I just came back from Dostana, one of the most hyped movies of the winter (if you can call it dat in Mumbai), and came bak feeling not too impressed... I mean, its not as if it wasn't fun... John luked gr8, Priyanka was smoking hot, and Abhishek was the cool dude he's made himself of late... Some of the scenes were hilarious and the expressions on the actors' faces priceless... but the story didn't really pack a punch...
Going into unchartered territory for mainstream Hindi cinema ( ... the gay theme .... ) one would have thought a better crafted script would have come out.... wat it makes itself to be, is a series of predictable encounters, expecially in the second half where one thought that things were just getting to be interesting... I read a review that said the film was 'insensitive' (yes, must'be been the only journo who didn't get a goodie bag after the premiere) and I tend to agree in some portions... the gay-bashing is quite apparent & there are other instances too which seemed very inappropriate... wont say anything more at the risk of giving anything away.....
One thing I did note is the increasing prowess that Priyanka is showing in her roles.... I was really impressed with her in Fashion, and here too, she seems the most real among many over-the-top characters in the film... her expressions seem authentic & her portrayal flaw-less.... kudos, Priyanka.... keep it up....
I'm looking forward to Dasvidanya this week too... especially in the fear that it wont last another week in the Navi Mumbai theatres.... after that it'll be up to December with RNBDJ & Ghajini.... i can't find any update on the release dates of Hollywood movies, so don't know the scene dere...
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Civic Sense in India
Got a nice mail on civic sense in India... Really hilarious.. (And maybe we should take a few lessons... ?) .... Reproducing it verbatim as under:
15 Rules That India Lives by:
1.The Other Side Law:
If my side of the road has a traffic jam, then I can start driving on the wrong side of the road, and all incoming cars will be rerouted via Meerut.
2. The No Queue Rule:
If there is a queue of many people, no one will notice me sneaking into the front as long as I am looking the other way.
3. The Mind Over Matter Law:
If a red light is not working, four cars from different directions can easily pass through one another..
4. The Auto Axiom:
If I indicate which way I am going to turn my vehicle, it is an information security leak.
5. The In Spit Of Thing:
The more I lean out of my car or bus, and the harder I spit, the stronger the roads become.
6. The Cinema Hall Fact:
If I get a call on my mobile phone, the film automatically goes into pause mode.
7. The Brotherhood Law:
If I want to win an argument, I need only to repeatedly suggest to the other person that I have illicit relations with his sister.
8. The Baraat/ Marriage Right:
When I'm on the road to marriage, all the roads in the city belong to me. To ME.
9. The Heart Of Things:
If I open enough buttons on my shirt, the pretty girl at the bus stop can see through my malformed chest into the depths of my soul.
10. The Name Game:
It is very important for the driver behind me to memorize the nicknames of my children.
11. Parking Up The Wrong Tree:
When I double-park my car, the road automatically widens so that the traffic is not affected.
12. The Chill Bill Move:
When I park and block someone else's car I am giving him a chance to pause, relax, chill and take a few moments off from his rushed day.
13. The Ogling Stare:
If you don't ogle and drool at every hot Chick that passes by, you're gay.
14. The Bus Law:
If I stop my bus at the correct place near the bus stop, the city will explode and blow into 6 million pieces.
15. The VIP Rule:
There are only 3 important persons in this city -Me, I, Myself!
You know.... just maybe....
15 Rules That India Lives by:
1.The Other Side Law:
If my side of the road has a traffic jam, then I can start driving on the wrong side of the road, and all incoming cars will be rerouted via Meerut.
2. The No Queue Rule:
If there is a queue of many people, no one will notice me sneaking into the front as long as I am looking the other way.
3. The Mind Over Matter Law:
If a red light is not working, four cars from different directions can easily pass through one another..
4. The Auto Axiom:
If I indicate which way I am going to turn my vehicle, it is an information security leak.
5. The In Spit Of Thing:
The more I lean out of my car or bus, and the harder I spit, the stronger the roads become.
