Avenger Endgame emotions

Franchises (in its true sense) are truly powerful thing the creative world came up with. I have always been a fan & will continue to be so. Why end something, when the story is not over ? We want to know more.

When Infinity War launched and I read some spoiler, which said Spiderman dies in it, that was enough for me. I did not watch it. Plus I did not know about the whole plot of Avengers movies & Marvel universe on the whole ending soon. I stayed away, but my kids watched it. And internet made sure I saw the pics where the characters fade away in dots. Ew.

Anyway when the time for Endgame came, and internet informed me, that this was a last movie tie-ing up the 22 movies (I did not know!) of Marvel Universe, I wasted no time in buying tickets and seeing the earliest show possible.

Looking at it, so many things are ending this year - Marvel Universe - Iron Man atleast, GOT, Big Bang Theory ...... Its bringing out a collective emotional response across media.

Three-fourth of the movie was build-up with multiple time-travelling. It was interesting for someone  who like references to other individual movies (aka me). But the most enchanting part was the last part of final war. It was reminiscent of epic level Gods & Rakshas wars. I got goosebumps (like the makers intended) when Captain America whispers "Assemble".

Girl Power moment was a visual treat even if lasted a few seconds. When you have so many of powerful characters, it makes sense to assemble them in a single frame and carry on a task of single purpose. I looked around, & did not find a pic. This blurry thing is the only one I could capture.

Girl Power moment in Avengers Endgame

The most striking thing about Avengers End-game was the parallel with Hindu stories. During a low point, when Caption Marvel comes to the rescue and changes the equation, it was totally entrance of Durga during the big war between the Gods & Rakshasas.

Marvel, DC & Star Wars are American mythology in progress, and we are witness to its creation.

Jagga Jasoos

I am so glad I saw Jagga Jasoos in theatre. I had to rush in the 2nd weekend, coz I was not sure it would last another week. Ekdum 1st class movie. Am so glad it was made and released.

The doomsayers have been predicting, that the long-delayed movie won't last. Now I hear, it took 3 years of production and release. Arre any online project also takes 3 years to implement. Movie are large physical efforts. Especially movies of this scope. But we can't make out that from the movie, cause lead roles appearance remain consistent in the movie. Thanks to workout lifestyle. And looking at such a complex movie from making point-of-view, I can imagine why production took so much time ?

First thing I liked was the latest trailer. The adventure scenes were enough for me to decide on theater viewing. I needn't wait for reviews to decide on that. And because I love Ranbir and Katrina individually and definitely as RanKat.

Despite rumors, I did not see much similarity with Tintin (and I am a qualified Tintin fan-expert). The village mystery, circus, military outpost, train and plane sequences are staple for any adventure movie. That's what we go to see. Kids are still talking about Fire, Knife-throwing, Eggs and Clock-tower mystery. Makers must have done something good if kids are impressed. And I am thankful movie treated death causally. People were getting killed in shootouts but no one lingered on it, so it has escaped notice. Except that I bring it up.

There are so many artistic elements. So much work has happened. And not just good prod design or set. Just crafting of each of the scene and its execution. JJ world was definitely an extension of Barfi world. Same hilly woodsy town in the first half for Manipur. Same serenity and soft visual tones. Visually all scene are so well composed. Activities which can be simple actions, are done in interesting way, so mind never wanders.

Special callout to using technology - CGI (when older Ranbir visits the house playing his childhood memory in Phir Wohi song) and oil painting matte finish for clock tower mystery. They used retro props for nostalgia - dial phones (no cell phones at all), old plane and train. So time period wise this movie is just a happy place of your pleasant memories. Adventure is covered in the second half which completely moves to Africa/Morocco, with a stopover first at Kolkata. Director Anurag Basu sneaked in a reference to Bhilai, Chattisgarh as well, a town he grew up in.

Using a fairly recent historic event (90s) as backdrop was brilliant. Loved it how they incorporated multiple languages in the movie - Ranbir speaking Manipuri, Katrina singing in African.

The dominating thing in the movie is music of course. Technically there are like 4-5 songs. But the rest of the dialogues are all sing-song rhymes. All of it. And it was good too. All except the children backup singing and dancing for Sutradhar - that cheery overload was irritating. End movie credits for music ran for like half the time. Obviously so many were involved in the music. Shillong & Africa choir among others.

