25. A Single Man (6.5/10)
At least the year ended on a positive note. A poignant tale of a man who has just lost is lover and is trying to come in terms with the fact. The way director has portrayed the loneliness that Colin Firth is going through is amazing. You can feel the emptiness in his life and how much he could use a friend. Though the film tends to get tooo slow and draggy at places but I think that was necessary to keep the soul of the book alive. Definitely a good watch.
24. Love Ka Tadka (Hindi) (0.5/10)
Featuring Nauheed Cyrusi and Sameer Dattani, this is nothing but a bad bad film. There is no excuse to make such films. Boy-girl meet, fall in love, get married. Boy doesn't have money, girl's father is visiting and now they have to act up as if everything is fine. Gosh!! Gimme a break!!
23. Julie and Julia (7/10)
Wonderful movie. Showing parallely the lives of julia Child, the legendary French cook book writer and julie Powell who mastered the art of cooking every single recipe and blog about it. Great acting by Amy Adams and Meryl Streep, I also liked the honesty with which both the husbands supported their wife. Definitely a watch.
22. Dashavtar (Tamil) (1/10)
What was this? This was self-indulgence to its height. Kamal Hassan please spare us. Every act of his is so OTT and there is a stupid story to tell (or is there?). This is such an utter waste of time, effort, money and talent for everyone in the movie and everyone watching the movie.
21. Kurbaan (Hindi) (7/10)
Another ilm that dealt with terrorism and Muslims albeit handled in a different manner. Initially the movie moves fast but after a while when all cards are open, the film moves on with single focus of terrorism. The debate in the class on who's right who's wrong (America's war vs terrorism) was a god discussion. Kareena, Saif and Vivek were all good specially Vivek. SOme more detailing should have been given to the locations. Although I can see why the film would not work on box office because of its dark theme and a very focussed subject which doesn't entertain you but makes you think.
20. Beynelmilel (Turkish) [The International] (4.5/10)
We learn the life of Gevendes' - local musicians- in Adiyaman region. People were looking for a little bit freedom for their way of life. For the moment, it seems strange even listening music was prohibited by law makers. We should appreciate the freedom we have now. It is definitely that the freedom needs enlargement in Turkey. The movie was simple and nice
19. London Dreams (Hindi) (3.5/10)
This is not what I expected from Vipul Shah. Such an ordinary story. Just by shooting it in London and changing the setting to some lavish UK locations and throw in some Italy and Paris is not going to make a film. The actors just dont suit the characters. The music is bad considering it is supposed to be a movie about a band. Surprisingly bad film by a director who I thought directed decent films so far.
Monday, December 28, 2009
Saturday, December 19, 2009
I Think I can do it
18. The International (3/10)
Interpol agent Clive Owen has been on the brink of conclusive evidence against the villainous international bank, but his sources always end up dead. WIth the help of Manhattan District Attorney Naomi Watts, he stumbles on the trail of the bank's favorite hit man, through whom he might finally get his trail. The film was confusing and things would happen randomly. For me the film was worth watching only for architectural beauty of Italy and Turkey that they showed.
17. Mrs. Doubtfire (7/10)
Everyone has seen the movie and loved it. Finally I also managed to watch it and of course absolutely loved it. Robin Williams has done such a great job. It is entertaining to the core. It was interesting to see Pierce Brosnan in his pre-Bond days. Overall very very entertaining.
16. Radio (Hindi) (6/10)
I had literally zero expectations from the movie and like most times it works to the movies advantage. Himesh actually did a pretty good job in his acting. He was OTT. After getting divorced from his wife Sonal Sehgal, he meets Shenaz Treasurywala and a fake love affair starts between them for Radio TRPs. At some point Sonal wants to return back to his life. He likes Shenaz to but is utterly confused on what to do. Himesh's scenes with Shenaz's family are very entertaining. Even the songs are very god and placed well. They are a lot but still manageable.
15. Zor Lagake Haiyya (Hindi) (4/10)
A bunch of kids make a tree house and their life revolves around it. A big builder Gulshan Grover wants to get rid of the tree but the kids dont want it. They try their best by playing different tricks. A roadside beggar Mithun is also a part of the plan t save the tree. The film is decent with some nice message for greenery but one whole film surrounding the tree is a little too ambitious specially in Bollywood.
14. Inside Twin Towers (Documentary) (5.5/10)
A very very insightful and interesting documentary. Based on some experiences of people who were saved in the terrorist act and what they actually went through during that horrifying ordeal. Even though most of the scenes were enacted, it looked very real and some of the scenes were heart-wrenching. Watching the towers fall down still gives me chills.
13. Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani (Hindi) (7/10)
Wow! What a film and what an actor Ranbir Kapoor is. The whole party sequence where he is continuously dancing is just unbelievable. The movie is a very ordinary sweet simple friendship turned love story between Ranbir and Katrina but Santoshi's execution of this simple subject is very captivating. Mixed with great performances and a melodious score, no wonder this movie was a hit at box-office.
12. The Manchurian Candidate (6/10)
Serving together in the Persian Gulf War, Denzel Washington and Sgt. Raymond Shaw were part of a platoon of soldiers kidnapped and brainwashed. Ten years later, Shaw gears up for his vice presidential campaign while Denzel eventually remembers being kidnapped and discovers Shaw's powerful mother played a big part in that scheme. Determined to reveal the truth behind everything, Denzel must first convince Shaw that the brainwashing really happened. It is scary to watch such movies and to think that there are people out there who will do anything to get power. Power specially in politics can make you so ruthless.
11. Avatar (6.5/10)
Fantabulous visuals but less than half can be said about the story. No doubt, anyone who watches this film would not have seen anything this spectacular on the screen before bu fr me the fact that just about everything was based on visuals does not do the trick. Plus I guess the fact that I watched the film at 12:01 show in the night (just to catch first show of the movie), I was not able to enjoy the movie to the fullest. Maybe I will give it another chance.
Interpol agent Clive Owen has been on the brink of conclusive evidence against the villainous international bank, but his sources always end up dead. WIth the help of Manhattan District Attorney Naomi Watts, he stumbles on the trail of the bank's favorite hit man, through whom he might finally get his trail. The film was confusing and things would happen randomly. For me the film was worth watching only for architectural beauty of Italy and Turkey that they showed.
17. Mrs. Doubtfire (7/10)
Everyone has seen the movie and loved it. Finally I also managed to watch it and of course absolutely loved it. Robin Williams has done such a great job. It is entertaining to the core. It was interesting to see Pierce Brosnan in his pre-Bond days. Overall very very entertaining.
16. Radio (Hindi) (6/10)
I had literally zero expectations from the movie and like most times it works to the movies advantage. Himesh actually did a pretty good job in his acting. He was OTT. After getting divorced from his wife Sonal Sehgal, he meets Shenaz Treasurywala and a fake love affair starts between them for Radio TRPs. At some point Sonal wants to return back to his life. He likes Shenaz to but is utterly confused on what to do. Himesh's scenes with Shenaz's family are very entertaining. Even the songs are very god and placed well. They are a lot but still manageable.
15. Zor Lagake Haiyya (Hindi) (4/10)
A bunch of kids make a tree house and their life revolves around it. A big builder Gulshan Grover wants to get rid of the tree but the kids dont want it. They try their best by playing different tricks. A roadside beggar Mithun is also a part of the plan t save the tree. The film is decent with some nice message for greenery but one whole film surrounding the tree is a little too ambitious specially in Bollywood.
14. Inside Twin Towers (Documentary) (5.5/10)
A very very insightful and interesting documentary. Based on some experiences of people who were saved in the terrorist act and what they actually went through during that horrifying ordeal. Even though most of the scenes were enacted, it looked very real and some of the scenes were heart-wrenching. Watching the towers fall down still gives me chills.
13. Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani (Hindi) (7/10)
Wow! What a film and what an actor Ranbir Kapoor is. The whole party sequence where he is continuously dancing is just unbelievable. The movie is a very ordinary sweet simple friendship turned love story between Ranbir and Katrina but Santoshi's execution of this simple subject is very captivating. Mixed with great performances and a melodious score, no wonder this movie was a hit at box-office.
12. The Manchurian Candidate (6/10)
Serving together in the Persian Gulf War, Denzel Washington and Sgt. Raymond Shaw were part of a platoon of soldiers kidnapped and brainwashed. Ten years later, Shaw gears up for his vice presidential campaign while Denzel eventually remembers being kidnapped and discovers Shaw's powerful mother played a big part in that scheme. Determined to reveal the truth behind everything, Denzel must first convince Shaw that the brainwashing really happened. It is scary to watch such movies and to think that there are people out there who will do anything to get power. Power specially in politics can make you so ruthless.
11. Avatar (6.5/10)
Fantabulous visuals but less than half can be said about the story. No doubt, anyone who watches this film would not have seen anything this spectacular on the screen before bu fr me the fact that just about everything was based on visuals does not do the trick. Plus I guess the fact that I watched the film at 12:01 show in the night (just to catch first show of the movie), I was not able to enjoy the movie to the fullest. Maybe I will give it another chance.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Few more movies added
10. Fruit and Nut (Hindi) (4.5/10)
A mapcap comedy whose central character Cyrus Broacha is a simple, nerdy, 'buddhu' type of person who is looking for friends and love. One fine day his colleague Dia Mirza gets kidnapped. How and why Boman Irani has done this and what's Mahesh Majrekar's involvement comes clear after a series of roller coaster and comical mishaps. Acting wise, everyone is good. The film just did not hold my attention
9. Far From Heaven (6/10)
Julianne Moore, an amazing fusion of vulnerability and will power, plays a housewife whose husband has a secret gay life. When she finds solace in the company of a black gardener (Dennis Haysbert), rumors and peer pressure destroy any chance she has at happiness. It's astonishing how a movie with such a stylized veneer can be so emotionally compelling; the cast and filmmakers have such an impeccable command of the look and feel of the genre that every moment is simultaneously artificial and deeply felt. Its laudable for director to handle issues of racism and sexuality so beautifully.
8. Paanch (Hindi) (5/10)
The movie has never released but I got hold of a pirated version that released on the internet. Excellent performances, Anurag Kashyap's hold on the plot is very evident for the get go. He has touched upon teenager's drug, music and greed issues. Story might not be very novel but handled in a very dark manner, exposing the grey side of human brain, this movie definitely catches your attention The problem of the film i sits length. Almost 3 hour long, the movie needs some serious editing.
7. Wonder Boys (6.5/10)
This is a very interesting movie. Tobey Macguire acted very well. Michael Douglas is an aging professor who has been writing a novel for many years and cant stop it. Its gone beyond 2000 pages. His wife has left him, his affair with her department's head is in soup since she is pregnant. Now his editor Robert Downey Jr is in own wanting to read his script and then there is his literature student Katie Holmes who is more than interested in easing his pain. And then we have another student Tobey who will soon be responsible for a very disruptive but a life changing weekend for everyone involved.
6. 42 kms (Hindi) (0.5/10)
A film portraying life of 4 people from different sections of society. How they use marathon to change their lives form this move. The film is completely illogical and very poor performances from Mandira Bedi, Bikram Saluja, Porab kohli and everyone else involved. Complete waste of time.
A mapcap comedy whose central character Cyrus Broacha is a simple, nerdy, 'buddhu' type of person who is looking for friends and love. One fine day his colleague Dia Mirza gets kidnapped. How and why Boman Irani has done this and what's Mahesh Majrekar's involvement comes clear after a series of roller coaster and comical mishaps. Acting wise, everyone is good. The film just did not hold my attention
9. Far From Heaven (6/10)
Julianne Moore, an amazing fusion of vulnerability and will power, plays a housewife whose husband has a secret gay life. When she finds solace in the company of a black gardener (Dennis Haysbert), rumors and peer pressure destroy any chance she has at happiness. It's astonishing how a movie with such a stylized veneer can be so emotionally compelling; the cast and filmmakers have such an impeccable command of the look and feel of the genre that every moment is simultaneously artificial and deeply felt. Its laudable for director to handle issues of racism and sexuality so beautifully.
8. Paanch (Hindi) (5/10)
The movie has never released but I got hold of a pirated version that released on the internet. Excellent performances, Anurag Kashyap's hold on the plot is very evident for the get go. He has touched upon teenager's drug, music and greed issues. Story might not be very novel but handled in a very dark manner, exposing the grey side of human brain, this movie definitely catches your attention The problem of the film i sits length. Almost 3 hour long, the movie needs some serious editing.
7. Wonder Boys (6.5/10)
This is a very interesting movie. Tobey Macguire acted very well. Michael Douglas is an aging professor who has been writing a novel for many years and cant stop it. Its gone beyond 2000 pages. His wife has left him, his affair with her department's head is in soup since she is pregnant. Now his editor Robert Downey Jr is in own wanting to read his script and then there is his literature student Katie Holmes who is more than interested in easing his pain. And then we have another student Tobey who will soon be responsible for a very disruptive but a life changing weekend for everyone involved.
6. 42 kms (Hindi) (0.5/10)
A film portraying life of 4 people from different sections of society. How they use marathon to change their lives form this move. The film is completely illogical and very poor performances from Mandira Bedi, Bikram Saluja, Porab kohli and everyone else involved. Complete waste of time.
Thursday, December 03, 2009
It's Bollywood time
5. Tum Mile (Hindi) (4.5/10)
I think my patience level for Hindi films has gone down. This is a love story of Emraan Hashmi and Soha who meet 6 years after their breakup in the backdrop of Mumbai rains on 26th July. Movie keeps going in flashbacks. Love story is ok, nothing novel. Rain and flood scenes are done ok. Only thing nice I can think of is that Soha acted pretty good and natural.
4. Aladin (Hindi) (4/10)
Nice concept gone wrong by overconfidence. Movie started well, nice and funny. But somewhere it got unnecessarily serious and gimicky. Sanjay Dutt was total gimmick. If the movie was just about Aladin and Amitabh, the genie, it would have been fabulous. Love angle was absolutely unnecessary and Bachchan Sr overacted quite a bit. Sujoy, enough of 'Aladin' and 'Home Delivery'. Give us 'Jhankar Beats' back
3. De Dhana Dan (Hindi) (5.5/10)
I think some movies make a dierence by how and when you watch it. I am sure had I watched this film with friends in a theatre full of people laughing, I would have def enjoyed it. Like a typical Priyadarshan film with 20 off characters, this film is all about confusion and how people are mistaken for someone they are not. Its hilarious. But the fact I watched it by myself in a theatre occupancy of maybe 20, it was just an ok affair for me. Akshay can now just sleepwalk in these kind of films
2. Paa (Hindi) (6/10)
Thank God that Amitabh Bachchan did not bring Bachchanism in his character of 13 year old Auro. Its very sensitive and funny too. More than paa, film should have been Maa. Vidya Balan has much stronger role, character and she did full justice to it. She is great. Abhishek is just ok. I still wonder why the film was called Paa, considering Abhishek comes to know of his son just minutes before the film ends. Watch it for Vidya and Amitabh
1. Aao Wish Karein (Hindi) (3.5/10)
Another movie gone wrong. I think these kind of stories need to either be done exceptionally well or just relegate to TV. A younger kid suddenly finds himself grown up because he loves this neighborhood girl. And then various things happen which are clearly not very important. Aftab was good. Aamna Sharif had really nothing to do. This film has could have done ok if it was made strictly for kids but somewhere producers get greedy and cant keep a balance between kid flick and romantic youth flick.
I think my patience level for Hindi films has gone down. This is a love story of Emraan Hashmi and Soha who meet 6 years after their breakup in the backdrop of Mumbai rains on 26th July. Movie keeps going in flashbacks. Love story is ok, nothing novel. Rain and flood scenes are done ok. Only thing nice I can think of is that Soha acted pretty good and natural.
4. Aladin (Hindi) (4/10)
Nice concept gone wrong by overconfidence. Movie started well, nice and funny. But somewhere it got unnecessarily serious and gimicky. Sanjay Dutt was total gimmick. If the movie was just about Aladin and Amitabh, the genie, it would have been fabulous. Love angle was absolutely unnecessary and Bachchan Sr overacted quite a bit. Sujoy, enough of 'Aladin' and 'Home Delivery'. Give us 'Jhankar Beats' back
3. De Dhana Dan (Hindi) (5.5/10)
I think some movies make a dierence by how and when you watch it. I am sure had I watched this film with friends in a theatre full of people laughing, I would have def enjoyed it. Like a typical Priyadarshan film with 20 off characters, this film is all about confusion and how people are mistaken for someone they are not. Its hilarious. But the fact I watched it by myself in a theatre occupancy of maybe 20, it was just an ok affair for me. Akshay can now just sleepwalk in these kind of films
2. Paa (Hindi) (6/10)
Thank God that Amitabh Bachchan did not bring Bachchanism in his character of 13 year old Auro. Its very sensitive and funny too. More than paa, film should have been Maa. Vidya Balan has much stronger role, character and she did full justice to it. She is great. Abhishek is just ok. I still wonder why the film was called Paa, considering Abhishek comes to know of his son just minutes before the film ends. Watch it for Vidya and Amitabh
1. Aao Wish Karein (Hindi) (3.5/10)
Another movie gone wrong. I think these kind of stories need to either be done exceptionally well or just relegate to TV. A younger kid suddenly finds himself grown up because he loves this neighborhood girl. And then various things happen which are clearly not very important. Aftab was good. Aamna Sharif had really nothing to do. This film has could have done ok if it was made strictly for kids but somewhere producers get greedy and cant keep a balance between kid flick and romantic youth flick.
Monday, November 23, 2009
November number is 19
19. Main Aurr Mrs. Khanna (Hindi) (6/10)
This one is a very sweet and simple film. Unfortunately these kind of films don't work today. After some financial problems, Salman Khan goes to Singapore and his wife Kareena decide to stay back in Melbourne. She starts to work at the airport where Sohail Khan also works and falls in love for Mrs. Khanna. As expected, misunderstandings between the couple are cleared. Salman and Kareena live happily and move to Singapore while Sohail still awaits his Mrs. Khanna.
