Can we recreate the magic of the 70s?

As I watched the TV last night, I was surprised by the play of emotion on me, watching the most memorable dialogues and scenes from Rajesh Khanna’s films. I guess that kind of sums up the feelings of Indians who grew up in the 70s, an era of innocence, idealism and romance that Rajesh Khanna carried with great élan. I can hardly be described as a movie buff and yet news on Rajesh Khanna’s passing away took me to those yesteryears.

I certainly have no idea on what kind of person he was, off screen, but he simply was the best we had on screen. He belonged to an era when films did well if people went and watched them in theatres and spoke about it to their friends. There was no promotion of the stars, nor the movie, there was no news programme on “making of the film” by the lead actors, gushing inanities like they do, today. At most, we got to watch the songs on “Chayageeth” for those of us who were lucky to own a televisionJ. The only other exposure was on Vivid Bharathi on AIR where these songs became immortal.

Listening to people who worked with Rajesh Khanna, sharing their interesting tidbits and anecdotes got me thinking about life in the 70s. for these movie stars. I guess if you were successful in the 70s, with very little media at your disposal and not much of brand building and hype, it must be cakewalk for them, in today’s world. I mean, these people, be it the actors, the lyricists, the music composers, directors, had awesome talent and were so original. There were movies that were grossers by the sheer strength of the songs it had. Or a superstar like Rajesh Khanna could carry a movie on his shoulders and deliver a hit.

If only we could get them all back, they can easily push the current stars into oblivion, permanentlyJ

Kahaani, an outstanding film

Doing a movie review after a real long time. Saw the movie, Kahaani, 12 hours ago and I am still mulling over it and piecing some of the scenes together! A real thriller of a movie. I never thought Indian cinema was interested in any other genre other than the tried and tested commerical formula of action, romance and usual masala (read it as 'crap')

Kahaani is simply amazing in that it manages to keep the movie gripping, all of the 2 hours. And Vidya Balan has come up with a fantastic performance and kudos to her, for she has carried the entire film on her shoulders. Can't think of any of the current actresses who could have done this role. Speaking of the rest of heroines of today, I realised that they are all very similar in the way they dress, look, talk and act and very little differentiators between them. However, Vidya Balan is different in the way she looks, dresses and the roles she chooses to play in her films. Also, I like the way, she carries herself with a certain dignity, in her interviews and promo events. The same can't be said of the rest, the Kareenas, Kaifs, Kapoors, Padukones of the world!

There is a certain depth in Vidya Balan which sets her apart. The only other heroine who has this is Kajol. And Aamir Khan is the only other actor who protrays depth in his roles.

Infact, there was very little pre movie publicity for Kahaani, unlike there is for Agent Vinod, Ek tha Tiger or Dabbang 2! And these movies are still getting ready for release or have just started shooting!!

Nett nett, this is one movie that every cinema buff will enjoy and ask for more!

Trendz in Bollywood

Gone are the times when we got to know about the movie on the Friday of its release... that was two decades ago... Then came the time when the main actors began giving titbits while doing interviews for Cine magazines, to just prove a point on how busy they wereJ. Soon that changed and we had the directors and actors promoting and marketing their movies a month in advance through road shows and interviews in News channels at prime timeJ - a media blitzkrieg was their mantra. Soon, many got very intelligent and relied on generating a controversy 2 weeks prior to a movie release to ensure a 'hit'. Some two bit guys still adopt this practice, todayJ

Today, the scene is all too blurred and confusing.... we get to hear and see posters of movies that is yet to start shoot, for which shooting is in progress, movies which have their official music /audio launch, movies that are scheduled for release a month from now, and of course, movies that are showing in cinemas... This is all so confusing, and by the time a movie is released, we have heard /seen /read so much from the hero, heroine, producer and whoever is connected with the movie, that we wonder if we have already seen it!! For example, the papers are full of Bodyguard (released), Mere brother ki dulhan (released), Mausam (scheduled for a release), RaOne (scheduled for a release), Heroine (yet to be shot), Agent Vinod (shooting in progress), etc etc. See my point?