Only after the movie release, T-Series has blessed us with Audio jukebox. Earlier it was difficult to find a decent video song too. Except Galti se mistake and Ullule.  Tushar Joshi is lovely in Musafir, and gives just a hint of Shaan in his voice. Kids have been giggling non-stop at Galti-Se-Mistake dance steps. I love it for the Bihu beats & instruments. And the modern dance in Ullu Ka Patta. Group singing/chanting Khaana Khaake is so catchy; its the new ear-worm. Now waiting for more videos after I overheard kids singing Chocalaty Chunnu. There are no lyrics yet too for these other songs.

Due to all the singing, and I only realized it much later, I did miss Ranbir's voice. An angry tantrum is his signature and this one had it, but without his rant. Missed that. It was like English-Vinglish without Sridevi dance.

I know my review is not going to help anyone decide on whether to watch this movie. But I loved the movie and again, am glad it was made. More so as it's an Indian movie with catchy beautiful Hindi songs, using a fairly recent historic event as backdrop for the overall mystery and traveling through interesting locations. I could use this movie, to showcase the good part of Indian movies to my kids.

Update 7/28/2017:

So Thrilled ! Yesterday I tweeted the link to this review, and Director Anurag Basu liked that tweet !!!!!!! Its like receiving a reply to fan mail #OldWorld. But totally unexpected !!!

  

#20YearsOfHAHK

#20YearsOfHAHK

Can't believe it’s been 20 years since Hum Aapke Hai Kaun. Does make me feel old & grownup :D I remember going to that theater in Udupi with Shoba akka, Sowmya & Deepthi.

20th year anniversary seemed like a good time to introduce this movie to the next Gen (my kids). This is the chain of events that happened next.

All cries for Disney stopped, once "Bechain hain teri  nazar..." started playing.

Cheers from me to Dad when "Vijaya Bank" featured in the title credits!

Vijaya Bank credits in Hum Aapke Hai Kaun

Kids - "What's her name again ?" 
"Pooja" 
"Like a Goddess !?!?!"

Kids were all attention - from the Skating sequence to all songs from “Wah wah Ramji” and later ones.

“Shakuntalaaa … who is Shakuntala?”

Kids were totally glued, for the tempo in "Joothe do paise lo" - 
"Are they stealing shoes ? Isnt it a bad thing.." 
I had to explain same thing which Madhuri explains to the young girl. 
Krishna featured during this sequence - so that was totally a hit with the kids.

When Renuka appears in her bridal dress, I am thinking "Wedding dress is so simple. Nothing blingy like the ones in today's movies. Nice ! And I thought those days were flashy". 
But kids are shocked, "Where is her head?" Coz it was totally covered. 
When they showed her face, relief "Oh there".

Dupata and swiveling around during "Mausam ka Jadu hai Mitwa" - both on TV and i nthe living room.

Didi tera devar dewana.. – 
“Is she a boy or girl” 
“Why is the melon on her head” 
“Is she a boy ?” “No that is Bindu” 
“Now he is a girl “ !

At the pool, Salman does push-ups to muster courage, Kids go, “I can do that” and go on to show me 1-hand push-ups.

My Dad pitches in, “Kitna songs hain isme !?!” (so many songs !). Ya like every 5 minutes.

Fruit cutting scene for late night dinner - 
"She cuts fruits, he eats". 
I said, "No everyone cuts fruits". 
"But he didn't". 
"They didn't show it that’s all. In our home, everyone cuts fruits."

Pehla Pehla payaar hain – “what are they doing ?” Skip, skip...

“How many songs are there in this film ! Did anyone count ? Must be 200 atleast”

“It’s a song movie…but the songs are good”

By the time of Diktana diktana, “The songs just keep coming. These people never get tired.”

Then for a Salman-Madhuri sequence, background guitar played, and distracted kids came running “I thought one more song is coming … I hope another song comes soon…”

Hubby came back, and kids to their Dad, “You sure missed many songs; like twelve songs  !”

For the passing pillow game, kids were in Cricket gloves and clapping all along ... “….sabkuch gawaya hain, thoda sa pyaar kar…” and Mugle-azam sequence.

Welcome rangoli made of flower – “Look, A cake, cake !”

Lo chali mein – “Tuffy is playing football”

Once she falls down, kids stopped playing. 
"Blood blood" "Who" "The other one". 
They watched the whole sequence. "She is going to die...no she can't die.... This is the saddest part of the movie. This must be the middle of the movie. The middle of the movies are the baddest …always...this is the saddest. I wish it didn't come at all."

After this, everything became quiet & everyone dispersed.

Can’t help it, but I think this every single time - "Sangeet ladies are wearing the exact same dress they did in the first wedding" :)  

Once up a time, nitpicking this movies costumes, was a mini-industry – the green & white dress, purple saree. And kids speaking in hyperbole is a gem.

