die_Heuchler Reviews

Ghajini (2008)

Way too Southern

[5/10 · 4 January 2009]

I was initially avoiding this movie. I really had to intentions of watching it. But in the second week, when I had nothing better to do, I decided to give it a try – just in order to check what the fuss was all about.

It certainly is a love it or hate it, but can't ignore it type of a film. Basic reason being the "so-called" perfectionist (I find this man rather megalomaniac) Aamir Khan cast as the leading man. Aamir plays a short-term memory loss (pretty amusing when the villain Ghajini refers to him by that name) who is seeking revenge of his lover's death. But he doesn't remember anything so tattoos all the details down in his body and all over his apartment floor.

Now, the basic USP of this film is Aamir Khan and Aamir Khan, period. I simply wonder what made the producers take an extremely fake screenplay out of Tollywood and induce it to sane and reasonable Bollywood audiences. We know films in the south are made this way, and we've left that industry survive and suffice by itself. But when a film like Ghajini penetrates into the Hindi film industry, and that's when we know we're in deep deep trouble.

We're not very used to watching extremely exaggerated and artificial twists and turns in the story. We hate films that preach. Watching every scenes and sub-plots in the film we say – "Well, I am sure there was a better way of putting it!" Indeed, the whole Kalpana-Sanjay romance thing looks absolutely fake, with extremely flashy songs with terrible choreography. There is this particular instance where Sanjay chases a cop, and the cop is hit by a bus and dies. And above all Jiah Khan is the greatest pain the the back ever! Come on, things here don't work that way!

There already has been huge collections and the film is a sure-shot hit. But this film is not just digestible. It's so hard to agree with what they show on screen. They manage to talk about amnesia, to girl-trafficking to telecommunications all in one movie. Sanjay (Aamir) goes to London, comes back to India, goes to see his girlfriend, returns, calls her up, talks to her, goes back, finds her, talks to her, and then realises she's been stabbed – oh, come on it's making me feel very very dizzy.

I don't have much to say, but I think I can't forgive director Murugadoss for such a bad treatment, trying to make us watch something we've given up long time ago (I'm taking about silliness.) It's a painful experience watching this film, though I will still applaud the climax action sequence and the "Gujarish" song. Though I extremely disagree with the whole notion of the film, I think it's a nice way to spend an afternoon if you've nothing better to do.

Bachna Ae Haseeno (2008)

Lives up to expectations (If it's YRF, it's gotta be bad)

[4/10 · 15 August 2008]

BAH opens with Mahi (Lamba) and Raj (Kapoor) meeting in a Eurail trip in 1996. Mahi watched DDLJ 17 times and set out to look for her Raj. A series of DDLJ events follow and the both end up confessing love to each other – just to realize at the end of the trip that Raj was faking his love to her.

Fast forward 2002 when Raj has met Radhika (Basu) and are living together in Mumbai. Raj is a game developer who gets a chance to move to Sydney but he wants to get rid of Radhika. So he makes many stories hoping that she'd let go of him, but when things don't work out as planned, Raj quietly departs on his wedding day leaving Radika in her bridal costume, weeping and alone.

Fast forward to 2007 in Sydney when Raj is doing very well both financially and socially. He meets a Gayatri (Padukone) a cabbie at night, MBA student and a grocery cashier by day who does not believe in marriages and rejects Raj's proposal. This makes Raj realize how much it hurts when somebody dumps you so he sets out to apologise to both Mahi and Radhika.

Well, that's the story – thin like a hairline. What follows is great locales, quite a few laughable moments, three smooches each with three women, a screenwriter you'd want to slap hardest, good music, bad bad Ranbir Kapoor, a totally wasted Deepika Padukone, horrendous costumes for Padukone (you should see the terrible clothes and jewellery she puts on "Khuda Jaane") and Minisha Lamba who looks like used moisturisers as the only makeup. So that leaves Bipasha Basu, who is the only something watchable in the movie.

This is no doubt going to be Yashraj's fifth flop in a row – if things work out as anticipated. Nothing can save this film. It uses a plot already used more than a thousand times. Given that the plot is old, it still makes absolutely no attempts to give it a different treatment. Sid Anand's graph is worsening with every movie he makes. The film leaves you nauseated, a climax you'd want to walk into the projector room and set the reel aflame and you see Ranbir's wannabe sex-appeal (that does not work out.) So this wasn't something I was not expecting for Yashraj. I knew this film too was going to be a totally waste and ultimately it does.

Final Rating: 4/10

Love Story 2050 (2008)

How bad can it get?

[2/10 · 4 July 2008]

I thought Luke Wilson starrer Idiocracy was the worse sci-fi ever. But LS 2050 tops Idiocracy in terms of how bad a movie can get. I simply lack the right words to review this film so I am going to keep it short (I've already wasted too much time in the theatre – cannot afford to waste anymore.) This is, face it, an exceptionally bad movie. This film seriously lacks direction and dimension. You feel painfully bored right from scene 1 and if the first five minutes of a movie does not grip you, it never will. In fact, I lost my attention right from the first. Then that lame staircase scene with Dalip Tahil and more cumbersome scenes Priyanka trying to catch a butterfly in the park. And the mountain bike race and OMG, I had to check my ticket every once in a while to make sure I was in the right auditorium wanting to watch a decent sci-fi flick.

Then once we're convinced that these too couple with absolutely no chemistry are dating – the story transports us to this really wacky place supposedly but certainly not Mumbai in 42 years time! Then follows some bizarre sequences that look almost identical to Star Wars (the flying cars or whatever you call them, ) Robots (the city, building design, etc.), I Robot (ha ha, robots assembly line,) The Island (lame XBox fight,) Terminator (skin rip of a robot) a song that's almost identical to Idhar Chala from koi mil gaya, Bridget Jones' Diary (Sana actually starts writing with "Dear diary…" ha ha ha) and perhaps many others too that I may have overlooked.

