Tuesday, March 04, 2008

Movie mania

I have been watching quite a few movies these days on DVD. More than I have ever done all my life. I surprise myself, considering that I have a major interrupting factor in my life right now.

Anyway. I am hardly a fan of movies - especially Bollywood movies. but I must say that some movies of late have much to be said about them.

I don't know why i am trying to review movies, considering that i am a pathetic reviewer, but i am doing it anyway.

The following four are thanks to my dear friend SP, who gave me four cds on my birthday, and asked me to select two, but when she found I hadn't watched even one of them, she left them all with me.

Manorama - Six Feet Under - A taut thriller. Gripping. Not one unnecessary scene. Good acting. A must-watch.

The Blue Umbrella - Surreal, beautiful photography. Pankaj Kapur is brilliant. Though I wish his accent had been more understandable.

Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi - I am sure it is a good movie. I mean, I know it is a good movie - but it threw me too far away from my perfect, happy world of the present. Too disturbing. Hated the ending, but liked it too. Great performances by everybody.

Chak De India - Whoa! Loved it. Loved the girls. Liked the restrained Shah Rukh Khan (Last time I liked him was in Fauji). Cheered loudly at the eve-teasers-bashing-up scene, forgetting that Puttachi was sleeping a few feet away.

Thank you, SP! Do take back a couple of your CDs, I am done :)

The rest -

Om Shanti Om - The less said, the better. I am thinking hard of something that I can say I liked.... I pass.

Jab We Met - Oh, what a fun movie! Loved it. Loved the dialogues. See, this is the kind of movie you should make if you want to make a nice, light, mainstream movie. Tolerated even Kareena Kapoor, effusive though she was. And Shahid Kapur? WHY hadn't I noticed him before? How loveable he is! And what a natural, easy actor he is! Ok, Shruthi, stop gushing.

Cheeni Kum - A surprise. Didn't think I would like it, but I really did. Even the side actors were unforgettable. The romance between AB and Tabu was light, restrained, and the dialogues were fun! The little six year old girl in the movie was, as usual was smart beyond her age, but she was not the angelic goody-goody type, but on the contrary, delivered her dialogues in a near monotone with a deadpan expression. And so, I liked her too. The only grouse I have against the movie was that they made too much of the Miracle Iron Pillar of Qutb Minar. Too much melodrama there too. Could easily have been avoided.

Johnny Gaddaar - Another unexpected surprise. Very fast-moving, more twists than I could even guess. Worth a watch.

And the movie I have been most eagerly waiting to watch - Taare Zameen Par - hasn't yet had the honour of being watched by me. Soon, very soon.

15 comments:

Shammi said...

Ok, I've not seen a single movie on your list - I'm going to mark all those you've recommended and get them from my DVD-by-post service :) Are you going to watch Jodhaa Akbar?

Dhanya said...

Even I haven't seen any of them.. But Tare Zameen Par you shouldn't miss :)

Anonymous said...

Still to see Manorama, Blue Umbrella, and Johnny Gaddar.
I tried to sit thru Cheeni Kum, and found it rather superficial and irritating!
Others, yes, more or less same reactions.
Good going, Shru. Now, start watching some of the international films - they're really a treat!

ano

Abhipraya said...

Oh those are great movies except of course OSO! Do not miss TZP and please do keep a tissue roll handy :)

Raj said...

Et tu, Shruthi?

Amgele Loku said...

I've watched almost all except johnny Gaddar and Manorama. Marked in my list of to-do things :-)))

...and TZP...be ready to have a lump in your throat ! It moved me so much I bawled !

Wunderyearz said...

I share the same kind of views with the list of movies.OSO was a pain.Like you ,I too realized that Shahid is an easy actor and adorable too.Never liked Kareena but enjoyed watching her in this.And ofcourse speaking of Sharukh, for once he was behaving like a normal human, not the usual super hero.........

Viky said...

My pick in the list is Johnny Gaddaar... "Doob Ja Mere Pyaar mein...Teeedi deedi deedi"

Over here, Bollywood movies are like... well, dosas on a hungry man's plate - they get stamped "seen" as soon as they get released. I used to wonder "You're seeing Chak De NOW, it released sometime LAST YEAR" until I came to India on vacation and realised there is no concept of an 'unlimited' card :D :D!!!!

Anonymous said...

Jodha Akbar DVD out already?

I like Pankaj Kapoor best in is Musaddilal role....

Anonymous said...

sorry abt the above comment...

rajk said...

Ok, I may sound like the traitor here but I actually liked OSO. Yes, it was corny, over-the-top, formulaic, old-wine-in-new-bottle etc but the best part was that it knew that it was! The director had a blast making this movie and it shows! I specially loved the scene when, as soon as the mother comes on the scene (in the 1st half) there's this weepy sitar playing in the background! It was ROFL hilarious!!
Loved Johnny Gaddar myself...first time I liked Dharmendra..
Loved TZP, but then who didn't?
Cheeni Kum....disappointing
Blue Umbrella, didn't make much sense to me...
Looking forward to see Manorama soon

Swati said...

Manorma ..hindi movie ??? Havent heard of. Hajarown Khwaishein aise and Jonny Gaddar ..still to watch..but I am not too keen.
Blue umbrella and Chak De ..looking forward to it. TZP ..I am done and you must for sure

m.flowerr said...

I loved watching Jab We Met!!

Anonymous said...

Hi,Taare Zameen Par should be at top of the list.. its a must watch.

Prodigal_Son said...

Hi Shruti
In addition to Taare Zameen Par (which is very well made I must say...with great music & fresh lyrics for the first time in a long time since 1942 A Love Story), I think you would also want to check out Udaan. Udaan is one of my top 3 favorite Hindi movies by far. It draws you in and makes you ache and cheer for the two kids in the movie; it is a very powerful yet understated portrayal of a young soul challenged from all sides; I think you will like the contrast between the two movies something to ponder upon. And the songs are just amazing!

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