And the best part is, most of them don't stand apart (much like the actresses – you can’t tell one from the otherJ), nor do they make any original stuff. All play safe in doing remakes from other regional movies or from good old Hollywood. So much for marketing and hype and noise! ‘Wonder if an MBA is behind all this!! 

Movietime folks!

Well, after a couple of serious articles on Lokpal and Freedom of Expression, I want to tell you guys that yours truly, also engages in entertainment activities... All my friends were raving about a tamil movie Kho, that's showing for about 2 months now... Everyone I asked said its great and a family entertainer and good clean fun, etc.etc. Also, my research on the net confirmed these views.... So, with great expectations and anticipation, we went for it. As you may have guessed, it was a huge let down. So, fellas, those who are still planning to go watch, do yourselves a favour, pass it completely. Alright, it does have a different storyline but the movie is so badly taken and completely lacks class... To be different, the movie often bordered on being too contrived...

There is so much violence and gore and fights, that it beats me to think this movie is hailed as a family entertainer!! Either I am completely disconnected with the current moviegoers or the other movies currently showing or recently released, are even worse!!. So, people seem to like this..

Its a perfect example of how a nice story can be killed and made boring by extremely poor direction. Music is also pathetic, as has been the case in all tamil movies for some years now. And it runs for 3 full hours. Nett nett, go for it if you like the food in the theatre or if there is a power cut in your home:-)

Peepli Live - a class apart in Bollywood

Managed to see Peepli Live only yesterday, a good eight months after its release.. I am so glad I finally could watch it at home. Its about farmers' plight is most Indian villages and captures the ways of Indian politicians, and the Indian media in continuing and exploiting the situation. Such a serious subject but handled in a very light hearted manner and yet leaving the viewer with thought provoking questions.. 

Only Aamir Khan can come up with such fine productions. He has brought glory to Indian Cinema through this film and hats off to him. He has shown that Indian viewers do appreciate good films and they need not be pure art films nor the usual commercial crap that is dished out to the masses. 

The movie captures how the media houses are polarised across political parties, how they fight to do exclusive stories without having any sensitivity of the very people on whom the stories are done.. It captures how callous and insensitive the politicians are in passing the buck to another department or the state or central government.

The movie is about a story of how a farmer contemplates taking his life to avail the compensation his family would get if he commits suicide. Yet, the politicians are not concerned about the agrarian crises in the country and the plight of farmers, all they focus is on their survival and upcoming elections. And the media look at it as a story to roll out for the next week and jostle about for exclusives stories and leads. The media houses fight over this story to boost their TRPs and therefore please their bosses and sponsors.

The entire movie is filmed with class, much like any other foreign movie, and has a good run time of 1 hour and 40 minutes. So, it brings the awareness on the burning issue of the Indian farmer and yet entertains. A must watch for any movie buff. 

Capitalism: A Love Story

I hadn't heard about this movie, just chanced into watching it at home... Its extremely well taken and has Michael Moore excelling himself, in making documentaries. This one, by far, is far more appealing and extremely poignant. The amazing real life stories of people who have have been affected by the recent collapse of the banking industry and various other stories of families that he brings together, is a revelation!! 

Apart from raising the issues of the extent to which Capitalism has taken roots in the social fabric of US, he has raised some very valid points of the human greed and the decadence that Corporations have reduced themselves to, all in the name of shareholder wealth, profits, etc. Such heinous unethical stories from a "so-called developed" country is far too much. 

Michael Moore has very neatly captured the context of US economy booming, post WW II, and how wrongly it was presumed that Capitalism was responsible for the boom, whilst it was the lack of competition from Japan and Germany that actually tilted in US' favour and the fab story couldn't continue after these two countries were on the rebound.

