The Last King of Scotland
Kevin Macdonald
The plot is set in Uganda during the times of Idi Amin (Whitaker). A young Scottish doctor Garrigan (McAvoy) while on a medical mission accidentally turns out to be Amin's personal physician and closest confidante. Though mesmerised by the dictator's charisma, Garrigan soon realises his savagery and his own complicity in Amin's barbarism. Scenes of horror and betrayal ensue Dr. Garrigan's flight from Uganda amidst dramatic turns. A must-watch movie it unravels the misery of dictatorship. Splendid screenplay and splendid acting by Whitaker and McAvoy leave a lasting impression.
Forrest Gump
Robert Zemeckis
The film set in the 1950s opens with Forrest Gump (Tom Hanks) as a child with below average IQ but with a special trait of running very fast, which provides him an entry into the University of Alabama. He later joins the U.S. army during the Vietnam War and subsequently starts a shrimping business with a comrade. Forrest Gump's valour in war fetches him a Medal of Honour and gives him the opportunity to meet up with his childhood love Jenny (Robin Wright). The film won several awards, while a sublime reference to contemporary American society and politics forms part of the storyline.
City Lights
Charlie Chaplin
This blockbuster silent movie stars Charlie Chaplin in a romantic comedy drama. The story revolves around Tramp (Chaplin) and the blind flower girl (Virgina Cherrill). Tramp's struggle to get the girl's sight restored forms the central theme. Each scene has an element of slapstick and uses comic sense in a symbolic way.
Ratatouille
Brad Bird
Ratatouille won the Academy award for best animated feature and is computer animated comedy of a rat Remy (voice of Patton Oswalt) who aspires to be a culinary star and joins Linguini, a chef to create miraculously fabulous dishes. At the film's heart is the message that “anyone can cook”.
Warriors of Heaven and Earth
Ping He
This is a Chinese action adventure film. The Silk Route is controlled by 36 friendly Buddhist kingdoms. Lieutenant Lee (Jiang Wen), an expelled Chinese warrior, comes across a mysterious caravan containing a powerful relic and a young Buddhist monk. While guarding the relic he encounters Japanese emissary Lai Xi (Kiichi Nakai), sent by the Tang Emperor to kill him. In a dramatic twist, they postpone their duel to ensure the safe reach of the relic to the capital.
Those that almost made it
Troy: Wolfgang Petersen
The Godfather: Francis Ford Coppola
Who Am I: Jackie Chan
Ace Ventura - When Nature Calls: Steve Oedekrek
Big Daddy: Dennis Dugan
Mohan Krishna T.K., a former banker, is now a civil services aspirant based in Chinthamani, Karnataka. He loves watching both Hollywood and World Cinema.
