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.
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