Archive for the 'Moo-vies' Category

Why I liked WANTED

Published on September 30, 2009 in Moo-vies. 6 Comments Tags: , , .
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wantedNo, I am not a Salman Khan fan neither have I watched any film of his in years. Yes, I did have a week long vacation and after a bit of research (if you can really call it that) online, DBH ultimately got slammed and Wanted was apparently a ‘must watch’.
So these are the reasons why I liked Wanted:

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No, I’m not a fan of Salman Khan neither have I watched a film of his in years. Yes, I did have a week long vacation and after a bit of research online, Dil Bole Hadippa apparently got slammed and they said WANTED was in a much better position. So WANTED it was eventually.

It was hard not to like the movie. Mainly because:

1. Salman Khan has come a long way from his over-the-top, comic (if you can call it that) performances where he acts pretty goofy and squeaks in a high tone for much part of the movie. Imho, he was in this movie – much like Shah Rukh Khan was in Chak De! – a brooding guy, who effortlessly convinced us he was the ultimate bad guy. I am impressed with Salman Khan. I may also have turned into a fan of his, you never know.

Another reviewer called WANTED Salman’s Ghajini. And I must agree. He is pretty much a one-man army in this movie. But then again, which hero isnt a Superman in our bollywood movies, eh?

2. Mahesh Manjrekar as the evil cop was realistic, even though he’s kinda being typecased as the bad guy in recent times. I mean, the guy can direct as well as act. What a package. He fully misuses his powers as a cop and does some terrible things that make you want to get sick but I like him. Oh all right, I am a fan of his from now onwards as well.

3. This movie has a bit of romance, comedy, drama, action – you name it. The crowd in the theatre laughed and laughed, while I gaped at the lady next to me who was trying to stop laughing, talk to her kid on the phone and capture the seat handle on my side, all at the same time. I bet she enjoyed the movie best amongst all of us.
4. Prabhudeva as a dancer or a director? I’ll take both. He shakes a leg at the first opening song, Michael Jackson style and that was the only song in the movie that I wanted played a little longer so that he could do a mean moonwalk as well – but that was not to be.
5. I have always heard that Salman Khan needs very little excuse to lose his shirt.  And after watching this movie, I can vouch that this is totally true! He does have a totally hubba-hubba-hubba body so I guess no one’s complaining.
In retrospect, there were certain not-so-interesting areas for example:
  • A little too many songs popping in out of nowhere, which I guess is sadly inevitable in a Bollywood movie.
  • Salman does a James Bond in this movie and has a – wait for it – license to kill. He can apparently finish off anyone and get away with it.
  • The story twists and turns with some unexpected events unfolding at the end but that doesnt stop the audience from whistling and clapping in open admiration. They loved the film so no need to rationalize things too much, I guess.
All in all, WANTED was an interesting movie. Havent watched a commercial Bollywood movie like it in ages. Dont miss it!

Did you watch Delhi 6?

Published on February 26, 2009 in Moo-vies. 20 Comments Tags: , , , , .

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I did today and I’m torn between deciding whether I liked it or not. Prior to the movie, I had no idea who was in it, who had directed it or what was it all about. Now that I’m done watching it, I got to know that:

  1. Well known actors from other previously successful movies have been cast in the movie. Therefore, there are a lot of familiar (read: stereotyped) faces assembled together to work their magic. Now I’m not against people finding work or anything but maybe some new faces would have eradicated the sense of deja-vu throughout the film.
  2. The movie’s about portraying the age old charm of Delhi. No wait, its about religious differences. But there is also romance and family drama and the Taj Mahal! And about 10 other topics that were feel-good but crammed into a 3 hour visual that couldnt decide which topic to focus on at best.

The movie starts when Abhishek Bachchan’s grandmom is diagnosed with old people’s disease(s) in the US and she insists on going back to Delhi so she can die at home. They land in Delhi airport and are immediately introduced to the tales of The Monkey Man on TV, who made several real-time news headlines sometime back by attacking people in the streets of Delhi.

In the meanwhile, our hero meets the object of his affection and does weird things like interfere in her arranged marriage proposal meetings to slapping a local cop back in reply thereby landing in jail briefly.

Heavy focus is given on the we-all-love-each-other Indian togetherness where people totally unrelated to each other do things like take granny to the hospital not to mention feeding her porridge at night. Neighbours love each other explicitly thus even though own brothers put up a wall in their house to live separately albeit under the same roof.

Continue reading ‘Did you watch Delhi 6?’

Why I liked Ghajini

Published on January 11, 2009 in Moo-vies. 16 Comments Tags: , , .