It might be 20 years, but HAHK is still flawless. There must be some reason it still works its magic. Everytime it comes on cable TV, it just has to play till the end. 

HAHK songs just have to play on somewhere ....

Dhoom 3

Dhoom machale ... doom machale ... dooom doom doom ...
Chennai se Chicago tak ... doom doom doom ...
Fast & furious ko chodke prestige lene chale, when Ali refers to the cookers ad playing on his phone. I mean what would Dhoom be without Ali's day dream's and one liners. But no song for him ? Atrocious. Or for Jai too. Seriously ? No wonder he kept saying in every interview, that He is the hero.
And they saved the best song for the end .... 1 2 ... come on you people .....

Chennai Express

Chennai Express - good fun movie. Main bolti sooopaaaar hain.

Movie had signature SRK and signature Rohit Shetty stuff.
Car chases, destruction, SRK getting bloody face. Arre jab tak SRK pit-tha nahi, tab tak picture mein maza nahin and the romantic SRK was there too.

Made of all good moments: DDLJ train moment& the parody after, 1234 song, 4 state showcase in KashmirTu. Then antakshari, MS Suprabhatam....

Train shots were awesome beautiful. And pretty Deepika, witty dialogs, no SouthIndian mockery.

What did not work:
Tangaballi should have been little more than a showpiece.
And where was SP part of song ? I didnt hear it. Damn.
And that HoneySingh's song - aiyyo horrible.

Kahaani

 Excellent Kahaani

Cool Bidya Bagchi and really really sweet Rana

This unique poster lead to a really interesting movie.

And one-side effect is - it makes me hum a lot of 80s RD Burman songs. A lot of them played in background, in Bengali.

Kaminey

Charlie voiceover: Zindagi mein do raaste hote han – ek fhortcut, doosra chota fhortcut
.................
Charlie: Mein fha ko fha bolta hoon.
Bhope bhau: Fha ko fha nahin bolega to kya bolega.

Dailogues were a gem. Especially the way each of those characters said it.
Characters – each of them a sample.
Story progresses subtly but definitely. So the characters were not an overload.
Songs, ekdum jakaas. I love them more, after watching the movie.
I always liked Shahid, but after JWM and Kaminey, I can say I am a fan.
And I am still so amazed at Vishal Bharadwaj’s track record. How can the guy write, compose, direct and much more, excel in each area and in every of his movies ? Even after so many years, I was blinded by the brilliance of Omkara. And now Kaminey. Too good.

I loved the movie.

Ghajini

I think this must be the first Hindi movie I have seen, in which the eponymous character was not hero or heroine or sidekick, but ... someone else.

The penultimate sequence which changes the course of Hero's life, that was so 1980-ish. I must have watched 100s of gorish voilent movies in my childhood, those being the 80s. But for this one I used my palm to screen out strategic locations on screen. I must saw, I did not see all 3 'smashing' scenes.

Kalpana track was the best one. Every single tale in it. Asin was definitely the best choice. If I watch Ghajini again (most probably not, but if I do), then it would only for those sequences which play out of the diaries.

Dialoges were good. That's what worked in the Sachin-Kalpana sequences. That plus Aamir-Asin acting ofcourse. But I loved it when 'Sarfarosh Sultan' says "Short-term memory loss patient" as a taunt, and repeatedly too.

'Bheka' and 'Kaise Mujhe' were beautifully sung and wonderfully picturised. 'Gujarish' was rendered very well by Javed Ali and Sonu Nigam's humming was good too.

Speaking of 'Kaise Mujhe', it was picturised in all night settings, with Aamir moving from vehicle to vehicle progressing from autorickshaw to car to limo to plane. That is so reminiscent of SRK's Swades promos, which were more on blue tones and where he travels in cycle, moped, boat, train and every possible rural vehicles.

Aamir does use some more of SRK tools. Like the 'at peace with ghost' ending. And Autumn colored (plastic) maple leaves flying around in the end. In Mumbai that too !! And the six-pack abs look.

And so many mobiles phones in the movie, each of them wow. I wished they displayed the model name onscreen subtitle. I need to choose a good one for myself.

Rock-On

Am loving those Rock On !! songs.

Not a hard core fan of rock, nor am knowledgable in any technicalities of music. I did have a Metallica phase in life. But for me ignorance is bliss, and I simbly enjoy the sounds of music.

