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Review - Kurbaan: Really? Only a few good Musalmaan?

meetu — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 05:15:59 +0530

Hindi Movies, Religion, Terrorism | 8 comments
Running time: 160 minutes

Quick Review

Rating: Watch if you have nothing better to do

All but a couple Muslim's are terrorists. Is that what we need to hear in this day & age? Predictable to the minutest detail and utterly-butterly s..l..o..w. You sure have better ways to induce yawns now, don't you?

Rating: Watch if you have nothing better to do

"All Muslim's are terrorists." In order to prove that the Western world thinks that way, Rensil D'Souza and Karan Johar go that extra mile to showcase the very same thing. And, hopefully inadvertently, complete the circle and cast the despicable stereotype in a deeper mould. Why are good Islamic citizens left out?

Ok, I'm taking the same route and exaggerating a bit here. But only a bit. A couple of Muslim characters in Kurbaan are not fundamentalists and are not blind followers of their religion. But just 2-3 between 12-13 main characters can see that their faith is being misused. That's a gross overstatement of the human race's irrationality. And even if I'm naïve that that's how things are. How does decorating that fact with a star couple help?

Saif Ali Khan plays Ehsaan and is rather stiff. Somehow, he doesn't seem at ease with the character. Except for a few scenes with Kareena Kapoor (Avantika, the girl next door). And those scenes are really well-done. Kareena looks the prettiest without make-up on and is by-far the most huggable sight when her character is supposed to cry. This woman can act. It's a pity only a few directors find her potential size-exponential worth exploring too. The rest of the cast except for Vivek Oberoi are just doing their drill. No record-breaking performances asked for, none given.

Physical intimacy is not something Indian filmmakers are very good at. But, here there's nothing crude and both actors fit just right. Now, whether the scene was a "script ki maang" (need of the script) or not is very debatable. And clearly, this much-talked about scene is as predictable and lame as ever. The pre-release attention that the scene has been intentionally awarded with makes the timing even more obvious. That still doesn't take away from the fact that it is worth every marketing penny spent on the skin-show. Delicious!

And these things are major let-downs after the slick title sequence. It's so refreshing, especially when you are expecting a Dharma Productions product to bank on a crisp, fresh view of the New York skyline. Thankfully, the smart production values continue after that. The background score and actually, the lack of it for almost two-thirds of the film is not only worth a round of applause but it also tried its best to keep you focused on the acting and reacting. Some great work by the Foley artist. Similarly, the framing of individual shots are very engaging. They are different and try their best to build the curiosity.

But, neither sound nor visuals can take the place of the story and more importantly of the details that make the story. They all take the beaten path. The community that the terrorists belong to feel marginalized and the only way to deal with that is to shoot on sight - even people belonging to their own community, it is martyrdom after all. Every time someone on screen said that, I felt my skin crawl. I'm sure the line, like many other done-to-death dialogues, was a really strong statement when it was used the first time. But, now you know that argument and want to hear the real people talking.

Especially because the makers are very clear about making this a serious, dark film. How in such a case can a small terrorist group act in a void, by themselves, with no apparent help from outside? And it's not like we are following one or the other character's story. It's all plain and stagnant. They want to kill, kill, kill and they kill, kill, kill.

Over 5 hours after the film and I still can't figure out what the purpose of the film is.

To entertain? It got way too many unintentional laughs, right down to the convenient glass of milk showing up as expected.

To tell a story? Whose?

Avantika's? I know nothing about her except that she's a professor in psychology with no apparent insight into human nature. Though her struggle to be in love and the resultant helplessness is obvious.

Ehsaan's? Maybe. But how much do we really know about him? He is in dilemma. Sure, but what about it? I don't empathize with him, I don't hate him, because I haven't a clue why he does what he does.

The story of a terror attack? Which one? The one in the planning of which I wasn't allowed to participate? The games and counter-games seem to be serving no particular end.

I don't like the tone of such films that almost feel like they take pleasure in reinforcing the stereotype. Where's the balance? Where's the grey? Where's the human face of cold-blooded murder? It does have one, or doesn't it? Are our film-makers claiming that there are absolutely no non-Muslims involved in these acts of terror?

- meetu, a part of the audience

Parental Guidance:

Violence: A very nicely done but very gory shot of a bullet being pulled out. Other than that gun fights, blood splatter, etc in plenty.
Language: No profanity. But it reeks of fanaticism.
Nudity & Sexual content: A few lip-locks and a bedroom scene with bare backs shown. Also the same scene implies the couple reaching a climax.
Concept: That of fundamentalism and citizens feeling marginalized, committing acts of terror in the name of revenge.
General Look and Feel: Dark and grim.

Detailed Ratings:

Direction: 3
Story: 1
Lead Actors: 3
Character Artists: 2

Dialogues: 1.5
Screenplay: 1
Music Director: 2
Lyrics: 2

Tum Mile - 9 yays, 14 nays, 11 okays

meetu — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 18:00:36 +0530

Hindi Movies, Romance | 0 comments
Running time: 135 minutes

Quick Review

Rating: Watch if you have nothing better to do

Love, calamity, death all taken way too casually in a drab, still-life sort-of a way. Its unexciting, its slow. But a strong lady character is good because its rare in Hindi films. Little solace that is, though.

34 reviewers have given Tum Mile an average rating of 2.1/5.0 - 9 thumbs up, 14 thumbs down, and 11 so-so.

Warning: clicking on "full review" will take you to an external website that could contain spoilers.

Thumbs down by Rajeev Masand, IBN Live ...The problem is there's not enough drama in the screenplay to begin with.... full review

So-So by Taran Adarsh, Bollywood Hungama ...Mumbai floods should've been given more prominence, instead of using it as a tool to take the story forward. ... full review

Thumbs down by Anupama Chopra, NDTV ...ostensibly Bollywood's first disaster movie is superbly silly.... full review

Thumbs down by Mayank Shekhar, Hindustan Times ...At some point, only mid-way through the movie, the story exhausts itself.... full review

Thumbs up by Sonia Chopra, Sify Movies ...Tum Mile chooses to tone down the devastation. ... full review

Thumbs up by Ashok Nayak, Now Running.com ...The music by Pritam is soulful and the special effects are good.... full review

Thumbs down by Hanumant Bhansali, Radio Sargam ...Both actors perform out of the box and show every one of their critics that they have what it takes to succeed in Bollywood... full review

Thumbs down by Subhash K Jha, Now Running.com ...Emraan Hashmi attempts to infuse his trite and jaded character with a fair amount of conviction... full review

Thumbs down by Tushar Joshi, MiD DAY ...Constant flashbacks in the first half confuse and somewhat break continuity. ... full review

Thumbs up by Eye TV India Bureau, SmasHits.com ...The most memorable is that Soha kisses Emraan, and that too not once but twice, unlike the past when serial kisser Emraan locked lips with his heroine.... full review

Thumbs down by Deepa Garimella, fullhyd.com ... Emraan Hashmi is suave and acts brilliantly... full review

Thumbs down by Aarti Natarajan , merinews ...The music can be called a saving grace though after some time all the Hashmi movie songs start to sound alike! ... full review

Thumbs up Movie Talkies ...Soha has that natural air of sophistication about her, and therefore seems to be a good choice for Sanjana... full review

Thumbs up by Aparajita Ghosh, Apun Ka Choice ...Soha lends a sophistication to her Sanjana, a shade of which retains in the character even in the moments of panic.... full review

So-So by Anand Vaishnav, Buzz18 ...The basic problem with Tum Mile lies with its much-too-long flashback. ... full review

Thumbs down by Sonal G, Bolly Spice ...Soha is shown to have maintained the same haircut and hair length for six years straight... full review

So-So by Martin D'souza, Glamsham.com ...Mantra, Emraan's buddy is another actor who catches the eye. This lad has talent and essays his role with panache. ... full review

Thumbs down Indiaglitz ...Of course, it’s almost like beating the same bush where, we ought to watch the tribulations of victims wedged in waters. ... full review

So-So by Baradwaj Rangan, Blogical Conclusion, The New Sunday Express ...the drama is nicely underplayed... full review

So-So by Noyon Jyoti Parasara, AOL INDIA ...Especially Soha, who uses her body language really well.... full review

So-So by Daliya Ghose, Bollywood Mantra ...The song 'Dil Ibaadat' is best composed and sung. The cinematography was excellent. ... full review

So-So by Khalid Mohammed, Passion for Cinema ...While the first film or the heartistic section is scripted, shot and performed marvellously, the second one, is for want of a better word, sorry. Er..soggy.... full review

Thumbs up Indicine ...The romance is real, effective and extremely engrossing.... full review

Thumbs down by The Thirdman, Upper Stall ...You would have saved yourself the trouble of questioning various logical loopholes in the story... full review

Thumbs down by Bobby Singh, Bobby Talks Cinema.com ...Post interval, the viewer becomes desperate of watching the flood stuff and really wants to see how it is done in a Hindi movie. But he still has to wait till the end... full review

Thumbs down by Janhvi Patel, StarBoxOffice ...Some scenes are very silly. Does an Indian electrician visit people’s houses in South Africa to check if their meter is working?... full review

Thumbs up by Nikhat Kazmi, Times of India ...Now that's not as important as the fact that the director artfully keeps hopping through different time zones, inter cutting the past with the present, and keeps the interest level high... full review

So-So real bollywoood .... Soha Ali Khan delivers her best performance till date going through a gamut of expressions with amazing ease... full review

So-So by Minty Tejpal, Mumbai Mirror ...the lead pair lacks any magic.... full review

Thumbs up by SpiceZee Bureau, ZEENEWS.COM ...Tum Mile’ comes across as a tremendously mature and absorbing account of a long-lasting relationship... full review

Thumbs up by K K Rai, STARDUST ...The director has handled the ego clash between Emraan Hashmi and Soha Ali Khan superbly... full review

So-So by Gaurav Malani, indiatimes ...While the format of storytelling is effective to an extent, the story tends to get one-dimensional after a point of time. T... full review

Thumbs down by Udita Jhunjhunwala, DNA ...As for the flood scenes themselves, unimpressive CG work, limited sets and a casual treatment of the scenario robs it of all suspense and tension... full review

So-So by Sukanya Verma, Rediff ...Deshmukh handles the frustrations and conflicts between two strong-willed, independent individuals with astounding realism... full review

Review - Tum Mile: Miss this appointment, you'll survive

meetu — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 19:34:09 +0530

Hindi Movies, Romance | 0 comments
Running time: 135 minutes

Quick Review

Rating: Watch if you have nothing better to do

I am one of those who believes that the same old story can be told with a fresh style and thus still entertain. Unfortunately the converse is also true. The same old story can be told in a dull, soporific style and bore you to the core. You know where I'm leading you with this one - Tum Mile falls in the second category - boring.