18. All The Best (Hindi) (6/10)
This one thankfully was not as mindless as I thought it would. It had a decent plot of mistaken identities of wife swapping. When Sanjay Dutt gives surprise visit to Fardeen, he mistakenly takes Bipasha to be his wife who is actually Ajay Devgan's wife. A few sub plots with some character artists keep the humour quotient of the film going. Just relax and enjoy this comedy.
17. Jail (Hindi) (4/10)
By unfortunate turn of events, Neil Nitin Mukesh finds himself in Jail being tortured by police for drugs. After initial horror he gives in to prison anarchy while the Indian Judicial system takes its own sweet time to have a hearing for his case left alone prove him innocent. Manoj Vajpai is his only salvation in prison who believes in his innocence. Neil has acted very well but the screenplay of the film was not very tight. There were unwanted characters which made the film drag in places. Madhur's earlier films were tight and crisp but this one somehow fails to hold the attention.
16. The Year My Parents Went on Vacation (Portuguese) (3.5/10)
São Paulo, 1970, the World Cup Soccer Games, Young Mauro is swept away from his home by his parents to live in São Paulo with his grandfather: his parents tell him they are going on 'vacation' while in reality they are escaping the dictatorial 'disappearances' that challenged the Brazil of the time. It ends up that the grandfather has died. His Jewish neighbor takes care of him. The story winds through the disparities of Jewish life and the governmental changes that are disrupting the flow of this important year for Brazil and how Mauro manages to live alone all along till his mother finally comes back
15. What's Your Raashee? (Hindi) (4/10)
The idea was good in TV series Mr. Yogi but in a film, it just keeps stretching. Initially I was excited but slowly when I realized how many more Priyanka's I will have to watch (making it a 3 plus hour movie), my interest kept reducing. I liked the songs and they fitted well in the film. Harman Baweja did well but Priyanka actually disappointed. Though all her 12 characters were quite different from each other, but something was missing. Director's fault I guess.
14. Blue (Hindi) (5/10)
A good attempt but sadly the outcome is not what one expected. Publicized as a treasure hunt movie, the movie barely had 10 minutes of treasure hunt. Otherwise it was usual. Zayed takes mony from Rahul Dev and now he doesn't have it to return. He comes to Bahamas to live with his brother Sanjay Dutt who works in Akshay's shipping company. Akshay keeps asking Sanjay Dutt to go find hidden treasure in the sea since he knows it but he wouldn't go until now he has to in order to protect Zayed. Surprise surprise, all miseries of Zayed were thanks to Akshay Kumar himself but he wanted to clean his family name.
13. Wanted (Hindi) (7/10)
A total masala Bollywood flick. It has action, emotion, comedy, romance, drama and guess what, its actually entertaining. Its silly to think one man being so powerful but once in a while its good to watch and live with escapist cinema which in the process also entertains you. Salman Khan and Ayeha Takia both suited the role. Its a god directorial debut for Prabhu Deva as well.
12. Twilight (7/10)
The first in series of Vampire based films based on the novels. I thoroughly enjoyed watching this film a year after it was released. The love story between an innocent girl who falls for vampire was interesting. I thought the visuals were good and the acting was impressive as well. The movie now is prompting me to read the book. Lets see if I can do that. Definitely worth a watch
11. Lawn Dogs (3/10)
Newly arrived in an up-market housing development, quiet ten-year-old Devon doesn’t quite fit in. Ignoring the urgings of her social-climbing father, Devon chooses the company of Trent, who mows the estate’s lawns, rather than of the girls her own age. Their friendship grows during her visits to his trailer home, but although it is completely innocent it is obvious that it would be unacceptable to the residents if they found out.
10. 2012 (6.5/10)
Exactly what I was expecting from this disaster film. Dumb storyline but excellent visuals. Put your brains aside and try not to find logic as to how John Cusack is able to save his family and others. This movie is strictly to enjoy for its visuals. I loved one line from a review that Cusack I read "The world is dying and somehow we are only supposed to worry about John and his family" and thats exactly what the film is about. I wishes they had dealt more with history on how Mayans predicted the end of world in 2012.
This one is a very sweet and simple film. Unfortunately these kind of films don't work today. After some financial problems, Salman Khan goes to Singapore and his wife Kareena decide to stay back in Melbourne. She starts to work at the airport where Sohail Khan also works and falls in love for Mrs. Khanna. As expected, misunderstandings between the couple are cleared. Salman and Kareena live happily and move to Singapore while Sohail still awaits his Mrs. Khanna.
18. All The Best (Hindi) (6/10)
This one thankfully was not as mindless as I thought it would. It had a decent plot of mistaken identities of wife swapping. When Sanjay Dutt gives surprise visit to Fardeen, he mistakenly takes Bipasha to be his wife who is actually Ajay Devgan's wife. A few sub plots with some character artists keep the humour quotient of the film going. Just relax and enjoy this comedy.
17. Jail (Hindi) (4/10)
By unfortunate turn of events, Neil Nitin Mukesh finds himself in Jail being tortured by police for drugs. After initial horror he gives in to prison anarchy while the Indian Judicial system takes its own sweet time to have a hearing for his case left alone prove him innocent. Manoj Vajpai is his only salvation in prison who believes in his innocence. Neil has acted very well but the screenplay of the film was not very tight. There were unwanted characters which made the film drag in places. Madhur's earlier films were tight and crisp but this one somehow fails to hold the attention.
16. The Year My Parents Went on Vacation (Portuguese) (3.5/10)
São Paulo, 1970, the World Cup Soccer Games, Young Mauro is swept away from his home by his parents to live in São Paulo with his grandfather: his parents tell him they are going on 'vacation' while in reality they are escaping the dictatorial 'disappearances' that challenged the Brazil of the time. It ends up that the grandfather has died. His Jewish neighbor takes care of him. The story winds through the disparities of Jewish life and the governmental changes that are disrupting the flow of this important year for Brazil and how Mauro manages to live alone all along till his mother finally comes back
15. What's Your Raashee? (Hindi) (4/10)
The idea was good in TV series Mr. Yogi but in a film, it just keeps stretching. Initially I was excited but slowly when I realized how many more Priyanka's I will have to watch (making it a 3 plus hour movie), my interest kept reducing. I liked the songs and they fitted well in the film. Harman Baweja did well but Priyanka actually disappointed. Though all her 12 characters were quite different from each other, but something was missing. Director's fault I guess.
14. Blue (Hindi) (5/10)
A good attempt but sadly the outcome is not what one expected. Publicized as a treasure hunt movie, the movie barely had 10 minutes of treasure hunt. Otherwise it was usual. Zayed takes mony from Rahul Dev and now he doesn't have it to return. He comes to Bahamas to live with his brother Sanjay Dutt who works in Akshay's shipping company. Akshay keeps asking Sanjay Dutt to go find hidden treasure in the sea since he knows it but he wouldn't go until now he has to in order to protect Zayed. Surprise surprise, all miseries of Zayed were thanks to Akshay Kumar himself but he wanted to clean his family name.
13. Wanted (Hindi) (7/10)
A total masala Bollywood flick. It has action, emotion, comedy, romance, drama and guess what, its actually entertaining. Its silly to think one man being so powerful but once in a while its good to watch and live with escapist cinema which in the process also entertains you. Salman Khan and Ayeha Takia both suited the role. Its a god directorial debut for Prabhu Deva as well.
12. Twilight (7/10)
The first in series of Vampire based films based on the novels. I thoroughly enjoyed watching this film a year after it was released. The love story between an innocent girl who falls for vampire was interesting. I thought the visuals were good and the acting was impressive as well. The movie now is prompting me to read the book. Lets see if I can do that. Definitely worth a watch
11. Lawn Dogs (3/10)
Newly arrived in an up-market housing development, quiet ten-year-old Devon doesn’t quite fit in. Ignoring the urgings of her social-climbing father, Devon chooses the company of Trent, who mows the estate’s lawns, rather than of the girls her own age. Their friendship grows during her visits to his trailer home, but although it is completely innocent it is obvious that it would be unacceptable to the residents if they found out.
10. 2012 (6.5/10)
Exactly what I was expecting from this disaster film. Dumb storyline but excellent visuals. Put your brains aside and try not to find logic as to how John Cusack is able to save his family and others. This movie is strictly to enjoy for its visuals. I loved one line from a review that Cusack I read "The world is dying and somehow we are only supposed to worry about John and his family" and thats exactly what the film is about. I wishes they had dealt more with history on how Mayans predicted the end of world in 2012.
Sunday, November 15, 2009
What has happened to Bollywood?
9. Fast Forward (Hindi) (1/10)
Dance movie got me excited because there are very few in Indian cinema but this was very amateurish. Dances were good but no great shakes as they made them to be. All the actors be it lead or supporting were really bad. The story was the same age old about struggling actors trying to make it big. Throw in some 'gundas', some emotion and there you go. No wonder it was such a big flop.
8. Quick Gun Murugan (Tamil/English) (5.5/10)
A Indian satirical comedy about a cowboy who is on earth to take revenge from evil Rice Plate who is making everyone non-vegetarian. Its a different genre of film which not many Indians are aware of but it makes for a pleasant watch.
7. Acid factory (Hindi) (5.5/10)
I was impressed by Suparna Verma's 'Ek Khiladi Ek Haseena' but his one more like a dramatic TV series more than a film. All 6 actors wake up in a acid factory and they dont remember anything. They get a phone call and slowly they start putting pieces together till they all remember everything. Whom to trust and whom to betray. It makes for an Ok watch.
6. Do Knot Disturb (Hindi) (4/10)
I seriously can't deal with anymore of nonsensical David Dhawan's comedies. Govinda married to Sushmita is 2-timing her with Lara Dutta. When she starts suspecting, because of some errors, he has to make Ritesh pretend to be Lara's boyfriend. Sushmita's character is so weird (dumb or intellectual) and so are others. SOmeone, please give us a comedy that really makes us laugh
5. Vaada Raha.. I Promise (Hindi) (4.5/10)
A decent concept gone wrong. Bobby Deol, who loves life starts hating it when in an accident his whole body gets paralyzed. A kid named Roshan makes him realize the same values of life and make him love it. When Bobby is ready for everything, its too late because the kid has died by now. Kangana had absolutely nothing to do in the film. The songs were big bore and forced. The kid was awesome
4. Orphan (3.5/10)
More than horror, it was psychological thriller. When a couple adopt a daughter who looks different and mature in thoughts, things start going wrong in one way or other. Te mother sees it but not the father. What's the real reason. It definitely comes as a surprise because the young girl is not a girl. She is a grown up 33 year old woman. Weird? Go figure.
Dance movie got me excited because there are very few in Indian cinema but this was very amateurish. Dances were good but no great shakes as they made them to be. All the actors be it lead or supporting were really bad. The story was the same age old about struggling actors trying to make it big. Throw in some 'gundas', some emotion and there you go. No wonder it was such a big flop.
8. Quick Gun Murugan (Tamil/English) (5.5/10)
A Indian satirical comedy about a cowboy who is on earth to take revenge from evil Rice Plate who is making everyone non-vegetarian. Its a different genre of film which not many Indians are aware of but it makes for a pleasant watch.
7. Acid factory (Hindi) (5.5/10)
I was impressed by Suparna Verma's 'Ek Khiladi Ek Haseena' but his one more like a dramatic TV series more than a film. All 6 actors wake up in a acid factory and they dont remember anything. They get a phone call and slowly they start putting pieces together till they all remember everything. Whom to trust and whom to betray. It makes for an Ok watch.
6. Do Knot Disturb (Hindi) (4/10)
I seriously can't deal with anymore of nonsensical David Dhawan's comedies. Govinda married to Sushmita is 2-timing her with Lara Dutta. When she starts suspecting, because of some errors, he has to make Ritesh pretend to be Lara's boyfriend. Sushmita's character is so weird (dumb or intellectual) and so are others. SOmeone, please give us a comedy that really makes us laugh
5. Vaada Raha.. I Promise (Hindi) (4.5/10)
A decent concept gone wrong. Bobby Deol, who loves life starts hating it when in an accident his whole body gets paralyzed. A kid named Roshan makes him realize the same values of life and make him love it. When Bobby is ready for everything, its too late because the kid has died by now. Kangana had absolutely nothing to do in the film. The songs were big bore and forced. The kid was awesome
4. Orphan (3.5/10)
More than horror, it was psychological thriller. When a couple adopt a daughter who looks different and mature in thoughts, things start going wrong in one way or other. Te mother sees it but not the father. What's the real reason. It definitely comes as a surprise because the young girl is not a girl. She is a grown up 33 year old woman. Weird? Go figure.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Slow start to November
3. For Your Consideration (6/10)
A sattire on the c-grade hollywood actors who are driven to a brink of madness by the possibility of winning an Academy award. Some of the scenes are hilarious. Though at only surface level but they keep your attention. The fact from getting plastic surgery, to break-ups; it is very interesting
2. Scoop (3.5/10)
When an inquisitive college journalist Scarlett Johansson stumbles upon new clues to a string of murders, her investigation leads directly to a handsome businessman Hugh Jackman, who draws her in with his mysterious charm. SHe pairs up with magician Woody Allen whose funny antics keep your attention grabbed. Awful acting by Scarlet and movie is strictly ok although some point down the line I realized I was watching it second time.
1. Aagey Se Right (Hindi) (3/10)
The film is about a cop Shreyas Talpade and terrorist Kay Kay Menon. Through a series of events not in their control the Shreyas loses his gun and the Kay Kay loses his heart. Their two worlds collide in a maze of chance and mayhem, Shreyas ends up becoming a supercop when he unknowingly helps solve few murder cases all in chance of trying to find his gun. Odd movie with odd plotline, I dont think I liked it.
A sattire on the c-grade hollywood actors who are driven to a brink of madness by the possibility of winning an Academy award. Some of the scenes are hilarious. Though at only surface level but they keep your attention. The fact from getting plastic surgery, to break-ups; it is very interesting
2. Scoop (3.5/10)
When an inquisitive college journalist Scarlett Johansson stumbles upon new clues to a string of murders, her investigation leads directly to a handsome businessman Hugh Jackman, who draws her in with his mysterious charm. SHe pairs up with magician Woody Allen whose funny antics keep your attention grabbed. Awful acting by Scarlet and movie is strictly ok although some point down the line I realized I was watching it second time.
1. Aagey Se Right (Hindi) (3/10)
The film is about a cop Shreyas Talpade and terrorist Kay Kay Menon. Through a series of events not in their control the Shreyas loses his gun and the Kay Kay loses his heart. Their two worlds collide in a maze of chance and mayhem, Shreyas ends up becoming a supercop when he unknowingly helps solve few murder cases all in chance of trying to find his gun. Odd movie with odd plotline, I dont think I liked it.
Wednesday, November 04, 2009
October number is 25
25. Kisse Pyaar Karoon (Hindi) (2/10)
Seems to be inspired by De Taali. Ashish Chowdhar is in love with Aarti Chhabaria. But then later meets Udita Goswami and falls for her. Soon his friends Arshad Warsi and Yash Tonk realize that the girl is shady and try to protect him but keep getting failed. After some twists and turns the film ends with happy ending and as expected Udita falling for Arshad and Ashish gettng Aarti Chhabaria. BAD.
24. Swapner Din - Chased By Dreams (Bengali) (1.5/10)
Prosenjit travels from one village to another screening films on family planning methods. He falls in love with the image of a girl in one film and dreams of finding her one day. Chapal is proxy driver who wants to go to Dubai to make quick money. Rimi Sen is a pregnant girl they pick up along the way whose husband has been killed in the Gujarat riots after they crossed the border illegally. She wants to go back to Bangladesh because she feels she will be more secure in her homeland. As they travels through his fixed itinerary, unprecedented things begin to happen to all three of them. I did not find anything interesting at all in this film
23. Team - The Force (Hindi) (1/10)
Usual Hindi masala crap where one man army tries to fight evil. Sohail with his friends Yash Tonk and Vrijesh Hirjee fight against Evil by kidnaping his sister Amrita Arora because he keeps taking extortions just by one phone call and people fear him. Instead of going for his passion for music, he instead opts for 'samaj sudhar'. Bad film.
22. Wafaa (Hindi) (0/10)
Good god!! This was a bad porn C-grade film with Rajesh Khanna. Its unbelievable why would anyone do it. The plot is weird. The lead actress (straight out of porn film) is physically not satisfied from her husband Mr. Khanna and therefore plots to kill him after she starts having an affair with her driver. The dead comes back and she gets crazy and mad literally. Completely avoidable.
21. Humpday (7/10)
Awesome film and best acting ever. 2 very very close friends one night decide to do something very crazy one night in the name of art and in this case it means making a gay porn film with each other. Now the next day they are sober but can't back out of project. It all about dare. Only person standing and whom they have to deal with is wife of one the guys. This is a very very interesting film. Sure watch.
20. Tingya (Marathi) (5/10)
A nice film about a young village boy' love for his cow. The village family is in debt and they need to repay. The bull is old and is not worth farming. Family is planning to sell the cow. How Tingya's love for the bull saves his life and it shows passion for animals. Its an interesting film that shows the most dark and turbulent times in the lives of farmers in India.
Seems to be inspired by De Taali. Ashish Chowdhar is in love with Aarti Chhabaria. But then later meets Udita Goswami and falls for her. Soon his friends Arshad Warsi and Yash Tonk realize that the girl is shady and try to protect him but keep getting failed. After some twists and turns the film ends with happy ending and as expected Udita falling for Arshad and Ashish gettng Aarti Chhabaria. BAD.
