So well, here I was with my family rushing in to buy tickets to the show at the Forum Value Mall. Got the show at 1:oo and at the very first row..which made my head swim.. for a while.. could not focus …

For a change I was relieved that I did not have to stand up for the National Anthem. Its not that I dont like it but doing it every time was becoming somewhat irritating..

Anyway, on comes Jaya Bachchan to introduce the cast by telling them out loud.. I did not find it particularly charming but well, a change it was..

Abhishek Bachchan looks better and better everyday..Vidya Balan and Arundhati Nag complemented Auro ( Amitabh Bachchan). I liked the interaction between the three the best. Rest was all icing on the cake. I did not find Abhishek’s role very convincing. The script could have been a bit more stronger. Must have worked for others.

The moments between Auro and Abhishek was tender. Auro ruled the screen with his mannerisms and wit. If you are not careful, you might miss his one liners and his logic. So pay attention when you are watching it. I liked his interaction with the kids as well.

I would have liked more interaction with Auro’s grandad. That angle was not covered well.

Otherwise, Auro was fantastic. I loved him. Kudos to Amitabh Bachchan. I think its a fine feather on his cap.

And as a bonus, we also met Ranbir Kapoor who was there in person to promote his film ” Rocket Singh”.Mom In law was excited seeing him as we came out.. hahah !!

Am looking forward to that movie along with ” Avatar”.

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Weddings have a way of bringing friends together. So there was a wedding ( friend of Rocky)  and I renewed some contacts there and it was nice to see them after a while. It was a lovely ceremony.

Had friends of Rocks down from Mumbai for the same, which was fine as well.  Nothing like spending some time and sharing humor and memories with old pals.. We missed you Miko and Rini !! A lot !!

I think we should get together sometime… in Mumbai soon !!

I loved the return gift which was a plant. This is my first plant though Dad is an avid gardener, I never had plants of my own. I was thinking of starting with some and this seems to be a good one.. as well. I talk to the plant, sing to it and also play music for it.. I hope it likes it. I have named it “Bella” !!

On the painful side :

I think my teeth are exacting revenge upon me. After two root canals, its time for the third.  I hate toothaches. My dentist is awesome but still I hate tooth problems.. So praying that this gets done in pure oblivion. Sigh..

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..

Movie Details :  Drama, Thriller.

Released on 5 September 2008

Naseeruddin Shah – Anonymous
Anupam Kher – Prakash Rathod – Commissioner of Police
Jimmy Shergill – Arif Khan – ATS Officer
Deepal Shaw – Naina Roy – Television Journalist
Aamir Bashir – Jai Pratap Singh – PI

Director -  Neeraj Pandey
Producer - Ronnie Screwvala, Shital Bhatia, Anjum Rizvi
Writer - Neeraj Pandey

Review :

A very well woven script, tight and no loopholes. Brillant storytelling and though you think you know what might happen, you are left with a surprise and a sense of righteousness. I had this feeling after watching Rang De Basanti last. Each section of the story is captivating and I could not move my behind even if I wanted to. Every scene kept me waiting for what was about to happen. The script was tight too and just when you think, you assumed a context, a twist is displayed..

I loved the movie and everything about it, including cast, the flow, the way it was closed.

The message is all the more important in view of the recent blasts. That the public could also take matters into its own hands if the powers so chosen sits quiet.

We need more movies like this.. Tight scripting, good cinematography with regard to the context, no nonsense story which strikes a chord with the audience.. Bravo !!

Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi **

Movie Details: Romance,  Drama, Musical. Released on Dec 12th, 2008, Official Website

Shahrukh Khan – Surinder Sahni
Vinay Pathak – Bobby
Anushka Sharma - Taani

Director: Aditya Chopra
Producer: Aditya Chopra, Yash Chopra
Written by: Aditya Chopra
Review :

Well it was lets say refreshing. I was in the mood to actually just not think and watch and that might have proven to be a good thing. The last I liked SRK was in Chak De. I dont find him very pleasing after a while and his expressions are monotonous. But heck .. this movie did try and do something for his acting skills.

As a silent and deep character, he has done ok to understate his acting and suceeded somewhat.

Anushka did what was expected of her. I did not find anything amazing in her performance. She complemented the story well.

