing the crucial last scene, I was stunned by the incident that was portrayed in the movie. Realized all the initial developments were got meaning in this part of the movie. So I came to know it was based on the real incident. First of all it was not a person's whole biography, though it is told from his critical time of life. The incident can be viewed in two ways. The fight definitely took place on the sub-way, it was not the Oscar Grant's (lead man) fault. But still the consequences are expected, especially on the new year's eve the alert against violence cannot be negligible by the law. But, what cops did was the over reaction to the situation.

Such incidents happen in every country and many of them won't come into the lights. I'm glad about this movie, because it kind of creates awareness of such events. Hats off to all the cast and crew who brought it into the silver screen and now the whole world can know the truth. A must see movie among the 2013 releases.