24. Swapner Din - Chased By Dreams (Bengali) (1.5/10)
Prosenjit travels from one village to another screening films on family planning methods. He falls in love with the image of a girl in one film and dreams of finding her one day. Chapal is proxy driver who wants to go to Dubai to make quick money. Rimi Sen is a pregnant girl they pick up along the way whose husband has been killed in the Gujarat riots after they crossed the border illegally. She wants to go back to Bangladesh because she feels she will be more secure in her homeland. As they travels through his fixed itinerary, unprecedented things begin to happen to all three of them. I did not find anything interesting at all in this film
23. Team - The Force (Hindi) (1/10)
Usual Hindi masala crap where one man army tries to fight evil. Sohail with his friends Yash Tonk and Vrijesh Hirjee fight against Evil by kidnaping his sister Amrita Arora because he keeps taking extortions just by one phone call and people fear him. Instead of going for his passion for music, he instead opts for 'samaj sudhar'. Bad film.
22. Wafaa (Hindi) (0/10)
Good god!! This was a bad porn C-grade film with Rajesh Khanna. Its unbelievable why would anyone do it. The plot is weird. The lead actress (straight out of porn film) is physically not satisfied from her husband Mr. Khanna and therefore plots to kill him after she starts having an affair with her driver. The dead comes back and she gets crazy and mad literally. Completely avoidable.
21. Humpday (7/10)
Awesome film and best acting ever. 2 very very close friends one night decide to do something very crazy one night in the name of art and in this case it means making a gay porn film with each other. Now the next day they are sober but can't back out of project. It all about dare. Only person standing and whom they have to deal with is wife of one the guys. This is a very very interesting film. Sure watch.
20. Tingya (Marathi) (5/10)
A nice film about a young village boy' love for his cow. The village family is in debt and they need to repay. The bull is old and is not worth farming. Family is planning to sell the cow. How Tingya's love for the bull saves his life and it shows passion for animals. Its an interesting film that shows the most dark and turbulent times in the lives of farmers in India.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
The movies never end
19. Chal Chala Chal (Hindi) (1/10)
A really really bad movie. It might have worked in 90s but there is no way it can work now. Govinda plays a simpleton who cannot stick to a job because he cannot compromise. Ultimately he starts running abus with his friend Rajpal Yadav. For comic relief we have his 2 sisters and their husbands, usual gang of Asrani, Upasna Singh, Amita Nangia and someone else. The movie drags with all kinds os senseless incidents and of course we have the heroine Reema Sen who takes the bus that he runs.Awfully bad film.
18. Fargo (6/10)
Based on a true incident that happened in Minnesota and North Dakota. A hapless car salesman ineptly orchestrates the kidnapping of his own wife. The plan goes horribly awry in the hands of bumbling bad guys. The pregnant sheriff of Brainerd, Minnesota, is suddenly faced with a case of multiple murders. Her investigation is laced with offbeat observations about life in the rural hinterland of Minnesota and North Dakota. The way incidents are unraveled and mystery solved forms a very interesting story and got a much deserved oscar for Frances McDormand playing the pregnant sheriff
17. Watchmen (3/10)
First thing first. This movie went on forever. Movie is based on comic book ( I haven't read it). Changing scenes between present, past, earth, universe, it tries to keep viewers attention. When one of the x-watchmen is killed, another watchmen starts investigating to find out what's going on and the results are shocking. It grabbed my attention here and there but like I said , the movie went on far to long for my interest.
16. Life Partner (Hindi) (4/10)
Gosh! What a loud film. Everyone in the film Fardeen (expressionless), Govinda (very loud), Tushar (bechara), Genelia (dumbo) seem to be screaming all the time. Only saving grace is Prachi Desai. Fardeen and Genelia love each other and have love marriage. Tushar and Prachi enter arranged marriage. Govinda is a divorce lawyer and does not believe in institution of marriage which very surprisingly and suddenly changes when Amrita Rao comes in his life. How the other 2 couples deals with their marital problems, get separated and get back together is what this film is about. Bad.
15. Raaz - The Mystery Continues (Hindi) (4.5/10)
Finally I mustered the courage of watching this film after being scared all this while. The movie wasn't as scary as the original Raaz but someone like me can get pretty scared even by this. Kangana as expected acts very well. Adhyayan was ok but doesn't suit with her. Emraan was good. Although the whole concept of him panting and predicting future was just very odd. But then who said horror films have logic. She has to find out the whole truth by herself as to why these things are happening and how is she involved in it.
14. Chal Chalein (Hindi) (6/10)
A very interesting concept which very sadly was not promoted at al. I seriously hope and wish that most children and parents should watch this film and learn. This film essentially focusses on how these days parents impose their wishes and dreams on teenage children and make them slog at studies to achieve something that they dont even want to. This situation sometimes leads to suicide by some kids fearing their parents reactions on their failure. The film never goes off its focus and presents some really good suggestions as to what should be done to avoid it. Please someone make the 'aam junta' aware of this film
13. Phir Kabhi (Hindi) (3.5/10)
What could have been an interesting pseudo love story between an elderly couple (Mithun and Dimple) was unnecessarily marred with another love story of a young couple which acted as nothing but a speed breaker with unwanted songs in an otherwise sober film. Mithun acts really well. Other characters were also ok. It was heartening to see the chemistry that grandfather and granddaughter shared. Time pass on dvd circuit.
A really really bad movie. It might have worked in 90s but there is no way it can work now. Govinda plays a simpleton who cannot stick to a job because he cannot compromise. Ultimately he starts running abus with his friend Rajpal Yadav. For comic relief we have his 2 sisters and their husbands, usual gang of Asrani, Upasna Singh, Amita Nangia and someone else. The movie drags with all kinds os senseless incidents and of course we have the heroine Reema Sen who takes the bus that he runs.Awfully bad film.
18. Fargo (6/10)
Based on a true incident that happened in Minnesota and North Dakota. A hapless car salesman ineptly orchestrates the kidnapping of his own wife. The plan goes horribly awry in the hands of bumbling bad guys. The pregnant sheriff of Brainerd, Minnesota, is suddenly faced with a case of multiple murders. Her investigation is laced with offbeat observations about life in the rural hinterland of Minnesota and North Dakota. The way incidents are unraveled and mystery solved forms a very interesting story and got a much deserved oscar for Frances McDormand playing the pregnant sheriff
17. Watchmen (3/10)
First thing first. This movie went on forever. Movie is based on comic book ( I haven't read it). Changing scenes between present, past, earth, universe, it tries to keep viewers attention. When one of the x-watchmen is killed, another watchmen starts investigating to find out what's going on and the results are shocking. It grabbed my attention here and there but like I said , the movie went on far to long for my interest.
16. Life Partner (Hindi) (4/10)
Gosh! What a loud film. Everyone in the film Fardeen (expressionless), Govinda (very loud), Tushar (bechara), Genelia (dumbo) seem to be screaming all the time. Only saving grace is Prachi Desai. Fardeen and Genelia love each other and have love marriage. Tushar and Prachi enter arranged marriage. Govinda is a divorce lawyer and does not believe in institution of marriage which very surprisingly and suddenly changes when Amrita Rao comes in his life. How the other 2 couples deals with their marital problems, get separated and get back together is what this film is about. Bad.
15. Raaz - The Mystery Continues (Hindi) (4.5/10)
Finally I mustered the courage of watching this film after being scared all this while. The movie wasn't as scary as the original Raaz but someone like me can get pretty scared even by this. Kangana as expected acts very well. Adhyayan was ok but doesn't suit with her. Emraan was good. Although the whole concept of him panting and predicting future was just very odd. But then who said horror films have logic. She has to find out the whole truth by herself as to why these things are happening and how is she involved in it.
14. Chal Chalein (Hindi) (6/10)
A very interesting concept which very sadly was not promoted at al. I seriously hope and wish that most children and parents should watch this film and learn. This film essentially focusses on how these days parents impose their wishes and dreams on teenage children and make them slog at studies to achieve something that they dont even want to. This situation sometimes leads to suicide by some kids fearing their parents reactions on their failure. The film never goes off its focus and presents some really good suggestions as to what should be done to avoid it. Please someone make the 'aam junta' aware of this film
13. Phir Kabhi (Hindi) (3.5/10)
What could have been an interesting pseudo love story between an elderly couple (Mithun and Dimple) was unnecessarily marred with another love story of a young couple which acted as nothing but a speed breaker with unwanted songs in an otherwise sober film. Mithun acts really well. Other characters were also ok. It was heartening to see the chemistry that grandfather and granddaughter shared. Time pass on dvd circuit.
Saturday, October 10, 2009
And October continues too
12. Babbarr (Hindi) (5.5/10)
Unlike other films, this film that also deals with underworld gang and 'gundagardi', this film explores it with a difference and something that keeps your attention grabbed. Newcomer Sohum acts very well. UP politics and gundas have attracted film goers time and again but this one is nice and different. The message is clear, One Babbarr dies but somewhere someone is still alive as Babbarr.
11. Recount (4/10)
I had wanted to watch this film for a while. This film recounts and recall viewer of the 2000 Presidential election that went on forever because of Gore/Bush problems. For me who had not witnessed it first hand, it was so surprising to see all that went into that election. You could be the world's supreme power but even you can screw up b giving elections to someone who actually lost elections and the winner is busy educating world about Global Warming.
10. Chintu Ji (Hindi) (5/10)
Part true, part fiction the film is very interesting. Rishi Kapoor plays himself, a superstar who wants to joins politics. He is arrogant and when he comes back to his birth village, he doesn't mind playing with their emotions, of course later realizing everything. Overall it was very interesting concept, The interactions between the villagers and the star was very interesting. Overall a very engrossing film.
9. Bollywood Hero (IFC Mini Series) (3/10)
Heavily promoted in US, this one was such a major disappointment. Bad acting, over the top (except Pooja Kumar), the film was more targeted towards Americans giving them a totally false and wrong picture of india and indian film industry. Kris Katan was ok but it seemed like everyone in the film was trying to top the other actor in going overboard with acting. My favourite was the grandma and her dialogues in Hindi. Neha Dhupia was bad.
Unlike other films, this film that also deals with underworld gang and 'gundagardi', this film explores it with a difference and something that keeps your attention grabbed. Newcomer Sohum acts very well. UP politics and gundas have attracted film goers time and again but this one is nice and different. The message is clear, One Babbarr dies but somewhere someone is still alive as Babbarr.
11. Recount (4/10)
I had wanted to watch this film for a while. This film recounts and recall viewer of the 2000 Presidential election that went on forever because of Gore/Bush problems. For me who had not witnessed it first hand, it was so surprising to see all that went into that election. You could be the world's supreme power but even you can screw up b giving elections to someone who actually lost elections and the winner is busy educating world about Global Warming.
10. Chintu Ji (Hindi) (5/10)
Part true, part fiction the film is very interesting. Rishi Kapoor plays himself, a superstar who wants to joins politics. He is arrogant and when he comes back to his birth village, he doesn't mind playing with their emotions, of course later realizing everything. Overall it was very interesting concept, The interactions between the villagers and the star was very interesting. Overall a very engrossing film.
9. Bollywood Hero (IFC Mini Series) (3/10)
Heavily promoted in US, this one was such a major disappointment. Bad acting, over the top (except Pooja Kumar), the film was more targeted towards Americans giving them a totally false and wrong picture of india and indian film industry. Kris Katan was ok but it seemed like everyone in the film was trying to top the other actor in going overboard with acting. My favourite was the grandma and her dialogues in Hindi. Neha Dhupia was bad.
Saturday, October 03, 2009
October starts off well
8. The Stoneman Murders (Hindi) (6.5/10)
In Bombay in 83, there were series of murders that happened of poor people by a serial killer who killed them with a stone. This film explores into possibilities of what and why they happened and what could have been the motive behind this and why is that puzzle still unsolved even after 25 years. Great screenplay and acting by Kay Kay. The whole justification and why's are shown very interestingly with a very interesting story-line behind it which make it completely believable.
7. Dil Bole Hadippa (Hindi) (6/10)
The movie works only because of Rani. The way she changes her body language playing the girl and the sardar boy is really commendable. Shahid Kapoor leaves absolutely no impact at all (good or bad). Watch it if you are Rani's fan but otherwise the movie has nothing new to offer. The songs are also just boring and forced into the narrative. Even the concept of a girl faking to be man just to play in cricket tam is also not very novel. And Yah Raj please spare us with all these suden 'deshbhakti geet' and 'mera punjab mera india' fakeness.
6. Wake Up Sid (Hindi) (8/10)
An absolutely wonderful film starring complete natural actors Ranbir and Konkona. They were flawless. And to all credit to the director, the story and treatment was very fresh about a young boy who just enjoys his life spending his father's money and refuses to grow up. The events are handled very real without showing that suddenly there is a big change overnight. The boy becomes man in a slow process and how Konkona fits in the whole piece is very endearing to watch. Must watch.
5. Aeon Flux (3/10)
400 years in the future, after a virus decimates the world population, only one city on Earth remains. Ruled by the Goodchild dynasty, it is a perfect society of peace and prosperity – except that its citizens keep mysteriously disappearing. Charlize Theron stars as Aeon Flux, a secret agent/assassin/warrior whose mission is to bring down the regime. But as she goes deeper into her mission, Aeon uncovers some shocking secrets that jeopardize the mission – and her life. Except for the visuals everything in the movie was bad. I just could care less about the events happening.
4. Bachelor Party (Hindi) (0.5/10)
This one is so bad that you dont have enough words to describe it. Acting, screenplay, story, concept everything was downright C-grade. Arbaaz Khan & Nauheed Cyrusi really cant act. A good actor like Jimmy Shergill also looked like a clown. Arbaaz loves Nauheed but she is getting married to Jimmy whom even her father doesn't like. How they plan to get rid of him in a comical way via a bachelor party is what this film is about
3. The Virgin Suicides (5/10)
Set in 70s, and shown through the eyes of the boys growing up and who had grown up in an American suburb, the story is about four surviving Lisbon sisters lost a sibling to suicide, and as its title suggests, the film follows their mutual course to oblivion under the vigilance of repressive and very strict parents. Unfolding at the cusp of innocence and sexual awakening, the film is ultimately, about the preservation of the sisters by their own deaths. Interesting concept and execution. What was baffling to me was justification not been given to some of the actions. Good for an Indie film.
2. Daddy Cool (Hindi) (2/10)
A scene to scene copy of 'Death At a Funeral', I couldn't enjoy the film at all because the original was fresh in my mind plus it was so funny. Bollywood directors need to realize that making funny faces etc doesn't make a good comedy and not every story will fit into Indian perspective. And making a film with so called actors (Sunil Shetty, Kim sharma, aarti chhabariya, ashish chowdhury, aftab, tulip joshi), there is nothing more to say. Avoid.
1. Teree Sang (Hindi) (5.5/10)
The subject if teenage pregnancy has been handled by Satish Kaushik very well. The film does not become vulgar or cheesy at any point and the lead characters Ruslan Mumtaz and Sheena look and act so believable in the parts they act, that the while film is completely believable. Reaction of parents, chemistry of friendship between the lead pair and everything is good. Where the film fails is when suddenly the pair is on their on and in a total filmy style they have a huge house all setup and the 15 and 17 year olds are living on their own. But other than that a very honest and sincere attempt. Good for the young teenage generation.
In Bombay in 83, there were series of murders that happened of poor people by a serial killer who killed them with a stone. This film explores into possibilities of what and why they happened and what could have been the motive behind this and why is that puzzle still unsolved even after 25 years. Great screenplay and acting by Kay Kay. The whole justification and why's are shown very interestingly with a very interesting story-line behind it which make it completely believable.
7. Dil Bole Hadippa (Hindi) (6/10)
The movie works only because of Rani. The way she changes her body language playing the girl and the sardar boy is really commendable. Shahid Kapoor leaves absolutely no impact at all (good or bad). Watch it if you are Rani's fan but otherwise the movie has nothing new to offer. The songs are also just boring and forced into the narrative. Even the concept of a girl faking to be man just to play in cricket tam is also not very novel. And Yah Raj please spare us with all these suden 'deshbhakti geet' and 'mera punjab mera india' fakeness.
6. Wake Up Sid (Hindi) (8/10)
An absolutely wonderful film starring complete natural actors Ranbir and Konkona. They were flawless. And to all credit to the director, the story and treatment was very fresh about a young boy who just enjoys his life spending his father's money and refuses to grow up. The events are handled very real without showing that suddenly there is a big change overnight. The boy becomes man in a slow process and how Konkona fits in the whole piece is very endearing to watch. Must watch.
5. Aeon Flux (3/10)
400 years in the future, after a virus decimates the world population, only one city on Earth remains. Ruled by the Goodchild dynasty, it is a perfect society of peace and prosperity – except that its citizens keep mysteriously disappearing. Charlize Theron stars as Aeon Flux, a secret agent/assassin/warrior whose mission is to bring down the regime. But as she goes deeper into her mission, Aeon uncovers some shocking secrets that jeopardize the mission – and her life. Except for the visuals everything in the movie was bad. I just could care less about the events happening.
4. Bachelor Party (Hindi) (0.5/10)
This one is so bad that you dont have enough words to describe it. Acting, screenplay, story, concept everything was downright C-grade. Arbaaz Khan & Nauheed Cyrusi really cant act. A good actor like Jimmy Shergill also looked like a clown. Arbaaz loves Nauheed but she is getting married to Jimmy whom even her father doesn't like. How they plan to get rid of him in a comical way via a bachelor party is what this film is about
3. The Virgin Suicides (5/10)
Set in 70s, and shown through the eyes of the boys growing up and who had grown up in an American suburb, the story is about four surviving Lisbon sisters lost a sibling to suicide, and as its title suggests, the film follows their mutual course to oblivion under the vigilance of repressive and very strict parents. Unfolding at the cusp of innocence and sexual awakening, the film is ultimately, about the preservation of the sisters by their own deaths. Interesting concept and execution. What was baffling to me was justification not been given to some of the actions. Good for an Indie film.
2. Daddy Cool (Hindi) (2/10)
A scene to scene copy of 'Death At a Funeral', I couldn't enjoy the film at all because the original was fresh in my mind plus it was so funny. Bollywood directors need to realize that making funny faces etc doesn't make a good comedy and not every story will fit into Indian perspective. And making a film with so called actors (Sunil Shetty, Kim sharma, aarti chhabariya, ashish chowdhury, aftab, tulip joshi), there is nothing more to say. Avoid.
