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Reviews
English Vinglish (2012)
Suggest as Nominee for the Oscars...Instead of "Barfi"...If I May !
Women writers and directors like fiction, fantasy and platonic relations as evidenced in this movie and "Mr.& Mrs.Iyer." Gauri Shinde, does a great job as a first time? director, of this gem of a movie, which is a cross between "Mr.& Mrs. Iyer" by the very talented Ms.Aparna Sen and "Monsoon Wedding" by the prolific Ms.Mira Nair. The story is absolutely spell binding and riveting like a suspense movie, since, all immigrants to The United States of America, have gone through the routine and nothing is a fantasy. The sessions in the English learning school with a gay teacher (David-a good perf.) is hilarious with the quirks and traits of different ethnic groups brought up without being insulting or demeaning.
Each scene flows into another like a garland and the screenplay is simple and homely. The movie is as sweet as laddoo. Sridevi, The French guy (Mehdi Webbou),the kid,and the niece Radha (Priya Anand)the stand out among the rest of the cast, who are above average and the interaction and peace at the end of the semester, could not have been better achieved by United Nations Peace Force.
The long story is poignantly related by the woman director, whose feminine touch is evident all along, like Shashi, riveted to the romantic movie, when her platonic relation is watching her. The long walk catching her mental turmoil after the brief spark of awkward romance on the top of the skyscraper.
Not everything is as sweet as laddoo. The grandmother left back in India with an excuse she can't get Visa (not Passport as in the movie) was cruel and utterly selfish of her son, to devoid her the joy and happiness of being part of her grand daughters wedding. This is typical of how Indian women are put on a pedestal and worshiped and treated like second class citizens at the same time. If she couldn't get Visa the wedding should have been canceled in New York and they parties should have been flown to Pune, and the expenses should have been born by the parents of the groom (applies to all weddings)
The scene in the Deli is so authentic it is tough to believe it is a movie. So is the actress taking Sashi's call at the English school (the patience, perseverance and tolerance shown is so much opposite to the attitude at the Deli and the director is so shrewd to show the contrast.) All said and done, this is feel-good movie that should have been the Oscar Nominee-and probably would have won too-instead of the slovenly stupid and annoying movie called "Barfi."
Heroine (2012)
Not Bhandarkars Finest Hour
The script is not tight and the movie is too long with few scenes that are non relevant to the story telling unlike Bhandarkar's previous films. This is Kareena's best acting after "Chameli" and she should win an award or two. Kareena, who looks little like the portrait of Mona Lisa without makeup, does well in her introspective insights and reaches the bottom of the pit when even her manager (Govind Namdeo, who was superb in "Mai Madhuri Banaa Chati Hoon' as an Agent, is mediocre and lost without significant part here) throws the books at her.
She does portray the confused Desi Heroine well. The best part of the movie is the segment with Ranvir Shorey and the movie inside the movie with a great acting (not to mention great cleavage!) by Shahana Goswami as a drunken lesbian seducer. The scene with the heroine in the car stranded too long and claustrophobic even for the audience. The heroines want adoration and it is tough to deny it.
Bhandarkar, tries hard to portray the times and tribulations of a Desi Heroine, but seems to be confused himself as to how to go about it. Other than Kareena, Ranvir Shorey (Bhandarkar's protégé as a director, who is not in the Hundred Crore Movie Club) in the movie is good to watch as always. The other is Divya Dutta as the PR Gal.
The movie deserves a rating of six or seven, since not so good movie by Bhadarkar, is hundred times better than the maderchod banchod produced the so-called Hundred Crore Movies, meant for the sewer and filthy frontbenchers who are dictating the Hundred Crore Club market. Their movies are a disgrace to decent Indians and the illustrious Indian film industry. If not for the likes of Bhandarkar,there would be no film industry...just "Item Dance Industry" taken over by the goonda banchods like Ek Tha Kojha maderchods, acting and producing movies for the frontbenchers and praised by and selected swines of the Mumbai Media since they are bribed to do so.
