Weekend Watch

Here are five ways to spice up your weekend.

Film: Tezaab (Hindi)
Cast: Anil Kapoor [Images], Madhuri Dixit [Images], Chunky Pandey [Images], Johnny Lever, Kiran Kumar and Anupam Kher [Images]
Director: N Chandra

Plot: He (Kapoor) was an idealist, till he had an unfortunate run in with the law. A fun-loving friend to his cronies (Johnny Lever, Pandey) and intense lover to his vivacious girlfriend (Dixit), he takes to the world of crime under the weight of trying circumstances. A flashback reveals the history of his violence.

Aces: Tezaab is one of N Chandra's finest works. Its hard-hitting intensity and Laxmikant Pyarelal's fabulous soundtrack has not lost its appeal in all these years. Not only did the film showcase Anil Kapoor's charged performance, it also catapulted co-star Dixit to top league. Her spirited steps in Ek do teen remain immortal. Tezaab won four Filmfare trophies: Actor (Kapoor), Choreographer (Saroj Khan), Dialogues (Kamlesh Pandey) and Female Playback Singer (Alka Yagnik).

Extras: Available with English subtitles.

Film: A River Runs Through It (English)
Cast: Brad Pitt [Images], Craig Sheffer, Tom Skerritt, Brenda Blethyn, and Emily Lloyd
Director: Robert Redford

Plot: Set in Montana, this is the story of two brothers with contrasting personalities. One (Sheffer) is introverted while the other (Pitt) defies his Presbyterian priest father (Skirritt). This contrast is evident in their choice of lifestyle, which will eventually define them. But the one passion they never stop sharing is fly-fishing.

Aces: Adapted from Norman Maclean's autobiographical novella, this Robert Redford film touches you with its emotional subtlety and gorgeous cinematography (Philippe Rousselot notched an Oscar for his superb work). Full marks to Redford under whose delicate direction the cast comes up with first-rate acting.

Extras: Available with Spanish, French and Portuguese subtitles. Trailers for Seven Years In Tibet [Images] and The Devil's Own.

Film: Andaz (Hindi)
Cast: Raj Kapoor, Dilip Kumar [Images] and Nargis [Images]
Director: Mehboob Khan

Plot: A (Dilip Kumar) saves B (Nargis). A and B become friends. A falls in love with B. B makes A her business partner. When B's daddy dies, C (Raj Kapoor) arrives in the picture. Turns out B and C were involved all this time. They get married. A is left heartbroken. But post-marriage, a web of suspicion and jealousy ensues.

Aces: They don't make love triangles like Andaz anymore. Mehboob Khan created history by casting Hindi cinema's three legendary actors in the same frame. Though at the time he started this project, they were yet to attain superstar status. More importantly, his story didn't fall in the predictability trap and gave all its three artists ample scope to display their skills. Even though Khan's aversion to modernism in the subject is debatable, there is no arguing that Andaz is a classic. Naushad's unforgettable music is another reason to watch it.

Extras: Available with English subtitles.

Film: Whisper Of The Heart (Mimi Wo Sumaseba, Japanese)
Cast: Youko Honna, Kazuo Takahashi,Takashi Tachibana, Shigeru Muroi, Shigeru Tsuyuguchi and Keiju Kobayashi
Director: Yoshifumi Kondo
Plot: A enchanting tale of a young and restless junior high school student addicted to fairytales. One fine day, she bumps into a mysterious fat cat who leads her to an old antique storeowner, his violin maker grandson and a magical figurine. Through them she realises the dream her heart wants to follow.

Aces: An animated gem from Studio Ghibli. If you loved the Oscar winning Spirited Away, there is no way you will be let down by the late Kondo's beautiful film. Storyboarded and scripted by filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki, Whisper Of The Heart is exceptionally endearing and effortlessly engaging. Yuji Nomi's score lends the subject and its protagonists a dreamlike quality.

Extras: English subtitles. Two-disc special edition features both the original Japanese soundtrack and a newly dubbed English language soundtrack. Behind The Microphone featurette with the English language voice cast and footage from the dubbing sessions. Complete storyboards set to the movie soundtrack. Original Japanese theatrical trailer and TV spots.

Film: Mean Creek (English)
Cast: Rory Culkin, Ryan Kelley, Scott Mechlowicz, Trevor Morgan, Josh Peck and Carly Schroeder
Director: Jacob Aaron Estes
Plot: A bunch of Oregon kids decide to get naughty with the overweight school bully. Their prank meets with disastrous and life-altering results.

Aces: This one's no teen campus caper. Instead it's a rather dark film about teenagers for grown ups. Director Estes cleverly portrays the angst, confusion, impatience and impulsive mindset of the average youngster. He also explores the possibility behind uninvited provocation leading to unsettling retribution. The brilliance of this film lies in Estes making his point without being judgmental. Also, his young actors are a revelation.

Extras: Commentary by director Jacob Aaron Estes and cast.