1. Teree Sang (Hindi) (5.5/10)
The subject if teenage pregnancy has been handled by Satish Kaushik very well. The film does not become vulgar or cheesy at any point and the lead characters Ruslan Mumtaz and Sheena look and act so believable in the parts they act, that the while film is completely believable. Reaction of parents, chemistry of friendship between the lead pair and everything is good. Where the film fails is when suddenly the pair is on their on and in a total filmy style they have a huge house all setup and the 15 and 17 year olds are living on their own. But other than that a very honest and sincere attempt. Good for the young teenage generation.
Friday, September 25, 2009
September Number is 27
27. Sikandar (Hindi) (5.5/10)
An interesting film from a child's perspective. How a young teenage child is forced and used for militancy without him being realizing what he has to do with an interesting twist towards the end. Nice performances by Parzan Dastur, Madhavan and Sanjay Suri. The movie holds interest initially, loses steam towards the end but comes back on track with an excellent climax.
26. District 9 (4.5/10)
20 years ago a space ship just hung there mid air in city of Johannesburg. Their refugee camp is called District 9. Now a corporation is trying to relocate them. Wikus is assigned this job doing which he gets infected by a chemical because of which he starts to turn into one of the aliens. Wikus goes on the run from scientists who want to harvest his evolving, new parts and aliens who see him as a threat. When he pairs up with an extraterrestrial secretly planning an escape from Earth, however, what should be a fascinating relationship story becomes a series of firefights and explosions. Interesting but not engaging enough for me.
25. Fame (3/10)
Remake of 8s film by same name that takes us through the lives of various students studying performing arts to get trained in singing, dancing, acting etc. The film fails to grab attention primarily because of really bad acting and all unfinished stories. I would stay away
24. Coraline (4/10)
Teenager Coraline moves in a new house but is bored because her parents are always very busy. Her only friends are some crazy neighbors of hers. One day she find a secret door traveling through which she discovers a whole nw another family and friends sam as her real life but with buttons instead of eyes. Her 'other' parents give her lot of love but soon she finds out a dark secret about this other family and what they are really after. Its just ok. Animations are not my thing but this one really did not have anything exciting
23. The Sea (Iceland) (1/10)
This is the worst movie I have seen. A dying father calls his children back to the countryside and thats where a lot of secrets are revealed. Every single person has a weirdness about him/her and a totally f***ed up past and present and th whole dynamics including father and the step mother. Just stay away from this film. I dont even want to think how did this film manage to get so called Icelandic Academy Awards.
22. Love Khichdi (Hindi) (3.5/10)
Interesting concept not yet fr typical Indian viewer. Randeep Hooda is womanizer who is at the same time either wooing or wooed by 6 separate girls. In all these girls, there is his closest friend and she is the only one he really likes as a friend and who actually loves him back in return which he doesn't realize. A few encounters with the girls are good and interesting but after a while it just gets boring and repetitive. Only good thing is Randeep Hooda who I thouht was pretty natural in the film. Sonali Kulkarni also did 'kaam wali bai' acting pretty good.
21. Rafoo Chakkar- Fun On The Run (Hindi) (1/10)
Terrible movie from every aspect. Acting, story, direction everything you can think of. The things that you can learn from this film is how not to act, how not to direct and how not to write a script. These are the kind of films that make a decent actress like Mita Vashishtha to look like a caricature. Please dont even bother for this one. A shame to the highly entertaining Rishi-Neetu film of 70s by same name.
An interesting film from a child's perspective. How a young teenage child is forced and used for militancy without him being realizing what he has to do with an interesting twist towards the end. Nice performances by Parzan Dastur, Madhavan and Sanjay Suri. The movie holds interest initially, loses steam towards the end but comes back on track with an excellent climax.
26. District 9 (4.5/10)
20 years ago a space ship just hung there mid air in city of Johannesburg. Their refugee camp is called District 9. Now a corporation is trying to relocate them. Wikus is assigned this job doing which he gets infected by a chemical because of which he starts to turn into one of the aliens. Wikus goes on the run from scientists who want to harvest his evolving, new parts and aliens who see him as a threat. When he pairs up with an extraterrestrial secretly planning an escape from Earth, however, what should be a fascinating relationship story becomes a series of firefights and explosions. Interesting but not engaging enough for me.
25. Fame (3/10)
Remake of 8s film by same name that takes us through the lives of various students studying performing arts to get trained in singing, dancing, acting etc. The film fails to grab attention primarily because of really bad acting and all unfinished stories. I would stay away
24. Coraline (4/10)
Teenager Coraline moves in a new house but is bored because her parents are always very busy. Her only friends are some crazy neighbors of hers. One day she find a secret door traveling through which she discovers a whole nw another family and friends sam as her real life but with buttons instead of eyes. Her 'other' parents give her lot of love but soon she finds out a dark secret about this other family and what they are really after. Its just ok. Animations are not my thing but this one really did not have anything exciting
23. The Sea (Iceland) (1/10)
This is the worst movie I have seen. A dying father calls his children back to the countryside and thats where a lot of secrets are revealed. Every single person has a weirdness about him/her and a totally f***ed up past and present and th whole dynamics including father and the step mother. Just stay away from this film. I dont even want to think how did this film manage to get so called Icelandic Academy Awards.
22. Love Khichdi (Hindi) (3.5/10)
Interesting concept not yet fr typical Indian viewer. Randeep Hooda is womanizer who is at the same time either wooing or wooed by 6 separate girls. In all these girls, there is his closest friend and she is the only one he really likes as a friend and who actually loves him back in return which he doesn't realize. A few encounters with the girls are good and interesting but after a while it just gets boring and repetitive. Only good thing is Randeep Hooda who I thouht was pretty natural in the film. Sonali Kulkarni also did 'kaam wali bai' acting pretty good.
21. Rafoo Chakkar- Fun On The Run (Hindi) (1/10)
Terrible movie from every aspect. Acting, story, direction everything you can think of. The things that you can learn from this film is how not to act, how not to direct and how not to write a script. These are the kind of films that make a decent actress like Mita Vashishtha to look like a caricature. Please dont even bother for this one. A shame to the highly entertaining Rishi-Neetu film of 70s by same name.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Time for Bollywood masala
20. Shadow (Hindi) (3/10)
This film was made purely to showcase the talent of newcomer Nasser Khan who is actually blind in real life. To keep that in account, he does singing, dancing, acting and all deadly stunts by himself is pretty commendable. But still the movie is pathetic. Police led by Sonali Kulkarni are trying to solve various murder cases that are happening in the city. Milind Soman and Hrishita Bhatt are reporters handling the case. and then there is a car mechanic who is great at his work and everyone loves , Nasser Khan. It turns out he is the killer and the logic behind it is bad. Poor acting by everyone else and a overweight Sonali in tight pants. Stay away
19. Kisaan (Hindi) (5/10)
This was actually not a bad film. Said to be inspired by Manoj Kumar's Upkar, te story is about kisaan Jackie Shroff with 2 sons. Elder son Arbaaz Khan studies in city and younger Sohail Khan becomes anther kisaan. Enter villain Dilip Tahil who wants to but all kisaan's land which Jackie and Sohail oppose but he smehow infiltrates Arbaaz Khan's mind for monetary reasons. This causes a rift between the family and in the end everything is fine. Dia Mirza and Nauheed Cyrusi are fillers.
18. Firaaq (Hindi) (7/10)
Nandita Das' directorial debut is actually pretty heavy but interesting. It showcases multiple stories of various people and what are they going t hrough after the Gujarat riots. It involves a Muslim slum family (Shahana Goswami), a muslim husband and hindu wife, Deepti naval dealing with he own trauma under abusive husband and a maulwi. Interesting character sketch but some stories were left open ended. Nevertheless, very interesting.
17. Luck (Hindi) (6.5/10)
It is definitely a different movie. Sanjay Dutt alongwith Danny collect people from all over the world who they think are lucky and are in need of money. (Shruti Haasan, Mithun, Ravi Kissen, Imran, CHitrashi etc). They work on human betting and make them go through the most dangerous life threatning games. No one actually gets special treatment though you can say that for Imran Khan. All of thes people play dangerous games thereby eliminating one by one and ultimately Imran wins big betting money of 20 crore. Its def a nice eye candy watch
16. Three: Love, Lies and Betrayal (Hindi) (4/10)
Nausheen Ali Sardar lives with husband Akshay Kaoor in a huge mansion but are in need of money. Husband wants to sel house but she doesn't because its hr parents aakhri nishani. They keep a tenant Ashish Chaudhary. Soon game of deception , love and lies start. Ashish pretends to love Nausheen but whats the secret behind. It turns out Akshay is one deceing her but ultimately how Nausheen ends up being a winner. Something similar came long back in movies like Danger and Jackpot. No one remembers those movies and neither will they remember this.
This film was made purely to showcase the talent of newcomer Nasser Khan who is actually blind in real life. To keep that in account, he does singing, dancing, acting and all deadly stunts by himself is pretty commendable. But still the movie is pathetic. Police led by Sonali Kulkarni are trying to solve various murder cases that are happening in the city. Milind Soman and Hrishita Bhatt are reporters handling the case. and then there is a car mechanic who is great at his work and everyone loves , Nasser Khan. It turns out he is the killer and the logic behind it is bad. Poor acting by everyone else and a overweight Sonali in tight pants. Stay away
19. Kisaan (Hindi) (5/10)
This was actually not a bad film. Said to be inspired by Manoj Kumar's Upkar, te story is about kisaan Jackie Shroff with 2 sons. Elder son Arbaaz Khan studies in city and younger Sohail Khan becomes anther kisaan. Enter villain Dilip Tahil who wants to but all kisaan's land which Jackie and Sohail oppose but he smehow infiltrates Arbaaz Khan's mind for monetary reasons. This causes a rift between the family and in the end everything is fine. Dia Mirza and Nauheed Cyrusi are fillers.
18. Firaaq (Hindi) (7/10)
Nandita Das' directorial debut is actually pretty heavy but interesting. It showcases multiple stories of various people and what are they going t hrough after the Gujarat riots. It involves a Muslim slum family (Shahana Goswami), a muslim husband and hindu wife, Deepti naval dealing with he own trauma under abusive husband and a maulwi. Interesting character sketch but some stories were left open ended. Nevertheless, very interesting.
17. Luck (Hindi) (6.5/10)
It is definitely a different movie. Sanjay Dutt alongwith Danny collect people from all over the world who they think are lucky and are in need of money. (Shruti Haasan, Mithun, Ravi Kissen, Imran, CHitrashi etc). They work on human betting and make them go through the most dangerous life threatning games. No one actually gets special treatment though you can say that for Imran Khan. All of thes people play dangerous games thereby eliminating one by one and ultimately Imran wins big betting money of 20 crore. Its def a nice eye candy watch
16. Three: Love, Lies and Betrayal (Hindi) (4/10)
Nausheen Ali Sardar lives with husband Akshay Kaoor in a huge mansion but are in need of money. Husband wants to sel house but she doesn't because its hr parents aakhri nishani. They keep a tenant Ashish Chaudhary. Soon game of deception , love and lies start. Ashish pretends to love Nausheen but whats the secret behind. It turns out Akshay is one deceing her but ultimately how Nausheen ends up being a winner. Something similar came long back in movies like Danger and Jackpot. No one remembers those movies and neither will they remember this.
Wednesday, September 09, 2009
September is cruising along fine
15. The Hours and The Times (1/10)
In 1963, just months before Beatlemania swept the world, John Lennon and the Beatles' manager, Brian Epstein, took a four day vacation together in Barcelona. They were there to relax after a grueling series of concerts, but the trip remained charged with an unspoken tension. Those four emotional days are embodied in The Hours and Times, a flight of imagination that evokes the complex relationship between Lennon and Epstein. It was a a very slow movie and mot much happened. Plus it being so called fictional work as to what happened during that vacation makes this movie which is not my cup of tea.
14. Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist (4/10)
A sweet film for teenagers , a comedy which happens in a span of one night. Nick a budding musician is recovering from heart break and Norah if trying to figure out her own assumptions of the world. Though they have nothing in common except for their taste in music, their chance encounter leads to an all-night quest to find a legendary band's secret show and ends up becoming the first date in a romance that could change both their lives.
13. Fox (Hindi) (5/10)
It could have been a decent thriller but hindi film makers still need to get a pulse of this genre. Arjun Rampal , a lawyer has made lots of money defending criminals. But soon he realizes his mistake and leaves law profession and is living in Goa. He gets book published which is not really his. Soon he finds himself being trapped in some conspiracy where he is now being held for murder of 5 people and Sunny Deol is handling his case. Finally the suspense is revealed which is a major letdown. Good for Tv watching and spend s a decent 2 hour of thrill. Could have been better.
12. Harry, He's Here To Help (French) [With a Friend Like Harry] (6/10)
Michel and Claire are on vacation and they meet Harry who identifies himself as friend of Michel from back in school days. He remembers a lot about Michel specially his poems and writing skills. Michel being the nice guy invites Harry and his girlfriend to their summer house. He wants to make Michel's life better which starts with buying up a new car and continues with killing his parents, brother, his own girlfriend etc. because Harry thinks that they are all the people who are making Michel's life unhappy and stopping him from continuing his writing. The film is slow in the beginning but gets very interesting midway. Although why Harry is doing all this is not very clear but he clearly is very inspired by Michel's writing skills. Def a worth watch
11. Yeh Mera India (Hindi) (6.5/10)
Yeh Mera India is an attempt to explore the real stories behind these headlines. These stories deal with racial bias, communal bias, caste bias, class bias, gender bias, lingual bias and immigrant bias that plaque the today's society and the outcome is startling. A huge ensemble cast where everyone delivers fine performance and how all individual stories all come together is very heartening. It is a story of one day in the life of 12 people from different strata of Mumbai city which is a melting pot of cultures. Very very strongly recommended.
10. Born On The Fourth Of July (5.5/10)
Based on the memoir of combat veteran Ron Kovic, the film stars Tom Cruise as Kovic, whose gunshot wound in Vietnam left him paralyzed from the chest down. He is deeply embittered by neglect in a veteran's hospital and by the shattering of his patriotic idealism because of the horror and futility of the Vietnam conflict. While painfully and awkwardly adjusting to his disability and a changing definition of masculinity, Kovic joins the burgeoning movement of antiwar protest, culminating in a climactic appearance at the 1976 Democratic national convention. The film started off well but somewhere it just lost my interest. Tom Cruise definitely acted really well.
In 1963, just months before Beatlemania swept the world, John Lennon and the Beatles' manager, Brian Epstein, took a four day vacation together in Barcelona. They were there to relax after a grueling series of concerts, but the trip remained charged with an unspoken tension. Those four emotional days are embodied in The Hours and Times, a flight of imagination that evokes the complex relationship between Lennon and Epstein. It was a a very slow movie and mot much happened. Plus it being so called fictional work as to what happened during that vacation makes this movie which is not my cup of tea.
14. Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist (4/10)
A sweet film for teenagers , a comedy which happens in a span of one night. Nick a budding musician is recovering from heart break and Norah if trying to figure out her own assumptions of the world. Though they have nothing in common except for their taste in music, their chance encounter leads to an all-night quest to find a legendary band's secret show and ends up becoming the first date in a romance that could change both their lives.
13. Fox (Hindi) (5/10)
It could have been a decent thriller but hindi film makers still need to get a pulse of this genre. Arjun Rampal , a lawyer has made lots of money defending criminals. But soon he realizes his mistake and leaves law profession and is living in Goa. He gets book published which is not really his. Soon he finds himself being trapped in some conspiracy where he is now being held for murder of 5 people and Sunny Deol is handling his case. Finally the suspense is revealed which is a major letdown. Good for Tv watching and spend s a decent 2 hour of thrill. Could have been better.
12. Harry, He's Here To Help (French) [With a Friend Like Harry] (6/10)
Michel and Claire are on vacation and they meet Harry who identifies himself as friend of Michel from back in school days. He remembers a lot about Michel specially his poems and writing skills. Michel being the nice guy invites Harry and his girlfriend to their summer house. He wants to make Michel's life better which starts with buying up a new car and continues with killing his parents, brother, his own girlfriend etc. because Harry thinks that they are all the people who are making Michel's life unhappy and stopping him from continuing his writing. The film is slow in the beginning but gets very interesting midway. Although why Harry is doing all this is not very clear but he clearly is very inspired by Michel's writing skills. Def a worth watch
11. Yeh Mera India (Hindi) (6.5/10)
Yeh Mera India is an attempt to explore the real stories behind these headlines. These stories deal with racial bias, communal bias, caste bias, class bias, gender bias, lingual bias and immigrant bias that plaque the today's society and the outcome is startling. A huge ensemble cast where everyone delivers fine performance and how all individual stories all come together is very heartening. It is a story of one day in the life of 12 people from different strata of Mumbai city which is a melting pot of cultures. Very very strongly recommended.
10. Born On The Fourth Of July (5.5/10)
Based on the memoir of combat veteran Ron Kovic, the film stars Tom Cruise as Kovic, whose gunshot wound in Vietnam left him paralyzed from the chest down. He is deeply embittered by neglect in a veteran's hospital and by the shattering of his patriotic idealism because of the horror and futility of the Vietnam conflict. While painfully and awkwardly adjusting to his disability and a changing definition of masculinity, Kovic joins the burgeoning movement of antiwar protest, culminating in a climactic appearance at the 1976 Democratic national convention. The film started off well but somewhere it just lost my interest. Tom Cruise definitely acted really well.
Tuesday, September 01, 2009
September so far only bad movies
9. State of Play (6/10)
Russel Crowe is working on investigation of a murder of a secretary of his Congressman friend Ben Affleck with Rachel McAdams. During the process he uncovers truth and harsh reality that threatens to bring down US's big corporates. The truth thats is finally reveald is very interesting and unexpected.
