Movie Review : Rajneeti - Not completely compelling...

Genre : Drama

Films on Indian Politics have a trademark feel. Specially from directors like Prakash Jha, Sudhir Mishra, Anurag Kashyup. Its raw, its fast paced, its brutal and its in your face. Rajneeti is re-packaging of an age old story with new characters and known situations. Rajneeti is the vehicle for Actors and not just stars. Rajneeti is a welcome relief in the slump, but not exactly a benchmark film.

Largely inspired from the Mahabharata and The Godfather, this one is a tribute to both. Its about a family that rules Madhya Pradesh politics and the infighting within the family for power. Direct references are to the Mahabharat family in terms of charcters and direct scenes are lifted from the Godfather ( like the Hospital sequence and the horse head sequence).

Lets talk about the positives. Like most recent Prakash Jha films, this film also has a very tense undercurrent, with things happening left right and centre. Infact there are so many characters in the film, that it takes you some time in understanding who's who. But once you know, you are sucked in. The first half goes like a breeze. With political cards thrown all over the place, the movie keeps you on the edge and sets up for a stupendous second half. The scale, the background score,the screenplay overwhelm you and you think you are gonna watch history being made. 2 actors keep you spellbound - Nana Patekar and Manoj Bajpai. Nana Patekar who plays "Krishna" the guide is fabulous is almost every moment. He emotes to perfection in the most tense of scenes. Manoj Bajpai as "Duryodhan" is also in top form. His angry speeches, his inner turmoil blazes the screen. The others like Ajay Devgan, Ranbir Kapoor, Arjun Rampal do a good job aswell, and the only weak link seems Kathrina Kaif, though she does redeem herself towards the end. What is also refreshing to see, is that no one is shown as a pure soul and completely white. Everyone has shades of grey and everyone is ready to do anything to gain power.

 What makes this movie a GOOD movie but not a GREAT one is an average second half which drags. Infact in trying to put in so many references some scenes seem irritating. You wonder why did Prakash Jha spoil something that he had started so well. Some irritating points are a few forced assasinations, an avoidable reference to "KARAN", some unwanted pregnancies! The film would have done without these things. Also, though Arjun Rampal does a decent job, he seems out of place in the raw charcters look. Ajay Devgan is wasted with too little screen time. Kathrina Kaif, though suits the character to the T, is weak in some sequences. Finally, the climax is ridiculous to say the least! These points are irritating, because suddenly a complex, intelligent , realistic film becomes farcical.

Gangajal still remains Jha's most powerful film even though Rajneeti touches some dizzy height towards the interval.  Its a nice little tribute to both Mahabharat and Godfather, but unfortunately would not come in that category of culthood. I would say that it is a job half done, and I still think Prakash Jha could have avoided the Godfather references. Thats what made Gulaal so refreshing. Even though it also lost momentum in the second half, it remained a genuinely original film.

Go for it, as its one of better movies to have hit the screens in a long time. Plus, directors like Prakash Jha, Sudhir Mishra should be given support so that they come up with more compelling dramas. As far as Rajneeti is concerned, the political drama is complex, but not completely compelling..

Rating : 7 / 10 (0.5 extra for Nana Patekar's whizardry...)

Movie Review : Love, Sex aur Dhoka - Beyond expectations...

Welcome to the world of digital cinema - a film-making medium for the common man. If you have a good concept, a limited budget and a good team - go for it. And thats exactly what Dibanker has done. He has 3 decent provocative stories, a taut screenplay and some very good unknown actors. What he benefits from, though,  is some really high-fi digital cams and very good post production.

I have no idea why I had not watched this movie yet, but thank god I did. Dibanker has taken a shooting concept, now quiet common in Hollywood movies and used it to shoot 3 provocative stories. When you have a title like LSD - love, sex and dhoka, half battle is already won. So, the first story deals with a director and an actress who fall in LOVE while making a romantic diploma film. They elope and get married with disastrous consequences. The second story is about how a man lures a girl into having SEX with him, records it on camera and sells the sex tape. And the third is about DHOKA a sting operation , where a journalist and a wanna-be dancer try to bring to light the casting couch ways of a popular pop star.

The first story sets things up with a jarring end, but overall its a less than ordinary story. What stays with you is the innovative story telling. The second story is the best of the lot. It has some awesome characters, the best of which is a Haryanwi speaking bitchy sales-girl. The main cast Raj Yadav and Neha Chauhan also d an excellent job. The characterisation of the man who sets out to lure a average looking girl, falls in love, but still goes ahead with his nefarious plan for want of money is excellent; hardhitting and brutal. The third story is lifted by the excellent performances by Arya Devdutta as the wanna-be dancer and Herry Tangdi as the popstar.

The language used is as brutal as the imagery. The realism of the movie is maintained by deliberate mistakes in shooting, like shaking camera, off center characters and abrupt cuts. But the narration does not suffer throught the film and is seemless. Though it would be difficult for an average viewer to digest, it is refreshing to see such a raw film coming from Bollywood. What makes this kind of film making difficult, is that there are a lot of big scenes to be shot in one go, with the best coordination required from the whole team and on this aspect the whole team comes up tops. Complex scenes are executed to perfection, like the Store Shootout sequence or the scene where the journalist jumps from the bridge to save the wanna-de dancer.

Overall, despite its flaws this is an excellent film by Dibanker and surely is beyond my expectations.

Rating : 7 / 10 ( I feel generous today :)

Movie Review : My Name Is Khan : And I am trying too hard !!!

A film by Karan Johar, starring Shah Rukh is something I really look forward to. It gives me a perfect opportunity to go to the theater with my friends, buy a lot of popcorn, and then laugh my guts out at each emotional scene. What makes it even more special is to irritate the hell out of the neighboring people. I still remember how I burst out laughing in the climax scene of Kuch Kuch Hota hai, and the man besides me, who was apparently wiping a tear with his handkerchief, just looked at me, got up and watched the rest of the movie standing in the aisle.