Oh god, I can write a book on the inconsistencies with this film And whatever with the brand endorsements in the year 2050! Hard to believe Lux would use the same label (and same ambassador) for 42 years (especially for a brand that comes up with new media campaign every year) and that line "Ceat Tyres ke 100 saal.." and all that bull**it.

And whoever said Harmann looks like Hritik – that is one hell of an incorrect statement. He is no way even close to the Hritik Roshan. Boman Irani is really annoying.

Final verdict 2/10 for some clever CGI, an open air stage floating in the air, Priyanka's costume and that's about it!

Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic (2008)

Wow! So many things in one movie – it's making me dizzy.

[4/10 · 29 June 2008]

Congratulations to director Kunal Kohli for setting up his own production house and joining hands with Yashraj to take on his first venture as a director/producer. Well, he doesn't really have to prove himself because this is his fourth time around as a director and he has matured with his profession. Director Kohli is out this time with a magical fairy tale based in contemporary Delhi revolving around a lonesome handsome and four kids whose parents get killed in a car accident.

Awkward (but it's cinema again) the judge orders Ranveer to take the kids home and unwillingly they start living under one roof but no one is really happy with each other. Then things start taking place very quickly, before you can fully grasp the situation the story has already moved far ahead and you desperately try to catch up. Anyway, that again perfectly justifies the fast-paced first 10 minutes where a young Ranveer grows up to a man (I loved the scene where he gets up and starts walking before his name is announced in a business award-giving.) and hits his car into an unfortunate couples'.

The eldest of the kids decides to take revenge and come to Ranveer's house. Then some really silly sequences follow that are absolutely out of place that even a seven year old would simply reject. Then comes in this incredibly noisy yet sweet and lovable fairy Geeta (Rani Mukerji). Gee, I would not have an angel by that name and definitely not a God (Rishi Kapoor) with funny beard. Then there is this dumb girlfriend of Ranveer (Amisha Patel) and an eccentric butler. The kids have presented a magnificent performance, full points to them.

Kunal Kohli yet again shows his inclination towards western flicks and even managed to squeeze in a quick Night in the Museum sequence in a song and even managed to tell how great his country is. Then there is this pool party clearly inappropriate for little ones to be attending. Kohli even manages to pay homage to popular songs of yesteryears in a car ride sequence.

Wow! So many things in one movie – it's making me dizzy.

It also comes to show how the musical trio of Shanker Ehsaan Loy have exhausted and begun making songs similar (compare Pyaar ke Liye and Taare Zameen Par) to the ones they previously composed. Javed Akthar's pretty is yet again gripping. Cinematography and editing is so so – I don't think it's so great for a SFX movie like this. I think the harness scenes looked pretty stiff and awkward (perhaps the actors had no experience working on harnesses.) The scenes in heaven could've been more better. Little animation sequences that pop up in the middle are distracting and inconsistent.

Though it was absolutely unimportant to take the story to LA in the last act, I think it was still great watching the inside of Hollywood theme parks and specially the scene where Rani uses her magical powers to transform the "H" of Hollywood into a "B." Anyways, I would say that take your children to watch the film but not sure whether they'll be able to grasp all the punches. Anyway, take them – at least they'll enjoy the special effects and comedy and the kids.

Bhoothnath (2008)

Mr B Does it Better

[6/10 · 9 May 2008]

Right from Scene 1, Shot 1 – I knew what I was going to expect. The very first scene of this movie shows two people trespassing into an abandoned home and being scared away by a ghost. Um, sounds familiar – awe, come one! You watched it in Casper, didn't you? Yep, so did I.

Bhoothnath is a movie that loosely inspires itself from the 1995 Hollywood movie Casper. It's about a ghost (Amitabh Bachchan), who doesn't allow anyone inside his home but fails every attempt to scare a little boy out of the house. Soon, he discovers that this boy isn't afraid of him at all and then they develop friendship. Then there is this mother (played by Juhi Chawla), a principal (Satish Shah) and a variety of other supporting actors – and yes, I almost forgot to tell you, there is Shahrukh Khan as well. So to all those people out there who love these star studded no-substance movies – welcome aboard.

The basic problem of Bhoothnath is that the spine of the story is very very flaccid. It's simply about this little boy and a ghost who do nothing but develop intense love for each other. They become friends, hang out, take part in sports and drama contests and well, that's about it. Can't tell you a great deal of things because the film simply deals with more event-oriented storytelling. Then there are these characters who do not develop at all, there are comedians who fail every attempt to make you laugh (though Juhi is funny at times, those clichéd jokes simply take away from humour from the situation.) In fact, the film is so clichéd that watching the first 20 minutes will tell you most of the story, but then that's where things become a bit tricky, and believe it or not, I grew more and more inquisitive as the film started taking a bloody Baghban twist. Surprised, don't be – it's BR Films trademark.

I went absolutely stunned when the back story about Mr AB becoming a ghost started unfolding. It's about these helpless parents whose son has left them, and believe it or not, that the mother DIES in grief and father (Bachchan) meets an accident (well, falls off a flight of stairs) and dies. (Though I loved the scene when he discovers he's dead.) Then he decides to keep everyone off his property and that's the part supposed to scare us.

Character-wise, Mr Bachchan is fine. Well, over acted a bit here and there, but one thing is for sure that he is able to get into any character. He fits in this one as well. He still manages to make us adore him with unwashed clothes (the movies says so) and unfiled nails with hideous silver paint on his face. Juhi Chawla is opening up to experimental roles and glad she accepted this part. She has fully justified her character and has shown that's she'd good as a mom too. The Shahrukh-Juhi chemistry works this time around too, but I simply did not understand the reason to have SRK do that role.

For Heaven's sake, just picture SRK standing in the background and only his hands visible in the frame. What a waste. Thankfully he did not charge a penny for that role because if he would've, it would make his worse choice of character in his entire career. Delnaz Paul, Priyanshu Chaterjee and Rajpal Yadav too are such a waste of paychecks. Satish Shah is rather irritating than funny. Rajpal Yadav sucks big time and we're not even told what happens to him in the end.

