Lootera...an ode to loveliness...

I was just not impressed with the trailers of the movie doing the rounds for a while now on TV. The movie looked...boring to me and I was willing to skip it.

Now I am glad I didn't. Because Lootera is not a movie to be missed. Its a movie to be savored, to be enjoyed like you would enjoy a slow and delicious meal which ends with a delectable dessert.

The opulence in the movie is not overbearing, and I could connect with it right from the first frame. Every frame is beautifully planned and executed, I could feel the director's love for his masterpiece. But its not just the beauty of the movie that transfixes you, its actually the content that goes far in connecting with you. Not even for a moment I was disappointed with the relaxed pace, or the time the movie took to develop its principal characters. In fact, for me that was one of the most beautiful aspects of the movie. The pace of the movie slowly build up, reflecting in part the lives of its key protagonists.

The movie helps you connect with the characters, you do not see Sonakshi Sinha or Ranveer Singh, but just see two people in love with each other. For the first time (to me at least) Sonakshi looks absolutely lovely in some of the shots, beautiful and very child like; and the star is thankfully missing. Similarly Ranveer the star is missing and the actor takes his place, though I would make him dub a few of his lines again (his diction gets blurred sometimes).

And Vikramaditya Motwane (the director, for those who still don't know him) is simply brilliant. He is a master storyteller as well as a master visualizer. I can't imagine how extraordinary his future movies will be, if his second movie itself is like this. But whatever he does next, I am surely gonna lap it all up :)

Please guys do yourself a favor. Watch Looetra!

Image ref: Wikipedia, Koimoi.com

A Separation

Music starts only when the end credits start rolling in. You are almost overwhelmed by emotions by then, but they don't overpower you. They linger on...and you do not want to let go of them.

A separation...

There are plenty of reviews about the movie on the web, but I am yet to read any. I will do that soon though, maybe later in the night. But I am convinced that a movie which wins the "Best Foreign Movie' award at the Oscars would surely have glowing reviews.

The movie works on multiple levels, and almost all levels compete with each other to excel. But somehow its the grayness of the characters which stand out, all the characters, what they say what they do, how the story unfolds. No one is wrong, and no one is right; its just the way it is. There is no categorizing it in anyway, you can relate to it, empathize with it, and connect with it. The story is fair to everyone, its just perfectly balanced.

I don't know how some film-makers do this, but I am glad that such phenomenal people exist and make such exceptional cinema; world would just not be worth existing if such movies aren't made.

Image source: www.laist.com

The Dirty Picture - a review

The following is the review for the movie 'The Dirty Picture' which is winning hearts all over. Muzayun used to write on her blog, but had to shut it down due to some caustic elements. She would be publishing articles through this space, however, all views expressed here are her own. Its highly unlikely that they reflect my views as well, we've always been on opposite poles when it comes to thoughts!

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Frankly what was dirty about the picture, it wasn't Silk or any other thing in the movie, it was a dirty job done by its thinkers.

The movie had a subject line depicting life of a lady who dared to be fearless. It is badly shot, disappointing directed and leaves you with disgust, not about the story, Silk’s actions, or the casting rather on the team’s incapability to make anything remarkable. This film is far from perfect, but the producers will have nothing to worry as they seem to earning enough. 

Silk was in a way living her life according to her terms. A tale deserved an art-movie treatment, but Ekta Kapoor only wanted to make money out of some little known facts from her teen days. There is little attempt, basically, no attempt to treat this material with sensitivity and depth. A bold, beautiful and arrogant woman was definitely an avant-garde of that time, I didn’t see her doing anything more than the present day actresses do. The difference is in the curvaceous Indian woman as Silk against the slim and copy-western-model theme of the present. She is out there and proud in her skin, men of her time could not bear the crudeness in her character, and this film could just unfold it as a series of provocative scenes strung together for Indian men, on the strength of some sexually loaded dialogues. 

Abraham’s detest for Silk also seemed to be misplaced, and so does his sudden change of heart and yet he has the most interesting dynamics to create a flow. Alas, it’s too little too late, to give some character to this trailing job. The dirty picture fails to do justice to an otherwise stunningly dirty life of Silk. I am sure Silk did not die in a red ‘K series’ sari, with a desire to be married, she was way beyond that typical notion of women’s internal desires.  

As one of my friend who gave me a company to watch this says, ‘we saw some soft corn of 80s’.

Black Swan, a critique

Perfection is not just about control, its also about letting go...

Image source - www.filmofila.com

There is rarely a movie which completely blows you away, or lets say sweeps you off your feet. Black Swan both and much more, with an elegance which is sheer poetry.

Oh boy! what a ride it was watching the movie. It has a constant beat right from the beginning, weirdly your own body beat synchronizes with it and moves along as the movie progresses.

The real and the unreal/ surreal interplay throughout the movie, often with devastating consequences, and needless to say those are the parts which have the maximum impact. And mind you, these scenes have such audacious intensity that they also scare you to the core. I was often waiting for some such scenes to actually end, so that I could breathe easy. They are subtle, understated yet make your pulse run.