8. Bhaji On The Beach (UK English) (3/10)
Gurinder Chada's first (I think so) movie. Much before "BILB'. This movie was total disaster. Lot of over the top acting, miscellaneous characters everyone trying to deal with their issues. A group of estranged women go on a trip out to the beach and the film follows their troubles: a broken marriage, 3 old women, a pregnant teenager, 2 sisters etc. A very odd movie.
7. Employee of The Month (4.5/10)
Matt Dillon seems to have perfect life with fiance and a job at a bank and his best friend. Day starts with he getting fired, fiance dumping him and fights with friend. Next day there is a huge robbery in the bank and his dealing with it. How even though he was the master mind behind it with his friend and his mistress in bank, ultimately every single person is wearing a mask and is cheating and finally killing the other person.
6. Bruno (5/10)
Another funny stroke from Sacha Baron Cohen. This time he plays a gay Austrian who wants to get famous. There are a lot of scenes which evoke a genuine laughter but over all the movie is a bit downer. Previews make u expect more but thats all it turns out to be. It definitely runs out of the fizz. But I must ay that he did a pretty good job.
5. Ghatothkach - Master of Magic (Hindi) (3/10)
The only interesting thing abut this was that I had no idea about the story between ghatotkach and abhimanyu and it was interesting. Apart from that bad animation and worse songs. Give us a break from mythological hindi animation movies
4. Maruti Mera Dosst (Hindi) (3.5/10)
A girl tells her friends her childhood story of how Lord Hanuman himself was her friend as a kid and how he protected her from al evil forces including her step mom's evil mother. The characters had pretty much nothing to do. The young boy playing Maruti is the only character that holds your attention. Th eveil forces are straight out of some bad bollywood hindi kids film in which they ham and overact.
3. Kalaakaar (Hindi) (5/10)
It was interestng to revisits 80s films. Kunal is budding singer. Sridevi taps her talent and makes sure he gets a chance. Love blooms but soon Kunal finds out he has blood cancer, He tries to snub Sree so that she can hate him and marry someone else but she finds out the truth and commits suicide by the time Kunal also dies. An age old love story formula that worked big time in 80s. Excellent score
2. Agyaat (Hindi) (3/10)
It was a complete downer. First 30 minutes boring. Finally when the invisible creature starts killing people, the suspense if build but the climax is a total let down. You feel totally cheated. Plus I personally did not feel any chills or thrills. And why everyone in Ramu's films overact these days is beyond my comprehension.
1. Razzle Dazzle (4/10)
An australian hilarious mockumentary about kids' competitive dance, complete with overbearing parents, precocious kids, eccentric instructors, and a host of other quirky characters. It had very interesting characters like mothers of teenagers and dance teachers and how seriously (or not) they take the competitions.
Russel Crowe is working on investigation of a murder of a secretary of his Congressman friend Ben Affleck with Rachel McAdams. During the process he uncovers truth and harsh reality that threatens to bring down US's big corporates. The truth thats is finally reveald is very interesting and unexpected.
8. Bhaji On The Beach (UK English) (3/10)
Gurinder Chada's first (I think so) movie. Much before "BILB'. This movie was total disaster. Lot of over the top acting, miscellaneous characters everyone trying to deal with their issues. A group of estranged women go on a trip out to the beach and the film follows their troubles: a broken marriage, 3 old women, a pregnant teenager, 2 sisters etc. A very odd movie.
7. Employee of The Month (4.5/10)
Matt Dillon seems to have perfect life with fiance and a job at a bank and his best friend. Day starts with he getting fired, fiance dumping him and fights with friend. Next day there is a huge robbery in the bank and his dealing with it. How even though he was the master mind behind it with his friend and his mistress in bank, ultimately every single person is wearing a mask and is cheating and finally killing the other person.
6. Bruno (5/10)
Another funny stroke from Sacha Baron Cohen. This time he plays a gay Austrian who wants to get famous. There are a lot of scenes which evoke a genuine laughter but over all the movie is a bit downer. Previews make u expect more but thats all it turns out to be. It definitely runs out of the fizz. But I must ay that he did a pretty good job.
5. Ghatothkach - Master of Magic (Hindi) (3/10)
The only interesting thing abut this was that I had no idea about the story between ghatotkach and abhimanyu and it was interesting. Apart from that bad animation and worse songs. Give us a break from mythological hindi animation movies
4. Maruti Mera Dosst (Hindi) (3.5/10)
A girl tells her friends her childhood story of how Lord Hanuman himself was her friend as a kid and how he protected her from al evil forces including her step mom's evil mother. The characters had pretty much nothing to do. The young boy playing Maruti is the only character that holds your attention. Th eveil forces are straight out of some bad bollywood hindi kids film in which they ham and overact.
3. Kalaakaar (Hindi) (5/10)
It was interestng to revisits 80s films. Kunal is budding singer. Sridevi taps her talent and makes sure he gets a chance. Love blooms but soon Kunal finds out he has blood cancer, He tries to snub Sree so that she can hate him and marry someone else but she finds out the truth and commits suicide by the time Kunal also dies. An age old love story formula that worked big time in 80s. Excellent score
2. Agyaat (Hindi) (3/10)
It was a complete downer. First 30 minutes boring. Finally when the invisible creature starts killing people, the suspense if build but the climax is a total let down. You feel totally cheated. Plus I personally did not feel any chills or thrills. And why everyone in Ramu's films overact these days is beyond my comprehension.
1. Razzle Dazzle (4/10)
An australian hilarious mockumentary about kids' competitive dance, complete with overbearing parents, precocious kids, eccentric instructors, and a host of other quirky characters. It had very interesting characters like mothers of teenagers and dance teachers and how seriously (or not) they take the competitions.
Monday, August 31, 2009
August Number is 23
23. Bariwali (Bengali) (7/10)
Saw this film the second time. As always director Rituparno Ghosh impresses me. Kiron Kher is a lonely aged woman living on her own. Her husband died 2 days before her marriage. Her only confidants are her maid and her housekeeper. Things change when she allows a film shooting in her house. She gets drawn towards the director knowing very well that he is married and had an affair with the film actress ultimately of course to get heart broken in the end.
22. Tumhari Bina (Pakistan Short Film) (5/10)
This film deals with the desires of an older single woman who lives by herself in the house that she shared with her deceased brother. Her only other companion is her trusted gardener and the pleasures of the internet through which she plays her sinister games. A creepy film where you never expected the end.
21. Burnesroad Ki Nilofer (Pakistan Tv FIlm) (7/10)
I could have died laughing in this film. Reminded me of the days when we used to watch pakistani dramas. Nilofer is 17 yar ld who lives in a cramped flat in Pakistan with mother, father and 8 younger siblings. Beguiled by the soaps on television, she dreams of true love but has little chance to go out and find it or even to express herself in the presence of her parents. A hilarious film that gets a little serious towards the end but still very funny.
20. Midnight Lost & Found (Hindi Short Film) (7/10)
Arvind (Deepak Dobriyal) spends his nights reading Batman comics caged in behind iron bars at his lonely chemist shop in Bombay. A prostitute (Geetika Tyagi) stops every night to buy condoms, until their conversations help Arvind break free and find the superhero within. Excellent short and brilliant acting by both leads.
19. My Daughter the Terrorist (Sri Lanka Documentary) (5.5/10)
A very rare documentary of inside look into the lives of 2 girls of LTTE group whom the world calls as terrorists. This even-handed documentary sheds light on the reasons that the Tamil Tigers continue their bloody struggle for independence while questioning their tactics. Deep in guerrilla territory, two female Black Tigers train for theultimate mission. Its a personal choice to dcide who's right or wrong but the film is very hard hitting.
18. Beauty Parlor (Pakistan Short Film) (4.5/10)
Four faces, fur masks and 4 short stories. Two friends long for intimacies of a different kind, a to-be-bride longs for another while getting ready for her wedding, the ‘other woman’ struggles to define her existence via her relationship with her married lover and a physically challenged transvestite has dreams of a different kind.
17. Let's Talk (Indian English) (8/10)
Boman Irani's first feature film and what a fantastic acting debut on big screen. A wife is cheating on husband and has got pregnant now. She wants to tell her husband and is scared. The film shows her imagining 8 scenarios of how her husband could react to the news. From committing suicide to beating her up to just talking, these are few ways in which she thinks her husband would react. Awesome film. Must watch.
Saw this film the second time. As always director Rituparno Ghosh impresses me. Kiron Kher is a lonely aged woman living on her own. Her husband died 2 days before her marriage. Her only confidants are her maid and her housekeeper. Things change when she allows a film shooting in her house. She gets drawn towards the director knowing very well that he is married and had an affair with the film actress ultimately of course to get heart broken in the end.
22. Tumhari Bina (Pakistan Short Film) (5/10)
This film deals with the desires of an older single woman who lives by herself in the house that she shared with her deceased brother. Her only other companion is her trusted gardener and the pleasures of the internet through which she plays her sinister games. A creepy film where you never expected the end.
21. Burnesroad Ki Nilofer (Pakistan Tv FIlm) (7/10)
I could have died laughing in this film. Reminded me of the days when we used to watch pakistani dramas. Nilofer is 17 yar ld who lives in a cramped flat in Pakistan with mother, father and 8 younger siblings. Beguiled by the soaps on television, she dreams of true love but has little chance to go out and find it or even to express herself in the presence of her parents. A hilarious film that gets a little serious towards the end but still very funny.
20. Midnight Lost & Found (Hindi Short Film) (7/10)
Arvind (Deepak Dobriyal) spends his nights reading Batman comics caged in behind iron bars at his lonely chemist shop in Bombay. A prostitute (Geetika Tyagi) stops every night to buy condoms, until their conversations help Arvind break free and find the superhero within. Excellent short and brilliant acting by both leads.
19. My Daughter the Terrorist (Sri Lanka Documentary) (5.5/10)
A very rare documentary of inside look into the lives of 2 girls of LTTE group whom the world calls as terrorists. This even-handed documentary sheds light on the reasons that the Tamil Tigers continue their bloody struggle for independence while questioning their tactics. Deep in guerrilla territory, two female Black Tigers train for theultimate mission. Its a personal choice to dcide who's right or wrong but the film is very hard hitting.
18. Beauty Parlor (Pakistan Short Film) (4.5/10)
Four faces, fur masks and 4 short stories. Two friends long for intimacies of a different kind, a to-be-bride longs for another while getting ready for her wedding, the ‘other woman’ struggles to define her existence via her relationship with her married lover and a physically challenged transvestite has dreams of a different kind.
17. Let's Talk (Indian English) (8/10)
Boman Irani's first feature film and what a fantastic acting debut on big screen. A wife is cheating on husband and has got pregnant now. She wants to tell her husband and is scared. The film shows her imagining 8 scenarios of how her husband could react to the news. From committing suicide to beating her up to just talking, these are few ways in which she thinks her husband would react. Awesome film. Must watch.
Monday, August 24, 2009
Few more movies added to the kitty
16. Sanam Teri Kasam (Hindi) (1.5/10)
A movie of 90s (Sambandh aka Yeh pyar hi to hai) releases in 2008 with Pooja Bhatt, Atul Agniotri and Saif who hams throughout the movie, with a new name. Pooja Bhatt so does not suit the characters of damsel in distress wearing saris and stuff. Everything is so over the top and melodramatic that film would have bombed even if it was released in 90s. And whats u with changing the title of the movie 3 times. If the film is bad, nothing really helps.
15. War of The Worlds (4/10)
Ended up watching this movie again since it was coming on TV. Not one of the better works of Steven Speilberg. And Tom Cruise at least in this movie can't act. A usual cry of war between mankind and machine, this movie has everything that is expected from such movies.
14. Morning Walk (Hindi) (4.5/10)
Interesting concept. Somehow these family value and stories I like in Bengali films but when they get translated to Hindi film, they try to commercialize it and lose the whole essence. Anupam Kher moves to Bombay to live with his son and his family. He meets Sharmila Tagore, a girl whom he used to love in his young days. He later finds out that he has a daughter with her. Without going into morals of what's right and what's wrong, the film shows how he does what he feels is right (making sure his daughter has money to go to US for studying rather than giving money to his greedy daughter-in-law for buying a house in Mumbai)
13. Siddhartha The Prisoner (Hindi) (2/10)
I like indi films but this was just a lame excuse. I wonder how come Rajat Kapoor got best actor award in some lame film festival. Siddhartha (Rajat Kapoor) is out of jail and in the process of restarting his life. He write a book but his briefcase gets exchanged with another one containing money at an internet cafe. Rest of the movie is about the gang trying to find out their lost money and Rajat finding his book. The film moves at such a slow speed that if you take a nap and watch again, you probably wont have missed anything.
A movie of 90s (Sambandh aka Yeh pyar hi to hai) releases in 2008 with Pooja Bhatt, Atul Agniotri and Saif who hams throughout the movie, with a new name. Pooja Bhatt so does not suit the characters of damsel in distress wearing saris and stuff. Everything is so over the top and melodramatic that film would have bombed even if it was released in 90s. And whats u with changing the title of the movie 3 times. If the film is bad, nothing really helps.
15. War of The Worlds (4/10)
Ended up watching this movie again since it was coming on TV. Not one of the better works of Steven Speilberg. And Tom Cruise at least in this movie can't act. A usual cry of war between mankind and machine, this movie has everything that is expected from such movies.
14. Morning Walk (Hindi) (4.5/10)
Interesting concept. Somehow these family value and stories I like in Bengali films but when they get translated to Hindi film, they try to commercialize it and lose the whole essence. Anupam Kher moves to Bombay to live with his son and his family. He meets Sharmila Tagore, a girl whom he used to love in his young days. He later finds out that he has a daughter with her. Without going into morals of what's right and what's wrong, the film shows how he does what he feels is right (making sure his daughter has money to go to US for studying rather than giving money to his greedy daughter-in-law for buying a house in Mumbai)
13. Siddhartha The Prisoner (Hindi) (2/10)
I like indi films but this was just a lame excuse. I wonder how come Rajat Kapoor got best actor award in some lame film festival. Siddhartha (Rajat Kapoor) is out of jail and in the process of restarting his life. He write a book but his briefcase gets exchanged with another one containing money at an internet cafe. Rest of the movie is about the gang trying to find out their lost money and Rajat finding his book. The film moves at such a slow speed that if you take a nap and watch again, you probably wont have missed anything.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Time for some Indian films
12. Gulaal (Hindi) (7.5/10)
Anurag Kashyap's take on Rajasthan politics. Never seen before story, execution and minor details and how an innocent young man is dragged into politics, everyone takes advantage of him and then what follows in the name of politics. Bravo. SO many new faces and all of them just brilliant.
11. Good Luck (Hindi) (0/10)
A very poor scene to scene copy of Hollywood film 'Just my Luck'. When will the Indian film folks learn their lesson? Terrible direction, pathetic acting and everything else also was just sad and bad. Please dont even bother.
10. Antaheen (Bengali) (6/10)
I like Bengali films because they seem very real and fresh and just like a slice of life and this film is no different. 2 very different people who are friends online looking for love and their interactions with the people surrounding them and all their relationships. No one showcases relationships better than a few Bengali films. Rahul Bose, Sharmila Tagore, Aparna Sen, everyone is good.
9. Kaminey (Hindi) (9/10)
What happens in life span of 24 hours with 2 twin brothers? A roller coaster from the word go, this one takes the director and the actor straight to the top league. Everything from acting, music, direction, story, screenplay was just flawless, though some people might argue. This one is not to be missed for Shahid, Amol Gupte, Priyanka, Gulzar and Vishal Bhardwaj.
8. Perfect Mismatch (Indian/English) (4/10)
Another one of those indian english film trying to depict lives of a couple of Indian families living in US. This time the protagonists are a Punjabi and gujrati family. Their kids fall in love but the fathers dont see eye to eye. In this day and age where inter religion or even inter country marriage is no big deal, the producers are still stuck to age old cliche with some unnecessary drama thrown in.
Anurag Kashyap's take on Rajasthan politics. Never seen before story, execution and minor details and how an innocent young man is dragged into politics, everyone takes advantage of him and then what follows in the name of politics. Bravo. SO many new faces and all of them just brilliant.
11. Good Luck (Hindi) (0/10)
A very poor scene to scene copy of Hollywood film 'Just my Luck'. When will the Indian film folks learn their lesson? Terrible direction, pathetic acting and everything else also was just sad and bad. Please dont even bother.
10. Antaheen (Bengali) (6/10)
I like Bengali films because they seem very real and fresh and just like a slice of life and this film is no different. 2 very different people who are friends online looking for love and their interactions with the people surrounding them and all their relationships. No one showcases relationships better than a few Bengali films. Rahul Bose, Sharmila Tagore, Aparna Sen, everyone is good.
9. Kaminey (Hindi) (9/10)
What happens in life span of 24 hours with 2 twin brothers? A roller coaster from the word go, this one takes the director and the actor straight to the top league. Everything from acting, music, direction, story, screenplay was just flawless, though some people might argue. This one is not to be missed for Shahid, Amol Gupte, Priyanka, Gulzar and Vishal Bhardwaj.
8. Perfect Mismatch (Indian/English) (4/10)
Another one of those indian english film trying to depict lives of a couple of Indian families living in US. This time the protagonists are a Punjabi and gujrati family. Their kids fall in love but the fathers dont see eye to eye. In this day and age where inter religion or even inter country marriage is no big deal, the producers are still stuck to age old cliche with some unnecessary drama thrown in.
Sunday, August 09, 2009
A slow August
7. Wall-E (7/10)
So finally I also saw Wall-E. After hundreds of lonely years of doing what he was built for, the curious and lovable Wall-E discovers a new purpose in life when he meets a sleek search robot named Eve. The film has great message on how not to get totally caught up by the technology and ho wit is important to care about people and things around you. Wonderful
6. Dekh Bhai Dekh (Hindi) (5.5/10)
The film may have flopped but it was actually not a bad film. Gracy Singh, Siddharth Koirala, Raghuvir Yada and Vijay Raaz form a tam to steal an age old statue of god to make instant money but with the money split , its still not enough for everyone. They then decide to kill an old lady with lot of money but also in greed end up killing each other or so they think. With a twisted end and a village setting, this film could have never worked but honestly it is different. Maybe good for a TV film.
