tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6279678409089205149.post3149680322143162898..comments2024-03-23T16:19:36.154+05:30Comments on A Potpourri of Vestiges: Raúl Ruiz' Mysteries of Lisbon (2010): A masterpiece of storytelling in the vein of Arabian NightsMurtaza Ali Khanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09747183316188241022noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6279678409089205149.post-44577275069607976002014-04-15T14:41:54.734+05:302014-04-15T14:41:54.734+05:30Murtaza, I remember being a college boy back then ...Murtaza, I remember being a college boy back then in 2001 when "A.I.: Artificial Intelligence" was released here in India and I watched it first-day-first-show in the Sterling theatre (Mumbai). By the time the movie was over and I came out, I was totally mesmerized by it. And then there was this critic (a female) from Mid-Day an afternoon-paper (obviously) who rated it a single-star (!) on the same day (Friday) clearly saying that AI tried to replicate ET and Jurassic Park and toally failed. When I finished reading her complete review, I could not make a head or tail of it and understood that she had completely, or rather never, understood 'AI' at all. On the other hand there was my favorite Mr. Rashid Irani, a through well-respected critic from The Times Of India, who appropriately rated it a full 4/5 stars.Amolnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6279678409089205149.post-50790086150503181732014-04-15T14:23:19.714+05:302014-04-15T14:23:19.714+05:30Hey Ram (2000) is my Kamal Haasan's and Sharuk...Hey Ram (2000) is my Kamal Haasan's and Sharukh Khan's most favorite movie. The scene between Saket Ram and Amjad Ali at the violence-prone soda-factory area is alone worth it's weight in gold. In fact this being a Kamal Haasan's movie in all respects, it truly being large hearted of Kamal Haasan to show his own character Saket Ram in a negative light, being turned into a emotionally blind outraged hatred-filled religious extremist. That is the scene where the unflappable Amjad Ali, his age-old friend who almost gets killed because of Saket Ram's blind hatred, tries to put some common sense into the latter. The never loved Sharukh more than the one from that scene...ever.Amolnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6279678409089205149.post-23858884299889925962014-04-15T11:29:55.869+05:302014-04-15T11:29:55.869+05:30I couldn't have agreed more... and perhaps tha...I couldn't have agreed more... and perhaps that's the reason no one can touch it's worthy place in my Top 100. The movie was Kubrick's brainchild but to Spielberg's credit he did do a great job in bringing it to life. Spielberg's says that the Anti-Mecha flesh fair and other high octane sequences are all Kubrick's while most of the emotional content is courtesy of Spielberg himself... but it's a bit difficult to digest (one can only imagine how different it would have been had Kubrick directed it himself). Regardless, the movie is one of a kind... very few movies come close to its brilliance... and barring 2001, Solyaris and Stalker (though it's not actually sci-fi in an absolute sense), I just cannot remember a sci-fi film which can be called superior to AI. Also, you are absolutely right about its realism and philosophy.Murtaza Alihttp://www.apotpourriofvestiges.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6279678409089205149.post-51427350739644232932014-04-15T10:07:04.226+05:302014-04-15T10:07:04.226+05:30For me unsurprisingly, this is not the first time ...For me unsurprisingly, this is not the first time that readers when they suggest their own personal choices to replace a certain movie from any Great List, they almost always stumble upon Kubrick/Spielberg's "A.I.: Artificial Intelligence (2001)" OR/AND Scorsese's "The King of Comedy (1983)" suggesting these to be replaced. BOTH are the least understood movies for the a-little-more-than-casual enthusiastic movie-watchers. But for discerned viewers both stand as masterpieces par excellence. "A.I.: Artificial Intelligence" is Kubrick's most ambitious project after "2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)" and should truly be so. And any hard-worked Kubrick movie, especially "A.I.", is not made for casual viewers to understand.Amolnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6279678409089205149.post-34704500856005997142014-04-15T09:57:09.674+05:302014-04-15T09:57:09.674+05:30Believe