Blood Diamond
Edward Zwick
If there is a thriller which is poignant then Blood Diamond ranks first.Leonardo DiCaprio portrays Dannie Archer who is a diamond smuggler who hops all over Africa smuggling diamonds.The movie is based on illicit diamonds which fuels war, kidnaps children and finally ravages Africa.The movie shows how racism,poverty and crime still play a major role in war torn African countries. To sum up the movie captures the savagery,greed, anguish and hope of mankind.
The Prestige
Christopher Nolan
Set in 19th century London two friends turn into bitter rivals trying to outperform each other at any cost.Its a movie directed in a distinct nonlinear narrative which entrances and keeps the viewer glued till the end.Based on the novel The Prestige written by Christopher Priest the movie is about the obsession and passion both the central characters share for magic and fame.The film is essentially a thriller with good periodic details,some hellish inventors and all the old world yearning of making magic with scientific inventions. Hugh Jackman's and Christian Bale's performances are laudable but its the veteran Michael Caine who dominates the film.
The Assassination of Jessie James by the Coward Robert Ford
Andrew Dominik
Many films have been made about the notorious outlaw or southern loyalist Jessie James but this film tries to delve into the inner psyche of the last months of the protagonist(Jessie James) played by Bradd Pitt.Cassey Affleck's(Robert Ford)stellar performance is really praiseworthy,he subtly portrays the character of an admirer turned to a slayer.The film echoes with Jessie's displeasure with life ,which is supported by an elegant narration.Shot entirely in Alberta the photography is perfect and the soul stirring background score by the Australian duo(Nick Cave and Warren Ellis) makes the film compelling.
Pulp Fiction
Quentin Tarantino
The ultimate Neo-noir flick with Tarantino's characteristic nonlinear narrative is a movie which was like a breadth of fresh hair compared to the the rigid formula based movies of the 1990's.Written by Taratino himself the film is best known for its screenplay and its black humour.The films is full of drugs,pistols and crime set in Los Angels.The seedy world is captured not sympathetically or brutally but with reality and dark humour.John Travolta's resurrected his career with a good performance but its Samuel Jackson with his famous biblical soliloquy who is the showstopper.Pulp Fiction first attained cult status but now its an all time great which again widely opened the genre of Neo-noir.
The Bourne Ultimatum
Paul Greengrass
The Bourne Ultimatum is the third sequel of the famous Bourne series.Bourne who is relentless to figure out his identity escapes from authorities and the CIA in Moscow ,Paris and other cities to finally reach New York.It takes Jason to grapple a lot to know about his identity which is were the third part triumphs with its thrill a minute stuff.The film is beyond the usual thriller genre films with its packed intensity and awesome screenplay.Bourne Ultimatum is different because its doesn't stick on to the traditional cinematic bloody violence but moves on to use new innovations of making a thriller.
Those that almost made it
Road To Perdition - Sam Mendes
The Notebook - Nick Cassavetes
The End Of The Affair - Neil Jordan
Catch Me If You Can - Steven Spielberg
Legends Of The Fall - Edward Zwick
T.VIJAY KANTH
(I'm an Assistant Software Engineer
working in Accenture Chennai and a big
movie buff.)