6. The Cinema Hall Fact:
If I get a call on my mobile phone, the film automatically goes into pause mode.
7. The Brotherhood Law:
If I want to win an argument, I need only to repeatedly suggest to the other person that I have illicit relations with his sister.
8. The Baraat/ Marriage Right:
When I'm on the road to marriage, all the roads in the city belong to me. To ME.
9. The Heart Of Things:
If I open enough buttons on my shirt, the pretty girl at the bus stop can see through my malformed chest into the depths of my soul.
10. The Name Game:
It is very important for the driver behind me to memorize the nicknames of my children.
11. Parking Up The Wrong Tree:
When I double-park my car, the road automatically widens so that the traffic is not affected.
12. The Chill Bill Move:
When I park and block someone else's car I am giving him a chance to pause, relax, chill and take a few moments off from his rushed day.
13. The Ogling Stare:
If you don't ogle and drool at every hot Chick that passes by, you're gay.
14. The Bus Law:
If I stop my bus at the correct place near the bus stop, the city will explode and blow into 6 million pieces.
15. The VIP Rule:
There are only 3 important persons in this city -Me, I, Myself!
You know.... just maybe....
Sunday, October 19, 2008
786
'Saat Sau Chhayaasi' (Seven Hundred & Eighty Six) is one of those numbers which have an iconic status in Bollywood parlance... 'Bismillah number' as the number is referred to commonly, due to the numerical value of the opening phrase of the Qur'an ('Bismillah' or 'In the Name of Allah'), is considered 'lucky' and 'sacred' by many Muslims in this part of the world...
786, thus has been used in a number of Bollywood films as the call-sign for the leading men of the respective movies... One of the first I remember is in Yash Chopra's "Deewar" (1975), wherein Amitabh Bachchan, in one of his iconic roles as the 'angry young man' wears the Billa no. 786 on his arm as a license to unload goods at the docks... A fellow worker (Rahim kaka a.k.a. Yunus Parvez) explains the significance of the number to Amitabh in one of the first scens on the docks...
In 1983, Amitabh used the number again in his role as Iqbal Khan, in 'Coolie'... Once again, his Billa no. is 786 as a Coolie in a Mumbai train station...
Amitabh has said that he finds the number 'auspiscious' for him since Deewar was one of the huge hits that catapulted him into superstardom and also because he survived a near fatal accident during the shooting of Coolie...
In later years, Mithun-da starred in a movie called 'Billa No. 786', but I confess I only just found out about this while Googling the words right now...
The most recent recurrence however is again attributed to Yash Chopra in Veer Zaara for Shahrukh Khan's character, Veer Pratap Singh.... "Kaidi no. saat sau chhayaasi... allah ka nek banda"... There was even an entire poem starting with the line "Main, kadi no. 786....." that SRK narrated about his experience in prison in the movie ... Skeptics may point out that this was another way in which SRK tried to one-up the Big B, but I don't think that's ever been the case ... Anyhow, who am I to argue on this...
786, thus has been used in a number of Bollywood films as the call-sign for the leading men of the respective movies... One of the first I remember is in Yash Chopra's "Deewar" (1975), wherein Amitabh Bachchan, in one of his iconic roles as the 'angry young man' wears the Billa no. 786 on his arm as a license to unload goods at the docks... A fellow worker (Rahim kaka a.k.a. Yunus Parvez) explains the significance of the number to Amitabh in one of the first scens on the docks...
In 1983, Amitabh used the number again in his role as Iqbal Khan, in 'Coolie'... Once again, his Billa no. is 786 as a Coolie in a Mumbai train station...
Amitabh has said that he finds the number 'auspiscious' for him since Deewar was one of the huge hits that catapulted him into superstardom and also because he survived a near fatal accident during the shooting of Coolie...
In later years, Mithun-da starred in a movie called 'Billa No. 786', but I confess I only just found out about this while Googling the words right now...