However, the good thing is that we have yet another Darsheel Safary in the block. Little kid charms us all the way through the movie. The best moments of the film are credits to him. The scene where he challenges Nath to arrange the furniture was simply adorable and the other one when he's looking up in the sky and calling out to Bhoothnath.

Overall, there's nothing great you'd want to watch in this movie. Your kids (mind it, very very small kids with absolutely no sense of judgement) may find it nice, but even 12/13 years will find this movie going to the nuts. It's predictable, it doesn't make use of the comic potential the plot has to offer, big names are attached to the film but their presence does not add any substance to the movie at all. You'll simply hate some scenes for the rest of your life. Music is so-so. Vishal Shekhar flunk again after Tashan. Javed Akthar had given some nice compositions but I think they're a bit over the top for a kid's movie. Production design (ageing dept) sucks big times, especially the first time we're shown this aged building with brightly polished wooden door and shining door knobs. Background score is thrilling at times but couldn't understand the reason why they composed one particular score very identical to that of Baghban's. There was definitely more room for special effects (you'll love a leaves animation sequence) though what's been done feels right in the place.

The director definitely needs to come up with something better next time because with such a big production house, all the best choices of actors and still a big hole persists in the whole thing. I don't know what went wrong – but Bhoothnath failed to impress me.

6/10 – for you Mr. Bachchan. Been a big fan of yours.

Black & White (I) (2008)

Welcome back, Mr Ghai

[7/10 · 29 March 2008]

Okay, now I'm not exactly sure how to put it. I just returned watching the great showman's latest presentation "Black and White" and I am pretty muddled up because I have very mixed reaction to the film. Perhaps I am the only one contented out of the 17 who turned up for the show, or this film has been badly victimized of bad publicity and lack of good starcast. I say bad starcast because I am sure I felt exactly the same sitting there in the couch and watching the promos, but I did not know I would be proved so wrong once I watched the movie.

Kudos to Subhash Ghai for picking a subject like this who otherwise took great pleasure in doing musicals targeted towards NRIs. I suppose this is very different as it has very less to do about life outside India and speaks more bravely of matters that have not been quite able to grab the attention of big film studios. Not that Yashraj (phew!) did terrorist movies like Fanaa and Red Chillies did Main Hoon Na, but this latest attempt is more subjected and particularly tackling to the main theme of the movie – global terrorism. Kudos once again to a setting that not for once you realise you're being shown a "commercial" (mind the term here) movie, yet at the end of the day it leaves you feeling that it has hit the spot.

The movie served another good purpose to me as I was able to re-cherish my moments I spent in Chandni Chowk. I was there for a fortnight in 2005 so I was like "oh that's Shishgunj Sahib" and "look at the spot we had kulfis" through the movie. Quite mesmerizing though. However, I think Ghai has very well justified as why the movie should've been there and not anywhere else.

Character wise, debutant Anurag Sinha fits in very well – be it the first scene where he's shown recording a TV feed or the later ones where he shoots. His serious, calm look is very intimidating though charming. Good find, Mr. Ghai! Anil Kapoor shows he is a good actor and not someone irritating like in Tashan trailer. I mean, we were shown Tashan's trailer before the film started, and later when Anil appears in this Black and White movie – just look at his versatility. At times when Anil himself is into curves and six packs, it indeed takes a lot of guts to get grey sideburns and glasses and perform with equal dignity and vigour. The new girl does not convince and I doubt if she'll go very far. However, Shefali Shah once again proves her metal. A very good work there but the one who steals the show is undoubtedly the old poet who is both charming and inspiring. Milind Gunaji cannot be remembered for the role. Scenic wise it's again so-so. You can't expect lot of scenic beauty for hazy Delhi plus the pollution. Music is okay, not a very good choice for repeated listens. Nice driving of the story, but whatever that makes me feel like taking back all the good words I've said so far is the screenplay – believe me, I found it haunting.

I specially remember two over-the-top scenes: 1) where Anurag has to choreograph a shootout to win over Shefali Shah's confidence; and 2) the scene where Shefali dies and Anil Kapoor overacts. Notwithstanding that, I would definitely recommend this story to any sensible movie lover and ask them to try it at least once.

I expect more of similar works from the great Showman who finally seems to have realised that he is indeed falling down and needed to take some serious steps to reclaim his image in the industry.

Jodhaa Akbar (2008)

Opulent is in fact, the right word.

[7/10 · 16 February 2008]

Opulent, I think the critics have used the right words to describe this film. Indeed, Jodhaa Akbar is a true winner in all senses. It keeps you glued to your seats from the very first moment. And even after 3+ hours, it steel keeps you mesmerized and leaves you with going "wow!" Wow. That's how I would describe this film. The last time I watched a good film was TZP, but that was a totally different story. This time, I'm taken into a timeless classic – if it's too much to tell so. Jodha Akbar is one of the classics you'd want to archive for the next say, 100 years. The last time we had a classic was Mughal e Azam, and so many years later, we have another classic that takes no less height than K Asif's old classic. The only common thing the two films share is the Akbar-Jodha plot line and grandeur and magnificence. But that would be very wrong to compare the two movies, and lets not do so.

The best part of this Ashutosh Gowariker flick is of course, the captain of the ship himself. Hritik Roshan gives his best performance so far and to all those who thought he couldn't be taken seriously, then think again. Because this actor has a lot of potential and he has finally proved that he is physically and mentally built for any challenging role like this one. Aishwarya Rai-Bachchan mesmerizes us throughout the film. I know I'm using the "mesmerize" word too much but that's the most relevant word I can find for this film.

Larger than life production design, great costumes and jewllery, the opening and final battle sequences and the Azeem-O-Shaan Shahenshah song choreography – man, that was really something! Only that one particular song can prove director Gowariker's potential, but we know he is the man of substance and we needn't validate that.

Overall, I'd give my nod. Grab a DVD and be mesmerized for the rest of my life.

