maraahmed.com

un cahier perlé

August 30, 2009
by mara.ahmed
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review: inglourious basterds

i know it’s unfair to compare everything tarantino does to “pulp fiction” – it’s just never gonna happen again. i know that. but “inglourious basterds” left me disappointed. the premise of the film is unusual – an alternative end to … Continue reading

June 27, 2009
by mara.ahmed
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review: donnie darko

so after years of being egged on by my brother, i finally saw “donnie darko” last night. what a trip! the film is a rich mix of psychological thriller, science fiction, comedy and drama. it doesn’t have a single dull … Continue reading

June 25, 2009
by mara.ahmed
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review: cassandra’s dream

dark woody allen film in the tradition of “crimes and misdemeanors”. inspired by greek tragedies, it explores the apparent steadiness of family bonds, the moral blindness engendered by ambition and greed, the finality of crime and the psychosis that it … Continue reading

May 28, 2009
by mara.ahmed
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film review: the house of sand

directed by andrucha waddington, “the house of sand” was shot in brazil’s northern state of maranhão with its pristine beaches, lagoons and sand dunes. the landscape is so stunning and otherworldly that it conflates into mood, theme and character. the … Continue reading

May 28, 2009
by mara.ahmed
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banksy

so strong, so incisive, so pithy, so intelligent. i am blown away. it would take pages and pages of words to convey the impact of this image. wow.

May 17, 2009
by mara.ahmed
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high falls 2009: tulpan

shot in southern kazakhstan, “tulpan” has the feel of a documentary. it proceeds at a languorous pace, exploring in great detail the life of nomadic sheepherders, etched against the vastness of the kazakh steppe. tulpan means tulip. it is the … Continue reading

May 4, 2009
by mara.ahmed
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short short film reviews

revolutionary road: steep descent into hellish world of disjointed marriage, 9 to 5 corporate bondage, and anesthetic, skin-deep suburban life. kate winslet is radiant as usual. she is trapped, suffocating in her perfect family life. leo dicaprio is uneasy in … Continue reading

April 6, 2009
by mara.ahmed
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33 variations

most people seated in the orchestra section of the eugene o’neill theater (april 4th, matinee performance) probably knew that i was a jane fonda fan. when i turned to my neighbor, a middle aged woman with forbiddingly short hair, and … Continue reading

February 23, 2009
by mara.ahmed
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entertaining mr sloane

saw the hottest play in london “entertaining mr sloane”. it was cool to see imelda staunton on stage – just loved her in vera drake. the acting was solid. the humor was dark and twisted with loads of sexual innuendo … Continue reading

February 14, 2009
by mara.ahmed
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the wrestler

saw “the wrestler” last week. i know that everyone’s saying it but nevertheless, mickey rourke is magnificent in this film. his performance is so honest, it’s heartbreaking. don’t get me wrong, this is not a sentimental film. like it’s hero … Continue reading