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Before I watched the movie, I read a really scathing review in a friend’s blog. So I was all prepared to dislike the movie and start finding its faults before I had finished my popcorn. The only glaring one I unearthed was that Jiah Khan girl with her irritating demeanour and nosy ways. She should stick to doing item numbers and I agree with my friend completely when he said that someone should have killed her instead at the end of the movie!

So these are the reasons why I liked Ghajini, the movie:

  • I dont watch a lot of Bollywood movies but I dont remember a film ever before being named after the lead Villian! Now how often does that happen? Yes, people who havent watched the movie (if there are any), Ghajini is the nasty villian who hacks Aamir’s girlfriend to death. Its interesting because most Indian film makers tend to label their films with the hero’s names only. This was refreshingly different.
  • Aamir Khan looks good even at his age. Now for someone who’s scared of growing old and dreading turning 30, this guy is quite an inspiration. And of course, I dont need to tell you how good an actor he is and how much fans like the rest of us wait for his once-in-a-year movies.
  • The lead actress, Asin really holds her own against Aamir Khan. For a debut performance, she didnt let herself be overshadowed in the mighty performance of her co-star. In fact, by the intermission – I was feeling quite mutinous myself and understanding why Aamir would want his revenge for the murder of a life so vivacious.
  • You know how Bollywood movies are all so preachy and have this little moral at the end of it? Well, this one’s got one too and it is this – No good ever comes out of being helpful and kind in this world. After all the girl does get killed for doing the right thing. At least, the movie has an honest theme and is anything but preachy!
  • Mr Ghajini for inventing the golf swing as a new way to murder people. Also, he endeared himself (to me at least) for pronouncing ’short term memory loss’ as shot turm memry lass! He was the ultimate bad guy and I cringed inwardly whenever he yelled on screen.
  • The movie enthralled the audience, for sure. Three ladies sitting next to me oohed and aahed and cursed Aamir for leaving his cell phone in the car while his poor girlfriend is calling him for help. The whole audience gasped collectively when Aamir was being bludgeoned to near death. They all laughed out loud at the funny moments and drew sharp, breath intakes at the climax. And yes, the cinema hall was full even after two weeks of release.

Of course, there were certain pitfalls like songs popping in out of nowhere and how long the movie was and so on. But these were nothing compared to Aamir’s rippling muscles flexed while he was in the gym! Overall, a paisa wasool movie. Go watch it, if you havent already.

At the movies

Published on June 16, 2008 in Moo-vies. 7 Comments Tags: , .

The bad news is that I watched Woodstock Villa and Sarkar Raj in the same afternoon. The good news (at least for me) is that I lived to write this post. I’ll say one thing for Sikandar: Woodstock Villa isnt really his debut movie. Really. Its actually a three-hour long music album with bits of acting thrown in by so-called debutantes and one Arbaaz Khan who’s now an expert at doing odd bit roles, I think.

The music throughout the film is loud, garishly jing-chak and I felt like I was permanently stuck in a discotheque rather than a dark theatre. The movie is like a slumbering giant that somehow bides its time and wakes up in the last few minutes to reach a most interesting climax that Hitchcock himself would approve.

While Sikandar is so refreshingly different from the regular yuppies who debut on the big screen whether you want them to or not, I expected a more sensible film from the son of Anupam and Kirron Kher. Woodstock Villa turned out to be the exact typical, bollywood masala movie that I dread and want to stay miles away from. I watched this one just for you, Mr & Mrs Kher.

As for Sarkar Raj, I knew it was going to be a most sober movie with no light moments whatsoever even as Abhishek Bachchan stares at the camera dead panned and a loud clanging follows every piece of affecting dialogue delivered by the hero. I was not disappointed, thereby not bothered much.

All three Bachchans were deadly serious in the movie and Abhiskek went the extra mile to finally end his role in it. Sarkar’s 10-minute long monologue at the end of the movie seemed like hours to me as somehow this person and that person was behind this plot and had planned to do this, through him and to god only knows what.

The ending was so unbelievable as Ram Gopal Varma shares his thoughts with the audience when Sarkar orders his grandson back home before the curtains fell. One can guess that he plans to resurrect Abhishek Bachchan in Sarkar-Part III wherein he will play the grandson in a inimitable style unique to Bollywood. Good luck to everyone involved and especially to us, the guinea pig of an audience.

Idiot movie allergy

Published on February 29, 2008 in Moo-vies and Uncategorized. 4 Comments Tags: .

I am often accused of being an Anglophile especially when it comes to voicing out my opinions about tacky hindi movies replete with the usual, loud song & dance routines. Okay, so my favourite hero isnt the effervescent, stuttering Shah Rukh Khan and I cannot help but laugh at silly, melodramatic sob stories like Baghban but that doesnt mean I am anti Indian cinema at large. For me, a non-funny production like ‘Welcome’ just doesnt epitomise the essence of a comedy movie and god forbid I have to watch another disaster like the screechy song or title, I couldnt make out which one - ‘Apne toh apne hote hai….’

