My Rating : **

Directed by Karan Johar

Produced by Hiroo Yash Johar, Gauri Khan

Written by
Story and Screenplay: Shibani Bathija

Dialogues:  Shibani Bathija,Niranjan Iyengar

Starring  : Shahrukh Khan, Kajol

Music by : Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy

Cinematography : Ravi K. Chandran

Editing by : Deepa Bhatia
Distributed by : Fox Searchlight Pictures
Release date(s) :  12 February 2010 (global)[1]
Running time : 161 minutes [1]

Review

Well watched My Name is Khan finally. Out of curiosity, I thought what it was that stirred so much interest and publicity to have such a ruckus.. Much Ado about nothing I would say.  But well lets admit, it generate the initial interest to go and watch the movie.. like it or not.

A few minutes into the movie and you cannot help up bring up comparison of great movies like Forrest Gump and then bits of Rain Man and then more of Forrest Gump and then so many more of Adam.

Trust Karan Johar to make a Kichdi of all of it and make a movie.. I mean I was laughing to myself.. and thinking, how easy it is to sometimes sell stuff…. but being inspired is fine as long as the inspiration gives of originality and not scene to scene takes from other movies.

As a whole, the movie had its moments and I am going to elaborate what touched me. But it could have been weaved better. Shahrukh Khan as an actor was trying to add texture to his characted and he succeeded to a certain extent but well only to a certain extent. Cannot blame him if Karan Johar had a certain bit on his mind and the film will shape as per the director’s ideas right.

What I liked in the movie.

Shahrukh’s interaction with Kajol. That was the best part.  The young Shahrukh also did touch my emotional sliders..

I think I also liked his interaction with the kid. It was quite touching. Some moments were painful but that was well played and it did reach me. But thats it.

I loved the music.

I appreciate SRK trying something new.. but work on the story first next time.. it would go a long way..

What spoiled the movie for me :

I did not get the hurricane in Wilhelmina and then the hero walking all over US being intact and clean shaven.

Did not get how a hurricane in Wilhelmina could show striped mattresses which you can get in the local shops. I have not seen them mattresses in the US.. hahahaha !! It was too silly and it took me off the moment.. LOL..

Anyway, all that was unecessary.

The whole political hullabaloo was not well stitched. It was kind of fragmented.. Did not enjoy it

Walking is fine but where was he walking to and from.. show a map or something.. suddenly you say I am here and I am going there.. I mean .. it did not work for me..probably because I was comparing… it just shows that he is walking and he is clean and well I have to assume that Shahrukh cannot grow a beard and do without make up even under trying circumstances.The only time when he was unclean was when he was repairing the car and that too the grease looked wiped on..

As a whole, there were many disjointed.. ends which kind of did not do the magic for me..

I would say, you will like it if you have not see any of the movies that it was inspired from. And if you did, please forget it and do not compare scenes and movies..

So well, that’s that.. I think we do have brains to do some original movies with some messages for us .. Aamir is doing it.. why cant others..

But then thats ME..

You go and watch it and you might enjoy it thoroughly.

*********************************************************

Ad Rant :

The Nirma Ad is something which is getting to me.. the women swishing the sarees, the girl dancing, all looked nice… but giving a lesson to the dirt puddle.. Downright silly.. GAHHHHHHHHH

Where has all the creativity gone ?

Sunshine on my shoulders makes me happy
Sunshine in my eyes can make me cry
Sunshine on the water looks so lovely
Sunshine almost always makes me high

If I had a day that I could give you
I’d give to you a day just like today
If I had a song that I could sing for you
I’d sing a song to make you feel this way

Sunshine on my shoulders makes me happy
Sunshine in my eyes can make me cry
Sunshine on the water looks so lovely
Sunshine almost always makes me high

If I had a tale that I could tell you
I’d tell a tale sure to make you smile
If I had a wish that I could wish for you
I’d make a wish for sunshine all the while

Sunshine on my shoulders makes me happy
Sunshine in my eyes can make me cry
Sunshine on the water looks so lovely
Sunshine almost always makes me high
Sunshine almost all the time makes me high
Sunshine almost always

@John Denver

Ok so today I fired my cook. It is so good to do things for oneself.. So I am free free free of having someone wake me up early morning

Of thinking and planning on what to have everyday.. Food is joy and really does not need so much planning. Sigh.. Or maybe I am crazy

She was good for my parents.. and well it became uncomfortable when she started to take me or granted. just because I dont believe in fighting with her everyday for  missing her work twice a week and coming late when I really need her to come early..