 

With all the controversy surrounding the movie, I wanted to see if this film is even worth half the attention the media is according it. So I went to the theater with a friend of mine who is an SRK fan. So I had deliberately put myself in a position where I couldn’t fall off the chair laughing on the floor.

I watched the film, and was lost for words. So I did the next best thing. I got Rizvan Khan, the protagonist of the film to write his views :

“”

Hi, My Name is Khan, and I am trying too hard! I suffer from ASS-par-GAS syndrome. No, I don’t have a bad stomach; it’s just a mental disorder!! I want to let you know that the director was very kind to me. He gave me a role of a life time. When he told me that 9/11 was the central theme, I said "no no no ,, no no no - again 9/11? After New York, Kurbaan and countless others, wouldn’t it be too repetitive." Karan said "That’s why you are the hero! That’s novel no? Yes yes. Having a challenged person in challenging situations was the challenge!

When I read my lines, I did not understand many of them. I was not only naive and took things literally, but I was also a smart ass. I did not understand why? Why was it that all jokes had to come from me? The pressure of delivering one joke after another, started showing on my haggard face. Only my brother's (Jimmy Shergil) beauty products helped me in my journey to meet the president of United states.

 

While the local police failed to solve a case of a simple accidental murder of my son in school, I set out for a journey of months across the United States. Also, I must admit the FBI's investigations do not match even the local television standards. While the correspondents found out my family history, the FBI could not even understand my mentally challenged condition! Though I am as confused about a few other things like how I managed to walk miles without food or water, how I never grew a beard, how my hair never grew, how my clothes remained spotless white as I travelled in buses, trains, roads, deserts, also how I managed to catch a bus to easily reach a Tornado hit location.

 

When I asked few questions, my Director told me not to worry. No No No No No , Not to worry. Ha Ha Ha. He said that the audience didn’t care for logic! They wanted to be manipulated emotionally scene after scene. When I asked him if we were making a comedy, he said no this was sensible cinema! I seem to forget what sense is all about, but then I do suffer from this condition you know!

 

Director asked me to learn to love Sam - my son and Ham - my technique. I had to ham through the film, though I did try to be subtle this time around! He also asked me to learn Hum Hongay Kaamyaab. I had to sing it at all possible supposedly inspiring scenes, like when I remembered my son after his death, or when I saved Hurricane Katrina victims or when Mandira told me her sob story. Though I sung well, I told Mandira (Kajol) not to sing. She is a good actress, but I must admit she did go a little overboard with her beaming grim and extra loud screaming cry. And by Overboard I do not mean jumping off into the water from a boat, no no no no no ! Also, I still do not understand why did she marry me? She could have maybe, adopted me. But why did she marry me? Maybe my dimples impressed her. Mummy (Zarina Wahab) said Love defies logic and Mandira’s, surely did.

 

I am particularly happy with the acting of all the cast, though I did manage to hog almost 90% of screen time. I must admit that even mummy did not allow me to hog this much, no no no no no. They made me work really hard. If I wasn’t there in the scene, my voice-over managed to ensure my presence. Also, I was happy with the travelling as I got to visit so many beautiful locations and I must say the film looks very good - very much like my Mandira after applying my brother’s beauty products!

 

When I saw the film, I was confused. Childhood is the best part of life and so was mine in the film. It’s only after I grew up and left for the US that I started getting confused. I was also tired. I had not only endured Asperges, the Hindu-Muslim riots of 83, but went onto suffer post 9/11 hatred, death of my child, travelled thousands of miles, endured police beating, FBI harassment, helped Hurricane Katrina victims and so on a so fortieth! But finally, I had met Mr.President.

 

And Mr.Director is very intelligent. When I told him I am confused. He said No No No No No. Don’t be confused, this film will break records. I quickly hid all mine, especially Micheal Jackson’s records! When Director explained what he meant, I got even more confused. And then he said that since I was Khan and I knew only good and bad people, I should say this in public with reference to our Neighbors. In my childhood, mummy had drawn a diagram of a man with a bat in hand and said he was neither Muslim nor Hindu, he was a batsman. As I knew only the neighbor’s cricket team, I said they were good. And the rest fell in place!!!

 

“”

Rizvan Khan left me to say a few words in the end.

 

Though Shah Rukh was sincere in the film, it was the irritating knack of Johar to make “HAM and CHEESE” scenes which really put me off. Either someone Hams in a scene or its too Cheesy !! This films not for me, but it does have its moments. This one is somewhere between Kurbaan (vomit) and New York(nice) for me. But then, as I am a world famous for not liking SRK, JOHAR , I would suggest watch this film and judge. The publicity campaign has turned out to be a necessity rather than just being fortuitous!

 

Rating : 5 / 10 ( For SRK’ sincerity and control on his hamming, plus some good camera work, good production value and a couple of good songs )

Movie Review - Ishqiya - Good but not Great...

Sometimes, Reputations drive reviews and thats what happened on the RANN, ISHQIYA release date. RGV was panned for his unrealistic preachy RANN and some reviewers went to the extent of saying "Tarantino would be proud of ISHQIYA" !!!

While I had below zero expectations for RANN, I had bloated expectations for ISHQIYA becoz of the stunning reviews. Rann pleasantly surprised me. I was a rivetting movie. But Ishqiya wasnt quiet the mind blowing movie I expected, though it did leave an impression.

Ishqiya set in Gorakhpur, gives you a slice of the rustic, rural india set up. 2 louts, Naseer and Arshad, running from a gangster take shelter in Vidya Balan's home. Vidya, taking advantage of their situation, seduces and uses them both to extract revenge.

Lets look at the many positives in the movie.

