| Username |
Post |
| Chakra |
Posted
on 05-Oct-01 10:46 AM
In the moment of terror the best medicine is peace. Although,
little Buddha was released in 1994, it is worth seeing.
LITTLE BUDDHA
A film review by Michel Hafner
Copyright 1994 Michel Hafner
- Director: Bernardo Bertolucci
- Screenplay: Mark Peploe, Rudy Wurlitzer
- Camera: Vittorio Storaro
- Costumes: James Acheson
- Editing: Pietro Scalia
- Music: Ryuichi Sakamoto
- Cast:
Keanu Reeves: Siddhartha/Buddha
Ying Ruocheng: Lama Norbu
Chris Issak: Dean Konrad
Bridget Fonda: Lisa Konrad
Alex Wiesendanger: Jesse Konrad
Sogyal Rinpoche: Kenpo Tensing
--put together by Sidhartha Tuladhar ( on TND)
Brought to you by http://www.chakrapath.com
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| Biswo |
Posted
on 05-Oct-01 01:08 PM
I really disagree.
The movie is drab, and its message is unclear. The maker of the movie, who once made such spectacular movie as The Last Emperor could have delivered a better one. I saw it once, and never wanted to see again. Keanu Reaves looks so awful, and everybody except Raju fail to impress.
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| Chakra |
Posted
on 05-Oct-01 01:40 PM
Biswo, I agree and disagree with your point of view. I agree from the stand point of the Eastern view, the movie did not deliver the expectation of Eastern taste. The movie's whole message was about meeting East and West, One in Seattle and one in India and Nepal, in the name of reincarnation of Buddha. It had a message that the Buddha could reincarnate anywhere in the world even in Seattle, US.
I disagree with you from the stand point of growing up with both the cultures, that the movie did deliver the expectation of viewer from the both world. I personally, liked it and the message about Buddha's reincarnation and his life was phenomenon. And Keaunu Reeves was perfect for Siddhartha's role.
On the other hand if you are into Buddhism, you will enjoy more. Those of you, who have not seen it, check it out.
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| Sunakhari |
Posted
on 05-Oct-01 01:54 PM
It was blatantly a movie made for the western palate. The message was unclear as Biswo points out.
It depicted nothing of Siddhartha's story and like Biswo pointed out - Bertolucci could have done better.
On the other hand, I did enjoy and still do enjoy repeatedly watching the Last Emperor but thats entirely from my POV - someone who knows absolutely nothing of China and its history - (Biswo, you could be a better judge of that) therefore, there must a huge crowd who enjoy The Little Budda - from an entirely different POV.
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| TP |
Posted
on 05-Oct-01 02:32 PM
One of Bertolucci's WORST movie ever! Keanu Reeves wouldn't have played in it if he had already done 'Speed' prior to that.
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| SP |
Posted
on 05-Oct-01 02:35 PM
Another movie worth seeing is a movie called "THURSDAY" it's an awesome movie.
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| Ganesh Man |
Posted
on 05-Oct-01 02:41 PM
Another movie really really interesting and worth seeing is:
" GANESH MAN DEKHI, GANESH MAN SAMMA" watch it, it's great!
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| Bostonian |
Posted
on 05-Oct-01 03:00 PM
It doesn't take too much to spoil a perfectly fine thread. Another good movie is DUNE anyone seen it?
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| threeinvestigators |
Posted
on 05-Oct-01 03:24 PM
While I have to agree that "Little Buddha" was somewhat of a dissappointment - and I am a practicing Buddhist, Chakra - but that was probably due to poor direction (which must be an abberation, considering Bertolucci's previous work) rather than the story itself or Keanu Reeves' acting.
In similar vein...
I found "Seven Years in Tibet" relevantly better, with emphasis on relevantly.
The movie that was well executed, and informative, was "Kundun" directed by Scorcese. I think he made a pretty decent attempt to explore spirituality and essence of Budhism from our area.
Jupiter
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| Chakra |
Posted
on 05-Oct-01 04:06 PM
Perhaps, "Little Buddha" was not huge success among the crowd. It was like the movie called "Sphere", written by Michael Chrichton. It was a great book, great story, but could not succeed in box office because the story was more of psychological rather than action. "Little Buddha" was also more of psychological feature than an action. Can you imagine Siddhartha Gautam being a star of an action movie? No, he was always calm and peaceful and that is what Reeves portray of Siddhartha.
Jupiter, seven years in Tibet was a good movie, it was more successful because it had little bit of action. This thread was leaning toward action and entertainment rather than psychological, which diverts away from my intention to bring out peace. Sometimes, I practice, go with the flow and we already had a message from Dalai Lama, so let's go into movies and entertainment.
