tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-68992122024-03-13T02:57:57.372-04:00Bollywood TalkHow does "culture" affect my life?Bollywood Talkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13882024919896515911noreply@blogger.comBlogger60125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6899212.post-63605994531122116852014-01-10T15:35:00.002-05:002014-01-10T15:35:51.407-05:00While This is Not My Last Post on Bollywood Talk, I Have Shifted Gears Towards Other MediaWhere I live now, it is much harder to stay connected to the world of Bollywood.<br />
<br />
While I did join <i>Eros Now,</i> there was just not enough Shah Rukh Khan on it for me.<br />
<br />
Shah Rukh Khan led me on a exploration of Bollywood, India, and the world. Without him, I get lost.<br />
<br />
I brought many of my Bollywood DVDs with me, so I can enjoy the "reruns."<br />
<br />
I still follow Bollywood news and was sad to see that Hrithik Roshan and his wife Suzanne are having marital problems. I do wish them and their families the best.<br />
<br />
Now, I am exploring movies on YouTube and other venues. Plus, I am a newly self-published author, so my focus has shifted.<br />
<br />
But, the essence of most entertainment media is to tell a good story.<br />
<br />
Here's a link to my eBook, <i>Gina's Dream:</i><br />
<br />
http://riastoneblog.blogspot.mx/p/ginas-dream_15.html<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript"><!--
google_ad_client = "pub-3307684777625956";
google_ad_width = 120;
google_ad_height = 90;
google_ad_format = "120x90_0ads_al";
google_ad_channel ="";
google_color_border = "B4D0DC";
google_color_bg = "ECF8FF";
google_color_link = "0000CC";
google_color_url = "008000";
google_color_text = "6F6F6F";
//--></script>
<script type="text/javascript"
src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js">
</script></div>Bollywood Talkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13882024919896515911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6899212.post-80433088422630378782013-08-27T21:44:00.001-04:002013-08-27T21:44:41.279-04:00Hair India -- a Documentary<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
I live in Mexico now and Bollywood movies are scarce. While I watch <i>Erosnow,</i> many of my favorites and some of the latest releases are not available.</div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">When I saw <i>Hair India, </i>a documentary, listed on the calendar of LA68, a cafe in Merida that shows international documentaries, I was thrilled. I suspected <i>Hair India</i> would be a visual tour of India while the story was being told and I was right.</span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">The modernization of an ancient tradition of shaving your head and donating your hair at a temple to repay the debt of god <i>Vishu</i> is at the heart of the documentary.</span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">A family wants to bring their children to the Simachalam Temple to participate in the family’s religious tradition of donating their hair. In the past, the donated hair was burned; today, the hair is collected and processed by Indian and Italian vendors to create expensive hair extensions for those seeking the latest fashion trends in beauty.</span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
Sangeeta, the executive editor with <i>Hello</i> magazine is preparing to attend several fashion events in Mumbai and wants to get hair extensions.</div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mwGP5POoY6s/Uh1Ui0bmzLI/AAAAAAAAAOw/EW2UR0HDF9c/s1600/Unknown.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mwGP5POoY6s/Uh1Ui0bmzLI/AAAAAAAAAOw/EW2UR0HDF9c/s1600/Unknown.jpeg" height="131" width="200" /></a><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Temple authorities manage the hair contracts which can cost as much as $100,000USD. Hair extensions can cost as much as $4,000USD.</span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Indian and Italian vendors process the hair in factory-like settings.</span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">The filmmakers juxtapose the life of those living in poverty with the modern life of Mumbai including upscale malls and a variety of fashion events. The documentary follows the route the donated hair at the temples takes as it passes through various hair factories where the hair is processed by hand and sorted into batches based on length, quality and color until it is shipped out as hair extensions to hair salons worldwide.</span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i>Hair India</i> takes the viewers from Bengal to Bangalore to Rome where the hair extensions are created and distributed worldwide by “Great Lengths.” Many international movie stars use them. Hair extensions are so closely incorporated into the client’s natural hair it is hard to tell that extensions are being used.</span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Bollywood stars figure prominently in the documentary. The faces of well-known stars jump out from magazine covers, posters, wall art, TV screens, and more. Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol, Aamir Khan are just some of the faces glimpsed in magazine inventories, beauty shops, offices, fashion events, and more.</span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i>Hair India </i>briefly discusses beauty trends such as the extensive use of “fairness” creams in India which highlights the preference for lighter skin tones. Sangeeta cites a survey where lighter-skinned models sold more magazine copies than dusky-skinned models. The mother in the family notes that an Indian woman’s hair is her crowning glory. Here in the Yucatan, ancient Mayans used methods to deform the shape of their heads and cross their eyes in the name of beauty. In addition, they pierced their genitalia.<br />
</span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">The most surprising part of the documentary for me was the distance the family had to travel to make the gift of their hair. They traveled for two days; they walked and took various modes of transportation to reach the temple. They hoped their sacrifice would improve their family’s fortunes.</span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">In essence, a multi-million dollar beauty business has evolved from a religious offering.</span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">For a in-depth story about the production of <i>Hair India,</i> see the interview with Director Raffaele Brunetti on Aljazeera at: http://www.aljazeera.com/programmes/witness/2010/01/2010127121316920743.html</span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Raffaele Brunetti, Director, Producer</span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Carmen Gonzales, Executive Producer</span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Marco Leopardi, Director, Cinematographer</span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Gianni Maitan, Cinematographer</span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Marco Pasquini, Cinematographer</span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Ilaria De Laurentilis, Editor</span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Released: 2008</span></div>
</div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript"><!--
google_ad_client = "pub-3307684777625956";
google_ad_width = 120;
google_ad_height = 90;
google_ad_format = "120x90_0ads_al";
google_ad_channel ="";
google_color_border = "B4D0DC";
google_color_bg = "ECF8FF";
google_color_link = "0000CC";
google_color_url = "008000";
google_color_text = "6F6F6F";
//--></script>
<script type="text/javascript"
src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js">
</script></div>Bollywood Talkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13882024919896515911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6899212.post-26910950332945164862013-04-06T11:56:00.003-04:002013-04-06T12:11:11.144-04:00Sirf Tum<br />
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Jumping right to the story.</span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">An educated young lady, Aarti (Priya Gill) is having trouble finding a job in Delhi. As she leaves Delhi on the train to return home, her purse is stolen. Obviously, she is devastated because the purse contained all of her necessary employment papers.</span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NGI2Fz28WQ0/UWBDAI7mxQI/AAAAAAAAANc/rISANH2O6i0/s1600/sirf-tum-1999-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NGI2Fz28WQ0/UWBDAI7mxQI/AAAAAAAAANc/rISANH2O6i0/s1600/sirf-tum-1999-1.jpg" height="319" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">A young man, Deepak (Sanjay Kapoor), an orphan, finds her purse on the train where the thief has tossed it. He mails it to her.</span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">They begin a correspondence and fall in love over a series of letters. All around them secondary characters do not understand how they could fall in love through letters without having met each other.</span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Jhankar Bachchan, the cinematographer deserves a good deal of credit for this lovely movie. The photography is slow and luxurious. It is like a travelogue featuring a swath of wide-ranging landscapes and fantastic locations...waterfalls, beautiful buildings, lakes, war memorials, mountains, and more, in Kerala, Nainital, Cochin and more. Plus, Sanjay Kapoor looks great in a tailored white shirt and black pants.</span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">A first for me, an “I am in love” song where the two lovers dance and sing in two different locations and they have never met.</span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">The couple have several setbacks in their attempts to meet.</span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">When Deepak's employer sends him to resolve an issue with dock workers, they attack him. In a fight scene reminiscent of Kung Fu fights, Deepak fends off multiple attackers.</span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Deepak and Aarti continue to pine for each other. As Deepak wanders off in a song and dance, I got to see another first, an item number with trained elephants!!!</span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Deepak takes a transfer to Delhi. At the same time, Aarti has returned to Delhi for another job interview at the company where Deepak works.</span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Now, both Aarti and Deepak are in Delhi</span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">A rickshaw driver, Pritam (Jackie Shroff) befriends Deepka. He is a better friend than most because he believes in Deepka’s love for Aarti.</span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VOeQrUoQcbI/UWBDjhSk56I/AAAAAAAAANs/R-JfIfy1OTI/s1600/220px-Beedies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VOeQrUoQcbI/UWBDjhSk56I/AAAAAAAAANs/R-JfIfy1OTI/s1600/220px-Beedies.jpg" height="200" width="129" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Beedi Cigarettes</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">In one scene, Pritam and Deepka are talking and Pritam pulls out a pack of beedi cigarettes and the two smoke as they talk. The cigarettes intrigued me, so I looked them up (wikipedia) and got a history of the beedi cigarettes. Basically, beedi cigarettes were created by tobacco workers using leftover tobacco flakes rolled in leaves. Beedi cigarettes are more popular than regular cigarettes in parts of Asia and the Middle East. Plus, beedi cigarettes deliver more toxins than regular cigarettes.</span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
As the movie cautions: cigarettes are injurious to your health.<br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">At this point in the story, after meeting his new boss, Neha (Sushmita Sen), a high-powered female, the story evolves from a sort of <i>You’ve Got Mail</i> into a kinda of <i>Disclosure, </i>where Deepak’s new boss, Neha, takes a fancy to him and is aggressive about pursuing him. She openly says, “I am a very liberated woman.” She tries to entrap him, to seduce him, to charm him, to threaten him, and finally to worship him. She is fascinated by his resolve to save himself for his love, Aarti. The idea of male virginity being prized is an interesting turnabout.</span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">All around Deepka are people misbehaving but he remains strong.</span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Enter Prem (Salman Khan) (wasn’t Salman Prem in another movie?) -- the brother-in-law has arranged a marriage for Aarti with Prem.</span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Aarti has turned down a job that would have taken her out of the country because she wants to meet Deepak.</span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">While Aarti and Deepak actually met without knowing it, their exchange is not positive. </span>But, they continue to meet again, again, and again....</div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">As the pressure of events builds to separate the two lovers, Aarti tries to find Deepak as she travels about Delhi in a rickshaw to places where he might be and to other locations hoping someone can tell her where he is. The rickshaw driver tries to help her.</span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">In essence, the movie is about how love can grow between two people who have never met and that love is sacred. The idea that love can be sacred is so often held up to ridicule and disbelief in a materialistic world.</span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">This is what is at the heart of pornography -- they debase the female in an effort to kill that which is sacred.</span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">While this movie has all the elements of a masala Bollywood movie, its tone is softer and sincere.</span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Director: Ahathian</span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Screenplay: Ahathian</span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Producer: Bonny Kapoor</span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Choreographer: Ganesh Acharya</span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Cast: Sanjay Kapoor, Priya Gill, Sushmita Sen, Mohnish Bahl, Jackie Schoff, Telj Sapru, Shagufta Ali, Salman Khan, Johnny Lever and more.</span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Date: 1999</span></div>
<div>
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript"><!--
google_ad_client = "pub-3307684777625956";
google_ad_width = 120;
google_ad_height = 90;
google_ad_format = "120x90_0ads_al";
google_ad_channel ="";
google_color_border = "B4D0DC";
google_color_bg = "ECF8FF";
google_color_link = "0000CC";
google_color_url = "008000";
google_color_text = "6F6F6F";
//--></script>
<script type="text/javascript"
src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js">
</script></div>Bollywood Talkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13882024919896515911noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6899212.post-24698794912923620262013-04-05T22:28:00.000-04:002013-04-06T12:04:58.450-04:00The Passing of Roger Ebert, Movie Lover and CriticRoger Ebert of <i>Siskel and Ebert</i> fame, passed away on Thursday, April 4, 2013.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iyxDMv0IrJw/UWBG1QWcFBI/AAAAAAAAAN0/q1yc3OecXxk/s1600/images.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iyxDMv0IrJw/UWBG1QWcFBI/AAAAAAAAAN0/q1yc3OecXxk/s1600/images.jpeg" /></a>Just two days before his death, Ebert had announced he was taking a "leave of presence" from his writing.<br />
<br />
While I can only briefly speak of Ebert's impact on the art of moviemaking, personally, for me, Ebert elevated the art of movie reviewing. In some of his reviews he would weave classic literature into what may have seemed like a modern movie and make me appreciate it.<br />
<br />
I remember waiting for the next <i>Siskel and Ebert</i> show because they were fearless in their joy and criticism of movies. Ultimately, a movie is a story and everyone loves a good story.<br />
<br />
Only recently, I was lucky enough to have followed Ebert's Tweets on Twitter. His tribute to his friend and fellow critic, Gene Siskel was touching and powerful. Passion seemed to be Roger's middle name.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-knD37lDb6o8/UWBHDP5ousI/AAAAAAAAAN8/FPevndK_d_o/s1600/images-1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-knD37lDb6o8/UWBHDP5ousI/AAAAAAAAAN8/FPevndK_d_o/s1600/images-1.jpeg" height="112" width="200" /></a></div>
I appreciated the breadth of Ebert's movie reviews. Of course, anything Bollywood was important, too, and Ebert's scope of movie reviews always included international movies.<br />
<br />
For example, in April 2012, he invited Nawazuddin Siddiqui, a Kahanni actor, to the <i>Eberfest</i> where Siddiqui's film, <i>Patagis,</i> would be shown.<br />
<br />
http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/1431566/Kahaani-actor-gets-special-invitation-from-Roger-Ebert<br />
<br />
A quote from the article:<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>"Nawazuddin Siddiqui, the actor who lately made a resounding impact as an intelligence officer in <span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Kahaani</span>, is going places.<br style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /><br style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />One of America's most avidly read film critics Roger Ebert has personally invited Nawazuddin to attend the <span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Eberfest</span>, Roger Ebert's annual film festival in Illinois, Chicago. <br style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /><br style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />The unassuming actor can't believe he actually got a call from Roger Ebert. "It took me a while to realize the invitation came from THE Roger Ebert. My film <span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Patang</span>is the only Indian entry in Ebert's festival. In fact I think it's the only Indian film that has ever been shown at this festival. That he's aware of my work is a big compliment." "</i></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><br /></i></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">RIP Roger Ebert</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0WAOrQnOBmM/UWBHLuepHQI/AAAAAAAAAOE/wNwpGmI51Xc/s1600/images-3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0WAOrQnOBmM/UWBHLuepHQI/AAAAAAAAAOE/wNwpGmI51Xc/s1600/images-3.jpeg" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript"><!--
