Movies You Watched This Month March 2016

Unforgiven Synopsis
When prostitute Delilah Fitzgerald (Anna Thomson) is disfigured by a pair of cowboys in Big Whiskey, Wyoming, her fellow brothel workers post a reward for their murder, much to the displeasure of sheriff Little Bill Daggett (Gene Hackman), who doesn’t allow vigilantism in his town. Two groups of gunfighters, one led by aging former bandit William Munny (Clint Eastwood), the other by the florid English Bob (Richard Harris), come to collect the reward, clashing with the sheriff.

Had watched this movie many years ago and liked it a lot back then. Re watched it after a long time. The movie is a little slow paced at first but then it gradually becomes very engrossing. The climax and the ending is brilliant. Its a dark western where it just isn’t about shooting people but also what it does to the people killed as well as the killers. Its about how myths are built based on lies and exaggerations. Its about how hard it is to kill someone. The scene where William kills Davey is just brilliant. William Munny is supposed to be a killer who killed women and children and the story is about his redemption in that he comes to kill a couple of cowboys who disfigured a woman.

The movie deservedly won Oscars for Best Picture, Best Director and Best Film Editing. The movie was nominated for 9 Oscars including Best Original Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Sound and Best Art Direction.

Clint Eastwood was excellent as the aging killer full of regret and was nominated for an Oscar for Best Actor. Gene Hackman was excellent as the Sheriff Little Bill and won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor. Morgan Freeman was very good as William Munny’s partner Ned. Jaimz Woolvett was good as the ‘Schofield Kid’. The rest of the cast was good too.

Its an excellent movie and arguably the best western.

Highly Recommended

Tags:
34 Comments
  1. cr7 8 years ago

    Loved this movie . The best I’ve seen in this genre .

  2. Author
    sputnik 8 years ago

    Contact
    In this Zemeckis-directed adaptation of the Carl Sagan novel, Dr. Ellie Arroway (Jodie Foster) races to interpret a possible message originating from the Vega star system. Once first contact with an extraterrestrial intelligence is proven, Arroway contends with restrictive National Security Advisor Kitz (James Woods) and religious fanatics bent on containing the implications of such an event. An incredible message is found hidden in the signal, but will Arroway be the one to answer its call?

    Had first watched the movie in the late 90s and liked it a lot back then. Had watched it again some 8-10 years back and remember liking it then too. Re watched it after a long time.

    Its not the usual science fiction movie but its more geared to make one think – raising questions about faith versus science. It takes a lot of time to get to the real part though. Some of the scenes looked dated now with all the computers and technology in use back then and some of the scenes felt a bit corny.

    Read the story of the Contact novel on which the movie is based and it looks like they made too many changes. They gave too much importance to Mathew McConaughey’s character and also turned him into her romantic interest. His showing up everywhere did not make sense. Also it felt the movie concentrated too much on the whole Religion vs Science thing and was trying to bat for Religion indirectly.

    Jodie Foster was very good for the most part. She did overact in some scenes. Mathew McConaughey was bad in a badly written role. James Woods was excellent. The rest of the cast was ok.

    Recommended

    • hithere 8 years ago

      Have seen this some time back. Want to revisit but there is hesitation in me.

  3. hithere 8 years ago

    Binge watched season 4 of House of cards…
    I think this was the best; I didn’t like season 3.
    I liked it probably it showed actually politics of primaries.

    • Author
      sputnik 8 years ago

      Recently finished Breaking Bad and loved it. Watched 1st episode of Better Call Saul.

      Thinking of starting to watch House of Cards.

      • saurabh 8 years ago

        Hey,

        @sputnik Provide some more words on BB.. since i look fwd to your reviews

        Also is there any series better than BB, wanted to know.
        Started watching Better Call saul. First episode looks excellent.

        • Author
          sputnik 8 years ago

          Thanks @Saurabh.

          I made quite a few comments on Breaking Bad last month. Here is the link.

          https://tanqeed.com/movies-you-watched-this-month-february-2016/#comment-168626

          I don’t know if its better than Breaking Bad but I liked House of Cards a lot too. I finished all 4 seasons of House of Cards. I liked the 1st season of Better Call Saul too.

          Right now I am watching Mad Men and its interesting too. Its about an Ad company in the 60s.

        • cr7 8 years ago

          There’s nothing better than Breaking Bad . But have u seen Game of thrones ? Its a show worth watching .Considering you liked Breaking bad you could try Sopranos,house of cards too .

