All Talk and No Action

Sharing some pics that I clicked at the fest yesterday. Thoughts wll be coming up at the end of the festival.














(all pics taken from my cell)

The Proposal
I am a sucker for Romantic Comedies. To top it all, this one had Sandra - who generally brings lots of style and genuineness to most roles. Yet, when the credits rolled for this one, I felt un-satiated. The movie just hadn't clicked with me.

Someone Like You
Hugh Jackman... A RomCom…? Purrffeect !!! But I tell you - this is one of those very stupid and pointless and meaningless and lifeless movies which you should stay away from. The why's and the how's and the whens of why the protagonists fell in love is a mystery I am still unable to solve ! Stupid, stupid, stupid.

Breakfast at Tiffany's
Oh yeah. Audrey Hepburn. The one name most Miss Universe/World finalists spew in their answers. However, I beg to differ. Now if you are an Audrey fan, please read no further since I am about to tell you all that I slept off during this classic. I know, I know !! How could I?? BaT is one of the most revered classics of all times…Sorry, I slept off. I think I should watch it again and then attempt a review.

Casablanca & Spellbound
Talking about classics and timeless beauties - Ingrid Bergman definitely tops my list. I watched Casablanca in 2007 and Spellbound last year. Still, I write about them today because they were and probably, still are, the very best made in their respective genres. I remember feeling restless while watching Casablanca - it resembled a lot of Romantic Hindi movies being doled out year after year. However, a friend brought perspective. He said, "Do you realise that you probably watched the one movie that has been replicated again and again through decades? So while you feel De Ja Vu…it is not Casablanca that is at fault. It is the Original baap of all romantic movies and it is we who have adapted it in various forms." How true ! So now if you see some brooding protagonist with a cigar/pipe, playing violin/piano, the sacrificial heroine deciding to stay back with her husband – you know where it all started from :-) Do watch Casablanca for it's magic. It still comes out as genuine in such times of concocted love stories.

Spellbound is another 1940s flick which I just loved ! It has mild doses of drama and romance and is basically a thriller. A very well made psychological whodunit which shall keep you engaged till the last minute. Ingrid Bergman & Gregory Peck make an awesome pair :-)

99
I thank small budget movies since they not only keep an otherwise boring Bollywood alive, but also satiate an intelligent and variety hungry audience. 99 is a mad caper which trails the lives and times of those who were unwittingly involved with the launch of the mobile phones in 1999 and were also dragged into the match fixing hullabaloo. A good movie. Amazing Boman. Lovely ensemble cast too.

Chocolat
One movie I have always wanted to review since last year. A small, sleepy, French village; a close-knit community; age old customs; skeletons in every one's cupboards; enter a mother-daughter duo that pose a threat to everything the community has always believed in - a threat through the most lethal weapon - yummy, sexy, melting, tantalizing chocolates ! A must must see for all lovers of old world charm and simple yet meaningful cinema. Oh and non chocolate lovers can watch Chocolat for Johnny Depp. He is nothing short of a treat himself.

Turtles Can Fly
An amazing movie again. A look at the US intervention in Iraq through innocent eyes of a few kids. I love Iranian movies for their simplicity and content. This one's a definite watch for one and all !

Yes Man
I did not set out with too many expectations from this one. Jim Carrey and his repetitive histrionics make me wary. Yet, Yes Man was a surprise and a treat at the same time. A simple, sweet story which would bring some smile and sunshine to one and all.

Gulaal
I have been wanting to watch this one for ages now. Though I would love to do a detailed analysis of this one, yet, I feel the post would either come out as insufficient or verbose. Yes, an extreme post for an extreme movie. All I can say is, it is one of the most riveting and intelligent movies of recent times. A must watch for all.

Quickgun Murugan
A mindless movie with some silly twists and turns. Enjoyable only for the first time.

Stoneman Murders
Kay Kay Menon is the reason I went for this flick. However, I was extremely pleased with the overall movie. Tight script, superb editing, masst acting by one and all. The plot is partially based on actual incidents. How the writer and director mix fact with fiction is what makes this a must watch.

Kaidan
Ok, by now you must have guessed that I like to watch movies. Be they Indian/Foreign - as long as they are well made - I am game. I was very keen on watching this thriller-cum-horror flick. The movie was made in the 1960s and it was fun to watch an old, Japanese movie. Yet, well, I don't have much to say about this one beeecaausseee, umm, I slept off ! OMG - what a slow and a boring flick !!

Wanted
I don't like Salman. I never wanted to see this one. Yet, all the brouhaha surrounding it made me rethink my stubbornness. A complete masala and paisa vasool movie. Nope, It didn't give me any fodder for thought. Yet, they were lots of rib tickling moments which made this a good time pass movie.

India's got talent - This is a new show on Colors. I must say, it has some pretty good talent coming over from all across the country.

A wonderful platform for one and all. The show is telecast on Saturdays and Sundays between 9-10 PM.

Do watch it.

Rakhi's Sawant's Swayamvar - Is the collective intelligence of "man"kind actually down in the dumps?? I find the show and Rakhi to be *bullshit*. No, not funny at all.

All the crap about a sad, deprived childhood and wanting now to become a committed bahu, biwi and maa just don't cut through me.

Did thousands of guys actually send through the proposals? I mean they reallllyyy want to settle down with Rakhi (the scary babe who looks scarier after her surgery)?

Ya ya, all you guys are free to think - aurat hi aurat ki dushman bani hui hai ;-)

But seriously?!