I admit a movie such as any of the above doesnt appeal to me at any level and I dont usually put myself through three, sometimes four hours of gruelling rollercoaster of emotions to finally leave the cinema hall thinking, now thats wasted time of my life thats never coming back. I dont like a regular, masala movie because I cannot accept anyone breaking into an abrupt song come what emotion may. Nor can I tolerate a holier-than-thou, self sacrificing lead who lets people walk all over him/her in an effort to show society what an awesome role model one should be like.

Extreme on-screen Gandhigiri doesnt work for me. I’d rather the character be a bit more human, with accepted flaws and more grey shades than the puppet-makers care to portray. I’m more of a Rahul Bose fan and can effortlessly watch a Mr & Mrs Iyer or a Page 3 than I can with a Don or Dhoom 2,3,4 and so on.

I cant think of any recent movies that I’d like to watch, not even Jodha Akbar. I dont mind admitting I have a severe allergy towards idiot movies and I’m finally beginning to wonder the name of the type of audience I belong to.

Way back into love

Published on February 11, 2008 in Moo-vies. 0 Comments

The rise of a fallen star

Published on January 9, 2008 in Moo-vies. 4 Comments

Apparently, people are loathe to accept this movie as a brilliant directional debut. I really dont care about all the in-depth scrutiny of how winning a painting competition isnt an everyday occurrence & doesnt happen in real life. I just loved this movie.

I am copy pasting the review I wrote sometime back even though I contradict myself when I said I wont be blogging for a long time. I should really watch what I say (or live upto it) whichever is applicable.

‘Taare Zameen Par’ speaks volumes of Amir Khan’s progress from an actor, and quite a good one at that, to the director who comes through with a movie detailing his astute  observation about the pressure kids today have to face, thanks to their parents forever goading them to get that first place in every field. He reflects on the screen everyday events like a crowd at midday watching – for no reason – a crane busy at work, strict teachers who run the school tighter than a Nazi camp or the kid hiding his fake absent note all rolled and bound by a pink kite string hoping that it would stay buried in the magazine rack forever.

I loved the movie thoroughly even though a supposedly extroverted Nikumbh, with his dramatic entry as a loud showman clown in the movie unexpectedly resumes the role of a teary-eyed, emotional teacher. Or the sheer amount of songs in the movie. I mean, surely the lack of a female lead, thereby reducing the romantic angle scenario would have curbed the song factor. No such luck.

I also thought the appearance of an animated Spaceman Spiff (of Calvin & Hobbes fame) like character showing up while Ishaan day dreams about the answer of 3 X 9 was unsettling for an original movie.

Barring all these, what I did like about the movie was an adept sense of humour that effortlessly seamed the story forward. Ishaan breaking the neighbour’s outdoor flower pots while fleeing home after a fight, his father then packing his bags while the pathetic little boy begs him to stay; only to have the look on his face replaced by one of annoyance when he realizes dad’s only going for an office tour.

Particular touching scenes were those of Ishaan gawking at a labourer buying his son an iced lolly probably remembering his own, strict and inaccessible father. The red flip book was a superb touch to funnily make a point as to how unwanted and lost Ishaan feels in his own family. The paintings were awesome although I cringed a bit when Nikumbh uttered – ‘Such bold use of colour’ while showing Ishaan’s paintings to the headmaster. This standard line of painting discussion is so passé.

Nevertheless, the movie fills you up with a sense of pity for the lonely, misfit of a child. You cannot help but feel a twinge of heart when the boy who was perennially scolded, punished and humiliated ends up not having enough courage to receive praises  unexpectedly. That’s why when he is called on stage to collect his prize, Ishaan hides in
the crowd for he does not want to be the centre of attention.

A note of mention to the crippled boy, Rajan Damodran who always stands first in Ishaan’s new school; he embodied perfection with his angelic face & sweet demeanour. What was evident was the startling contrast of personality and intelligence between the two boys. Yet they manage to be good friends with Ishaan realizing that everyone does not have to be all that perfect.

The movie ends by giving a fuzzy, warm feeling in the heart as you watch Nikumbh’s special bonding with Ishaan. I couldn’t help but notice that Ishaan’s father had for once changed his clothes from his standard formal suits into a casual half sleeved shirt at the end. Could this change also reflect his change of heart that would make him be a better father to his son? I would like to think so.

You may like ‘Taare Zameen Par’ or you may love it, as I did. If you didn’t like it altogether, I can’t possibly imagine why.