I really bless that soul who helped me when I needed her..

But I am glad I am back on my own… Rocky’s cooking and my cooking.. more time to experiment. .We really bonded over who gets to make whats new.. hahahah !!! I love sharing my recipes with Rocks as well..

Ummmm… freedom.. and yeah.. its nice to be on our own..

But I am not devauling her services. Am glad I got her when I did.. Bless her..

But yeah.. sunshine..

Movie Details : Science Fiction / Fantasy

Starring : Hugh Jackman, Liev Schreiber, Danny Huston, will.i.am, Lynn Collins, Taylor Kitsch, Ryan Reynolds

Release Date : May 1, 2009

Writers : David Benioff, Skip Woods

Editing : Nicolas De Toth,Megan Gill

Producer : Hugh Jackman, Lauren Shuler Donner, Ralph Winter, John Palermo, Louis G. Friedman,  Richard Donner, Stan Lee
Music : Harry Gregson-Williams
Cinematography : Donald McAlpine

Runtime : 107 min.
Director : Gavin Hood

Website: http://www.x-menorigins.com/

Review

From what I have been watching the last couple of days, I guess, directors have somehow run out of good stories and now have focussed on comic book stories which have originally continue to keep us perpetually enthralled with its characters. So it is not a surprise that for comic book fans movies on the same would be like an alternate reality to relive the comic book.

So well this movie by far is the best movie I have seen this week. Its worth every penny you spend on the movie. Right from the beginning to the end, it will have you think what would be next and how the plot would unfold.

I loved the cinematography and the editing. Victor is very convincing in his role and had me waiting for his next move. The climax is pretty thrilling.

The plot is quite captivating. However, it is way away from the comic book I have on the Wolverine Origins. According to the comic book, Victor and James are not brothers. There is another character called Rose who plays an important role in the story. Instead of being a lumberjack, in the actual story, he works for a quarry.  The comic book also enraptures you with its story weaving. In the end of that story, Wolverine goes to live with the wolves losing Rose and having Victor has his enemy.  It is darker and its more gripping.

But well, frankly speaking, I dont know where the movie story has been adapted from. I have not read that comic story. But whatever it is, the story is equally good and brings in credence to the story that would follow in the series of X-men movies.

Ok, there were areas which were pretty predictable but it can be excused as comic book stories are somewhat predictable.

Inspite of that, I loved every bit of that movie. If you liked x-men movies, you will definitely like this. If they are making other origins, I would be definitely waiting for it.

Loved the effects and Hugh Jackman’s bod is simply amazing. And yeah as per reviews, its all REAL.. Buhahaha !!

If you have not already watched it, go for it.

Bolt (A hero is unleashed) **

Movie Details : Animation

Starring : John Travolta, Miley Cyrus, Susie Essman, Mark Walton, Malcolm McDowell

Release Date : November 21, 2008

Writers : Idea, Chris Sanders

Screenplay : Chris Williams, Dan Fogelman

Producer : Clark Spencer, John Lasseter

Music : John Powell

Runtime : 96 minutes
Director : Chris Williams, Byron Howard

Website: http://www.disney.go.com/disneyvideos/animatedfilms/bolt/

Review

I am a lover of animation and this was no different. It was simplistic in its story and had a lot of humor points. The story is about a actor dog ( Bolt) whose reality is based on the movie he stars in and the story evolves as Bolt gets to the outside world and realizes via different story points that he is actually a normal dog. He befriends a street cat and his big fan, a hamster.