I have not seen neither Dune nor Thursday. Has anyone seen "Empire of the sun" ? That is a good action movie. Let's be mindful of the terrorist attact and talk about movies for the mood. Although, "Collatoral Damage", would have been a good movie to see before September the 11th, but it is banned for sometimes.
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| Biswo |
Posted
on 05-Oct-01 05:22 PM
Chakraji:
I don't know if the slow motion and philosophical content was the reason behind
the drubbing of the movie.I don't think so. I think the story plot was in itself
flawed.It was not tenacious enough to hold audiences together.A lot of times,
Keanu Reaves looked like a joker. The juxtaposition of ancient and modern times
was not seamless, nor was the east to west connection.The experience in
watching that movie ,to me, was creepy rather than enlightening. I am really
sorry to respectfully differ with you in this matter! But anyway, I am glad you liked
the movie.
Let's give an example of Amadeus. I am not classical music fan,I don't understand
them frankly, though there were times when I pretended to be big fan of Bach
and Tchaikovsky(never mind spelling) but I liked the movie. Then there was this
movie about Alan Turing(I forgot title, but it is probably Cracking of [name of some
German machine]) which was also enchanting."A Place in the sun"(Liz taylor and
Montgomery Clift movie of 1951) is excruciatingly slow [around the time of
attempted homicide by Montgomery Clift] and it needles our most tender
imagination, but this movie is one of the greatest movies ever made.
In my view, the problem with the Little Buddha was its story itself. I have a great
respect for Buddha, though I am not that much a religious person.And personally,
Keanu Reeves is one of my favourite Hollywooder (though Sweet November was
another disappointment). I liked him most in The walk in the cloud.
I haven't heard about 'Thursday'. I think the most remarkable movie I watched in past few months is 'The Sting' of Robert Redford and Paul Newmann. This movie
is surely one of the best movies ever made. I couldn't forget the movie for long!
Specially climax. Please try once.
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| Biswo |
Posted
on 05-Oct-01 05:35 PM
The following report in Time of India is worth reading.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow.asp?art_id=1793460244
Looks like Himal Association people are doing it regularly, and with pride. May be
Nepal can produce better documentary and be leader in this field in future.
I remember an appeal for 'killing terraces' in gbnc. Does anybody have any idea
when will we be able to watch them here?Does anybody know further plan about
the screening of the documentary?
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| Biswo |
Posted
on 06-Oct-01 10:21 AM
Bostonianji:
There was this discussion about 'Dune' already. Please type Dune in search below
Kurakani in our homepage. It will show eight links.
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| ashu |
Posted
on 08-Oct-01 05:44 AM
This may be a good place to talk about The Kathmandu Film Archive -- an year-old venture to show world-class movies regularly in Kathmandu. [If you want to donate good movies to be shown in Kathmandu on a non-profit basis, please get in touch with me. For a year, we have been trying to get this Film Society going.)
The KFA will join forces with the French Cultural Center in Kathmandu this November to put on a French Film Festival with a focus on French women
(OK, NOT what you are thinking! :-)]
Not backed by any donor and still somehow able to cover most of its expenses, the KFA's major constraint has been sticking to a regular schedule.
Sticking to a regular schedule has been a problem because as far as the place is concerned, the KFA is at the mercy of the place where movies are screened. As such, the KFA hopes to formalize its relations with the place where it screens its movies so that a regular rhythm of the film shows can be established.
If that does not work out, then the KFA may just limit itself to establishing contacts with various embassies and cultural centers, and continue to host
Film festivals at the rate of every two or three or four months a year.
Special thanks to Sanjog Rupakheti (now a student in Connecticut), Bhaskar Gautam, Surendra Sthapit and Neeraj Nepali for their work on KFA over the past several months.
oohi
ashu
ktm,nepal
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| Biswo |
Posted
on 08-Oct-01 02:33 PM
I know it sounds like becoming uninvited judge, but of the movies I watched,
I have best liked these Hollywood movies. I have written here with their
supposed ranking:
1. Cassblanca
2. Butch Cassidy and Sundance Kid
3. Godfather I
4. Grapes of Wrath
5. Citizen Kane
6. The Gold Rush ( of Charlie Chaplin, 1925)
7.2001:A space odissy
8. Platoon
9.Gone with the wind
10. Roman Holiday
Basically there is no scientific ranking methodology for my selection. I include
technological breakthrough also as one aspect, that is why 5 and 7 are there.
There is strong probability that people may differ from my choice.
I believe that one can watch these movies without any remorse!