google_ad_client = "pub-3307684777625956";
google_ad_width = 120;
google_ad_height = 90;
google_ad_format = "120x90_0ads_al";
google_ad_channel ="";
google_color_border = "B4D0DC";
google_color_bg = "ECF8FF";
google_color_link = "0000CC";
google_color_url = "008000";
google_color_text = "6F6F6F";
//--></script>
<script type="text/javascript"
src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js">
</script></div>Bollywood Talkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13882024919896515911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6899212.post-68150571907774920112013-03-04T23:00:00.000-05:002013-03-04T23:00:17.368-05:00TEZZ<br />
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WujD52n2ae8/UTVsf99i2LI/AAAAAAAAAM8/cIszUy3wUKA/s1600/images.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WujD52n2ae8/UTVsf99i2LI/AAAAAAAAAM8/cIszUy3wUKA/s1600/images.jpeg" /></a></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">This is an Indian movie not a Bollywood movie. I say this because many Indian directors and producers want to create “western” style movies. Movies that have dynamic, economical dialogue; sharp, clean, fast-moving action scenes; and classic dramatic tension between protagonists and antagonists with few to no songs, no dances, no multi-plots, and no comedic characters. This is considered a remake of <i>The Taking of Pelham One Two Three.</i></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Criminals have planted bombs on two London trains and a game of cat and mouse with the authorities begins as one of the trains blows up as proof of their threat.</span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">As the Railway Superintendent played by Boman Irani works to control the situation, a retired detective returns to lead the police investigation to catch the criminals and defuse the bomb.</span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SqX3ikoydvU/UTVtC-4-V2I/AAAAAAAAANM/_75ay5DGGGY/s1600/Unknown-1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SqX3ikoydvU/UTVtC-4-V2I/AAAAAAAAANM/_75ay5DGGGY/s1600/Unknown-1.jpeg" /></a><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">What you don’t know is the purpose for the crime. There appears to be an underlying reason for their actions. It can’t be just for the money.</span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">The criminals are three Indians. As the chase ensues, you learn they are illegals. Each has a story about how their illegal status destroyed their lives and hopes for the future.</span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">In addition, legal Indians play major roles in the pursuit of the criminals and the movie shows the stress in their lives as they fight for acceptance in their new country.</span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Scenes are shot on the streets, waterways, trains, hospitals, garages, alleyways, malls and sewers of London with a wide mix of Indian and British actors.</span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Zayed Khan, Sameera Reddy and Ajay Devgan play the criminals, Aadil, Megha, and Aakaash respectively and admirably. While I felt that all the actors were excellent, Zayed Khan’s acting crackled. When Khan was in a scene, his energy oozed across the screen.</span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">One by one, the first two are caught after many fast and fancy chase scenes on motorcycles, skateboards, speed boats, police cars, and helicopters cinematographically shot Tony Scott-like.</span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">While the British police are shown in full force, the fire power seemed excessive.</span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zUfT89rSxDg/UTVs1PHC9QI/AAAAAAAAANE/w80SM27-4Y0/s1600/images-1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zUfT89rSxDg/UTVs1PHC9QI/AAAAAAAAANE/w80SM27-4Y0/s1600/images-1.jpeg" /></a><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">As the detective, Arjun, played by Anil Kapoor, closes in on the last criminal, Aakaash, and the train speeds along the rails, tempers flare, and prejudice and pride erupt. You learn that the criminals wanted the ransom money for a brother’s eye operation and to put their lives back together.</span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Ajay as Aakaash is a man who has lost his family because his request for citizenship was denied.</span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">The contest of wills between Aakaash and Arjun is central to the story as both present sympathetic characters with matching intelligence and skills. Arjun’s professional experience gives him an edge. Yet, even as a legal citizen, he faces prejudice while doing his job trying to catch his fellow countrymen.</span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">As Aakaash pleads for his life asking “Do you have any idea how many people and families have been ruined because they can not get citizenship? All I wanted was my wife, my child, my hopes, my future.</span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Director: Priyandarshan</span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Screenplay: Robin Bhatt</span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Producer: Sanchita Chatterjee</span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Cinematography: Riki Butland, S. Timu</span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Cast: Anil Kapoor, Ajay Devgan, Zayed Khan, Sameera Reddy, Boman Irani, Kangana Ranaut, and more.</span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Release date: April 2012</span></div>
<div>
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript"><!--
google_ad_client = "pub-3307684777625956";
google_ad_width = 120;
google_ad_height = 90;
google_ad_format = "120x90_0ads_al";
google_ad_channel ="";
google_color_border = "B4D0DC";
google_color_bg = "ECF8FF";
google_color_link = "0000CC";
google_color_url = "008000";
google_color_text = "6F6F6F";
//--></script>
<script type="text/javascript"
src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js">
</script></div>Bollywood Talkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13882024919896515911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6899212.post-72108250635286317322013-02-15T01:09:00.000-05:002013-02-15T01:09:03.649-05:001942: A Love Story<br />
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
While this is my February/Valentine Movie, it is an innocent love story played out against the backdrop of India’s brutal struggle for independence.</div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Xm6GhlEc76w/UR3PFDWVCtI/AAAAAAAAAMs/k-B21AJInQI/s1600/Unknown.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Xm6GhlEc76w/UR3PFDWVCtI/AAAAAAAAAMs/k-B21AJInQI/s1600/Unknown.jpeg" height="320" width="224" /></a><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">The combination of Director Vidhu Vinod Chopra and Screenwriter Sanjay Leela Bhansali promises a story of depth and beauty.</span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">India won its independence from Britain in 1947. This story reflects many of the struggles and abuses Indians faced during the turbulent years before independence.</span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">The British with their Indian allies brutalized the Indian population. As the fight for independence grew, many were lynched, tortured, and killed. Ordinary citizens were forced to become protestors and freedom fighters.</span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Jai Hind!</span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I have watched this movie several times but I always have to close my eyes during the first few minutes because I can not watch Anil Kapoor be harmed.</span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Anil Kapoor plays Narendra Singh, the young son from a rich Indian family. Narendra or Naren as he is called is naive. While unrest grows, he remains neutral. He accompanies his father on a visit to Major Hisht, the Indian Army officer in charge of the troops in town to discuss the arrival of the British General Douglas. Mr. Singh wants the crowd of protestors dispersed.</span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">As the soldiers begin to push back the crowd, a child breaks away to rescue a fallen Indian flag and soldiers began to beat him. Naren jumps from his car to protect the child. He covers the boy with his body. As the boy escapes, Naren glances up to catch a glimpse of a young girl in the window of a bus. He is smitten. She disappears, leaving behind one earring.</span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-36rOlWsDD00/UR3O_jYw7kI/AAAAAAAAAMk/jvg_A-qPh4E/s1600/images.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-36rOlWsDD00/UR3O_jYw7kI/AAAAAAAAAMk/jvg_A-qPh4E/s1600/images.jpeg" /></a><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Here’s the best part: Naren awakens the next day throwing back the covers and rolls in his bed in red pajamas singing. He dances around his bedroom pondering that his love is like a poem, like a flower, like a dream. Yes, Anil Kapoor is dreamy as he dances with his pillow singing with joy. This is my favorite “I am in love” song and dance routine!</span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Manisha Koirala plays Rejeshwari Pathak, the young girl. She also joyfully greets the day as she goes about her tasks. The cinematography captures tremendous natural scenes of beauty.</span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">With the gold earring in hand, Naren goes in search of the mysterious girl. He seeks the help of his chauffeur and finds the girl and her father are visiting with his chauffeur's aunt and uncle.</span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jz_UWs_UdnQ/UR3O77S1dTI/AAAAAAAAAMc/VLfecIUfs_M/s1600/images-2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jz_UWs_UdnQ/UR3O77S1dTI/AAAAAAAAAMc/VLfecIUfs_M/s1600/images-2.jpeg" /></a><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Naren seeks to charm the girl, so he goes to met her at the town library. Again, Anil Kapoor dances like a dream as he skips across the top of bookcases and rolls across the card index files as Rajeshwari tries to avoid him.</span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Being a book lover, I was in heaven. I had read that Anil Kapoor took dancing lessons in his early acting years. Those lessons paid off. Kapoor cuts a beautiful figure as he kicks up his heels and skips across the cabinets and down the library aisles teasing Rajeshwari or Rajjo as he calls her. Naren is willing to make a fool of himself to make Rajjo smile.</span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YcSRuuICdGQ/UR3O10O7YwI/AAAAAAAAAMU/u6n9109sfqE/s1600/images-1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YcSRuuICdGQ/UR3O10O7YwI/AAAAAAAAAMU/u6n9109sfqE/s1600/images-1.jpeg" height="132" width="200" /></a><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">While Naren is wooing Rajjo, her father, Raghuvir Pathak, played by the universal actor, Anupam Kher, is meeting with fellow freedom fighters to develop a plan to kill General Douglas when he arrives in town.</span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Rajjo does not know about her father’s activities. He sends her to the local playhouse to help with the production of a play for the General to divert her from his activities.</span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Naren eagerly joins the group once he learns Rajjo is part of the production. But, Chanda, Major Hisht’s daughter is also interested in Naren.</span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">The play is Romeo and Juliet. Naren as Romeo addresses his dialogue to Rajjo. Later that night, in her room, Rajjo realizes she has fallen in love with Naren. Then, Naren comes to visit her and like Romeo climbs to her balcony to express his undying love.</span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">More love song and dances play out in sunny, soft, dreamy and panoramic landscape shots.</span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Manisha Koirla has a wonderful ability to look beautiful, mysterious, and joyful. Her “I am in love” song and dance routine is shot against a gorgeous mountain backdrop. Her song is interrupted as soldiers march down the road.</span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Major Hisht has been trying to rout out the freedom fighters as he learns of a plot to kill General Douglas.</span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">In another love song, Naren asks Rajjo to marry him. They sing and dance in the rain. I love the song and dance routines done in the rain. Rain is like an actor in Indian movies. At times, I think the rain songs are like a prayer to the rain. While Naren pursues, Rajjo must remain demure. These are two photogenic actors, the camera loves them.</span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">As the sun breaks through, the beautiful green forest scene is broken by an army patrol rides by. They are closing in the freedom fighters.</span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">While Danny Denzongpa as Major Hisht, and Chandni as his daughter are secondary actors in this movie, every secondary actor plays a major part in this story.</span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Sadly, Naren’s father has soldiers follow Naren on his way to ask Rajjo’s father for permission to marry her. As the soldiers attempt to capture Mr. Pathak, Rajjo escapes with the gun. As she runs away, her father blows up the house and himself to avoid capture.</span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Enter the mysterious stranger. Jackie Shroff, who plays Mr. Pathak’s secret weapon in their fight against the British and in the plot to kill the General.</span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">While the story has focused largely on the innocent love between Naren and Rajjo, you now see them quickly mature into sober, determined adults who choose to fight for their country.</span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Because of his love for Rajjo, Naren sides with the freedom fighters. Yet, they see him as the enemy.</span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">The freedom fighters plans are thwarted time and again as the General’s arrival approaches. Naren unwitting hinders their original plan, then injects himself into the plot to protect Rajjo.</span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Naren is captured as the General arrives. The merciless General wants to make an example of him and orders Naren to be hung in front of the crowd of protesters from the top of the government building.</span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">As the climax unfolds, the secondary characters from the street cleaner to the bus driver and more play a part in defeating the General’s plans.</span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Jai Hind!</span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Director: Vidhu Vinod Chopra</span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Producer: Vidhu Vinod Chopra and H.L. Saluja</span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Screenplay: Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Vidhu Vinod Chopra, Shivkumar Subramaniam</span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Cast: Anil Kapoor, Manisha Koriala, Anupam Kher, Danny Denzongpa, Jackie Shroff and more.</span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Cinematography: Binod Pradhan</span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Release Date: 1994</span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript"><!--
google_ad_client = "pub-3307684777625956";
google_ad_width = 120;
google_ad_height = 90;
google_ad_format = "120x90_0ads_al";
google_ad_channel ="";
google_color_border = "B4D0DC";
google_color_bg = "ECF8FF";
google_color_link = "0000CC";
google_color_url = "008000";
google_color_text = "6F6F6F";
//--></script>
<script type="text/javascript"
src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js">
</script></div>Bollywood Talkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13882024919896515911noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6899212.post-79014034735396913222013-02-10T20:25:00.004-05:002013-02-10T20:28:21.892-05:00Watch the 1987 Hindi Superman on I09Found this link in a tweet. See link below.<br />
<br />
You can watch the whole movie for free. As the article notes, it's a really bad remake of <i>Superman: The Movie</i>. The reuse of the original Superman movie's special effects is obvious.<br />
<br />
Because I am such a Bollywood fan, I watched this movie. It was a trip back in time to the fashions, dances and music of the late 1980s, both everyday and traditional.<br />
<br />
The paper is: ?<br />
The city is: Mumbai (I think)<br />
Lois is: Gita, a childhood sweetheart of Superman<br />
Jimmy is: Towffle<br />
Villan is: underworld don, Verma<br />
Superman played by Puneet Issar is: Shekkar<br />
<br />
<br />
Surprises:<br />
Michael Jackson's <i>Beat It </i>plays as superboy dances and spins in Michael-Jackson fashion.<br />
<br />
Bachau -- help!!<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://io9.com/5983178/watch-the-bizarre-1987-hindi-superman-film-in-its-singing-dancing-flying-entirety">http://io9.com/5983178/watch-the-bizarre-1987-hindi-superman-film-in-its-singing-dancing-flying-entirety</a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lNvTf3-_b14/URgrfyVEWiI/AAAAAAAAAME/svncp3ARxbw/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-02-10+at+5.21.00+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lNvTf3-_b14/URgrfyVEWiI/AAAAAAAAAME/svncp3ARxbw/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-02-10+at+5.21.00+PM.png" height="200" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript"><!--