me, nothing ...I mean absolutely no movie ...Believe me, nothing ...I mean absolutely no movie can replace "A.I: Artificial Intelligence (2001)" which is major a Stanley Kubrick baby and is arguably one of the top 3 Sci-Fi movies ever along with "2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)" and Solyaris (1972). It's filled with not only a lot of realistic near-future events but also a lot of true philosophy.Amolnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6279678409089205149.post-52213209380265027692014-04-14T22:01:23.229+05:302014-04-14T22:01:23.229+05:30Thanks for your kind words... I am not sure whethe...Thanks for your kind words... I am not sure whether i am worthy of such lavish praise. All I am interested is in pursuing my passion and in doing so if I am able to spread the power of cinema than it's a real bonus. <br /><br />I deeply appreciate your taking the time to share thoughts here on "A Potpourri of Vestiges". Also, I must thank you for sharing the names of all those classics... the blog's readers will surely benefit from your insights. Another such film that I would like to add to the above list is Rajat Kapoor's Mithya. <br /><br /><br />I am confess that I have always been a great admirer of those Indian filmmakers who show courage to make thought-provoking films despite being aware of the impending commercial failures due to the lack in awareness in the Indian audience. Every now and then, I try to feature such films on my blog (Madras Cafe, Lootera, Barefoot to Goa, Dedh Ishqiya are some of the recent examples) but I agree that a lot more need to be done. I give you my word that I will try to contribute more in this direction in the days to come. Also, if your or any of your friends are interested, I will be happy to host guest reviews/articles here on "A Potpourri of Vestiges".Murtaza Alihttp://www.apotpourriofvestiges.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6279678409089205149.post-39425640688001626492014-04-14T19:15:54.667+05:302014-04-14T19:15:54.667+05:30This is pfft. :D Btw, you are an absolute inspirat...This is pfft. :D Btw, you are an absolute inspiration too. :)You have been doing <br />what i try doing on and off with my now-defunct blog, and convincing <br />myself that one day i ll do an ebert-like great movies list, maybe with a seductive double entendre title ala Pauline Kael( isn't she wonderful?).<br /> I have a request,man.We get so obsessed with classics of the yore that <br />we miss out on the movies of our times; i specifically mean hindi, and <br />regional stuff. For example- I really couldn't understand what the big <br />deal about Luck By Chance was, when the industry was going gaga over it,<br /> the first time i saw it.The second time i saw it(over the course of <br />time i have seen it about 10times i think), i think it's such a classic,<br /> and is probably the best satires we have ever made(everyone pretty much<br /> gives away that trophy to Jaane bhi do yaaron).Also, Navdeep Singh's <br />Manorma six feet under(fun fact dear puys- Abhinav Kashyap was one of <br />the dialogue-writers) is a movie that no one has watched, and it's such a missed-out-on gem, you know. I am not one for comparisons, but <br />the mood of the film, and the simmering tension that persists in the <br />movie, is something that i didn't feel in Polanski's Chinatown( from <br />which he took the template). Sriram Raghavan's Ek Hasina thi would be <br />another example. A lot of marathi films- Umesh Kulkarni's Deool is one <br />example would also fit the billing. The request- Maybe bring these <br />movies back into the limelight, by doing pieces on them, heaven knows, <br />we need cult classics of our own.Jyoti Prakash Mallicknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6279678409089205149.post-80836650181484571102014-04-14T14:52:52.187+05:302014-04-14T14:52:52.187+05:30Readers, please note that a couple of changes have...Readers, please note that a couple of changes have been incorporated in the above list. Close-Up (1990) has made way for Hey Ram (2000) and The Spy Who Came in from the Cold (1965) has replaced The Prestige (2006).Murtaza Alihttp://www.apotpourriofvestiges.