The express looses steam half way

Some couple’s on a honeymoon, traveling in a bus… the director want to point out quite a few facts through this movie… like age doesn’t bar love and marriage, like letting yourself free… and there is lots of humour through out the journey…

The film starts with the beginning of the journey. The couples: Ranvir shorey and Diya Mirza; Boman Irani and Shabana Azmi; Kay Kay and Raima Sen; Abhay Deol and Minisha Lamba; and Amisha Patel and Karan Khanna; and Sandhya Mridul and Vikram Chatwal. All with separate stories… told in chapters in the film. And done in quite an interesting way. Well, at least till the interval. But then onwards… it’s a drag. The humour isn’t working.
The problem I guess is – like every other great journey from which you don’t like returning – the director film fails to move towards an end. Result: Not a very good film.

Technique-wise, the film is a good one. But you need a good story too. That’s the most important factor of a film after all!

The performances are good. Kay Kay is awesome. Shabana Azmi is splendid and so is Boman Irani. Others chip in with measured stuff.

A bright romantic comedy… and a one-time watch!

Black Friday

Save the world from going blind

After much controversy and a two-year ban, this film is released at last. And what a film it has turned out to be. I wont keep you waiting till the last t\line to tell you this is one film that you should watch, without fail.

The film is, of course all of us know that, about the 1993 Mumbai – then Bombay - blasts. And its sticks to the theme without any deviation. In fact, so religiously the director has followed the book on which the film is based, the film is actually divided into chapters. This helps the audience relate and understand an otherwise complex movie.

The film starts with a man in lock up informing the police about blasts that are going to take place in a few days. The police of course hardly believe – until it happens. But I feel the movie actually starts just before the blasts… there is uneasy silence, which is represented by a high decibel continuous sound. The sound gets louder till its unbearable and then the blasts… followed by complete silence. Very interesting indeed. Specially so because usually a tragedy is accompanied by some music but here it was complete silence. Silence that hit you so hard, it pains.

Another aspect of the film – it uses real names, of all the accused and even Tiger Memon.

Elaborate details of the blasts and how the accused were linked let the audience comprehend the whole incident. And yes, the story has skillfully lightened up by the excellent of humour wherever possible, be it Kay Kay eating a banana or eating nothing!

The film is well made. The script and screenplay is terrific. The cinematography is innovative. A lot of red light is used for scene during the interrogation. It’s candid movement just like the human eye. But may be cinematography is not about imitating the eye. The editing makes the film crisp.

The acting department is strong. Loads of underexposed good actors. I would like to mention that the actor playing Dawood looks quite similar! Pavan Malhotra, who plays Tiger Memon has done a brilliant job and so has Kay Kay, who needless to say has always been excellent throughout his career.

And yes the music. Indian Ocean scores. The music is just what was required for a film like this. The film ends with the track ‘Are ruk ja re bandeh’ which has already been quite a big hit since quite some time. The song gives strength to the quote of Gandhiji “An eye for an eye makes the whole blind” with which the films starts and end.

Anurag Basu, you could consider him a debutante as his first film Paanch is yet to release, is one more addition to the ‘different’ breed of film-makers.

The film is a complete closure. The film starts and ends with gandhiji’s quote. But again making an exception I would like to mention the same sound that come back at the end before ‘bandeh’ to be the closure.

I saw a movie after a long time, and boy as they say – patience bears great fruit. I saw a great movie.

To end it let me remind you guys “AN eye for and eye makes the whole world blind”

KANK: A typical Karan Johar film

Yes, I finally watched it. On DVD as it has long been shown the door of the multiplexes. And hence I thought I might as well share my views on the film, which showed Karan Johar the face of failure.

This is a typical KJo film. Huge star cast and huge budget. The story is about two couples, or rather a person in each couple, both of who have never felt some thing they could call love. It was more less compromises.

Shahrukh is an injured, limping football coach with priety as his wife while Rani is a ‘boring’ school teacher, her hubby being the AB jr. And yes there is the AB sr playing dad to AB jr… and what a dad he plays! Sexy Sam.

The film is about two people with similar grievances becoming friends. Because they understand each other better. First it is Sexy Sam and Kiron Kher becoming good friends. Taking a cur from them, Shahrukh (who surprisingly isn’t named Rahul or Raj but Dev) and Rani becomes friends… but their friendship takes huge leaps as they end up sharing a hotel room! Abhisekh and Preity also become friends to solve similar problems. Quite a lot of friendship in fact.

While Big B and Kiron try to light up each other’s gloomy ol’ days, the others try to save their respective marriages. Well until Shahrukh and Rani realises that they want to be with each other rather than their spouses. Hence begins the love story.