The script is funny and the beginning is a bit slow but it catches up in the end.

My take is that the quality of animation is awesome. The story could have been worked on a little bit more. I loved the cat and the dog interactions. The hamster was too much to take. He had some long ridden things to say which grated on my ears..

Some of the kids left the theatre mid way.

I would say you could watch this in DVD.

Terminator Salvation ( The Eng Begins) **

Movie Details : Science Fiction/Fantasy

Starring : Christian Bale, Sam Worthington, Anton Yelchin, Moon Bloodgood, Bryce Dallas Howard, Common, Jadagrace Berry. Michael Ironside, Helena Bonham Carter

Release Date : June 5, 2009

Writers
Screenplay : John Brancato, Michael Ferris
Characters :James Cameron, Gale Anne Hurd

Producer : Derek Anderson, Victor Kubicek, Jeffrey Silver, Moritz Borman
Music : Danny Elfman
Cinematography : Shane Hurlbut

Runtime : 115 min.
Director : McG

Website: http://terminatorsalvation.warnerbros.com/

Review

I was not happy with this movie.  If you look at the prequels, the audience would have been expecting something of a nutcracker script and story..

But well the story somehow gets mixed in too many effects and though the thread of the story keeps showing itself in the movie every now and then, I felt I was watching some thrown away scene parts of Matrix, some of Star Wars and none of the actual Terminator gripping story lines.

The past two movies did not allow me to get out of the story once it started. This one was making me itch to get off and get out ASAP.

They should have stopped at Terminator 3. I can tell you that the TV series is much better.

But thats my very personal opinion. For all I know, you might like it. Many have.

Have a good week.

Angels and Demons ( The holiest event of our time. Perfect for their return.) **

Movie Details : Mystery, Drama, Thriller

Starring : Tom Hanks, Ayelet Zurer, Ewan McGregor

Release Date : May 29, 2009

Writers : Dan Brown

Screenplay : David Koepp,  Akiva Goldsman

Producer : Brian Grazer
Music : Hans Zimmer
Cinematography : Salvatore Totino

Runtime : 138 minutes
Director : Ron Howard

Website: http://www.angelsanddemons.com/

Review

I liked the preceeding movie, Da Vinci Code and was actually looking forward to this movie.  I must admit that since I have watched the movies, I have not yet read the books for the very reason that books and movies are always far apart in terms of what actually the book showcases and what the movie wants to cash in.

So well, off we went to our old time theatre Rex in Bangalore and got stall tickets. Reminded me of the good old days. The acoustics of the hall were not all that great. So well I missed out on some of the important dialouges. I have to watch it again. But I did understand what was happenning and could follow it. However, I am a fact freak so was a bit miffed at not catching some important parts.

Well anyways, as far as the movie goes, I thought it had too many stories within stories and one had to follow what was being shown minutely. In some areas it was very predictable. In fact the whole climax was predictable right from 20 minutes into the movie or earlier. But the fun was to confirm the same. If one gets into the plot, its quite easy to get to the end without much dilly dallying but if you are watching it casually without much thought or logic then you might find the whole script pretty gripping.

One aspect which I found pretty irritating was that there were too many running around scenes. At a time it seemed that the eyes were just following the cast around in cars and in different churches without much of a goal. The suspense points were short and not very well utilised to give that air of waiting to the audience.

I lost interest in between until there was some script explaining the situation. And that too it was so fast and without much of a pause to assimilate the facts or the storyline around it.

So for me it went in a blur leaving me wanted for a more gripping storyline or a tighter editing.

After a while it also seemed like Discovery Travel and Living Channel showcasing Rome. LOL.

There were so many places where the movie could have used the suspense mode and explored it more to keep the audience at the edge of their seats.