          • saurabh sharma 8 years ago

            I am following Game of thrones.. I like it. The last season first half was not so good but 2nd half was great.
            I love True detective 1st season too, its dark, philosophical and contains great acting. I love sherelock holmes too.

            I haven’t started any season lately because lot of movies to catch up. The problem with any series are that they are so engrossing and entertaining that you cant leave them hanging in the middle.
            I had difficulty in leaving Dexter after its first season but i was able to do it coz i just liked it.

            I love human drama and the series where not everything is on surface, not everything you get in first time [like the nolan movie and TVF videos]. You have to use your mind like the BB and true detective and Sherelock. GOT also challenges you.

            Planning to start Better call saul.. nice to catch up with some old friends.

            Thanks for reco @sputnik and @Cr7

    • Author
      sputnik 8 years ago

      Started watching House of Cards and liking it a lot. Its very engrossing. The only thing that feels a bit odd is Kevin Spacey breaking the fourth wall every few minutes.

      • hithere 8 years ago

        If you are following US elections then you will love season 4 of HoC.

        • Author
          sputnik 8 years ago

          Yeah I am following US elections. I am just in the 3rd episode of Season 1 and I already like it.

      • Author
        sputnik 8 years ago

        Finished Season 1 of House of Cards. Its very good and engrossing but during the later episodes it kind of started to slack a bit specially with the whole college library episode. But the Season 2 has a excellent start with the first episode.

        Kevin Spacey is excellent as Frank Underwood. Kate Mara was very good as Zoe. Robin Wright is very good as Claire.

      • Author
        sputnik 8 years ago

        Completed watching all 4 seasons of House of Cards. Love the show.

        Did not like the whole Frank and Claire fight part of the show. Claire becoming the US ambassador and her taking center stage in all decisions seemed unrealistic. But once they both made up with each other the show became better.

        The primary politics part of the show was very good. The last few episodes with the whole kidnapping and its resemblance to real life is very good too.

        Kevin Spacey is excellent as Frank Underwood. Robin Wright is excellent as Claire. Rest of the cast is very good too.

        Waiting for Season 5.

  4. Author
    sputnik 8 years ago

    Tried to watch Tamasha. Could not go past the first 20 minutes. It was so stupid and irritating with the whole pretending to be someone else and behaving like lunatics. Imtiaz Ali needs to stop this crap of cussing/talking in Hindi with foreigners in his movies. Its not funny.

    Ranbir and Deepika were both pathetic and overacting like anything.

    • cr7 8 years ago

      The first 30 minutes indeed got on my nerves . It gets better but won’t recommend it . Ranbir acted well later .

      • Author
        sputnik 8 years ago

        I am not sure I will be able to make myself watch it again.

  5. Author
    sputnik 8 years ago

    Must Love Dogs
    Sarah (Diane Lane), is 40 and recently divorced. Believing Sarah needs to date more, her sister, Carol (Elizabeth Perkins), creates an online dating profile for her. Simultaneously, Jake (John Cusack) reluctantly decides to try Internet dating. Sarah and Jake meet, and though both agree they are not interested in a serious relationship, their chemistry is undeniable. But, when Bob (Dermot Mulroney) suddenly shows interest in Sarah, her future with Charlie becomes unclear.

    Its the usual romantic comedy but it has some hilarious moments. The movie is from 2005 but everyone was acting as if the Internet just started and online dating sites were some ground breaking thing. It would have been more appropriate if the movie was set in the 90s.

    Diane Lane was good and so was John Cusack.

  6. Author
    sputnik 8 years ago

    Watched Ex Machina. Excellent movie. Highly Recommended.

    Wrote a mini review.

    https://tanqeed.com/ex-machina-review-by-sputnik/

  7. Author
    sputnik 8 years ago

    Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania
    Its a total rehash of DDLJ. Varun plays SRK, Alia plays Kajol and Ashutosh Rana plays Amrish Puri.

    There is some comedy and it is entertaining for a bit but there is nothing new. Its the same old cliched stuff.

    Varun and Alia were good. Ashutosh was ok. The actors playing Varun’s friends were good.

  8. Author
    sputnik 8 years ago

    Primal Fear
    Defense attorney Martin Vail takes on jobs for money and prestige rather than any sense of the greater good. His latest case involves an altar boy, accused of brutally murdering the archbishop of Chicago. Vail finds himself up against his ex-pupil and ex-lover, but as the case progresses and the Church’s dark secrets are revealed, Vail finds that what appeared a simple case takes on a darker, more dangerous aspect.

    Re watched it again. Its still engrossing.