google_ad_client = "pub-3307684777625956";
google_ad_width = 120;
google_ad_height = 90;
google_ad_format = "120x90_0ads_al";
google_ad_channel ="";
google_color_border = "B4D0DC";
google_color_bg = "ECF8FF";
google_color_link = "0000CC";
google_color_url = "008000";
google_color_text = "6F6F6F";
//--></script>
<script type="text/javascript"
src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js">
</script></div>Bollywood Talkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13882024919896515911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6899212.post-92030969641579424962013-01-06T17:03:00.001-05:002013-01-09T18:41:30.353-05:00<b>Shirin Farhad ki toh nikal padi</b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fpNgZQpaUQQ/UOnpAxYANCI/AAAAAAAAAKs/XRbfqZ1Ra-I/s1600/SHIRIN-farhad-inlay-front-NEW120827113702.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fpNgZQpaUQQ/UOnpAxYANCI/AAAAAAAAAKs/XRbfqZ1Ra-I/s1600/SHIRIN-farhad-inlay-front-NEW120827113702.jpg" height="283" width="320" /></a></div>
Ok, ok, I loved this movie because I am of a certain age. I just loved the idea of a love story for a "mature" audience. I am aware that the movie was not a "financial" success.<br />
<br />
That said, it was also a pleasure to see Farah Khan, the famous choreographer, onscreen. Plus, I love Boman Irani. Every time I see him on screen in a new role, he blows my mind with how he inhabits his characters. Plus, he's a sweetie.<br />
<br />
<i>Shirin Farhad ki toh nikal padi </i>is a love story about two unmarried, middle-aged Parsis who never found their true love. Farhad (Boman Irani) is a women's underwear salesman much to the chagrin of his family and friends, but he is a good salesman and he loves his job. While he can sell women's undergarments, he is unable to sell himself to women. He is gentle and shy and he lives with his mother and grandmother.<br />
<br />
Shirin is the Secretary of the Parsi Trust which like a homeowners association has rules on what can and can not be done in Parsi buildings and apartments. An illegal water tank brings the two together but also separates them.<br />
<br />
Shirin and Farhad first meet when Shirin goes to <i>Tem Tem,</i> the women's undergarment shop where Farhad works, to buy a gift. A humorous exchange sparks an interest in both. But, no contact information is exchanged.<br />
<br />
They meet again later at a Parsi matrimonial social. You see, the ethnic Parsi community is shrinking due to a low marriage and birth rate, so they are doing everything they can to unite suitable Parsi singles. Farhad attends and at his turn to introduce himself states his situation in plain terms. Eyes roll and he is crossed off everyone's list. But, Shirin is there, too, and later they share a few congenial moments.<br />
<br />
Enter the illegal water tank and mama. This movie has many delightful characters to illustrate the joys and frustrations of community and family life. Farhad's mother, Nargis, wants Farhad to meet a girl and marry. She lovingly but excessively meddles in everyone's life. When she receives a letter from the Parsi Trust about the removal of their illegal water tank, histrionics are on full display. Farhad is sent to tell the Trust Secretary a thing or two. Instead, he meets Shirin who is the Secretary and they go out for coffee and more dates follow.<br />
<br />
Now, both Shirin and Farhad know they have found someone special. In comes the "I am in love" song and dance scenes which are delightful and funny. I must say for me the most joyous "I am in love" song and dance scene is Anil Kapoor in <i>1942.</i> Who could forget him in his red pajamas as he awakes and rolls on the bed and dances around the room quoting poetry! Well, Boman Irani almost beat out Anil Kapoor with his enthusiastic, charming "I am in love" song and dance. He rolls on the floor. He jumps and sings as if he were playing a guitar like a rock star. He rolls on his bed and dances around his room enough to shake the house.<br />
<br />
Then there's Farah Khan's "I am in love" song and dance scene. Farah has a great sense of humor. In her song and dance scene you see bits of dances she choreograhed for other movies. When she dances in the rain like Kajol in DDLJ and then closes the number with a sneeze, it's funny.<br />
<br />
Enter disaster. Farhad brings Shirin home for dinner. Soon, Shirin is regaling the family with a story from her work about a woman who kept harassing her office about the removal of an illegal water tank. Shirin is not at a loss for derogatory words to describe this woman. As you can imagine, mama is not happy. She is so shocked, she looks like she is choking. Shirin then adds injury to insult by pounding on mama's back to try and help her. Unable to stop Shirin, Farhad watches in shock as he sees his dreams fall apart. Later, mama says to Farhad, it's either her or me. So, Farhad must hide the fact he continues to see Shirin.<br />
<br />
After another date, Shirin invites Farhad home for coffee. Hmmm, Farhad has no idea what to expect, so with the encouragement of a co-worker, he believes this is his moment to be a man. The results of this misunderstanding will surprise you.<br />
<br />
Later, you learn Shirin is caring for her father who is in a coma. I did wonder about this actor who had to lay still during several scenes.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b9ySHEl72MM/UOnp_bZOG-I/AAAAAAAAAK4/ckbq-JRrdZc/s1600/images.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b9ySHEl72MM/UOnp_bZOG-I/AAAAAAAAAK4/ckbq-JRrdZc/s1600/images.jpeg" /></a>As these two continue to date, there are more romantic song and dance routines that parody famous scenes from movies where Farah Khan was the choreographer. DDLJ and KKHH are a few of the movies referenced as Shirin and Farhad do their own take on the song and dance numbers.<br />
<br />
Of course these dreams are disrupted by family dramas, surprises, and conflicts as familial relationships strain Shirin and Farhad's growing romance often testing their loyalties.<br />
<br />
The ending is sentimental and sweet with more wedding song and dance numbers.<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 1px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 1px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;"><br /></span>
I love writing Bollywood reviews because of the research I need to do, not just about Bollywood and Indian movies, but often about topics that arise in the story or from the cast and crew.<br />
<br />
In this movie, I found the main setting, a Parsi community, interesting. In short, Parsi history dates back thousands of years. Parsis follow the Zoroastrian (or Zarathushra) religion and originally lived in the Parsa province, in ancient Iran. They fled the country after it was taken over by Arabs. Parsis resettled in many countries but over time most lost their cultural identity, but a group of Parsis in India have managed to retain their community and cultural identity even though their population is shrinking.<br />
<br />
Here's a link to an NPR article about the Indian Parsi community <a href="http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4223182">http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4223182</a><br />
<br />
Another topic to research at another time is how does an older movie, <i>Shirin and Farhad,</i> relate to this one?<br />
<br />
Also, I found Farah Khan's comments that she would never act again because being onscreen was time-consuming and hard work, harder than being a choreographer, amusing.<br />
<br />
Director: Bela Segal<br />
Producers: Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Sunil Lulia<br />
Writers: Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Vibhu Puri<br />
Cinematography: Mahesh Aney<br />
Cast: Farah Khan, Boman Irani, Kavin Dave, Kurush Deboo, Daisy Irani, Mahabanoo Mody-Kotwai, Shammi and more.<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript"><!--
google_ad_client = "pub-3307684777625956";
google_ad_width = 120;
google_ad_height = 90;
google_ad_format = "120x90_0ads_al";
google_ad_channel ="";
google_color_border = "B4D0DC";
google_color_bg = "ECF8FF";
google_color_link = "0000CC";
google_color_url = "008000";
google_color_text = "6F6F6F";
//--></script>
<script type="text/javascript"
src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js">
</script></div>Bollywood Talkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13882024919896515911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6899212.post-566325852048882502012-11-15T21:14:00.000-05:002013-01-06T17:11:53.730-05:00Quick Take<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>472</o:Words>
<o:Characters>2694</o:Characters>
<o:Company>self</o:Company>
<o:Lines>22</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>6</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>3160</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>14.0</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">English Vinglish</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
I did not see <i>Spanglish,</i> so I have no idea if these stories are similar.<br />
<br />
A trip to New York brings changes to a family with a clash between traditional and modern cultures. <br />
<br />
This is a visually delightful movie with delicate musical touches. It is the story of a Hindu housewife, Shashi, who loves to cook and has started a small catering business at home making ladoos for friends and neighbors for their parties. Shashi’s world is her family. <br />
<br />
Yet, her husband has begun to feel he has outgrown her as his business puts him in contact with international clients where he has learned English and other modern cultural aspects. Their children learn English in school and also belittle their mother for her lack of knowledge and limited English.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6w_UF7AJVTFafS2hjENrfeI3oHf6HNXFLSaisnjQ-HfCupi2t5_aUfw0zZlYyU04Bha4SPs7BY4F-aENn6DqGK1s-MPHwUWk9B52qJzwmYL85uONJmVjs0ZTsM9zQ672KJESu/s1600/images-1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6w_UF7AJVTFafS2hjENrfeI3oHf6HNXFLSaisnjQ-HfCupi2t5_aUfw0zZlYyU04Bha4SPs7BY4F-aENn6DqGK1s-MPHwUWk9B52qJzwmYL85uONJmVjs0ZTsM9zQ672KJESu/s1600/images-1.jpeg" /></a></div>
<br />
A niece in New York is getting married. The family decides that Shashi will go ahead to help with the preparations and they will join her later. Shashi struggles with her self-confidence. When she arrives in New York, she decides to take an English class.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
The body of the movie is about Shashi taking English classes. The teacher, David, is a unique character. Her classmates are charming. Yet, one classmate challenges Shashi’s self-image.<br />
<br />
Here’s the rub for me. Shashi hides the fact she is taking classes from her American relatives even after one of her nieces finds out and helps her hide her activities. Why?</div>
<br />
<br />
When her family arrives, they treat her as poorly as they did at home. Shashi also hides the fact she understands English.<br />
<br />
The climax occurs during her niece’s wedding when Shashi gives a speech to the bride and groom. She tells the couple, in English, about how relationships change over time and how each partner must seek to improve themself in order to maintain balance in the relationship.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eFJ7JmCPbXg/UKWd3ENK4fI/AAAAAAAAAKI/hrSM37buaHQ/s1600/images-2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eFJ7JmCPbXg/UKWd3ENK4fI/AAAAAAAAAKI/hrSM37buaHQ/s1600/images-2.jpeg" /></a></div>
<br />
She also claims that it is in the family where you get love and respect. Based on the story, I found her sentiments hollow. While Shashi never stopped loving her family, you wondered if they had stopped loving her.
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
I did not feel the climax had the emotional impact that would have wrought a change in the hearts of her husband and children. In fact, in many Bollywood movies, the emotional struggles would have been more drawn out.<br />
<br />
The climax was too subtle. From my perspective, Shashi’s husband and children should have grown to admire and respect her more for her obvious qualities showcased against the New York City backdrop. Yet, I appreciate the attempt to capture the underlying universal tensions between a husband and wife, and a mother and her children.<br />
<br />
As Shashi, Sridevi is beautiful and sophisticated almost Tabu-like. I love Sridevi as an actress. This movie role is a far cry from many of Sridevi’s earlier movie roles where she is zany and comedic like in <i>Mr. India</i>.<br />
<br />
Cast: Sridevi, Adil Hussain, Mehdi Nebbou, Priya Anand, Cory Hibbs, Rajeev Ravindranathan, Maria Romano, Sumeet Vyas, Ruth Aguilar, Ross Nathan, Damian Thompson and more.<br />
<br />
Director/Screenwriter: Gauri Shinde; Producers: Anita Anand, R. Balki, Ilana Rossein; Cinematographer: Laxman Utekar.
<!--EndFragment--><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript"><!--
google_ad_client = "pub-3307684777625956";
google_ad_width = 120;
google_ad_height = 90;
google_ad_format = "120x90_0ads_al";
google_ad_channel ="";
google_color_border = "B4D0DC";
google_color_bg = "ECF8FF";
google_color_link = "0000CC";
google_color_url = "008000";
google_color_text = "6F6F6F";
//--></script>
<script type="text/javascript"
src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js">
</script></div>Bollywood Talkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13882024919896515911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6899212.post-58457311415225172262012-10-28T23:25:00.002-04:002013-06-13T18:23:24.439-04:00Om Shanti Om<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
I am back watching Bollywood on<i> ErosNow!! </i><br />
<br />
I am currently on the east coast in the states, on a visit, during “Frankenstorm”, watching Bollywood movies. <br />
<br />
We shall see how<i> ErosNow</i> works in Mexico when I return. <br />
<br />
I am so hooked on Bollywood, I can barely watch Western movies. I love the multiple storylines, the contrasting emotions, the over-the-top humor, the costumes, the song-and-dance numbers, the guest spots, and the evolving technical advances. <br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<div>
<b><br /></b></div>
<div>
<b>Om Shanti Om </b></div>
<div>
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OtV3FjD8Hlg/UKb5T2rHFyI/AAAAAAAAAKY/T_VgjP31ROs/s1600/Om+Shanti+Om+poster1-379039206-thumb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OtV3FjD8Hlg/UKb5T2rHFyI/AAAAAAAAAKY/T_VgjP31ROs/s1600/Om+Shanti+Om+poster1-379039206-thumb.jpg" height="320" width="186" /></a></div>
<b><br /></b><i>What the fish! Pagal! </i></div>
<div>
<i>Run to the nearest DVD vendor and watch this movie.</i> </div>
<div>
<br />
I like this movie. I have watched it <strike>three</strike> <strike>four </strike>five times. I will not deny that I run to Bollywood and Shah Rukh Khan’s movies for escape. It is like an addiction because I forget everything but what is happening on the screen yet reality is not far away. <br />
<br />
For this review, I will highlight my favorite parts. <br />
<br />
The opening credits include a generous thanks to many of Bollywood’s well-known stars, directors, producers and artisans then leads into a reworking of the Kishore Kumar version of the song <i>Om Shanti Om</i> where Kumar sings while dancing on a revolving 45-record. The scene evolves into the current movie location and characters. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Set in the 70s, in the guise of a comedic Bollywood movie-making love fest, the underlying story in <i>Om Shanti Om</i> is about the tragedy of wife-burning. <br />
<br />
Shah Rukh Khan’s character, Om Prakash Makhija (and Om Kapoor); Shrevas Talpade who plays his brother, Pappu Master; and Kirron Kher who plays their mother, Bela, are junior artistes on a massive film production featuring Dreamy Girl, Shantipriva (and Sandy) played by Deepika Padukone. <br />
<br />
<div>
Om wants to be a hero. The canteen scene where Om and his brother discuss Om’s name change is a kick. While they dwell on fame with a last name of Kapoor, a junior artiste walks by. They ask his name, laugh and tell him he needs to change it. He suggests shortening it to Govinda and walks away. Even the canteen scene highlights an historical movie fact when Om obliquely alludes to how SRK’s father once ran a canteen to serve the cast and crew on movie sets and how some big stars still owe him money even after he quit that business. <br />
<br />
Om loves Shanti from afar. There are several scenes where Om talks to his love, Shanti, by addressing her picture on a huge billboard surrounded by other billboards featuring well-known movies like <i>Sholay,</i> director Farah Khan’s favorite. <br />
<br />
It is a riot to see song-and-dance numbers from various movies from <i>Mughal-E-Azam</i> to a Maduri Dixit number reworked into the premiere. So many famous Bollywood stars are referenced or portrayed by others, it’s hard to keep track. In fact, one actor who was represented in the film took insult to his impersonation. <br />
<br />
A key scene where Shanti and Om interact is a re-creation of the famous fire scene in <i>Mother India.</i> In <i>Om Shanti Om,</i> prior to any imminent danger, it’s all slapstick and fun. <br />
<br />
<i> Om Santi Om</i> features a plethora of funny scenes where you see behind-the-scenes tricks in fight sequences and more. Hilarious costumes abound. Shah Rukh Khan enjoys being silly and he makes the most of it in this movie. <br />
<br />
It is fun to see many production crew members on screen as directors and more. Also, it is interesting to see the use of special effects where past scenes are incorporated into scenes later in the movie like where Shanti makes a plea to her husband and Om observes from a distant window. <br />
<br />
The turning point in the movie is where Mukesh Mehra (Arun Rampal) shows off a beautiful movie set to Shanti describing it as the place where they will be married before he burns the set with Shanti trapped inside. Om tries to save her but he is killed as well. <br />
<br />
The fire scenes are impressive. I have no idea how they did it without endangering the actors. I realize the actors may not have been in danger but I still worried. <br />
<br />