Movies -

Juno - Had heard a lot about this caper and how it showed a new and different perspective on teen age pregnancy and the responsibilities involved.
I found the Lead Actress, Ellen Page, to be very charming on the whole. Can't say so about the movie.

Ice Age 1 & 2 - I saw this lovely movie back to back with my mom. Both of us absolutely loved the characters, the story and the antics involved. It's safe to say that it is now my favourite animation movie, followed by Monster's Inc. & Finding Nemo.


Uploading two videos from India's Got Talent -

Krishna Transformation - Some fabulous moves here by this team from Orissa. See if you can recognize what these formations stand for -




Malakhamb - Watch the video from the 4th minute onwards. Amazing show of strength and grace here !

I am here to complete a trilogy now…

Watched Mumbai Meri Jaan yesterday…

As you must have guessed - Here come my thoughts on the movie…

I wouldn't call it a review…as I feel some movies can never be sifted through the lens of objectivity…

I also wouldn't get into details and talk about the plot…In short, the movie sketches lives of 5 individuals and how their lives changed forever after the train blasts.

The script manages to get across many an insightful points - all in a poignant manner.

It is multi layered in its approach and brings out different shades that colour Mumbai and make it what it is.

Though, I am sure that the theme is now not pertinent only to Mumbai but spans all cities and towns that have been marauded by Terrorism and its aftermath. Yet, there is an uncanny spirit and attitude that one can associate with Mumbaiites !

The best thing about "Mumbai Meri Jaan" is that it leads without being judgmental and moralistic. There are no emotional outbursts/community bashing/unity/heavy duty dialogues on patriotism…yet it manages to drive all these sentiments subtly…

One revisits the anguish and turmoil faced by thousands on the ill-fated day…it gives you Goosebumps…

The movie is also a telling comment on growing greed and consumerism, media frenzy and insensitivity and the Mumbai Police…

It offers one loads to mull over without morose lecturing…it's straight-forward and unpretentious - much like an average Mumbaiite…

The performances are all A grade and inspire various emotions in the viewers.

All in all, a must watch for all !

First and hopefully the last time I shall ever leave a movie midway in interval.

I WANT MY MONEY BACK !!!

This is one movie I re-commend to all viewers who love a nail biting, spine tickling thriller.

The movie takes us through a cat and mouse chase between a defense lawyer (Nick Nolte) and his Client (Robert De Niro).

The Client feels he was denied a just trial in a rape case as his lawyer didn't go out and defend him with fairness. So when he is out, he is on a mission to make the lawyer pay and learn about what real loss can be !

The movie has an amazing background score which is enough to give the viewers goosebumps and look over their backs !

The movie is pretty fast paced and has fabulous performances by the protagonists.

One can only feel pity for the poor Nolte who is faced by a formidable opponent in De Niro !

De Niro sure knows how to arouse rage and repulsion in the viewer !

Google tells me that the movie has had a 1962 version too where in Gregory Peck plays the protagonist. Now, that's interesting considering the minuscule role offered to him in this one !

Apart from "The Departed" and now "Cape Fear", I haven't seen any of Scorsese's other works. However, after watching this bonanza, I am looking forward to his "Aviator".

I shall keep this review short as the real essence of the movie lies in the performances and a spectacular climax ! Go watch it !

Recently, I got a chance to catch Tehzeeb - a movie I have been longing to watch since ages.

I had read and heard loads of reviews on the movie. Yet, I remembered none since the movie is an old one now. Good for me, as I went ahead with an open mind.

I must say, I was greatly impressed. Khalid has always been known to direct simple, personal stories.

This one revolves around the estranged relationship between a mother (Shabana Azmi) and her daughter (Urmila Matondkar).

As the story unfolds, the viewer is taken into the peaceful, everyday lives of Tehzeeb and Salim (Arjun Rampal, in an understated and sleek performance). They are a happy couple who also look after Tehzeeb's mentally challenged sister Naazo (well portrayed by Dia Mirza) until one day, Begum Ruksana decides to pay her daughter a visit.

There is palpable excitement and longing on both sides as the protagonists wait to meet each other after long years. Yet, there are raw and hurtful emotions too, waiting to explode !

You see, Ruksana Begum has been the best the industry has seen. However, all the success has come at a price. She is held guilty in the eyes of her daughter - for ignoring her duties as a home-maker and a mother, for being a selfish, emotion-less woman, finally, for being the reason of her father's untimely death (played by Rishi Kapoor).

The story sees two strong-willed woman reason out, blame and fight for what they believe in.

Viewers are blessed with respite when the duo forget their differences, come together and share love and laughter like any parent-child would. However, not for long as there are always dark moments lurking to wash out the temporary paradise. The build up from an anxious wait to meet one's kin to the final explosion resulting in an endless blame game is interesting.

The movie plays on the premise of love being the most important legacy a parent can give to her child. One can't help but feel sad for a child's longing for love, attention and warmth while turning into a bitter, stubborn and a non-forgiving adult.

The movie is brutal, where it doesn't give it's protagonists a chance at redemption. One can only feel sad at a relationship gone awfully wrong.

Both, Shabana and Urmilla give spectacular and restrained performances. Their strength lies in the viewer not being able to decide who to favor and empathize with!

The movie does have a few glitches like forgettable songs, a slow pace and an irritating Diana Hayden. However, that shouldn't stop one from enjoying this otherwise well crafted and intelligent movie.