I am most amazed at how the US Prez can now stand up and point fingers at any other country for human rights violations, terrorism, unlawful practices, unethical laws etc etc. Michael Moore has brought out the plight of middle class America, that the outside world seldom get to see. We either get overdoses of the big cats at New York financial markets, or the absolute poor who are on social security. 

Anybody who wants to learn how America is run, must watch this movie.

Casablanca - a classic indeed!

All of you may have watched it once atleast. But this movie can be watched again and again, I guess that's why it figures as a classic... in the All Time top 10. We were watching it last night and I must say its a movie that oozes style in every way... from the cast to the dialogues to the dialogue delivery to the visuals.. Its definitely high on the style quotient across generations of movies and I guess there was magic in the air when the movie was made... Its got the perfect cast, setting, dialogues, stunning visuals, great background on WW II..

Go, watch the movie again even if you have seen it many times and a definite must-see if you haven't yet watched this great classic of all times. Its the best stylish and romantic movie, with a brilliant cast that I have seen so far.

Popcorn Magic

There are always some movies that we missed watching for various reasons and one of them for me was the Gods must be Crazy. I had heard a lot about the movie and I had high expectations and I managed to finally get the DVD home (one of the rare times, I got to accompany hubby to the library) and settle down with some popcorn and peanuts. The IPL match yesterday was not to my interest and decided to skip it.

Its a nice movie taken from the perspective of the Bushmen of Africa. So, its quite entertaining mostly, except in some parts where it becomes a little too tacky. Its quite a short movie and easily gives us a lot of insights about the way we live from a bushman perspective... Made me realise how innocent their lives are and ours is so complicated... Quite cute and endearing the bushman becomes by the end of the movie..

And yes, ActII popcorn is delicious, don't ask me if its GM or not, I don't mind it.

Bollywood shows the way for Hollywood?

I happened to watch a movie, The Proposal, last night. It was billed as a romantic comedy and I thought it might be good fun. It was alright, but I got the feeling that I was watching a typical Hindi masala film! While its good timepass, I was clearly expecting more from a romantic comedy. I realised I was under the wrong impression - that many Hindi movies are Hollywood remakes, or, atleast inspired by Hollywood hits!! Clearly, I am mistaken.. Reminds me of a discussion I had with friends some time back, who are ardent movie buffs of film festivals of Korea, France etc.. They enlightened me about how Hollywood copies movies made by French /Korean cinema and how awesome the original movies were!!

The bottomline is what we've known all along... that USA is very good in marketing whatever they do, originals or otherwise.. movies or machines or printers (recently I was exposed to a funda that Canon printers are 'value for money' but HP is the market leader and they don't even make them - they buy the Canon printers and simply market them:-)) All of us have a lot to learn from US.

An amazing 3D experience

Finally made it to watching Avatar in 3D. Its simply a Wow experience. I am now so looking forward to watching regular TV in 3D. Apparently, IPL - 3 is going to be telecast in 3D. I thoroughly enjoyed the movie. All those who have enjoyed movies like Star Wars, Lord of the Rings etc., will definitely love it..

I did check out 2D of some scenes and it was still good. But the 3D effect adds to the overall impact and is certainly not to missed. James Berardinelli says, this 3D effect is called 'immersive'. I kind of understand why... as audience we feel so much part of the movie that, after the movie, as we headed out to the basement to the parking lot, I almost felt I will now feel breathless in the basement as one of the final scenes was very similar:-).

Just head out and treat yourselves to this movie

Erin Brockovich

This was one movie I wanted to see but never did till few days ago. Finally, managed to see the movie. My first impression was, no big deal. What was the hype about anyway, types. Besides, I must say I was put off by Julia's extreme foul language and loud clothes, by more than a mile:-)

But almost as an afterthought, I changed my mind completely, about the movie. I realised that this is one of those movies that lingers and stays in your mind. Yes, Julia's is a spirited role and movies based on true lives of people always tend to be powerful. But nonetheless, the expletives were a definite put off. Oh, I am not a prude, and I occasionally do use expletives, but after watching the movie, I probably don't want to use them anymore:-).