The one line plot is as simple as it can be. Boy meets girl (as clarified in the title), they fall in love, something happens they fall out of it and the climax will tell you whether finally boy meets girl or not. Now within these confines the freshness could be in how they meet, how they start liking each other, what misunderstanding/personality clash is thrown in, etc. All these things are sort-of close to real-life. We are sure to know people and couples like these. But, here real also translates to hands-down monotonous.

The situations are sorry enough, the dialogues attempt to add flavor but don't succeed very much. And in such state of affairs, how much can the actors do? Both Emraan Hashmi and Soha Ali Khan are delighted, sorry, shy, frustrated, helpless as the script requires them to be. All good but still mind-numbing.

And the two of them create nothing special together. No longing in me for them to be together. No reason for me to feel good when they are all lovey-dovey, nor for me to feel pain when they are trying hard to keep those tears in.

In all this mundane humdrum there is one thing that sticks out. The lead lady character has a personality that she stands by. She's not whimsical and neither does she have an obsessive compulsive disorder. She's a regular girl with her own aspirations and easy-going ways. She will bend backward for her man and snap every time her back protests.

And yet I don't empathize with a girl or the boy who have come from South Africa for a day to Bombay and get stuck in the oh-so-rotten monsoons. It's nothing against the characters. It’s the way the entire episodes are narrated. So emotionless, so…so lifeless. Why should I care if they suffer like Rose did in Titanic? They couldn't create an ounce of what I felt for her.

And that is very atypical of a Bhatt film. Whoever the director, there is enough of a twist in the story and enough interaction within the audience for them to react, to love, to hate. But, here I am sitting, bored even to finish writing this review. Nope, no good memorable tunes or lyrics in the songs either! :(

- meetu, a part of the audience

Parental Guidance:

Violence: None
Language: Clean
Nudity & Sexual content: A few bedroom scenes.
Concept: Of love and relationships.
General Look and Feel: A little less dark than the usual Bhatt films. But, dark nevertheless

Detailed Ratings:

Direction: 2
Story: 1
Lead Actors: 2
Character Artists: 1

Dialogues: 1.5
Screenplay: 1
Music Director: 1
Lyrics: 1

London Dreams - 13 yays, 15 nays, 12 okays

meetu — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 20:34:20 +0530

Hindi Movies, Relationships | 10 comments
Running time: 150 minutes

Quick Review

Rating: Watch on DVD

There's drama. There are moments atypical of Hindi films. There's the regular Bolly-masala. It entertains and it engages but not for the entire length. Ultimately like many films longer than 2 hours it doesn't arrest you in your seats.

40 reviewers have given London Dreams an average rating of 2.4/5.0 - 13 thumbs up, 15 thumbs down, and 12 so-so.

Warning: clicking on "full review" will take you to an external website that could contain spoilers.

Thumbs down by Ashish Gharde, MH-31 Fun Unlimited ...the plot is rotten and it stinks too – London Dreams might have been successful had it been released ten years back ... full review

Thumbs down by Namrata Joshi, Outlook India ...Shah also adds his own desi tadka, so our musical geniuses are made to trace their roots back to rustic Punjab, also to help throw some homely humour into the script... full review

Thumbs up by SpiceZee Bureau, ZEENEWS.COM ...Vipul has managed to give equal attention to both his leading men.... full review

Thumbs down by Mayank Shekhar, Hindustan Times ...Himesh from Aap Ka Suroor would’ve appeared more realistic. ... full review

Thumbs up by Gaurav Malani, indiatimes ...Vipul Shah adds profound depth to the drama and the sensitivity in his direction makes you relate to the conflicts of both the characters convincingly.... full review

So-So by Nikhat Kazmi, Times of India ...completely simplistic and linear, often bordering on the implausible... full review

So-So by Samiya Shakir, StarBoxOffice ...The film takes a predictable turn right from the word go.... full review

Thumbs down by Sarita Tanwar, MiD DAY ...overlooks the most important part – the script... full review

Thumbs up real bollywoood ...Ajay is excellent in his part and one can see the best villain awards coming his way at the awards for this year.... full review

So-So by Kaveree Bamzai, india today ...Now where have we seen this before? Yes, yes, everywhere.... full review

So-So by Bobby Singh, Bobby Talks Cinema.com ...The emotional conflict between Ajay and Salman further leads to a completely unexpected and splendidly conceived climax which gives new meaning to the spirit of friendship between two artists and childhood friends... full review

So-So by K K Rai, STARDUST ...the weakest link in the film is its music by Shankar Ehshan Loy... full review

Thumbs down mag4you ...Asin seems to have done this film just to be in the big league.... full review

Thumbs down by Bhargav Saikia, Reviews Etc By Bhargav Saikia ...Salman Khan delivers a stunning performance as Arjun's chaddi-buddy... full review

Thumbs down by Udita Jhunjhunwala, DNA ...Salman Khan steals the show. Controlled well by Shah, he delivers with spontaneity, lifting his scenes even if he is stuck with a character too good to be real.... full review

Thumbs down by Khalid Mohammed, Passion for Cinema ...This is not cinema, it’s a by-now-obsolete formula which you thought the director had wringed dry, and just about in Namaste London.... full review

Thumbs up by Padmaja Thakore, Passion for Cinema ...story, plots and dialogues that have been (re)worked upon, heartfelt acting, a fair mix and match of characters and their setting and where the narrative moves at a steady, consistent pace... full review

Thumbs down by Subhash K Jha, IBOS ...Sponatenity is at a low premium among these wannabe rock stars. ... full review

So-So by Baradwaj Rangan, Blogical Conclusion, The New Sunday Express ...But despite all this high-mindedness, the individual episodes are right out of any old lowbrow Bollywood movie... full review

Thumbs up Indiaglitz ...Ajay Devgn strikes-up with an intensely overpowering show of his ‘grey-shaded’ lad.... full review

Thumbs up by Daliya Ghose, Bollywood Mantra ...Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy's music fails to rock.... full review

Thumbs up Indicine ...With well-etched characters, Vipul has also managed to extract brilliant performances from both actors.... full review

Thumbs down by The ThirdMan, Upper Stall ...You wonder why Sejal Shah strives so hard to give the film a polish it didn’t deserve especially in some of the concert sequences. ... full review

Thumbs up by Martin D'Souza, Glamsham.com ...Thankfully, post interval the pieces are picked up and the script gets tighter. ... full review

So-So by Roshni Mulchandani, Bolly Spice ...The film only works because of the performances by both Ajay and Salman. Beyond that, London Dreams has very little to offer.... full review

So-So by Irene Nexica, Planet Bollywood ...The film suffers from trying too hard to look “young.” ... full review

Thumbs up by Anand Vaishnav, Buzz18 ...While he doesn't get the crowd pleasing one liners, Ajay is the only actor who has the intensity to carry off the role... full review

So-So by N K Deoshi, Apun Ka Choice ...Spiced up with racy humour from start to end, it packs in fair enough laughs but not enough musical thrill that is to be expected from a film of this genre.... full review

Thumbs up Movie Talkies ...The director shows these streaks in him but never explores the dark side of Arjun fully... full review

Thumbs down by Deepa Garimella, fullhyd.com ...the climax at Wembley undoes everything that you'd have found right with the movie.... full review

Thumbs down by Pankaj Shukla, SmasHits.com ...Director Vipul Shah falters at the very beginning by choosing Ajay Devgn and Salman Khan for the lead roles. ... full review

Thumbs up by Gloria D'Souza, merinews ...Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy has provided music to the movie and no song seems out of place.... full review

Thumbs up by Noyon Jyoti Parasara, AOL INDIA ...Shah does manage to take it ahead but completely falters in what could have been a worthy climax. ... full review

Thumbs down by Nita, A Wide Angle View of India ...Another drawback of the film is that although the film is about music, it isn’t really about music.... full review

Thumbs up by Hanumant Bhansali, Radio Sargam ...The director very well expresses the emotions of the die-hard friendship that feel you relate with real life... full review

So-So by Sonia Chopra, Sify Movies ...Arjun’s multi-layered character is the high point of London Dreams.... full review

Thumbs down by Anupama Chopra, NDTV ...Meanwhile 90,000 people, including Brits who I’m assuming cannot follow Hindi, are lining up to see these two men sing Hindi songs... full review

So-So by Taran Adarsh, Bollywood Hungama ...The narrative has some interesting moments in the first hour, but the actual story unravels only towards the second half. ... full review

Thumbs down by Rajeev Masand, IBN Live ...London Dreams is packed with unintentionally hilarious gems like that back-story involving Arjun's grandpa... full review

So-So by Chandrima Pal, Rediff ...And the climax comes a bit too early, with the tail end of the film dragging on for an eternity. ... full review

Aladin - 4 yays, 27 nays, 8 okays

meetu — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 20:34:08 +0530

Hindi Movies, Comedy, Kids, Fantasy | 2 comments
Running time: 120 minutes

Quick Review

Rating: Watch on DVD - though if you like neat graphics, try the theaters

A fun movie for kids and very likely the accompanying adults will not get bored either. Yeah-yeah-yeah, it's the same ol' story, same ol' chosen one saving the world. But it's done very well visually. If only some more energy was spent on the writing.