Barfi! (2012)
Menacingly Boring and Overrated Movie
Except for Ranbir Kapoor, whose acting is mediocre-as expected of him and his generation of borderline talent-the movie is overrated as expected, menacing and annoyingly boring beyond belief. Any movie with a sentimentality (handicap or a misfortune) however stupid appeals to a certain segment of the audience and gender. But that does not mean the movie is good or Oscar material. In fact, the movie will never make it to the Oscars.
The Indian directors and the selection committee, are very naive as to what is an Oscar worthy movie, since they are in their little pond and belief that the industry is big enough to know what they are doing. They just have to watch the Oscar nominations or winners from the past-as simple as that.
"Laggan" the last movie, touted by the same people and the Media, as one of the greatest Indian movie ever, was a piece of trash, that was sentimental (handicap) theme with 13 demented cretins led by an idiot (an idiot even as a leader of the gang is still a cretin) trying to win a cricket match with a last minute miracle of shoulder disability. The movie itself being demeaning to Indians and the brave servicemen who defend the country. Then again this movie was made by a producer whose IQ is in the range of a cretin and he is a unpatriotic illegal traitor who disguises as film maker.
If you compare this movie to "Ek Tha Tiger/Water Buffalo" any movie is Oscar worthy! In fact the hero of "Ek Tha Water buffalo" would have been perfect to portray the deaf and mute since this maderchod scum is a real life a dumb cretin (heavy lisp, khoja hair transplant, six-pack ab,and dialog delivery that sounds like mating call of sea urchins)
The acting? of Priyanka Chopra, is pathetic and unbearable to watch and her mannerisms are irritating (this has no bearing on the real autistic children.) We were told that she is autistic, but where in the terminology? does it say she can't wear makeup and have to bat her eyelids like a chipmunk! The Ileana D'Cruz girl can't act..period. She should take some other vocation (teach autistic children?) and save the industry from disgrace.
Few Scenes are funny till the Chopda girl trotters on and then we don't know to whether to cry, cringe or laugh at her heavily googled interpretation of an autistic girl/woman. Here is a good actress-probably the best actress-but not everything she touches is gold or autistic.
The cinematography is good as in any Hindi movie and Ranbir's (touted by the same producer to portray Kishore Kumar! in his new movie..this must be another low point in the casting by Basu) flair for trite imitating his grandfather Raj Kapoor, has manifested on more than one occasion and more than one movie. The gene has not skipped a generation-but has stopped at his father Rishi Kapoor. He is one of the most overrated actors..mostly by the virtue of his famous name and he is not even good looking like his grand father or his famous uncles.
If this movie is Oscar material, then God Bless the Indian Cinema. God only can save the industry from the likes of Ranbir Kapoor, Ek Tha Tigers and Buffalos and the 3 leading idiots...the Kongs of Bollywood.
Raaz 3: The Third Dimension (2012)
Raaz.....The Junk Secret in 3D
Vikram Bhat's "Raaz" was one of the best thriller Hindi movies, but the latest offering is a voodoo gone bad (The 16th Franchise will have Bipashu practicing Feng Shui?) and in 3D..or three times bad. The hero is a chubby cheeked midget who is slovenly boring and imbecilic. His acting is mostly staring into space and exposing what used to be his biceps. Pity the heroines who have to kiss a goat. Since when? a clown singing happy birth-day is a horror segment in a movie may I ask? Bipashu (a clever mix of Bipasha and Basu)is in fading as an actress for this franchize. She does not command the screen as she used to and she better leave the heaving and the heavy breathing to Sunny Leone. Shouldn't her gripe and black magic be more against Sunny instead of Sanjana! The direction by Bhat is corny and appeals to the astute Six-Year old moviegoer sitting on an adult lap. The story is ridiculous and vehemently put together to accommodate the wanna-be actors that are picked from the men doing dirty laundry at dhobi ghat. They must have auditioned for Bhatts, ever since they were given permission to churn out movies. The horror in the movie seems to be more in the making than the content.