And then mid way they decide to get back to their spouses as they do not want to hurt them anymore… And here’s the fun. The spouses instead of playing angles turn them out of their respective home. Yes Shahrukh lived in Priety’s home!

The film ends on a happy note with the lovers meeting after three year of and coming to know that both actually live alone. Some confusion. Some tragedy.

The film story of the film has not been appreciarted. Well at least by my friends, who say “when you live a person for so many years you automatically tend to fall in love with him or her. Hence they not loving their spouses is strange.” Very true indeed. But you can never rely on the heart and this film is for those who feel incomplete.

The film is well made. The cinematography id picture perfect and the editing is cool.

A couple of songs are good, especially the title track and Mitwa.

Acting wise, all of them are superb. I did like to mention that Big B is excellent as sexy Sam. And then with the ease he shifts gears to a sober father underline his capabilities.

For the mush-loving folks, I recommend this movie, if they haven’t seen it yet. Others, I don’t take responsibility. It’s you call. But this can be watched once.

Bhagam Bhag

A runaway comedy

I went to see this movie as it had Govinda in it. I wanted to see if he stil had it in him. Well, to be honest, he is no more what he was. Nevertheless, he is still awesome...and he proves it. And teh best part: he has lost much weight. Guess running around in his constituency did help after all!

getting back to the movie, it is a story which I havent come across in any other movie. Not that I have watched all the movies ever made. But there is certainly nothing like this Bollywood. A theatre company travelling to London loses its lead actress and the manger com director cum everything else Paresh Rawal promises that whoever gets another heroine to act will get to be the hero. Obviously the race for a heroine starts with Govinda and Akshay trying to outsmart eash other. The story takes an interestin turn when the comedy turns into murder mystery engulfing Govinda, Akshay and Paresh Rawal. It is a race henceforth to prove themselves not guilty.

Like any other Priyadarshan movie, the comedy is woven in a great manner and carried out well. Its fun alright. And the murder brings story into the film. good. But not enough.

The music, i didnt bother to check the director's name, is not good. In fact, its irritating at times. too much of noise. however, the other aspects of the film are quite ok.

The acting department is kind of non-existent. I mean, not much scope for performance. But whatever scope it provides, Paresh Rawal stands out and yes Rajpal Yadav is worth mentioning too. Jackie does justice to his role. Akshay is fine. About Govinda, I started with him so no more mentions.

Overall this movie is a one time watch. dont bother to buy the DVD. Priyadarshan will never be able to climb the hights he reached with Hera Pheri again. But yes, i said one-time watch... so do watch it! you dont want to miss on three hours of laughter.

DON't miss it


Farhan Akhtar, Shah Rukh Khan and a old blockbuster film...
Don is being considered a remake...and well may be it is. But what I would like to state in the very beginning is that it's not the same film...the script in fact differs from the original at vital places.

The Story of course is about Don. But there are quite a few twist and turns to keep it fresh. The film is made for the present generation. The diary is repalced by a cool CD and long coat replaced by short jacket.

One thing that makes this film a pleasure is the cinematography. The camera work is exceptionally good... and so is the graphics, SFX and credits. The films on the whole looks really sleek.

Coming to the point which everyone else has been discussing: Shah Rukh Vs AB

Well SRK has a very stylish way on interpreting a chracter. But the film does miss BigB. May be because his baritone did wonders too the character! BigB has a style which is unmatched. Having said that, SRK needs to be given credit for bringing an energy to the film. He radiates energy.

The performances of all the other actors are pretty good. Ofcourse Boman Irani as Vardhan is awsome.

Joymoti screened at IFFI

Manju Borah's Joymoti was screened at the IFFI yesterday following other inaugaral films.

Joymoti is new version of the first assamese film by the same name directed by the Jyoti Prasad Agarwala, which was released 70 years ago. However, there are changes from the original film and also from play Joymoti Kuwori by Lakshminath Bezbaruah.

This film, stated to be of international standards, captures Asom's scenery and also the politics of the period. The film is shot in cinemascops and Digital Dolby sound is used, making it the first assamese film to do so. Neeta Basumatery has enacted the role of Joymoti in the new film. The original film had Aideu Handique as Joymoti.

The IFFI was inagaurated day before yesterday i.e. November 23. The first film to be screened was Volver, by Spanish filmmaker Padro Almodovar.

Golmaal… mast maal!