Star Trek ( The future begins.) ****

Movie Details : Action | Adventure | Sci-Fi

Starring : Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Eric Bana, Zoe Saldana, Karl Urban, John Cho, Anton Yelchin, Simon Pegg, Bruce Greenwood, Leonard Nimoy

Release Date : May 7, 2009

Producer : J. J. Abrams
Music :    Michael Giacchino
Cinematography : Daniel Mindel

Runtime : 127 min
Director: J. J. Abrams

Writers – Screenplay: Roberto Orci, Alex Kurtzman, Characters: Gene Roddenberry

Website: http://www.startrekmovie.com/

Review

Needless to say, I loved the movie. We watched it in the newly refurbished theatre. One of our fav ones. Tickets were cheap as well.  I loved the visuals, the editing, and the innate ability to almost make the heart miss a beat. Even though you would know who would end, there was this knife of thrill just making you come forward and almost get into the story.

Having said that, I found Spock and Ahora romance to be something I could ignore. I was waiting to see what was happening next.

The TV series was alao well made. This movie has outdone itself. Loved the clean sequences of the characters and also the equal spacing of the characters in terms of role and delivery.

Or maybe I am just a abiased Star Trek Fan.

Well if you liked the series and have grown up with it like I did, you will love it. I dont know about the people who have been introduced to it for the first time.

Heck !  just go and watch it.

Till Later…. Ciao.. Looking forward to the movies that are coming up.

Movie Details Drama

Starring Abhishek Bachchan, Om Puri, Waheeda Rahman,  Rishi Kapoor, Atul Kulkarni
Divya Dutta, Deepak Dobriyal, Cyrus Sahukar

Release Date February 20, 2009

Screenwriter
Producer Ronnie Screwvala
Music A.R. Rahman
Cinematography Binod Pradhan

Runtime 138 minutes
Director Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra
Writers Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, Prasoon Joshi, Kamlesh Pandey

Website http://www.delhi6.co.in/

Review

The first few minutes into the movie and I am thinking : PSYCHEDELIC

It takes you from normal to very high powered activity and then some dull moments and then a thoughtful climax.

I think people who are very close to Delhi and know Delhi very well will find a connection with the movie. But the social message with the inimitable brand of Indian humor will not go un-noticed.

You will be blasted with the musical and theatrical display of the characters, sometimes it would be too much. I liked it as I like musicals of any kind. But I could see that many did not.

So anyway,  the story could be woven from someone’s daily life and the first half of the story makes you think where is it leading upto ? Is it a la Nukkad ( an old TV serial ) or Ek Chaabi Hai Pados mein ( another TV serial on the same lines) but then as we move with the characters and the story, its like looking inside ourselves and that too not so comfortably.  I liked the way it went from silly to really serious. It was a magnified and a detructive form of Cinese Whisper game where religion, politics, superstitions and whole social framework gets exploited into this grizzly drama where no one is recognizable. Only our fear and guilt rules. But like the law of nature, the flip side of the coin also is shown where the result of this outburst also removes all layers and ilusions and forces us to face the fact that we could be led anywhere and its our choice as to what and where we want to be. Also the fact that we do not need to be outside the system to make the system work. We need to do it from inside and it starts from us individuals. I like the message that inspite of everything India Works !!!

So maybe the movie has too much of music. You might not have the patience for it if you do not enjoy plays or nautankis. But otherwise, its cool. I love all the songs. The Genda Phool song is stuck to my head.

Characters are very well placed. I liked the fact that each character has a story for you to weave. I love the sense of humor in very droll scenes.

Romance between Abhishek and Sonam : ZILCH

I don’t know if it was deliberate or the movie was trying to be subtle about the romantic angle. I thought it was too subtle and was invisible.

Anyway if you want to read about the music check this

I would also recommend this review. I liked the way it was written. I felt that she connected with the story well.

Valkyrie ** (Many saw evil. They dared to stop it.)

Movie Details Drama

Release date December 25, 2008 (US)

Starring Tom Cruise, Kenneth Branagh, Bill Nighy, Carice van Houten, Eddie Izzard
Terence Stamp, Tom Wilkinson
Music John Ottman
Cinematography Newton Thomas Sigel
Editing John Ottman
Distributed MGM

Running time 120 min
Director Bryan Singer
Writer Christopher McQuarrie, Nathan Alexander
Producer Christopher McQuarrie, Bryan Singer, Gilbert Adler

Review

Well, having seen some good true stories made like Schindler’s List and I did expect some good watch time.. but then this movie has been predictable and somewhat boring to the end.