39 reviewers have given Aladin an average rating of 1.0/5.0 - 4 thumbs up, 27 thumbs down, and 8 so-so.

Warning: clicking on "full review" will take you to an external website that could contain spoilers.

Thumbs up by Darshit, Movies Music and Me ...It takes out child from within you. Child who want to dance to peppy tunes of Vishal Shekhar. Music sounds better while watching it on screen. Cause all are situational songs... full review

Thumbs up desi hits ...you almost walk away with an aftertaste of charm overload.... full review

Thumbs down by Mihir Fadnavis, o.main_site.name ...Ritesh Deshmukh does all he can but is ultimately forgettable... full review

Thumbs down by Mayank Shekhar, Hindustan Times ...And then senseless special effects after special effects for special effects’ sake starts.... full review

Thumbs down by Aniruddha Guha, DNA ...In the first half you wish for the interval, in the second half you wish for the film to end, and when the film still doesn't end, you once again wish for it to end.... full review

Thumbs down by Udita Jhunjhunwala, DNA ...The mystery, fantasy world is overrun by a juvenile love story.... full review

So-So by Kenny Basumatary, Passion for Cinema ...Jacqueline Fernandes is very beautiful, but – nothing personal – it’ll take at least one more film to see if she’s more than just another assembly line beauty queen... full review

Thumbs down by Gaurav Malani, indiatimes ...Ghosh has a vibrant vision in depicting scenes where the Genie opens doors to Aladin’s dreams.... full review

Thumbs down by Nikhat Kazmi, Times of India ...Aladin, Aladin, kahan hai tera sheen?... full review

Thumbs down by Janhvi Patel, StarBoxOffice ...The city of Khwaish is picturesque. Though it’s near the China border, it has an Indo-European look and vibe because of its lit-up, cobbled streets and domed structures.... full review

Thumbs down by Bryan Durham, MiD DAY ...Aladin seems like a collage of some interesting scenes put together to make a movie. ... full review

Thumbs up real bollywoood ...the hindi motion picture event of the decade…... full review

Thumbs down by Kaveree Bamzai, india today ...neither the mood of the film right nor its momentum.... full review

Thumbs down by Bobby Sing, Bobby Talks Cinema.com ...the three wishes are just wasted by Aladin, without any excitement build up or entertainment factor for the viewers. ... full review

Thumbs down by K K Rai, STARDUST ...Sahil Khan, who plays the character of Kasim, has enacted his part well. His bullying of Riteish Deshmukh seems convincing... full review

Thumbs down mag4you ...Riteish fits the character, as envisaged perhaps and because he is so capable of those expressions. But, there's no real imagination in his role.... full review

So-So by Bhargav Saikia, Reviews Etc By Bhargav Saikia ... Sujoy Ghosh's ambitious fantasy film doesn't have a breathtaking story and it's nowhere near the best fantasy films I've ever seen. But oddly enough, I found Aladin entertaining.... full review

Thumbs down by SpiceZee Bureau, ZEENEWS.COM ...Throughout the film, Amitabh looks like a character, who has had an incomplete make-up session.... full review

So-So by Subhash K Jha, IBOS ...Mr Bachchan brings in that special and unique blend of tongue-in-cheek wit and childlike chutzpah to his supernatural role.... full review

Thumbs down by Baradwaj Rangan, Blogical Conclusion, The New Sunday Express ...silly enough to delight children, and just sinister enough so grownups won’t be bored... full review

Thumbs down Indiaglitz ...Musical score by Vishal-Shekar doesn’t stimulate our invigorations... full review

Thumbs down Indicine ...The movie gets too predictable too soon, and just when you gear up for the last action filled battle, the director disappoints you with a lame ending.... full review

Thumbs down by The ThirdMan, Upper Stall ... Take away Amitabh Bachchan and Aladin would collapse like a pack of cards... full review

Thumbs up by Martin D'Souza, Glamsham.com ...Jacqueline waltzes through her part with the grace of a gazelle. She has the looks and the talent to make a mark... full review

So-So by Katherine Matthews, Bolly Spice ...If I have any quibbles with Aladin, they are less to do with the story itself, and more to do with the film's pacing and how the story actually plays itself out... full review

Thumbs down Movie Talkies ...that the effects weren't exactly exciting and hence didn't do much to help create a fantasy world. ... full review

Thumbs down by Nikhil Kumar, Apun Ka Choice ...But mercy! Even as the film trots to its climax…slam!...a song is squeezed in? ... full review

Thumbs down by K N Gupta, SmasHits.com ...Sabu Cyril's art direction gives a fantasy feel to the hill-station town setting.... full review

So-So by Noyon Jyoti Parasara, AOL INDIA ...What makes ‘Aladin’ a must watch is the special effects and set designs.... full review

Thumbs down by Deepa Garimella, fullhyd.com ... Amitabh Bachchan is over-eager, but not half as much as his make-up man is. ... full review

Thumbs down by Anand Vaishnav, Buzz18 ...Post interval and several songs later the action finally begins.... full review

Thumbs down by Hanumant Bhansali, Radio Sargam ...After an impressive start the movie dips with the entry of the Genie.... full review

Thumbs down by Anupama Chopra, Now Running.com ...plot contortions and confusions would hardly matter if Ghosh were able to enchant us. ... full review

Thumbs down by Taran Adarsh, Bollywood Hungama ...Wish 2: Producers should act more responsibly. They shouldn't be mere moneybags, but have creative control too;... full review

So-So by Rajeev Masand, IBN Live ...First-timer Jacqueline Fernandes is easy on the eye and appears confident, but has precious little to do. ... full review

Thumbs down by Sukanya Verma, Rediff ...A spate of songs, after every few minutes, doesn't help either. ... full review

So-So by Joginder Tuteja, Now Running.com ... The entire past about Aladin and the Genius gets a little confusing.... full review

Thumbs down by Ashok Nayak, Now Running.com ...but soon after Genius makes an appearance, the movie begins to drag.... full review

So-So by Sonia Chopra, Sify Movies ...Visual effects are arresting and well executed as against the excesses of Saawariya or the clumsy attempts of Drona and Love Story 2050.... full review

Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani - 19 yays, 8 nays, 10 okays

meetu — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 20:33:54 +0530

Hindi Movies, Romance, Comedy | 10 comments
Running time: 150 minutes

Quick Review

Rating: Movie buffs - rent a DVD

A rom-com that is half-baked comedy and a quarter-baked romance. Does that make it a well-baked film? Unfortunately that's not how the math works. It stays an under-cooked pot that makes you laugh here and there and doesn't get you engaged in its emotion

37 reviewers have given Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani an average rating of 3.2/5.0 - 19 thumbs up, 8 thumbs down, and 10 so-so.

Warning: clicking on "full review" will take you to an external website that could contain spoilers.

Thumbs up by SpiceZee Bureau, ZEENEWS.COM ...Ranbir has once again delivers a stellar performance... full review

Thumbs down by Mayank Shekhar, Hindustan Times ...You look through this hollowness, and sense there is not a comic bone at all.... full review

Thumbs down by Gaurav Malani, indiatimes ...Santoshi makes it ‘loud’ and clear that the flavour of his comedy is slapstick with a comic-strip feel to the storytelling... full review

Thumbs up by Nikhat Kazmi, Times of India ...not only Ranbir and Katrina, the rest of the cast is in crackling form too.... full review

Thumbs up by Janhvi Patel, StarBoxOffice ...Ranbir Kapoor is the star of the film. The guy is effortless; he can do anything, be it romance, comedy or action and make it look convincing.... full review

So-So by Sarita Tanwar, aslibaat.com ...There clichés in the film are a major dampener ... full review

Thumbs up real bollywoood ...Advertisements have been strategically hidden in the screenplay with even Ranbir mouthing his youngistaan dialougue- ‘Chaaho Toh Kuch Bhi Hai Asaan’.... full review

Thumbs up real bollywoood ...One of the biggest contributors of the film is its music by Pritam.... full review

Thumbs up by Kaveree Bamzai, india today ...I have to say that it will be Ranbir Kapoor for the next few years. ... full review

Thumbs down by Bobby Singh, Bobby Talks Cinema.com ...the film has got nothing before intermission except the sincere, skillful performance of Ranbir and glamorous looks of Katrina... full review

Thumbs up by K K Rai, STARDUST ...Katrina proves with this film that she has moved from her earlier days of being a glam doll and is ready to take on more challenging roles, if given... full review

