(dimag ko) shot 1,2,3...

Memories in March...

Full 3 Dhamaal...

Mod...

In an attempt to watch movies of a different kind , last week I chanced upon these 3 movies , courtesy Youtube.

Memories in march is all about real life. On its face, the movie has no great song or dance sequence to it. There is drama....of course, real drama. Only two things happen in the movie- A mother is coming to terms with her only son's death and second, accepting the fact that he was gay. There are some movies that draw you into the scenes, and this was one for me. Nothing too sentimental or nothing too melodramatic! It was refreshing to see a mother come to accept her son's gay partner as a friend, much like how she would treat her bahu-to-be. The subtleties in relationships and how the people in the ad world reveal or rather conceal their emotions is quite neatly shown. Rituparno Ghosh is a strong writer and definitely knows to act too. 

Many could pass this off as a silly or not-so-great movie. I would say, look at its concept, the characters and the acting. Rest is just there!

Full 3 dhamaal is a marathi movie by Mahesh Kothare about three wonderful women ( as the director chose to call them) tormented by their saas and gharelu kit-kit. They meet by chance and revive the college-ke-din and the fun by planning a secret outing for the New year's eve. I liked a few dialogues...and the funny comical way it was enacted. Half way though, I knew where it was going and exactly, it doomed in the end. Was it even worth watching? That was the feeling I got after I finished it...yeah, I forced myself to watch it completely.

Since I know marathi , say 85% well, the comedy and certain lingo from this movie certainly amused me. overall I'd give it a 5/10. It could have been much better knowing that Marathi cinema is no short of amazing stuff. Anyway, my purpose was served. I needed to revise my Marathi, now that I am outta jai-Maharashtra!

Mod. I 'd say Nagesh kukunoor hume kiss mod pe le aaye? He wants us to think that his movies are really good. yeah, some of them were good. Now c'mon Nagesh you want us to pass you on every damn movie you make? And for heavens..you seem to have a life long contract with Ayesha Takia post Rockford days. Tasveer 8X10 was wierd too. But you had something to work it out-some suspense. Talking about this movie, which person (fool) is going to wait for 10 years to give a gift to his crush? Ok even further, this fool jumps to his death because his best friend prompted him to and eventually this best friend has a dual personality!!! you kiddin me? And the age old bollywood doctor (Anant Mahadevan) offered his services at the mental asyllum only to let Ayesha Takia cure his patient with the TLC in the end. What did you want to show in the movie? The daughter whose mom left - with her dad had to have some completion , the father was trying to quit drinking and start teaching music, this daughter repairs watches and daily repairs the one that the dual-personalitied person brings along...(oh what patience in today's world). You made it an 'and -they-lived-happily-ever-after' movie.....why? 

Only things worth appreciation- the Ganga station, the train and the scenary! A very tranquil atmosphere in all. (Kudos)Kukunoor....you took science to a whole new level! I wonder if this is you or your alter ego?

Vinnaithandi Vaaruvaayaa

Well this is a movie form last year...should I say the year when someone 'vinaaithandi Vandaan' for me?

Should have watched it last  year because I heard a lot of people raving about the song omana penne...

Finally I am glad I saw the movie...not great/great/good/average..what do you expect me to say?

Basically the Bollywood formula is fit into my head. So according to that, its an average movie. Imagine a Ranbir or Priyanka doing what Trisha and karan Johar look alike simbu did. I can bet all the penniless pounds I have, they would have overacted. Damn the desi beats that would definitely accompany it..

But the story is so like the on-off relationship status that most people of the FB gen have. Now is there-its off-its yes- oh no! And finally the dream shaadi happens...again respecting hindu and christian customs both.Nice.

Tamil movies, I have never been a big fan of. But over the years, I have heard southindians tell me that the southindi movies are not bad infact. Except for the occassional lungi-lifts and difficult to digest stunts, the acting is more real. When you see them acting, you know its their acting!I think I agree.Overall a good movie.Music makes a movie down there in tollywood!!  

My Rashee didn't warn me...

Yes. Here I am , again writing a review for a movie that I watched. And it's so natural....I just write on the sad one's...I mean the CRAP category.

In my opinion, movies can be classified into following categories:

1. Those you enjoy watching and feel there is something good about it..
2. Those you know for sure are flops, but you wanna put your curiosity at rest...and so...
3. Those you are not sure of, but think there will be something good about it...moderate hopes.