It was as if you could walk through the script and even predict who will do what..

Mind you, I did not know the story of Stauffenberg in detail. However, I remember some mention of it in the mini series by Hitler.

I did think that the cinematography was good and the editing was also decent. But I would expect that the writer would keep you on the edge of the story given how explosive the plot was.

There were many scenes where the emotion and the suspense could have been explored further to keep the audience thrilled. But then it just did not work for me.

Maybe it will work for you. 

Pink Panther 2 ** ( Inspect the unexpected)

Movie Details Adventure | Comedy | Family | Mystery

Release date 6 February 2009 (USA)

Starring Steve Martin, Jean Reno, Alfred Molina, Emily Mortimer, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan
Andy García, Yuki Matsuzaki, Johnny Halliday

Running time 92 min

Producer Robert Simonds
Writer Scott Neustadter, Michael H. Weber

Director Harald Zwart

Review

This movie had a mixed reaction from me. Steve Martin is funny but not great. I did like the Pink Panther 1 better though. The entry of Ash just did not add that zing which you can feel when a slinky character comes in. Someone like Uma Thurman or like Catherine Zeta Zones. She only made the movie droller, if possible.

I still maintain that there are very few sequels that have held the same power as the main story. Like most sequels, it did fall flat.  There are moments of humor but then we have seen that before and it was no longer as funny as to have a good laugh.

Watch it in the DVD or watch the first one if you have not seen it already. You might enjoy that.

A very forgettable movie !

Movie Details Crime | Drama | Romance

Starring
Dev Patel, Irrfan Khan, Anil Kapoor, Madhur Mittal, Freida Pinto

Release Date 23 January 2009 (India)

Screenwriter Simon Beaufoy
Producer Christian Colson
Composer A.R. Rahman
Studio Fox Searchlight Pictures

Runtime 2 hrs
Directors Danny Boyle, Loveleen Tandan (co-director: India)
Writers Simon Beaufoy (screenplay) and Vikas Swarup (novel)

Trailer

Review

A good movie.  I liked most of it.  I loved the concept of the story being told via questions and answers in a TV show. A story which understandably will appeal to the earthy aspects of survival, hope, triumph of the spirit. I liked the way it showcased the never giving up part on the character and total acceptance of everything as long as his love was there.  It came at a time when Mumbai needed a pick up from all that has happened.

The movie if you take it as a whole is something you will come away very satisfied with.

Somehow I thought that “Destiny” was given too much attention. We need to be real enough to think that its not destiny but pure determination that took the character from one point to the other. However, the script has so many coincidences ( sometimes too predictable ) that the audience is forced to think that its destiny.  Well I guess many of us actually do.

I could not agree with Anil Kapoor’s character as hosts in Indian TV show are not that vindictive and sarcastic. In fact I have not seen any of the show hosts being so sarcastic about the contestants social status, or laugh at his being a chaiwalla. Maybe his role and his dialouges could have been worked some more.  Maybe I am biased but I found it distasteful. I had the same crib in Ghajini.

Irfan Khan’s character was well woven where he starts with disbelief and then slowly respects Jamal for his stand.  However, it was not explained what he did with the information on Jamal’s bro. Maybe it could have taken a side storyline.. but then heck.. its a movie.. so we can let go of that.

I loved the children acting out the characters till their teens. Somehow they were more convincing in their roles than the full adult roles.  Dev Patel and Frieda were insipid but then I guess the other aspects of the movie made up for it.

Its a recommended movie for all. Everyone is talking about it. And it seems that just by associating with this movie everything is magnified. Music, etc etc.

It is very much because of the international presence and not whole Indian presence.  Does it take an international presence to make an Indian movie to recognize the same. I guess yes ..

Some links for reference.