1) The Characters : Characterisations of Naseer, Arshad and Vidya are wonderful. While Naseer , the old goon, is the mildly romantic type - Arshad is the young, flashy lover. Vidya on the other hand is the perfect seductress, mixing vulnerability and vengence with ease.

2) Performances and Chemistry : To say that Vidya steals the show, is an understatement. She is amazing. Her body talks, her eyes emote. She seduces Naseer with her fleeting touches, her sensual voice, her voluptous body and sets Arshad on fire with her trash talk, her naughty advances. Naseer is in the perfect "Aashikaana" mode. He doesnt have many dialogues, but he plays the childlike lover to perfection. Arshad has the most lines and delivers them with perfect comedic timing. His body language is in perfect unison with his character.

3) The Direction and research team : Though everyone is saying its a Vishal Bharadwaj film, Director Abhishek Chaubey deserves the appluads. His overall knowledge of the setting, the detailing in the sets, the get ups, the dialogues, the language transports you to UP. He promises to have a good future in cinema.

But, the story, the plot is not gripping. This is the only flaw in the movie. Sometimes, the movie does become cumbersome. The content is probably apt for a 1 hour film, as 1 hour 40 minutes also feel a bit long. Though some scenes are powerful, others just seem to be a squeeze. Also, its only the performances, and the chemistry between the characters that work. Its not the plot. The plot is secondary, hence the movie somehow loses steam towards the end. Maybe a week or two with Bharadwaj on the script would have elevated the film a few notches.

Overall a commedable effort by a first time director. To make a film work without any big hero's is a big achievement and the film is the only one that has worked so far this year because it does have a universal appeal. If you havent watched, have a go. Coz its good, but not great...

Rating : 6.5 / 10

Movie Review - Rann - One sided story but Riveting stuff.

Genre :Drama.

Yesterday I could not sleep. I had made a decision of watching RANN - first day first show and this was playing on my mind. The last time I had seen a RGV movie on the first day, I had burnt myself ! Ofcourse that legendary movie was AAG. So with trepidations and doubts I entered the cinema hall. Another AAG and I would have been scarred for life ! But thankfully RGV with RANN has gone back to his roots, has gone back to what he does best.

This movie is sure to be scathed in the media. Because it takes up a completely one sided viewpoint and badgers the media black and blue. But then it does have its primary Idelaistic protagonists as media-men. So, we have a revered media personality - Amitabh Bachchan who owns a news channel. Renound for his ideals, his voice is heard and believed by the nation, but alas people want entertainment and this is where his channel lags. Enter, the saviour of the channel, his son - Sudeep, who under TRP and political pressure, compromises on his ideals and makes a deal with a tainted politician - Paresh Rawal. It is only the effort of a young journalist - Ritesh Deshmukh, that this scam is unearthed.

Now, there is one big flaw in the movie. It has taken a stand, that entertainment rules in news. It not only typecasts the media, but also the Indian public. It has a view that media gives India what it wants and what India wants is sensational news - entertainment and not just the truth. And hence its narrative has flaws which are convenient for banging in the message.

But then again everyone has an opinion and RGV states his without wavering an inch. The movie succeeds because of its rivetting screenplay, brooding tension and captivating performances. Scene after scene the tension is built and the focus is on the delivery rather than the logic. Many things are taken to be understood and thrills is what RGV delivers.

The camerawork, by Amit Roy, in this movie is audacious to say the least. Almost all techniques of filming are used and sometimes irritates; but its the slow panning, close up shots of the protagonists faces, a trademark of RGV cinema, that leave its mark. When the camera is fixed on an actors face for such a long time, then he is dependent on his acting talents to succeed, to carry the movie through and the actors deliver.

Ritesh Deshmukh makes a sincere effort as the yound idealistic journalist, who cannot watch the medium he reveres being used for selfish reasons. Monish Behl, as the owner of a rival news channel, delivers too. The surprise package is "Sudeep" who as the son depicts the turmoil within with aplomb. His brooding style reminds you of the reclusive, intense role of Chakravarthi in Satya. But its finally upto Amitabh to take the cake. With his deep, baritoned voice, intense eyes, rivetting personality and peerless acting talent he captivates you throughout, especially in an almost 10 minute soliloquy in the end. Anyone else, and the last scene would have fallen flat on the face.

RGV's film is full of tension and this tension is maintained by the intense background score. But the songs are definitely not a take away. They are just another medium for more bashing.

Though sometimes it does seem to be a one sided bashing fest, if you consider it to be a film and just that, RANN is a compelling drama. The first half is brilliant, but the film falters a bit in the second half. Could have done without the Rajpal Yadav histrionics. So in all, after making a bag full of crap , RGV is back to what he does best. So, I would definitely tell you not to RUNN!! but to visit the theater and watch this one sided but rivetting film. And yes, be ready for tension, tension and then some more tension!

Rating : 6.5 / 10

Movie Review - Rocket Singh - Does manage to Rock-it a bit...watch it...

Rocket Singh is a well intentioned, well researched film. It is bang on - on the realities of life of a salesman. Unfortunately, the film falters a bit in the "filmy" part, because it tries to be both idealistic and realistic at the same time.

Rocket Singh is the story of a young graduate who has just managed to scrape through his studies. He is not too ambitious, but he is confident of his capabilities. He is what you call a "Virgin" in the corporate world, untill he gets ...eh...a taste of reality. His ideals are tossed into the garbage bin, as he enters the big bad dog-eat-dog world of business (especially sales). And then with all his ideals intact, and by bending a few rules he tries to fight the system.

Shimit and Jaideep do an exceptional job in bringing out the nuanses of a thoroughbread sales office. Infact the first half is like a breath of fresh air. You can almost relate to every second dialogue, if you have worked in a sales environment. Even if you cant relate to it, you can certainly enjoy it, because the dialogues and punch lines are brilliantly executed.