So-So by Udita Jhunjhunwala, DNA ...This is just another boy-girl love triangle with miscellaneous characters. ... full review

Thumbs down by Khalid Mohammed, Passion for Cinema ...Throughout the gags could have been infinitely more inventive... full review

Thumbs up by Subhash K Jha, IBOS ...Even while mouthing corny maudlin sappy dialogues about serving moong-dal ke pakaude to his beloved or plucking stars from the sky for her, Ranbir makes the trite seem just right. ... full review

So-So by Saurabh Datar, J.A.M ... Katrina looks absolutely gorgeous. Acting you ask? Don’t bother. ... full review

So-So by Amodini, Amodini's Movie Reviews ...Luminous Katrina, and the youngish Ranbir, ooze beauty and charm in every frame. Even though they have no help from the script, they manage to salvage the film to make it an average entertainer... full review

Thumbs up by Baradwaj Rangan, Blogical Conclusion, The New Sunday Express ...here’s so much puckishness in the air, even Katrina seems to have inhaled some of the fairy-dust – the marble-model actually springs to life, coming across as some sort of spry comedienne (or at least a game-enough imitation).... full review

Thumbs up by Nova, The World As I See It ...After a long time, we have a movie that can boast of fresh and clean comedy!!... full review

Thumbs up by Daliya Ghose, Bollywood Mantra ... Music by Pritan keeps the feel and the thrill of the film going. It’s very youthful.... full review

So-So Indicine ...What starts off as a light-hearted romantic movie, turns ugly in the second half with slapstick - Priyadashan style comedy.... full review

So-So by The Thirdman, Upper Stall ...The lead pair looks extremely good together and there's no denying they share quite a likeable chemistry and this certainly helps lift the film a notch or two.... full review

Thumbs down by Martin D'Souza, Glamsham.com ...The film swings like a pendulum; at one moment, it takes off and at another, it just drops... full review

Thumbs up by Katherine Matthews, Bolly Spice ...APKGK is a bit like a trip to the fair, where, instead of a ride on the roller-coaster, you settle for one on the merry-go-round.... full review

So-So by Anand Vaishnav, Buzz18 ...Pritam's soundtrack is a huge asset complemented by some lavish choreography. ... full review

Thumbs up Movie Talkies ...towards the latter half of the second half, the film seems to have been stretched too long and just about starts to get tiresome.... full review

So-So by N K Deoshi, Apun Ka Choice ...adds in a lot of Chaplin flavour to the lead character, but his attempt to evoke sympathy for the self-sacrificing hero isn’t as subtle.... full review

Thumbs down by Deepa Garimella, fullhyd.com ...has plenty of slapstick, and mostly of the kind that can be easily witnessed at your neighbourhood pre-school.... full review

Thumbs up by Pankaj Shukla, SmasHits.com ...Santoshi can be proud of cracking the best on screen chemistry between Katrina and Ranbeer; the pair looks cool... full review

Thumbs up by Noyon Jyoti Parasara, AOL INDIA ...Its strong point, apart from Ranbir, happens to be its clichéd settings... full review

Thumbs down by Neha Vishwanathan, Indiequill ...The result is predictable and about as exciting as watching a toddler add up single digits. ... full review

Thumbs up by Hanumant Bhansali, Radio Sargam ...The film has a handful of great scenes that many will enjoy... full review

So-So by Anupama Chopra, NDTV ...The trouble is that the film cannot maintain this tone and energy. So, the humour dips and the gags become forced.... full review

Thumbs up by Taran Adarsh, Bollywood Hungama ...there're times when you feel that the humour looks forced [climax fight especially], but you don't grudge it... full review

Thumbs down by Rajeev Masand, IBN Live ...Nowhere nearly as smart as the director's cult comedy Andaz Apna Apna which relied on a sharp script to deliver its consistently madcap tone, Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani is erratic in its humour, going from genuinely comic to frustratingly foolish in a matter of minutes. ... full review

Thumbs up by Sonia Chopra, Sify Movies ...This is Ranbir's show all the way and he carries the film with effortless grace.... full review

So-So by Ashok Nayak, Now Running.com ...APKGK is a let-down in terms of its inconsistent script and moves from being a good romantic tale to a senseless slapstick comedy.... full review

Thumbs up by Raja Sen, Rediff ...There's insanity afoot in this film, and this boy makes most of it an absolute treat, glossing over script inconsistency and weaker comedic moments via sheer screen charm alone. Wow.... full review

Jail - 12 yays, 14 nays, 7 okays

meetu — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 20:33:47 +0530

Hindi Movies, Drama, Crime, Social | 8 comments
Running time: 135 minutes

Quick Review

Rating: Watch for sure, preferably in theatre

The word spells gloom, the vision it creates makes a shiver run down the spine. The things you've read about this thing called prison invoke the worst of your imagination. The Neil-Madhur combination brings this harshness to life.

33 reviewers have given Jail an average rating of 2.3/5.0 - 12 thumbs up, 14 thumbs down, and 7 so-so.

Warning: clicking on "full review" will take you to an external website that could contain spoilers.

Thumbs down by Mayank Shekhar, Hindustan Times ...The formula is quite simple. You take the protagonist through hell in a murky setting that is the film itself. ... full review

So-So by Gaurav Malani, indiatimes ...he falls short on detailing the internal intricacies of imprisonment and the story gets slack with no distinctive graph to the character conflicts. ... full review

Thumbs up by Nikhat Kazmi, Times of India ... Kudos to Bhandarkar for taking an ekdum different take on the notorious Indian jail. ... full review

Thumbs down by Samiya Shakir, StarBoxOffice ... Not only is he stone-cold expressionless, even his body language in the movie seems forced to stiffen up - no reason why confinement should make you so rigid- given that its a hostile atmosphere and one should be easy and learn to adapt.... full review

Thumbs down by Tushar Joshi, aslibaat.com ...In jail he succeeds in giving us a first account of what goes through the mind of a prisoner when he leaves behind the all familiar and takes on a new life.... full review

Thumbs up real bollywoood ...Madhur has the knack of deriving award winning performances from his principal cast and in here Neil delivers an award worthy performance as Parag Dixit.... full review

Thumbs down by Kaveree Bamzai, india today ...Bigg Boss Season 4 set inside a jail... full review

So-So by Bobby Singh, Bobby Talks Cinema.com ...However, the director’s excellence is still evident in a few well conceived sequences related with some important characters in the script. ... full review

So-So by K K Rai, STARDUST ...Neil Nitin Mukesh is really amazing in the character of Parag, when he becomes an inmate of the jail and does not know what to do... full review

Thumbs up by Subhash K Jha, IBOS ... Here he strips not just his hero but also his plot free of all adornment to give us a long disturbing sometimes traumatic dekko at life behind those stone walls.... full review

Thumbs up by SpiceZee Bureau, ZEENEWS.COM ...It’s hard-hitting, shocking yet relatable and thought provoking but certain flaws and exaggerated emotions leave the film short of a blockbuster.... full review

Thumbs down by Khalid Mohammed, Passion for Cinema ...Like it or not it’s pouring cliches out here, from the hero finding the prison food ugh-ugh (did he expect sushi?) to the initial undressing parade.... full review

Thumbs down by Padmaja Thakore, Passion for Cinema ...The plot of Jail is unlayered and uncomplicated. ... full review

Thumbs down by Priya, J.A.M ...The film looks like a bad documentary on Indian jails. ... full review

Thumbs down by Baradwaj Rangan, Blogical Conclusion, The New Sunday Express ...Shouldn’t there be some restraint, a faraway shot of the nude outline of Parag (when he’s strip-searched upon entering prison) instead of a close-up of his crotch blocked out with pixels?... full review

Thumbs up Indiaglitz ...Neil Nithin Mukesh throws a performance of ne plus ultra and let himself jumped into the main league of Khans and Kumars now... full review

Thumbs up Indicine ...Does an individual, with a clean past, actually deserve Jail hell until proven guilty by the court? Especially when the very environment can turn an innocent into a criminal.... full review

Thumbs down by The ThirdMan, Upper Stall ...Neil Nitin Mukesh alternates between woodenness and some extremely funny face-making in the name of intense acting.... full review

Thumbs up by Martin D'Souza, Glamsham.com ... It is not close to what prison cells are but Madhur manages to bring the uneasiness and fear that dwells deep within the prison walls.... full review

Thumbs down by Roshni Mulchandani, Bolly Spice ...the Desai court proceedings work well as a bathroom break... full review

Thumbs down by Shweta Parande, Buzz18 ...no real highs or lows in the film... full review

So-So by Naresh Kumar, Apun Ka Choice ...Neil digs his teeth well into his character and brings a mix of seething angst, cathartic outbursts and hopeless resignation against his situation.... full review

So-So Movie Talkies ...one feels that he could have done more to explore the effect this has on the individual's psyche. ... full review

Thumbs down by Priyanka Pulla, fullhyd.com ... One really wishes Bhandarkar would stop preaching with Shirdi Sai Baba style parables. ... full review

Thumbs up by K N Gupta, SmasHits.com ...While critically examining the movie we find that its USP is the human face of its each character in spite of their involvement in heinous crimes.... full review

Thumbs up by Hanumant Bhansali, Radio Sargam ...This has to be Neil Nitin Mukesh’s best ever performance and very difficult to surpass in future... full review

Thumbs down by Sonia Chopra, Sify Movies ...We also don’t get a real glimpse of Parag’s family who is serving a sentence of their own.... full review

