Happy Thanksgiving ~ 2016 ❤

My little tropical thanksgiving dinner! Cheers!
I am grateful for you all!

The Last Samurai (2003)

Based on past experiences and having faced the atrocities of war, Captain Nathan Algren (Tom Cruise) has been scarred and left with an indelible mark, seeking solace from a bottle. Nearly penniless, he embarks on a mission to sell U.S. arms to Japan in their bid to suppress a rising rebellion from the Samurai against the Japanese Emperor, Emperor Meiji.
Yoshino Province, Japan, Circa 1876. In a camp setup for the sole purpose of training local peasants in modern warfare, Captain Algren leads an inept army against the Samurai. The clash of the samurai swords and guns leaves casualties in its wake but the silent, swift-footed warriors, revered and highly feared, soon strike terror into the hearts of their opponents. The army flees leaving behind their wounded Captain who is soon taken prisoner.
Secluded high up in the mountains in the village of the Samurai, Nathan is held captive at the house of Katsumoto (Ken Watanabe), the Samurai leader. Delirious and ravaged by a fever and recurring nightmares Nathan is nursed backed to health by the beautiful Taka (Koyuki), Katsumoto's sister and the widow of Hirotara, a warrior slain by Algren himself. In an even trade-off, Katsumoto learns more about the enemy through his prisoner and Nathan is soon learning the art of wielding a sword. Nathan begins to truly appreciate the lives, ideologies and the culture of a dying Samurai class.
Will Japan ably embrace modernization without putting to risk losing a rich and deep culture? Who's to tell!

 

I don't know how it took me this long to write about a movie that I love dearly! A beautifully shot Japan, engaging war scenes, a subtle and yet erotic showcase of romance ... Do watch if you haven't already! 

Shut In (2016)

A psychologist working from home, Mary Portman (Naomi Watts) lives in beautiful rural New England. Having been widowed after losing her husband in a car crash she now cares for the survivor of the crash, her stepson, Steven (Charlie Heaton). However looking after Steven, a paralytic confined to a wheelchair, is no mean feat. So Mary finally comes to the difficult decision to send Steven to a home that she believes would do him a world of good.
In an approaching storm and being cut-off from civilization with no power, Mary has the distinct feeling that she and Steven are not alone. There is a presence 👻 ... but can science be the voice of reason or will the belief in the supernatural make a convert of a pundit of science?
What is the mystery surrounding the Portmans' residence?
During this film what incidentally came to my mind was the insane thriller "Don't Breathe".
Oooops ... Did I give away too much now!
The film was alright but was a definite good late night watch. 👀

Gaslight (1940)

After "Rebecca" I am now on a roll and I watched "Gaslight", a movie I'd heard so much about. It is so good that when I was forced to take a break, I was on pin-and-needles until I got back to it.

12 Pimlico Square! Alice Barlow is so busy knitting that she is oblivious to the ominous presence in her house. The cops arrive to only find Alice strangled and her house torn apart. Soon a "to-let" sign is up and that sign stays rooted for many years to come. A couple of decades later, 12 Pimlico Square can now boast residents. Newly wed Paul (Anton Walbrook) and Bella (Diana Wynyard) Mallen make a handsome couple but there is something sinister underlying their relationship. Paul keeps Bella on a short-leash accusing her of going crazy after she supposedly mislays a few objects like a brooch and pocket watch. Try as she may she is unable to account for the mishaps. While inevitably banished to her room she  notices the dimming gaslight and she is aware of spooky footsteps from the attic above.
What is the mystery surrounding 12 Pimlico Square? A gripping film that was way ahead of its time.

While I was doing some reading recently, I was intrigued to come across the term "Gaslighting". All psychologists and psychiatrists will be familiar with the term the definition of which is "an increasing frequency of systematically withholding factual information from, and/or providing false information to, the victim - having the gradual effect of making them anxious, confused, and less able to trust their own memory and perception."
Now I would like to know what came first - was it the movie or the term? 😕 Help please!

Word for the day :-
indolent - wanting to avoid activity or exertion; lazy

Rebecca (1940)

Rebecca is a thriller by Alfred Hitchcock and the first in his foray into American cinema. It is based on the novel by the same name that was authored by Daphne du Maurier's, in 1938. The movie won 2 academy awards out of 11 nominations and has been one of the best mysteries I have watched to-date.
A young and dumure woman (Joan Fontaine) from a humble background works as a paid companion to the rich Edythe Van Hopper (Florence Bates). While in Monte Carlo she meets the aristocratic and moody widower, Maxim De Winter (Laurence Olivier) and there is an instant attraction. A couple of weeks later they find they are in love and after Maxim proposes, they soon get married.
The wealthy Maxim is the owner of the imposing Manderley Mansion in Cornwall and the new Mrs. de Winter is awed by her new home. However, when she meets the household staff she is struck and is instantly vary after the chilly reception she gets from Mrs. Danvers (Judith Anderson), the housekeeper. Soon Mrs. de Winter realizes that she faces tough competition from the old Mrs. de Winter, Rebecca, who continues to have a strong influence over the house. The eerie Mrs. Danvers makes sure that Rebecca is not forgotten - her monogrammed stationery, pillows, handkerchiefs, a locked wing of the house that housed her room are constant reminders of her elusive presence and add to the mystery surrounding the late Rebecca. Mrs. de Winter soon gets the impression that Maxim is still deeply in love with his dead first wife. Deeply troubled and during her exploration of the surrounding grounds she happens upon a boathouse and therein lies the key to the enigma surrounding Rebecca's death.
The perfect movie to curl up and watch on a cold winter evening. Hats off to Alfred Hitchcock!

Word for the day : -

perfidy - the state of being deceitful and untrustworthy 

A little bit of heaven (2011)

Happy-go-lucky Marley Corbett (Kate Hudson) is diagnosed with colon cancer and the devastating news tears her world apart. While under anesthesia Marley meets God and she is granted three wishes - so she chooses to fly, to win big money and the third ....!
When confronted with the prospect of death, life takes on a whole new meaning. Marley is able to mend fences with her separated parents - a hovering mother and a reserved father;
A close circle of friends form her pillars and see her through the difficult moments as her health steadily fails;
And having always run from the prospect of getting serious in a relationship, she finally falls in love!

This movie could not have turned out any better with Whoopi Goldberg in a cameo and Kate Hudson, who totally rocked. There are moments in the film that tug at the heart and you shed a few tears but what's different and positive is the celebration of love, relationships and life even in death.
There is a beautiful instrumental at the end of the movie but since I could not find that particular video, this one is close.

Happy Dussehra to all!

The rains are slowly retreating and just a day before Dussehra they worked their
magic. Having rained all evening, Dussehra morning dawned sparklingly (is that even a word) bright and beautiful. The weak rays of the rising sun showed off how squeaky clean everything was with the dust mercifully washed off and so giving the fiery orange of the marigold flowers no competition.

Dussehra heralds the start of the best part of the year, the weather is pleasant (bye-bye humidity) without it is being too hot or cold. Dussehra is celebrated with great fervor to signify victory of good over evil and these celebrations vary from region to region all over India. Weapons, tools, all musical instruments, books etc. are honored on that day.
To know more here is a link - Dussehra - Vijayadashami
And soon it will be Diwali, my absolute favorite.