Cocktail (2012)
Nerdy Movie
Yet another rotten film by the 20something crowd, who clearly are no-talent nerds, who are in this industry because of connections or nepotism. On their own they are worthless bums, inluding this hyped up jerk director, who has written the story. The story is stupid, contrived and excruciatingly prolonged to spend the money earned on the back of the unsuspecting Indian audiences on foreign locations and actors-who are pathetic (as in the scene on the beach front Where do they get these Anglo actors from..Central Casting?) The direction is awful and the music by the newer composers are typical of six year old playing with a synthesizer. Erratic disco numbersc and music if any is not worth listening. The dialogs are stupid and boring. This movie sucks big time and the producer, director, story writers and music director should get a day job and save the industry from disgrace. Only acting of any substance was Dimple.Padukone is good in few scenes. Rest of the times, she acts like she is on vacation from acting. Saif Ali Khan acts like he is on vacation. Rest of them are filmy wannabees AKA Nargis Fakrhi and Sonam Kapoor kind, who cant' act or dance. They take more than they give to the art of cinema.
Bhumika (1977)
One of the Best Indian Movies
The movie is riveting akin to a suspense movie since the story builds up to a crescendo. Any one with a hint of how a good film should be made should see this marvel of a movie. Shyam Benegal is a genius the like of Raj Kapoor, Hrishikesh Mukherjee and Satyajit Ray. For example there is a long shot of a corridor with no action or actors but it builds a certain expectation. The scree play is one of the best in an Indian movie. The story even though has a disclaimer is intriguing since it is loosely based on an actress in the 40's. All have acted well but Smith Patil is the ace as in the movie within the movie she is in the witness stand and switches from acting to a normal with such an abandon that clearly set her apart from an amateur actress. This is one incredible movie that will never happen again since Bollywood is taken over by pubescent directors with kachada movies that are not even worth to be spit on.
Rowdy Rathore (2012)
"The Face That Launched a 100 Crore Movie"
If not for the stunningly sensationl-Sonakshi Sinha, this movie has all the ingredients of a kachada movie. You can't expect much class from a Telugu director like Prabhu Deva (Vastundi Shigramu..Kachada moviealu-Bhayankara Kattivarasalu-Bhayankara Mustiyuddalu) who is not only the worst but cheap and un-aesthetic choreographer. By letting him direct a movie, the producer, the caliber of Bhansali, is stooping low and has shown disrespect to the Hindi cinema. The music is horrible, and it is a shame, if this duo, were paid for this malady of composition. The humor is low brow and stupid, very much consistent with front-bencher's expectation of comedy.
Akshay Kumar,is the highest paid actor in Hindi cinema. He is capable of good acting as in "Patiala House" yet, he keeps churning out stupid, dimwit, buffoonary as in this movie. The action is generic dishum-dishum that a six year old street kid can direct. I give this movie a 3 for Sonakshi (who looks very much Indian as opposed to the imbecile imports, who can't act, dance or speak Hindi,) reminding us of classy actresses of yester-years, the likes of Vijayntimala and Sadhana. The rest of the movie is for the birds, with cheap thrills for the front benchers who relish and dictate the 100 crore movie market, and not for the sophisticated audience, which is in the process of extinction and this movie along with "Dabhang", "3 Idiots" and Delhi Belly" will only help to hasten that process.
Dangerous Ishhq (2012)
Neither Danger Nor Ishq.
The movie has two reputable and talented names, that evokes an interest namely-Vikram Bhatt and Karisma Kapur. Karisma, who dumped her hubby of six odd years and embraced the movies for good, is one of the best talent from the Kapoor clan. Her thick eyebrows are kind of distraction from her acting. She is good in certain roles like regressed past as in this movie, since she has that eternal lost-look that fits right in. Somehow Vikram Bhat, fails as a director, since the movie is not tight as you would expect from a Veteran like Bhat. There are no strong male actors attached to the movie. The beginning of the movie and the scene inside the hospital is totally confusing to an average viewer, till the hypnotherpay sessions. Rajesh Duggal has talent in his blood..wish it was in his acting. Divya Dutta and other actors do fine. The one number by Himesh "Tere Chehra" is good. This movie hundred times better than the flicks by the 3 suvvar kuttae brothers and the 3 suvvar Kongs who are a disgrace to the movie industry.