Natalie Portman is brilliant as Nina, often changing her form with the mood of the movie. It comes as no surprise that she has been winning every major laurel in the best actress category. Mila Kunis as Lily (Nina's part companion, part competitor) is brilliant too, you really do not know what to expect from her and that often drives the movie. Vincent Cassel who plays Thomas (the director of the play Black Swan in the movie) is good too, and gets to say possibly one of the best lines in the movie...Perfection is not just about control, its also about letting go...

Go watch the movie if its running at a theater near you, or just rent a DVD and see it on small screen. Either way, it would be an experience to remember.

For more details see the official website.

WnM - movies

W and M are talking on the phone. M, as usual, is going for a movie and getting late. W, as usual, isn't impressed with what M does to entertain himself.

W: What are you doing?
M: I am going for a movie?
W: What? Movie? Again? Didn't you see one last week also? I just don't believe this!!!
M: Huh!
W: I hate this!
M: Huh!
W: And I hate you!
M: Huh!
W: What movie is this?
M: Its a Hindi movie.
W: AND I am sure it has a name!!!
M: Its called...err... 'Teri Jawani, Meri Mohabbat'.
W: WHAT? Why are you doing this to yourself? Please M...I can't live like this. I need someone who sees no movies, certainly not Hindi movies!!!
M: Huh!
W: I need a break-up!
M: Huh!
W: RIGHT NOW!
M: Honey its already movie time, and did I tell you that it has my favorite actress Jamuna playing the lead.
After a pause.
M: And we can have a break-up the next time we meet. This will also give you enough time to purchase me a nice break-up present.

W starts sobbing, and then the dam breaks and she starts crying, followed by some serious howling. Suddenly M remembers that he must have made a blunder somewhere in the conversation and tries to rewind it all back in his mind. He finds nothing wrong in his replies. But his past experience tells him that its time for sorry and missing the first half of the movie.

Reluctantly he walks away from his friends who all give him sympathetic glances and nods. M misses Jamuna on big screen. AGAIN.

Moral of the story: Never reveal the name of the one who fires your dreams and imaginations to your girl friend. And if possible DO NOT watch any Hindi movies either.

Kantishah ke Angoor

Well, this does sound like a catchy line for a blog post, and a soft porn movie too :)

Here is a quick review on a movie I saw last night and thoroughly enjoyed too - UDAAN. I went in thinking this would be a typical parallel-feel-good-cinema kind of a movie and would either end with darkness or lots of light. But the movie is unusual in treatment.



No use giving a typical review of the movie, you can read it here, here and here. Let me talk here about the grayness of the movie here. The movie has only about 3 characters and the whole story revolves around them - Rohit, his father and his six year old younger half-brother. The one character which stands out is the father, full of darkness, but with glimpses of light and some rare love as well. Easy to hate, but impossible to dismiss. Lots remain unsaid about why and how he is the way he is, but there are enough glimpses throughout which act as clues. In fact there is lots that's left unsaid and that makes the movie even more delightful. The intelligence of the movie lies in treating its audience as intelligent, and as audience you do feel good about it.

The end is surprisingly resolved, though still open ended. One can easily take the movie forward after leaving the theater.

Despite the duration, I strongly recommend the movie to all movie lovers. This one surely remains with you even after you are out of the theater. And if it doesn't, consider yourself unfortunate.

p.s. I never saw the promos, but here is one for those who still thinking about watching it.

...and yes, you need to see the movie to know more about Kantishah ke Angoor :)

Love, Sex aur Dhokha

The shock value of two couples sharing their naked pictures over the internet (DevD) is now passe, and the latest buzz is voyeurism. While DevD was convincing with characters who were common people like most of us, LSD pushes the comfort zone that a movie explores much further. You can't afford to watch the movie and blush. Everything is real, and the reality is dark, dirty and often ugly.

Sex often sells, but sex here just makes you uncomfortable. But you continue watching it further. That is the addictive part of voyeurism, you can easily get into people's lives and its often difficult to come out of it. Though we may never admit, there is often pleasure in knowing the dirt around.

The movie is a collection of three stories (each based on Love, Sex and Dhokha, in that order), often crossing paths and affecting each other. Each story has all three building elements (Love, Sex, Dhokha), but in varying degrees. And drawn from many real instances, the stories immediately connect with the viewer. Privacy takes a backseat as the stories progress, with the camera watching and recording almost everything. The protagonists are comfortable with leaving a digital footprint of their lives, often intimate and very personal, while some are even tricked into this. But the portrayal is chillingly convincing, helped by the fact that the entire movie is shot on a hand-held camera (or at least shown like that).

The movie paves the way for many more movies to come on subjects considered taboo right now. One can hope for the trend to continue.