Its the second half that falters. It tries to be realistic and idealistic. In its intention to drive in a point that business can be done in a certain way, it shades the world into whites and blacks for a while and then again goes to greys.The thing I found dissapointing is, if you are making a point then stop at the harsh reality, rather than concocting a situation which seems totally unrealistic.

Also, the film might not appeal to youngsters or people who cannot relate to this situation and it takes a little more time to drive the point than it should. But then my problem was not the length but the end. They wanted to give that feel good factor in the end, as well as stick to their guns of harsh reality - and in this very dilemma created a bit of a dull end.

The background score is excellent, throughout the film. But the songs are just there for the sake of it; you really dont notice them, nor would you listen to them at home.

The performances from almost all the main characters is good. But you have to give the cakepiece with the cherry on top to Ranbir Kapoor. He has got the charisma and effortless acting talents from his PAA. He was excellent in Wake Up Sid and again in this film gives a very measured performance. Plus the characterisation of a sardar as a normal human being (for a change) in the film is refreshing. Normally films overdo the sardar bit. Overall this film due to Ranbir, it's good intentions and a terrific first half does Rock-it a bit. Watch it.

Rating : 6.5 / 10

P.S. :

Ajab Prem Ki Gazab Kahani - a film I couldn't tolerate beyond 15 minutes , turned out to a super hit, and this film which is way way way better than it and infact is a good film, might not rake in the moolah. Too bad. You might see this talented actor do more rubbish in the future ( keeping my fingers crossed that he doesnt)

Also,  do watch the film - "Glengarry Glen Ross" - a hollywood film on sales (multi-starrer including al pacino) -- for its brilliant potrayal of a sales office... just amazing. a must watch.

Movie Review - PAA - Just PAAs with Grace !

I am bewildered. When you have a rare congenital disorder as your subject, you create an awesome character and then you have the most amazing actor to play it, why would you waste your time shooting things totally unrelated. Balki - Cheeni Kum may have had less sugar , but the spice of the relationship between an old man and a middle aged girl was brilliant. But here Cheeni bhi kum, spice bhi kum, sab thoda thoda kum.

I have to start with positives first, because the movie has many. Amitabh Bachchan reallly takes the cake. Please tell me what is it that he cannot do. A 70 year old man playing a 12 year old so amazingly would certainly be the first of its kind. Balki creates a totally believable 80 year old kiddo and Amitabh breathes life into that character. Brilliant is the word. Abhishek and Vidya perform effortlessly. Like Cheeni Kum's character named Sexy, here also you have a classmate who is a friend of Amitabh who is brilliant. Some of the comic dialogues and scenes are really well done. The make up is excellent. The overall look of the film is also quiet good.

Now, comes the bad part :

1) I dont know the infatuation of these directors from south to cut one scene into so many shots. It seems that with every word in the dialogue the camera angle changes. Dunno somehow that style didnt suit the movie.

2) The songs are less than ordinary.

3) Believe it or not, but the director strays from the main story for almost half the time of the running of this film. Its irritating at times. Balki strays mindlessly to Media Bashing, Political rivalries and the movie goes from an emotional film to some cross breed of a Nayak and Sadma.

4) Somehow the film does not touch you. The end is quiet predictable but the treatment of the end is not good enough. Balki would definitely be dissapointed.

But if you ask me, even though the movie has so many negatives, you have to see it for Amitabh's whizardry. Watch it only for that purpose and you might not be that dissapointed. Finally because of some inspired scenes featuring Amitabh with friends or at home or with Abhishek , this movie PAAses with Grace marks !!

BTW, the movie has no connection with Benjamin Button.. Its a completely different film based on kid suffering with "Progeria"

Rating : 6.5 / 10

Movie Review - Kurbaan - Some Love stories are IDIOTIC !

Genre : Drama

Life is really a bummer. You dont get to watch movies for weeks and then you break ur fast with a total no brainer. Well, thats the way it is. So now that you know how this review is gonna be stay tuned for some real idiotic stuff. Such a weak plot , an idiotic premise can only lead you to a complete dud of a movie, which cant be saved even by Kareena's bare back.

This movie could well have been named 3 idiots ! or maybe simply "Idiots"


Idiot Number 1 - Saif Ali Khan - He is supposed to be a deadly terrorist -( no , its not a secret ). He is supposed to be conniving, dangerous, yet what you see is pure stupidity. His recruitment procedure for a deadly sleeper cell is laughable. He is infact shown as a complete naive fellow, who falls for Vivek's stupid plan. Infact in the end he himself changes his plan, which is so outrageous you wanna tear open your seat.


Idiot Number 2 - Vivek Oberoi - You cannot stop yourself from wondering what kind of a nutcase he is. He has clear evidence against the terrorists, he has the address, yet instead of going to the police and ending our misery , he decides to join the gang to expose them !!! That brings us 1 and half more hour of stupidity. Seriously Vivek ke character ki Herogiri kuch samajh nahi aayi. Faaltu ka tashan.

Idiot Number 3 - Kareena Kapoor - For accepting this role. It was meant for a dumbo. She falls for a fellow professor and marries him. She even brings him back to the US. All this happens quickly and from then on her role is limited to the scared, crying, subdued girl. Yaar, aaj kal toh "Soha Ali Khan" bhi ro leti hai !

Idiot Number 4 - Rensil D'Silva - Mr.Director for writing a script fit for children and then making it an adult film !!! Dude , only children could fall for such a stupid plot and premise development.

Idiot Number 5 - Karan and Hiroo Johar - For spending so much money in the film. I realise when you would have seen the movie, you must have requested Rensil to add the bare back love making sceen to bring in the crowds. Well, in that case you shouldnt have bowed down to MNS. A few broken windows and stopped shows would have given you some more leverage.