Rajesh Kapoor (Javed Sheikh) and his wife play a pivotal role in the plot turn. Thirty years after the set of <i>Om Shanti Om</i> burned down, they are celebrating their son’s, Om Kapoor, 30th birthday and Om begins to remember a past life. As he explores his dreams, fears, and visions, they lead him to the burnt movie set of <i>Om Shanti Om</i> and Shanti’s story. <br />
<br />
The humor is still there in the scene setups with Om Kapoor as the star. I admire SRK’s self-deprecating humor, like when he mimics his signature wave of his hand through his hair. Making fun of himself keeps SRK grounded and reminds me, too, that family, friends, and faith are what are important in life not fame or adoration. <br />
<br />
Rapidly changing scenes on the film’s various movie sets reference more famous Bollywood movies with comic gags, set pieces, and guest shots like the farcical over-the-top take-off on the <i>Filmfare</i> awards ceremonies featuring multiple guest shots with Abhisheck Bachchan, Amitabh Bachchan, Yash Chopra, Subhash Ghai, Rishi Kapoor, Akshay Kumar, Rakesh Roshan, Hrithik Roshan, Karan Johar, Diya Mirza, and more. <br />
<br />
As Om takes the <i>Filmfare</i> award, he experiences the vision of a drunk Om Prakash Makhija in an alleyway and gives Makhija’s wistful award speech, “If you want something with all your heart, the entire universe will conspire to help you get it….I feel like the king of the world…to happy endings! Finally … if it is not happy then it’s not the end, the film is not over yet.” <br />
<br />
The song <i>Om Shanti Om</i> is featured in various renditions. In the vigorous birthday song and dance rendition, it is peppered with copious Bollywood big names. It is a joy to see Kajol, Rani, Juhi, Preity and others. It is another way the movie pays tribute to those who make wonderful movies. Plus, I love men who dance like Sanjay Dutt, Zayed Khan, and more!! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3Xfmz1mXOm8/UI3z2CQ1opI/AAAAAAAAAJg/JB4SWdT0Txo/s1600/th-1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3Xfmz1mXOm8/UI3z2CQ1opI/AAAAAAAAAJg/JB4SWdT0Txo/s1600/th-1.jpeg" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Om Kapoor is played as a self-centered Bollywood star whose visions convert him into a serious man with a mission.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The second half of the movie is more dramatic as Om Kapoor sets the stage to reveal Mehra’s crime. <br />
<br />
Deepika Padukone plays Shanti as a graceful, delicate, vulnerable star and her reprisal in the role of Sandy is funny as Sandy is beautiful, naïve, and clumsy. <br />
<br />
Kirron Kher’s wide range of acting abilities are seen in her role as Om Makhija’s over-dramatic mother. Then, they are demonstrated again, as his aged mother as she chases Om Kapoor’s car begging him to come home and later in her role as a demented seer. <br />
<br />
Shrevas Talpade as Pappu Master is delightful, light-hearted and an easy foil for Om. <br />
<br />
Udit Narayan is a playback singer whose voice I love, I could pick his voice out in the first notes of the <i>Deewangi Deewangi</i> and <i>Om Shanti Om</i> songs. <br />
<br />
The remainder of the movie is the tale of how Om Kapoor deceives Mukesh into completing his abandoned film, <i>Om Shanti Om,</i> featuring more behind-the-scenes movie-making processes. <br />
<br />
In an early scene where Om is trying to convince Mukesh to finish the film, <i>Om Shanti Om,</i> I feel Om makes a profound statement, “If you search hard enough you can find god.” <br />
<br />
Om leads Mukesh back to the burnt movie set where mysterious things happen leading to revealing moments from his past. <br />
<br />
Again, Director Farah Khan makes the closing credits fun to watch. Now, Gauri Khan, one of the movie’s producers and SRK’s wife, has been captured in pixels walking the red carpet. She is beautiful and slim. All I can think of was ‘I need to exercise—a lot!’ <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
As Om said in his <i>Filmfare</i> award acceptance speech: “To happy endings, if not, it’s not the end, my friends, the film is not over yet.” </div>
</div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript"><!--
google_ad_client = "pub-3307684777625956";
google_ad_width = 120;
google_ad_height = 90;
google_ad_format = "120x90_0ads_al";
google_ad_channel ="";
google_color_border = "B4D0DC";
google_color_bg = "ECF8FF";
google_color_link = "0000CC";
google_color_url = "008000";
google_color_text = "6F6F6F";
//--></script>
<script type="text/javascript"
src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js">
</script></div>Bollywood Talkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13882024919896515911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6899212.post-88864028761636854452012-08-21T00:21:00.000-04:002012-08-21T00:21:47.480-04:00Julia/Julie --Quick Take<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I have been devouring DVDs while I study, letting them run in the background. Occasionally, a movie will catch my eye or ear and I will watch it.<br />
<br />
I had watched <i>Julia/Julie</i> before. It is a lovely movie. A great biographical story about Julia and Paul Child and their life in France where Julia falls in love with French Cooking. This love led to her collaboration with two other French cooks in the development and publishing of <i>Mastering the Art of French Cooking.</i><br />
<br />
Julia Child's name was been widely known for over 40 years, yet I had never read her cookbook since I am not a cook. So, I loved Julie Powell's project to cook 365 of the recipes in Child's cookbook. I have watched the movie many times with and without the Director's commentary.<br />
<br />
I am intimidated by Beef Bourguignon but I was intrigued by poached eggs, so I tried it and succeeded! It is a nicely cooked soft boiled egg or maybe-over easy. The only problem is that it is not as easy to eat as it appeared in <i>Julia/Julie.</i> I made a mess of it.</div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript"><!--
google_ad_client = "pub-3307684777625956";
google_ad_width = 120;
google_ad_height = 90;
google_ad_format = "120x90_0ads_al";
google_ad_channel ="";
google_color_border = "B4D0DC";
google_color_bg = "ECF8FF";
google_color_link = "0000CC";
google_color_url = "008000";
google_color_text = "6F6F6F";
//--></script>
<script type="text/javascript"
src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js">
</script></div>Bollywood Talkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13882024919896515911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6899212.post-21566965545739023392012-08-21T00:18:00.002-04:002012-08-21T00:18:30.219-04:00Tony Scott<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Two of my favorite movies are <i>Deja Vu</i> and <i>Spy Game.</i> Both movies were directed by Tony Scott. As a nuevo film student, I study his films to understand how movies are made.<br />
<br />
On Sunday, August 19, 2012, Tony Scott took his own life. He jumped off the Vincent Thomas Bridge in San Pedro.<br />
<br />
What bothers me most about his death is that from the reports I have read, he did not appear to have any issues, health, financial or otherwise that would have driven him to this act of despair.<br />
<br />
I like answers. I want to know why he choose to take his own life. Having a wife and children did not give him succor to overcome whatever was bothering him.<br />
<br />
When I went grocery shopping this Monday, I was overcome by a desire for chocolate and wine. I did not understand why.<br />
<br />
When I came home, I had a few glasses of wine and a few bites of chocolate. While both were good, they did not satisfy me.<br />
<br />
Later, I realized that it was Tony Scott's death that was bothering me.<br />
<br />
The last review I wrote was negative and it was a movie produced by Scott Free, Ridley and Tony Scott's production company.<br />
<br />
I will forever regret that review and will never write another negative review. Some people do take negative reviews and criticisms to heart. Some have killed themselves because of them.<br />
<br />
While I doubt Tony Scott ever read my review, I still feel bad.<br />
<br />
Our birth into this world is often joyful, our death is not.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript"><!--
google_ad_client = "pub-3307684777625956";
google_ad_width = 120;
google_ad_height = 90;
google_ad_format = "120x90_0ads_al";
google_ad_channel ="";
google_color_border = "B4D0DC";
google_color_bg = "ECF8FF";
google_color_link = "0000CC";
google_color_url = "008000";
google_color_text = "6F6F6F";
//--></script>
<script type="text/javascript"
src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js">
</script></div>Bollywood Talkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13882024919896515911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6899212.post-59151108958457593372012-06-16T14:53:00.000-04:002012-06-16T14:53:22.814-04:00Promethus<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Ok, I am going to western movies here in Mexico. No Bollywood here. Not much Bollywood on <i>Netflix.</i> I could sign up for <i>ErosNow </i>and maybe I will.<br />
<br />
Sadly, this will be a critical review. My level of disappointment is probably in proportion to my respect for the director, Ridley Scott.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nsaV1wDV6i8/T9zRMZtzJ3I/AAAAAAAAAJM/Q_22-8AiuZ8/s1600/images.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nsaV1wDV6i8/T9zRMZtzJ3I/AAAAAAAAAJM/Q_22-8AiuZ8/s1600/images.jpeg" /></a><i>Promethus</i> was a major disappointment. I like Ridley Scott a lot. I have seen many of his movies like <i>Bladerunner, Aliens,</i> and <i>Thelma and Louise. </i>Maybe it is because of my age, I saw <i>Aliens </i>years ago and it was scary. This is <i>Aliens 2.0 </i>and it is not scary or even a good movie. Maybe the 30 and younger crowd will like it in 3D.<br />
<br />
Here's the basic storyline. It is about the year 2089, a rich old man decides to pursue an archaeological theory that aliens seeded humans on earth. Somehow this theory warped into these aliens must be "gods." Anyway, he thinks if he finds the planet most likely inhabited by these aliens, he will find the fountain of youth or the wisdom of god.<br />
<br />
You have a ten person crew, with a robot, David, who awaken when the ship reaches its destination.<br />
<br />
The movie revolves around archaeologists Elizabeth Shaw and her partner Charlie. Charlie is unprofessional and childlike. Meredith, the leader of the expedition is clueless. Several engineers think they are going to get rich quick and go off on their own. A lone security guy pops up now and then. Janek, the ship's captain and his two co-pilots, Chance and Ravel, reminded me of Hans Solo and his motley crew.<br />
<br />
Anyway, a group goes down to the planet to explore the only visible artifact, a Mayan-like tomb. They have no safety checks other than 'don't remove your helmet.' They enter the foreboding maze of tunnels. They see hieroglyphics and David, the robot, can read them. To cut to the chase, they unknowingly release a live organism and bring it back to the ship where they use no decontamination procedures.<br />
<br />
David, who went exploring on his own, found an alien in stasis and awakens him. The old geezer gets his chance to meet "god." But, it doesn't turn out like anyone thought. The rest of the story is about how the organism develops and threatens the crew.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
I can't even begin to explain how off-putting it was to see such an elaborate set that represented sophisticated technology run by lugheads, incompetents, and greedy, ignorant idiots. Tell me how the human race was able to develop such technology and still send idiots into space. It boggles the mind.</div>
<br />
<br />
One scene was an anomaly, the ship's captain, Janek, and his co-pilots crash their spaceship into the alien ship to save humanity. This is the first and only "noble" act in the movie.<br />
<br />
Anyway, after various scenes of blood and guts and alien organisms, the crew is decimated all except for Elizabeth Shaw and David. In the end, they commander an extra alien spaceship that is conveniently available, and go out exploring looking for "god."<br />
<br />
To my mind, the scriptwriter broke, at least, two rules of storytelling, one -- your audience must care about what happens to some if not all the characters. Two -- believability -- do you really think that a gazillionaire would build a sophisticated a space ship and staff it with lugheads? Or is this how private enterprise wastes money and resources? No character exhibits professionalism, teamwork, or even intellect. Each character has such individual agendas, it's a wonder they made it as far as they did. Even the robot, David, seemed off. I finally found a word for him, immature. So, right from the get go, you know the end of the movie.<br />
<br />
My companion, who I would consider an average moviegoer, felt the same as I did, where's the tension? The only concern we had was the popcorn had too much salt.<br />
<br />
Plus, my companion kept whispering, "Oh, it's so dull, there is no color, where is the color?"<br />
<br />
Do you really think that if aliens propagated humans on earth that they would be such brutish, inelegant lugheads?<br />
<br />
Oh, and the mission to find "god" was laughable. When the old geezer who started all of this, who wanted immortality, stood and faced the alien, the alien just smacked him. How's that for a godlike answer? It cracked me up.<br />
<br />
The science in this movie is so inaccurate even I recognized it. Plus, I loved the way Elizabeth Shaw was able to program so many computer systems she had never seen before, like the surgery cubicle, in just a few keystrokes. I found it humorous. Also, the religious references were offensive.<br />
<br />
Hard to comment on the acting, since, for me, I found none of the characters interesting or sympathetic. Actually, I did like Janek, the ship's captain. Idris Elba played the part well with warmth, humor, and humanity. But, it was such a small part, his character did not affect the overall boorish tone of the movie.<br />
<br />
Ultimately, the problem with this movie is Scott took too many ideas from the original <i>Aliens</i> and used them in this movie. In <i>Aliens</i>, the ship was a cargo ship and the crew was a bunch of odd characters. But, even they exhibited more professionalism and teamwork than did the scientists in <i>Promethus.</i> In <i>Promethus, </i>the ship was on an exploratory mission with scientists on board yet, Scott treated it like a cargo ship full of misfits. Scott tried to alter how the alien organism functioned but is was still the same body invasive concept as in <i>Aliens,</i> nothing new. Surely, in the world of science fiction there are other stories of aliens or invasive organisms that could have been used. This is like a remake of the <i>Invasion of the Body Snatchers.</i><br />
<br />
The one good thing I can say about this movie is, it is the first "horror" film where I laughed. I wasn't scared for a second.<br />
<br />
Now, I don't like doing negative reviews because they exhibit simplistic analysis and even jealousy or envy, maybe. While I am not jealous or envious of Mr. Scott, I do wish Hollywood would spend that kind of money on my screenplay. Gosh, I don't even need 100+ million, 50 million would do just fine. Hey, Hollywood, call me, I have great science fiction story about a human who falls in love with an alien. She is telepathic and more. But, I don't want to give it all away, contact me.<br />
<br />
Bollywood is not immune to this "blindness" which is what I call the process that produces an expensive bad movie. Somebody somewhere did not listen to their instincts but may have been swayed by other reasons to produce this movie.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript"><!--
google_ad_client = "pub-3307684777625956";
google_ad_width = 120;
google_ad_height = 90;
google_ad_format = "120x90_0ads_al";
google_ad_channel ="";
google_color_border = "B4D0DC";
google_color_bg = "ECF8FF";
google_color_link = "0000CC";
google_color_url = "008000";
google_color_text = "6F6F6F";
//--></script>
<script type="text/javascript"
src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js">
</script></div>Bollywood Talkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13882024919896515911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6899212.post-52088523163232814772011-09-12T22:59:00.000-04:002011-09-12T22:59:17.380-04:00Now I am in Mexico for awhile<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">I am temporarily living in Merida, Mexico. It will be very hard to find my Bollywood movies but I still follow Bollywood in the news and my latest find is that Amitabh Bachchan will guest star in a remake of "The Great Gatsby" for his friend, director, Baz Luhmann. Plus, looks like I will miss the opening of SRK's Ra1.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_RK-ZgYk03Y/Tm7G4bBC4bI/AAAAAAAAAJE/oEOTb0cb6UA/s1600/Ra.One+%2528Ra.1%2529+%25282011%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_RK-ZgYk03Y/Tm7G4bBC4bI/AAAAAAAAAJE/oEOTb0cb6UA/s320/Ra.One+%2528Ra.1%2529+%25282011%2529.jpg" width="219" /></a></div><div><br />
</div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript"><!--
google_ad_client = "pub-3307684777625956";
google_ad_width = 120;
google_ad_height = 90;
google_ad_format = "120x90_0ads_al";
google_ad_channel ="";
google_color_border = "B4D0DC";
google_color_bg = "ECF8FF";
google_color_link = "0000CC";
google_color_url = "008000";
google_color_text = "6F6F6F";
//--></script>
<script type="text/javascript"
src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js">