AFI(American Film Institute) has its own ranking. Please visit the website
for the ranking of top 100 movies of this century.
http://www.afionline.org/100movies
Enjoy!
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| Trailokya Aryal |
Posted
on 09-Oct-01 04:10 AM
namaste everyone,
Biswoji, how could you not include some great Chinese/Japanese movies on your list. The Yellow Earth and The Roshomon Gate are two movies worth watching.
Trailokya
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| Raju |
Posted
on 09-Oct-01 01:57 PM
Ashu ji,
Have you seen "Bishnu Puran"? It is also a good movie that may go in your list.
Raj
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| Raju |
Posted
on 09-Oct-01 01:58 PM
Bishwo ji,
Have you seen "Bishnu Puran"? It is also a good movie that may go in your list.
Raj
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| NK |
Posted
on 09-Oct-01 02:22 PM
huh? Is there such a movie? What am I missing here?
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| NK |
Posted
on 09-Oct-01 02:23 PM
And welcome back Trai. How was your trip?
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| Sunakhari |
Posted
on 09-Oct-01 03:15 PM
In response to your Japanese and Chinese movies:
I saw "Tampopo" a few years ago and liked it tremendously.
Farewell my Concubine is also a fav of mine, so was the red lantern.
Paral ko Ago was also one of the best Nepali films I've seen so far.
Cheers
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| amina |
Posted
on 09-Oct-01 03:33 PM
I loved paral ko ago and I still hum the song " udi jau bhaney, ma panchi haina.." ( specially when I am homesick). The red lantern left me depressed :-(
I really really enjoyed "The emperor and the assassin".
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| Sunakhari |
Posted
on 09-Oct-01 04:09 PM
Ladies (and some men)
How about Sense and Sensibility, Emma, Persuasion, Little Women, etc etc..I love these classics(as in books made into movies)!
I know they've made a movie on the "Anne of Green Gables", Does anyone know of it?? I've heard of Anne of Avonlea but I think thats a miniseries - I haven't watched it and anyone who can tell me where I can find the tapes, cds etc...will be highly blessed :).
Thanks
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| jagalte |
Posted
on 09-Oct-01 05:27 PM
OK movie lovers, question for you guys
"Kam Chhaina Kaj Chhaina Haggne bela laaj chhaina" bhanera kun chalchitra ma bhaneko cha?
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| amina |
Posted
on 09-Oct-01 05:52 PM
Heys sunakhari,
Yes yes the Jane Austeney movies. I read most of them, the only one I saw as a movie was Emma. Didn't like that one that much.
Funny you mentioned Anne of Green Gables. I read the book ages ago, a story I cherish very much. The public television channel ( KCPT in Missouri where I live)just broadcasted the miniseries (the one made in 1985), both Green Gables and Avonlea, about 2 weeks ago on sunday :-) and this is the second time I watched it on KCPT. I know you can buy it online but not sure if you can find it in local video stores. Try some public libraries..I am sure they'll have it.
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| Biswo |
Posted
on 09-Oct-01 06:07 PM
I am pleasantly surprised at the choice of Paralko aago by some of our posters.
In spite of so much uproar over likes of Basudev and Prempinda, Paraalko Aago
is the best Nepali movies and perhaps one of the best movies I ever saw . Here
is why:
1. Paraalko Aago is the only movie which has painstalkingly followed the original
script. The scores added,like the one sung in Melaa and the one Basundharaa
Bhusal sings while cutting grass, are not extraneous either. Considering the time
when the movie was made, I can safely say the director was not influenced by
any of Hollywood movie or Bollywood movie.The movie is pristine Nepali movie.
2. Watch the movie with any village folks in Nepal, and they will be amazed. I
watched the movies with elder folks in Nepal once, and the elder folks, their
habit cloyed by watching cheap Hindi freebies movies in Doordarshan, gasped
in surprise, and applauded cheerfully.
3. Zhang Yimou , the Chinese director of farewell my concubine and To Live and
other famous movies, also 'tries' to portray the original novels painstalkingly, but
he adds something that is vivid in his movies.[We know he added sth.] Being an
avid fan of Somerset Maugham, my best pick for any two novel includes his The
moon and six pence,I was surprised at the filming of the Razor's edge. My fair lady
surely won applause, but George Bernard Shaw didn't exactly wrote that!! The
only movie that probably reached the nearest of the original book was 50s
acadamy award winner Around the world in 80 days.