So if you do not dissect characters, and take the movie as a whole, you just might come out of the movie.. feeling good and having seen something comfortable. I did not mind the overall effect.

But I would not say it was EXTRAORDINARY lik e they are proclaiming.

Liked the music which is preety foot tapping.

Summary : A common man who falls in love but is forced into circumstances which makes him dig deep into his self and go all the way for his love and make sure that in the end that inspite of everything, no compromise is made with his actual character.

I liked the message that no matter what, its what you are that actually wins after all.

Pain points : The transition phases in the character was not so explainable. How can the heroine just fall in love all of a sudden in a blink when she is so ensnared by the other ?

Shahrukh sometimes exagerrated his moustache pout.. Ewww.. He so does not work with that pout. Take that moustache off and he would be ok.. Hahaha !! Put that in and he would have an extra pout to go with his look.

My recommendation : Don0t ask too many questions. Just enjoy the story and you might like it..

The Day the Earth Stood Still *

Movie Details: Drama, Sci-Fi,  Thriller

Release Date:  12 December 2008

Keanu Reeves – Klaatu
Jennifer Connelly -Helen Benson
Kathy Bates -  Regina Jackson
Jaden Smith -  Jacob Benson

Director: Scott Derrickson
Writers : David Scarpa (screenplay), Edmund H. North (1951 screenplay)

Review

I have mixed feelings about this movie. It started well but somewhere in the middle it was just about special effects and one predictable scene after the other.  The impact of the movie was lost somewhere in between.

A remake of the 1951 movie. I did not watch the original version but I am thinking that it would have been better.

Did not like the movie. I would say that Day after Tomorrow had a better impact. Just goes to show I guess that remakes dont really work unless its done really well.

Very predictable script, good special effects, non impactful. Very forgettable. I would say that animations like Justice League have more of an impact that way.. LOL.

You can ignore this..

You have to wait your turn.. just like your squirrel and sparrow mates.. grrrrr

Incorrigible tyke.. so now my kitchen ventilator will be closed..

I thought I was past offensive sms but nope, yesterday one got me after a while and well while the angel in me tells me to ignore it like I have usually done.. but then the devil in me.. wants to take his or her trip by just thrashing him black and blue.. We already found the address and though Rocks is tracing him down bit by bit.. I do think that we can ignore it.. sigh.. Rocks says he will definitely dig him out.. wherever he is..

Well after this.. I think.. is it worth it.. if I have ignore for so many days.. why not now..?? Am thinking.. what to do..

Man I think I am too old for this.. LOL…

Two things.. offensive and bad english… dont really go together.. to give that effect… hahahah !!!!

But yeah.. offensive is offensive.. so dude or dudette, you better watch out. I am coming after you.. and I will huff and I will puff and I will blow you away… Buhahahaha !!!

Anyway my message if he reads me.. is that talk to me.. instead of cowardly sending insulting messages.. I will give you as good as I get.. and man am I looking forward to it…

OK I am done with my rants..

On a different note :

I am looking forward to my weekend.. Have guests.. will enjai it all the same..

Watched this nice movie ” Good Morning Vietnam” yesterday late night. Really wound be down and I enjoyed the light yet serious comedy..

Some quotes from IMDB site..

Adrian Cronauer: [impersonating an Intelligence Officer] We’ve realized that we’re having a very difficult time finding the enemy. It isn’t easy to find a Vietnamese man named “Charlie.” They’re all named Nguyen, or Tran, or…
Adrian Cronauer: [as himself] Well, how are you going about it?
Adrian Cronauer: [as Intel Officer] Well, we walk up to someone and say, ‘Are you the enemy? And, if they say yes, then we shoot them.”

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Adrian Cronauer: Hey, we’re back. That last two seconds of silence was Marcel Marceau’s newest hit single, “Walkin In The Wind.” And now, here are the headlines. Here they come right now. Pope actually found to be Jewish. Liberace is Anastasia and Ethel Merman jams Russian radar. The East Germans, today, claimed the Berlin Wall was a fraternity prank. Also the Pope decided today to release Vatican-related bath products. An incredible thing, yes, it’s the new Pope On A Rope. That’s right. Pope On A Rope. Wash with it, go straight to heaven. Thank you.