Department (2012)
Loosely Produced Movie
RGV is a force to reckon in Hindi movies, but this movie is a bummer, the likes of 'Darna Mana Hai" from his Camp. The script is bad and loose. The worst camera work of any movie. If the directors idea is to convey the thinking process or a controversy, you do that with the script, not the vertigo generating and going in circle camera work as in the Hospital scene. The action which seems to come at a regular interval is expected in a picture dealing with underworld, but the item dances also seem to come at a regular interval, with Sanjay Dutt's character, avraciously indulging in the dancing to the underworld tunes! Amitab Bachchan, looks aged, and for an actor of his caliber, this part is a cheescake. There is nothing in this movie that has a stamp of the famous RGV banner. It is too drawn out with repetitous and boring conversations. Not worth the expectation and clear disapppintment. The camera guy should find a day job for the sake of the Industry.
Housefull 2 (2012)
Idotic, Mindless, Stupid, Pathetic
The filthy frontbenchers are rejoicing and the maggot journalists are giving a five star rating since this movie is right up their alley. Give a diamond to a monkey it wouldn't know what to do with it. This is the case of giving money to bunch of no talent nerds who have no clue about making a movie. It tales a genuine no talent to come up with a movie like this. Only thing they are well versed are fart jokes and toilet humor like the 'Delhi Belly" and "Three Idiots" starring the same brain dead actors like Sajjid Khan, Johnny Lever, Shriyas Talpade, John Abraham etc. and assorted idiotic actresses who can't walk and talk at the same time. The idiotic and imbecile producer and the director is a braindead morons. The dialogs were written by six year old going on seven whose only credit is watching animation movies and has written his first script on a slate. How did Hindi Film Industry end up with these bums?
Kahaani (2012)
Engrossing Story (Kahaani) Indeed
Three things are outstanding, the direction by Sujoy Ghosh, The acting by Vidya Balan and the story. This movie along with recently released "Paan Singh Tomar" By Dhulia, are the best movies to come out in 2012, and keeps the hope and prayer for good movies alive. Vidya Balan has an innate ability to carry a movie with her flair for the simple and natural reacting more than acting. She does justice to the part of the "that Pregnant woman" like she always does to any part given to her as in "The Dirty Picture and "Who Killed Jessica." She along with Ghosh, should garner few awards, unless, the banchod suvvar scums from Scumistan, with their goonda cousins, who sit as Judges in all award shows, give them to this ape, a direct decendent of King Kong. along with his ape brothers,the midget monkey and the ugly scam artist. The direction is ace with sparse and discrete use of flashbacks. The intermingling of the street life, the culture, the festivities, is akin to watching a movie by Madhur Bhandarkar. The life and tribulations of living in Kolkotta is portrayed vividly by Ghosh, whose first film was a little known movie called "Jhankar Beats." The story is unbelievable and should get an award for best story for the sheer intricacy. From what I have read the story is real with few twists to fit a movie and this is not a copy of a movie. Thank God we have Sujoy Ghosh and Dhulia, to save the Hindi film industry from these sewer rats from Dirty Desh and Filthystan that have hijacked the industry and are a national disgrace and they have brought shame to an illustrious industry.
Agneepath (2012)
Gripping&Authentic
After we have seen Teen Banchods-Suvvar Scums(the conartist, the midget and the ape-and their suvvar clan of Bollywood,) making kachada movies, that has taken the Indian movies down the gutter, it is nice to see a good movie, that brings back some shine and luster. The movie is not for the meek. From get go, there are gory scenes and unspeakable violence. Violence of all kinds that makes the movie gripping and keeping the audiences adrenaline running. The movie will garner few awards and rightfully so. The action is mind boggling and the customs and tradition and festivals well portrayed. Then we have an item dance done by an imported imbecile, who can't dance (guess this is to appease the filthy suvvar banchod illegal front benchers who revel in cheap dances.) The acting by Hrithik Roshan is natural and outstanding. He brings out the brooding hatred and revenge with versatility and range. Hrithik Roshan and Priyanka Chopra are probably the best actors of this generation. The direction, cinematography and the production values are top notch. Music specially the back ground adds drama to the action. Although the movie drags in length and unneeded item dance-the overhaul experience is worth an eight rating.