My Sassy Girl

Kiran is home and he has been insisting for a long long time that I should watch a movie called ‘My Sassy Girl’. Right in the beginning he also informed me that it’s a love story. Being me, that in itself was a humungous put-off and I kept delaying the day I would have to start it. However, Kiran being Kiran, soon I was left no choice and was forced to start seeing the movie a few days back while I was trying to chat with friends online late in the night. His sentimental gibberish worked and I decided to ditch my dear old friends, who were dying to talk to me, and started watching this super-hit Korean movie, also known ‘Titanic of the East’.

Every day I would see only about 15 minutes of the movie, and then fall asleep or go online or generally talk on my phone. With my delays Kiran’s emotional blackmails also increased and it finally became a matter of Kiran versus any other thing that I might want to take up after office.

Finally, today is the day I saw the movie completely and earned some brownie points from Kiran. He already finds me cold and selfish and I was extremely keen on getting into his good books. I think that’s one major factor why I finished it today, the other reason being that I can spend my evenings doing other things as well. It was tough in the beginning to relate to college romance, especially for me, but the emotional quotient of the movie was high and I was drawn into watching the complete movie without much efforts.

Bhavin has so far dodged it successfully; he saw ‘Harishchandrachi Factory’ instead (which was also given by Kiran), which made Kiran give a little bit of respite to Bhavin. But I am hopeful now that the second cold and selfish being in the house will also be forced to see the movie and become nice and worthy of loving. Bhavin has zero escape routes available now, unless he decides to watch some other Marathi movie downloaded by Kiran and win some more time. Kiran is a big promoter of Marathi movies and so watching Marathi movie over a Korean love story isn’t exactly a sin and may be very much acceptable!

Some more on Bhavin's blog here.

As time goes by...

There is little original on my blog of late, and even this is also a borrowed one. A song which is very dear to me. I guess many of us can relate to these words, simple but intense.

You must remember this
A kiss is just a kiss, a sigh is just a sigh.
The fundamental things apply
As time goes by.

And when two lovers woo
They still say, "I love you."
On that you can rely
No matter what the future brings
As time goes by.

Moonlight and love songs
Never out of date.
Hearts full of passion
Jealousy and hate.
Woman needs man
And man must have his mate
That no one can deny.

It's still the same old story
A fight for love and glory
A case of do or die.
The world will always welcome lovers
As time goes by.

Oh yes, the world will always welcome lovers
As time goes by.

It was written by Herman Hupfeld in 1931 and was later used again in the movie, Casablanca in 1942. The version here is the one used in the movie.

Pehla Nasha

Its a movie I saw as a kid and loved it even then, despite it being a super flop! And today I came across the name somewhere and it revived all those memories. I also used to dream about something like this...falling hopelessly for a dangerous seductive woman and all the action-adventure-thrill that follows!

It was only much later that I got to know that it was a remake of a Hollywood flick 'Body Double'. I guess it was a daring debut film for Ashutosh Gowarikar, and the movie was far better than his latest 'What's your Rashi?'. It had a weird star cast too - Deepak Tijori (his first movie as a male lead), Raveena Tandon (looking hot in all her saari dances) and Pooja Bhatt.

Maybe I would get a CD for this one and see it again. Who knows what would happen then...

Ghajini

So here is my take on the current rage in the country...

EXTREMELY ENTERTAINING !!!

Saw the movie late last night and enjoyed it thoroughly! Cant say its a great movie, though it certainly entertains. Certainly worth a watch!

Music is fabulous...and action entertains for a change. Its gross for sure, but it never gets boring. Nidhi Dang was sitting next to me and hid her face almost always for nothing, but am quite sure she was an exception. Bhavin thankfully enjoyed it too!

Go watch it! If only for the excessive masala!

Five things I loved about 'Rab ne Bana di Jodi'

Here is a list of five things that I loved about the movie:

1. Its is mercifully not 3.5 hrs long

2. There are only 5-6 songs

3. No 'Kirron Kher' to ham

4. The actors live in Amritsar, and not London (ever, quite amazing!)

5. Aditya Chopra is a brave man; he can actually make this movie and release it too!

Maine Pyaar Kiya

Saw one of the movies today afternoon that I used to love as a Kid and the name of the movie is 'Maine Pyaar Kiya'. And its quite weird but I loved it still. It was simply amazing! The mood of the film, the songs including Lata's beautiful voice, the house, the 'Friend' cap and most of all 'Bhagyashree'. She is so damn amazing in the movie. I remember I was quite in love with her then, and things haven't changed much even now. Her innocence is rather unreal but still captivates. Her smile in the movie in infectious. Ohhh...it was just awesome to see her today again.

Sometimes I wonder how were things between Salman and her during the making of the film? How would they talk if they were to meet today? The movie seems to me like a dream! Everything was perfect. Hahaha...I am a little boy again!

Gadbad Jhala

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-tB3a-MZhOY

I made this while I was still in NID and still living in my dear old hostel room in A Block. Its of course crazy (and what else could you expect from me???) and entertaining (for those who are there in the video!).
For the rest...bhagwaan hi bachaye :)