:) Overall rating 9.3/10

Like Stars on Earth (2007)

Some intelligent film-making there

[8/10 · 21 December 2007]

How many times has there been a movie you could really relate to? How many times has it happened that you've seen a character on the screen that reminds of something that you've been through in your life? As I saw Ishan (Darsheel Safary) today, I felt, somewhere deep within that that's me.

Notwithstanding the slight retard nature, dyslexia and bad academic performance, the character of Ishan really made me remember my childhood today. I remember I was something like him as a child.—creative and imaginative. And my imagination always went unappreciated. I used to curate gibberish – just like he did. I painted, I dreamed and I fantasized about different things. So I feel writer Amol Gupte and director Aamir Khan (what a wonderful debut!) have picked an incredibly moving story. Frankly, I am not easily moved by movies. Not even the greatest tearjerkers have managed to "move" me, but for a moment I was stunned. Is this really happening to me? Am I trying to cry? In fact, the scene where Ram (Aamir Khan) walks into Ishan's room and discovers a score of sketches and drawings, it made me feel like somebody had in fact, opened my closet and discovered my secret childhood fantasies (Believe me, I still have them.) This movie will surely engage all those who have had similar incidents in their lives. That's for sure. I am moved. I love this film. I don't know and I don't care how this film does in the box office but let me tell you don't watch this film if you're looking for regular boy meets girl story. Don't even skip this film thinking it's children's movie – no it isn't. In fact, Taare Zameen Par is a movie potentially targeted towards parents. But if you think you too have undergone similar childhood conflicts and lived a life where the people around you refuse to appreciate your fantasies, then definitely go for it. TZP mirrors many of those people's lives that looks just plain and simple but those who compromised their dreams for the sake of the earthly existence.

Okay, enough of fantasies. Technically, writer Amol Gupte delivers an A Grade script. Aamir Khan shows his talent not just as an actor but a very versatile and intelligent. Oscar Wilde, Leonardo da Vinci and Sally Gardner were hardly ever heard of in Hindi cinema before this. The writer just does not deliver a well written script but also his knowledge of research (which other filmmakers hardly ever do!) Musically, it's two-thumbs up for Shanker Ehsaan Loy. The title song is fascinating. Maa and Jame Raho combine talents in all respects- music, words and voice. The production design is superb. Not for a moment you feel anything is fake. They even managed to squeeze in some quick visual effects and animated scenes. They're there to add another dimension to great story telling. The casting is good and well justified. Little Darsheel steals the show. Tisca Chopra grabs attention.

Aamir Khan, however stuns the audience by appearing at almost near half of the film. That's the surprise but you don't miss Aamir in the first half because Darsheel will definitely grab your attention and Aamir gets to show some good directorial talent.

All in all, I'd say go and watch the film. I wouldn't recommend if you're addicted to Yashraj stuffs but if you really want to see some intelligent film-making, then Taare Zameen Par is a treat.

Aaja Nachle (2007)

Madhuri does fine

[6/10 · 4 December 2007]

Okay, now the eagerly anticipated Madhuri Dixit musical is finally out, I too would like to say a few things about this film. Not that I hated the film completely, but some parts of it really got me into pondering – why don't they just let us give a break and give something really sensible, something you would want to talk about for the next eight months. Not like okay you watch this film, enjoy, come out of the theatre and completely forget about it. Yashraj films who was bragging early this year about "2007-the year to be" has left some silly movies down the lane and their latest installment "Aaja Nachle" happens to follow the great legacy of Dhoom2, Tara Rum Pum, Jhoom Barabar.. and Laaga Chunari Mein… Indeed, the theory of quality being inversely proportional to quantity greatly applies here. Aaja Nachle, is, sadly a disappointment. But you have Madhuri making a comeback after so many years, a "perfect" production house that thinks it'll never get it wrong, a fine craftsman like Anil Mehta – wait, I must tell you he's got the cameraman Mohanan to shoot the scenes beautifully, but himself as a director – a big no no.

Aaja Nachle is simply a bunch of faults and flaws. Starting right from the first sequence, we get into thinking "Why don't they leave the Americans alone?" It seems Yashraj does not need actors but American extras and even at rarest occasions when you don't need them, they'll always have space to squeeze in a few. Then the music teacher gets some horrendous costumes to wear, records his farewell video (God, tell them 2007 minus 11 is 1996 and technology, fashion and everything else was already far more advanced then than shown!) and passes out. Then Dia gets into this quest to get the city together, and does some old school jhataks. (Okay, those expensive sets can be considered as "cinematic liberty" to quote critic Taran Adarsh but someone please tell me when did she get the theatre renovated and get all extra dancers when no one in the town was willing to cooperate?) Anything that's good is of course cinematography, sets and costumes. (Remember the good qualities of Om Shanti Om were almost exactly the same things.) Konkana and Kunal Kapoor doing some nice job there but the one to steal the show is of course the supporting cast. (What did you think I'd say Madhuri Dixit? No!) Madhuri's come back does not impress me. Sincerely, she's still the same old Madhuri and lot of water has flown since she left. Our tastes have changed and we are used to watching other actresses doing far more natural acting than she does in the movie. Irfan Khan is invisible in his short role. Akshaye Khanna's character does not convince me. I love the supporting cast which always happens to be the strongest factor in a Jaideep Sahani screenplay – be it Khosla ka Ghosla or Chak De India. I'd really look forward to Jaideep Sahni writing another supporting cast-driven movie than Anil Mehta be allowed to direct again. Music is so-so. The only songs to have impress me are "Show me your Jalwa" and "Dance with me." Technically, there are several plot holes and consistencies but you'd bypass a lot of them considering it be mere "cinematic liberty," but no former superstar can save your show when your screenplay is leaking and got holes all over it. The scene where Nazma confesses to Dia could have been far better and thrilling if Divya Dutta would have been written to enter the scene with a bang. The conclusion is predictable but Jaideep has forgotten to close some plots he opened. What happened to the other lady who was replaced by Nazma? What about the deal between Chaudury sahib and Irfan Khan's character? And why does not Dia teach her daughter to speak Hindi when she is so much in love with her cultures and traditions? Some bad screen writing done there but the rest of the movie makes up for those blunders.