Players (2012)
A disappointment with few good features.
The best film Mastan Duo, ever made was "Humraaz." Even though it was a copy of another movie, it had some great song&dance music by Himesh R. and acting by Bobby Deol and Amisha Patel. The Duo have lost the touch or they are trying to cater to the front benchers with comedy interludes by Omi Vaidya (it is question of who is more annoying him or the Lever guy) and the ever intruding and obnoxious Johnny Lever, who breaks into incessant laughter seeing a cell phone being used. The beginning is disjointed with a song&dance with Abishek and the usual array of Anglo Saxon spare dancers found in the back lot of any Mumbai Studio these days. This was out of place in the movie and the back ground effect was good but the music was horrible. No one does any acting except for Neil Nitin Mukesh. If my memory serves me well "Italian Job" was an incredible thriller, that Mustan Duo have copied poorly, to appease their favorite audience-the front benchers (the kind who think Johnny Lever is the greatest comedy actor since Mehmood.) This movie would have worked if the cast was all in the same caliber-serious and mature actors. One seducing dance to drug the General (this guy provides more comedy than Omi and Johnny) would have been fine, since this is still Bollywood and Bips needs to keep her gyrating and seducing skills, however the formulae of trying to appease both the front bencher and the elite audience does not work anymore. Majority of viewing audience have graduated from this low brow comedy. As far as Sonam Kapoor, how many movies does it take to realize that this woman can't act? The movie is disappointing and I don't care how much money was spent on foreign locations (the train scene was well done and the cinematography and sound are always ace in Indian movies.) I am not impressed that this was the first movie to be shot in North Pole or other dubious claims. The casting is bad with immature actors and unneeded comedians, lousy editing, silly dialogs and the direction is not what is to be expected from Mastan Duo. I do feel this movie is twenty times better than "Don 2" where we can see some handsome actors as opposed to this Filthy and ugly looking banchod from Filthystan.
Rockstar (2011)
Badmash Movie
This guy, Ranbir Kapoor, can't act. He has one facial expression that alternates between a retarded or smelling a gas leak for most part of the movie. He is not even good looking, in fact bordering on ugly as compared to Abishek Bachchan and Akshay Kumar. I have no idea what the directors see in him to waste a movie with him. The story is contrived and ridiculous. The music of A.R. Rahman is the saving grace for this movie that has been overrated-as usual from RK fans. The debut actress is pathetic. She will do lot of justice to the art of cinema..by staying away from it. This is another movie, that shows, that the Indian film industry will never recuperate from the sorry state that is in right now. The newer actors have no clue about acting, nor have they inherited the acting genes.
These actors are the worst looking and worst actors in recent times. The movie is about going thru pain to achieve good music..it would have been good story, only if it was written well and acted well but with the latter day Lila and Majnu's, it is a pathetic and a disjointed jargon. The direction is half baked and primitive.The dialogs are written by a high school drop out (are you dying? or when are you dying!) For heaven sake shape up or ship out. This movie sucks big time and waste of time for any one looking for good cinema. Rating of 3 for the music and supposed to be the last appearance of Shammi Kapoorji on the celluloid. The director should find a day job as gaffer since he knows the inside out of film making.
Dances with Wolves (1990)
Kostner can't act and direct at the same time (Tantataka!)
