10 films in February '11

10. Dil To Bachcha Hai Ji (Hindi) (6/10)
A nice warm no brainers entertainer but very unlike the David Dhawan or Anees Bazmee types. This is not the kind of comedy where you burst out in pearls of laughter. Rather this is the kind of film, where you actually relate to the characters and there is always a smile on your face. Ajay Devgan is someone now you can bank on as actor. Emran Hashmi is just getting better. I have actually started to like the guy. It was also refreshing to see a light film finally by Madhur Bhandarkar

9. Dance Like A Man (Indian/English) (3.5/10)
I had been wanting this film for a while now just because I have always tried to encourage the so called 'art' cinema. I have a feeling that had I seen the film right when it came out, I might have appreciated it bit more than what I did now. Acting by Shobhana and Asif Zakaria was good. In fact pretty good, but overall, it failed to leave a mark on me the struggles a man goes through trying to prove to be a man but at the same time taking his passion for dancing to the next level. Things are not so easy when your better half (read wife) is better than you.

8. Haat - The Weekly Bazaar (Hindi/Rajasthani) (1/10)
A weird film by actress turned director Seema Kapoor. The choice of subject was interesting and could have made a good art film but the bizarre narration style and not a crisp story line leaves a lot wanted. There have been several films on women being tortured and misused, this one follows the same path with Divya Dutta's life being used by her husband and her lover. This film has nothing new or novel to offer. Yawn !!

7. Transamerica (7.5/10)
I had been meaning to see this film for such a long time and finally manage to do so. The film is about a pre-operative male-to-female transsexual takes an unexpected journey when she learns that she fathered a son, now a teenage runaway hustling on the streets of New York. Felicity Huffman is just brilliant in this role. I am so so disappointed to now read that she never won the oscars for the performance. She so deserved it. The film also manages to open your eyes on how society discriminates and ultimately its the soul that matters. Brilliant and a very brave effort on the film makers part.

6. Unstoppable (3.5/10)
A so so film. It kept reminding me of the hindi film 'The Burning Train'. Plus it was very very predictable. It just cannot meet the level of excitement and nervousness that other disaster films can take you through.

5. Conviction (5.5/10)
This film surprised me. Based on a true story about a sister trying to get justice for her brother was very emotional and has been handled with a lot of sincerity. Hilary Swank was wonderful in her portrayal. Despite the fact that you know the final outcome, you still feel so happy and elated for the family who have suffered long to see the day.

4. You Will Meet A Tall Dark Stranger (4/10)
I used to love Woody Allen cinema but something has been missing in his recent outings. The film focussing on mall multiple stories. We follow a group of people, as their passions, ambitions, and anxieties lead them into trouble and out of their minds. The film ends up abruptly without justifying certain actions or even giving a closure to any one event. It i as if you are watching a slice of life of your neighbour, and just when it got interesting, the neighbour decided to move out.

3. Red (3/10)
When his peaceful life is threatened by a high-tech assassin, former black-ops agent Frank Moses reassembles his old team in a last ditch effort to survive and uncover his assailants. Simple story but it is kind of a British black comedy that makes you laugh at certain points. If you dont wanna put your brain to work , then you might actually enjoy the film. My problem was that I tried to find logic into so many situations that I stopped having fun. Don't repeat the mistake that I did.

2. Toonpur Ka Superrhero (Hindi) (1.5/10)
It as bad, specially if you are very used to the whole American animation world where the things are so much better. From India standards, the animation quality was decent but then just that is not enough. The story was very bad and please, what was Kajol thinking when she did this film. A big downer!

1. Jhootha Hi Sahi (Hindi) (6/10)
I dont know why this film got so bad reviews. I, for once actually enjoyed watching this film. It was sweet and simple and I particularly enjoyed the chemistry that the circle of friends shared with each other. Sometimes simple things are better and I have always wanted to be in such a circle. But what the hell was Abbas Tyrwala thinking when he signed his wife Pakhi for the film as lead actress. C'mmon now, anyone can see how she just can't act and has pathetic screen presence.