In that context, Rock-on songs are simply growing on me, each time I hear them on the radio. It's great to sing along and feel as free as a teen singing hoarse, without tune, without a worry of how it sounds. There is always some beauty in listening to an unpolished voice. Otherwise SaReGaMa & VOI wouldn't be such a hit.

My all time favorite instrument in Rock are Drums. I have never played the real ones, just stuck to tapping on the metallic tables in my classroom. I like the beat. That makes the song catchy.

All the usual suspects of rock are here. Drums, guitar strumming, screeching, chorus. Ah maybe all this is purist and no corruption. That's why it sounds all well. Lyrics, for someone so in love with words, I dont care a damn about any song lyrics. But amazingly this one had Hindi/Urdu lyrics. No English or Hinglish or Rap. And it made some sense too !

Check out the drums in "Socha Hai". And the good old style video of "Pichale Saat Dinon Mein".



About the movie:

Luvred Farhan's singing

But his wife & his new life was too Hollywoodish. But chalega.

Film ka music acha, bahut acha, toh sab acha.

Good to see Luke Kenny in a Hindi movie. I mean the MTV guy was never seen around. And such good Hindi diction (hope its not dubbing).

Debbie, come on, who wouldn't be grumpy bearing those responsibilities for so many years ? Thankfully no one was the spacegoat and no blame game.

And how did the director convince these guys to chop off their hair ? Luke Kenny, I always pictured him with those silky tresses. Farhan, thanks to his TV appeareances always had those curls. And they went ahead & chopped them off ? Too much.

That way this movie could be a study, for it's screenplay and production management.

Movie ended well. That's what matters.

Btw, after watching this movie, I Heart Arjun Rampal.

A Wednesday on A Wednesday

A Wednesday on A Wednesday - wow I realised this just now !

With the current affairs being what it is, the most proactive action I could take was to watch the movie "A Wednesday" ... damn I feel so guilty about sarcasm. About the recent Saturday blasts, my MIL believes in the Aamir theory. She is sure, no educated young people nowadays can ignore their family and indulge in things which will cause so much heartburn to so many families. After all, those affected are not from any single community. She is sure such people have been coerced with some fear. Back to the movie world, the good part is that these movies now show how we are standing up. Here the hero is no Sunny Doel; here they are the common people and they are getting back.

Watching this movie is hundred times better than reading it's review anywhere. The movie was non-tight, non-sleek, non-stylish, no-trendy camera angles, no-nonsense movie. And yet absolutely satisfying. Too short I say. Like a very well made Hindi thriller TV episode (is that even possible ?).

The good guys did not preach or convert, they just took action. Oh ok, not forgetting the 'long explanation' at the climax. And Shergill's crisp summary after. But that speech was so well written, so real world words; like the director had parsed all blogs or picked from his neighbour's conversation or something. So real, so common, and so refreshing. I wish someone put it verbatim up on web. That way all dialogs were fresh & crisp, without any cocky background sound effect to convey intelligence.

Some things were left loose ofcourse. What was that 'Beta' refrence in the last call ? And how come he was the 'chief strategist' & all pally with the 4, if eventually he turned out to be someone else ?

And some logistical questions. How could he carry so much vegetable, so high up, in that flimsy plastic bag. I mean I buy that much every other day, and my jute bag keep threatening to tear apart. Plus the weight lifting pain. And how could he sit all afternoon in all that direct sun ? I mean yes the view is great, but it would be tough to get all that work done, in that sun.

And what's with the name ? Absolutely no significance. But very chic yes.

Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na

Just now saw ‘Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na’. I maybe out of movie watching or reviewing circuit, but I can't resist a choco-romance flick. I had to see what everyone was raving about.

Definitely good movie. I thoroughly enjoyed the part from the time Jai tell his Mom "Never again" and steps out of his home, till the end. Or rather from the time he enters Sushant's house.

And "Jignes The Patel". He was funny without trying to be hilarious.

Imran is definitely a good looking chap. His clean shaven look is a welcome relief, from the current trend of stubbles. As good as his agreeable quick-witted personality was, so was his "voilent streak" that Paresh Rawal keeps referring to.

And I Just Loved "Pappu Can't Dance Sala" !
"Kahin to hogi woh..." was also good.

(Photo Courtsey: www.apunkachoice.com)

Lage Raho ... Munnabhai

Munnabhai is great stuff. Good thing they got the idea of making Series instead of Sequel. That gives them enough freedom to play around with story, characters & actors, while repeating only two of them - Munnabhai & Circuit !

This movie also opens with a kidnapping. But removing Munnabhai from this equation, make the MBBS kidnapping a better one. Anyway with the camera totally focussed on Circuit for this part, I could check-out all his gold jewellery.