• Fox Searchlight
• Music Video
• Director Danny Boyle discusses the role destiny plays in SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE.
  I like what Danny Boyle says about India. India is like an ocean. It always changing but its always there.
• SLUMDOG Wins PGA, SAG Awards, Plus More Great News
• SLUMDOG and THE WRESTLER Nominated for 12 Oscars!

Luck By Chance ****

Movie Details Comedy

Release date January 30, 2009

Starring Farhan Akhtar, Konkona Shensharma, Rishi Kapoor, Dimple Kapadia, Isha Sharwani, Sanjay Kapoor
Music Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy
Cinematography Ravi K. Chandran
Editing A. Sreekar Prasad
Distributed Excel Entertainment, Big Picture

Running time 156 Mins
Director Zoya Akhtar
Screenwriter Zoya Akhtar
Producer Ritesh Sidhwani, Farhan Akhtar
Studio AdLabs

Running time 156 Mins

Trailer

Review

What can I say ? I loved it.  I love the way the movie takes you through the rags to riches and then to reality story. Thank God that the filmakers are thinking real and I liked the predictably unpredictable parts of the movie.

You would think that you would know what happens next but then you will be confronted with a twist which will make you smile.

Farhan Akhtar still needs to open up more.. We can see him losing some of his stiffness in the Oye TV show. He is one hero who we will see the growth character by character in the movies that he makes.

Konkona Sen Sharma is fabulous in her role of a determined actor and who is there to make it inspite of her fallbacks.

I like the theme of the story which says something like its not destiny but choice. We choose to be successful or failures. Quite an opposite take to Slumdog which glorifies destiny.

The film portrays the Bollywood industry.  One could identify somewhat to Page 3 which was already made but it was well done and took a different take on the industry.

Music is good.

And its lighthearted with lot of satire thrown in. Go watch it with no expectations and you will like it.

The President is Coming **

Movie Details Comedy

Release date January 9, 2009

Starring Konkona Sen Sharma, Shernaz Patel

Running time 90 mins

Producer Rohan Sippy
Writer Anuvab Pal

Director Kunaal Roy Kapur

Review

Hmmm. The movie made me feel I was watching a play. It had the feel of an old television series and a play put together.

I guess you could call it funny. But I did not find it so hilarious. I could not connect with the movie.

Script was loose. The characters beside Maya Roy and the investment guy looked put upon.

I reccomend that you watch it and decide for yourself. It just did not work for me.  Or maybe I expected a lot.

( Never start a fight… but always finish it.)

Movie Details : Crime | Drama | Mystery
Release Date : Cannes Film Festival: May 20, 2008
United States: October 24, 2008 (limited), October 31, 2008 (wide)
United Kingdom: November 26, 2008
Australia: February 5, 2009

Starring
Angelina Jolie …     Christine Collins
Gattlin Griffith …     Walter Collins
John Malkovich …     Rev. Gustav Briegleb
Jason Butler Harner …     Gordon Northcott
Jeffrey Donovan …     Capt. J.J. Jones

Run Time : 2 hrs 20 mins
Director: Clint Eastwood
Produced by :    Clint Eastwood, Brian Grazer, Ron Howard,Robert Lorenz
Cinematography :     Tom Stern
Writer : J. Michael Straczynski 

Review

A recount of a true story based on Wineville Chicken Coop Murders; An American period story circa 1928, a time which showcases the state of  Los Angeles Police Dept (LAPD) which was as corrupt and full of politics. It also touches the social status of women and Code 12 status of LAPD.

Walter Collins is found missing at home by his mom Christine Collins one day. She lodges a complaint with the LAPD. Christine Collins is told that the LAPD has found her son but she goes and sees that the boy is not her son. On telling Capt Jones the same, she is advised to “try him out for a couple of weeks,” which she does but she gets back to the police because she knows its not the truth.

The LAPD is not willing to admit its mistake and forces her to accept this boy as her son. When she is unwilling to accept that, she is put into the psychopath ward to prove that she is delusional and derelict under “Code 12″ internment—a term used to jail or commit someone who was deemed difficult or an inconvenience.