Pity that they tell us in the beginning itself that the story is a work of fiction, because the world would have loved to have such stupid terrorists!

Dont blame the actors much, but their characters and hence the director. Actually I am fed up of these Terrorist agenda films. If you want to make anything atleast make an intelligent film! NewYork by Kabir Khan was a much much much better film. Very sensible indeed and characters were written perfectly, and so was the plot. You could feel the pain of the terrorists in the movie. You could see that they have been driven to what they are doing.

But Kurbaan does nothing of that sort. Everything essential in the plot is taken as understood and 80% of what is shown is useless. You do not empathise with anyone. Only if you connect with the characters does a film make a difference to you, but here you dont. Infact the film tests your patience with its pace. The mood is kept grim with heavy tense background score and thats it. Decent job by the actors, but the movie is extremely cliched and no one can save it. Saif looks haggard man, he needs a face lift !

Well, I suggest do not waste your time on this movie. Some love stories are really Idiotic!

Rating : 4 / 10 - for some good cinematography and background score.

Inglorious Basterds - The ultimate war fantasy!

Genre : Drama

There is something about Tarantino yaar. He has this amazing ability to make even 10 minute conversations interesting. His prowess as a director is peerless.

Inglorious Basterds is a fictional war drama. It's the ultimate war fantasy played out over 3 hours. The climax is so outrageous that I guess only Tarantino can pull it off. But then the movie is not about the climax, its about the journey. As Tarantino likes it, the movie plays in Chapters. The first being the most amazing one. You simply cannot miss that. Its about a German Colonel ( Col. Hans Landa ) visiting a farmer's hut and verbally forcing him to reveal a secret. The exchange has to be seen to be believed. The snake like character of Col.Hans Landa has to be one of the most devilish characters written for cinema. Without using a single threat or without using any force, he breaks a resolute man into submission. And that scene sets the pace for the film.

One thing amazing about Hollywood actors is that they are not greedy. They look at a role rather than Meat and their persona. Brad Pitt plays a rather insignificant role in this film ( the scene is stolen by Christoph Waltz - Cl.Landa and Melanie Laurent - Shosanna Deyfuss ). You cannot imagine a Bollywood superstar playing second fiddle to so many characters. Also, in Bollywood characters are written keeping in mind the stars , while in Hollywood actors have to mould themselves into a character. We should come of age in this area.

Anyways, even though the amount of violence and the bodycount in this film is much lesser than Kill Bill, the tense undercurrent, the witty exchanges make for an amazing watch. Also, as always Tarantino has some extraordinary background tracks. The acting is top notch. The whole ensemble cast is in top form, but the film belongs to Waltz and I am sure he is going to win a plethora of awards for the same.

Even though you might towards the end say "Kuch Bhi" the child inside you might say WHY NOT? In the realms of fiction , anything is possible :)

Rating : 8 / 10

Movie Review - WAKE UP SID - a somnolent awakening....

Genre : Drama

I am a little confused. When you see something so personal, you tend to think before passing judgments; but then again when you pay 300 bucks for it , it becomes a public issue! Ok, first time director Ayaan Mukherjee, clearly was too attached to this subject, because he langorously delves into the story of a spoilt brat and his awakening. But unfortunately half the theater snores ( especially the guys !) as he awakens.

No this is no Lakshya. Here too the first half is about a boy who is content spending his fathers hard earned fortune. He goes about in merriment untill one day he fails his exams and realizes the gravity of the situation. His parents arent impressed either and this seems to be the last straw. So he leaves home and finds a refuge in a friend's place. And slowly (really slowly) he begins to understand his responsibilities and that he needs to do something worthwhile in his lifetime. His friend ( an independent Bengali girl ) plays a big part in this.

Yeah, many many people could relate to this. And hence, in some parts the movie touches chords but then thats about it. As one of my friends would aptly put - "Director bechara Bhawnaaoo main beh gaya" because the film is too self involved. The director seems more interested in making the shot look impressive and colorful; and less about what the audience must be going through. Because even though there is a point to this story, it takes a rather long time to make it. Clearly the scissors should have been out before the film was.

Also, the story suffers because of enormously lengthy and sometimes preachy scenes. The director does come up with some colorful characters , but never uses them. There are no interesting subplots going along as the main plot drags. The very first sequence between Randhir and Konkana drags for pages and pages of dialogues. Yes, the dialogues are realistic but then in a film you need to keep a scene crisp unless really necessary.

As far as the ART direction/ cinematography is concerned, its fantabulous. Effort has been put in to make the movie look impressive and it does. Also, the music is peppy and does give you a reason or two to stay awake!

Ayaan certainly has great potential as a director. Some of the emotional scenes are handled brilliantly and I am sure, now that he has gotten over this extremely personal film he would think more objectively and come up with a more entertaining film. He could have taken queues from Farhaan when he made this film, on how to make this story into a better script.

Konkona Sen is in familiar territory. Its so sad to see that she has been typecasted into this typical Bengali independent girl who reads big novels and dreams big. Come on! she is much more talented and should definitely choose a different character to play. It seems like she walks out of the script of Page 3, right into this film. Anyways, this film belongs to Ranbir completely. As the spoilt kiddish arrogant brat Ranbir is spot on. Its a totally believable performance. He has this effortless screen presence ( very much like his father) and gives a rough idea of the range he possesses.

Finally, Wake up Sid, was a very good opportunity. But somehow the director could not make it very interesting. He tried to make it thought provoking, but most of the things you see on screen seem to give you a sense of de javu. It's probably doing the same thing differently.

Good luck to all the college guys who would be forced to go to this film by their girlfriends. And probably you would be snoring while they drools over Ranbir! Probably a one time watch , but then guys "INGLORIOUS BASTERDS" might be playing on the adjacent screen!

Rating : 5.5 / 10

Movie Review : Gulaal - Gritty and Witty ....