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6279678409089205149.post-19042223425502642982014-04-12T16:55:29.516+05:302014-04-12T16:55:29.516+05:30Yeah, I know about that film but unfortunately I h...Yeah, I know about that film but unfortunately I have yet to watch it... it's a bit embarrassing that I haven't seen it yet because I am a huge fan of Peter Sellers... hopefully, I will watch it soon. As far as The Graduate goes, I absolutely agree. Thanks once again for sharing your valuable thoughts... it's been quite edifying to have this interaction with you!!! :-)Murtaza Alihttp://www.apotpourriofvestiges.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6279678409089205149.post-67953670476542519182014-04-12T14:17:15.607+05:302014-04-12T14:17:15.607+05:30Any time. I'm glad you "corrected the ove...Any time. I'm glad you "corrected the oversight," as you put it. As for the two films I wish were included, "Network" is brilliant not only for how unflinchingly real its characters were, warts and all, but quite prescient in foreshadowing the state of affairs regarding major conglomerations and the media of today. It's chilling how much Chayefsky's satire rings true today.<br /><br />And "The Graduate" not only inspired a generation of baby boomers, who finally saw themselves within a protagonist like Benjamin Braddock, but it accomplishment and legacy in using pop songs and montages to help move the story forward, can be found in the DNA of just about every film made afterward, including even, I'd posit, "A Clockwork Orange".<br /><br />Were this my list, and its not, I know, these two would take the place of "A.I.: Artificial Intelligence" and "The Prestige" or "Midnight in Paris".<br /><br />Regardless: Again, GREAT list!<br /><br />Also, if you haven't seen it, I recommend that you check out "Being There" -- Peter Sellers' last film. Wonderful film.ZJOnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6279678409089205149.post-53636651083767934322014-04-12T14:11:19.057+05:302014-04-12T14:11:19.057+05:30Martin, I would like to thank you for taking the t...Martin, I would like to thank you for taking the time out to read my 2500+ words review. And, I am really glad that you actually liked it so much. I consider myself to be privileged that my reviews receive appreciation from the people I really admire the most and look up to... if the others like it as well, it's a bonus.Murtaza Alihttp://www.apotpourriofvestiges.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6279678409089205149.post-58652354482490215202014-04-12T14:06:02.669+05:302014-04-12T14:06:02.669+05:30Hi Murtaza, I have just read your wonderful review...Hi Murtaza, I have just read your wonderful review of MYSTERIES OF LISBON on your blog and as always was very impressed. Actually it's almost too good to be hidden away like that. A review that good should be published in something like "Sight and Sound". I saw the television series but not the 'cut' film version and I agree with every word. I intend to buy the dvd of the film version; it is a masterpiece.Martin Bradleynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6279678409089205149.post-65298398037193600092014-04-12T13:43:30.630+05:302014-04-12T13:43:30.630+05:30Firstly, please allow me thank you for sharing you...Firstly, please allow me thank you for sharing your valuable thoughts. I am really glad you you liked the list. I also feel that people sometimes a bit too harsh (or inconsiderate) in their assessment of films like Magnolia, Hannibal, Godfather: Part III, etc. And, I, for one, have always wanted to correct this oversight. Also, I must tell you that I am quite fond of "The Graduate"... as a matter of fact, it almost made the list. Regarding Network, I had watched it a long time back... I think I need to watch it again... only then I will be in a position to analyse it!!!Murtaza Alihttp://www.apotpourriofvestiges.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6279678409089205149.post-15663928227946473622014-04-12T13:11:20.110+05:302014-04-12T13:11:20.110+05:30This is one of the fairest and broadest (yet decid...This is one of the fairest and broadest (yet decidedly on point) best movie lists I've ever read. While I remain most impressed by the diversity amongst your selections, seeing your inclusions of Magnolia, The Color Trilogy, Hannibal, The Godfather Trilogy (including Part III), and several others, really made me happy, as they are phenomenal, often overlooked films. I really wish you had placed "Network" and "The Graduate" in your list. Then I could call it perfect. As is, though, it's pretty damn close! Great job!ZJOnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6279678409089205149.post-86070349254680501072014-04-12T10:01:30.272+05:302014-04-12T10:01:30.272+05:30You shall have that the next time I compile one......You shall have that the next time I compile one... thanks for sharing your thoughts!!! :-)Murtaza Alihttp://www.apotpourriofvestiges.