I say, nothing beats watching a movie undisturbed, continuous & good quality picture on a big screen. And sharing every joke with hundreds of the audience. I somehow missed MBBS in theatre and got to see it only on TV - part by part. That means, I saw the middle first, ending next and begining last.



Apart from kidnapping, there were other patterns again, for our comfort. The father-son conflict & resolution. Swami look alike, who tackles the Spitter. Title song played against an interesting collage of Ladies. While 'Munnabhai MBBS' song showcased all regions, 'Bole toh bole ... Lage raho Munnabhai' featured all professionals.

Songs were defintely better this time. I mean, MBBS songs are not memorable but caught on. This one had better quality ones. And indefinitely hummable. Like 'Bole toh bole ..'. And 'Samjho ho hi gaya' was good timepass. Pal pal pal came at a very good moment actually. When things were to turn wrong for him. Of how now he has to stand alone.

Vidya Balan had to chirp throughout, which she did well. And do the dramatic bit for only one scene - which she did even better. Her Parineeta expereince must have come handy here. And Dia Mirza looked stunningly beautiful.

Dialoges were in ekdum Bambaiya dialect, keeping with the tradition started by Abbas Tyrewala. And this time, they had more profound things to talk about, ofcourse in light & digestible tone.

It was fun to watch Munnabhai translate Gandhiji's sudh Hindi advice to his Bambaiya Hindi. And pretty much adapt Gandhiji's solutions to a relevant one for today. Thus giving birth to Gandhigiri, as against Gandhiwadi. Isn't this what it's all about ? Use the idea. Don't fossilize old methods into unbreakable customs.

The press conference bit was quite a breaker. I guess, it was to tell us that, we know all the solutions, it's within us and we don't need any 'spirit' for that.

Rang De Basanti & Lage Raho Munnabhai are two very different movies in terms of style, but with the same good intention. Both made in the same year and successful in box-office & popularity. I doubt anyone thought such a thing can happen in Hindi Cinema. 2005 & 6 are producing one Gem after the other.

Casino Royale

Too good, I say. 3 out of 3 of us found it that way. It's 1 am and I am still wide awake in awe.

The opening sequence may have been cryptic. But I got my answer, as to why they have bathroom tiles in background for the signature scene where we see Bond through a view hole, fire a shoot.

And we also come to know why he drinks Shaken Martini only. And the secret behind his suave black suit dressing style.

After watching nearly 3 weeks of Jemu Bond every weeknights on TV, I can list out what this Bond did differently.

The movie was not glossy, stylished and polished like Brosnan ones (Brosnan is my fav). And he definitely did not romance as much as Connery. There is more blood, more sun & more dust here. And there was no MonnyPenny (how can they?) and Q either (really too much!).

But there was a lot more of other things. The Scared guy chase was spectacular, absolutely incredile. Bond uses his brain alright, but the Scared guy was practically Superman. Ultimate I say. And then we get treated to more quite gambling sessions, with witty dialogues and cold blooded murders in the one hour intermissions.

When the love part begins, we were confused, is this the ending ? It was nearly 3 hours by then. That would have been really really different. But it soon changes, and we get what was left out throughout. We get a very slick, "Bond. James bond".

Vivah

3 out of 4 of us found it ok. It was actually was. It's Sooraj Barjatya's capability that he can make an absorbing movie out of a non-topic.

From the promos I felt it's going to be a bore. The first 15 minutes did feel that way. But with the boy-girl meeting & 'Do anjane ajnabi' song, it turned out well.

We hoped for some drama, which came in the form of an unaffectionate Aunt. But that was nothing by other movie standards.

And just when we resigned to absence of drama, and prepared yourself for a grand wedding, things go horribly wrong. And this part was really weepy. The pain Monish Bhel stingingly describes, goes right through. That is why they say in real life, there should be no sulky member during a wedding. Really something can go wrong.

But this tragic part was to reinforce the fact that marriage is a 2-way street. Contribution is to be made by both parties.

I went to this movie hoping to get a glimpse of 'Maine Pyar Kiya' and 'Hum Aapke Hain Kaun'. Some patterns did occur here. Prem gifted a dress for the late night birthday party in MPK. Here it's a diamond necklace. That way 'Mujhe Haqh Hain...', was the boldest part in the movie.

What was different from SB's other movies, is that music was not very note-worthy. I still have a cassette & CD of MPK & HAHK and listen to then all the time. Can't say the same about Vivah songs.