Kostner is a mediocre director, the likes of Clint Eastwood. Both have been hyped, since they cant find work in Hollywood. Kostner won the award since he has the Hollywood morons behind him, where as, Scorsese, is considered an outsider, who lost to a mediocre director. Why couldn't they find a American Indian to portray "Stand with a Fist"? The dialog between her as an interpretor sounds like The "Jeopardy" show.. Dunbear..no..Dunbar. The hunting of the buffaloes and the stockade-even though makes a nice spectacle-is cruel and should not have been allowed by the South Dakota authorities, not to mention the carcass shown of them. Kostner as John Dunbear! is a selfish loner (the type who shoot their own driver) who keeps a journal for the sake of narration but his voice is effeminate and shrill. This guy is no Morgan Freeman or Ray Liota. His acting is good when he gets on hand and knees to portray the Tantkata (buffalo.) even the Indians were impressed and seemed to them as good acting. It looks like he made a trip to the frontier, to hook up with this girl who is a bad interpretor but obviously good at other things and sleep in a tent. The story is drawn out for no reason. The only recreation and entertainment comes from a Kostner and the jackal staring at each other, even though the jackal comes out as a better actor! The shot where he picks up the wounded girl on to the horse is not shown-the reason is-it is almost impossible to do this, since the stirrups didn't exist. The movie is a money maker but was it better than "Good Fellas"? If so, why is it not in the list of Top 250 Movies? May I ask?
Leaving Las Vegas (1995)
Moronic Film
This is a stupid movie that has no substance with a man drinking to oblivion. This idiot is a parasite and a pimp, who lives from the living of a hooker. This scum is worse than a pimp, at least the pimps provide for the hookers, but this scum, even gets gifts from them. His mother switched him from bmilk directly to Dewars whiskey as an infant and this explains him lying fully shaved and dressed with a bottle in an adult playpen. This imbecile has no talent ends up in Vegas with a severance check, who should not have been employed in the first place, since he comes across as a lazy talent less bum.
Then he stays in motels and casinos with obnoxious behavior without ever getting busted. If was jailed into a cell he would have been sobered up fast by the inmates and gone to work like the rest. The movie gives a bad picture of Vegas, as of it is a heaven for bums and hookers. The acting is not up to par. Any one can act drunk, you don't need special skills for that. In fact, I have seen better acting by homeless bums than this Cage guy, who are also better looking. He has one fixed expression like smelling a gas leak, and he is unduly hyped actor. This Shue girl can't act and she is not even good looking (why do we have to see a woman taking a p? is this some kind of an artistic expression by the idiotic screenwriter? There are no other friends or history of any relation as to why this bum ends up in Las Vegas. There are enough bums like this we don't need a movie to glorify these lazy rich bums supported by easy money from bank loans, without having to work a day in their life. This director is not Scorsese, even though he might think he is. The dialogs are stupid and meaningless "Let me know when you are ready for plain rice" what exactly is plain rice? may I ask? Movie is as bland as plain rice-an extrvagantly moronic movie.
Bheja Fry (2007)
Will Make a Great Travelling Play
Rajat Kapoor, Vinay Pathak are good actors. Both are versatile and bankable. The movie will make a good traveling troop Play, since most of the action is indoor. I understand this is a copy of some French film. These French idiots are not funny, so I don't mind seeing a Hindi version. The movie keeps you occupied with series of mishaps and twists that are more like pranks and cross connections. The movie is most part funny with hilarious antics by Vinay Pathak as Bharat Bushan. Ranivir Shorey who did some good stint in "Traffic" does well in a brief role. The female leads could have been better casted with more attractive stars. It would have helped if there was a party with one or two songs since the house scene gets to be claustrophobic at times!
Mausam (2011)
One of the Worst Hindi Movies.
The problem with this movie, is we have a neophyte director who wants to keep it all in the family, except, he is the only one talented and his son who is effete looking with a fake mustache and no talent. Then we have relatively newcomer to the movies-Sonam Kapoor who is a novice when it comes to acting and trying to make this as Romantic Epic except neither there is romance nor this is an epic. The story is inherently wrong and religiously defamatory and penned by an idiot who has not read the history. This scum should be kicked out of India with chappal garland. The direction is hapless and hopeless. Shahid Kapoor is one of the worst actor (in fact he can play a girl without his mustache.) The movie fails to make any impression in any form. There is an inordinate time and wry humor spent on the bicycles and silly dialogue exchanged which falls flat as a chapati. The movie is a drag and only audience who might find it interesting are few village folks who have not seen a movie or planes in a millennium. To the rest, this is a waste of precious time. Sonam Kapoor with an illustrious father-who is one of the best actors-has a long journey to achieve stardom. This movie has good sound, but rest is for the birds.