</script></div>Bollywood Talkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13882024919896515911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6899212.post-89763972356013058642010-02-18T00:27:00.001-05:002010-02-23T23:16:41.520-05:00My Name is Khan: Featuring a Cast of Thousands (extras)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0VIECBxXBaw/S3zKhqajrbI/AAAAAAAAAGw/lK1kpZ3lo98/s1600-h/my_name_is_khan1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0VIECBxXBaw/S3zKhqajrbI/AAAAAAAAAGw/lK1kpZ3lo98/s320/my_name_is_khan1.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">This movie illustrates why I love Bollywood movies. They make such an effort to express the emotions in complex situations and make me want to know more.</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">I am going to talk about the movie’s highlights and not the whole story because I think that would give too much away.<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">SRK’s onscreen entrance was not as dramatic as his entrances have been in the past; this set the tone for the movie. The opening scenes at airport security certainly recalled SRK’s 2009 detainment at a U.S. airport. The scenes were humiliating.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Gradually, SRK’s character, Rizwan Khan, develops as you see him mutter and roll small rocks in his hand repetitively. While security’s check on Khan showed no security flags, they ask him where he is going. “I am going to meet the President of the U.S”, Khan replies. He tells the officers, “I want to tell the President, My Name is Khan and I am not a terrorist.” The officers are not amused.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">As Khan’s trip takes him across the U.S., he keeps a diary and the audience learns about his life, his marriage and the sad fallout of the 9/11 in the backlash against innocent Indians, particularly Muslims.There are many scenes with diverse populations that it is truly a cast of thousands.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Tanay Chheda, the young actor from <i>Slumdog Millionaire,</i> plays the young Khan. Khan’s mother (Zarina Wahab) treats Khan with love and acceptance and she finds ways to help her son. She coerces an educated man to tutor her son when Rizwan has trouble in school because of his autism.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">During the 1983 riots in India when Hindus attacked Muslims, Khan’s mother taught her son that Hindus and Muslims were not different, telling him that there were only two kinds of people, good and bad. Rizwan becomes a repairman. He is good with mechanical things and can fix almost anything.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">His brother, Zahir (Jimmy Shergill) is jealous of his mother’s attention to Rizwan and when Zahir goes off to college in the U.S., he stays there after graduation and his mother never gets to meet his wife. After their mother dies, Zahir brings Rizwan to the U.S. to live with his family in San Francisco. Zahir sells herbal beauty products and gives Rizwan a job as a door-to-door salesman.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Rizwan has a highly functional form of autism called Asperger’s Syndrome. Eventually, you get used to his odd posture, his canted head, his avoidance of looking directly at people, his phobias, his habit of repetitive language and his disjointed conversations. You see his intelligence, his sense of humor, his honesty, his spirituality, and his attempts at socialization. During his travels as a salesman, he encounters Mandira (Kajol), a hair stylist. Mandira is Hindu and Khan is Muslim. Though Rizwan is awkward, he manages to sell her shop some of his products.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Rizwan falls in love with Mandira and finds ways to hang around her. Mandira is intrigued by Rizwan but does not show any real interest in him. Rizwan lets Mandira know he is aware that she is a divorced, single mother. Rizwan is not romantic, the closest he comes is when he wears a sweater in the color that Mandira likes. At one point, he asks her to marry him but she tries to laugh it off. They make a bet, she will marry Rizwan if he can show her something about San Francisco she has not seen. Over time, after many attempts, Rizwan finds something Mandira has not seen and they marry. Sam, Mandira’s young son, reluctantly accepts Rizwan as his step-father then more like a brother.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0VIECBxXBaw/S3zKsqJvieI/AAAAAAAAAHI/S1O0XHu9lso/s1600-h/myname-iskhana.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0VIECBxXBaw/S3zKsqJvieI/AAAAAAAAAHI/S1O0XHu9lso/s320/myname-iskhana.jpg" /></a><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">After 9/11 occurs, while the Khans’ entire community is saddened by events and you see scenes of shared community grief, soon Indians are being harassed and attacked. These scenes give you a sense of what is like for Muslims and Indians from children to shopkeepers, to professionals post 9/11.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Rizwan has a difficult time with emotion but he voices expressions of concern and love when he states that Islam’s prophet, Mohammed, said “the death of one innocent is equal to the death of humanity.” Rizwan and Mandira share a song, “We Shall Overcome” which becomes the movie’s theme.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">A tragedy strikes the Khan family... and out of anger and fear, Mandira sends Rizwan away. In her anger, she tells him to go to the President of the U.S. and tell him, “My Name is Khan and I am not a Terrorist.” The movie is about Khan’s travels in his attempt to do as his wife asked. The story then becomes one of separation and forgiveness.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0VIECBxXBaw/S3zKm1wwCfI/AAAAAAAAAG4/aLGHRuX5EGU/s1600-h/my-name-is-khan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0VIECBxXBaw/S3zKm1wwCfI/AAAAAAAAAG4/aLGHRuX5EGU/s320/my-name-is-khan.jpg" /></a></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">There many touching scenes like when Khan prays outside a bus stop. Khan has been tracking the President’s itinerary and follows him in his attempts to meet him. Along the way, he is helped by other people and he helps others as well. Also, Khan encounters ugly situations as well. Try to imagine what various disasters seem like to a person with autism.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">I knew the movie would be sad. It made me cry and I don’t like to cry in public. There were many subtle and not-so-subtle character studies as various characters and scenes portray moments in the U.S.’s recent history.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Even though I felt, again, that many scenes from several western movies were dropped into this movie, maybe I should look at them as tributes like they are in Bollywood movies. Because the storyline and acting exceeded any cliche is why I can forgive them.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Oh and ok, except for a few familiar gestures, I forgot that Rizwan was SRK; I think that is called acting.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">It will be interesting to see what future movie ideas Shah Rukh Khan and Red Chilies Entertainment choose to pursue. <i>My Name is Khan</i> is a modern, realistic, well-researched movie. It has a mature storyline with many fully developed characters.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Since I began watching Bollywood movies, I have watched how a movie industry has struggled to define its changing audiences, and struggled to grow technologically and thematically such as with the ongoing debates over Bollywood’s traditional use of song-and-dance routines. While I support Bollywood’s ever-changing search for a new magic formula, my personal hope is that there will always be “masala” movies from Bollywood.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Director: Karan Johar</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Cinematography: Ravi K. Chandran</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Art: Sharmishta Roy</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Screenplay: Shibani Bathija</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Cast: Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol, Zarina Wahab, Jimmy Shergill, Tanay Chheda, Parvin Dabas and more.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript"><!--
google_ad_client = "pub-3307684777625956";
google_ad_width = 120;
google_ad_height = 90;
google_ad_format = "120x90_0ads_al";
google_ad_channel ="";
google_color_border = "B4D0DC";
google_color_bg = "ECF8FF";
google_color_link = "0000CC";
google_color_url = "008000";
google_color_text = "6F6F6F";
//--></script>
<script type="text/javascript"
src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js">
</script></div>Bollywood Talkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13882024919896515911noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6899212.post-54736596270572883032010-02-03T13:55:00.001-05:002010-02-23T23:19:49.948-05:003 Idiots is Full of Laughter<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">I have been talking about Bollywood ever since I saw<i> Asoka</i> in 2002. I have induced some family and friends to see various Bollywood movies, so it was great to share watching<i> 3 Idiots </i>with a friend. Being a screenwriter, she is attentive to details, plot and characterization, so it was especially nice that she enjoyed the movie. We laughed out loud.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMtw5VfU3XwXxtj_Y9gW-oGTILHaL9o_n1g3lAmphPjOU-iXmiXKWjI5gABWNa9K7BINfuhl_XcqWrBYnslojijyFgjv9a0zbfvQD0P3HixmfRKQk7NjgX4eqwfh3bC_8Ia8dv/s1600-h/3-idiots-e1261935748116.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMtw5VfU3XwXxtj_Y9gW-oGTILHaL9o_n1g3lAmphPjOU-iXmiXKWjI5gABWNa9K7BINfuhl_XcqWrBYnslojijyFgjv9a0zbfvQD0P3HixmfRKQk7NjgX4eqwfh3bC_8Ia8dv/s320/3-idiots-e1261935748116.jpg" /></a></div></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Students starting engineering school and their orientation and hazing open the movie. One student Rancho (Aamir Khan) is different from the others as seen in his refusal to bow to senior students pressure during hazing with a chemistry trick to thwart the process. Hari (Sharman Joshi) and Farhan Qureshi (Madhavan) and Rancho become friends and the movie follows their adventures.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">The school administrator, Viru Sahastrabudhhe (Boman Irani) creates an tense atmosphere following his motto, “Compete or die.” Boman Irani is both comical and frightening as the aging administrator.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Humorous scenes of campus life are at times disrupted by serious scenes like when a student succumbs to the pressure of making good grades and long hours of studying by choosing to commit suicide.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">The administrator holds up an ink pen and tells the new class, I have been waiting 32 years for that exceptional student to pass along this pen.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Rancho is different in the way he looks at the world. He challenges convention and asks questions. His favorite saying is “All is well.”</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Many of the musical interludes are delightful. The shower scene musical number is funny and light-hearted. Surprisingly, some music lyrics are in English.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Some of the students’ antics include crashing a wedding which is more than a funny scene because new characters are introduced and added to the storyline such as when Rancho points out to a woman, Pia, (Kareena Kapoor) who he thinks is the bride that her fiance is more concerned about money than people.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">The end of semester ceremonies include a student speech which Rancho has altered to make it funny but the student, Chatur Ramalingam (Omi Vaidya), remembers the joke and is determined to retaliate.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">As the students separate to go their own way, they vow to meet again in the future at the same place and same time.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">When the Hari, Farhan, and Chatur meet again, Rancho has not appeared, so they go in search of him and find another story along the way.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">In many instances, I felt I was seeing whole scenes from western movies dropped into this movie. With Rancho’s character I felt I was seeing <i>Good Will Hunting, The Wedding Crashers, The Paper Chase, </i>and <i>Patch Adams.</i> The emergency baby delivery scene was like watching <i>Apollo 13. </i>This movie was truly delightful. But, while movies often represent universal experiences, movies also illustrate unique perspectives and that is what I felt was missing. Or, in another way, Bollywood is reflecting the westernization of India’s culture. </span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">The movie is well-acted with beautiful and brightly colored cinematography, and delightful choreography. I enjoyed seeing the reunion of the <i>Rang De Basanti </i>actors, Aamir Khan, Sharman Joshi, and Madhavan.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">This is the first time I thought Aamir Khan appeared to enjoy himself.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript"><!--
google_ad_client = "pub-3307684777625956";
google_ad_width = 120;
google_ad_height = 90;
google_ad_format = "120x90_0ads_al";
google_ad_channel ="";
google_color_border = "B4D0DC";
google_color_bg = "ECF8FF";
google_color_link = "0000CC";
google_color_url = "008000";
google_color_text = "6F6F6F";
//--></script>
<script type="text/javascript"
src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js">
</script></div>Bollywood Talkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13882024919896515911noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6899212.post-20473656570862030062009-08-23T16:52:00.009-04:002009-08-24T14:32:52.658-04:00Shah Rukh Khan Detained at Newark AirportNews of SRK's detention has made the news in the US and in India and a lot of people are mad. Some accuse SRK pulling this as a stunt to promote his film, <em>My Name is Khan.</em> Others are angry at the US for being ignorant and xenophobic. I think there is a simpler answer.<br /><br />When I read that SRK's film, <em>My Name is Khan,</em> was being picked up by Fox Star Studios. as the distributor, I thought, "Uh Oh," that may <em>not</em> be a good thing. While it is good news that an "American" company selected an Indian film to distribute, that did not necessarily mean they would be able to do it adequately or with respect for the genre.<br /><br />After reading several articles about SRK's detention, while others blamed SRK or his company for pulling a stunt, it is more likely that Fox Star Studios, which is financing and distributing the film, would pull a stunt like this. Fox Star Studios' parent company, News Corporation, which is owned by Rupert Murdoch, has been known to distort the news. Fox News, Inc. which is also owned by Murdoch has been documented countless times for spreading lies and rumors. See Media Matters.org or Buzzflash.com for examples.<br /><br />Murdoch's companies make money spreading lies and rumors. A stunt like putting SRK's name on a suspected terrorist list in America without telling SRK would be just the kind of thing an organization run by Murdoch would do.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript"><!--
google_ad_client = "pub-3307684777625956";
google_ad_width = 120;
google_ad_height = 90;
google_ad_format = "120x90_0ads_al";
google_ad_channel ="";
google_color_border = "B4D0DC";
google_color_bg = "ECF8FF";
google_color_link = "0000CC";
google_color_url = "008000";
google_color_text = "6F6F6F";
//--></script>
<script type="text/javascript"
src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js">
</script></div>Bollywood Talkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13882024919896515911noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6899212.post-74073028448991375352009-02-05T20:23:00.028-05:002010-02-18T10:20:24.257-05:00Slumdog MillionaireOf course, I had to see <em>Slumdog Millionaire.</em> The buzz is enormous. I try to avoid reading reviews of movies I plan to write about but it was hard with <em>Slumdog Millionaire.</em> I saw the movie at the E Street Cinema in Washington, DC on Super Bowl Tuesday night. By the time, I watched the movie, I had seen the Golden Globe Awards and heard some of the criticism of the movie.<br />
<div><br />
<div>You are introduced to the main character, Jamal Malik (Dev Patel), as a contestant on the Indian "Who Wants to be a Millionaire?" He has gained local fame by answering several q<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0VIECBxXBaw/SYuRaUAk6jI/AAAAAAAAAE0/yIJctq5puw8/s1600-h/slumdog+tv+host.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299489267765275186" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0VIECBxXBaw/SYuRaUAk6jI/AAAAAAAAAE0/yIJctq5puw8/s320/slumdog+tv+host.jpg" style="cursor: hand; float: right; height: 213px; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 320px;" /></a>uestions correctly as the jackpot increases. TV host, Prem Kumar (Anil Kapoor) is getting increasingly irritated by the young man's run of luck. At the end of the segment, Jamal is arrested and taken to a police station where he is tortured. Prem believes Jamal is cheating and wants his confession. But, as the torture continues, Jamal does not confess. He is adamant that he knew the answers. So, the story unfolds in flashbacks to his childhood where his various experiences introduce him to varied bits of trivia. </div><div><br />
</div><div>Many of the flashbacks are shot in the vast Mumbai slums. Rapid action scenes of young Jamal and his brother, Salim, follow their youthful exploits including losing their mother in a religious riot as Hindus attack and burn parts of the slum where many Muslims live. After losing their mother, the boys find a variety of ways to survive. They serve tea on trains until they are thrown off. They beg. They pick trash. Mixed in are a few days in a classroom. Then a bus arrives and carts them off to a phony orphanage camp. At first, they are happy because they get fed. But, then they must beg for the leader, Maman, much like Oliver in <em>Oliver Twist.</em> Then, Salim, Jamal's brother witnesses Maman mutilate one of the children. He rushes his brother and their new found friend Latika out of the camp but only Jamal and Salim escape. </div><br />
<div>Jamal had fallen in love with Latika and never forgot her as he and Salim continue their efforts to survive. Bits of humor flit through the scenes such as when the boys set up some American tourists as they tour the slum with their cameras. While they are shooting, the boys' cohorts strip the car. When the tourists return, the young boys dash off saying, "You wanted to see the real India, well this is it."</div><br />