This movie would not get repeat audiences. At least I'm not going to watch it again. Not even in DVD. It does not get high scores from me. Well 6/10 should do fine. That's all I'd accommodate for a good visual treat.

Elizabethtown (2005)

Liked the movie, loved the music

[8/10 · 26 September 2007]

I wanted to watch this movie right from when I saw the promotions. However, could never find a DVD so had to wait until it aired in HBO. Loved the film. Orlando Bloom and Kirsten Dunst make a perfect pair. But what's most important about this film is the feeling that it leaves you with. It feels good. Yes, and we really need such films to tell ourselves that life is beautiful, and some people can enter like a whiff of fresh air and make it more beautiful. Sadness and grief are parts of everyone lives but we will have to look at the brighter sides. Look out for what it can be like.

Elizabethtown is a nice movie. "Nice" in terms of being nice. Not consistently entertaining but you cannot afford to miss trip with Orlando Bloom. We are taken through various places and guided through life and death. Finally nothing is as miserable as it seems. It's wonderfully crafted. Nice editing, nice use props -- but what pleases me the most is the music. I will definitely want to have the soundtrack. I love the songs.

Some stuffs however are really really bad -- 1) stealing the beer 2) Susan Sarandon's long speech followed by a tap dance 3) the burning bird mannequin 4) telephone sequence (I think this one is simply over the head.) However, this is a nice movie, at least it worked out for me.

Helps you wonders when you're feeling down.

Chak De! India (2007)

Lots of goosebumps, adrenaline rush and hot Segarika Ghatge

[10/10 · 9 August 2007]

What's in a name? Although initially this movie drew some amount of controversy outside India among viewers of non-Indian origin, the final movie just falsifies all those who advocated that the title "Chak De! India" was non-representative and was supposed to mean to only a niche of moviegoers. This movie would've been just what it is no matter what is was called or which country made it. Director Shimit Amin's entry in YRF simply transforms the entire perspective of movie-making and movie watching, both for the production house and the viewers.

Generally, you enter the theatre for a Yashraj movie expecting foreign locales, lots of song and dance, impossible and unbelievable characters, poor storyline, bad performances and a helluva investment but this movie delivers what no other Yashraj film ever did. Initially a sports movie, Chak De is rather a story of hope, courage, unity, integrity and the dreams. This film finally proves that you don't need Preity or Rani opposite SRK, and he all by himself, with a great screenwriter, great director and a good cast of the hockey team can make a great movie. There are lots of heroes in the movie - the women's team and these ladies simply steal the show. Mainly Bindiya, Balbir, Priya (the hot chic) and Komal.

See it gets very hard when there is an incredible amount of character development to do. There is a ghost that follows Kabir throughout the film and writer Jaideep Sahani makes a very good use of it. I do admit the fact that he's watched an incredible amount of Hollywood sports flick to develop this script, but he adds his very homely formulas and successfully manages to retain this film as an original Indian movie. Some parts of the film are directly lifted like the part of Kabir's ghost and few of the women, but all in all I refuse to say this is a Hollywood copy.

All in all, this is the best summer Hindi movie I've watched so far, not because it's got SRK but I love the script, the witty one-liners where sometimes with double meanings, every girl with her story (but I feel at most points the characters don't fully grow), well coordinated game sequences (though the practise scenes may bore you because there are a LOT), and above all the message the film delivers - when united, there's nothing you can't win over. The message is pretty well conveyed. You feel the adrenaline rush through the World Cup matches, a lot of goosebumps thanks to the great scoring by the Salim Sulaiman duo, well crafted script and good direction. Shimit's work is original contrary to the reservations I carried for him being a product of Ram Gopal Verma's school of direction.

SRK, as usual is great with his acting (and beard,) Vidya Malvade is the overly publicised captain but unfortunately other girls outdo her, the Jharkhand girls provide a dimension against contrasting Bindya and her queen bees. Segarika Ghatge's character Priya Saberwal is most memorable for her looks, style and for being hot and everything. The North East girls do answer some of vital questions of the North East Indians about their existence in their country as foreigners. The class conflict, egoistic chicks and their attitude problem and stuffs are absolutely well portrayed in the film.

All in all a well worth. Requires basic knowledge and enthusiasm in hockey. But avoid if you're looking for SRK as the lover-boy - he's the tough coach.

Eight Below (2006)

I love the dogs.

[9/10 · 5 August 2007]

This is indeed, unbelievably a bloodcurdling story and its depiction as a movie is also fantastic. In the quest of taking uniqueness to heights of creative exaggeration, this movie simply delivers the tale of a man who can't let go of his dogs. And these are not just ordinary dogs; these dogs can think, co-operate and live in harmony and believe it or not, for almost an entire season without human guidance or nurturing. They'll hunt and gather, survive and live in the hope of being rescued - and to make matters even more thrilling, this is, in fact, a true story of eight dogs left behind in Antarctica to literally freeze.

Eight Below is a story about courage, courage shown by animals to struggle for survival in fifty below zero. What attracts me most is the intense drama that builds amongst the animals, which is often more appealing than Jurassic Park, King Kong or whatever. This movie is indeed a story that inspires every human being, told in narratives of eight sled dogs. Dogs are indeed men's best friends, but we see how much they love each other when one of the hound is ill and Maya the doggie licks its forehead with love. Or maybe when the other falls off the cliff and Max is sad. The emotions are visible right through the dogs eyes, and not for a moment I felt like these dogs are in the middle of a movie shoot. If anyone is star in this movie, they're the hound.

I strongly recommend everyone to watch this movie. I feel it's better than many of those mainstream fictitious melodramas. I don't cry watching movies but this is the one that reduced me to fit of tears and kudos, what a lovely movie, the non-human characters, exotic locales and a great sense of screen writing. It definitely delivers it message across without the characters having to speak their dialogues (dogs don't speak, of course).

Go ahead and grab this movie if you're looking for bite-your-nails type of movie.