And as far as my experience goes, my review on movies really depends on the rows where I get seats...infact inversely proportional. Too front....sad movies. Middle rows...average. Top Rows...hmm...wow..!

For eg: Front rows: Delhi 6, Salaam Namaste, Wats your rashee,

Middle Rows: Firaaq, Fanaa, Kabhi Alvida....

Top Rows: Jaane Tu ya jaane na, chak de, Page 3, DDLJ, Kal ho na ho, Ab tak chappan...and so on.

Rashee....Phew..!! sometimes I regret my trait of being adamt. My friend literally warned me.....prema don't....!! And he also knew...I usually doze by 10:00pm latest...I crash. Wonder how I made up my mind to survive the ordeal.....

On a reasonably less harsh side, I thought few songs were nice. Priyanka ofcourse looked great...inspired me a bit to start gymming again! and Harman bhai...must say..you dance well. But why did Gowariker uncle want traces of Love story 2050 in Rashee? And what were you thinking...when you attempted that dance with the 'Tula' Rashee wali priyanka...some alien, sci-fi kinda character dancing??! Seems...you want people to really remember you for your 'Love Story 2050'.

And I did laugh and smile in between. Thanks to the Gujju elements in the movie...their love for food, the craze for share market and all kinds of money games...and the love for creating a debt trap!! ( No offense to any gujrati person here).

And what else...( actually thinking hard...to find out what was good about it) . The Climax was too good...Harman marries the Priyanka named 'sanjana'...who is the Just- in-time bahu to be...of which even he is taken by surprise. So even after meeting all 12 Rashees...he coudn't figure out 'who' she was? Maybe...Gowariker uncle wanted to put it as " Rashee or no Rashee....you are destined to meet somebody good. then what's the point of Rashee & Kundali Matching...when you yourself wont attach much importance to it in day-to day living! and ho.....that's when ,in the movie...the entire family screams ' what's your Rashee?'....( as if we were waiting to know it).

Holly meets Bolly

There are hindi movies...and then there are hindi movies.

But there are just hollywood movies!! Hasn't this been the trend?

I had always heard of east imitating "the west". But to my surprise the latest flick Bride wars was just short of a hindi aka bollywood masala. Just that the latka-jhatkas and dinchaak music was missing. Anne Hath... and Kate Hud... being the best of friends become the best of rivals and then patch up again.

The plot goes...

In Manhattan, the lawyer Liv and the school teacher Emma have been best friends since their childhood. They both are proposed to by their boyfriends on the same day and they plan their wedding parties in Plaza Hotel, using the services of the famous Marion St. Claire. However, due to Marion's secretary's mistake, their weddings are scheduled for the same day. None of them agrees to change the date and they become enemies, trying to sabotage the wedding party of the rival.And then Anne doesn't marry the one who proposed to her...but her best friend's brother!! And the beauty of all coincidences is that the two friends are expecting their first child...and that too on the same date!!

Usually I would fret about having watched a mediocre movie, but still be happy about having seen one.Confusion queen.. This time around I had absolutely no issues. Probably it was my first movie after a 3 month break...( not a voluntary one, but a forced one due to multiplex strikes!!) My fav word has been " timepass"...but now I realised I have been passing this title even to the movies...Too bad!!

But this was a "sachi mein super flop" movie , people. I don't lie..and never about movie reviews..I think like common people and not directors way. So to me , most of the movies are bullshit...music is sometimes good and Scope of improvement is always big. Sometimes I wonder..If I really should step in as the script writer/ the director/ or the costume designer. Never a penny for becoming a producer though...alas!

After watching Bride wars...I remembered my friend who got married just a week ago. Now we have been like sisters, almost best friends. Imagining myself fighting with her over wedding dates....fun!! yeah..she did get her 'June wedding' finally...

Anyway...I hope to not see any more such almost- bollywood type of English Movies.

Slumdog part 2

As the world awaited the release of the much hyped Danny's millionaire, few hoped for a better life ahead. Further, as the Golden Globe came as an obvious-surprise, new hopes were born - in the minds of the million slumdogs, their families and relatives. 