5. I Love You, Man (4/10)
A couple is getting married but the girl and her friends are worried that the man does not have any friends at all and who will be his best man for his wedding. Then starts a process of the lead man to find a guy and be friends with him. He meets Sidney, a carefree, super laid back guy and they hit off well. His only desire is to have fun. Hw he brings about changes in our hero's life. It was an all right film. There are a little too much of this chick flick romantic comedies these days.
So finally I also saw Wall-E. After hundreds of lonely years of doing what he was built for, the curious and lovable Wall-E discovers a new purpose in life when he meets a sleek search robot named Eve. The film has great message on how not to get totally caught up by the technology and ho wit is important to care about people and things around you. Wonderful
6. Dekh Bhai Dekh (Hindi) (5.5/10)
The film may have flopped but it was actually not a bad film. Gracy Singh, Siddharth Koirala, Raghuvir Yada and Vijay Raaz form a tam to steal an age old statue of god to make instant money but with the money split , its still not enough for everyone. They then decide to kill an old lady with lot of money but also in greed end up killing each other or so they think. With a twisted end and a village setting, this film could have never worked but honestly it is different. Maybe good for a TV film.
5. I Love You, Man (4/10)
A couple is getting married but the girl and her friends are worried that the man does not have any friends at all and who will be his best man for his wedding. Then starts a process of the lead man to find a guy and be friends with him. He meets Sidney, a carefree, super laid back guy and they hit off well. His only desire is to have fun. Hw he brings about changes in our hero's life. It was an all right film. There are a little too much of this chick flick romantic comedies these days.
Monday, August 03, 2009
Where will August end up going
4. Sleuth (5/10)
Based on a play, this movie stated off very interesting, dragged a little bit in the middle and ends with a bang. Jude Law is a struggling actor who doesn't know what to expect when he visits Michael Caine (whose wife he is sleeping with). A strange proposal from Caine for Jude Law sparks off an interesting twist and game plan of one upmanship over the other. The best thing about this Sleuth are the performances of Law and Caine, who could have been even better with a great script.
3. Barah Aana (Hindi) (6/10)
Someone please finance these directors who have such brilliant stories to tell but because of zero promotion, these films fall off the radar. Barah Aana is story of 3 friends (who have nothing in common except poverty). How they struggle with their life despite being different ages and how they find out a business of kidnapping people and making quick money out of it. They dont want to do it but its the fastest way to make money. Brillaint performances by Naseerudding, Vijay Raaz (seen after a long time) and Arjun Mathur. Again, a worth watch film.
2. Love Aaj Kal (Hindi) (6.5/10)
Of course Imtiaz Ali's film has great expectations. Mine were fulfilled to a great extent. Saif acted fine. Deepika looks gorgeous. The film shows us how today's generation struggles with what true love is (given the fact that we have too many choices) vs how love was in old days when purity was at its top and people would do anything just to have one glimpse of the girl they loved. Harleen is breathtakingly gorgeous. Songs are good but they seemed forced in the film. Overal a decent film
1. I've Loved You So Long (French) (8.5/10)
This is one of the best films I have seen in the recent times. The main protagonist comes out of jail after 15 years for murdering her son. Her sister takes her in who was very young at the time. The woman is now struggling to get back to a normal life. No one knows why she murdered her son but when the truth finally is found by her sister, it breaks her heart completely. Awesome performances. Must watch movie.
Based on a play, this movie stated off very interesting, dragged a little bit in the middle and ends with a bang. Jude Law is a struggling actor who doesn't know what to expect when he visits Michael Caine (whose wife he is sleeping with). A strange proposal from Caine for Jude Law sparks off an interesting twist and game plan of one upmanship over the other. The best thing about this Sleuth are the performances of Law and Caine, who could have been even better with a great script.
3. Barah Aana (Hindi) (6/10)
Someone please finance these directors who have such brilliant stories to tell but because of zero promotion, these films fall off the radar. Barah Aana is story of 3 friends (who have nothing in common except poverty). How they struggle with their life despite being different ages and how they find out a business of kidnapping people and making quick money out of it. They dont want to do it but its the fastest way to make money. Brillaint performances by Naseerudding, Vijay Raaz (seen after a long time) and Arjun Mathur. Again, a worth watch film.
2. Love Aaj Kal (Hindi) (6.5/10)
Of course Imtiaz Ali's film has great expectations. Mine were fulfilled to a great extent. Saif acted fine. Deepika looks gorgeous. The film shows us how today's generation struggles with what true love is (given the fact that we have too many choices) vs how love was in old days when purity was at its top and people would do anything just to have one glimpse of the girl they loved. Harleen is breathtakingly gorgeous. Songs are good but they seemed forced in the film. Overal a decent film
1. I've Loved You So Long (French) (8.5/10)
This is one of the best films I have seen in the recent times. The main protagonist comes out of jail after 15 years for murdering her son. Her sister takes her in who was very young at the time. The woman is now struggling to get back to a normal life. No one knows why she murdered her son but when the truth finally is found by her sister, it breaks her heart completely. Awesome performances. Must watch movie.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
The number for July is 19
19. Little Zizou (English/India) (7/10)
A wonderful movie based on Parsi community. Told by the eyes of a 9-1 year old boy who is big fan of footballer Zizou. The movie tells the story of his community which involves his father, a wannabe leader, a newspaper editor Boman Irani and his family, Zizou's older brother who wants to become a graphic novelist. How all these people affect each other's lives and struggle through everyday chores makes this cute small film. A very well made film with an interesting cameo by John Abraham and Kamal Sidhu, I loved the film.
18. Kal Kissne Dekha (Hindi) (4/10)
Some producers directors never learn. They keep giving viewers a mix dose of comedy, action, drama, song, dance and somewhere along the line story and think they can fool audiences. Jackie Bhagnani has the ability to see future. Once he leaves his small town and goes to Bombay, he falls in love with Vaishali Desai (who had absolutely nothing to do in the film). He starts seeing some bombings in future and then helps the police from these incidents to happen. Turns out the mastermind behind these is his profesor Rishi Kapoor. (yawnn!!) Completely avoidable.
17. Harry Potter And The Half-Blood Prince (8/10)
One of my most fav Harry Potter films ever. This one had story, pace and was simple and emotional. It did not have too many side tracks. I wish though that parts of the movie were in 3D. These days I have some strange fascination for 3D movies. A lot of chemistry between lead characters and other students was introduced which was fun. Definitely a worth watch.
16. Batman Begins (7.5/10)
This movie starts back the series on how Batman started. Batman flees Western civilization following the murder of his parents. He is taken in by a mysterious instructor named and urged to become a ninja in the League of Shadows. The instructor now wants him to destroy Gotham city because it is full of corrupt people but instead batman wants to improve the situation. He instead returns to his native Gotham City resolved to end the mob rule that is strangling it. I wish I had seen this movie before Dark Knight. Bale cuts a good figure as Batman, intense and dangerous but with some of the lightheartedness. I liked it.
A wonderful movie based on Parsi community. Told by the eyes of a 9-1 year old boy who is big fan of footballer Zizou. The movie tells the story of his community which involves his father, a wannabe leader, a newspaper editor Boman Irani and his family, Zizou's older brother who wants to become a graphic novelist. How all these people affect each other's lives and struggle through everyday chores makes this cute small film. A very well made film with an interesting cameo by John Abraham and Kamal Sidhu, I loved the film.
18. Kal Kissne Dekha (Hindi) (4/10)
Some producers directors never learn. They keep giving viewers a mix dose of comedy, action, drama, song, dance and somewhere along the line story and think they can fool audiences. Jackie Bhagnani has the ability to see future. Once he leaves his small town and goes to Bombay, he falls in love with Vaishali Desai (who had absolutely nothing to do in the film). He starts seeing some bombings in future and then helps the police from these incidents to happen. Turns out the mastermind behind these is his profesor Rishi Kapoor. (yawnn!!) Completely avoidable.
17. Harry Potter And The Half-Blood Prince (8/10)
One of my most fav Harry Potter films ever. This one had story, pace and was simple and emotional. It did not have too many side tracks. I wish though that parts of the movie were in 3D. These days I have some strange fascination for 3D movies. A lot of chemistry between lead characters and other students was introduced which was fun. Definitely a worth watch.
16. Batman Begins (7.5/10)
This movie starts back the series on how Batman started. Batman flees Western civilization following the murder of his parents. He is taken in by a mysterious instructor named and urged to become a ninja in the League of Shadows. The instructor now wants him to destroy Gotham city because it is full of corrupt people but instead batman wants to improve the situation. He instead returns to his native Gotham City resolved to end the mob rule that is strangling it. I wish I had seen this movie before Dark Knight. Bale cuts a good figure as Batman, intense and dangerous but with some of the lightheartedness. I liked it.
Sunday, July 19, 2009
And the list continues
15. Jashnn (Hindi) (5.5/10)
Like the title it is a story of nobody who wants to be somebody. Adhyayan is Shahana's brother. She is mistress of a Humayun and thats how they live. Anjana Sukhani is his sister and she falls in love with Adhyayan. HE wants to make big with his music but he always et hurt whenever he wants to do something big. Slowly al his dreams die and he is shattered completely. At this stage, his love helps him come out of his shell, prove that he can be someone and give back a life of respect to his sister. Decent performances and an emotional film. I would have rated it better but I just cant digest Adhyayan and Anjana. Shahana Goswami was superb as expected.
14. Kiss of The Spider Woman (6.5/10)
Hemmed in by the narrow walls of a Latin American prison cell, Molina (William Hurt) is telling his new cellmate, Valentin (Raul Julia), his favorite story. Molina is a gay man imprisoned for seducing a minor; Valentin is a bearded revolutionary still bleeding from his interrogation. There are stories twisting within stories, each drawing a new, surprising level of difference between the two heroes: escapism versus realism, romance versus politics, gay versus straight, hero versus coward. As their unstable friendship grows more real, their stories become more vivid. A well deserved Oscar for the leading man in 80s. Must watch.
13. Vicky Christina Barcelona (7/10)
This is my second time watching this film. Vicky and Cristina are two young Americans spending a summer in Spain. Vicky is engaged to be married and Christina is in search of herself. They meet a charming Casanova and Vicky ends of sleeping with him and thereby confused but she doesn't pursue it further because she is engaged. Christina meanwhile has full fledged affair and even moves in with him. And then comes Penelope Cruz (his ex-wife) and what follows is a complex look at relationships with each of the character and how they directly or indirectly affect each other. Brilliant film and even more brilliant Penelope Cruz.
12. Sankat City (Hindi) (7/10)
A great intelligently made comedy film. This is worth a dekho. KayKay is a car thief who works with Dilip Prabhawalkar (garage owner) in overhauling the car and selling it. Once he find a mercedes and 1 crore rupees with it. What hey dont realize is that the car belongs to Anupam Kher, a don. Then we have RImi who cons people and is trying to do one big final heist and retire. The guys she is targeting at owes money to Anupam Kher. There are a couple of other people involved too with the Don. How do these people interact each other, how money keeps exchanging hands and how things get resolved ultimately make this fun filled roller coaster. The screenplay is the best part. Its not easy to develop the inter relations of the characters.
11. Mamma Mia! (7/10)
One of the first Hollywood musicals that I liked. The story is simple. A girl lives on an island with her mother. Its time for her marriage and she wants to know who her father is. There are 3 possible options but fun is that the mother herself doesn't know. She invites all 3 men for her wedding and the fun, confusion follows. Music of course is great. Title song and dancing queen and their choreography is amazing. I now want to see it on Broadway.
10. Wendy and Lucy (5/10)
Michelle Williams is in economic crisis and is on a road trip on her way to work Alaskan fishing boats with her dog Lucy. Her Honda breaks down, and while shoplifting once she loses Lucy. She befriends a local security guard who genuinely helps her find her dog. As the film speaks to many young people who have been broke and stranded, one will inevitably wonder why Wendy makes the unwise choices she does, for example sleeping in a dangerous area along a train track instead of finding a safer campground, or wandering the streets looking for her lost pooch in lieu of hunkering down for a temporary part-time job. A slow decent movie.
Like the title it is a story of nobody who wants to be somebody. Adhyayan is Shahana's brother. She is mistress of a Humayun and thats how they live. Anjana Sukhani is his sister and she falls in love with Adhyayan. HE wants to make big with his music but he always et hurt whenever he wants to do something big. Slowly al his dreams die and he is shattered completely. At this stage, his love helps him come out of his shell, prove that he can be someone and give back a life of respect to his sister. Decent performances and an emotional film. I would have rated it better but I just cant digest Adhyayan and Anjana. Shahana Goswami was superb as expected.
14. Kiss of The Spider Woman (6.5/10)
Hemmed in by the narrow walls of a Latin American prison cell, Molina (William Hurt) is telling his new cellmate, Valentin (Raul Julia), his favorite story. Molina is a gay man imprisoned for seducing a minor; Valentin is a bearded revolutionary still bleeding from his interrogation. There are stories twisting within stories, each drawing a new, surprising level of difference between the two heroes: escapism versus realism, romance versus politics, gay versus straight, hero versus coward. As their unstable friendship grows more real, their stories become more vivid. A well deserved Oscar for the leading man in 80s. Must watch.
13. Vicky Christina Barcelona (7/10)
This is my second time watching this film. Vicky and Cristina are two young Americans spending a summer in Spain. Vicky is engaged to be married and Christina is in search of herself. They meet a charming Casanova and Vicky ends of sleeping with him and thereby confused but she doesn't pursue it further because she is engaged. Christina meanwhile has full fledged affair and even moves in with him. And then comes Penelope Cruz (his ex-wife) and what follows is a complex look at relationships with each of the character and how they directly or indirectly affect each other. Brilliant film and even more brilliant Penelope Cruz.
12. Sankat City (Hindi) (7/10)
A great intelligently made comedy film. This is worth a dekho. KayKay is a car thief who works with Dilip Prabhawalkar (garage owner) in overhauling the car and selling it. Once he find a mercedes and 1 crore rupees with it. What hey dont realize is that the car belongs to Anupam Kher, a don. Then we have RImi who cons people and is trying to do one big final heist and retire. The guys she is targeting at owes money to Anupam Kher. There are a couple of other people involved too with the Don. How do these people interact each other, how money keeps exchanging hands and how things get resolved ultimately make this fun filled roller coaster. The screenplay is the best part. Its not easy to develop the inter relations of the characters.
11. Mamma Mia! (7/10)
One of the first Hollywood musicals that I liked. The story is simple. A girl lives on an island with her mother. Its time for her marriage and she wants to know who her father is. There are 3 possible options but fun is that the mother herself doesn't know. She invites all 3 men for her wedding and the fun, confusion follows. Music of course is great. Title song and dancing queen and their choreography is amazing. I now want to see it on Broadway.
10. Wendy and Lucy (5/10)
Michelle Williams is in economic crisis and is on a road trip on her way to work Alaskan fishing boats with her dog Lucy. Her Honda breaks down, and while shoplifting once she loses Lucy. She befriends a local security guard who genuinely helps her find her dog. As the film speaks to many young people who have been broke and stranded, one will inevitably wonder why Wendy makes the unwise choices she does, for example sleeping in a dangerous area along a train track instead of finding a safer campground, or wandering the streets looking for her lost pooch in lieu of hunkering down for a temporary part-time job. A slow decent movie.
Monday, July 13, 2009
These new films are bad
9. Kambakkht Ishq (Hindi) (5.5/10)
Glamourous pair and hit songs but they dont make a good entertainer. Akshay is a stuntman in LA and Kareena is a medical student who models to pay her fees. Its a battle of sexes between them where they both hate each other and try to put each other down. Ultimately there minds change and they fall in love. Akshay has done this role so many times before that he can sleepwalk through it. Kareena looks stunning. Amrita Arora looks and acts dumb though she is probably better than Denise Richards.
8. Short Kut (Hindi) (2.5/10)
Arshad Warsi is a wannabe actor whm no one gives a chance. Akshaye is working on writing a script for his forst direction. Arshad steals his script and becomes a star overnight. SItuation brings them together where Akshaye is forced to work with Arshad to make his foothold in the industry. In between all this, Amrita Rao keeps appearing for glamour quotient and songs. I dont even understand why this film is a comedy. I am tired of watching Arshad hamming in all his movies and repeating himself.
Glamourous pair and hit songs but they dont make a good entertainer. Akshay is a stuntman in LA and Kareena is a medical student who models to pay her fees. Its a battle of sexes between them where they both hate each other and try to put each other down. Ultimately there minds change and they fall in love. Akshay has done this role so many times before that he can sleepwalk through it. Kareena looks stunning. Amrita Arora looks and acts dumb though she is probably better than Denise Richards.
8. Short Kut (Hindi) (2.5/10)
Arshad Warsi is a wannabe actor whm no one gives a chance. Akshaye is working on writing a script for his forst direction. Arshad steals his script and becomes a star overnight. SItuation brings them together where Akshaye is forced to work with Arshad to make his foothold in the industry. In between all this, Amrita Rao keeps appearing for glamour quotient and songs. I dont even understand why this film is a comedy. I am tired of watching Arshad hamming in all his movies and repeating himself.
Wednesday, July 08, 2009
I dont feel like watching movies any more
7. Sita Sings the Blues (4/10)
This film is an interesting animated version from the director's vision. It intersperses events from an episode of the Ramayana, illustrated conversation between Indian shadow puppets, musical interludes voiced with songs and scenes from the artist's own life. The ancient mythological and modern biographical plot are parallel tales, sharing numerous themes. One of the parallels of what is happening in a couple's life in modern day is actually autobiographical.