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007)

I was wrong about movies that cut down on lighting department costs

[7/10 · 30 July 2007]

Well, Order of the Phoenix - the first complete Harry Potter movie I watched and I am left with the conclusion what the heck had I been doing all these years. In fact, I had watched bits and pieces of Prisoner of Azkaban but I wouldn't say I enjoyed the movie because I was horribly lost and didn't understand the basics of who is who just for a simple fact that I hate dimly lit sets and dark night shots. I hated LOTR for that reason, I disliked the Pirates and I was simply uninterested in the Harry Potter movies. Unfortunately, now I realised how wrong I'd been about movies that cut down on lighting department's costs. The meaning of the movie lies deep within it's soul and not how brightly are the sets lit. Dimly lit sets are vital to films with dark themes and HP is one of them.

With mind in muddle and having no tickets for The Simpsons Movie, I reluctantly entered the theatre showing HP5. Then the very next day, being so impressed with the fifth movie, I immediately hired the DVD of Goblet of Fire, and um, loved that one too. The Order of Phoenix begins with kind of amazing but I must tell I never knew they ever came out of the Hogwarts. Then as the film paced I felt a strange type of propulsion in the subject content and the artists' performances. Daniel Radcliffe has evolved as a fine young man ( I won't lie but I did watch snapshots from Sorcerer's Stone and Azkaban.) He has a great future ahead once he's off the HP franchise. I can't say a lot about Ron Weasley character because I feel it's unjustified and has more of a comic punch than the required gravity it ought to have. The special effects are great and I simple loved Gary Oldman's presence in the film. The convertible house (Sirius's home) has some spectacular special effects involved and kudos to the technology involved.

But more than that I must say I loved the presence of pretty young women. Both Hermionie Granger and Luna Lovegood are magnificent character created by Rowling and both Emma Watson (pretty as always) and Evana Lynch do full justice to their performances. I must particularly talk about Emma Watson because her evolution as a fine lady has definitely added a new dimension to the HP movie, I was more of looking forward to a warm relationship of her with Potter. Unless I was told she finds Ron at last (I hope that isn't a spoiler - I read it in the Deathly Hallows,) I would have expected something between Potter and Granger. However, there had been Rachel Weisz, Kate Winslet, Keira Knightley, and now it's Emma Watson's turn, go dear just go ahead, Hollywood awaits you.

However, the fondest character of HP5 to me happens to be Dolores Umbridge. That character is so real and doesn't for a moment make me feel like it's a magical character from a fantasy novel. However, Imelda Staunton adds the real essence to the character and no one else would have suited it so much that it in fact, she reminds me of my very principal in school. She is just so real and cruel and I must applaud the essence she has added to the HP5 movie. And Lord Voldemort's character is so scary and the depth is simply frightening. I learned about him later when I watched the preceding movie.

Finally, my aggregate review for the Order of the Phoenix would be that it's a nice movie with all the essentials included and it's a value for money. Everything is big and thankfully this time there are shots of the contemporary would that I had been badly missing. The tube station and flying over river Thames gave me ways so that I could relate to the film. The shots over London city were simply exhilarating and my favourite scene in the entire movie. The second one that closely follows is where the Phoenix army is flying into the horizon over the Hogwarts on Thresals.

However, the most important thing that this film makes me do is 1. watch the remaining three movies and 2. read the novels. Now I am curious and want to dive deep into the world of Harry Potter. I had carried my reservations with this franchise but now I feel I was wrong, indeed, Harry Potter movies are worth cherishing. Can't wait to see the other movies.

Jhoom Barabar Jhoom (2007)

No, not anymore!

[3/10 · 17 June 2007]

I am so depressed. What the heck was that all about? Jhoom Babarbar Jhoom is a topper. It has made it all the way to number 1 in my list of "Movies I hate the most" overtaking the place of Yashraj's previous release Dhoom 2. What is the fuss all about? Who wants to sing, shout and dance with actors performing their most idiotic characters ever. There is no way anyone in any way can relate to this movie. Great sets, great locales, great actors - yet JBJ is a loser in every sense. If this is how Indian cinema is going global then it must stop, immediately.

Director Shaad Ali leaves everybody disappointed. His earlier movie Bunty aur Babli rocked the nation. He approached Jhoom.. is almost similar retrospective manner. Unfortunately, it does not work out this time because there is nothing Jhoom.. can be considered as decent cinema. Rikky and Alvira meet, erect a heap of lies, an idiotic nomad (Monsieur Amitabh Bachchan, the Great!) appears out of nowhere and does almost nothing, now the two are making up stories to conceal their lies and bingo - guess what, they're in love.

Why, why do they have to do it? They call it a rom-com, but let me tell you - it's neither romantic nor comic. It's not a movie that fits into comedy genre neither does it happen to be a love story (no, don't call it a love story. Idiots don't fall in love.) If there is anything in the movie, then it's the lush cinematography, great editing works, that breathtaking 360-degree rotated view of Taj Mahal, the dance sequence in front of the Eiffel Tower, the Superman falling sequence at Madame Taussad, Lara Dutta's French accent + the swearing and everything, and Preity Zinta (her Brit accent does not seem to work out for me.) Abhishek Bachchan needs to seriously think about his selection of roles and Bobby Doel, welcome back. A lot has changed while you were gone. They don't make those good movies anymore. But Bobby looks good, both as the hunk and the geek.

Kudos to Vaibhavi Merchant - she is the only person who does justice to her work. Shankar Ehsaan Loy fail to impress (Ticket to Hollywood.. is too Rahman style!) Gulzar is caught up with a bunch of people who don't know what they're doing. The casting director seems to have accomplished a hectic job. And finally Yashraj! (sigh) Least spoken is best. They're making money and that's good, perhaps they know Jhoom Barabar Jhoom is the substance that sells. And if films like Jhoom.. continue to sell, then Indian cinema wouldn't be very proud as the world's largest film industry.