So-So by Anupama Chopra, NDTV ...Jail never becomes more than the sum of its parts... full review

Thumbs up by Taran Adarsh, Bollywood Hungama ... Madhur, Manoj Tyagi and Anuradha Tiwari's script involves you in most parts. Raghuvir Shekhawat's dialogues are true to life.... full review

Thumbs up by Ashok Nayak, Now Running.com ...t is depressing at times and probably too hard to digest for most, but Bhandarkar's proves to be a master storyteller as he involves the audience completely into proceedings... full review

So-So by Rajeev Masand, IBN Live ...But despite the clunky writing, it's a relief to see Bhandarkar empathasise with his characters rather than exploit them for cheap titillation like he's done in earlier films.... full review

Thumbs up by Joginder Tuteja, Now Running.com ...Bhandarkar maintains an unbiased point of view.... full review

Thumbs down by Raja Sen, Rediff ...Bhandarkar's modus operandi is simple, to pick out a subject, decided on its stereotyped negatives, ones that are already more than well-entrenched in the public consciousness, and then vilify it.... full review

Review - Jail: you sense the claustrophobia

meetu — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 18:54:35 +0530

Hindi Movies, Drama, Social, Crime | 8 comments
Running time: 135 minutes

Quick Review

Rating: Watch for sure, preferably in theatre

A Jail - the subject matter is so grim that the treatment can only be depressing. You see a few characters but it’s the jail that adds, deletes and depletes what had defined them thus far. Parag (Niel Nitin Mukesh) is the one you care for, you want him to get out of this jail. And while doing that, you are sucked in; in to the atmosphere, living one day at a time - sometimes hopeful, some days aimless. And you want to avoid acknowledging that creepy feeling - real life prisons must only be worse. And this is because Parag turns narrator and you see this essay through his eyes. The plot moves on only because life does.

What is shown is mostly what we know already. And yet we must have seen only a small percentage of what really goes on in those barracks. We don't see the boredom a prisoner must have gone through. Why should we care? They are the ones who have defecated society. We have to live in their fear. They might as well rot here to the fullest before they are sent to hell. But then, there are also the ones who repent, the one-time offenders, and … the innocent - yet to be put on trial or worse - proven guilty.

You also are introduced to the other inmates of these jails - the policemen in-charge. What a thankless job that is!? What crime did they commit to be forced to spend their days and nights with the worst that humanity offers? Let alone the day-to-day problems they face from the higher ups, the judicial system, the politicians and their own family.

Yes, Madhur Bhandarkar has taken upon himself to sensitize his audience to the plight of the people who live in a world we know exists and choose to ignore. He does so in a matter-of-fact tone. He doesn't sermonize, he doesn't glamorize. He just opens the door and ironically lets it be so.

Writer Madhur, has chosen one representative for each set of people that constitute an Indian jail. He doesn't necessarily fill in the flesh in detail, but there's enough for us to make a fair judgment about the characters. Parag doesn't say much. But even if you don’t take into account the acting skills used, there's a lot in the writing that tells you about him. There are other characters narrating similar feelings and you know what he's thinking. It is extremely well-woven into the narrative.

There is actually only one main character in the film. And it's risky - banking on just one actor, not even a lady lead to stride alongside. The bet worked. You don't miss more detailed characters. His misery, his hope are enough to agonize you through the 2 hours. Manoj Bajpai is only a bonus. The two show what silence can convey.

The plot cannot be broken down into an introduction, a conflict, and a climax. The first and last parts are way too short. In fact the climax seems too simple and quick. The pace suddenly changes and it ends almost abruptly. But, even so, there's no preaching, there's no epilogue. And that must have been a difficult-to-resist temptation.

This is an autobiography of a prison. Not one prisoner or two. But it’s a peek into a few years of a jail's life. Inmates come and inmates go. You see it, you smell it, you sense it. Parag's misfortune - of being at the wrong place, at the wrong time, with the wrong person - is only incidental. But you will be thinking constantly of the people he represents - the innocent.

- meetu, a part of the audience

Parental Guidance:

Violence: In general, the environment of the jail is pretty violent even if there is not violence shown. In addition, this has some gun fights and beating up, torture scenes.
Language: More or less clean, though murder and killing is indicated through language used.
Nudity & Sexual content: A bar song, indication of masturbation and oral sex.
Concept: Life in a prison. W character who's a bar dancer by profession, extra-marital affair,
General Look and Feel: Its dark and grim. I'd keep the kids away for this reason and lots more.

Detailed Ratings:

Direction: 4
Story: 4.5
Lead Actors: 4.5
Character Artists: 3.5

Dialogues: 4
Screenplay: 4
Music Director: 2
Lyrics: 2

Review - Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani: : Not unusual or amazing, just a few sparks

meetu — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 03:15:41 +0530

Hindi Movies, Romance, Comedy | 10 comments
Running time: 150 minutes

Quick Review

Rating: Movie buffs - rent a DVD

The on-screen activity had the entire theater in splits! People around me couldn't stop laughing their guts out. So funny did they find the jokes and situations that the gags kept them happy through the unnecessary emotional scenes too. No-no, the audience was chuckling with the characters, not at them. I - well I didn't see the humor through most of the film. Somehow - hit-the-crotch, eunuchs-exist-that's-so-funny, Draupadi-like-undrape-Sari, people-falling-off-stairs, slapping-each-other, modified-cake-fights - don't even make me smile, smirk maybe, but nowhere near the grin-region. However, when I laughed at the other jokes, I laughed real hard.

I don't understand what's so weird or whacky about Prem (Ranbir Kapoor) or about his style of love. Nor do I understand what's so unusual about his story. Not a crime so far, even if you claim those things in the title. The onus of originality is not on you when the entire industry is "referencing." But get there in a way that is wholesome and entertaining.

The sure way of doing that is with some howlarious dialogue, especially when you don't have much in terms of character arcs or story development going on. That they manage in fits and spurts. There is another way to enjoy the do, just pre-decide, you are going to enjoy, and you might too.

The lead pair is another thing that might keep you going. Ranbir Kapoor plays the perfect Prem (Barjatya reference for the uninitiated). Charming and saccharine sweet. He has shades of Sunil, who tries to evoke Prem's darker side. Yes, he's aaawww-cho-chwweet. Diabetics might want to stay away. There's this one sequence in which he does a Jim Cary a lá The Mask and is pretty hilarious too. Now, why he's doing that, don’t ask! And oh yeah, remember slapstick? Yes, Ranbir is loud in this one!

Boys, Katrina Kaif is as lovely, to look at, as ever - even though she's in Sunday-Morning-Mass dresses through the film. Meaning - not much in terms of sensuous skin-show. She doesn't let that affect her performance though. Same ol' accent, same straight face, a similar ol' attempt at shedding glycerin tears.

On the brighter side, there's no first half-second half syndrome here. It is in one continuum - few emotional scenes, a few good laughs, loads of slapstick, and mucho silliness. Oh yeah… and 2-3 songs. The problem is in each of these, you find Santoshi trying to imitate some movie or director. And why not, right? Especially when you can pay tribute to Cinema Paradiso and Maine Pyaar Kiya all in one go! And if not anyone else, there's always an annoying self-reference to bank on. Reminding us of what could have been.

It's Tom and Jerry style humor, alright. But, it doesn't have a quarter of the recall value. And the saddest part is that it's a desperate effort for a repeat performance by Rajkumar Santoshi. And that part is pretty obvious. If only being yourself wasn't that difficult. A wannabe Andaz Apna Apna. And not very successful at that.

- meetu, a part of the audience

Parental Guidance:

Violence: A comic fight at the end.
Language: Clean
Nudity & Sexual content: One song with a little bit of a skin show.
Concept: Undying, selfless love.
General Look and Feel: Happy, peppy, and all things nice.

Detailed Ratings:

Direction: 2
Story: 1
Lead Actors: 2
Character Artists: 2

Dialogues: 2.5
Screenplay: 1.5
Music Director: 3
Lyrics: 3

Main Aur Mrs Khanna - 1 yays, 31 nays, 4 okays

Akashi Kaul — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 18:47:01 +0530

Hindi Movies, Comedy, Relationships | 0 comments
Running time: 130 minutes

Quick Review

Rating: Movie buffs - rent a DVD

The promos of Main aur Mrs. Khanna are quite misleading as they would have you believe that this movie is a Salman Khan movie. For all the Salman Khan fans out there, THIS IS NOT A SALMAN KHAN MOVIE. But if you want to see him anyway, go right ahead and watch it. Watch out for Bappi Lahiri.

36 reviewers have given Main Aur Mrs Khanna an average rating of 0.4/5.0 - 1 thumbs up, 31 thumbs down, and 4 so-so.

Warning: clicking on "full review" will take you to an external website that could contain spoilers.