Its a movie that's worth a watch but I definitely think its over-rated and suffers from the hype. As one critic points out wryly, this movie was released in 2000 at a time when there were no good movies showing and this came as a breath of fresh air. Besides, today, we are more aware of our environment but, back in 2000, people were just beginning to get serious about taking polluting companies to task. So, I guess, the movie was more appealing at the time of its release but not as much in today's context.

Kurbaan

Its been a long time since I wrote about movies. I was keenly anticipating the release of Kurbaan and I was not disappointed. Its a very well taken movie. Don't get me snooty, but very rarely do I like Hindi movies for their finesse or class, I usually like them for the masala and entertainment for the 3 hours and nothing more. If they do make the grade, then its often classified in 'art film' category and does not come under mainstream cinema. This movie, in my opinion, actually dissolves this artificial barrier created in Bollywood between commercial and art cinema. This movie is 'commercial' cinema in Bollywood vocabulary but has all the elements of 'art' movie, right from performances to direction and storyline. The web is full of reviews about the movie, I will stick to my personal observations.

I see Karan Johar in a new light after this film, I thought he was only capable of making mushy mushy romantic stuff. For once, this movie gives some 'food for thought', to use a cliche. And the film deals with a topic so relevant in today's times - global terrorism. I particularly like the way the movie stays neutral and presents both sides of the coin. I must add that everyone in the cast has done their bit to make this movie stand apart. Kudos to the entire team and I look forward to many many more of such Hindi movies!

The Phantom of the Opera

Now, we all know that its the longest and most successful of all Broadway shows of all times!!! In 2004, this was made into a movie which I managed to see on DVD very recently... I must say I enjoyed it... there's not much of a great story.. but it nevertheless manages to be gripping, wonder how!! The music is indeed outstanding. Its amazing, with a low budget, unknown actors, the movie is still able to hold the audience... it must be due to the music and gripping story. I recommend all fans of musicals to watch this movie, if you can't see the Broadway show.

I hear a sequel to this is scheduled for release in 2010 and wonder if it will be as interesting to watch.

Reel views for Real Views!

I am not sure many of you have heard of James Berardinelli. He is one of the acclaimed movie reviewers and is based in the US. I chanced upon one of his reviews of a film and found his reviews very similar to my taste. Since then, I simply swear by his reviews:-). My friends find it most amusing, and wonder how I believe his reviews and not more popular sites like imdb.com or rottentomatoes.com, that the rest of the world goes by.

Coming to think of it, its really funny, I am sure Berardinelli does not even know he has such a die-hard fan in Chennai (how would he?). But I must say his reviews and writing style appeals to me and I agree with his reviews. You see, what is a movie review after all? Its extremely subjective, often, I happen to enjoy films that don't run so well:-). And James thankfully does not review movies for a livelihood. He is apparently an engineer or something and reviewing is a hobby. So here goes the link to my favourite reviewer - check him out and tell me if you agree with me, his website is aptly called Reelviews.

The Namesake

I wonder if any of you got to see this movie, the Namesake. I am not going to post the review here. Just thought that I should share that its quintessentially so Bengali! and the Director Mira Nair has done an amazing job! Anybody who has lived in Kolkata will easily relate to this film and it has captured the tiny, small little details of life in that city very well, very subtly -you almost have to watch the film closely to notice them. I was transported to the days when I lived in that city, albeit very briefly. Tabu has done an outstanding job in the film and so has Irrfan Khan. Its these two who bring the movie to life. Although I haven't read the book on which the movie is based, the theme has been attempted before, but I must say that this movie stands heads and shoulders above the rest in the theme of cross cultural experiences and struggles of life of NRIs.