The most recent recurrence however is again attributed to Yash Chopra in Veer Zaara for Shahrukh Khan's character, Veer Pratap Singh.... "Kaidi no. saat sau chhayaasi... allah ka nek banda"... There was even an entire poem starting with the line "Main, kadi no. 786....." that SRK narrated about his experience in prison in the movie ... Skeptics may point out that this was another way in which SRK tried to one-up the Big B, but I don't think that's ever been the case ... Anyhow, who am I to argue on this...
As I wind up the post, I must give credit to SET Max which prompted the idea in my mind as Deewar was airing today.... I started Googling on the roots, and voila.... you have your dose of bollywood gyaan....
Until next time.... cheerio !
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Zara Hat Ke, Zara Bach Ke, Ye Hai MUMBAI MERI JAAN....
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I was born in Bombay in 1982, and shifted to Delhi in 1988 where I have 'grown up'....
In 2004, after completing my engineering degree, the city beckoned me again with my first job. Four years on (except for the yr spent in S'pore/Dubai spanning 06 & 07) I'm still here.... I was here when the 26/7 floods happened & spent 18 hours stranded on a bus that day ... I have seen the 'Spirit of Mumbai' in action at these times... It was just a week after I'd left for Singapore that the train blasts of 11/7 took place.... a week later, I even kept the 2 minute silence (while still in S'pore) at the same time as the whole of Mumbai did....
Yesterday night, I watched the movie 'Mumbai Meri Jaan' and was completely swept away by it... the simplicity of direction and the subtle treatment of the subject was simply amazing... the cast was outstanding in every role, so much so that not even a single person should be called a 'supporting actor'.... Irrfan Khan, Kay Kay Menon, Paresh Rawal, Soha Ali Khan, Madhavan, and a host of other little known names make this movie a memorable watch....
It is a fitting tribute to the city which picks itself up everytime anyone tries to push it to the ground & stands taller than before... The film should be made mandatory viewing for all Indians and wouldn't be surprised if the 'Tax-Free' tag is not added in a few days time...
Once again, a salute to the undying spirit of the 'Maximum City'... SALAAM MUMBAI !!!
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Tere Mujhse Hai Pehle Ya Naata Koi...
Yunhi Nahi Dil Lagata Joi...
Jaane Tu......... Ya Jaane Na.......
On popular demand, I'm going write a piece on another lively movie of recent times.... Jaane Yu.. Ya Jaane Na... In hind-sight, I'd planned to write it as I came home immediately after watching the movie, but there was a power cut that time... It just got side-lined after that...
The debut vehicle of famous nephew Imraan Khan (if u don't know whose nephew, pls feel free to Google...) and of director Abbas Tyrewala, who's in the past been the successful screenwriter behind such films like Main Hoon Naa and also written lyrics & dialogue for various films (Munnabhai, Salaam Namaste, Welcome... to name a few) is a refreshing 'feel good' story about a group of friends... The lead duo, Imraan & Genelia have put in gr8 performances & share an excellent on-screen chemistry... they play 2 best frnds who do not realise that they're MFEO...
The story goes on as other the frnds watch in despair since the 2 don't even take the hint about a possible spark... the performances of the frnds are also noteworthy as are those of the family... One to particularly watch out for is that of Rajat Kapur & Kitu Gidwani... Prateik Babbar is another surprise package (he's the son of Raj Babbar & the late Smita Patil).. I wont give away more of the story here since that'll just ruin it for most, but please do note the ending lines...
It's a must-watch....
Maane Tu..... Yaa Maane Naa....
And yes, MFEO = Made For Each Other....
Jaane Tu......... Ya Jaane Na.......
On popular demand, I'm going write a piece on another lively movie of recent times.... Jaane Yu.. Ya Jaane Na... In hind-sight, I'd planned to write it as I came home immediately after watching the movie, but there was a power cut that time... It just got side-lined after that...
