Ugly (2014) Film Recommendation Post | Ronit Roy, Rahul Bhat & Vineet Kumar Singh, Dir: Anurag Kashyap - Shivom Oza

Each one of us has an UGLY side. No, it's not the concealed pimple/hidden scar. It's anger/hatred!

When was the last time you took advantage of somebody who was weak/gullible? When was the last time that you plotted to bring somebody down? Have you ever physically/verbally/mentally abused someone? Have you ever gotten angry only to realize later that you shouldn't have?

'Not being able to control oneself' is an excuse that criminals give after they've committed a crime.

Anurag Kashyap's Ugly showed me my UGLY side. Do watch the film and see if you can find yours. Peace!

Shivom Oza

Begin Again (2014) Film Recommendation Post | Mark Ruffalo, Keira Knightley - Shivom Oza

How does one cope up with a broken marriage, an estranged daughter and unemployment at the same time? An erstwhile music-business executive Dan (Mark Ruffalo), going through all the aforementioned troubles, attempts to redeem himself by helping a young singer-writer Gretta (Keira Knightley), who has her own share of problems, realize her potential in the field of music. Begin Again is a moving slice-of-life story about getting second chances in life. If you've ever gone through periods of self-doubt (post failure/betrayal), Begin Again should sort your head out. If the movie doesn't move you, its soundtrack definitely will!

Shivom Oza

Yellow (2014) Film Recommendation Post | Gauri Gadgil & Mrinal Kulkarni, Dir: Mahesh Limaye - Shivom Oza

This weekend, I watched a Marathi film Yellow, which was based on the life of a mentally challenged girl named Gauri Gadgil, who overcomes odds to become a champion swimmer. It is one of the most inspiring sporting stories that I have come across. How do we usually react when we see somebody who is mentally handicapped? We pity them, and worry about their future. After having watched this movie, I will not do that anymore. We may not realize it, but they do find their happiness in things that appeal to them. They are not necessarily 'suffering'!

Shivom Oza

Ankhon Dekhi (2014) Film Recommendation Post | Sanjay Mishra, Seema Pahwa & Namit Das, Dir: Rajat Kapoor - Shivom Oza

I kept resisting the urge to go for this film thinking, slow hogi yaar, mann nahin kar raha, 250 rupees kuch zyaada hi hai etc. However, I was more than happy to plant my foot in my mouth, when I walked out of the hall after watching this near-masterpiece. Ankhon Dekhi keeps you entertained throughout its duration, and the credit for that must be shared between the director Rajat Kapoor and the stellar cast. If you have not watched the movie yet (having the same apprehensions that I did), please don't wait. Apni ankhon se dekho, mazaa aayega!

Shivom Oza

Leave The World Behind (2014) Film Recommendation Post | Swedish House Mafia - Shivom Oza

I don't know much about Swedish House Mafia, but something about this film's trailer got me hooked on. The sight of these three maverick musicians zipping away on a speed boat with their biggest hit 'Don't you worry child' playing in the background, gave me a huge rush. Yes, they do play their most popular track frequently through this documentary. I wish they'd avoided that. However, the spectacular visuals of their packed concerts around the world, left me awestruck! If you're not big on live concerts, you must watch this film. You'll end up going for one, soon!

Shivom Oza

Highway (2014) Film Recommendation Post | Alia Bhatt & Randeep Hooda, Dir: Imtiaz Ali - Shivom Oza

The most striking aspect about Highway was how it stuck to the 'how traveling can be life-changing' theme from the beginning till the end. Thankfully, the plot doesn't completely shift focus to the love story or the sexual assault angle. Besides, traveling does not mean just commuting from one place to another whilst witnessing spectacular visuals. You discover your inner self only when you find yourself in alien situations, and are pushed to a corner. That's why Highway scores over most 'convenient' pseudo self-discovery movies such as Wake Up Sid! & ZNMD. And then, there's ARR's music too!

Shivom Oza

Queen (2014) Film Recommendation Post | Kangana Ranaut & Rajkummar Rao, Dir: Vikas Bahl - Shivom Oza

What really struck me about Queen is the simplicity in its characters, and their dialogues. I don't remember any other film, wherein the lead actor speaks about the quantity of aloo in samosas while asking a girl out, or a heroine who refers to a smooch as 'lip-to-lip-kiss'! Songs such as Kinare and O Gujariya stay with you long after the end credits (don't miss those) roll! It's a wonderful story, which evokes laughter and tears in equal measure, about a seemingly conservative girl who goes to Paris on her honeymoon - solo, and consequently, finds herself! Go watch! 

Shivom Oza