6. Kirayadaar (Hindi) (5.5/10)
It was good to go back in time and watch one of those middle class targeted Basu Chatterjee's movie. Padmini Kolhapure lives in a flat in Mumbai with Mother Vidya Sinha for 15 yrs. The flat is owned by Utpal Dutt who lives in Lucknow with son Raj Babbar. When he gets a job in Bombay, Utpal Dutt wants them to leave the flat but they refuse. They ultimately get in a court case which is going nowhere because the lawyers are just getting money out of the whole deal. Of course all's well that ends well and the hero heroine get married. Not to much fun to watch in today's times but still much better than the crap that is coming out these days.
5. Runway (Hindi) (2/10)
Amarjeet is a young man who loves Deepal Shaw. She is into drugs and now needs liver transplant. To earn money for that, the hero works for a don, kills a guy and now someone is after his life to kill him. On the run, he meets Tulip Joshi who helps him save his life and go back to India. Terrible movie, contrived plot and ridiculous acting.
This film is an interesting animated version from the director's vision. It intersperses events from an episode of the Ramayana, illustrated conversation between Indian shadow puppets, musical interludes voiced with songs and scenes from the artist's own life. The ancient mythological and modern biographical plot are parallel tales, sharing numerous themes. One of the parallels of what is happening in a couple's life in modern day is actually autobiographical.
6. Kirayadaar (Hindi) (5.5/10)
It was good to go back in time and watch one of those middle class targeted Basu Chatterjee's movie. Padmini Kolhapure lives in a flat in Mumbai with Mother Vidya Sinha for 15 yrs. The flat is owned by Utpal Dutt who lives in Lucknow with son Raj Babbar. When he gets a job in Bombay, Utpal Dutt wants them to leave the flat but they refuse. They ultimately get in a court case which is going nowhere because the lawyers are just getting money out of the whole deal. Of course all's well that ends well and the hero heroine get married. Not to much fun to watch in today's times but still much better than the crap that is coming out these days.
5. Runway (Hindi) (2/10)
Amarjeet is a young man who loves Deepal Shaw. She is into drugs and now needs liver transplant. To earn money for that, the hero works for a don, kills a guy and now someone is after his life to kill him. On the run, he meets Tulip Joshi who helps him save his life and go back to India. Terrible movie, contrived plot and ridiculous acting.
Thursday, July 02, 2009
A good start to July
4. The Hangover (6/10)
4 friends go for a bachelor party. The next day they wake up with the room missing, room completely shattered with a baby and a tiger. What follows are hilarious sequences of what happened that night and where did the groom disappear. The film is funny in lot of parts and completely college fun filled film that you will bound to enjoy with friends.
3. New York (Hindi) (6.5/10)
Dealing with terrorism, this film starts with 3 close friends. Seven years after 9/11 FBI asks Neil to work for them to prove that John is a terrorist or else they will put Neil in detention. Neil doesn't believe but still agrees. John is now married to Katrina and has a baby. Neil soon finds out that FBI was right but also now understands the reasons why John is doing what he is doing. A very interesting take on terrorism and on what Muslims in different pats of the world had to face. Enjoyable.
2. Let's Dance (Hindi) (4/10)
New girl Gayatri Patel is an exceptional dancer. She runs a dance school and wants to make it big but doesn't want to compromise on her principles. She gets a chance but cannot make much out of it because she refuses to sleep with video director. She ultimately makes a team with students including with roadside goondas and presents one of the best shows the city has seen. The only good thing about the movie was excellent choreography. Gayatri can move.
1. Glass House- The Good Mother (2/10)
Teenage Abby and brother than move with foster parents after their parents die. BUt all is not hunky dory. Abby son realizes that there new parents are crazy and the mother has the psychiatric disease where she slowly poisons her kid and kills them. She has so far killed 4 foster young boys. Abby finds out about this and helps herself and brother escape. A story with lots of loopholes ideally suited for a 1 hour TV episode. Poor acting.
4 friends go for a bachelor party. The next day they wake up with the room missing, room completely shattered with a baby and a tiger. What follows are hilarious sequences of what happened that night and where did the groom disappear. The film is funny in lot of parts and completely college fun filled film that you will bound to enjoy with friends.
3. New York (Hindi) (6.5/10)
Dealing with terrorism, this film starts with 3 close friends. Seven years after 9/11 FBI asks Neil to work for them to prove that John is a terrorist or else they will put Neil in detention. Neil doesn't believe but still agrees. John is now married to Katrina and has a baby. Neil soon finds out that FBI was right but also now understands the reasons why John is doing what he is doing. A very interesting take on terrorism and on what Muslims in different pats of the world had to face. Enjoyable.
2. Let's Dance (Hindi) (4/10)
New girl Gayatri Patel is an exceptional dancer. She runs a dance school and wants to make it big but doesn't want to compromise on her principles. She gets a chance but cannot make much out of it because she refuses to sleep with video director. She ultimately makes a team with students including with roadside goondas and presents one of the best shows the city has seen. The only good thing about the movie was excellent choreography. Gayatri can move.
1. Glass House- The Good Mother (2/10)
Teenage Abby and brother than move with foster parents after their parents die. BUt all is not hunky dory. Abby son realizes that there new parents are crazy and the mother has the psychiatric disease where she slowly poisons her kid and kills them. She has so far killed 4 foster young boys. Abby finds out about this and helps herself and brother escape. A story with lots of loopholes ideally suited for a 1 hour TV episode. Poor acting.
Wednesday, July 01, 2009
Number for June is 18 :(
18. Paying Guest (Hindi) (6/10)
It wasn't a bad film (like I was expecting). This is story of 4 friends who pretend to be 2 couples to get room in a big house (Shreyas and Javed Jaffri pretend to be woman) after they lose their job and original room where they were living in Bangkok. They live in Johny Lever's house and a lot of funny incidents follow involving these 4 friends and their love interests. A total time pass film. It doesn't let you get bored but just dont think too much while the film is on.
17. Aparichit (Hindi) (6.5/10)
Dubbed from Tamil film Anniyan, I wished I had seen the original version with real voice than fake dubbing. Vikram suffers with multiple personality disorder with 3 dominant personalities - simple village man in love but the girl doesn't reciprocate and strict follower of rules, aparichit who can kill people whoever goes against the laws and principles and a very modern young man who finally sweeps of the girl. Very well made film it has a very interesting premise and well directed by Shankar. Why dont more mainstream bollywood film makers look for similar subjects?
It wasn't a bad film (like I was expecting). This is story of 4 friends who pretend to be 2 couples to get room in a big house (Shreyas and Javed Jaffri pretend to be woman) after they lose their job and original room where they were living in Bangkok. They live in Johny Lever's house and a lot of funny incidents follow involving these 4 friends and their love interests. A total time pass film. It doesn't let you get bored but just dont think too much while the film is on.
17. Aparichit (Hindi) (6.5/10)
Dubbed from Tamil film Anniyan, I wished I had seen the original version with real voice than fake dubbing. Vikram suffers with multiple personality disorder with 3 dominant personalities - simple village man in love but the girl doesn't reciprocate and strict follower of rules, aparichit who can kill people whoever goes against the laws and principles and a very modern young man who finally sweeps of the girl. Very well made film it has a very interesting premise and well directed by Shankar. Why dont more mainstream bollywood film makers look for similar subjects?
Friday, June 26, 2009
Some regional movies are sooo good
16. Knowing (3.5/10)
I usually like natural calamity movies but of late they have been not good. Add this film to the list. Nicolas Cage plays MIT professor who gets hold of a paper from tim capsule from his son's school which actually has some chilling predictions of the natural calamities and disasters that happened and will happen. How will he save the world (if at all he can) goes on in the movie. But the world does come to an end but there is a hope because the son and a young girl are saved by aliens (or whoever they were). A very stupid movie which takes viewers intelligence for granted.
15. Quinceanera (Spanish/English) (7/10)
Sometimes its the simplicity of the film that bowls yu over. Thi sis one such film. Simple yet brilliant. As Magdalena's 15th birthday approaches, her working class family prepares for the all-important Quinceañera - a lavish coming-of-age celebration. But when her father discovers she's pregnant and refuses to believe the incredible truth - she's actually still a virgin - Magdalena moves in with her elderly Uncle and gay cousin Carlos. Her newfound family is soon put to the test, however, when an unexpected crisis threatens to tear them apart, and Magdalena learns what it truly means to come of age.
14. Tell No One (French) (8/10)
Tell No One tells the story of pediatrician Alexandre Beck who still grieves the murder of his beloved wife, Margot, eight years earlier. When two bodies are uncovered near where Margot's body was found, the police reopen the case and Alex becomes a suspect again. The mystery deepens when Alex receives an anonymous e-mail with a link to a video clip that seems to suggest Margot is somehow still alive and a message to Tell No One. One of the most suspenseful thrillers I have seen in recent times, this one has so many twist and turns that you will love it. Brilliant acting by one and all.
13. Confessions of a Shopaholic (6/10)
Isla Fisher plays the title role here. As clear by the title she is a shopaholic. Desperate to work for a fashion magazine , she lands up a job in a sister magazine where she has to writ articles of managing finances (clearly an oxymoron). But her column becomes a hot and she also falls for her handsome boss. The film deals with how she overcomes her craze for shopping and saves her love and friendship. Actually not a bad film (which I had thought of it initially)
12. Forever Fever (Singapore/English) [That's The Way I Like It] (5.5/10)
An interesting dance based film set in Singapore sometime in future when English is the official language. The lead character is a Bruce Le fan who is big fan of motorbikes but has no money to buy one. Initially bored, he comes to life when he watches cool dance moves in a dance flick. He joins dance classes with his friend hoping to enter dance competition and win big money for himself. He struggles through his friend, a girl whom he likes in the class, the bad guy and also his own family issues. Like all films, he hero is ultimately the winner and alls well that ends well. Good basic 80s dance moves (although film is from 98) but not boring at all
I usually like natural calamity movies but of late they have been not good. Add this film to the list. Nicolas Cage plays MIT professor who gets hold of a paper from tim capsule from his son's school which actually has some chilling predictions of the natural calamities and disasters that happened and will happen. How will he save the world (if at all he can) goes on in the movie. But the world does come to an end but there is a hope because the son and a young girl are saved by aliens (or whoever they were). A very stupid movie which takes viewers intelligence for granted.
15. Quinceanera (Spanish/English) (7/10)
Sometimes its the simplicity of the film that bowls yu over. Thi sis one such film. Simple yet brilliant. As Magdalena's 15th birthday approaches, her working class family prepares for the all-important Quinceañera - a lavish coming-of-age celebration. But when her father discovers she's pregnant and refuses to believe the incredible truth - she's actually still a virgin - Magdalena moves in with her elderly Uncle and gay cousin Carlos. Her newfound family is soon put to the test, however, when an unexpected crisis threatens to tear them apart, and Magdalena learns what it truly means to come of age.
14. Tell No One (French) (8/10)
Tell No One tells the story of pediatrician Alexandre Beck who still grieves the murder of his beloved wife, Margot, eight years earlier. When two bodies are uncovered near where Margot's body was found, the police reopen the case and Alex becomes a suspect again. The mystery deepens when Alex receives an anonymous e-mail with a link to a video clip that seems to suggest Margot is somehow still alive and a message to Tell No One. One of the most suspenseful thrillers I have seen in recent times, this one has so many twist and turns that you will love it. Brilliant acting by one and all.
13. Confessions of a Shopaholic (6/10)
Isla Fisher plays the title role here. As clear by the title she is a shopaholic. Desperate to work for a fashion magazine , she lands up a job in a sister magazine where she has to writ articles of managing finances (clearly an oxymoron). But her column becomes a hot and she also falls for her handsome boss. The film deals with how she overcomes her craze for shopping and saves her love and friendship. Actually not a bad film (which I had thought of it initially)
12. Forever Fever (Singapore/English) [That's The Way I Like It] (5.5/10)
An interesting dance based film set in Singapore sometime in future when English is the official language. The lead character is a Bruce Le fan who is big fan of motorbikes but has no money to buy one. Initially bored, he comes to life when he watches cool dance moves in a dance flick. He joins dance classes with his friend hoping to enter dance competition and win big money for himself. He struggles through his friend, a girl whom he likes in the class, the bad guy and also his own family issues. Like all films, he hero is ultimately the winner and alls well that ends well. Good basic 80s dance moves (although film is from 98) but not boring at all
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
The numbers for this month are just ok
11. The Mysteries of Pittsburgh (6/10)
It was again nice to go in a movie knowing nothing abut it. Sometimes lack of knowledge does pay off. The Mysteries of Pittsburgh is about the young son of a notorious gangster who spends his last teenage summer roaming around with two friends. The interesting twist is that the guy then has to choose between those 2 friends, incidentally a guy and a girl. What he has to struggle and find out that if that is bromance, really close friendship or love. I just found out that the film was based on a book and now I am gonna have to read the book
10. Happy Endings (7/10)
Wow! Finally a good film. The humor in this film was the kind I saw in 'In Bruges'. I thoroughly enjoyed this film. Following a few parallel stories (of course they are related in some way to each other), we have Lisa Kudrow, an abortion clinic counselor with a massage therapist lover, Javier, who gave up her baby for adoption which she had 18 years ago with her gay stepbrother Charley. One day, Nicky Kunitz, a sleazy filmmaker, shows up and plans to blackmail her with information on her child's whereabouts so that he can film the reunion and use it to get into the AFI. Charley now runs his father's restaurant with his lover, Gil, and suspects that their lesbian friends lied about using Gil's sperm to create a child so that they wouldn't have to share him with them. Jude (Maggie Gyllenhaal) has been kicked out of her cousin's house and is now living with the latent Otis, who lives with his widower father. Otis is gay and Father gets obsessed with Jude. Initially in for money, Jude soon falls in love with Frank. Everyone ultimately has a happy ending.
It was again nice to go in a movie knowing nothing abut it. Sometimes lack of knowledge does pay off. The Mysteries of Pittsburgh is about the young son of a notorious gangster who spends his last teenage summer roaming around with two friends. The interesting twist is that the guy then has to choose between those 2 friends, incidentally a guy and a girl. What he has to struggle and find out that if that is bromance, really close friendship or love. I just found out that the film was based on a book and now I am gonna have to read the book
10. Happy Endings (7/10)
Wow! Finally a good film. The humor in this film was the kind I saw in 'In Bruges'. I thoroughly enjoyed this film. Following a few parallel stories (of course they are related in some way to each other), we have Lisa Kudrow, an abortion clinic counselor with a massage therapist lover, Javier, who gave up her baby for adoption which she had 18 years ago with her gay stepbrother Charley. One day, Nicky Kunitz, a sleazy filmmaker, shows up and plans to blackmail her with information on her child's whereabouts so that he can film the reunion and use it to get into the AFI. Charley now runs his father's restaurant with his lover, Gil, and suspects that their lesbian friends lied about using Gil's sperm to create a child so that they wouldn't have to share him with them. Jude (Maggie Gyllenhaal) has been kicked out of her cousin's house and is now living with the latent Otis, who lives with his widower father. Otis is gay and Father gets obsessed with Jude. Initially in for money, Jude soon falls in love with Frank. Everyone ultimately has a happy ending.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
The film 'mela' continues
9. Ken Park (1/10)
A total waste of time. Its more like a soft porn rather than a feature film. The film focusses on several teenagers and their tormented home lives. Shawn seems to be the most conventional. Tate is brimming with psychotic rage; Claude is habitually harassed by his brutish father. Peaches looks after her devoutly religious father, but yearns for freedom. They're all rather tight, or so they claim. But they spend precious little time together. They have various troubles and at the end they meet and Shawn's brother commits suicide. There is no logic, no reasoning. AVOID
8. Jumbo (Hindi) (4.5/10)
Another animation film from Bollywood or so they claim. Apparently the film was originally made in Thailand and some producer just bought the rights and got it dubbed with Indian stars. Still the animation quality was good, it had a storyline and as a kid it would hold on to your attention. Same old story of good vs evil and a son taking revenge of his father's death albeit they all being elephants. Just for kids. Adults are bound to get bored.
7. Hum Aapke Hain Koun..! (Hindi) (8/10)
I mean why would I even write anything about the film. I probably saw this film for the 35th time and this time to sow my American friend what a typical bollywood musical is filled with Indian traditions and customs. What better than this. I loved it yet on more time and he loved it too. One thing which is funny is how awful was the film industry's fashion sense in early 90s. Madhuri's and Renuka Shahane's smiles were and are to die for
6. 99 (Hindi) (4/10)
I had few expectations from the movie but was disappointed. The film was sometimes so slow that you could easily take a nap, continue watching and you wouldn't lose anything. 99 is about 2 crooks Kunal Khemu and Cyrus Broacha who steal a car which ends up being of a gangster. He then hires him to work for him because they cannot pay. On other hand we also have Boman Irani who is a compulsive gambler and bets on cricket and has taken lot of loan from the gangster. the 2 friends are sent to Delhi to collect money from Boman. They eventually become foes turned friends and make money out of betting in a bizarre twist and turn of events. Plot could have been much funnier. I like Kunal Khemu . He is such a natural performer. One thing I did not understand is why was Cyrus made to wear the fat body suit. It jut did not make any sense.
5. How To Lose Friends And Alienate People (4/10)
A small time British journalist Sideny is hired by an upscale film magazine in New York after he catches attention by some ridiculous events in an event. He thinks he will make it big but all his plans fall flat. Sidney possibly the most annoying person you will meet first puts off his colleague (whom he ultimately falls in love) and gets involved in one mad incident after other> How he keeps alienating people which at one point almost makes him lose his job and how ultimately he compromises his principles to make it big in journalism is what the film about. I personally did not think too much abut the movie. It was made just for the heck of it. I agree it was funny in bits and parts but overall it did nothing for me
A total waste of time. Its more like a soft porn rather than a feature film. The film focusses on several teenagers and their tormented home lives. Shawn seems to be the most conventional. Tate is brimming with psychotic rage; Claude is habitually harassed by his brutish father. Peaches looks after her devoutly religious father, but yearns for freedom. They're all rather tight, or so they claim. But they spend precious little time together. They have various troubles and at the end they meet and Shawn's brother commits suicide. There is no logic, no reasoning. AVOID
8. Jumbo (Hindi) (4.5/10)
Another animation film from Bollywood or so they claim. Apparently the film was originally made in Thailand and some producer just bought the rights and got it dubbed with Indian stars. Still the animation quality was good, it had a storyline and as a kid it would hold on to your attention. Same old story of good vs evil and a son taking revenge of his father's death albeit they all being elephants. Just for kids. Adults are bound to get bored.