<div>For me the turning point in the story is while searching for Latika, Salim and Jamal encounter Maman and face capture again. Salim shots Maman and only the boys escape again. Jamal had learned that Maman was using Latika to attract older men.</div><br />
<div>As the flashbacks return to Jamal in the contestant's seat facing the game show host, you can feel his discomfort and his resilience. </div><br />
<div>As a young man, Jamal had become a chai wallah (tea assistant) in a call center. There he finds his brother's phone number and mets Salim again. Salim has become a criminal. But, Salim leads Jamal to Latika. She had become the mistress of a crime boss. Jamal tries to convince her to leave him. She asks what will we live on. He says, "love." He learns she likes the show "Who Wants to be a Millionaire?" because it is escapism for her.</div><br />
<div>Jamal applies to become a contestant on the show because he believes Latika will see him.</div><br />
<div>Prem accepts the police's belief that Jamal is not cheating and the show continues. Now, there is an undercurrent of tension between the two.</div><br />
<div>Many think this movie is like a Bollywood movie. In some ways it is and in some ways it is not. The story is not new. Orphaned brothers who struggle to survive and take divergent paths in adulthood is a common Bollywood theme. Conflict between the protagonists is the crux of the movie where the bad brother eventually saves the good brother from harm. A similar Bollywood movie <em>Ram Janne,</em> features two protagonists who are not brothers, they are orphans who help each other survive. One orphan, Ram Janne, becomes a criminal, the other, Muli, runs an orphanage.</div><br />
<div>Everyone got so excited about the dance number at the end of the movie. In a real Bollywood movie, there are as many as six song and dance numbers sprinkled throughout the story.</div><br />
<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0VIECBxXBaw/SYujzw56ayI/AAAAAAAAAFE/u4aYCdy_7ps/s1600-h/slumdog+boy.bmp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299509496227982114" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0VIECBxXBaw/SYujzw56ayI/AAAAAAAAAFE/u4aYCdy_7ps/s320/slumdog+boy.bmp" style="float: left; height: 171px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-top: 0px; width: 320px;" /></a></div>In many Bollywood movies, I am left with questions, the same holds true with <em>Slumdog Millionaire.</em> I wondered what made the two boys different since they had similar experiences. Also, I thought that Salim's character was not shown in a favorable light. He was the older brother and had protected Jamal many many times. When faced with an adult criminal, Maman, Salim took the only choice he felt he had when he killed him. I felt that Salim could have taken another path in life rather than the one the movie portrayed.</div><br />
<div>Also, I never felt that the adult Latika's character reflected the abuse, loneliness, dreariness of her life experiences. It made the reunion with Jamal seem shallow.</div><br />
<div>The child actors who were in most of the movie really deserve alot more credit than they got at any of the awards ceremonies or film festivals. They were the real stars.</div><br />
<div>There is controversy over how the children were treated. Did they get paid enough? How did acting in the movie affect their lives? These are the questions people are asking of the movie producers and direc<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0VIECBxXBaw/SYuRg4g5eyI/AAAAAAAAAE8/Kl-lm3pURm4/s1600-h/slumdog-millionaire-poster-full.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299489380643732258" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0VIECBxXBaw/SYuRg4g5eyI/AAAAAAAAAE8/Kl-lm3pURm4/s320/slumdog-millionaire-poster-full.jpg" style="cursor: hand; float: left; height: 320px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 216px;" /></a>tors. The producers did pay the children more than three times an adult wages, created a trust fund for them when they completed school, and found a school for the children and are paying for their education.</div><br />
<div>Poverty is a reality worldwide. Sadly, the lives of these children will probably not change much in the future.</div><div></div><div></div><div>Sadly, I believe most of the controversy over <em>Slumdog Millionaire</em> is based on jealousy. Indians are angry that it was not a Bollywood movie that is making such news but a movie made by an outsider. Bollywood movies often contain violence and scenes of poverty and criminality. On the positive side, let's hope that the world will now take an interest in Bollywood movies.</div><div></div><div></div><div>Director: Danny Boyle and Loveleen Tandan</div><div>Producer: Christian Colson</div><div>Screenplay: Simon Beaufoy based on novel Q&A by Vikas Swarup</div><div></div><div>Cast: Jamal Mallik, Prem Kumar, Freida Pinto, Irrfan Khan, Azharuddin Mohammed Ismail (young Salim), Ayush Mahesh Khedekar (young Jamal), Rubiana Ali (young Latika) and more.</div><div><br />
</div><br />
<div><br />
</div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript"><!--
google_ad_client = "pub-3307684777625956";
google_ad_width = 120;
google_ad_height = 90;
google_ad_format = "120x90_0ads_al";
google_ad_channel ="";
google_color_border = "B4D0DC";
google_color_bg = "ECF8FF";
google_color_link = "0000CC";
google_color_url = "008000";
google_color_text = "6F6F6F";
//--></script>
<script type="text/javascript"
src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js">
</script></div>Bollywood Talkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13882024919896515911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6899212.post-25496970153263457202008-12-17T16:41:00.017-05:002008-12-17T20:00:37.725-05:00Rab Ne Bana JodiMy first Bollywood movie in over a year!<br /><br />It was fortunate that the movie, <span style="font-style: italic;">Rab Ne Bana Jodi, </span>was playing at the Union Station theaters in Washington, DC. They were much easier to reach than Laurel, Maryland or Virginia theaters. But, the movie was not advertised well at this location, so very few people came to the showing on a Tuesday night.<br /><br />During the movie previews, I was happy to see that Hrithik Rosan has a new movie, <span style="font-style: italic;">New York,</span> coming out. But, I was disappointed in Aamir Khan's new release, <span style="font-style: italic;">Ghajini,</span> because its storyline looks so much like <span style="font-style: italic;">Momento.</span><br /><br />My first reaction to <span style="font-style: italic;">Rab Ne Bana Jodi</span> was-- Shah Rukh Khan with a mustache? SRK's character, Surinder, was a studious, office worker at Punjab Power. SRK's co-star, Anushka Sharma, played Taani, the daughter of an old friend of Surinder. They met briefly during her wedding celebrations.<br /><br />Rapidly the movie introduces the story's central conflict. Taani's fiancee is killed in an accident on the eve of their wedding.<br /><br />This tragedy is too much for Taani's father. He has a heart attack and from his hospital bed, he asks Surinder to marry Taani and also asks Taani to accept Surinder as her husband. Both accept the offer but for different reasons. Surinder has fallen in love with Taani and in Taani's grief she agrees to please her father.<br /><br />Surinder's character shows his sweetness, consideration and devotion when he brings Taani, now his wife, home. He gives her his bedroom while he sleeps in the attic. He makes no demands on her.<br /><br />Surinder goes to work everyday and Taani faithfully cleans the house and prepares his meals.<br /><br />Soon Surinder's friends finds out about his marriage and complicate his life. Surinder's best friend learns that Surinder loves Taani but she says she can not return his love.<br /><br />Soon, Taani seeks a relief from her boredom and asks Surinder if she can take dancing lessons. He agrees.<br /><br />Surinder's friend, Bobby, helps Surinder transform himself into Raj, a happy-g0-lucky guy who joins Taani's dancing class. Eventually, the two become partners. At first, Taani keeps the relationship formal but because Surinder as Raj wants to see Taani happy, he jokes with her and coaxes her to join him in other activities. Soon, they are spending a great deal of time together.<br /><br />When Surinder comes home late from the office, he claims he has a lot of work and will be late alot. Taani doesn't seem to care.<br /><br />In his attempt to reach out to Taani as himself, Surinder takes her to the movies. There the movie itself becomes a movie within a movie. In some cases, Taani sees Raj on screen talking to her. Other times, Taani sees Raj dancing in elaborate routines with a bevy of beauties including some familiar faces.<br /><br />It was during these scenes, I missed a large audience because I was the only one clapping or cheering when I recognized some of SRK's former co-stars. The choreography was elegant and extravagant much like western movies old musicals.<br /><br />In real life, Surinder as Raj struggles to act cool, even his t-shirt announces, "Anyone, Anywhere, Anytime." It's funny to see Surinder try to overcome his clumsiness.<br /><br />All of Surinder's misguided efforts are to make Taani happy but how can a massive deception like this achieve that goal? When in the end, Taani falls in love with Raj but not Surinder.<br /><br />How the movie resolves this dilemma does not satisfy me. While I appreciated the sentiment that love happens when you see "god" in the other person.<br /><br />Surinder was willing to give Taani up to a fantasy to make her happy. Slowly, Taani begins to realize how much Surinder has done for her.<br /><br />I don't like being a critic. Who am I? I've never put a pen to paper to write a screenplay. I would never get in front of a camera. So what do I say when I liked 98% of the movie, yet wonder about the 2%? One thing is while Anushka is an attractive capable actress, I did not feel any chemistry between her and SRK.<br /><br />There was something reminiscent about this movie. While most movies are a rehash of the same stories over and over. I felt that this movie took a truly sensitive subject and failed to let the main characters connect in a real way.<br /><br />While the movie told the story of one man's love in a simple manner, winning his love's heart was complicated, confusing, and deceptive.<br /><br />In a way, it was a man's movie that said, "love me as I am." In another way, it was a woman's movie that said, "Love me as no one else can."<br /><br />While Taani had little opportunity to get to know her groom before their marriage and she made little opportunity after. He was a quiet, shy, introverted, good-hearted person. She had been a loving, happy, outgoing person. They deceived each other.<br /><br />Yet, when a man loves a woman, he tries at times to be more than he is, he tries to be something she can admire. He explores the brave, poetic and romantic in himself.<br /><br />I wish I could have seen her explore her role as a wife and a woman in a marriage.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0VIECBxXBaw/SUmaYeWp8nI/AAAAAAAAADU/YTFH8fBozLg/s1600-h/rnbdj1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0VIECBxXBaw/SUmaYeWp8nI/AAAAAAAAADU/YTFH8fBozLg/s320/rnbdj1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5280921783324242546" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Aditya Chopra: Director, writer, producer<br />Cinematography: Ravi K. Chandran<br />Choreography: Shiamak Davar, Raibhavi Merchant<br />Cast: Shah Rukh Khan, Anushka Sharma and more<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript"><!--
google_ad_client = "pub-3307684777625956";
google_ad_width = 120;
google_ad_height = 90;
google_ad_format = "120x90_0ads_al";
google_ad_channel ="";
google_color_border = "B4D0DC";
google_color_bg = "ECF8FF";
google_color_link = "0000CC";
google_color_url = "008000";
google_color_text = "6F6F6F";
//--></script>
<script type="text/javascript"
src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js">
</script></div>Bollywood Talkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13882024919896515911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6899212.post-44681411546971689972007-10-24T18:31:00.000-04:002007-10-24T18:50:45.659-04:00Lage Raho Munna Bhai<a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_0VIECBxXBaw/Rx_MKll9b_I/AAAAAAAAACw/FqHQC0dg728/s1600-h/Lage+Raho+Munna+Bhai.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_0VIECBxXBaw/Rx_MKll9b_I/AAAAAAAAACw/FqHQC0dg728/s320/Lage+Raho+Munna+Bhai.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5125039383232999410" /></a><br />This kind of movie happens once in a lifetime. Before <i>Lage Raho Munna Bhai</i> there was <i>Munna Bhai MBBS,</i> a comedy about a “goon” who pretends to be a doctor to impress his parents. It was an Indian “Patch Adams.” When I went to see <i>Lage Raho Munna Bhai</i>, I was expecting a second-rate takeoff of the first Munna Bhai instead it was a completely new story. Several of the actri play the same characters such as Sanjay Dutt and Arshad Warsi who play Munna Bhai and Circuit, respectively, and other actri play new characters such as Boman Irani, who played the uptight hospital administrator in <i>Munna Bhai MBBS,</i> plays Lucky in <i>Lage Raho Munna Bhai.</i> I was touched by the fact the Director and Producer choose to bring back many of the secondary characters such as Jimmy Shergill.<br /><br />In essence, <i>Lage Raho Munna Bhai</i> is about a hoodlum, Murli Prasad Sharma, known as Munna Bhai, who is in love with Jhanvi, a popular radio talk show host, played by Vidya Balan. He listens to her show every morning. When she holds a Mahatma Ghandi quiz for her listeners, Murli wants to win the contest in order to meet her. His sidekick, Circuit, decides to “kidnap” Ghandi experts to help him answer the questions. After winning the contest and meeting Jhanvi, he seeks to impress her by pretending to be a history professor. Then he has only five days to study about Ghandi before he gives a lecture to an elderly group of men abandoned by their children who reside in Jhanvi’s home.<br /><br />A psychological phenomena moves the story forward and more complications among various stories become entwined. Lucky, a real estate developer, seeks to buy Jhanvi’s home as a wedding gift for, his daughter, Simran’s in-laws. To do this, he bribes a government official to prevent Jhanvi from renewing her lease, so he can grab the house. When Lucky realizes Munna’s love interest is Jhanvi, he treats Munna, Jhanvi and her residents to a vacation in Goa. Jhanvi’s residents provide their own twists to the story.<br /><br />Munna is unable to express his love for Jhanvi because he has lied to her about himself. The trip is cut short when Jhanvi finds out her belongings are out on the street and her home now belongs to Lucky.<br /><br />By this time, Munna and Jhanvi have created a radio show about Ghandi where Munna addresses callers’ problems with Ghandisms with a little help from Babu. Now, Munna has a bigger problem. How will he get Jhanvi’s home back?<br /><br />The remainder of the story deals with Munna’s attempts to persuade Lucky to return Jhanvi’s home. He asks callers to send Lucky flowers in hopes he will “get well.” Jhanvi and her residents camp out on the sidewalk in front of Lucky’s home to protest the loss of their home. After Lucky lies about his daughter’s birth time to her future father-in-law because he is superstitious, Simran played by Diya Mirza learns of her father lies and deceptions. She runs away from the wedding and grabs a taxi ride driven by Victor D’Souza (Jimmy Shergill). Victor intervenes and calls Munna for advice. After the bride returns to the wedding and tells her in-laws the truth about her birth time, the father-in-law rejects her upon hearing the truth, Munna steps in to convince him that her courage and truth is more real than the astrologer’s predictions.<br /><br />The ending, which resolved all the conflicts, did not conclude as abruptly as many Bollywood movies do; it was a pleasant surprise. This movie is delicious and mischievous.<br /><br />What makes this movie exceptional besides the fact the story has a fresh approach is that it is a wonderful composition of comedy, drama, romance and inspiration. Both the Director, Rajkumar Hirani, and Producer, Vidhu Vinod Chopra, created a well-crafted movie.<br /><br />The settings are a kick, like Munna’s hangout in the wash area where Munna and Circuit work out their schemes. Here they imagine Munna’s romance with Jhanvi in colorful, hysterical, funny and sweet visions of wedding ceremonies and dating scenes.<br /><br />There are countless funny scenes. I still get a kick out of the opening parking lot vignette. Other funny and charming scenes include Munna studying in the library or the birthday party which is a stitch, a riot, over-the-top and the wedding songs in Goa are delightful. Others include where a neighbor spits tobacco juice on his neighbor’s apartment outside wall, or when a pensioner, who has been denied his pension for lack of money to pay a bribe, takes off his clothes to pay the bribe embarrassing the clerk<br /><br />At times, Munna struggles to live by Ghandi’s philosophy, especially the idea of living truthfully, or turning the other cheek.<br /><br />Arshad Warsi as Circuit, Munna’s thug sidekick, is great. He’s a natural. Warsi plays Circuit complete with gold necklaces, rings, and jewelry. He welds and twirls a knife and gun as extensions of his hands and is as easy with a threat as breathing.<br /><br />Sanjay Dutt is a Bollywood bad boy but as Munna he comes across as a heavy with a heart of gold. While I have seen Sanjay Dutt in more extensive dance numbers, his simple yet delightful dance numbers added texture to the story.<br /><br />The various multi-themed stories and choreography are woven expertly with the main storyline. The song-and-dance routines are what song-and-dance routines should be in a movie. They express desires, fantasies, hopes and joys seamlessly throughout the story. Because many take place “in-place” they fit the story. Even various cell phone ringtones seemed musically integrated into the story.<br /><br />One actor I admire is Boman Irani. He is versatile. Irani can be charming, hilarious, subtle, menacing and more. He has an amazing ability to inhabit various characters. With just a new slant to his eyes, a small change in facial expression or posture, changes in hairstyles, and of course his various outfits, he is convincing as a scatter-brained school principal, a threatening police officer, a staid administrator, and now as a warm but manipulative real estate developer.<br /><br />To me, this movie is what Bollywood is all about. The story is exuberant, warm, charming, textured, and comes from the heart.<br /><br />Director (and Film Editor): Rajkumar Hirani<br />Producer: Vidhu Vinod Chopra, Vir Chopra, Anil Davda<br />Music: Shantanu Moitra<br />Cinematography: C.K. Muraleedharan<br />Choreography: Ganesh Acharya<br />Cast: Sanjay Dutt, Arshad Warsi, Vidya Balan, Boman Irani, Dilip Pradhavalkar, Diya Mirza, Jimmy Shergill and more.<br />144 minutes, color, Hindi, September 2006<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript"><!--