Reverend Gustav Briegleb talks about this case over the radio, the only means of public communication then and makes the public aware of her plight.

As the plot unfolds, the audience is taken through the different phases of the story which is captivating. Its not too in your face and its not too melodramatic. Its just right for you to get inside the story.

I love the digitization they did for the skylines and the whole look of the film.

Given the fact that Clint Eastwood is involved and if you remember Million Dollar baby, you will see that there are no frills in the direction. Economical is the word I have heard reviewers use and I would agree with them.

Mind you, dont go watch this movie with your adrenalin pumping. You need to really have the mood to have the movie sink in. It grows on you and at the end.. you are left with a very “whole” feeling.

A good movie. Not much to say. You have to experience it.

Had its loopholes but then I am deliberately ignoring them since the whole movie  and the strength of the script outweighs them.

My tiny pet peeve :

I could have done without having Angelina’s bright red pouty lips thrown at my face. Sometimes its was too much to take. Each frame presented the characters story and personality and when it rested on Angelina, it was sometimes a bit too much to have them lips dominate the frame.. Sigh.. ( but thats just me)

Seraphim Falls

Movie Details : Drama | Thriller | War | Western

Released on Jan 26, 2007 Limited

Starring
Pierce Brosnan – Gideon
Liam Neeson – Carver

Directed by David Von Ancken
Produced by Bruce Davey, David Flynn, John Limotte, Stan Wlodkowski
Written by David Von Ancken, Abby Everett Jaques
Run Time 1 hr 55 mins
Music by Harry Gregson-Williams
Cinematography John Toll
Editing by Conrad Buff

Review

Caught this in Star Movies in TV.  It was a Sunday evening and I wanted to watch a good movie and well this fit the bill as I was surfing the channels.

Set in the 1860s, Gideon is shot and tracked by five men led by Colonel Morsman Carver (Liam Neeson), a Confederate officer to avenge a grudge he has against Gideon.

The story works on these two main characters, the whole story takes us tracking and surving with them. The whole story is full of ” what will happen next” and keeps us in our chair with our Vodka. And with the two of my favorite actors, Liam N and Pierce B, I enjoyed this movie to the hilt.

Till the end of the movie, the audience is left wondering at what actually happened at Seraphim Falls?

A good watch.. while you laze around..

Last Dance

Movie Details : Drama| Prison| Melodrama| Suspense

Released on 3 May 1996 (USA)

Starring
Sharon Stone Cindy Liggett
Rob Morrow Rick Hayes
Randy Quaid Sam Burns
Peter Gallagher John Hayes
Jack Thompson The Governor

Run Time : 1 hr, 43 min

Director: Bruce Beresford
Writers : Steven Haft  & Ron Koslow
more

Caught this by accident. Though it comes nowhere to Silence of The Lambs, it is a good story for a rainy day. Sharon Stone is good in her role.

I would not jump high for this movie but yeah its a nice one.

The story revolves round Cindy Ligget, who is serving sentence for 12 years on death row for murdering two teenage classmates. She seems to be quiet and has accepted her sentence. Rick, a lawyer desperate for a job, comes along and takes up this case tries to stay her execution.

Here too, the story encounters politics and power which gives an inevitable twist to the story and just when you think that the end would be something, it goes on to surprise you yet not so much.

Wild Hogs

Movie Details : Action | Adventure | Comedy

Released on 2 March 2007 (USA)

Starring
Tim Allen Doug Madsen
John Travolta Woody Stevens
Martin Lawrence Bobby Davis
William H. Macy Dudley Frank
Ray Liotta Jack
Marisa Tomei      Maggie

Directed by     Walt Becker
Produced by Kristin Burr, Todd Lieberman, Brian Robbins, Amy Sayres, Sharla Sumpter, Michael Tollin
Written by Brad Copeland

Runtime 1 hr 40 mins
Cinematography Robbie Greenberg
Editing by Christopher Greenbury

Review

What can I say ? I loved the movie. If you are in a wacky mood and love biking, catch this.  Its a satiric and somewhat realistic take on wannabes hidden under all that humor.  I like the fast script and well to certain extent the unpredictability. Humor has to be spontaneous so well I laughed my way through the movie..

