What I Watched – August 2025

Julius Caesar (1970): I’ve been on a Roman history reading project for a month. This 1970 star-studded movie was a faithful adaptation of the play. But, the whole Roman setting and the costumes made it a bit too ‘period’ for my taste.

Antony and Cleopatra: As in Julius Caesar, Charlton Heston also essays the role of Antony in this adaptation. None of the on-screen adaptations of Cleopatra does justice to the real Cleopatra, who was sharp, politically astute, and not just a mystically beautiful woman. Should watch the Elizabeth Taylor ‘Cleopatra’ this month.

Rome (Season 1): This was hands down the most entertaining on-screen adaptation of Caesar’s Civil War, ending with the Ides of March.

Roman Empire Season 2 (Master of Rome): I didn’t expect much when I started with this. but the short movie-documentary on Caesar was fantastic.

Imperium: Augustus: The great Peter O’Toole plays the role of Augustus here. As with most movies about the Roman emperors, a lot of creative liberties are taken, especially with the plot around his daughter Julia, and wife Livia.

August 1: For a movie that was made in 1988 and an adaptation of ‘The Day of the Jackal’, August 1, was simply ahead of its time. The real star is Sukumaran playing the Kerala CM and nonchalantly delivering cynical dialogues. Sad that he went too soon.

Janaki vs State of Kerala: The Thrissur MP’s latest is a dud.

War 2: Independence Day in Jodhpur was marked by watching this in the big screen. Our spy here flies a B2 bomber (the same one that was used to bust Iran’s nuclear facilities) in a scene. But when you think of it, if Tom Cruise manages to rake in millions jumping from anything and everything, our own desi boys should also be cheered for the same. No?

War: The completionists that my kids are… Had to watch the first installment with them

Kal Ho Na Ho : I watched this for the first time since its release in 2003. And I’m so grateful to have managed to dodge the bullet for 22 years.

The Electrical Life of Louis Wain: If cats are popular in our culture today, a lot of it is thanks to the art of Louis Wain, who made them a creature of admiration and pride during the early 20^th century. I got to know about Wain while browsing Kathryn Hughes’ ‘Catland: Feline Enchantment and the Making of the Modern World‘. Will write a separate post on Wain someday soon.

Hostage: Midway through this one and it’s managed to make me hooked so far. (The only hiccup was having to explain to my teenage daughter how a French President could hook up with her stepson)

2025: January | February | March | April | May | June | July