Ta Ra Rum Pum (2007)

Depressed by the producers' approach to pathetically globalise Indian Cinema

[5/10 · 30 April 2007]

Indeed, Ta Ra Rum Pum comes after YRF's successful Dhoom 2. Glossy US locations, larger than life lifestyle, race courses.. Saif Ali Khan and a hell lot of American actors and extras. If Indian cinema is truly globalising, then it should bear in mind that it is, still making movies primarily for local audiences. Imagine people in rural Indian districts watching Ta Ra Rum Pum.. Poor fellas, they'll hardly ever relate to that movie at all. But that does not mean I did not enjoy the movie.

I was expecting adrenaline pumping race sequences. Binod Pradhan is the same person who did Devdas, etc. but the magic isn't cast this time. Sid treats the movie very nicely and the third act is gripping. Characters are very clear and the conflicts bring in fresh air. But what a pain you'll have to watch all your through how Saif and Rani meet, Rani's iPod cracks (iPods 8/9 years ago? Weired!) and Saif takes an easy go on life and success. Javed Jaffery fails to entertain this time and Rani looks pathetic in her teenage hairdo.

The kids perform well. It's a nice family. The Jacksonville environment is lively. But I am not sure who these RV and Shona are. Are they Indians, Hindus? Or do they represent the mass of nowhere who speak Hindi, eat toasts for breakfast and marry the Catholic way.

Now the serious bit -- I am pretty much depressed by the producers approach to globalise Indian Cinema. I mean who cares, if we want we watch Hollywood movies. Who ever wants English-style movies in Hindi language performed by Indian actors? I will watch genuine Hollywood movies, I will watch movies that reflects the ethics of a local community. Go and ask 7 out of 10 Indians won't know about motor race sport.

Music does not grab me. I am fed up with Saif typecasting himself. I hated Saif trying to become Tom Cruise and Queen Latifah (race ride to JFK in "Taxi") all at the same time. Rani sadly disappears somewhere.

Final advice to Yashraj -- If you guys are so much interested in making movies in US set according to the American ethics, then why don't you try making movies in Hollywood in English language with American actors. I think your passion for "globalising" will be quenched that way.

Dhoom 2 (2006)

Horrible, disturbing, horrid.. what else can I say

[2/10 · 12 January 2007]

Definitely the dumbest movie of the year. The biggest problem with D2 is that it has no story at all and look at Aishwarya Rai! Is she the same actress? No not all all and who is even Uday Chopra. Do we even know him as an actor? And Bipasha Basu, poor unfortunate lady who wasn't sure what she was doing. The biggest problem that D2 faces is that it's the most desperate movie of the year and guess what, Ash won an award for a movie like that! Huh,if YRF continues making movies like these than there will be a time when Hindi movies will be known for their stupidity and dumbness then what they call "action" and "skinshow". What is D2? A garbage full of stolen situations and plots? Why are Hritik and Ash in a movie like that? Because they've got money and they can spend it the way they want it.

Horrible, disturbing, horrid.. what else can I say for Dhoom 2?

Umrao Jaan (2006)

Finally we have a movie with a heart.

[9/10 · 3 November 2006]

There are less reasons for why you should not watch Umraao Jaan than why you should watch. If you're looking for a movie with heart, then this is the one. In a rush of making comic, action and exotic foreign locale movie, this movie is the answer to all those who think the only way of making a good movie is by going to foreign counties and spending big cash with a exaggerated larger than life image to the movie.

The biggest heroes of Umraao Jaan are its screenwriter, the veteran Mr. O.P. Dutta and the director himself J.P. Dutta, music director Anu Malik, lyricist Javed Akhthar, singer Alka Yagnik, choreographers Saroj Khan and Vaibhavi Merchant, and of course most importantly Aishwarya Rai. The original story by Mirza Muhammad Hadi Ruswa is bigger than just saying fabulous. Abhishek Bachchan and Shabana Azmi too deliver great performances. Thorugh the only place I find the movie obtrusive is its production design and prop department, the rest of the movie is perhaps the best movie of the year. No doubts Aishwarya Rai will be nominated for at least Best Actress this year.

So what is bad about this movie.. Well just one fact that the movie is a bit too long and one easily loses patience till he reaches the end. Expect for those dozing heads in the theatre I saw, I must say it is a film I really like and though musical classics is not really my cup of tea, this one is. If I slightly compare it with Devdas, I see Umraao Jaan has got a bit drier texture as Devdas was more juicier.

The obvious comparison I would like to draw is with Don that release two weeks ago. Well, both are adapted screenplays but see how Don was full of errors while this one Umraao Jaan done by a veteran who has spent about 50 years making movies. Well, breathtaking exhilarating and what more I can say? The artists and the producers have made a 100% input and its worthwhile but the question is if today's crowd likes such movies? That now depends upon the public to make this movie a success or a failure.

This is a great movie. Go and watch it.

Jaan-E-Mann: Let's Fall in Love... Again (2006)

Zinta is definitely a Jaan-è-mann

[6/10 · 26 October 2006]

Director Sirish Kunder has made a commendable debut in Hindi cinema as a director. This editor-turned-director has made an impressive attempt to make Jaan-è-mann what it is. Superb editing, exotic locales and a heart warming love story. I had never imagined that special effects could be of such an imperative to a romantic love story. This movie delivers the best in technicality. Scene transitions are superb, dream sequences, going into and out of flashback has its own style and the film is full of jolly and merry instances. But all that does not make a movie great if it lacks its soul, the screenplay. Sirish Kunder, in his first screen writing attempt, has clearly shown his incompetence and inexperience.

Kunder, though has filled the film with lots of one-liners, pretty catchy dialouges and an amazing score, technically the script has pitfalls. Lack of adequate character conflicts, the trait of the film gone missing somewhere and, and most importantly, a novice screenwriter makes the movie lose its charm. Jaan-è-mann could be a thoroughly entertaining if we set the screen writing rules aside, but beyond that, if you're planning to watch a movie by experienced professionals, this one is definitely not your cup of tea.