google_ad_client = "pub-3307684777625956";
google_ad_width = 120;
google_ad_height = 90;
google_ad_format = "120x90_0ads_al";
google_ad_channel ="";
google_color_border = "B4D0DC";
google_color_bg = "ECF8FF";
google_color_link = "0000CC";
google_color_url = "008000";
google_color_text = "6F6F6F";
//--></script>
<script type="text/javascript"
src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js">
</script></div>Bollywood Talkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13882024919896515911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6899212.post-39570130628612662122007-07-11T17:21:00.000-04:002007-07-11T18:13:42.949-04:00Still following Bollywood but a Change in Residence has slowed me downI am here in Utah on a temporary job.<br /><br />I am far away from my Hindi movie theater. I have not found a movie theater in Utah that plays Hindi movies, yet. But, I just found a wonderful Indian restaurant, The Indian Oven, in Logan.<br /><br />The restaurant had lovely table settings in blue and red with substantial blue cloth napkins. They had a buffet as well as a full menu. I had Vegetable Coconut Kuma and Ginger and Garllic Naan bread. I suspect the Naan was a Chef's own receipe. My meal was wonderful, all the spices were delightful and surprisingly, they blended well and none overwhelmed another. I always get a sweet Lassi which seems to fill me up but I like the beverage. I took home half the meal and the dessert, Gulab Jamun, which is one of my favorites. But, I was in such a hurry, I forgot to tip the waiter. I will be bringing some friends there soon, so I will catch up with him, then. Anyway, Indian meals are meant to be shared among friends and family with good conversation.<br /><br />I did get a tip from the owner about a movie theater in Salt Lake City, so hopefully, I will be able to watch Shah Rukh Khan's new movie, Chak De India, which is supposed to release August 10, 2007!!!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript"><!--
google_ad_client = "pub-3307684777625956";
google_ad_width = 120;
google_ad_height = 90;
google_ad_format = "120x90_0ads_al";
google_ad_channel ="";
google_color_border = "B4D0DC";
google_color_bg = "ECF8FF";
google_color_link = "0000CC";
google_color_url = "008000";
google_color_text = "6F6F6F";
//--></script>
<script type="text/javascript"
src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js">
</script></div>Bollywood Talkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13882024919896515911noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6899212.post-76602766372564663742007-03-08T19:43:00.000-05:002007-03-08T20:17:25.165-05:00Dil Se -- A War Protest MovieIt has only been 58 years since India gained independence from Britain in 1947. There were many bloody struggles in India’s war for independence and millions died during Partition when Muslims and Hindus either traveled to the newly created nation of Pakistan or from Pakistan into India. Kashmir is still in dispute and India has been fighting terrorism since independence as recent subway bombings in Mumbai illustrate.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdVuU3VuDLv1UCLZVtMbfTJql_2U_OOqEOXmybNz-7D7Rd5XNhTpgbO7iK7OeWwi9dwUxkgcVGLD_Z_cmdM-3NcPGJ4t7oILg-cY7m92C4iKaKcW5jOCTIMd0_0l3XGVxRkFqk/s1600-h/200px-Dil_Se_DVD_cover.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdVuU3VuDLv1UCLZVtMbfTJql_2U_OOqEOXmybNz-7D7Rd5XNhTpgbO7iK7OeWwi9dwUxkgcVGLD_Z_cmdM-3NcPGJ4t7oILg-cY7m92C4iKaKcW5jOCTIMd0_0l3XGVxRkFqk/s320/200px-Dil_Se_DVD_cover.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5039721069475386882" /></a>There are many movies that illustrate the horrors of war in attempts to suggest peaceful alternatives. While war is fought by nations, it is carried out by individuals. Mani Rantam wrote and directed Dil Se as a sensitive portrait of two people with different views of war based on personal experiences. <br /><br /><br />Dil Se is a story of Amarkanth Varma, an idealist radio journalist, who meets and falls in love with a lonely young woman, Meghna, on a railroad platform. At first, their stories diverge as she catches the next train while Amar has gone to get her some hot tea. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhadD46n8vNJiwISZiCV3l4yHNQmEAZQzyd4AHOpPJY9yHre29ExjlpMH302OnXqZ7kC1ahFF-eTdbYPWsxT8wIR7eLv5AtM3hIBqS2vVCM_gIlAnZ2JJW72nHYVn4-Abshwk7-/s1600-h/dilseeros.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhadD46n8vNJiwISZiCV3l4yHNQmEAZQzyd4AHOpPJY9yHre29ExjlpMH302OnXqZ7kC1ahFF-eTdbYPWsxT8wIR7eLv5AtM3hIBqS2vVCM_gIlAnZ2JJW72nHYVn4-Abshwk7-/s320/dilseeros.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5039720558374278594" /></a><br />I was enthralled with the movie from the opening credits. The director added small details that not only added texture to the story but later you realize he is also giving the viewer and the characters information that foreshadow the depth and complexities of the emotional conflicts to come. Little touches like in the opening scenes where Amar is dressed in a black shirt and red sports jacket and Meghna is dressed in a red dress but covered with a black shawl, almost as if to say Amar wears his heart on his sleeve and Meghna keeps her heart hidden from view. Another example is when Amar goes to fetch Meghna some tea, he jokes and tells her not to move because he has a bomb in his suitcase and it could explode. Later, this joke seems prophetic.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik_72o5yoBDeEjzsdMa01AGrw0HEP1ZoaaOp1A7cFuATz7DQXXLtAQfdz7bQnNOyzQNJnu6WG73Rm6tKO6QhN_aQ8XSW71MEP4eY_qdXG88HJHcQz9MqjYY4pVXCnFG-BNMYLX/s1600-h/dilse.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik_72o5yoBDeEjzsdMa01AGrw0HEP1ZoaaOp1A7cFuATz7DQXXLtAQfdz7bQnNOyzQNJnu6WG73Rm6tKO6QhN_aQ8XSW71MEP4eY_qdXG88HJHcQz9MqjYY4pVXCnFG-BNMYLX/s320/dilse.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5039721065180419554" /></a>As part of his job as a radio producer, Amar (Shah Rukh Khan) gathers various man-on-the-street perspectives for a program about the upcoming 50th anniversary celebrations of Indian Independence. He hears from some that they have suffered more since independence and from others that India has prospered since independence. To expand his research, Amar seeks out the leader of a revolutionary movement. The leader’s main complaint is that the smaller outlying states of India were forgotten after the war for independence and many villages have suffered and continue to suffer in a multitude of ways. For Amar, whose father and grandfather served in the Indian army, he struggles to understand the dissents’ evaluation of their current treatment at the hands of the Indian government. <br /><br />When Amar returns, he runs into Meghna (Manisha Koirala) but she claims she never met him before and they part. As you can imagine, Amar is confused. He is certain she is the girl he met on the train platform. Another day, he spies her making a phone call and he follows her. Again, she rejects him but this time he hitches a ride on the back of the bus she is on and he lands in her village. Here, Amar declares his love for her; again she rejects him claiming to be married. When Amar seeks to apologize to her, she sends several men to convince Amar that his pursuit is futile but in the ensuing fight, Amar learns she is not married and his hope is renewed.<br /><br />While covering festivities in Lucknow, Amar glimpses Meghna in the crowd. He searches for her and finds her on a bus. As the police go down the aisle asking about identification and travel purposes, Meghna says she is Amar’s wife. Amar is more amused than suspicious by her change in attitude.<br /><br />The bus travels north to the mountains. After it breaks down, the passengers gather their belongings and walk toward their destinations. Amar follows Meghna. Amar has been open and ardent about his feelings about her. She has continually rebuffed him but she appears to warm up a bit but not without visible internal emotional struggles that leave Amar and the viewer puzzled.<br /><br />Late into the night, Meghna leaves while Amar is sleeping. She leaves a mysterious message in the sand. Amar returns to the city feeling he has lost her. He agrees to marry Preeti, a woman of his family’s choosing. Preeti (Preity Zinta) is a bouncing, cheerful girl. They find that they both have loved and lost, but it does not take her long to realize that Amar’s thoughts are elsewhere.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZdCONg0hbVPtlgR5T6slL0rpP-JVEBJVCADaQqZvMv6uLgo_RSIiaQuO9d8ut9oV-lW4kviSXBdtDrEqai-uz1EEjiZ7piaZVo1NcchXiFJYTtdjD7YkPkEeiK0FCGhIl_xu1/s1600-h/dil+se+preity.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZdCONg0hbVPtlgR5T6slL0rpP-JVEBJVCADaQqZvMv6uLgo_RSIiaQuO9d8ut9oV-lW4kviSXBdtDrEqai-uz1EEjiZ7piaZVo1NcchXiFJYTtdjD7YkPkEeiK0FCGhIl_xu1/s320/dil+se+preity.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5039727241343391282" /></a>Amidst their wedding preparations, Meghna appears at Amar’s house with a girlfriend asking for temporary shelter and a job at All India Radio where Amar works. He agrees. Watching the emotional struggles play across their faces as Amar and Meghna participate in the wedding festivities pictures two confused, unhappy, young people. Both Shah Rukh Khan and Manisha capture the pain, confusion, and regret of their lost love just as Preity expresses the joys and hopes for her future.<br /><br />Soon the festivities are disrupted when Amar discovers Meghna’s true purpose for coming to the city and working at All India Radio. Because he is still loves her, he thinks he can stop her. It is chaos from here on. Amar tries to piece together information of Meghna’s whereabouts before the police find her. He locates her near the parade route. When he confronts her about her treachery, he learns about her tragedies. He offers to give up everything for her and begs her to run away with him. She wants to go with him. She wants those dreams of love and family, but she also wants justice for her people. She refuses. He attempts to physically stop her but police intervene. Later, the police release him but thugs lay in wait and beat Amar up. When he returns home, Preeti confronts him as she bandages his wounds. She asks, “Should Meghna’s name be on these wedding invitations rather than mine?” He evades her questions. He is intent on stopping Meghna. The police raid the home and he dragged off to be questioned and drugged to elicit information but he escapes.<br /><br />The action in these scenes is fast-paced and the emotions of all involved are heightened and intense. Amar still wants to save Meghna and she is tempted but his love can not offer her the solace she seeks. Amar makes the ultimate offer. He loves her and has accepted her pain.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8fQau7XsTDDX7iBk3EWBOhi24bgWqngxHseFA0Q5PCK_oYoOJey5TFVDllsLbn5HxgehkSgfFbl2tI9yyOYs_R-5WMG5QJ3AYbtDP2gEXtnvgrJe6ZU3h1yyD9aodKtEgVGwd/s1600-h/Dil+Se+dance.jpeg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8fQau7XsTDDX7iBk3EWBOhi24bgWqngxHseFA0Q5PCK_oYoOJey5TFVDllsLbn5HxgehkSgfFbl2tI9yyOYs_R-5WMG5QJ3AYbtDP2gEXtnvgrJe6ZU3h1yyD9aodKtEgVGwd/s320/Dil+Se+dance.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5039721065180419538" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbT2SotuZELj8-ZK-9xH8tyFD15GAbaXS5PN4EdhggEcjNThvtWXr2lsXyIe9x_UM6rmY3It2WKIg8OIOOqtBykFrtvq4rUj7f6AT5Evrk9k-8gHwIQ1iNf6NtIrKYjW5dk9eY/s1600-h/dil+se+dance2.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbT2SotuZELj8-ZK-9xH8tyFD15GAbaXS5PN4EdhggEcjNThvtWXr2lsXyIe9x_UM6rmY3It2WKIg8OIOOqtBykFrtvq4rUj7f6AT5Evrk9k-8gHwIQ1iNf6NtIrKYjW5dk9eY/s320/dil+se+dance2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5039727237048423970" /></a>For me, this is a well-crafted movie. Shah Rukh Khan’s and Manish Koirala’s performances are among the best I have seen. The choreography is incredible and inspiring. <br /><br />I may have read somewhere that Amar’s love represents India’s pain over the loss of the territory of Pakistan, the horrible death and cruelty inflicted on so many Indians, and its longing to make amends. Meghna’s pain, desire for justice and love represents the desire of Pakistan to heal its rift with India because while war was initiated by governments, it was individuals who were affected.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyTB_S3WXHI_D-DxCh5L8FDCsQVxfJBo4hncxhgYdEHDgM3GUFpwVSMJVhEJhPLyKIfzbwRhLZLB_zUtGW93dg7QIjC_lNK7DPD_vp5EdXRSBqeRnyWCxe4bdwEasp9EdN-hRO/s1600-h/dil_se_plakat.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyTB_S3WXHI_D-DxCh5L8FDCsQVxfJBo4hncxhgYdEHDgM3GUFpwVSMJVhEJhPLyKIfzbwRhLZLB_zUtGW93dg7QIjC_lNK7DPD_vp5EdXRSBqeRnyWCxe4bdwEasp9EdN-hRO/s320/dil_se_plakat.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5039721069475386866" /></a><br /><br />1998, Color, Hindi, 163 minutes<br />Director: Mani Ratnam<br />Story/Screenplay: Mani Ratnam<br />Producer: Shekhar Kapoor, Ram Gopal Varma, Mani Ratnam<br />Cinematography: Santosh Sivan<br />Cast: Shahrukh Khan, Manisha Koirala, Preity Zinta and more.<br />Music: A.R. Rahman<br />Lyrics: Gulzar<br />Singers: Lata Mangeshkar, M.G. Sreekumar, Kavitha Krishnamoorthy, Sonu Nigam, Mahalakshmi, Udit Narayan, A.R. Rahman, Anupama, Anuradha, Sapna Awasthi, Sukwinder Singh<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript"><!--
google_ad_client = "pub-3307684777625956";
google_ad_width = 120;
google_ad_height = 90;
google_ad_format = "120x90_0ads_al";
google_ad_channel ="";
google_color_border = "B4D0DC";
google_color_bg = "ECF8FF";
google_color_link = "0000CC";
google_color_url = "008000";
google_color_text = "6F6F6F";
//--></script>
<script type="text/javascript"
src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js">
</script></div>Bollywood Talkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13882024919896515911noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6899212.post-11143268631030840552007-02-01T13:57:00.000-05:002007-02-01T14:39:41.396-05:00Don and The Departed: A ComparisonBefore I begin this comparison, an explanation is needed.<br /><br />It has happened. It probably happened a few Bollywood movies ago. The way I view Bollywood movies has changed. The initial intrigue and pleasure at finding a new form of filmmaking is wearing off. I have begun to expect more. The same process happened with Hollywood movies many years ago. When I read Bollywood critics lamenting about predictable plots, poor acting, contrived stories, and excessive violence and sexuality, they echo my sentiments about Hollywood movies.<br /><br />Both Hollywood and Bollywood followed parallel paths in movie making after the Lumiere brothers toured Bombay, London and New York making presentations of moving pictures without sound around 1896 (source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auguste_and_Louis_Lumière). Early moving pictures were in black and white or sepia. Color came later. Technical developments continue to improve the quality of filmmaking. India’s first feature film was <i>Raja Harishchanra,</i> released May 3, 1913 in Mumbai. Then came talkies. <i>Alam Ara</i> was released March 14, 1931. (Source: The Bollywood Saga, 2002).<br /><br />Since I am not paid to write movies reviews, when I buy a movie ticket, I have a vested interest in the movie. The level of my satisfaction seems linked to my expectations whether the movie will be good or bad. Also, if I am not drawn into the story usually by caring about the outcome through finding sympathy with one or more characters, I am unable to suspend disbelief to accept various ploys in the storyline.<br /><br />I balk at writing a review for a movie I did not like personally for whatever reason. After seeing <i>Don,</i> a Bollywood gangster movie featuring several top Bollywood stars, I thought a comparison between <i>Don</i> and <i>The Departed,</i> a Hollywood gangster movie featuring several top Hollywood stars, would be interesting.<br /><br />These movies share many similarities. Both are “gangster” movies. In Hollywood, <i>The Godfather</i> is considered the gold standard for gangster movies. In Bollywood, several movies such as <i>Company, Sarkar,</i> or <i>Satya</i> could compete for that label. In these two movies, each has a plot that revolves around an undercover agent embedded in a major criminal network. Each has a multi-star cast, a well-known director, and excellent technical crews. Both were set in well-known locales, Malaysia and Boston. Neither had a significant female character. Both had large budgets. Both display a preponderance of violence, intimidation, and amoral behavior glorified as entertainment.<br /><br /><b>Don – the Chase</b><br /><br />This review should have been written from the viewpoint of a young male for the audience was full of young males who whooped when Priyanka Chopra was on the screen. There are many ways to enjoy a movie. Maybe it is the actors, or the music, or the choreography, or the story, or the cinematography. Usually, it is some combination of these elements. But, I found no magical combination in Don. <br /><br /><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_0VIECBxXBaw/RcI5UkwAatI/AAAAAAAAAAM/8f6-KzqfP38/s1600-h/Pryianka+don.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_0VIECBxXBaw/RcI5UkwAatI/AAAAAAAAAAM/8f6-KzqfP38/s320/Pryianka+don.