The debut vehicle of famous nephew Imraan Khan (if u don't know whose nephew, pls feel free to Google...) and of director Abbas Tyrewala, who's in the past been the successful screenwriter behind such films like Main Hoon Naa and also written lyrics & dialogue for various films (Munnabhai, Salaam Namaste, Welcome... to name a few) is a refreshing 'feel good' story about a group of friends... The lead duo, Imraan & Genelia have put in gr8 performances & share an excellent on-screen chemistry... they play 2 best frnds who do not realise that they're MFEO...
The story goes on as other the frnds watch in despair since the 2 don't even take the hint about a possible spark... the performances of the frnds are also noteworthy as are those of the family... One to particularly watch out for is that of Rajat Kapur & Kitu Gidwani... Prateik Babbar is another surprise package (he's the son of Raj Babbar & the late Smita Patil).. I wont give away more of the story here since that'll just ruin it for most, but please do note the ending lines...
It's a must-watch....
Maane Tu..... Yaa Maane Naa....
And yes, MFEO = Made For Each Other....
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Why ..... So ..... Serious ?
The most enduring image that leaves one when the movie (or should I say, Epic) gets over is that of 'The Joker' laughing cynically at his own defeat ... Yes, he does get defeated... It is a superhero movie after all... But I'm not going to give anything away b'coz I sincerely believe that every avid movie watcher should go & see this movie...
Chris Nolan is brilliant as usual & if I think about it, I can't remember a single movie of his which I have disliked (to be fair he has only directed 6 full-length movies, of which I've watched 5)...
As I said in the opening line, the movie is 'Epic' ... in its conception, production, direction & enaction... and every other '-tion' you could think of...
But back to the late Heath Ledger... He completely steals the show... A cousin who was staying in Chicago while the movie was filiming there was telling us about how Ledger would run around the city streets in full make-up & costume to get into the skin of his character completely... more reports of his 'preparation' are on Wikipedia. The hard work pays off in a portrayal of The Joker which is completely unlike Jack Nicholson's from the era of Tim Burton's Batman... This Joker carves a completely new identity for himself ...
This post goes out to Heath, & I'm sure he's up there looking down at the faces of fans going to watch the Dark Knight and saying - 'Let's Put a Smile on that Face'...
Monday, June 30, 2008
One weekend, Two movies...
It was a busy last week, wherein I've seen a total of 4 movies (including one repeated twice) over the past 8 days... The one I saw twice was "Get Smart"... (no, I'm not much smarter watching it the second time) ... One helluva movie... (a good review by my frnd on http://without-an-h.blogspot.com/)
The next was "Made of Honour"... there's not much in the story so I'll just give it away... it's 'My Best Friend's Wedding' with a different ending... no prizes for guessing wat the difference actually is... One might wonder that it doesn't boast of the most famous of starcasts & the story is used, so what is left in the movie... the answer is that despite this it manages to hold its own with over-all good performances & an intelligent screenplay...
The last was "Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic" which is another sugar-coated Hindi movie (to quote a friend who hated it)... the story is predictable & performances are ordinary... though I did not get bored, I wouldn't say I'll watch it again even if I was paid to do so..... As Taran Adarsh puts it for many movies - "Average Fare"....
The next was "Made of Honour"... there's not much in the story so I'll just give it away... it's 'My Best Friend's Wedding' with a different ending... no prizes for guessing wat the difference actually is... One might wonder that it doesn't boast of the most famous of starcasts & the story is used, so what is left in the movie... the answer is that despite this it manages to hold its own with over-all good performances & an intelligent screenplay...
The last was "Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic" which is another sugar-coated Hindi movie (to quote a friend who hated it)... the story is predictable & performances are ordinary... though I did not get bored, I wouldn't say I'll watch it again even if I was paid to do so..... As Taran Adarsh puts it for many movies - "Average Fare"....
Friday, June 20, 2008
Saam, Daam, Dand, Bhed...