And there was a reduction in unnecessary granduer, which was almost a SB invention. Here, we are treated to a small-town big house located in a narrow gully. And no separate comedy element.

Good thing SB made a smaller movie, when compared to his past 3. This gave him a chance to break his formula and try something new, even though its within his self-made confines. Now I can definitely expect a great movie from him.

Jaan-E-Mann

Watched Jaan-E-Mann and 5 out of 5 of us loved it.


Initially from promos it felt like a sad serious triangle movie. But actualy it is a lot of comedy, with a equal measure of emotions and a dash of tragedy. And good songs. Perfect well balanced mix.

Definitely different movie. Format is nothing we had seen before out here in Hindi movies. Of showing same incident from all 3 point of views. That was for revealing new layer in the story. Of flashback in a more physical way. That was entertaining. Special Effects here, were purely to entertain, not to dazzle alone. Director has done lot of background work. Detailing & continuity are perfect. The telescope, laptop & projector remain throughout the movie, without giving us a lecture on technology. It's amazing how a movie with only good characters can grip you throughout. No villians, except one, ok not the usual baddie.

Songs were all great. My favourite is Ajnabi shehar hain.... Love the way Sonu pulls every ...ainnnnnnn just to test how breathless we can remain :) And Humko maloom hain... was very masaledaar, but so tasty that I can try it out again. Jane ke jaane na is playful and picturised well, bringing everything & what not, in one room. Sau dard hain.... was really sad. Picturization wise, its a worthy beta of Tanhayi from 'Dil Chahta Hain'.



Salman begins with his usual dead-pan faced. But soon he gets to show some subtlety - in Ajnabi shehar hain.... What he feels for Piya, appears so flitting, it's easy to miss out that on TV. And later he gets to bawl his eyes out - something missing from his movies in the last 5-10 years. So that was good.

Ashkay's laugh was really catchy. Lot of people were infected - laughing like him on their way out of the theatre.

And such a lovely cute baby, such expressive eyes & smile :) They captured her in different moods and used them at the right dialoge in the movie.

Preity Zinta acts well as usual. We are always on her side. And she looks pretty throughout. I think she is the one bringing usable skirts back in fashion in India. But she should stop wearing those hideous wavy wings. They make her face look puffy. It happened in KANK & in Scooty & Tea ads. And same here in the first part. Thankfully she swicthes to straight hair and looks youthful & energetic. Though in real-life, I think wavy is beautiful and ironed hair is hay-like, I would prefer PZ not to go for it.

Farah Khan & Shirish Kunder have established their style of filmmaking with Main Hoon Na and Jaan-E-Mann. And I hope they will take it forward and make of lot of good & digestible entertaining movies. Hindi film-making mantra in 2005-6 has been good script & innovation in cast, characters & detailing. Its definitely working. Cause it's been raining good movies these 2-3 years.

Fanaa

Inspite of all the negative hype created by pretentious reviewers all over, Fanaa was a good movie. It had every thing you need in a movie. Comedy, tragedy, good locales, lovely songs and great cast. All in the right measures and none overdone. What else is there, come on.

2.5 out of 3 of us liked it. The 3rd person was tired of the 2nd half, as it was her 2nd & forceful viewing.

I loved it even though I am seeing it pretty late after the release. In theatre, may I add. Thankfully I did not know the ending. Though ofcourse it was as expected. For that matter, the whole plot when described will sound very mundane or expected. But the situations were very well-written. Unfolding of each new part was suspenseful. Dialogues were fresh, witty with a well-balanced mix of new pjs, wrenching emotions and more. Things were pretty tight, so it did not drag at all. Every scene had something to offer to the story as well as the character.

For that matter, compared to all the candy-floss movies now-a-days, this one was definitely darker. And the second half is enough to convince of that fact.

First half had Delhi, sunshine, witty repartes, pjs & profound shayari, jaspal bhatti & the balwant 'cartoon network' character, while second half had no such thing. Actaully, that job in the second half is done by the kid. He got all the non-sugary cute dialoges for a part of talkative, intrusive kid asking uncomfortable questions all the time. Knowledge sharing to dispose off the milk was innovative.

YashRaj films prop unit have achieved newer levels in India. Great detailing to good effect - 10:30 departure time for 10 O Clock. Electrical cable prominently featured in the Dekho na. No air-brushing.

Aamir was a pleasure to watch - you can't expect a different statement from a Aamir fan. But all impression vanish after the sequence of cold-blooded vicious murders for that trigger. His villany is unforgivable. The moment he reaches that lone house in all that snow, I was wishing it would be like Stephen King's 'Misery', from here on. Misery it was for him allright, but only in emotional way for him.