My Say : A gritty and witty film.

Maybe Mr.Mehra should pick up the fone and call up Mr.Kashyup and take some tips on abstract, on making statements that do not feel like listening to a lecture!

I cannot believe how could a movie like this be kept in the CAN for such a long time. Maybe, because it doesnt have sellable stars. Maybe, because uptil now the director was considered a Pariah... But with this film, Kashup proves that he can make and sell movies just on his name. The director has finally become the hero of his film in India !

Gulaal is a brutally raw and witty take on the infighting within a state of our country. The politics within the state, and the dirt within this politics. The game of power which doesnt discriminate between its victims.

Its about a mans pursuit to becoming the absolute power within his state and creating a separate domain of his own. Its about this mans blind belief in his ancestory. He is not willing to be a subject of the country, he wants to rule his own! He wants freedom for his people and himself. This ambition is not just his own, but of a few others too. And so begins the game of eimination. Interesting, very interesting.

Kashup's story is extremely gritty and engaging and the execution meets our high expectations. Though there is a drop in the pace in certain parts of the movie and you try to guess where is this all heading, it manages to suck you back in. The pace of the film waxes and wanes and almost reaches a towering crescendo somewhere near the end of the first half. You want to know whats next. The game of politics with the next roll of the dice, brings the fall of another pawn and another and another and the game becomes even more convoluted, yet simple. Amidst all this is stuck a guy who doesnt want to get involved , but is sucked in with dire consequences.

Again what takes the cake is the background score. The songs are extremely meaningful and create the perfect atmosphere for this ride. Concentrate on the lyrics, they send out a message. The performances by each and every character is brilliant. From the ever reliable Kay Kay to the Raj Singh Chaudhary, from Abhimanyu shekhar singh to Deepak Dobriyal. Watch out for Piyush Mishra ( KK's mental elder brother). His songs and dialogues create a lasting impact.

If Dev D was a drug to a few, this could give a high to a broader section of India. Go watch it and I am sure you will enjoy, for some reason or the other.

Rating : 7/10

Movie Review : Delhi 6 - Well intentioned but not well received!

My Say : A chaotic khichdi not entirely digestable ....

Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra is a little crazy, a little erratic. He looks at cinema as a way to not only tell a story , but also give a message. His crazy self forces him to be a little experimental in his cinema. He is not averse to his movie being abstract and that makes him pleasant to have around. He could give u a bummer like AKS and then a revelation like RDB ! His third movie though promised a lot , does not live up to its expectations.

Delhi-6's plot is nothing new. A guy comes back to his roots and relaises what he was missing all his life! The treatment is surely different.

Delhi-6 starts off at a very poor note. The opening sequences are poorly directed but Mehra gains his ground there after.  What leaves him in deep waters is the story which is thread bare. The only different point in the film is the KALA BANDAR . Otherwise, he packs in as many characters as possible and as many forseable problems as possible! The main and support cast in the movie delivers , though I think Waheeda Rehman ji goes a bit over the top. 

The songs are the greatest asset this movie has, but their placement is highly debatable. I thought a few songs started abruptly. Rehna Tu comes at a totally unexpected time. Mehra is an innovative soul and his juxtaposition of Ramayan with the real life is quiet decent. Also, one of the song is creatively shot, when Abhishek starts seeing New York in the middle of Chandni Chawk!

Though I so wanted to like this film, I could only see its flaws. If Mehra wanted to depict utter chaos in the locality, he surely succeeds , because there is too much chaos in the film. All possible problems added into one movie makes it a type of a khichdi. Also, I felt that Abhishek's character was poorly sketched. A guy who has never been to India before in his life speaks flawless hindi , is not troubled by the dirt or the excessive population/pollution , or the fact that he has to carry a water bucket to the loo etc etc. His only claim to being an NRI is that he speaks english in an American accent. He keeps getting beaten up and witnesses friends fighting like animals over religion. Even then he keeps saying "Iss jagah ke log bade achche hain". Absurd !!! This guy could have easily been a guy from Bombay who visits his delhi house for the first time in his life. That would have been digestable too !

Delhi-6 is overall a chaotic Khichdi with a message, but unfortunately  not entirely digestable !

Rating : 4 / 10

Delhi-6 Review

Delhi -6 is so criticized for one and only one reason…as it’s a movie made by the RDB director…Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra
An over-hyped, over-publicized and over-criticized movie…

If we think of it as any other movie…it’s a movie about an NRI (Abhishek Bachchan) accompanying his sick grandmother to her Delhi house. This movie is the narration of his perspective of India. During this narration many faces of India is shown… loving, sentimental, faith followers, myth believers, media frenzy dictated, authoritarian police, corruption, caste, emphasis on marriage, young dreams and communalism to count a few

The biggest strength of the movie is that there is no moral glorification of India… like a lot of other movies say that the west is culturally bankrupt and other fabricated statements to make India score over them... this movie show India as it is…with its strengths and weaknesses
The second as a movie is to create a rainbow of tangible characters… and some great performance by the actors like Om Puri, Pawan Mehlotra, Vijay Raaz, Divya Dutta, Rishi Kapoor, Cyrus, Prem Chopra, Sonam Kpoor and many more

The key weaknesses included some over dramatic scenes, the sections when the movie seems direction less and the tradition of Indian hero waking from the dead …

The music is awesome…Prason Joshi and A.R. Rehman delivers as per their competence… even though appropriate, it’s a little disappointing to see only pieces of these songs used in the movies for those who already loved them

After thought… this movie is actually like RDB… a movie that provides a tangential message on a burning issue faced by India head-on…except for one difference…though patriotism is a topic that gives you pleasure and pride …while communism is something that make us grimace …

My rating:3.5/5

Movie Review - Dev D - Stylish but Indulgent

Rating : 6 / 10

My Say : Stylish but indulgent.