The Namesake (2006)
Best of Mira Nair
Good movies are like wine-better as they age. I had enjoyed the movie so much on the first viewing (few salient scenes like Ashok making the call from the phone booth in an hospital corridor, was still fresh in the memory) I reviewed the movie again and relived Mira Nair's excellent story telling of Jhumpa Lahiri's book. This duo are few of the best talent that Non Resident Indian's (NRI's) have to offer. The story is binding like a good book. Both Irrfan Khan and Kal Penn stand out with their acting. There are better actresses than Tabu, who is not a Bengali-neither Irrfan Khan but he looks more like a Ganguly-who could have done a better job, but NRI directors neither see Indian films nor they are familiar with good talent or their views are skewed.) The screenplay is short and simple with sprinkling of Indian humor. Mira Nair, has a knack of narrating a story in short takes that has a lot of depth and at the same time keeps the story moving (like Ashima waving at Ashok or Ashok taking Gogol on the short pier, missing the camera or the time when Ashok gifts a book on Gogol's birthday) She doesn't dwell too much on a scene. Kal Penn, is one actor who really does a great justice to his part, where millions of teenagers can identify with-caught between cultures and identity. The ending is poignant. Two flaws by Nair-if she had skipped few scenes,this could have been a family movie instead of PG-13 and would fetched a wider audience. Two, the casting of Tabu and Moushami (the Robinson gal is not in the same caliber as the rest of the cast-she is fat and annoying). She could have easily casted Indian actresses. Still, All said and done, this is the best work of Mira Nair.
Boys Don't Cry (1999)
Transgressions of the Transgender Kind
The movie is quite a drab till the last few reels with Brandon (Hillary Swank) looking with a lesbian lust at all and everyone in the bar. Words are far and apart and when spoken-is gibberish. You need a GPS system to know what the hell is happening where in Midwest. This should have been a suspense movie, the suspense being-when Brandon will be exposed? when Lana's mother examines him closely? in the prison? but the writers (mediocre with no humor in the dialogs) were clever in putting that puzzle to the last. Hillary Swank (as Brandon) is not the most attractive or femme-fatale in Hollywood, and she didn't need much makeover to be cute looking "Claude Raines". She is not an Oscar material (She is not Charlize Theron in "Monster") but morons in Hollywood. who vote for Oscars, are a close knit dumb-asses who give Oscars to "Slumdog Millionaire" have no class or taste left. None of the other characters are appealing-the usual smoking, drinking and speeding kind, as seen in a bunch of Hollywood movies, but this is not "American Graffiti" by any strech. The ending is quite disturbing and poignant at the same time, since both characters seem to have lot in common with their sexual and social identity, but the fate had different plans. The movie is touching since this was a real story-albeit boringly told.
Agyaat (2009)
Scary Movie.
The actor fraternity are a daring lot (other than being paid and doing their part) since, a mere mortal, would not be in a jungle under any circumstances (Ghosts and lions are nothing compared to the slimy creatures like snakes!) Ram Gopal Varma, is one of the best Film Makers in India-Period. These lowlife Benchods who are making Katchada movies like "Delhi Belly" "Three Idiots" "Dabhaang" should wash Varma's feet and drink the water so they can get some sense of film-making. These scums are Anti-Indian maggots who should be put in the same cell as Kasab and fed ratdroppings twice daily. The movie is scary there is no doubt about it. The camera work and few of the scenes (like the serpintine zooming across the leaves) are commendable and only A RGV can do. The lead actress is cute and the reaction when seeing the mangled body is some good acting. Varma's cadre of stars who are in most of his Pics are mostly B movie actors-but few are good. This movie is not "Bees Saal Baad" but quite scary with the sound effects, photography and expressions on the faces of the actors-contributing much to the scariness. Yes-I will see it once.