And Kajol, so nice to see her after a longtime. Her role was also a good one. It would have been a sober role, but for Kajol's characteristic spunk and boldness. Making fun of others inability to deal with her blindness. And as Mom constantly teaching her kid.

Apart from Kajol & Aamir, who are really the soul of this movie, and who really carry this movie, I liked the character played by Tabu. Each scene for her was well cutout. Whether it was her unobstructive pregnency in th e first scene, to show the start of timeline. Her handling home from office by phone, or her feminine strength, giving her the edge to see things her competative collegue could not. I am refering to the custard vs ice-cream scene.

The use of
Lag ja gale, ki phir yeh haseen raat ho na ho
shayad phir is janam mein mulakat ko na ho
...
humko mili hain aaj yeh gadiyan naseeb se
in the first half was really innovative.
It was difficult to imagine if the song was made for this movie or the moment was wound around this song.

Music was well balanced. 3 out of the five are ones I would definitely go for repeated hearing.
'Desh hain rangeela' was picturised well. And 'Chanda chamke' was a welcome break. Thankfully they were short ones. Delicious ones were
'Dekho Na' - really well pictured rain song after a long time. or was it Aamir after a longtime ? Beautiful electrical.
'Chand Sifarish' - for all the sunshine and delhi
'Mere haath mein' - for all the beautiful colors in the dark half.

Speaking of music, background score was also fantastic. Especially in the part where they both draw their guns out. Its a long pause, with both of them standing far apart, but in the same frame. Only the music guides us to look at them one by one. Good one.



Overall a satisfying movie.

Rang De Basanti

Finally caught with Rang De Basanti, though on TV. I was always miserable I missed seeing it in theatre. Now even more so. It's great movie, good fun.

I am as mermerised as Aamir is after he finds out Alice knows Hindi. Too good.
The movie sets it's spunky but pleasent tone right from Alice's reply to her boss :) I was laughing throughout the ad-break that followed.

For once they don't lecture us about history (ok just a tiny bit), but they use the past story to move the present forward. Cinematically all those interlaps were neat ! Morphing Dyer to Defence Minister was scary to say the least. Only thing dissatisfying was the quick actions they take - revenge and their retribution. Fine they realise what they did wrong - when Siddarth goes on-air. But it all went too fast. I guess that's what they were trying to say - drastic actions are no good.

Am all over in love with RDB songs again. Each and every one of them.

Liked the way, the begining of the end was with Ay saala... and finally the actual end with Robaro roshni.

Golmaal

If this year did not have so many good movies, I would have declared this one The Best Movie of the year. Well atleast this is definitely the Best Comedy Movie of the year. Not to be missed. It falls in the same category as Garam Masala.

3 out of 3 of us loved it. And the whole theatre audience was with us. Laughing throughout.

It began with a tapping Golmaal song. Sleazy video definitely, but it ends. And then starts the non-stop clean Laughfest. The whole theatre was in splits. I was breathless by the end.

Then, there was another chanting Golmaal song, very infectious again. The flashback-time-travel song, Kyon aage piche, was totally unnecessary but extremely refreshing & well made.

The film hardly had a story. Ok, it did have a four-line story; but we were more concerned about the one-liners. All of them woven around innumerable pranks, along with car chase, heroine chase and finally treasure hunt.

All characters played their part well. The bully Ajay, thali-ka-baigan Arshad, dumb but smart alec Tusshar and his voice, the much bullied Sharmaan. These 4 along with the lovable and very endearing blind old couple - Paresh & Shusmita. And not to forget the Sanjay Dutt bhakt Garage owner, Mukesh Tiwari

Brilliant moments would have to be the one with Jaws track in background and the 'Black-Black khel rahen hain' scene :))

Definitely watch it.

Omkara

Omkara is a good watch. 5 out of 7 of us liked it.

Inspite of knowing what it is about and how it might end (Othello), the movie has a lot more to offer. Power dynamics, which can apply anywhere in the world. Dangers of naivety and being openly vulnerable. And when bad luck piche padtha hain, toh koi nahin bacha sakta. That happens to Ajay Devgan because of his misjudgement. And to Vivek for no reason at all.

The setting is supposed to be the Wild West of Uttar Pradesh. It definitely looked like one. The grand old lady and all wedding ritual songs were from UP. But the dialogues definitely sounded like Haryanvi. That was the only jarring note. For a violent setting, there was immense amount of menace around. And lot of seething anger. But never rage, only cold blooded stuff.