Not to be watched with kids though.. some adult content there..

Movie Details

Aamir Khan – Sanjay Singhania
Asin Thottumkal – Kalpana
Jiah Khan – Sunita
Pradeep Rawat – Ghajini
Riyaz Khan – Fawwaz

Music – A.R. Rahman
Cinematography - Ravi K. Chandran
Editing - Anthony Gonsalvez
Running time - 181 mins
Country - India
Language - Hindi

Review

This is the third remake of the story, the original being Memento and the second version being the Tamil version of Ghajini. The movie revolves round a character who has Anterograde Amnesia or Short Term Memory loss.  In this version, a rich businessman sees his fiancee being murdered in front of him and as a result of this trauma during the murder which he sees in front of his eyes,  his whole and sole aim is to take revenge inspite of suffering from short term memory loss. The movie is all about how the character goes about his revenge.

Where the movie wins (without any comparison to Ghajini predecessor)

The movie wins in Aamir Khan’s portrayal of his character. He is intense in his anger and in the role of a helpless victim. He goes through the different shades of characterization with beautiful overlaps and it definitely shows what focused insane anger can do and at the same time, it switches off in an instant when the memory switches off. And bringing forth that repeated intensity in his portrayal of the character was done with great aplomb.  His helplessness and innocence as a character rediscovering himself is as new as a newborn infant and the nuances are very well blended. The interplay of emotions between extreme rage, helplessness and total unknowing in a matter of seconds is beautiful.

Loved the two songs, Behka ye Behka and the desert picturisation.

The other two were waste of time.

The movie also brings forth a very touching love story where you are satisfied with how it unfolds. Asin did a good job of lightening up the scene with her presence. It was humorous and soothing and one could actually understand why the actual character would fall in love with her.

Editing and Cinematography wins hands down.

Where the movie loses

When there is such a powerful characterization, the supporting roles could not do justice to his emotions.  The first letdown was naming the reason for  spending so much emotion on a character called Ghajini.  The Tamil title Ghajini according to one web resource has been derived from the fact of Sultan Mehmud Ghazni’s continuos zeal of attacking in late 990′s on an Indian north-west region and not giving up attitude which could explain the root of the concept and the progression of the character.

And even if a character was built with the name Ghajini, the actor could not do justice to the personality of the name and the character it brings to mind. And there the movie falls a little flat.

The second letdown was unnecessary dialogues which were mouthed by the negative role. If you keep throwing “short term memory loss” after every few minutes of speaking a sentence, it does make it powerful as it could have been if it would have been mouthed at specific points in the movie.  Whenever this character demeaned the main role, the audience actually burst out laughing. I dont know if this was the objective of the director/writer. To me, his presence should have been worked on to make more powerful and more impressionable.. someone who would deserve that emotion of hate and revenge.

The third letdown was have the fight scene drawn out too long and making it a tiny bit unrealistic.

The last letdown was the climax. I liked the Tamil movie’s climax as it seemed like a natural progression. Sometimes its wise not to interfere with the director’s cut and add in some lengthy course of sweetened climax when the movie demands a natural flow of bringing the concept to a close.  It did not explain how the character suddenly could turn from a raging murderer to someone so docile and how he could get away from the law. In that respect, the Tamil version gives a natural conclusion and leaves the audiences with a sigh of realism.

Movie as a whole

As a package, its a worthwhile watch. The starting is quick and the middle lags a lot while it picks up the pace after intermission. There are lot of loopholes which a smart audience can pick up and actually mock when it could have been handled better.. much better.

I am really interested in watching Memento now since the actual story is so gripping.

If you have watched the Tamil version, you might be disappointed with the Hindi one. So leave your comparisons outside the theater and just go watch for Aamir Khan. Rest is all a blur..

Hope you all have a great New Year. I have a feeling that this year is going to be good..