Anurag Kashyap -the Yuvraj Singh of Cinema - the genius kid , who has seen loads of cinema , has learnt a lot of techniques, has loads of innovative ideas - who just cannot help but go overboard. He has to quickly learn that even if you have all the ingredients required to cook food, you require only specific ingredients in specific amounts for a particular dish. Much like No Smoking, Anurag tries a lot of tricks when only a few would suffice. Dev D is a much more sensible and effective film - with Anurag's insanity intact!

Anurag and Abhay's take on the modern day Devdas, blending it with real life controversies makes it a very engaging story. It delves into the carnal avarices of human beings and does not shy away from most things thought off as taboo. The heroins both Chanda and Paro, are sexually liberated females, who arent hypocrites ( much like the members of the Moral brigade in India!! ) and the hero is a narcissist incapable of love, but who cannot bear the feeling of a female rejecting him. He hits females without discrimination and labels himself and most girls he meets and sleeps with as sluts. Welcome to Anurag's world of eternal depravity.

Even though the interpretation of the age old classic is interesting, the lenght of the movie is a big issue. Anurag in his infinite pursuit of showing off, keeps showing a series of day-break after night-fall and day-break all over again. The story of the movie moves at snails pace, as you see Dev downing one Vodka after another, then going to sleep completely sloshed and then waking up again to start that routine all over again. Ok, so he is an addict, but he dint have to show every trick he learnt from Danny Boyle ( gives special thanks to Mr.Boyle in the opening credits). Plus, I didnt get the feeling that he truly loved any of the 2 women, neither did I get the feeling that he could not , absolutely could not live without booze. Also, Anurag seems to be a bit confused. He does not quiet know if he wants Dev to be a narcissist only in love with himself, who feels no remorse for any of his actions or who is an addict and is driven to madness. Dev is somewhere in between and I had a problem with that. Talking of problems, I had a major problem with the ending, because the movie builds up to the hero snowballing towards eternal doom but finally shows Hope! Come on man.... let the perfect recipe for a tragedy remain one!!!

What I liked though was the style with which he has shot the film. The camera jars, swirls with the character and perfectly depicts the state of trance. Also, the locations, the interiors built are exceptional and give the movie that surreal look it deserves. The dialogues are bold and engaging. The background music is good, and gives the otherwise loopy script some pace. Though some tracks just blast your eardrums and give you a headache, a few are ingenius. The movie is like a continuous string of one song after another, and I truly hope Amit Trivedi hasnt used all his life's work in this film. My pick of the track was - Paayaliya. Emotional atyaachaar is very effectively placed. The use of Music was ok, but Anurag goes overboard here too... Overuse should be the word for it.

Abhay Deol does a decent job and I feel he could have done better in the emotional sequences or the scenes where he expresses his love. Mahie Gill as Paro does a fab job and stands out, while Kalki Koechlin as Chanda is decent ( shedefinitely looks the part!!!).

In the interval they showed the preview of GULAAL , Anurag's resurrected movie which has been in the making for a long time. Bold again, it promises a lot. I sure hope Mr.Kashyap matures quickly, coz I am sure he will revolutionize indian cinema. He has got that Rebellious streak in him, which would probably break the formula within Indian cinema. But I am sure, he would remain a Niche Audience director. A request to Mr.Kashyup - grow up man.... for our sake....

Dil Kabaddi - Dubbed Hollywood Movie

I read the review by Prabal on the same site before watching the movie. I am writing my review as it is way different from his.

This movie is a one of the better movies made on relationships compared to the bollywood dramas like Salaam-e-ishq.

The movie talks about the splitting of a married couple, Samit(Irfan Khan) and Mita(Soha Ali Khan). Their friends Rishi(Rahul Bose) and Simi(Konkana Sen)who first try to convince them to stay married and underline the unethical reason for splitting the marriage soon brings all the same complications and insecurities to their own relationship and end up splitting.

Yes splitting and remarrying, dating and dumping and living-in is not casual in Indian society. Actually this movie is a rip off from Woody Allen’s movie "Husbands and Wives". You will be able to understand it much better if you see it as a dubbed Hollywood movie.

Konkana Sen performs outstandingly as the "passive-aggressive" character. Irfan Khan rocks as his portal of not so intellectual husband to an intellectual wife. His Comic timing is impeccable. Soha Ali Khan, Rahul Bose and Rahul Khanna also perform well.

This movie is a brilliant portrayal of mismatch of sensibilities in marriage. But anyone who has seen the original will say three cheers for Woody Allen and not for Anil Senior

My Rating: 3/5

Slumdog Millionaire: Awesome Movie

This is a movie of a slum breed individual who wins “who wants to be a millionaire”. In the quest to understand how an illiterate person like Jamal Malik won a show like this, light is shed on his pain and his struggle through life.

This is based on the novel “Q & A” by Vikas Swarup.

Well little needs to be said about this movie which is sweeping awards left, right and center. The only thing that excels the superlative direction is the amazing camerawork. All actors including children give flawless performance.

Music given by A.R. Rehman rocks in this must watch movie.

A word of caution: Please don’t take children as some scenes show abject poverty and pain which are disturbing even for adults.

My Rating: 4/5

Sorry Bhai: Thank you Onir for this apology

It’s a story of a simple family, Boman Irani, Shabana Azmi, Sharman Joshi and Sanjay Suri. Things take a turn when the younger brother Sharman fell in love with elder brother Sanjay’s Fiancée when he goes to attend Sanjay’s wedding in Mauritius. Things get difficult for everyone including the girl in contention Chitrangada Singh.
It’s a movie about realtionships and the proceedings get awkward at times..
The performances are Brilliant and are second only to the outstanding direction. Director Onir is so good that may be after watching this movie you will try to search his filmography in quest to find his other works.
The characters are close to reality and yet create enough drama. The movie works because the director does not fall in the traps and templates of relationships known in Bollywood and follow the storyline he set to tell. It’s a very crisp well said story, even though it deals with romance, my least favorite genre.
All in all an engaging movie, definitely worth a watch.