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5026643159724092114" /></a><br />The murder of a drug gang associate initiates a series of deceptions where rival gangs fight to gain control over the Malaysian drug trade while law enforcement officers seek to capture the leader of one rival gang, “Don,” in order to uncover the top drug trafficker. (Image source: http://www.thehimalayantimes.com/Aeon/News/2006/10/22/images/200610211516497.jpg).<br /><br />Civilians intervene in the story. The sister of the murdered associate, Kamini, played by Kareena Kapoor, and the associate’s fiancée, Roma, played by Priyanka Chopra, seek revenge. One attempts to seduce “Don,” the other infiltrates the gang to assist in “Don’s” capture. <br /><br />Sadly, criminals and law enforcement officers take turns being stupid in order to move the story forward. Characters from both camps have access to a wealth of expensive surveillance equipment yet get caught, escape, or ‘lose” evidence easily.<br /><br />The crux of the story is whether a “Don” look-alike planted into the Don’s organization can uncover the top drug trafficker before the look-a-like is discovered.<br /><br />Shah Rukh Khan (SRK), who plays dual roles as the “Don” and Vijay, the “Don” look-a-like, gave an uneven performance. Each scene is more of a vignette than a string of scenes that tell a story, so the moods of SRK’s characters are inconsistent from vignette to vignette. Rather than building to episodic mini-climaxes, the scenes fall flat. So, fear of capture or exposure is never fully developed. DCP DeSilva’s character (Boman Irani) is the thread that holds the story together and whose mood sets the tone from vignette to vignette.<br /><br /><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_0VIECBxXBaw/RcI6pEwAawI/AAAAAAAAAAw/hKeWyJMbunc/s1600-h/Don.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_0VIECBxXBaw/RcI6pEwAawI/AAAAAAAAAAw/hKeWyJMbunc/s320/Don.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5026644611423038210" /></a>The clothing, settings, and dances were stale and there was no chemistry in the various interactions among the maze of characters. <br /><br />While the males loved Priyanka Chopra, who is a pretty woman and a lovely person, she has a limited range of expressions. I detected two expressions in her repertoire, a little pout when she is sad/angry/stoic and a little smile when she is happy/sexy/joyful. She is stiff in every scene. Remember, this is a movie not a beauty pageant; these are two different visual formats. But, it dawned on me, in simple terms, maybe males enjoy seeing car chases, explosions, fights, undulating half-dressed women over and over again, regardless of whether the acting is good or the story is well told, and females enjoy watching romantic scenes, harmonious familial interaction, stories where good triumphs over evil over and over again, regardless of whether the acting is good or the story is well told.<br /><br />The most important element in telling a story is to get the moviegoer to care about the characters, then they care about the outcome. But, possibly, from a male’s perspective, what is important is the absence of feelings other than a greed for power and money. While the ending was a bit of surprise, it had no emotional impact.<br /><br />Director: Farhan Akhtar, Producer: Ritesh Sidhwani. Cast: Shah Rukh Khan, Priyanka Chopra, Arjun Rampal, Kareena Kapoor, Isha Koppikar, Boman Irani and more.<br />Color, Hindi, 168 minutes, available on DVD at www.erosentertainment.com<br /><br /><br /><b>The Departed</b><br /><br />An early scene tells the viewer what the movie is about – Irish Catholic criminal gangs war with Irish Catholic police with lots of graphic murders and violence in Boston.<br /><br />The multi-star cast features Matt Damon as Colin Sullivan, a former choir boy, who becomes a police officer. Because Colin feels indebted to local gangster, Frank Costello, he also serves as a plant for Costello. Damon’s acting does not vary from his previous Bourne roles. He never convinced me of his mixed loyalties.<br /><br /><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_0VIECBxXBaw/RcI5kEwAavI/AAAAAAAAAAc/E9r5o5APxz4/s1600-h/Departed-Poster.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_0VIECBxXBaw/RcI5kEwAavI/AAAAAAAAAAc/E9r5o5APxz4/s320/Departed-Poster.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5026643426012064498" /></a>Nicholson plays Costello as a sleazy, aging, drooling, hysterical warlock. Portraying the aging gangster in such a sick manner should be a disincentive to future gangster-wannabes.<br /><br />Leonardo DeCaprio plays William Costigan, a Southie from a hopeless family, who also becomes a police officer but is intimidated by higher ups to become a plant inside the Costello organization. DeCaprio works hard to lose his pretty boy looks and is quite the grim, intense, brooding young man. (Image source: http://www.themovieblog.com/archives/Departed-Poster.jpg)<br /><br />The story follows William from bars to brawls to back streets to secret warehouse meetings. The story also follows Colin from office to home and back with an unrelenting sameness. The moviegoer knows from the start that William and Colin are plants unknown to each other.<br /><br />Other co-workers played by Alec Baldwin, David O’Hara, Mark Wahlberg, Martin Sheen, and a host of others scream at each other all the time exhibiting a host of prejudices and immature behavior. It is a wonder they manage to accomplish anything significant given the lack of cooperation and suspicion.<br /><br />How many curse words does it take to convince the moviegoer that these are mean bad-ass dudes or should I say duds since the story was laced with concern over penal function?<br /><br /><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_0VIECBxXBaw/RcI9C0wAaxI/AAAAAAAAAA8/pPELQiNR1Pg/s1600-h/matt-damon-departed-uniform04.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_0VIECBxXBaw/RcI9C0wAaxI/AAAAAAAAAA8/pPELQiNR1Pg/s320/matt-damon-departed-uniform04.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5026647252827925266" /></a>A mental health professional played by Vera Farmiga serves as a focal point in the lives of Colin and William. The role was meant to add tension but her role is insignificant. When Colin quotes Freud to her saying “The Irish are impervious to psychoanalysis,” he tells her, “and you have a client list full of mic cops,” that sums up the futility of her position in the movie. (Image source: http://www.scorsesefilms.com/photos/images/matt-damon-departed-uniform04.jpg)<br /><br />The dialogue is a string of crude jokes mixed with cursing and screaming where everyone thinks everyone else is the plant. It is almost funny. The actors looked like they enjoyed making the movie. They spent the whole movie cussing, fighting, and killing each other. They must have had great fun with the multitude of bursting blood capsules every time someone was shot. (Image source: http://media3.washingtonpost.com/wp- dyn/content/photo/2006/10/05/PH2006100501860.jpg)<br /><br /><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_0VIECBxXBaw/RcI5cEwAauI/AAAAAAAAAAU/lZR3_zqbZ4w/s1600-h/Leonardo-Nicholson+the+departed.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_0VIECBxXBaw/RcI5cEwAauI/AAAAAAAAAAU/lZR3_zqbZ4w/s320/Leonardo-Nicholson+the+departed.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5026643288573111010" /></a>No character evolved. Again, the cops and the criminals have to be stupid in order to move the story forward and the use of cell phones is central to the story. The ending was contrived.<br /><br />So was the point of these movies that violence exists and there is nothing anyone can do about it? Sadly, the form, style, length, and storyline of these two movies are so similar that the only difference is that one is in English and one is in Hindi. <br /><br />In the end, maybe some of the criticisms I have for these “rooster-flicks” are shared by men who can not find anything to like about “chick-flicks.”<br /><br />Director: Martin Scorsese, Producer: Brad Grey and Michael Aguilar. Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, Jack Nicholson, Mark Wahlberg, Martin Sheen, Vera Farmiga and more.<br />Color, English, 151 minutes, available in DVD at www.amazon.com<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript"><!--
google_ad_client = "pub-3307684777625956";
google_ad_width = 120;
google_ad_height = 90;
google_ad_format = "120x90_0ads_al";
google_ad_channel ="";
google_color_border = "B4D0DC";
google_color_bg = "ECF8FF";
google_color_link = "0000CC";
google_color_url = "008000";
google_color_text = "6F6F6F";
//--></script>
<script type="text/javascript"
src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js">
</script></div>Bollywood Talkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13882024919896515911noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6899212.post-1168559616066504002007-01-11T18:52:00.000-05:002007-01-11T18:53:36.076-05:00What Happened to Farah Khan's Happy New Year?Did I miss something? First, there's the big build up about casting and shooting, then nothing.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript"><!--
google_ad_client = "pub-3307684777625956";
google_ad_width = 120;
google_ad_height = 90;
google_ad_format = "120x90_0ads_al";
google_ad_channel ="";
google_color_border = "B4D0DC";
google_color_bg = "ECF8FF";
google_color_link = "0000CC";
google_color_url = "008000";
google_color_text = "6F6F6F";
//--></script>
<script type="text/javascript"
src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js">
</script></div>Bollywood Talkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13882024919896515911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6899212.post-1155504509702308122006-08-13T17:21:00.000-04:002007-02-13T22:31:10.927-05:00Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna (Never Say Goodbye)<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6242/397/1600/KabhiAlvidaNaaKehna3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6242/397/320/KabhiAlvidaNaaKehna3.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />(image source: http://i.indiafm.com/img/feature/06/aug/kank1.jpg)<br /><br />KANK is an intense adult drama. It opens with snippets of scenes giving a glimpse of each of the main characters’ lives at the present time, featuring five of Bollywood’s top stars: Ambitah Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, Rani Mukherjee, Abhishek Bachchan, and Preity Zinta.<br /><br />Dev Saran (Shah Rukh Khan) has just won a major soccer match which will garner him offers with great financial opportunities, at the same time, his wife, Rhea (Preity Zinta) has landed a job at a fashion magazine. They are high-powered, ambitious people. They meet in college and married.<br /><br />Shift to Rishi Talwar (Abhishek Bachchan) who is in a frantic rush to get to his wedding ceremony. Dev’s mother, Kamaljit (Kirron Kher), is the wedding’s caterer. The lives of the two couples intersect when Dev stops by to see her. The wedding ceremony has not begun because the bride is delayed. Dev wanders the house grounds and finds the bride, Maya (Rani Mukherjee), sitting on a bench. It is clear she is having doubts about getting married.<br /><br />Dev tries to lighten her mood. He asks if she loves her future husband. She says they have been friends since childhood. He asks her again, “Do you love him?” “When there is friendship, there is little room for love”, is her response. Dev suggests she learn to make do with little love stories.<br /><br />Maya asks him, “Do you love your wife?” He replies, “We are happy.” Maya wants to know, “Do you wait for love?” After more discussion, Dev says, “Goodbye.” Maya stops him, “Don’t say goodbye, it kills the hope of meeting again.” They part and both look back with wonder. Sadly, Dev is distracted by their conversation and fails to see a oncoming car. <br /><br />The movie picks up again four years later and Dev is a changed man. His injuries from the car accident terminated his sports career. He is angry and bitter. He is rude to strangers and his family. To avoid conflict, Rhea focuses on her job with “Diva”, the fashion magazine. Dev coaches his son's, Arjun (Arjun Rampal), soccer team but he is impatient and harsh with the children. Dev feels his reduced state acutely not just because he can no longer play sports but also because his wife supports him.<br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6242/397/1600/kank1.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6242/397/320/kank1.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />(image source: http://www.indiatarget.com/stills/slide_show/kak1.jpg)<br /><br />Maya’s relationship with Rishi is more like mother and son. While Rishi is passionate about his love for Maya, she is in conflict with her feelings. Rishi’s father, Sam (Amitabh Bachchan), a widower, adds color to the story as he pops in and out of everyone’s life with a different young beauty on his arm each time.<br /><br />Dev and Maya run into each other again and Maya tells him, “If I had not met you, I would not have married.” Dev replies, “If I had not meet you, my life would have been different. We are both wounded.”<br /><br />Various misunderstandings complicate the story. Both couples have different expectations of each other. No one is a true villain.<br /><br />In frustration, Dev and Maya become confidants hoping to help each other in their relationships. They begin to meet regularly at the train station. The train station becomes an analogy for their stalled relationships, which are always moving but going nowhere. Gradually, Dev begins to realize he feels different about himself when he was with Maya.<br /><br />The intensity of Rishi’s frustration, Maya’s disappointment, Dev’s anger, and Rhea’s distraction symbolize their desire for the greatest of all relationships that of husband and wife. Each felt when you married, you married your soulmate.<br /><br />Another aspect of the relationships is their mismatched ambitions. In the beginning, Dev was as ambitious as his wife but after his injury, he never recovered from the loss of his career. Maya is uncomfortable with Rishi’s fast and flashy lifestyle. Rhea is caught up in her new business venture.<br /><br />At their best, couples grow as individuals and as a couple with shared interests. At their worst, couples tear each other apart. Both couples recognize their relationships need help and they make attempts to repair them. Each partner in the two relationships illustrate that there are many doors to the heart and not everyone finds the right door.<br /><br />Eventually, Maya and Dev acknowledge their love for each other as their marriages deteriorate. While Maya and Dev try to sustain both their relationship and their marriages, their spouses are unaware of their partners’ actions. It makes you wonder if anyone knows what is in another’s heart.<br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6242/397/1600/kank2.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6242/397/320/kank2.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />(image source: http://i.indiafm.com/img/feature/06/aug/kank1.jpg)<br /><br />Dev shows the least concern for how his actions will affect others. Maya had hoped for friendship then seemed unable to stop herself from crossing the line into romantic love. Rishi thought flowers and sweet words were all that was needed for a relationship to work. Rhea valued her business success over the success of her marriage.<br /><br />Dev is often coarse and cruel. He uses his wife to make Maya insecure. Dev also becomes jealous of Rishi. Love has not encouraged Dev to grow emotionally; he becomes more brutal in his relationships.<br /><br />Once Dev and Maya cross the line into intimacy, they enter the world of betrayal and lies. The pressure of their illicit relationship drives Dev to joke at a family dinner that he has fallen in love with another woman, Maya. Dev then treats Maya cruelly when he says he won’t leave his wife. <br /><br />But what is also reflected in each couple is that they married young and as they changed they grew apart. They also lived in a fast-paced, money-driven society with lots of trappings and distractions. Neither relationship seemed grounded. <br /><br />Dev and Maya break off their relationship believing if they tell the truth they could save their marriages. When Dev tells his wife he has strayed from the marriage but wants to give the marriage another chance, Rhea throws him out. Rishi confronts Maya and asks her to leave. Dev and Maya pretend to each other that their spouses will forgive them. Yet, each leaves for different jobs in different towns.<br /><br />Observations: Do not tell me Shah Rukh Khan cannot act. SRK played the Dev character so convincingly; I forgot he was Shah Rukh Khan. Also, there are many “inside” references, humorous moments, and guest appearances.<br /><br />Pleasures: Karan Johar handled the difficult scenes with taste.<br /><br />Disappointments: Karan Johar has made a Bollywood film with little reference to India or the Hindu religion. The story seemed to lack an anchor or a cultural context, almost as if the setting, New York City, was a culture unto itself and sufficient for a cultural foundation. I found the culture empty, devoid of any fundamental beliefs or moral guidance. Also, while the song and dance routines offer some light moments in this intense drama, the huge disco scenes were impersonal, and lacked the crisp coordination and stylized look that make dance numbers special.<br /><br />3:25 minutes, Hindi with English captions, Color<br />Writer and Director: Karan Johar<br />Producer: Anadil Hossain<br />Music: Shankar Madadevan, Loy Mendonsa and Ehsaan Noorani<br />Cinematography: Anil Mehta<br />Art Direction: Sharmishta Roy<br />Choreography: Farah Khan<br />(source: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0449999/)<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript"><!--
google_ad_client = "pub-3307684777625956";
google_ad_width = 120;
google_ad_height = 90;
google_ad_format = "120x90_0ads_al";
google_ad_channel ="";
google_color_border = "B4D0DC";
google_color_bg = "ECF8FF";
google_color_link = "0000CC";
google_color_url = "008000";
google_color_text = "6F6F6F";
//--></script>
<script type="text/javascript"
src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js">
</script></div>Bollywood Talkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13882024919896515911noreply@blogger.com4