    Edward Norton was excellent in his Oscar nominated performance. Richard Gere was very good. Laura Linney was very good and looked pretty too. Frances McDormand was good too in a small role.

  9. Author
    sputnik 8 years ago

    Finished watching Season 1 of Better Call Saul.

    The first few episodes weren’t that good and the show took a while to get started but the later episodes have been good. The show is a bit confusing though as its hard to tell whether some scenes are flashbacks or set in present.

    Saul and Mike were two of my favorite characters from Breaking Bad. So like their backstories in this one. The Chuck character is interesting and the actor playing that role is good too.

  10. Author
    sputnik 8 years ago

    Started watching Mad Men. Finished the first two episodes and liked it.

    Its amazing how the US has changed from the 60s – with people smoking everywhere including offices or people’s views on going to a psychiatric or roles of men and women in society.

    • Author
      sputnik 8 years ago

      Finished Season 1 of Mad Men. Good show liking it.

      The Pete character is very irritating and obnoxious. I wanted him to be punched by the lead character Don for the way he took Don’s package and then tried to blackmail him.

      Don’t like the Peggy character. She is not pretty and kind of annoying but the show seems to be giving unnecessary importance to her. Peggy not knowing that she is pregnant right until the moment she delivers the baby is the most ridiculous thing I have ever watched.

      Jon Hamm is very good as Don Draper. January Jones is gorgeous and like her acting too. Vincent Kartheiser is annoying as Pete and so is Elisabeth Moss as Peggy. Christina Hendricks is pretty as Joan. John Slattery is good as Roger.

  11. saurabh sharma 8 years ago

    Watched Kapoor and sons.

    Liked it. Felt its lil long or lil less engrossing towards end.
    But other wise its very good movie.
    The movie gives feel of a home whenever there is a scene inside home- which was the same case with Neerja or like Ankho Dekhi which had the same Rajat Kapoor.
    Almost every fight or argument scene in House is excellent specially the scenes between brothers.
    You will love Fawad Khan and Rishi Kappor. May be Aalia bhat too.

    Many scenes are excellent apart form fight scenes, Like the one when it look like everybody is about to patch up just before the First Family photo scene. Liked the part where Dadu, arjun and rahul are smoking weed. Or when Rajat kapoor and Ratna are sleeping and talking together.

    Idk what is the exact reason but you will love fawad khan. He steals the scene wherever he is or you focus on him, you take sides of him. where Sidharth is lil irritating. May be because the character is lil jealous and negative always. Also it may be because Fawad charater is lil mature than sidharth.

    Rajat kapoor and ratna pathak shah are good and alia too.. Sidharth is some scenes looked just saying dialogues.. like a subject chapter.. other character are also good.

    Kudos to shakun batra for making such a real family movie. I liked his previous movie too ek mein or ek tu though that was lil boring in some parts.

    He has tried to avoid any cliche in both of the movies and I feel that is the reason, by the end Kapoor and sons becomes less engaging.

    Overall a very good movie, Fawad and Rishi will be loved. Its a fresh movie.

    Recommended.

  12. saurabh sharma 8 years ago

    Watched “Her”. Loved it. Its a very difficult movie to make because you see only one character most of the time talking to a OS.
    But the way writing has been done, you don’t feel bored. You can feel the OS same as the main character of the movie, which i feel is the biggest achivement of the movie.
    Love the soundtrack of the movie too.
    We don’t see the reason why the main character is having divorce with his wife. I felt if that was told i could understand the character more deeply.
    Sex scene with a stranger felt lil weird. Also your heart breaks too when character’s heart breaks too.
    Also i couldn’t understand the part when all os are like talking to alan wats and each other and exploring each other. Technically i couldn’t, may be i need to think more.

    Didn’t like the clothing part specially those pants with no belt. Its irritating sometime. His friend was good and I felt like kissing her though movie avoids such cliche.

    Overall a very good and excellent written movie.

    Highly recommended.

  13. Author
    sputnik 8 years ago

    The Railway Man
    Eric Lomax (Colin Firth), a former British army officer and POW, discovers that the Japanese interpreter who tortured him is still alive. He and his new wife (Nicole Kidman) set out to confront the man who caused him so much pain.

    Though its only 2 hr long it felt way longer. It takes a lot of time to get to the actual story and till then its quite boring and one has to have a lot of patience. The story of how he was tortured by the Japanese interpreter and the confrontation and the reconciliation part is good. Its based on a true story and its way more interesting than the movie.

    https://www.historyvshollywood.com/reelfaces/railway-man/

    Colin Firth was good. Nicole Kidman was ok. Jeremy Irvine was very goos as the young Eric and he completely looks like the real young Eric. Tanroh Ishida was good as the young Takeshi Nagase and Hiroyuki Sanada was good as the older Takeshi Nagase.