Of course, Kishor Rana(Is he the director? ) didn't make a good movie out of 'Rako'
or any other good movie. But so what, I know a lot of scientists who discovered
a lot of things, and couldn't reach to that height in their later days. A lot of time,
one movie should be enough. We tend to disregard Paraal Ko Aago, because it
was made in Darjeeling, and their men weren't here in Nepal to applaud it and
make big noise about it sustainably.
Well, after this passionate praise for Paraalko Aago, A reply to Trailokya . I
didn't include Non - Hollywood movies in my last pick. Yesterday, I went back,
and thought about those movies. Here are my choice for non-Hollywood movies
which has changed international face of cinema forever, I believe.(brief description
for first three)
1. Seven Samurai (Japan): Made long ago, before 50s, this great movie was the
father of many westerns. Sholay, a hindi blockbuster,
was impressed from this movie.
2. To live (China, "Huozhe"): This Zhang Yimou movie has lavish set, and displays
vividly the life of a family cut between the vortex of
maoists revolution and the successive cultural
revolution. Please watch this movie. This movie tells
most tellingly why we should be "alive" even in the
period of great distress.
3.Moscow Doesn't believe in tears (former USSR):Russian comedy, this deals
with the life in 50s Russia subtlely. One of the best
Russian movies ever made.
4.Paraal Ko Aago : See above.
5.Umrao Jaan(India):
6.Colors of Paradise(Iran)
7.Salaam Bombay(India):
8.How green was my valley(Britain)
9. Qiujiu (China)
10. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon(Taiwan, PRC).
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| Trailokya Aryal |
Posted
on 10-Oct-01 06:27 AM
Dear Biswoji,
Great Choices. I have watched all the Chinese movies you mentionmed there. Biswoji, I think the director of Farewell My Conccubine (ba wang bie ji) is Chen kaige, not Zhang Yimou.
Trailokya
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| Trailoky |
Posted
on 10-Oct-01 06:28 AM
Dear Biswoji,
Great Choices. I have watched all the Chinese movies you mentionmed there. Biswoji, I think the director of Farewell My Conccubine (ba wang bie ji) is Chen kaige, not Zhang Yimou.
Trailokya
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| Sunakhari |
Posted
on 10-Oct-01 07:56 AM
Hey guys, what about Dr. Zhivago???
That was a great movie too.
Amina!!! you did??? Well I went to PEI and saw L.M. Montgomery's house and saw the willow trees etc...Had read the books a century ago :). Thanks for the suggestion, I will try the libraries.
Biswo, you are so right about that movie being made in Darjeeling and I think I will also agree with you because Pratap Subba nowadays, makes more bollywood type movies. Its a pity but I think he is going with the flow.
Has anyone watched Bengali movies of Satyajit Ray? He made some fantastic ones. Pathar Panchali is one of them. Try out the foreign movie sections for this one and others as well.
And another recommendation I have for everyone is called "Le Gitane" - translated into "The Gipsy". The music is intriguing. I forget the name of the composer but he is a reknowned ex-Yugoslavian composer.
Also another fav of mine would HAVE to be The Sound of Music.
Cheers.
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| Biswo |
Posted
on 10-Oct-01 07:35 PM
Dear Trailokyaji:
I think you are right. Chen Kaige is the director of Farewell my concubine." Where
there is Gong Li, there is Zhang Yimou " made me make that mistake. Sorry about
that, and thank you for correcting me.
Sunakhariji, Dr Zhivago is really a great movie. We talked about the movie in the
past in this website also. Three of David Lean epics, Dr Zhivago, Lawrence of
Arabia and The bridges on the river Kwai are featured among AFI top 100, and they were topics of discussion in this site already. Please type Dr Zhivago or
David Lean in the search below Kurakani , and there you will find them!
I also liked Sound of Music. The movie is so beautiful, the mountainous terrain
of Austria, and the landscape of country side so beautifully mesh with the music of
the movie, and the gravity of story. In fact, I have seen quite a few Hollywood
musicals, like Singing in the rain, Evita, An American in Paris, West Side Story, Gigi
etc, but no other famous musicals seems to have caught the gravity of situation
as nicely as Sound of Music did. This is ,at least, how I think.
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| Sfengali |
Posted
on 23-Jan-02 10:21 PM
Not a movie but I recently read Soul Mountain. Its pretty spectacular. Trailokya since you are a Chinophile, what's your take on the book? I found lots of parallel to the going on abouts in the gulleys of patan of my childhood and in the mental sphere of adulthood to what Xiang (? sorry don't have the book with me) had to say.
Director's of note
Akira Kurosawa (Japanese one who did Seven Samurai I'd vote for Kagemusha as his best.
Ingmar Bergman: Watch Seventh Seal its fantastic.
Satyajit Ray anything.
S.
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