Look at this picture of Rubina and her father...an orninary pic, but says a lot I think. Perfect expressions! ( courtesy Time 'o India)

The most recent reports of 'Rubina-sale' deal whether or not a reality, boggle me. Rafiq ( her father) denies having made any such deal and states that the sting operation was a trap. Rubina is a kid and probably does not realise how big a cash-cow she is for her family! If the allegations turn true, then Danny, I would say you've made a mistake. A mistake of creating hope in the mind of millions, who wish to grow from rags to riches in no time. I am not talking about Jamal wining the quiz and becoming a millionaire here. Its about these young kids you chose for your movie...I would say you hit them (slum dwellers) where it hurt most! If this ain't correct, I dont see a reason why a lady in the slum took her 2 day old child to Parvez (the model coordinator who chose Rubina for the role) so that she could get some money...hopefully big money. Danny, your movie is over, however publicity still on, bucks still pouring in. Your attempt at creating a fund for the benefit of these slum kids, to help them study and showing them a carrot sounds great. I hope you succeed in your attempt. But what are you going to do about their parents?...they want to get rich too!! 

And on the other hand, if papa Rafiq is not doing so on his own...reporters speculate some political twist and the involvement of some political activist in this drama. Whoa...too much at stake..huh? 

Rafiq is probably hinting this to Danny...

Danny Danny

-Yes papa( Rubina's)

Eating money...??

-No papa..

Open your cash box..

-$ $ $!!!

Can somebody from the film fraternity today give an assurance for seeing Rubina and Azhar ( her co-star) as rich and famous, and aboveall...educated, good citizens in future. Some 10 years down the line, Can I read about their progress in any paper? Is somebody taking charge?

Anyway, even the actors of Salaam Mumbai were back to rags after intial glory. There's something in the footpath that's magnetic and magnificient; that brings these people back to where they came from. No attempt to change their lifestyle works well. Forget the movie, take the MMRDA Buildings that were built near Kanjurmarg ( in Mumbai) to move people from Chawls. What happened...these guys sold the flats for a Lakh or so  after a year...and are back on the roads. 

This itself can be a story for Slumdog Part 2. Whatever said and done, If Rubina is destined to, she will make it big. I guess that's what the movie says too...

Did Masakali deserve a Delhi6?

Its been more than a month that I watched Delhi6- sitting right in the second row, tilting my neck throughout , to watch a disaster-peice. However, on hearing Masakali..there's a different thought all together, a change of mind. I didn't intend to critique this movie...on my blog atleast. Couldn't Control though..

The director's receipe for a perfect Bollywood flick didn't turn out yummy. There was masala..( was there any?) I suppose. But not enough tangy or spicy to pacify the hungry audience....always hungry for a 'hit'..or a 'superhit'. Needless to say...masakali was a superhit...but not Delhi6. Did masakali even deserve to be in Delhi? Rahman ,Prasoon and Mohit...thanks to you, people atleast remember where this 'masakali' was tried to be fit into...I mean the movie.

I read that Rakesh had to shell out out Rs. 13000 a day to hire Masakali , a dove from Assam for this movie. And that this dove was a selection after many rejections( of the ever-fluttering pigeons). Probably the pigeons saw the big picture...but my dear dove got stuck being a narcissist!

The movie is a superflop. Period. What was Rakesh even trying to do out there? A  kaala bandar had to take away the limelight after all this mehanat...phew! Ah yes..I get it...Rakesh wanted Sonam kapoor ( the metaphoric Masakali) to realise her dreams..to know that she was free to cherish life..and what not. I liked the first half of the movie, hoping to see an obvious bollywood-style ending. But who was the Kala Bandar there? To me...her strawberry- nosed papa, Om Puri, seemed like a villian not letting her pursue her dream. So where did this thing about Hindu -Muslim conflict come in between? Better title would have been 'Khichdi6'.

And Abhi baby...what were you upto? Some wobbling of the semi-Kewl-dude accent? I am happy...sonam actually spat out water on you, in the name of a song. And how could I forget to mention....the BIG B(lunder) giving gyaan in between. Like we were foolish enough to not understand the mess we were watching!

Waheeda ji...If you had to visit Delhi and relive memories, you could have told me. I would have taken you there. Why did you have to tell Rakesh to take you around? Poor thing...

Rakesh bhai...you need it big time..a Vacation! Go on a holiday...relax and chill out yaar. Think nice..think neat..and CTC ( cut-the crap). I loved your Rang De Basanti. What happened to you after that?