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| Thums Up - Recent Films Worth Watching :-) |
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| Ashutosh Gowarikar has directed a modern masterpiece with a film that is lyrically poetic in every scene. From the excellent and powerful performance by Hrithik Roshan as Akbar to the expert attention to detail, this is one movie that should be seen on the big screen. Centering on the love between a Muslim King and his Hindu bride (the beautifully fragile Aishwarya Rai as Jodhaa), the movie tactfully and realistically details the at times difficult romance between the two. The art design, sets, cinematography, dance choreography, music by A.R. Rahman, and powerhouse performances are for lack of a better word…picture perfect. Jodhaa Akbar is a must see movie experience that is an instant classic that easily stands up to Hollywood films like Braveheart and Gladiator. |
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| Have you ever felt that creepy feeling that someone is watching you? The hairs stand up on the back of your neck and a chill runs down your spine, as you turn around only to find that someone really is watching you. That's the feeling you will get when you watch this offbeat and truly terrific film, "Mithya". For those burnt out on mega blockbusters, this film is a welcome breath of chilling fresh air as it pushes the envelope of Hindi cinema. Powerfully directed by Rajat Kapoor, the film's real star is the screenplay by the director and Saurabh Shukla. Contrary to what you may believe, this movie is not Bheja Fry II. Instead of an all out comedy caper, we get under-rated actor Ranvir Shorey who provides an awe-inspiring dramatic performance that will leave a haunting impression on you. Support films like "Mithya" and send Bollywood a message that there is an audience for quality films that dare to break out of the standard Hindi film mold. |
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| Yes! It's the return of the double role! A staple of the seventies, wherein the same actor would play the role of two identical men who are not related in any way, but just happen to look exactly alike! Now, if that suspension of belief doesn't astound you, here comes the latest entry in that Double-Trouble genre. Kunal Khemu (showing that he is the superstar of tomorrow) plays two characters, one of whom can act (the aspiring superstar) and one who can't (strangely the real superstar). What happens when one fills in for the other and you can't tell the two apart?!!? Watch this strangely appealing yet formulaic Hindi film to find out the answer to that question and others like: Who will survive and who will die!?!? Can one man fill the shoes of two? Watch this film in the comforts of your home to find out! |
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| Aamir Khan's first directorial debut lives up to some expectations, but not all. It's a strong and well-made movie that sensitively deals with the topic of childhood dyslexia with an exemplary performance by Darsheel Safary as the little boy, Ishaan. Aamir Khan shows a lot of potential as a director and has made a tearjerker of a movie that doesn't leave a dry eye in the house. His sensitive direction and acting is what enhances the movie's impact on the viewer. It's commendable that in this age of no-brainer comedy and sexploitation thriller films, Aamir has chosen to fly in the face of the pack and make a movie that deals with a serious and social topic. Time will tell whether audiences are mature enough to handle this kid-centric film with a message. One more thing, be sure to check out the excellent soundtrack by Shanker-Ehsaan-Loy, as it may arguably be one of the best of 2007. There's a reason that director Aamir Khan has won so many best director awards for this film, you owe it to you and your children (or future children) to see this movie. Support quality cinema! |
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| This movie makes the thums up list, just barely. It seems that director Rajkumar Santoshi didn't quite know whether he wanted to make a socially relevant film or a scathing critique of Bollywood. The first half of the movie is a hard hitting and often times disturbing look at the life of a superstar in Bollywood. Ajay Devgan plays the title character as a person you hate, but understand that he is shaped by the forces around him. The movie stays entertaining until the interval, but it's downhill from there as the villains degenerate into comedic caricatures (Darshan Jariwala in a campy performance) that brings back the classic evil oafs of the seventies. It's when Pankaj Kapur picks up a sword and takes out twenty goons in Indian martial arts ishtyle, that the viewer begins to question what the director was truly attempting with this movie. Did I forget to mention Vidya Balan? Not really. Worth a watch for Ajay Devgan's performance, but go in with low expectations and you just might give the film a thums up. |
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| Thums Down - Recent Films that Disappointed :-( |