Thumbs down by Rajeev Masand, IBN Live ...There are dumb scripts and dumber scripts, but Main Aurr Mrs Khanna has got to be the dumbest.... full review

Thumbs down by Taran Adarsh, Bollywood Hungama ...could've been an interesting story had the drama quotient been a bit stronger... full review

Thumbs down by Anupama Chopra, NDTV ...There is no real conflict between the Khannas and the one the director creates is so lame that you are not the least bit concerned or engaged by it. ... full review

Thumbs down by Sonia Chopra, Sify Movies ...A dialogue in the film refers to Raina as a bharatiya nari, which is highly offensive. Lacking a smidgen of self-worth or ambition, Raina is the kind of hyper-dependant, clingy characters that films love to pass off as an ideal wife. ... full review

Thumbs down by Ashok Nayak, Now Running.com ...The screenplay seems disjointed and many questions are left unanswered... full review

Thumbs down by Patcy N, Rediff ...Sounds promising, doesn't it? But let me tell you, Main Aurr Mrs Khanna is anything but.... full review

Thumbs down by Hanumant Bhansali, Radio Sargam ...Salman Khan and Kareena’s acting is mind blowing and carry their part well. ... full review

Thumbs down by Amrita, Indiequill ...Aakash is possibly the most uninteresting lover ever seen on film. And I’ve seen Bharat Bhushan at work. ... full review

Thumbs down by Tushar Joshi, MiD DAY ...In the effort to keep the film light and the tempo steady, Prem Soni has ended up cooking a half-baked dish. ... full review

Thumbs down by Deepa Garimella, fullhyd.com ...The main twist in the film revolves around an issue that is, in the first place, an avoidable one. Secondly, it could have been painlessly solved by some elementary across-the-table talk, and it seems contrived to build an entire plot section around it.... full review

Thumbs down Movie Talkies ...it is a confused offering... full review

Thumbs down by N K Deoshi, Apun Ka Choice ...‘Main Aur Mrs Khanna’ is so very behind its times that it appears that writer-director Prem Soni gleaned most of the scenes from the scrapped scripts of the unmade movies from the previous decade.... full review

Thumbs up by Suranjana Nandi, Buzz18 ...despite all that, the film is good... full review

Thumbs down by Lidia Ostepeev, Planet Bollywood ...This film appears to have suffered set-backs in its infancy - a change of female lead from Lara Dutta to Kareena Kapoor and reduction in the impact of its item number from the originally desired inclusion of Shah Rukh Khan to the reality of featuring Pretty Zinta.... full review

Thumbs down by Roshni Mulchandani, Bolly Spice ...The script has massive loopholes, which create nothing but chaos in the film.... full review

Thumbs down by Martin D'Souza, Glamsham.com ... When there's not much in a script, no actor can do anything. Not even a dashing Samir, or even a stunning Mrs Khanna!... full review

Thumbs down by Critic's I-view, SmasHits.com ...senior actors play their roles very well though the movie does not challenge them at all. ... full review

Thumbs down by Sethu Madhavan, Passion for Cinema ...There are so many situations which make you laugh (in agony) and cringe by looking at the situations conjured up by Prem Soni.... full review

Thumbs down by Alekh Sangal, Upper Stall ...Mr Salman Khan sleepwalks through his role earnestly with his ever changing locks, his almost villainous look of negativity and his not so convincing "I love you's".... full review

So-So Indicine ...the director seemed to be in a rush.... full review

Thumbs down by Daliya Ghose, Bollywood Mantra ...The hype surrounds the film was much but it fails to stand up to the expectation of the audience... full review

So-So by Noyon Jyoti Parasara, AOL INDIA ...one-time watch for its ‘cuteness’ factor.... full review

Thumbs down by Sethu Madhavan, Passion for Cinema ...You wonder at times whether it’s an attempt to have a serious take on marital discord or a light hearted entertainer.... full review

Thumbs down by Gaurav Malani, indiatimes ... The film desperately struggles between being a comedy and a sensitive emotional drama but miserably fails on scoring in either genre... full review

Thumbs down by Nikhat Kazmi, Times of India ...Main aurr Mrs Khanna seems to have no passion at all. Neither love, nor anger, nor pain, nor envy. ... full review

Thumbs down by Sameer Dagga, StarBoxOffice ...It’s a pain to see Kareena Kapoor’s talent being wasted in a role that’s neither properly written nor fleshed out... full review

Thumbs down by Tushar Joshi, aslibaat.com ...The story moves at a snails pace in the first half, most of it is gloomy dark and depressing.... full review

So-So real bollywoood ...While his film begins well, establishing his main characters and their issues without much deviation to sub plots, he fumbles in the second half.... full review

Thumbs down by Kaveree Bamzai, india today ...It also has the best part. Bappi Lahiri playing the owner of a café at the airport, wearing his entire gold collection all at once, singing lots of old songs in his incomprehensible accent... full review

Thumbs down by Bobby Singh, Bobby Talks Cinema.com ...In the new age period of 2009, it’s really strange and courageous of the film-makers to even think of conceiving a film on this subject. ... full review

Thumbs down by K K Rai, STARDUST ...his love for Kareena Kapoor, despite of knowing her marital status, seems strange and the Indian audience wouldn’t find it palatable. ... full review

Thumbs down mag4you ... The music is good and so is the cinematography.... full review

Thumbs down by SpiceZee Bureau, ZEENEWS.COM ...thrown in is some music, courtesy the situational dreams of Samir and Akash as they eye the very eyeful Mrs Khanna at suitable intervals throughout the film.... full review

Thumbs down by Mayank Shekhar, Hindustan Times ...The screen is softly lit with no material to take a story forward. ... full review

Thumbs down by Udita Jhunjhunwala, DNA ...what are Bappi Lahiri and Preity Zinta doing in this movie? ... full review

So-So by Subhash K Jha, IBOS ...There are many moments in the writing where an unspoken and delicate line is drawn between the comedy of errors and underlining tragedy of human relationships. ... full review

All the Best - 20 yays, 0 nays, 14 okays

meetu — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 17:57:47 +0530

Hindi Movies, Comedy, Slapstick | 12 comments
Running time: 120 minutes

Quick Review

Rating: Switch channels if it's on cable

Same ol' senseless slapping about, fooling around and basically random running all over the place. The regular elements of a typical slapstick coexist and as always, don't entertain.

34 reviewers have given All the Best an average rating of 4.0/5.0 - 20 thumbs up, 0 thumbs down, and 14 so-so.

Warning: clicking on "full review" will take you to an external website that could contain spoilers.

Thumbs up by Rajeev Masand, IBN Live ...Shorter in length – its songs sacrificed, its action scenes trimmed – All The Best might have been a great Diwali treat. As it currently stands, it's a delicious one-time watch.... full review

Thumbs up by Taran Adarsh, Bollywood Hungama ...Ten minutes into the film and you know that ALL THE BEST is all about mistaken identities.... full review

Thumbs up by Anupama Chopra, NDTV ...It’s seriously low IQ but you can’t stop laughing. The actors are having such a good time that their energy is infectious.... full review

Thumbs up by Sonia Chopra, Sify Movies ...Screenplay writer Yunus Sejawal (Life Partner, Do Knot Disturb) and Robin Bhatt (U, Me Aur Hum) give us a riveting script.... full review

So-So by Sukanya Verma, Rediff ...mostly loud comedy with stale humour and sloppy gags... full review

So-So by Subhash K Jha, Now Running.com ... So ok. This one doesn't leave you... er blue in the face. The comedy is purely situational and the style purely 'Rohit Shetty'. That means a bit of slapstick, a bit of that rapidly-moving tongue in the cheek, and a lot of Ajay Devgn. ... full review

So-So by Ashok Nayak, Now Running.com ...Ajay Devgan has the meatiest role and he is fantastic in the comic scenes. Johnny lever after a long time is fun to watch. ... full review

Thumbs up by Martin D'Souza, Glamsham.com ... MUST WATCH... full review

So-So by Kara Baer, Bolly Spice ...The plot is an exercise in that old chestnut of mixed-up identity... full review

Thumbs up by Anand Vaishnav, Buzz18 ...Sanjay Dutt is the soul of the film. Despite being an Ajay Devgn production, Dutt gets the best lines and is presented in a way that does justice to his seniority.... full review

So-So by Aparajita Ghosh, Apun Ka Choice ...Ajay Devgn (with an ‘a’ flicked out of his surname) does some dangerous stunts besides showing his comic flair... full review

Thumbs up Movie Talkies ...The music of the film is good, the songs in 'All The Best….Fun Begins' are quite situational and are merged perfectly to suit the mood of the film... full review

So-So by Samrat Sharma, fullhyd.com ...There's something to be said about his homegrown aesthetic, though - every shot is hand-made, every sequence crafted with the raw assurance of a team delivering their all on the sets.... full review

Thumbs up by Pankaj Shukla, SmasHits.com ...Rohit Shetty has found a good High Five in his actors.... full review

Thumbs up by Sarita Tanwar, MiD DAY ...Since it's based on a play, it takes a while for Rohit to trigger the fun.... full review

Thumbs up by Hanumant Bhansali, Radio Sargam ...Sanjay Mishra and Johnny Lever also leave no stone unturned in creating laughter and making the journey more delightful... full review

So-So by Subhash K Jha, AOL INDIA ...Shetty doesn't use the touristic spot as a character. You suspect he places his colony of characters in the Goan l... full review

So-So Indiaglitz ...Rohit Shetty never seems to strain himself in experimenting serious motifs over the screens.... full review

So-So Indicine ...The background noise, the dress, the makeup and the behind the scenes clips in the end - the movie in its entirety is too loud... full review

So-So by Khalid Mohamed, Passion for Cinema ...The wild variety of T-shirts convinces you to never dare to wear one in public, what with Popeye and op-art motifs.... full review

Thumbs up by Gaurav Malani, indiatimes ...Nevertheless the humour works since the treatment is not fully farcical but also has a plot primarily focused on mistaken identities... full review

So-So by Mayank Shekhar, Hindustan Times ...It’s heartening to watch Devgn then stick his neck and funnybone out with such a low-key film, cracking it with his casual presence and precise timing... full review