Lets look at various aspects one by one:

Salman Khan - Good performance. Thank god he's given up laughing like hyena. We see veteran in this movie. A sad an miserable shade of his character makes home in public's heart.

Preity Zinta - After KANK, she's my ultimate favourite. This angelic beauty looks great throughout and she's still watchable as a college girl. And my God, she does great Russian accent.

Akshay Kumar - I like the way he laughs, he..hee..heee. Akshay has come a long way into romantic comedy from action movies and he's good at it. He's in fact good in any character he gets into.

Anupam Kher - This one actor knows the heights of performance, although he plays a person without, um.. much height.

Anu Malik - The track "Humko Maloom" is great. Fabulous. But not all songs are ones we can say "are really great." Worked late night and wrapped up in a haste?

Gulzar - Is he trying to be different or did the producers ask him to do so? Why does he need to use so many English words in songs? I feel bad calling a veteran bad but he fails to live up to the expectations.

Farah Khan - Great. At least this is the best she can give to her newlywed husband Sirish Kunder. She's put her heart and soul into it making choreography one of the strongest aspects of this movie.

Sirish Kunder - Editing - superb! Space sequence - superb! Visual transitions - superb! Should definitely go ahead and make more movies. But before that, I urge him to buy the book "Screenwriting" by Syd Field and read it once.

Apart from this, the production design is laudable. The baby who plays Preity Zinta's daughter is really sweet. Enormous curtains hanging down from the roof look exhilarating. New York, as always is breathtaking. What's even good is the actors' chemistry and the way the entire movie has been set up.

If you're finding it hard to choose between Don and Jaan-è-mann, my choice would definitely be Jaan-è-mann. It's a value for money but not yet the film I can call the best film of the year.

Don (I) (2006)

No Comparisons please.

[6/10 · 20 October 2006]

In a tug of war between what Bollywood saw 28 years ago and what it anticipated in the fall of 2006, we calmly return from the theatre with the feeling that yes, there are no comparisons and one should not try and make comparisons between Amitabh Bachchan as Don and Shahrukh Khan as the new Don.

The new Don has few reasons to be good, however in my personal opinion, despite of the technology and audience-compliance, the old Don grabbed me more than the new one. Luckily, I hadn't watched the old Don before and surprisingly ended up watching both the movies the same day. It gave me a reason to compare the two, but as the story unfolds, something in me said that stop comparing and watch the fantastic and exotic technology that makes the new Don worthwhile. The locales are superb, the little red diary has turned into a mini-disk, Pran has evolved into muscular and heroic Arjun Rampal and what a beauty is Priyanka Chopra! I take back my words for how I criticised her in Krrish. The chase sequence is crafted as good as Michael Bay would do it, and Shahrukh Khan is the man who makes the show happening. Just check out those cool sleek cars; that massive use of steel and green texture in the production design and experience the hi-tech sophisticated world the Don lives in.

What makes Don so good? Is it the director's heavy inspiration from Hollywood action movies, is it the suspense, is it the thrill or is it the original screenplay of Salim-Javed? Or is it the heavy publicity that compels the audience the go and see a movie that almost everyone is talking about? Almost every scene is perfect, every dialouge is taken care of and characters, including minor characters Pawan Malhotra and Kareena Kapoor are worth watching.

But every matter has the other side. Let me make a few things I would want to comment about. The basic rule of writing a screenplay - "close all loose ends and characters towards the end of the third act." Farhaan Akthar has forgotten to tell us what happened to Arjun Rampal in the end and where did Don's friends go after Don jumped off the plane? The end is sleek and I know the story has been left in such a stage that the sequel is confirmed. I know its sequel; however will be bigger and better. Isn't it? We like such techno, futuristic sophisticated movies. That's what time demands for. Such films should come up. Though I am absolutely confused with characters of Iftikar and Om Shivpuri in the old Don and Boman Irani and Om Puri in the new one, I still thoroughly enjoyed my time. I liked the songs, the grandness in everything and yes, I liked the cinematography. A good effort indeed and the creative new additions are commendable. But, come on Farhaan a bit more destruction, cars and buildings blowing up and more intense action, (like you know, action as in Hollywood flicks like The Transporter and Cradle to the Grave) would have definitely added up more spice to the movie.

Good work though!

Lage Raho Munna Bhai (2006)

Gandhi isn't gone.

[8/10 · 14 September 2006]

Finally we have a sequel better than it's original. Truly, I was driven into deep thought as I watched Lage Raho Munnabhai. What makes the movie so touchy is Mahatma Gandhi, and it's the reason why today's youngsters must watch this film. This is a film about truth, honesty and selflessness and behind a light-hearted comic screenplay lays deep thoughts and realities of today's society. Munnabhai meets Gandhi, and his world changes, but more than that it compels us to think what if we meet Gandhi and feel embarrassed upon ourselves for not being able to take what he wanted us to.

I am not an Indian, but Gandhi being an Indian has laid down a path of truth and honesty for people all around the world. To say the least, Gandhi is the God of modern times and people like him aren't born often. The producers of this film have attempted to unravel the reality of our times where people have become so mean and selfish, that in fact if today Gandhi was to come back, would sadly return embarrassed and humiliated seeing how badly we all have failed to give him respect and cared less to what he said and did.

And if films like these continue to come up, we may one day say that Gandhi isn't gone.

Krrish (2006)

ET meets Superman! How lame is that?

[1/10 · 9 July 2006]

This is perhaps the worst superhero movie I've ever seen. What the Roshans have done is simply spent a week watching all the Hollywood superhero movies and spiced it up as 'Desi.'? And who ever on earth told them that Priyanka Chopra fitted the role? No man, don't even think about making the third part for this film. And what's up with the script, character artists and everything? Mr. Rakesh Roshan must take few lessons on writing a powerful screenplay and get rid of lame language. The big problem with the thing is that the Roshans have managed to make a 2006 movie with recipe, that worked only 11 years ago. They've failed to realize they're not making Karan Arjun. (http://imdb.com/title/tt0113526/) Well Roshans, hope to see an original movie next time around!