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| Abaas-Mustan, the brothers who disturbingly always dress in white safari suits, are certainly running on fumes with their latest release, "RACE". The film is a worthy sequel to the mindless form of entertainment perfected by Yash Raj's Dhoom 2. Sexy girls in skimpy clothing distract the guys in the audience from noticing that the movie's screenplay is mostly a black hole. How much do you want to bet, that hype, gloss and saturated hyper marketing will take this movie to the finish line and make it come out a winner at the box office? This was the double trouble director duo's last chance to redeem themselves after the debacles of "36 Chinatown" and "Naqaab", and one can see that since they were losing the race, they decided to make a movie that would determinedly click with the masses. One can go on and on about Saif's fair performance, Katrina's usual smiling no show performance, Bipasha Basu's usual leg show performance, Akshaye Khanna's usual grim 'n' pouting performance, Anil Kapoor's usual tough guy yet sensitive buffoon performance, and Sameera Reddy's non-performance; however, I won't bore you with the details. Instead, you will thrill to music director Pritam's not so original music, if you are a guy you will thrill to the ladies' toned skin, the gals will thrill to Saif's flex appeal and everyone will marvel at the destruction of expensive cars. Expect this movie to be pretty much critic proof as it races to the finish line and watch Abbas-Mustan come out as the winners. This one gets a broken thums down! Come on, you know you're going to watch this film no matter what I say, so go on, get on with the "RACE"! Then come back here to hear me say, "I told you so." |
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| What could have been a disturbing and thought provoking look into the mind of a terrorist and the battle between good and evil instead turns into a run of the mill movie that fails to rise above any level of mediocrity. This movie could have been the return of the once highly acclaimed director after the disasterous "Kisna"; however, Ghai fans will have to wait for his next release, "Yuvraaj" to see if he can re-capture his fading audience. If that film doesn't hit the mark, it may be curtains for this once talented director. If you must see this movie, and you probably will at some point, don't have any high expectations, watch it for Anil Kapoor's at times very good performance, and then promptly let it fade from your memory. If you don't want to watch it, perhaps you're better off listening to Michael Jackson's song, "Black or White" at least that was a somewhat memorable hit. |
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| Poor Rajpal Yadav. He's one extremely funny fellow, yet no one really has the right idea how to harness that comedic energy. He's had one other lead role (in the under-rated and under-appreciated "Main Meri Patni Aur Woh"). In this tired and tiring film there are smatterings of laughter here and there. The viewer keeps waiting for the movie to get better, but it stays at a barely tolerable level. Neha Dhupia, Anupam Kher and Rati Agnihotri are wasted in this film that fails to be the quirky comedy the producers had hoped it to be. Poor direction and stale cinematography only add to the disappointment of this mis-fire. Let's not even mention the amateurish acting by Amrita Arora, that only adds to the audience's suffering. Rajpal Yadav has the potential to be India's answer to Michael J. Fox. Here's an idea for our creatively starved screenplay writers/producers: Let's make a Hindi version of Michael J. Fox's hit movie, "The Secret of My Success" with Rajpal Yadav in the lead role, now that my friends would be a super-hit! As far as "Rama Rama Kya Hai Drama" goes, spare yourself the headache and watch something else. |
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| Please let it be Saturday! Anything but Sunday!! You'll be crying as you leave the theater after watching this nonsensical flick. The story starts with a literal bang, as someone is murdered. From there we are introduced to insipid characters that go throughout the film not knowing up from down. If you think it's funny watching Ajay Devgan with the same frowning expression licking ice cream cones with passion, Ayesha Takia once again playing the little lost girl, Arshad Warsi trying hard to be funny, and acclaimed actor Irrfan Khan reduced to playing a clown, then perhaps this movie is for you. For all others, it's best to avoid Director Rohit Shetty's tepid follow-up to "Golmaal", which has few laughs and will leave you fondly remembering that Saturday is the best day…and it comes before Sunday. |
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| Ok, here's a great idea. Let's make a regressive movie that stars Anupam Kher as the evil gangster who is really not that evil, unless he has no choice. Let's add in couple of other henchmen that fill the stereotypical gangster role and put our wannabe SRK hero in the middle. Oh yes, and let's add Amrita Arora as the love interest whose main job is to pop up in one song with a short mini-skirt that she doesn't look comfortable in. Torn between the world of good and evil, which way shall Nikhil Dwivedi turn? Bad news for this debutante start as this launch pad for the so-called next SRK turns out to be a drowning vehicle instead. His career is over before it begins as the actor has zero charisma and cannot carry off the intensity of the role. I have to say, shame on National Award winning director E. Niwas ("Shool") for inflicting this torture on to the audience. Watch this movie at your own risk. Did I mention that Mithun Chakraborty plays a Catholic priest who is also a martial arts master? Hmm…perhaps it's best if we leave that one out of the picture. Watch out for the sequel, "My Name is not SRK" coming soon to a theater near you. |
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