Well…I know it’s quite late to write a review for this film but I saw it only recently…putting to good use a Bangalore Bandh during which my college was officially closed. I am writing out of compulsion as I feel I need to share and also let the ones who were as unlucky as me to have been busy and away from films…

The film is not a sequel or a remake to Hrishikesh Mukherjee marvel… it’s four guys who love to relax and enjoy…at others cost. Four friends together coning people and then crooks chasing them…and all the comedy in between these…

The foursome takes refuge in a blind couple’s house (Paresh Rawal and his wife). It is hilarious the way Ajay provides the voice for the couple’s grandchild while Sharman Joshi provides the body!

The script is good and the editing provides a funny accent to the movie. The director Rohit Shetty does a good job.

Paresh rawal is good in his limited role. Rimi Sen seems to be getting lots of good films now a days. Good for her! Ajay Devgan is awesome as the leader of the pack. Though his age shows, his acting covers up. Tusshar Kapoor is funny and succeeds, probably because he doesn’t need to speak! Arshad Warsi grows in stature with his excellent timing and Sharman Joshi is brilliant with his facial expressions. The film is full of subtle comic situation apart from the dialogues, which adds to the taste.

Golmaal, golmaal…go for golmaal… only if you have not seen it already of course!


© Noyon Jyoti Parasara, 2006

the original king of bollywood

The last couple of days has seen the media splashing the faces of two of bollywood’s most popular actors. November 1 was Aishwarya’s b’day and yesterday was Shah Rukh’s day.
However today, on the 100th birthday of one of Bollywood’s most celebrated actor Prithviraj Kapoor, there was no trace of any mention.
Out of sight, out of mind is a saying that goes well with the media.
Prithviraj Kapoor is not just an ordinary actor. He revolutionized the film industry with his acting. And he is the patriarch of the Kapoor family, which may as well be referred to as the first family of Bollywood. My salute to a man whose dream was the Prithvi theatre, which has given a new meaning to Indian theatre and so much to Bollywood.


© copyright noyon jyoti parasara, 2006

be aware

be aware

ALVIDA KEHNA KANK SE?

The ratings arent too good and neither are the reactions...
has Karan Johar lost the battle...?
Is he goin to get his first directorial flop?
well ... Kabhi Alvida seems be foring the director to say good bye to 'Only HIT' directors section..


Review coming up.

Awsome Omkara

Story: Shakespearean tragedy revolving around ambition Director: Vishal Bharadwaj High points: Back ground music, Acting and lighting!

Review:

A barren land, two men sitting on a hillock, one dressed in a groom’s attire and other appears rustic with short hair, unshaved face and huge dirty boots. Saif Ali Khan talking to Rakesh Dobriyal- who is on his way to marry Kareena. Kareena is being abducted by Saif, who plays Langda Tyagi for Omkara i.e. Ajay Devgan. Both Tyagi and Omakara are more or less henchmen of jailed to-be MP Bhaisahab, played by Naseeruddin Shah.

Shakespeare’s plays almost always had as basic ingredients Love, Power, Greed and Women. And after Maqbool, which was an inspired by Macbeth, Vishal Bharadwaj has come up with another portrayal of these ingredients in Omkara, which is an adaptation of Othello. The film is built on one line that Dolly’s (Kareena) father says to Omkara – who guarantees the faithfulness of a girl, who could deceive her father, for any one else.

The story is beautiful, but the pace tends to slow down every now and then in between Saif’s attempts to get rid of Viveik Oberoi, a new kid in the block, who has been promoted over Saif. The attempts do not stop at anything and Omkara falls for it too.
There is drama inserte and so is Konkona Sen Sharma, who brings in smiles with her.
Everyone speaks in the pucca UP accent almost too full with expletives.

The editing is generally simple except in a few places where it is noteworthy. The lighting tells a story. The Chiarasco provided in scenes between Omi and Dolly heightens emotions. The screenplay is a good job. Some scenes, the audience would simply carry with them, for example conversations between Saif and Rakesh Dobriyal. Vishal Bharadwaj and his team scores in the background music, which is efficient. The songs are good but may not last too long in people’s minds.

The acting department is flawless. Viveik, probably the weakest link hardly has any scope to prove to prove and is good in his limited role. Naseeruddin Shah, whose directorial debut released the previous week, is efficient as Bhaisahab. Kareena is good and Ajay Devgan fits perfectly into the role, which almost seems like tailor-made for him. Konkona Sen Sharma gives a fresh feel to the films with her dialogue and accent.
And Saif Ali Khan, is awesome as a character which may be considered the best of the film. His limps as Langda Tyagi seems real too!

Apart from the pace and the expletives – which may not qualify this movie as something for gentlemen – this is a beautiful piece. Vishal Bhardwaj’s fortune is on an upswing.