So-So by Nikhat Kazmi, Times of India ...t begins so sluggishly you are almost ready to write it... full review

Thumbs up by Sameer Dagga, StarBoxOffice ...On the narrative front, the pace of the film is loose in the first half with a few incoherent sequences put together which sometimes seem out of the place.... full review

Thumbs up by Sarita Tanwar, aslibaat.com ...Fardeen Khan has equal footage and he proves he’s super when it comes to comedy... full review

Thumbs up real bollywoood ...Dutt too is in top form and entertains.... full review

So-So by Kaveree Bamzai, india today ...Same director, same principal actor, same crazed plot with racist and sexist jokes. And the same insider humour.... full review

Thumbs up by Bobby Singh, Bobby Talks Cinema.com ...With the entertaining comic timing between Sanjay Dutt & Ajay Devgan, the film picks up fast and gets good support from the side tracks of Johny Lever & Sanjay Mishra. ... full review

Thumbs up by K K Rai, STARDUST ...The music by Pritam lacks quality to attract the audiences to theatres on its own.... full review

So-So by Namrata Joshi, Outlook India ... Both he and Dutt seem to be enjoying their comic turn which gives the film much of its madness and energy. ... full review

Thumbs up by Aniruddha Guha, DNA ...Even though the drama becomes predictable after a point, the gags keep you engaged. ... full review

Thumbs up by SpiceZee Bureau, ZEENEWS.COM ...being low on IQ is actually funny... full review

Thumbs up by Shubhra Gupta, indian express ...Actually, it doesn’t really matter about who loves whom, because ‘All The Best’ cheerfully sacrifices all pretence of sense to ensure the gags are rapid fire. ... full review

Thumbs up mag4you ...clean family entertainer mainly targeted at the masses... full review

Blue - 8 yays, 24 nays, 5 okays

Amrah Ashraf — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 16:58:18 +0530

Hindi Movies, Thriller, Action, Adventure | 14 comments
Running time: 117 minutes

Quick Review

Rating: Movie buffs - rent a DVD

The typically banal formula of action and skin packed in with some mind boggling underwater sequence. It will leave you with a bad after taste of what could’ve been a treat! After a while, you might feel you re watching National Geographic packaged the ‘bollywood ishtyle.’

37 reviewers have given Blue an average rating of 1.4/5.0 - 8 thumbs up, 24 thumbs down, and 5 so-so.

Warning: clicking on "full review" will take you to an external website that could contain spoilers.

Thumbs down by Rajeev Masand, IBN Live ...Neither slick nor fast-paced, this film lumbers in circles before crashing into a moronic finale ... full review

Thumbs up by Taran Adarsh, Bollywood Hungama ...The marine life, which you may've watched on National Geographic Channel or Animal Planet, comes alive in all splendour at the start itself. ... full review

Thumbs down by Anupama Chopra, NDTV ...The film’s absolute lack of logic is compounded by the low IQ dialogue. In the middle of a murderous gun battl... full review

Thumbs down by Sonia Chopra, Sify Movies ...Such money and effort on finding the right location for shooting live sharks and getting a stellar cast; and both wasted. ... full review

So-So by Chandrama Pal, Rediff ...Sanjay Dutt -- who wears sunglasses the first thing when gunmen attack his house -- looks flabby and flabbergasted, and seems unsure of what to do with the sizzling Lara on his arms. ... full review

Thumbs up by Joginder Tuteja, Now Running.com ...Action is truly the USP of the film and keeps the momentum going for "Blue" due to which one doesn't quite miss the presence of a solid storyline.... full review

Thumbs down by Ashok Nayak, Now Running.com ...with the viewers having almost forgotten about the adventure that leads to the treasure, the director gets to the point and the search begins... full review

Thumbs up by Hanumant Bhansali, Radio Sargam ...It’s a top notch and above all action flicks made in the Industry till date... full review

So-So by Sarita Tanwar, MiD DAY ...Zayed displays spontaneity... full review

Thumbs down by Pankaj Shukla, SmasHits.com ...Akshay should agree he's getting older by wearing that khichdi goatee; his close-ups show his aging muscles... full review

Thumbs down by Deepa Garimella, fullhyd.com ...Blue, a film that quite easily lends itself to some unfortunate puns involving the words "blue", "depth", "shipwreck" and "sink", comes apart primarily because there's simply no plot.... full review

Thumbs down Movie Talkies ...A bad story is further affected by bad dialogues, again by Mayur Puri, and topple it with sad performances... full review

Thumbs up by N K Deoshi, Apun Ka Choice ... In this adrenaline burst of macho men, speedsters, and deep sea divers who swim with sharks, some glamour and titillation is thrown in in the shapely forms of the bikini-clad Lara Dutta and deadly-looking Katrina Kaif. ... full review

Thumbs down by Jaya Biswas, Buzz18 ...Perhaps director Anthony D'souza doesn’t believe in building up the mystery ... full review

So-So by Ankit Ojha, Planet Bollywood ...Classic was what was expected of the movie, but classic it certainly isn't. Anthony didn’t really miss the bus, but caught a '1970 Ashok Leyland' rather than the latest one!... full review

Thumbs up by Kara Baer, Bolly Spice ...There really isn't much acting required to drive the story forward since the stunts take precedence over plot but Zayed looks like a natural on his motorbike and Akshay, of course, is right at home swimming amidst the sharks... full review

Thumbs down by Martin D'Souza, Glamsham.com ...BLUE is a picnic in the Bahamas for the cast and crew. I guess director Anthony D'Souza told the cast, "Just get in front of the camera and do whatever you want."... full review

Thumbs down by Film Bear, Upper Stall ...The characters have no graph... full review

Thumbs down Indicine ...Not in the history of Bollywood has an actress managed to look so stunning in a Bikini.... full review

So-So Indiaglitz ...musical score by Rahman leaves you irresistible with invigorations... full review

Thumbs down by Noyon Jyoti Parasara, AOL INDIA ...Though the music as a stand alone, in my opinion, is one of Rahman’s most forgettable works, it works in the film, especially the background... full review

Thumbs down by ~UH~, Passion for Cinema ...Akshay Kumar (nicknamed Sarkar) is simply hilarious. His dialogues, attitude, goatie, underwater antics- all makes him the head clown of this once in a blue moon venture.... full review

Thumbs down by Sudhir Nair, Passion for Cinema ...Where all other wannabe directors find it difficult to get a producer even for a Rs. 10 Cr flick, this dude gets a whopping Rs. 100 Cr + for a script that has been written with the least amount of creativity.... full review

Thumbs down by Khalid Mohamed, Passion for Cinema ...Shots through champagne and wine glasses are hilariously retro... full review

Thumbs down by Gaurav Malani, indiatimes ...In absence of a sane screenplay, the viewer is subjected to burnout action sequences and bike chases... full review

Thumbs up by Nikhat Kazmi, Times of India ...boasting of some great deep sea shots ( by Pete Zuccarini, cinematographer, Pirates of the Caribbean fame), stunning above sea level action sequences... full review

Thumbs down by Janhvi Patel, StarBoxOffice ...Lara has barely 8 scenes that give her no scope to perform and she is simply a glam doll who was paid to pour her hot figure in gorgeous bikinis and short dresses... full review

Thumbs up desi hits ..."Blue" is a fresh fast film in a sea of romantic comedies... full review

Thumbs down real bollywoood ...A really interesting premise shot beautifully but messed big time by unimaginative writing and lackluster direction is what Blue shall always be remembered as.... full review

Thumbs down by Bobby Singh, Bobby Talks Cinema.com ...climax simply leaves you confused and annoyed... full review

So-So by Darshit, Movies Music and Me ...Dear Akki, don't take your initials too seriously. 'You Are Not AK' Read scripts instead of Cheques.... full review

Thumbs down by Ashish Gharde, MH-31 Fun Unlimited ...Zayed Khan, a speed sigma – come on yaar, spare us the horror. He is not even the last choice when it comes to speed biking. ... full review

Thumbs up by K K Rai, STARDUST ...A R Rahman’s music gel well with the mood of the flick.... full review

Thumbs down by Aniruddha Guha, DNA ...Director D'souza needs to know that an action film needn't necessarily have close-up shots of a woman's cleavage and derrière repeatedly and pointless gun firing and chase sequences.... full review

Thumbs down by Minty Tejpal, Mumbai Mirror ...the dialogue is absolutely flat and tedious... full review

Thumbs down by SpiceZee Bureau, ZEENEWS.COM ...‘Blue’ ends up as a ruined affair thereby wasting all the moolah its producers pumped in.... full review

Thumbs down by Mayank Shekhar, Hindustan Times ...They call each other Sethji (Kumar) and Sarkarji (Dutt): uncomfortably numb Van Damme and Vin Diesel with croaking voices... full review

Acid Factory - 6 yays, 18 nays, 10 okays

meetu — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 15:36:06 +0530

Hindi Movies, Action, Crime, Thriller | 4 comments
Running time: 110 minutes

Quick Review

Rating: Watch if you have nothing better to do

An interesting premise and oozes of style too. But no detail to speak of and won't thrill an inch in you. You stay uninvolved and largely put off by what's going on, on the screen.

34 reviewers have given Acid Factory an average rating of 1.6/5.0 - 6 thumbs up, 18 thumbs down, and 10 so-so.

Warning: clicking on "full review" will take you to an external website that could contain spoilers.