My Ratings : 3.5/5

Movie Review: Dasvidaniya - Add it to your "TO DO" list...

Rating: 6.5 /10

My Say: A thing to do.....deserves a watch...

The plots simple, the movie too. Simple but touching. Its has some truly touching scenes and thats what makes this movie immensely lovable.

The completely hackneyed storyline is about a man who realises that he has very little time to live and hence creates a list of things to do before he says goodbye. 

And the movie is about how he goes about fulfilling his tasks. So far, so simple. But the treatment of the scenes, the dialgoues and the characters used in the film are the reasons that make it so good to watch. Vinay Pathak, as the simpleton who has stayed away from all vices in life, yet is facing an early death, is in top form. His repertoire as an actor is completely challenged by this character - but he comes out tops in both the comic as well as the emotional scenes. 

The director sculpts some awesome characters ( the alter ego of the simpleton - Vinay Pathak , the caricaturish boss - Saurabh Shukla, the half deaf mother - Sarita Sharma, surprisingly the old flame - neha dhupia ). All actors have done full justice to their roles. 

There are a few scenes in the film that touch you in a beautiful way and makes you laugh and cry with the protagonist. In one scene Pathak expresses his love for his childhood flame, Neha Dhupia. There is no dialogue in this scene, but it expresses so much. Plus, a few scenes really crack you up with their comic precision. 

The songs are decent (specially the song "Mumma") and the background score scores. Yes, somethings are predictable and somethings unrealistic, but I am certain you wont mind them, because the film is all heart.

So put this on your TO-DO list and I am sure you wont regret it.

Movie Review : Fashion ... The Scum is the script...

Rating : 4.5/10

My say : Ho humm.... A bore....

Madhur Bhandarkar is a real "Namoona". He's the RAGPICKER of the film industry. Just picks up all the dirt he can to create something like a movie. In Madhur's world, nothing's white... Its either dark grey or black. So with his goggles on this time he shows us the Scum of the fashion industry. To start with I must admit that its much better than his last film "Traffic Signal".

The problem with Madhur is that he is so full of himself, that he thinks only of national awards ( n the Board seems happy to give that to him even if he cr@ps...) . There is a hint of overconfidence in his approach. In one scene he shows himself, playing himself and people discussing that he is making a film that exposes the fashion world!!! Ooooooooo.. run ,Mr.Bhandarkar is here.....

Through Madhur's eyes, the picture of the fasion world is this...

All men in this industry are either GAY or Lascivious or both... All straight men cheat on their wives.. All successful models are dopers and are rude... Success can only be acheived by surrendering yourself "completely" to the tycoons... For looking confident on stage you need to be high... Drinking and Smoking is a must before any show.... All the women socialites either gossip or bitch...

He has tried to put so many issues into the film that it is about half an hour to 40 minutes more that what you can bear. Infact, you start wondering where this film is going even before the interval. Priyanka ( Meghna Mathur) comes to Mumbai to become a super-model. Her ambition is to dethrone Kangana (Shonali ) the current Show stopper!! The film charts her accent, her fall and then her comeback... God,you wonder, it would have been so great if it would have ended with the fall...

Anyways, the film is shot rather stylishly and for that I need to give Madhur credit. Especially the ramp scenes are handled impressively. Though it seemed that the soundtrack ran out of steam even before the interval. The story is like i said " A bit of a bore". Madhur, is getting extremely repetitive with this realistic genre and should probably reinvent himself with a clean love story or something.... The emotional scenes did bring a lot of cheer to me though.. Specially Kangana's scenes, she's downright howlarious in the film...

Among the performances, the support cast ranges from the stiff, to the comical, to the competent. If Kangana's aim was to make you laugh or loathe her - she is extremely successful. I dont blame her. Her character is simply unbearable. Her constant screaming, huffing puffing and crying gets irritating. Her bad dialogue delivery and terrible english doesnt help either. All she successfuly potrays is a B.. err mad female dog !!!

The film completely belongs to Priyanka Chopra , who I must say glides through her role as smoothly as her catwalk. She has the power to carry a film on her shoulders and that she does. The only thing that makes the film bearable is her believable and strong performance. I cannot imagine a single other actress who could have suited this role better than her. Well done PC... As for mr.MB ,,, dude... get a life... remove those dark goggles, n lighten up....

Movie Review - Tahaan... Doesn't quench your thirst completely.

Rating: 6 / 10

My Say: Feel Good.

Tahaan - a fable set in Kashmir, is a simple story touching complex issues. Its about this small kid called Tahaan who loses his favourite companion (his Donkey) and then sets out to get it back. He has a mute mother , a father who is missing for several months, a grandfather who dies after telling him that everyone should have a Goal in life and a big sister. He tranverses the beautiful valley along with his donkey's new owner Anupam Kher in a bid to win it back. The owner's dumb sidekick (Rahul Bose - wasted) tags along. The movie is about the choices the child makes to win back his companion. Along the way Mr.Santosh Sivan shows us the condition of the people in Kashmir. The constant threat of terrorism, the constant vigil of the army and the plight of the women who's husbands have disappeared. 

This is a very good effort by Sivan to make a meaningful and feel good film. It is truly inspired by Iranian Cinema, where the themes are much like this and the execution is similar aswell. Sivan's camera work is breathtaking and really captures the amazing beauty of our Kashmir. That - such a heavenly place has become hell for many,  saddens me. 

Tahaan in MARATHI is thirst. This film doesnt completely quench your thirst for great cinema; Its not a gem but glitters enough to attract you and charm you.. Have a look....