If you notice, Kolkata is a city that polarises people. Either we see die hard Kolkatans praise their city to the moon or its Kolkata hai hai! Its a city of absolute opposites (you have the best high-end appartments jostling for space with those that may crumble with a tremor in Andamans:-), the fastest mode of transport, the Metro vies with hand pulled rickshaws!) and I must say I enjoyed my stay there. Having lived, mind you not visited, all the four metros in India, I can say from experience that this city is completely different and the people living in Kolkata are made of a different psyche and don't conform to the general character you come across in Mumbai, Chennai or Delhi. Its kind of hard to put into words what I am saying but if you stay there for over a month, believe me you will understand how different the people are, out there!!

Mamma Mia

Well, I was most excited to watch the musical live!! Oh yes, I am talking about the desi, Indian production... I must say they have done a good job... Those of us who grew up listening to ABBA had descended on the venue (Music Academy) and the air of expectancy was indeed palpable (to use a cliche). The academy is usually the place I frequent to listen to traditional classical music and I thought the venue will not suit the musical.. I was wrong!!

Right from the moment the musical began, the venue, setting etc didn't matter.. The cast were exremely good, both at dance and song, and the overall effect was excellent. Congrats to the Hot Shoe Dance Company for making Chennai proud! Excellent teamwork and the choreographer, director and producer get full marks... Its Varalaxmi's maiden venture and she has sure started off with a splash!! We were told that more shows in Hyderabd, Bangalore, Bombay and Delhi have been scheduled!! And they then plan to travel to Colombo, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore etc. by end of year... Good show

The Great Debaters

A really powerful and inspiring movie... Recommend it very highly... Easily one of the best movies I've come across in recent times..

Its set in the 1930s and captures the racial discrimination prevalent at that time in the US and maybe still there to a much lesser extent. I was shocked by many of the scenes in the movie. For eg., do you all know that Blacks were not admitted to Colleges and Universities where whites studied. They had park benches with signs "Whites only". Of course there are more scenes of the cruelty and humiliation that the blacks underwent, in the movie that will shock any civilized society today.

Given this background, the movie is about the highly competitive world of the debating socety in US Colleges and Universities. Its based on a true story of how a debating team from a black Wiley College from Texas goes on to win the best, reigning debating champion team (white) at Harward.

There are amazing dialogues in the movie that I will capture in this post. However, I suggest all readers to definitely watch the movie:-)

This is from the final scene where the debate topic is Civil Disobedience and Wiley College team is asked to debate in the affirmative...

James Farmer Jr.: In Texas they lynch Negroes. My teammates and I saw a man strung up by his neck and set on fire. We drove through a lynch mob, pressed our faces against the floorboard. I looked at my teammates. I saw the fear in their eyes and, worse, the shame. What was this Negro's crime that he should be hung without trial in a dark forest filled with fog. Was he a thief? Was he a killer? Or just a Negro? Was he a sharecropper? A preacher? Were his children waiting up for him? And who are we to just lie there and do nothing. No matter what he did, the mob was the criminal. But the law did nothing. Just left us wondering, "Why?" My opponent says nothing that erodes the rule of law can be moral. But there is no rule of law in the Jim Crow south. Not when Negroes are denied housing. Turned away from schools, hospitals. And not when we are lynched. St Augustine said, "An unjust law in no law at all.' Which means I have a right, even a duty to resist. With violence or civil disobedience. You should pray I choose the latter.

Then there is the scene where the debate team begins their coaching under Mr. Tolson..

Melvin B. Tolson: Who is the judge?
Samantha, Henry Lowe, James Farmer Jr., Hamilton Burgess: The judge is God.
Melvin B. Tolson: Why is he God?
Samantha, Henry Lowe, James Farmer Jr., Hamilton Burgess: Because he decides who wins or loses. Not my opponeent.
Melvin B. Tolson: Who is your opponent?
Samantha, Henry Lowe, James Farmer Jr., Hamilton Burgess: He does not exist.
Melvin B. Tolson: Why does he not exist?
Samantha, Henry Lowe, James Farmer Jr., Hamilton Burgess: Because he is a mere dissenting voice of the truth I speak!