  14. FS 8 years ago

    Room – The Films backbone is the Kid & damn he was so real. Awesome performances & Recommended!!

    The Big Short – I have seen many movies on Stock & Investment & liked most of them. Insider was the best of the lot and The Big Short is an excellent film more so coz of feel good factor & happy ending. Highly Recommended!!

    Kapoor & Sons – This Movie is a Masterpiece. I have not come across any flaw in this movie. The first half is very enjoyable but man I was so surprised in the Second Half, it literally tore me apart. Bow to the director & screenplay wtiter of the Second Half for executing a Classic sequences of occurrences of Classic Human Behaviours among every individuals at certain stages of life. The Starcast did an awesome job & compkemented each other very well to create a Memorable Movie of its own Genre. Fuck the Hollywood, Bollywood is leading by a mile this year. Highly Highly Recommended!!!

    Chutiyappa v/s Qutiyappa – what a Horrible movie. Bollywood has produced 10 times better product than batman vs superman. I slept for a while during the movie. First 1 & half an hour will bore you to death & last remaining minutes deals with subsidized VFX & CGI. No story, no logic, no science only fiction discharged from Zack Snyder’s Ass.

    SERIES – Since you guys were discussing about Series, below is the list of series’s that I have watched & barring Top 5, rest of the list is as per the liking:

    Lost – In Short each Season supercedes the preceding Season with excellent plot, performances, BGM, characters etc… The twists are never seen before and whoever has wriiten the script is a Genius

    Pride & Prejudice tv series – Those who like Romcom will enjoy it, I loved it and seen it innumerable times. Few Episodes which makes it likeable.

    Suits – Another series which gets better and better and better every season. Its very sharp and intelligently directed series with wholesome entertainment.

    Game of Thrones – This is just Fun, the twists, Politics played in it are unbelivable, unpredictable and action wise, cinematography wise its on par with some of the top hollywood movies.

    Prison Break – This series was so interesting and engrossing that i completed all 4 season within 6-7 days straight. It was a memorable watch and very close to my heart.

    Spartacus – if you watch Spartacus then you will not like 300 or Galidator again. This is totally in a different league all together in historic subject based series.

    Sherlock Homes – Absolutely Brilliant & so is Sherlock

    Death Note – Best Animation series ever.

    Dexter & Breaking Bad – After watching this and Breaking Bad, chances are that you have already gained a Phd in Chemical Science & 10 Best ways to Murder & get way without leaving a trace.

    House Of Cards – House of Politics, Twists, Deception, Murders & what not? Second season is the Best, haven’t watched the Fourth season yet.

    Daredevil,
    Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood,
    Black Mirror,
    Newsroom,
    True Detective
    Sopranos,
    The Wire,
    Fargo,
    Blacklist,
    Mr. Robot
    Fullmetal Alchemist,
    Walking dead (4 seasons), Homeland (3 Seasons),
    Hannibal ( 2 Seasons),
    Arrested Development (2 Seasons)
    Orange is the new Black

    • Author
      sputnik 8 years ago

      Agree with you that the kid Jacob Tremblay is the backbone of the Room and that he was so real.

      Had liked The Big Short a lot too.

      Will check out Kapoor & Sons too. So far everyone has praised the movie.

      Thanks for all the TV Reccos.

      Had already watched Pride & Predjudice TV series some years back and loved it.

      Added Prison Break, Spartacus, Sherlock Homes, Dexter, Daredevil, Black Mirror, Blacklist and Orange is the new Black to my queue.

      Finished watching House Of Cards Fourth season just a few days back and liked it.

      Had liked the first few episodes of Arrested Development but did not find the later episodes that funny. So stopped watching.

      Liked The Office US version a lot. Initially I did not like it and thought it was weird. But on the second try I started watching episodes from the middle of the series and ended up liking it a lot and then watched the whole series. It did get stretched and somewhat annoying in the later parts of the series. Steve Carell left and then they had different bosses and all of them (Ed Helms, James Spader, Kathy Bates) were annoying. The Dwight Schrute character was my favorite.

      • FS 8 years ago

        I watched Pride and Prejudice tv series on your recommendation

  15. cr7 8 years ago

    Ted 2 – Utterly Stupid but funny . And wasn’t expecting some masterpiece . So not disappointed .

Leave a reply to hithere Click here to cancel the reply

Log in with your credentials

Forgot your details?