There was a lot of Humor though. For the 'way to mans heart' part, the whole theatre was in splits. Kareena even gave a pause for the audience to settle down - pretty much like it happens on a sitcom. And mobiles phones and "SM". And Rajjo, the comic-villian partner for Iago.

Music was great. Like gemstones on that cummerband. Title track 'Omkara' played to an apt scene to establish the power of Omkara/Othello. 'Beedi' was onscreen crowd-rousing. 'Namak Ishq ka' was beautiful redention, very foot-tapping. Background music was efficient – came up as and when required. And so didn’t give the mandatory headache after the show.

Exceptional perfomances by Saif Ali Khan, Konkona Sensharma and Ajay Devgan.

Ajay Devgan was menancing in a underlying way. And offside, this movie is also a chance to see him shirtless.

Thank God for Konkona Sensharma. What would we have done without her brand of humor in this movie.

Saif Ali Khan/Iago was ultimate ofcourse. All hype about him was well-deserved. Not even a bit of his refined self was in the movie. He was menancing in a very overt way. Much more from 'Ek haseena thi'. And then, the subtlety with which he bites his disappointment - that was a classic display of both his & director’s skill. Subtlety is the key in all power struggles. Inspite of all the guns & violence & freedom for lawlessness around, he cannot announce his conflict openly. Now if he were to receive National Award for this movie, that would be undisputed.

Kareena/Desdemona looked beautiful against the stark surroundings. Detailing was also perfect. She had polished long nails in left-hand and right hand ones with short nail and nail-polish bits. She carried her part well – that of a perky naïve beauty through-out, ending with clueless disillusionment at her most awaited occasion.

Vivek Oberoi, well that role could have been played by a voice-over or nobody at all, and no one would have missed anything.

All other characters were well-etched. The only odd one out would have to be Bipasha. She could barely mouth those heavy gaalis. Nahin hota hain, toh nahin bolna chahiye. Simple bolna chahiye. But she was definitely needed. For the two riveting numbers - 'Beedi' and 'Namak Ishq ka'.

Bluffmaster

Saw Bluffmaster, first week, second show. (I hope you can see my cat-ate-canary grin.)It being first-day-second-show, I had no advance knowledge of which film 'inspired' this one. None in MSM have speculated so far. Cheers to the production team to maintain a tight lid. I think this is the first in a long time, that I did not know how this movie would end :D Usually I go armed with info beforehand and my friends are extrememly wary of me, cause I give away the spoiler, albeit with an alert. Anyway, this time around, I think all in theatre were waiting for a point to identify the original movie. It almost never came. Only the 'head-rushing' sequence towards the end, made a guy blurt out one name. But no, that does not qualify to be called a rip-off.

So that way, Bluffmaster is good, ok Hindi movie. Good entertainment. Funny dialogues. Good sequences taking the story forward. Consistent performance from all the actors. Eccentric shark Nana Patekar, phunny doc giving profound tips Boman Irani, hurt Priyanka Chopra, the devoted and hard to shrug-off chela Ritesh Deshmukh and living-in a limbo Abhishek Bachchan.

Genre-wise, I don't know where to place this movie. Film name and promos promise a heist movie. We did get that. From the opening sequence of police-encounter to the credit-card swap sequence and the final one with Nana. But those are only props. The main thread is that of a betrayed and hurt Priyanka, while Abhishek is still-in-love but unable to shrug-off his main occupation.

Its definitely a very atmosphere movie, but a mild variety. It's not heavy. From a tastefully decorated, but cramped apartment in a high-rise, with a lovely seaview, to Ritesh's shabby terrace flat; then the Mumbai seaside, dance bars, dark alleys in the night. Flyover, express highways, mall. And a wide variety of restaurants - Irani restaurant, five-star one when AB waits for Priyanka, another one where AB explains the fish-metaphor to Ritesh. If Bunty aur Babli was a tour up North India of today, Bluffmaster was our tour across Mumbai. Not the dark underbelly, not the chawls, just the normal city.

Talking about fish metaphor, that was a good one. Where AB maps different human demographic to a variety of fish - bangda, pomfret, Shark and finally Whale.

Music, hmm, was not a striking feature. The opening sequence remix Sabse bada rupaiya was the yummiest. Bure bure hum caught on because of a catchy disco effect. Right here, right now original came up … I don’t know why. But the remix, umm the audience stayed back in their seat even if it was a credit sequence item number video.

Since it is not a rip-off and genre is not to be easily identified, the result seemed aimless, but it definitely arrived at its station and ended properly.