I don’t remember the count of wow’s I had gathered after saying – ‘I have a 2TB disk dedicated to movies.’ That was years ago. With streaming services and enough bandwidth, I doubt if a disk of that size is ever required today, even if it is for anything else. For me, I find adoration in that disk. Though my son has scribbled random designs on it, it’s the inside that cheers me up. The disk has watched, to-be-watched, watched-several-times, not-today, i-don’t-know-why-its-here, and numerous such categories. I don’t have the count of languages and genres either. No. If that gives you a picture of systematically organized space, its rather otherwise and pretty messed up.
Cousins, friends, hostel, hostel internet, friend of friend, I am thankful to all and many for the contribution. The movies that have been there from years and not yet watched is the proof that I needed a push, a recommendation, to play it finally. ‘Too many to pick from’ is another reason why a recommendation from a known helps. That’s what I did in the last week of July – ask people for recommendations. Also, I wanted to know what everyone is up to. I went ahead and asked for 1 top recommendation. In two days, I had collected more than a hundred. My August was to set, and in fact, I knew I would have a hard time picking 31 from the hundred plus.
I want to thank everyone who recommended. Some movies were recommended by many, and I made sure to watch them. However, if you had recommended and if it’s not in the list, I apologize for that. I am going to watch all the remaining sometimes soon. Here is how I made selections:
- With daily routines and professional works (too many), movie length played a major role. I had to skip lengthy ones.
- I wanted to cover as many languages and as many genres. I had to skip some because of the common genre.
- I wanted a good mixture of the timeline – old to new.
- The movie selection was NOT based on ratings from any platform – we all have our own preferences, and I prefer to watch any and all.
- I had to skip some because they were remakes and preferred to watch original.
- Most important of all, I wanted them to lighten up my day!
So, here is quick and not so helpful reviews. Suppose you ask me the ratings, it’s 5/5 for all. I would recommend being open to all the genres and watch all of them. A must watch.
Set 01: 01 to 08 August
August 01: Kimi No Na Wa is a Japanese animated movie. The first fifteen around minutes messes you up, but then later, it all sets in. You might even go back and watch a few sections again, and the movie ends leaving one with a smile.
August 02: Predestination is an Australian thriller. The casting and storytelling are brilliant—one of those time travel movies that leave you awed.
August 03: The Book Thief is a British Drama. I cried until I blacked out after the movie end. I am not sure why I did that.
August 04: Bucket list is a Marathi Family movie. I understand enough Marathi (stayed in Pune for 6 months) and for me, this was an emotional connection.
August 05: I was thrilled after watching Spanish mystery – Contratiempo. The acting is classic. The movie is remade into other languages, but hands down, nothing can beat the Spanish version. I feel happy to have watched the original version.
August 06: 303 is a German romance drama. The dialogues are witty and well researched. The movie is an intellectual love. The movie is a good read!
August 07: The Secret Life of Walter Witty is an American Adventure. The cinematography is breathtaking, and the story-line is pleasing.
August 08: Bangalore Days is my first Malayalam movie. Though many of my friends had recommended this earlier, I had not then. The movie is a happy watch.
Set 02: 09 to 16 August
August 09: Looper is an American time travel movie. The movie keeps one hooked from the very first scene. The movie has several wow moments.
August 10: Ninu Veedani Needanu Nene is a Telugu thriller. The movie is well thought, and the story-line is unique. It’s not yet another college romance story.
August 11: Fack Ju Gohte 3 is a German comedy. Though this is the third one in the series, it can be watched without the previous two, and I haven’t as well—a typical comedy movie.
August 12: Grans is a Swedish Fantasy movie. It was an altogether different experience. I am sure a lot and different mysterious things are around us. The movie is a masterpiece.
August 13: Charlie, a Malayalam musical, made me hum its tunes for weeks (I still often do). The story, acting, actors, music, everything is heart soothing. The movie is creative chaos, and it’s beautiful.
August 14: School of life is an American inspirational drama. I connected it better being in academics. It inspired me in several ways to put up with my life better.
August 15: Kendasampige is a Kannada Thriller. I keep a close track of kannada movies and do watch them regularly. This movie has parts filmed in my city. The story-line is good, and the acting is real.
August 16: Before midnight is an American drama. The married couples (especially those who are 5+ years) will definitely connect to this. It’s a movie where dialogues are the plot. The acting is classic.
Set 03: 17 to 23 August
August 17: Parallel World Love Story is a Japanese thriller. The movie is slow-placed and is justified. It seems like a time travel movie, but it’s not.
August 18: I was un poco loco after watching American animated Coco. The movie connects one with family sentiments, and music is catchy. ‘Un poco loco’ is one of my favorites now. ‘Brilliant’ is the word.
August 19: Goodachari is a Telugu patriotic thriller. The casting is good. A well-made movie. With quite good twists, the movie keeps the charm.
August 20: Amelie is a French Drama. I am not sure if this has to be called drama. It’s also, maybe, fantasy. The unique story-line unquestionably gathers love.
August 21: Super Deluxe is a Tamil action. The interconnected plot and Rasukutty will win the hearts. The movie is real.
August 22: Gone Girl is an American Thriller. It messes you up. I ended up pitying for the lead male actor. I have the novel as well and prefer to start soon.
August 23: Ratsasan is a Tamil psychological crime movie. Have seen such movies with the similar theme plot lines earlier, and this movie does justify in every possible aspect. Definitely leaves one thrilled.
Set 04: 24 to 31 August
August 24: Parasite is a Korean comedy. The ending has a lesson and is unexpected. It connects well to modern society.
August 25: Easy A is an American teen comedy. Typical story-line, but enjoyable. There are no bits that drag and well-paced for quick enjoyment.
August 26: Mumbai Police is a Malayalam crime action. The ending is unexpected, and never can one guess that story would end that way. It took me a few minutes to settle back. Real and appealing.
August 27: C/O Surya is a Telugu drama. The not so common story-line is blend-in to a screenplay with a good cast and upbeat bits and pieces. The movie restores friendship and life goals.
August 28: Table 19 is an American comedy. The movie turned out to be a lot better than I had expected. The entire movie is over a wedding table and around, and directed with perfection. I enjoyed this one.
August 29: Maudie is a joint production from Ireland and Canada. It’s based on a true story. Slow paced and creative. The acting is classy and connects. Rejoices life.
August 30: Kannum Kannum Kollaiyadithaal is a Tamil drama. Enough twists and sensible. A happy watch. The two couples and the police keep it entertaining.
August 31: Snowpiercer is a Korean Sci-Fi. I guess this is what pretty much we have done to the world. The movie has a message to humanity. An apt movie to end my movie festival with.
* * * * *
Well, I am happy about how my August 2020 went. It was musical. It was a thriller, comedy and packed with enough romance and action. I guess I know what I am going to do with every August henceforth!
#31Days31Movies
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