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6279678409089205149.post-40731042042319944432014-04-12T09:55:37.249+05:302014-04-12T09:55:37.249+05:30Glad you liked it!Glad you liked it!Murtaza Alihttp://www.apotpourriofvestiges.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6279678409089205149.post-66605232622428606992014-04-12T08:12:16.157+05:302014-04-12T08:12:16.157+05:30Great list, as is only to be expected. Found a few...Great list, as is only to be expected. Found a few that I need to watch. Would have loved a sortable list - year, director, genre. See? You give them an inch and they want a yard.Subhorup Dasguptanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6279678409089205149.post-30961351806038068202014-04-12T07:59:13.313+05:302014-04-12T07:59:13.313+05:30Nice list..Nice list..Ananya Nnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6279678409089205149.post-11747208116477532592014-04-10T09:40:51.113+05:302014-04-10T09:40:51.113+05:30Sir, I too would love to read the novel but I don...Sir, I too would love to read the novel but I don't really think that the English translation of the work is even is available. If you are able to locate it then please do inform me as well.Murtaza Alihttp://www.apotpourriofvestiges.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6279678409089205149.post-80269446120411357842014-04-10T03:53:26.910+05:302014-04-10T03:53:26.910+05:30Murtaza, I am waiting to read Branco's book be...Murtaza, I am waiting to read Branco's book before i review the movie. Then I will know what was really Ruiz' contribution. In Ruiz' other works such as "That day," which was based his original screenplay, this is easy to assess. Not so here, even though the total effect of Ruiz' "Mysteries of Lisbon' is staggering.Jugu Abrahamnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6279678409089205149.post-82185342927156519032014-04-09T08:40:16.621+05:302014-04-09T08:40:16.621+05:30Thanks Arun for those kind words! Mysteries of Lis...Thanks Arun for those kind words! Mysteries of Lisbon easily has to be one of the greatest film viewing experiences for me in the recent times. Ruiz is one heck of a storyteller. I am certain that you will enjoy the film as much as I did... look forward to your review.Murtaza Alihttp://www.apotpourriofvestiges.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6279678409089205149.post-72105367982585638842014-04-09T08:34:03.452+05:302014-04-09T08:34:03.452+05:30Sir, I am really glad you liked it... it does mea...Sir, I am really glad you liked it... it does mean a lot to me. Also, I must thank you for introducing me to Raul Ruiz in the first place. Now, I eagerly look forward to watching his other films.Murtaza Alihttp://www.apotpourriofvestiges.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6279678409089205149.post-31396082603718957562014-04-09T06:59:54.859+05:302014-04-09T06:59:54.859+05:30An excellent analysis. Of Ruiz's works, I have...An excellent analysis. Of Ruiz's works, I have only watched "Time regained." So, I am now intrigued to watch "Mysteries of Lisbon" (may be in one sitting) and to explore more of his movies. Another fascinating aspect of the analysis is the way you have evoked the names of great film-makers, by calling it a "continuation of the long<br />tradition of storytellers." Will share my views about the movie soon.Arunnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6279678409089205149.post-89126103842236855422014-04-09T05:18:40.340+05:302014-04-09T05:18:40.340+05:30A very good review of a mesmerizing film. It was o...A very good review of a mesmerizing film. It was one of my top 10 movies of 2011 but I never got around to reviewing it as it required several viewings to soak in all the details like a work of Tarkovsky or Kozintsev. Ruiz' films are daunting--at least the 5 or 6 works that I have seen--and he bloomed in the last two films he made before he died. Keep it up, Murtaza!Jugu Abrahamnoreply@blogger.com