What I did till now

Published on December 21, 2007 in Moo-vies. 2 Comments

I stumbled across a terrific movie called Apocalypto directed by Mel Gibson what with all the time left on my hands during my never ending vacation. I’ve watched it thrice already which is another way of saying that I loved the movie thoroughly. I dont think I’ve quite watched a movie before wherein the real intrigue starts in the last half hour and climaxes to a brilliant end.

Another movie that I had a blast watching was The Anchorman – The legend of Ron Burgundy. My favourite part was the gang war between the top two TV channels – the war heating up to include chain welding members of other two channels listed number 3 and 4 in the popularity rating. The funniest part was (my favourite) Ben Stiller joining the war as a member of the Spanish News and later on fleeing to the wails of the police sirens exclaiming: Policia! The gang war escalates to such a level where people get their hands chopped off and someone’s set on fire while another gets thrown through a car windshield. Magnificiento.

Since I didnt have anything else to do, I ended up watching a lot more DVDs than I anticipated. I was fascinated by Renee Zellweger as she played the lead in Miss Potter. Her accent brought back fond memories of Bridget Jones diary too. Beatrix Potter is a children’s author who loves and loses the man she would have eventually married. Her drawings of rabbits in blue jackets and brass buttons, clutching red radishes made me remember those Enid Blyton books that I used to read when I was a child. The Brer Bear, Brer Wolf, Brer Rabbit one.

I dont usually watch DVDs but after these wonderful movies, I’m hooked. And also, it feels nice to be back in the blogosphere after what seems like ages.

Freaky Friday

Published on November 2, 2007 in Moo-vies. 0 Comments

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I dont know why I like this movie so much. I have watched it like 10 times already still I went and watched it all over again last night. Jamie Lee Curtis is awesome when she’s trapped in the body of her 15 year old daughter, Anna. Here were my favourite dialogues:

Anna (actually Mom): Hello. Hello in there? Wake up, honey. Wake up. Wake up! That is it!

Mom (actually Anna): [Groaning] Oh…Oh, could I just have, like, one minute, please?

Anna: Honey. Look, I think something’s happened to us.

Mom: (All wide eyed) What are you???

Anna: It’s me. Mom.

Mom: You’re not my mother!!!

Anna: Yes, I am.

Mom: Get away, you clone freak!

Anna: Don’t you use that tone with me.

Mom: Oh, my God, you are my mother!!!

Anna: And you’re not who you think you are.

Mom: (Looking at the mirror) Look at me!

Anna: We seem to be inside each other.

Mom: I’m old!

Anna: I beg your pardon!

Mom: Oh, I’m like the Crypt-keeper!

Anna: Okay, that’s enough.

Both: (Looking at each other) Aaaaaaahhhhhh!!!!

Laga chunari mein daarrrggghhh!

Published on October 30, 2007 in Gender blender, Moo-vies and No good. 8 Comments Tags: , .

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You know whats worse than watching a bad movie? Discussing that the movie wasnt all that bad with someone who actually liked it. That too on a monday morning. This movie has now made me stay away from Indian cinema for a long time to come.

The only thing that drew me to watch it in the first place was my friend exclaiming “Journey of a woman! I wont be missing this film” So naturally, being the undying supporter of all things female, I landed myself in the middle of a high society ‘exclusive’ call girl’s story while her family happily spends the cash received back home in re-decorating the house.

Rani Mukerji was the wrongest of wrong choice to play the protagonist. I couldnt bring myself to tear my eyes away from her absurd hair styles while on her way to ‘business’. She had zilch personality on screen. Kudos to the Indian cinema think tanks – if the leading lady opts to live or work the wrong path, she’s supposed to be sad, teary-eyed all in a desperate attempt to garner the masses’ sympathy. And to show that while they’re not endorsing her in any manner, she is in the wrong so naturally, she’s half-dead and cant live a normal life.

While I was reminded by my friend early in the morning, that such cases of small town girl falling easy prey to hyenas of the big city and settlling for peddling skin to earn big bucks for her miserable family do happen, yet translating it in reel life does not necessarily work, as was the case here. Did I mention that the opening shot of the movie is a song and dance routine which pretty much tells you that the rest of the movie is going to be as boring, if not more.

Of the saving grace was Konkona Sen Sharma, who plays the sister… although as brilliant as she is, her performance is a bit deja-vu of say, Metro? The rest of the characters are reasonably okay. My main gripe is with the leading lady who is wasted in the movie while we all know how good an actor she is otherwise.

I remember laughing a lot while watching the movie. Not because of the absent comedy but at myself for putting my brain through three hours (?) of non-stop drama that just didnt work for me. And the movie hall wont see me back for a long time now. Tough luck!

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