7. Hum Aapke Hain Koun..! (Hindi) (8/10)
I mean why would I even write anything about the film. I probably saw this film for the 35th time and this time to sow my American friend what a typical bollywood musical is filled with Indian traditions and customs. What better than this. I loved it yet on more time and he loved it too. One thing which is funny is how awful was the film industry's fashion sense in early 90s. Madhuri's and Renuka Shahane's smiles were and are to die for
6. 99 (Hindi) (4/10)
I had few expectations from the movie but was disappointed. The film was sometimes so slow that you could easily take a nap, continue watching and you wouldn't lose anything. 99 is about 2 crooks Kunal Khemu and Cyrus Broacha who steal a car which ends up being of a gangster. He then hires him to work for him because they cannot pay. On other hand we also have Boman Irani who is a compulsive gambler and bets on cricket and has taken lot of loan from the gangster. the 2 friends are sent to Delhi to collect money from Boman. They eventually become foes turned friends and make money out of betting in a bizarre twist and turn of events. Plot could have been much funnier. I like Kunal Khemu . He is such a natural performer. One thing I did not understand is why was Cyrus made to wear the fat body suit. It jut did not make any sense.
5. How To Lose Friends And Alienate People (4/10)
A small time British journalist Sideny is hired by an upscale film magazine in New York after he catches attention by some ridiculous events in an event. He thinks he will make it big but all his plans fall flat. Sidney possibly the most annoying person you will meet first puts off his colleague (whom he ultimately falls in love) and gets involved in one mad incident after other> How he keeps alienating people which at one point almost makes him lose his job and how ultimately he compromises his principles to make it big in journalism is what the film about. I personally did not think too much abut the movie. It was made just for the heck of it. I agree it was funny in bits and parts but overall it did nothing for me
Sunday, June 07, 2009
June starts
4. Straight (Hindi) (6.5/10)
Vinay Pathak owns a restaurant in London. he tries but cant get married because somehow the girls are not into him. He has hired Kamlesh as a cook and Gul Panag as cashier in his restaurant. The three of them become good friends. Kamlesh is a very happy go lucky kind of guy and one day he just randomly kisses Vinay. Now he starts thinking that maybe he is gay. He doesn't know what to do and there is no way to confirm him. There are a few hilarious moments when he goes on a date with couple of girls but all in vain, thereby increasing his confusion. Ultimately he realizes the truth, falls in love with Gul and things are all great. There are so many light moments in the film that I loved. I thought it was a very good film, very sweet, nothing over the top. The acing of all 3 principal characters was very good. Guy playing Kamlesh was very natural. Another good film from director Parvati Balaopalan after Rules pyar ka superhit formula.
3. Romancing The Stone (3.5/10)
I was recommended this film because apparently it involves treasure hunt and I love those films. Treasure hunt it was but that was probably 5% of the film. The other was about romance and love and deceit and just some random things. I guess, a typical 80s film. It was fun to watch Michael Douglas though. There were so many dumb moments in the film when I was like, does the director think we are stupid, but again then thats the fun when you watch an 80s film. It was allright but I probably would still skip it.
2. Blindness (1/10)
Now his one has to be one of the worst movies I have seen and believe me I dont say that very often. A man suddenly one day turns blind and the disease apparently is communicable. Slowly a bunch of people turn blind including the doctor. But for some reason Doctor's wife is fine. When all blind people are detained in a government cell away from the world, the wife sneaks in too. They are treated worse than prisoners. Blind people form various groups in there and there are fights, murders, rape etc. N explanation as to when the wife can see everything, why doesn't she do anything about it. It was so weird and unfortunately the movie went on and on. God knows why all the blind societies were doing all those protests when the movie released. I guess everyone needs a little attention.
1. He Is Just Not That Into You (5/10)
Having watched the reviews for so long, I wanted to see this film expecting a lot of comic moments but sadly the comic lines were very limited to just the ones that they showed in the previews. As the name suggests, the movie walks us through life of few girls, one desperately in search of love, one been with boyfriend for 7 years but not ready for marriage, one married and loking to save it and the other one just looking out for it. The film shows some cliches on what men mean when they say certain things on a date. Film ends on a good note that everyone needs love. It was ok but I had huge expectations.
Vinay Pathak owns a restaurant in London. he tries but cant get married because somehow the girls are not into him. He has hired Kamlesh as a cook and Gul Panag as cashier in his restaurant. The three of them become good friends. Kamlesh is a very happy go lucky kind of guy and one day he just randomly kisses Vinay. Now he starts thinking that maybe he is gay. He doesn't know what to do and there is no way to confirm him. There are a few hilarious moments when he goes on a date with couple of girls but all in vain, thereby increasing his confusion. Ultimately he realizes the truth, falls in love with Gul and things are all great. There are so many light moments in the film that I loved. I thought it was a very good film, very sweet, nothing over the top. The acing of all 3 principal characters was very good. Guy playing Kamlesh was very natural. Another good film from director Parvati Balaopalan after Rules pyar ka superhit formula.
3. Romancing The Stone (3.5/10)
I was recommended this film because apparently it involves treasure hunt and I love those films. Treasure hunt it was but that was probably 5% of the film. The other was about romance and love and deceit and just some random things. I guess, a typical 80s film. It was fun to watch Michael Douglas though. There were so many dumb moments in the film when I was like, does the director think we are stupid, but again then thats the fun when you watch an 80s film. It was allright but I probably would still skip it.
2. Blindness (1/10)
Now his one has to be one of the worst movies I have seen and believe me I dont say that very often. A man suddenly one day turns blind and the disease apparently is communicable. Slowly a bunch of people turn blind including the doctor. But for some reason Doctor's wife is fine. When all blind people are detained in a government cell away from the world, the wife sneaks in too. They are treated worse than prisoners. Blind people form various groups in there and there are fights, murders, rape etc. N explanation as to when the wife can see everything, why doesn't she do anything about it. It was so weird and unfortunately the movie went on and on. God knows why all the blind societies were doing all those protests when the movie released. I guess everyone needs a little attention.
1. He Is Just Not That Into You (5/10)
Having watched the reviews for so long, I wanted to see this film expecting a lot of comic moments but sadly the comic lines were very limited to just the ones that they showed in the previews. As the name suggests, the movie walks us through life of few girls, one desperately in search of love, one been with boyfriend for 7 years but not ready for marriage, one married and loking to save it and the other one just looking out for it. The film shows some cliches on what men mean when they say certain things on a date. Film ends on a good note that everyone needs love. It was ok but I had huge expectations.
Saturday, May 30, 2009
37 Films in May
37. Awake (3/10)
A psychological thriller about a common occurrence called "anesthetic awareness" a horrifying phenomenon wherein a patient's failed anesthesia leaves him fully conscious but physically paralyzed during surgery. During such a surgery, the lead in the film finds out about a plot to kill him for his money driven by his doctor friend and wife. Nice thought on paper but silly execution with too many loopholes and medically not possible things. Waste of time.
36. Breach (6/10)
This is based on a true story about the biggest breach in US history in FBI around year 2001 timeframe. The bureau suspects a chief to be giving US secret information to Russia but the guy being so smart, they cannot arrest him because of lack of proof. A new division, a new team and a wanna agent are put on case to keep an eye on him and catch him in action when he drops information next time. Interesting film although at times it can get a little confusing because of too detailed technical discussion. It still makes for a god tea time watch.
35. West Is West (Indian English) (2/10)
A movie with this name feauring Ashutosh Gowariker in the main lead gets your expectations high. Ashutosh arrives to SF but realizes that his sponsors have moved to India, he has not gotten into college and is running out of money. He lives in a chap motel run by Pearl Padamsee and starts working there. Constantly harassed by immigration officials, the only option he is left with is to marry an American girl whom he made friends with. He realizes then he doesn't see any reason to stay in US and goes back to India. Months later his wife joins too. This ne was such a silly and bad film that its hard to even write how bad it was. Apparently made in 1995, the production looked like 70s film and the acting was bad, just bad from each and every person. Well maybe not from Pearl Padamsee. She was charming as she always is.
34. Baran (Iran/Persian) (7.5/10)
My first Iranian film recommended by a dear friend and boy did I love the film. It was a wonderful experience to watch love in the purest form. 17 year old Lateef is a man working on a construction site. He just kills time, picks up fight rather than working hard. When another construction worker injures himself, his 15-16 year old son Rahmat becomes the bread earner and joins the site. Soon enough Lateef realizes that Rahmat is in fact a girl Baran posing as boy t get work. His life changes because he gets drawn irresistibly towards her. He sees her working hard, cries for her and wants to help her. In the process he ends up losing his money, identity and everything just to make her life a little better. The family soon leaves for Afghanistan and Lateef could never even tell the girl how he felt for her. Must watch film.
33. Hallam Foe (5.5/10)
Hallam, a young man suspects that his stepmother may have had a hand in the sudden death of his biological mother. Fleeing the family home (which is like in middle of woods), Hallam takes up residence upon the rooftops of Edinburgh, it's not long before he is drawn into a voyeuristic obsession with a young woman who shares more than a passing resemblance to his mother, who is older to him and actually employs him. Changing equation of Hallam with the girl and how things end is this film. The film is interesting in bits and pieces. With a tighter and faster pace, he film could have been better,
32. Karma Aur Holi (Indian English) (3/10)
The film finally released and yes it was torture to watch the film. A very amateurishly directed film, its a classic example of how you can waste money and talent of people involved in the film. Randeep and Susmita are a couple living in NY suburbs who are hosting Hli bash at their huge suburban mansion. Different people with different backgrounds ultimately end of sharing a secret about themselves that no one knows which ultimately can change their lives. Neither the people not their secrets were exciting at all. See this film to know what bad acting, bad dialogue delivery is all about.
A psychological thriller about a common occurrence called "anesthetic awareness" a horrifying phenomenon wherein a patient's failed anesthesia leaves him fully conscious but physically paralyzed during surgery. During such a surgery, the lead in the film finds out about a plot to kill him for his money driven by his doctor friend and wife. Nice thought on paper but silly execution with too many loopholes and medically not possible things. Waste of time.
36. Breach (6/10)
This is based on a true story about the biggest breach in US history in FBI around year 2001 timeframe. The bureau suspects a chief to be giving US secret information to Russia but the guy being so smart, they cannot arrest him because of lack of proof. A new division, a new team and a wanna agent are put on case to keep an eye on him and catch him in action when he drops information next time. Interesting film although at times it can get a little confusing because of too detailed technical discussion. It still makes for a god tea time watch.
35. West Is West (Indian English) (2/10)
A movie with this name feauring Ashutosh Gowariker in the main lead gets your expectations high. Ashutosh arrives to SF but realizes that his sponsors have moved to India, he has not gotten into college and is running out of money. He lives in a chap motel run by Pearl Padamsee and starts working there. Constantly harassed by immigration officials, the only option he is left with is to marry an American girl whom he made friends with. He realizes then he doesn't see any reason to stay in US and goes back to India. Months later his wife joins too. This ne was such a silly and bad film that its hard to even write how bad it was. Apparently made in 1995, the production looked like 70s film and the acting was bad, just bad from each and every person. Well maybe not from Pearl Padamsee. She was charming as she always is.
34. Baran (Iran/Persian) (7.5/10)
My first Iranian film recommended by a dear friend and boy did I love the film. It was a wonderful experience to watch love in the purest form. 17 year old Lateef is a man working on a construction site. He just kills time, picks up fight rather than working hard. When another construction worker injures himself, his 15-16 year old son Rahmat becomes the bread earner and joins the site. Soon enough Lateef realizes that Rahmat is in fact a girl Baran posing as boy t get work. His life changes because he gets drawn irresistibly towards her. He sees her working hard, cries for her and wants to help her. In the process he ends up losing his money, identity and everything just to make her life a little better. The family soon leaves for Afghanistan and Lateef could never even tell the girl how he felt for her. Must watch film.
33. Hallam Foe (5.5/10)
Hallam, a young man suspects that his stepmother may have had a hand in the sudden death of his biological mother. Fleeing the family home (which is like in middle of woods), Hallam takes up residence upon the rooftops of Edinburgh, it's not long before he is drawn into a voyeuristic obsession with a young woman who shares more than a passing resemblance to his mother, who is older to him and actually employs him. Changing equation of Hallam with the girl and how things end is this film. The film is interesting in bits and pieces. With a tighter and faster pace, he film could have been better,
32. Karma Aur Holi (Indian English) (3/10)
The film finally released and yes it was torture to watch the film. A very amateurishly directed film, its a classic example of how you can waste money and talent of people involved in the film. Randeep and Susmita are a couple living in NY suburbs who are hosting Hli bash at their huge suburban mansion. Different people with different backgrounds ultimately end of sharing a secret about themselves that no one knows which ultimately can change their lives. Neither the people not their secrets were exciting at all. See this film to know what bad acting, bad dialogue delivery is all about.
Friday, May 22, 2009
The May end number is.. still counting
31. Last Chance Harvey (5/10)
Dustin Hoffman and Emma Thompson are 2 lonely individuals. When he visits London for his daughter's wedding, his chance encounter with Emma changes both of their lives forever. They teach other that they need to take chances in life and how its important to love and respect their family. He gets a last chance before he can decide whether to return back to US or spend his life with Emma whom he has hardly known for not even 2 days. A decent plot but it has ben done to death so many times that for me to had nothing new to offer
30. Bicentennial Man (7.5/10)
A robots journey over the course of 200 years where he struggles to fit in the human world, trying to understand their life and ultimately trying to become a human himself so that he can marry and live his life with the girl whom he loves so deeply. It was a very very interesting film. Had my friends mom not told me about it, I would have neevr seen this beautiful film. A bit lengthy but its marvelous. Robin WIlliams does a brilliant job.
29. Rachel Getting Married (7/10)
Few minutes into the film, it kind of reminded me of Monsoon Wedding. Inspired yet very different. Anne Hathaway is visiting her family from rehab for her sister Rachel's wedding. The entire film is dedicated to various functions and festivities that go on in the family and the fights they have because Anne is still going through her rehab days and how he cannot let the guilt of possibly being responsible for her brother's death out of her mind. Brilliant performance by her. A rightly deserved Oscar nomination. A simple indie film.
28. Marley And Me (6/10)
It started out fun. I am not big fan of dog films but just witnessing the kind of dog Marley was in fact fascinating. The film is about this couple who has a god Marley, their life, aspirations , career, kids and how in all this Marley , the dog plays an important part in their life before ultimately succumbing to death after living his full course. Comical performances by the dog, Jennifer Aniston and Owen wilson. Time pass flick
27. Faltu (Bengali) (6/10)
This is a story about 20 year old guy Faltu who is in search of his roots (who his father is) and is looking for love. It is also the story of a small village and its people and the story woven around these characters who have helped Faltu to grow in a mature young man but they never want to talk about who his father is. Every person in the village at some point raped his mother (who was a mad woman), so no one is sure of who the father actually is. The guilty feeling of raping Surikhepi haunts almost every single male in the village. That is when a twist in the tale ensures Faltu and his love don't get married. The story and direction is very fascinating. It is still so difficult to understand human relationships and desires and Bengali cinema has time and again shown us different facets of it.
Dustin Hoffman and Emma Thompson are 2 lonely individuals. When he visits London for his daughter's wedding, his chance encounter with Emma changes both of their lives forever. They teach other that they need to take chances in life and how its important to love and respect their family. He gets a last chance before he can decide whether to return back to US or spend his life with Emma whom he has hardly known for not even 2 days. A decent plot but it has ben done to death so many times that for me to had nothing new to offer
30. Bicentennial Man (7.5/10)
A robots journey over the course of 200 years where he struggles to fit in the human world, trying to understand their life and ultimately trying to become a human himself so that he can marry and live his life with the girl whom he loves so deeply. It was a very very interesting film. Had my friends mom not told me about it, I would have neevr seen this beautiful film. A bit lengthy but its marvelous. Robin WIlliams does a brilliant job.
29. Rachel Getting Married (7/10)
Few minutes into the film, it kind of reminded me of Monsoon Wedding. Inspired yet very different. Anne Hathaway is visiting her family from rehab for her sister Rachel's wedding. The entire film is dedicated to various functions and festivities that go on in the family and the fights they have because Anne is still going through her rehab days and how he cannot let the guilt of possibly being responsible for her brother's death out of her mind. Brilliant performance by her. A rightly deserved Oscar nomination. A simple indie film.
28. Marley And Me (6/10)
It started out fun. I am not big fan of dog films but just witnessing the kind of dog Marley was in fact fascinating. The film is about this couple who has a god Marley, their life, aspirations , career, kids and how in all this Marley , the dog plays an important part in their life before ultimately succumbing to death after living his full course. Comical performances by the dog, Jennifer Aniston and Owen wilson. Time pass flick
27. Faltu (Bengali) (6/10)
This is a story about 20 year old guy Faltu who is in search of his roots (who his father is) and is looking for love. It is also the story of a small village and its people and the story woven around these characters who have helped Faltu to grow in a mature young man but they never want to talk about who his father is. Every person in the village at some point raped his mother (who was a mad woman), so no one is sure of who the father actually is. The guilty feeling of raping Surikhepi haunts almost every single male in the village. That is when a twist in the tale ensures Faltu and his love don't get married. The story and direction is very fascinating. It is still so difficult to understand human relationships and desires and Bengali cinema has time and again shown us different facets of it.
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