Tag Archive for 'bollywood'

Why I liked WANTED

Published on September 30, 2009 in Moo-vies. 6 Comments Tags: , , .
wantedwantedwanted
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:

wanted

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: , , , , .

delhi-6

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: , , .

ghajini

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.

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