Cat on a Hot Tin Roof

Had heard of the movie but finally managed to see it recently at home... This is one movie I rate very high on excellent dialogue and screenplay. Its an old classic set in late 1950s and Liz Taylor plays Maggie the Cat and Paul Newman plays her husband Brick.. They go visiting Brick's parents on Big Daddy's 65th B'day and what follows is a delightful exchange of a family that learns of the terminal illness (cancer) Big Daddy is down with and a huge inheritance he will leave behind..

Brick has a drinking problem as he is depressed about his best friend's death and the dialogues he has with his dad are a treat indeed!! I reproduce some of the most memorable in this post..

Big Daddy: You're a thirty-year-old kid. Soon you'll be a fifty-year-old kid. Pretendin' you're hearin' cheers when there ain't any. Dreamin' and drinkin' your life away. Heroes in the real world live twenty-four hours a day, not just two hours in a game. Mendacity! You won't live with mendacity? Well, you're an expert at it! The truth is pain and sweat and payin' bills and makin' love to a woman that you don't love any more. Truth is dreams that don't come true, and nobody prints your name in the paper 'til you die.

Big Daddy: What's that smell in this room? Didn't you notice it, Brick? Didn't you notice the powerful and obnoxious odor of mendacity in this room?

Another quote from the film that stands out is between Brick and Maggie as she tries to win him over...

Maggie: I'll win, alright.

Brick: Win what? What is the victory of a cat on a hot tin roof?

Maggie: Just staying on it, I guess. As long as she can.

And nothing's more determined than a cat on a hot tin roof. Is there? Is there, baby?

The film completely skirts over the homosexual undertones of Brick and Skipper's relationship, maybe due to the time it was produced. Cat on a Hot Tin Roof is definitely worth watching, one of Elizabeth Taylor's greatest roles.

Slumdog Millionnaire

Finally, got to see the movie with friends. Awesome movie. For a regular review, check out other sites.. I 'm gonna give some reflections, not a review, I had from the movie...

The movie brought back memories of my childhood days in Bombay, the dirt and filth in the slums, the drudgery of the have-nots.. But its an immensely positive film and portrays the protagonist as an eternal optimist.

His successes in life and on the game show were so real and poignant. It was a novel idea to explain how Jamal got his answers right, not from books he didn't read, not from the school he didn't go, but from his own personal life's tribulations of living in a slum and eeking out a livelihood as a kid. On a more philosophical note, Jamal begins to play the game with total abandon... not to win... he simply enjoys being there... (actually he joins the show to touch base with his loved one)...

All in all, its a must see for a movie buff and all Mumbaikars!

Charlie Wilson's War

This is an awesome movie for all those who would like to understand how the end of Cold War had very unexpected repurcussions in South Asia. Its a true story based on a US Congressman who started pumping in millions of dollars in training and arming the Afghan Mujahideens to fight the Russians, routing the money through Pakistan. Soon, the Mujahideens were no longer only Afghans, people joined from many countries like Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Iraq, Pakistan etc. This movie is an eye opener and corroborates with the problems India has been having since the end of Cold War. After the Russians withdrew from Afghanistan, thousands of Mujahideens were left with lot of weapons and no enemy to fight. They were directed to fight India and this was about the same time we started having problems in J & K. They also directed their ire on US and thus began Jihad, a religious war which has nothing to do with Islam but a lot to do with politics, power and money.
I must say, the vulgarity and nudity in the movie is unwarranted and only serves to distract. That apart, Tom Hanks (one of my favourites) has done a brilliant job of playing the US Congressman.