**********

Adrian Cronauer: The Mississippi River broke through a protective dike today. What is a protective dike? Is it a large woman that says “Don’t go near there! But Betty- Don’t go near there! Don’t go down by the river!”… No, we can’t say “dyke” on the air, we can’t even say “lesbian” anymore, it’s “women in comfortable shoes. Thank You.”

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Adrian Cronauer: I just want to begin by saying to Roosevelt E. Roosevelt, what it is, what it shall be, what it was. The weather out there today is hot and shitty with continued hot and shitty in the afternoon. Tomorrow a chance of continued crappy with a pissy weather front coming down from the north. Basically, it’s hotter than a snake’s ass in a wagon rut.

************
Adrian Cronauer: How can you fight a war in this shit? I don’t know where they are, I don’t even know where I am. I can’t see dick. Like hunting with Ray Charles.

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Totally chilled me out.. !!!

Something for you.. which I enjoy anyway.. but enjoyed in the movie as well.. James Brown…

Whooooooaaaooooooo !!!! I feel good… uh huh  uh huh… ( dancing to this tune)

ROCK ON !! Rocked… I am getting the DVD to add to my collection.. I loved Farhan… He is one talented human being.. Hope to see more of him onscreen and behind the screen…

I loved the songs, loved the simplistic script and very simple story telling… sometimes.. we need this..

Sometimes its not about great acting.. or great direction…sometimes a crazy mix just works and the theme of the movie just strikes a chord..will take a lot of us down memory lane.

Also it made me think of what dreams we have given up to grow into the adult that we were supposed to be ??

At the age of 20 / 22 we did really think that we could conquer anything..

It totally took me down nostalgia lane..
I have totally banged my head on this… too good.. Ok I am totally taken by the songs and the movie.. hahah !!

And who said that you cant look good wearing formals and singing rock songs… Totally Hot..

And this really gives me the goosebumps….

On a different note :

1. Bacardi gives me a hangover… I should stick to Vodka. My head is still feeling a little woozy but I am doing fine.. he he !!
2. I can survive on momos and momos only..
3. My Bolero’s battery went dead and well that too in the middle of Marathalli.. and it was at peak traffic time.. sigh.. totally embarassed then got used to everyone giving us ” The look” which said.. oh  !! now we will see how you manage hahahah !!! but thanks to friends we did push start it… all you fast petrol cars.. know this.. diesel engine is much easier to push start.. buhahahah !!!!  ( OK I am generally feeling euphoric because I did not have to keep standing in the middle of the heavy traffice hahah !! )
4. Distilled water is 3/- in a battery shop and 18/- in a petrol bunk.. :O
5. In case of battery problems.. do call BatMobile Exide on Road Service. They will come and check your car for free and home deliver the battery and fit it as well…The service is currently available from 7 am  till midnight, seven days a week.
   For Bat Mobile service in Bangalore, simply dial: 32711111

   My Bolero is now 5 years old and done more than 50,000 kms… so I guess its time.. for a change… 

This movie also had cruise setting.. for sometime.. Wonder where did the cruise idea come from..

Then we have movies like the Last Holiday which also had the Book of Possibilities.. Buhahaha !!

Guess what we have in this movie.. yes… Book of Possibilities.. and many scenes which are somewhat similar..

Now add some meat from 50 First Dates.

Also now put in some emotional bollywood drama…

And Viola !!! You have U ME AUR HUM

Good movie, if you are not a movie buff like me..

What I liked about the movie was that though scenes and storylines were similar, they did try to create something nice and well I think it is a good story.

Despite a feeling of deja vu all throughout the movie.. I did not mind it. Ajay Devagan, you are brillant. At least you left some room for originality.. Now thats what I call inspired creativity and a profit pitch for his first directorial debut.

I will still hold Taare Zameen par as the best directorial debut in my mind till date.

I am sure you will love it.. go for it…and don’t believe the cynic me who loves a good story… I just like to analyze and sometimes figures just fall into place.

And I am feeling much better.. not that light in the head.. I feel almost back to my normal ranting, raving, wierd self… buhhahahah !!! so well that I wrote a lot today..

On a different note

Check my latest travel write up.. on our Bangalore Mumdai ride if you have the inclination. Yehawwww !!

And I am dancing to …