Bol (2011)
Touching Movie
The movie is similar in sort to "Aileen Wournos". Both movies deal with women, who were abused and their after deeds were directly or indirectly a consequence of their abuse. The movie does touch your senses and gives your thought process a clear jolt. What is an Honor Killing after all? Is the honor worth more than the life itself? what is the life worth? 3 lakhs or as negotiated down to 2 lakhs? Is this not a hypocrisy or clear discrimination in prosecution? This shows how extreme beliefs can be detrimental to self and the life born. The pace in the beginning is slow (part of it is the dark and dreary interiors and the subtitles that are few and far apart, But it does gets intriguing later. The movies raises more questions than answers as in the "Wournos" case. The direction is OK nothing to hype about. The music has no melody nor the background music rhyme with the depth of emotions. The acting is good. Technical (camera and shots)is lot to be desired or is not in par with international standards. Overall the movie is touching and depressing at the same time, since lot of the customs are so primitive and forbidding even to think such a custom still exists, but sadly it does. There is legal system in every country but is there justice? or should the justice be case by case basis?
Omkara (2006)
OK Movie
The movie was not focused like Prakash Jha movies. It was fragmented and dragged with repetitive scenes that did not add any twist to the story. The acting was nothing to boast it was good acting expected of Kareena Kapoor, Ajay Devgan and Saif Ali Khan. The length of the movie is hindrance to the story telling. There are too many characters that do not add much. There are some good movies with Uttar Pradesh and Bihar as back ground like "Shakt" and "Aparnhan". Ajay Devgan who plays a calculating and brooding characters well is a let down as compared to "Singham" There was no one who deserved an award here but if someone did get one it was a hype.
Contract (2008)
Good Movie by Varma
This movie is hundred times better than scum banchod suvvar rat movies like "Three idiots" "Dabhanng". This is about a banchod suvvar rat Sultan that bombs children, hospitals. Like any Suvvar rats he lives in a sewer and plots the bombs. Varma cleverly exposes the story behind these scum banchods who live in the gutter eating scum and kill innoncent people. The lead actor Satya displays his anger well but he does not emote well. The other actors are OK. The banchods who are born in some filthland and come to India and plot these attacks. The movie shows how these scums are slaughtered like dogs and Varma is one of the Best Film makers and all his movies are not in the same caliber but they are hundred times better than these Anti Indian Madarchets suvvar banchods are producing for example movies like "laggan".
Aileen Wuornos: The Selling of a Serial Killer (1992)
Addiction to Documentaries
I must confess that I'm sort of addicted to Nick Broomfield's documentaries, where, he never takes no for an answer and his relentless pursuit of subjects whether paid or not. If they are paid, and wont grant an interview, he throws such a guilt trip on them as he does with Arlene, one of Aileen Wuorno's friend. A testimonial for his stubborn pursuit, is the list of calls that were not returned or shunned as the end credits roll! This adds a certain humor to the otherwise drab movie meant for intellectuals and not for people who watch imbecile animation movies. The only one that comes close to Nick Broomfield is Mike Wallace of "60 Minutes" but Wallace, is chasing con artists and broiler room operators and not serial killers. I have seen "Monster" and the other "Wuornos" Doc. from Broomfield. Suffice to say it makes a riveting piece of a movie. Since we know the subject of the movie has been found guilty by a jury and the only question remains, is how she could have avoided the death penalty? The most chilling scene is the rundown of an execution in an actual chambers.It's obvious that she hated males of certain age, who resembled her father and self defense could not have been the motive for seven murders! I think she would have been serving life, if she was represented by some one like F. Lee Bailey, which brings up the crucial question that public defenders are not in the same league as private lawyers. This movie shows that there is legal system but no justice when pedophiles are free and a serial killer is executed.