These are the lines which keep repeating themselves during the movie 'Sarkar Raj' which I saw this morning... (for the few reading the blog who do not know what the title means, here's a helpful link... http://www.geocities.com/mahaabhaarat/glossary/page2n-z.htm)
The movie is interesting for the afficianados of the first 'Sarkar' who want to see the growth of Shankar Nagre (Abhishek Bachchan) from where he left off at the end of the first... that's exactly where this movie takes off from ... The plot is an intersting mix of the Dabhol project, the Thakerays & Shiv Sena, 'The Godfather' and many more twists in between a-la RGV... I wont give away too much for anyone who's intending to watch it...
Though the movie did get my attention for the entire length, I must say I was not too impressed... It's the same old story repackaged with one more Bachchan (Rai) but the numbers even up at the end....
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Winner, Winner... Chicken Dinner...
21
I saw '21' last night and what can I say... it was one of the best movies I have seen recently... Iron Man was loads of fun, & Narnia was Narnia, but this was one excellent screenplay... Jim Sturgess, who has not done too much notable work till now, has put in one hell of a performance with a lot of help from Kevin Spacey, Kate Bosworth & Lawrence Fishburne...
This is one of those movies where everyone knows what the story is going to be, but you go to watch it anyways to see how it has been shown. I've seen a documentary on Discovery Channel about Jeff Ma & his friends from MIT who set out to beat the Vegas casinos by 'Card Counting' techniques... 21, however, uses the plot & twists it to make one helluva movie which keeps you gripped to the seats...
Next up, Sarkar Raj... whenever I get the time to see it...
Monday, March 10, 2008
Back after a hiatus....
Hello boys ... I'm baaackkkk !!! :-P.... (For the uninitiated, that was Randall Quaid's line from Independence Day.... I don't mean any gender discrimination...)
Its around 6 months since my last post, & I wonder what I have done in these past months ... For one, my laptop was stolen from my home, so I'm still kinda lost without it... Also, work's gotten pretty hectic, & I'm struggling to reach some kind of work-life balance, however cliched that may sound)...
But I'm happy to report that I've still been watching all the movies (though I've not seen Jodhaa Akbar yet)... The last I saw was Mithya... a brilliant movie in every sense ... Rajat Kapoor behind the camera & Ranbir Shourie in front of it... the movie is perhaps the best satire to come out of Indian cinema in a long time (the only reason I say 'long time' is that I have watched a certain movie called Jaane bhi Do Yaaro which is a class apart)...
Other than that, my DVD collection has built up considerably.... I watched Charlie Wilson's War yesterday, but was quite unimpressed... Tom Hanks, Philip Seymour Hoffman & Julia Roberts starred in the movie, but the screenplay (by Aaron Sorkin) was not good enough...
Juno, on the other hand, was very good... Diablo Cody has written a witty story & has been supported in front of the camera by a brilliant performance from Ellen Page...
I'll get back with more reviews soon, & hope to be more regular...
Cheerio !!!
Its around 6 months since my last post, & I wonder what I have done in these past months ... For one, my laptop was stolen from my home, so I'm still kinda lost without it... Also, work's gotten pretty hectic, & I'm struggling to reach some kind of work-life balance, however cliched that may sound)...
But I'm happy to report that I've still been watching all the movies (though I've not seen Jodhaa Akbar yet)... The last I saw was Mithya... a brilliant movie in every sense ... Rajat Kapoor behind the camera & Ranbir Shourie in front of it... the movie is perhaps the best satire to come out of Indian cinema in a long time (the only reason I say 'long time' is that I have watched a certain movie called Jaane bhi Do Yaaro which is a class apart)...
Other than that, my DVD collection has built up considerably.... I watched Charlie Wilson's War yesterday, but was quite unimpressed... Tom Hanks, Philip Seymour Hoffman & Julia Roberts starred in the movie, but the screenplay (by Aaron Sorkin) was not good enough...
Juno, on the other hand, was very good... Diablo Cody has written a witty story & has been supported in front of the camera by a brilliant performance from Ellen Page...
I'll get back with more reviews soon, & hope to be more regular...
Cheerio !!!
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