So-So by Taran Adarsh, Bollywood Hungama ...ACID FACTORY has enough going for it, thanks to its premise which is intriguing. But the plot is such that it takes time to come to the point.... full review

Thumbs down by Anupama Chopra, NDTV ...Verma and his producer Sanjay Gupta try and jazz up this premise with high-octane stunts and Diya Mirza in a dominatrix outfit but when the original is so mediocre, there’s only that far the copy can go.... full review

So-So by Sonia Chopra, Sify Movies ...Had the makers delved into the suspicions, insecurities and hapless condition of the protagonists, the film could've made for a gripping brain-teaser.... full review

So-So by Ashok Nayak, Now Running.com ... Acid Factory has the sleekness; style is high on action, something we have come to expect from Sanjay Gupta films. But as the reels unfold, it fails to build and hold on to the mystery... full review

Thumbs down by Subhash K Jha, Now Running.com ...Women are objects of classy but lustful adoration in Gupta's scheme of things. ... full review

Thumbs up by Ganesh Nadar, Rediff ...The helicopter chase, the innumerable cars blowing up, the bike race, the buggy race held my attention and indicate that producer Sanjay Gupta didn't cut corners when Suparn shot this movie. ... full review

Thumbs down by Hanumant Bhansali, Radio Sargam ...The movie has been lavishly shot and Sanjay Gupta maintains his style of presenting things like men in black, stunning women, trendy gears, chic jackets, cool bikes and cars.... full review

So-So by Tushar Joshi, MiD DAY ...After using intrigue and suspense as an asset in the start, the same elements become banal and cliched as the story moves ahead.... full review

Thumbs up by Pankaj Shukla, SmasHits.com ...The director has belief in his story line and the actors have belief in their delivery.... full review

Thumbs down by Deepa Garimella, fullhyd.com ...you're also kept on the edge of your seat as Fardeen Khan's boss (Gulshan Grover) keeps getting outsmarted by the villains and mouths impactful speeches of defeat - "Bloody smart!" and "Bloody clever!"... full review

So-So Movie Talkies ...Tinu Verma is good with the action scenes but a film like 'Fast And Furious' stills seems like a far fetched thought for Bollywood... full review

Thumbs down by N K Deoshi, Apun Ka Choice ... For a lover of action flicks, ‘Acid Factory’ packs in an ample dose of stunts, action, flying bullets and pyrotechnics... full review

Thumbs down by Anand Vaishnav, Buzz18 ...Dia Mirza's much-hyped negative role is a damp squib. Someone seems to have mercilessly edited her out of most scenes... full review

Thumbs up by Ankit Ojha, Planet Bollywood ...this is the first action thriller after ages that has managed to provide the audience the thrill-a-minute factor... full review

Thumbs up by Roshni Mulchandani, Bolly Spice ... Even though there are a number of characters, each one shines in Acid Factory and are incredibly believable.... full review

Thumbs up by Martin D'Souza, Glamsham.com ...The portrayal of every character and the eventual betrayal is carried off with style and delivered with conviction.... full review

Thumbs down by The ThirdMan, Upper Stall ...Forget the various logical loopholes, sufficient to say no performance stands out to deserve any sort of mention either.... full review

So-So by Daliya Ghose, Bollywood Mantra ...There has been lots of twists and turn in the story and it seems very stressful at times. ... full review

Thumbs up by Noyon Jyoti Parasara, AOL INDIA ...The idea of the story dictates the screenplay and the writer does a reasonably good job. The style of revealing goes well... full review

Thumbs down by Baradwaj Rangan, Blogical Conclusion, The New Sunday Express ...so Western in tone and tenor that the only reason the characters speak in Hindi seems to be the consideration that, otherwise, the films wouldn’t play in India?... full review

Thumbs down by Khalid, Passion for Cinema ...don’t expect any kind of screenplay sustenance here.... full review

Thumbs down by Gaurav Malani, indiatimes ...Call it convenience, coincidence or nationalism but all the players of this foreign gang are Indians... full review

So-So by Nikhat Kazmi, Times of India ...adrenalin pumps up in the second half, with Irrfan Khan adding the razor's edge to the proceedings with his silken smooth crookedness... full review

Thumbs down by Samiya Shakir, StarBoxOffice ... Gulshan Grover who plays a top cop not only makes a fool of himself but gives a real bad name to international police as well.... full review

Thumbs down by Udita Jhunjhunwala, DNA ...Mirza's performance is as stiff as her spray-on black outfit. ... full review

So-So by Tushar Joshi, aslibaat.com ...Technically the film has its moment... full review

So-So real bollywoood ...Manoj Bajpai, Irrfan Khan and Danny are superb in their given parts. Aftab, Fardeen and Dino are well suited to their parts as well and act ably. Gulshan Grover and Neha don’t have much to do... full review

Thumbs down by Kaveree Bamzai, india today ...Manoj Bajpai, trying very hard to play the "joker in the pack" stereotype.... full review

Thumbs down by Mihir Fadnavis, o.main_site.name ...It is more video game than movie, though video games have more interesting characters.... full review

Thumbs down by Bobby Singh, Bobby Talks Cinema.com ...for an avid movie lover who is well familiar with this intense, psychological, brain twister thriller genre of the west, “Acid Factory” is just a rehash version of the Original... full review

So-So by K K Rai, STARDUST ...Cinematography is superb, while sound design seems to be of international standard.... full review

Thumbs down by SpiceZee Bureau, ZEENEWS.COM ...With a brood of out of work actors – Dia Mirza, Fardeen Khan, Aftab Shivdasani and Dino Morea, as well as the fact that the movie in question is a trite remake of ‘Unknown’ (2006), it seems Suparn Verma has boarded a sinking ship!... full review

Thumbs down by Mayank Shekhar, Hindustan Times ...As you’d reckon, cars chase helicopters chase bikes chase your senses.... full review

Thumbs down by Namrata Joshi, Now Running.com ...The plot is so hare-brained, inane and absurd that it’s not even worth dissecting.... full review

This is it - Review

Rajat Agarwal — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 23:48:34 +0530

Hollywood, Biography, Docu-drama | 0 comments
Running time: 110 minutes

Rating: Watch for sure, preferably in theatre

For no mere mortal can resist, the magic of Michael Jackson

Before I begin, I think it would be wise to state that the review is going to be a little biased, me being an ardent fan of Michael Jackson.

This Is It is a film about what could have been. From March through his untimely and unexpected death in June, Michael Jackson and his crew were busy preparing for what would have been his comeback concerts (after 10 years) at London’s O2 arena. What followed, in the approximate two hours of the movie, was a glimpse of what went on during those rehearsals. It would have amazed the audience had it really been it.

This Is It is not a documentary. It is more about his music, his performance. There were fireworks, aerial dancers, majestic costumes, astonishing visual effects and incredible choreography all set to Michael’s classics like “Billie Jean”, “Black or White”, “The Way You Make Me Feel” and “Thriller”.

It was very enlightening to see the young dancers he'd chosen to go on tour with him look into the camera with tears in their eyes and thank him and describe how he'd changed their worlds before they'd ever even met him. It made me wonder if they were interviewed after his death.

The production notes said that the movie was made from over 100 hours of rehearsal footage and I doubt it because it appeared that those were rehearsals for a handful of different days, judging from Michael’s clothes.

And I hope that it's true that Michael really was saving up his energy and voice for the actual concerts as he said in the movie, because even though he sounded and moved superbly for a 50-year-old, he looked tired and frail in some of the sequences.

As the movie went deeper, so did the nostalgic feelings in me. I was just 9 years old when Michael had toured India as a part of HIStory world tour and I would be elated when MTV would become MJTV for some hours, playing only his numbers, as a part of the tour’s promotion. “They don’t care about us” evoked in me the breathtaking performance of the same number in Mumbai in 1997.

But throughout the melodious documentary, there was a melancholic, uneasy sentiment lurking. After wrecking my brains for long, it hit me. What was missing was the audience. We were all used to seeing Jackson’s concerts with the spectators going wild in hysteria. Girls sobbing uncontrollably, people fainting. That used to be the magic, the madness of Michael Jackson’s concerts. All that and more was absent in the rehearsal footages. And it made me feel sad. It somehow coupled with the fall of the artist over the years owing to his eccentricities and finally his death.

“This Is It” facilitated a highly nostalgic farewell to the world of a glorious artiste. It was a splendid souvenir for genuine fans of the late king of pop. And I would be an optimist here and refuse to believe that this was created for purely monetary purposes.

RIP, Michael.

Detailed Ratings:

Direction:
Story:
Lead Actors:
Character Artists:

Dialogues:
Screenplay:
Music Director:
Lyrics:

Review - Aladin: smoothly pulls wool over your eyes

meetu — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 23:31:45 +0530

Hindi Movies, Comedy, Kids, Fantasy | 2 comments
Running time: 120 minutes

Quick Review

Rating: Watch on DVD - though if you like neat graphics, try the theaters

You could call it the Hindi Harry Potter 7-crushed into-1 with a dash of X-men thrown in. Or, for that matter, you can look at it as any other super-hero story. BUT, you could also think of Aladin as a huge step forward for Hindi films in terms of graphics and cute imagination - however small it might be.

Don't expect any sort of deviation from the writing department though. Oops! Did I just give the movie away? Oh well, not like you wouldn't guess that in the first 5 minutes. Also, you still don't know how a dim-wit like Aladin (Riteish Deshmukh) manages to keep the evil forces from taking over. There are no fascinating revelations about life and human behavior. There are no aims loftier than power. I don't know about you? But, I thought Aladin was all about adventures, but this is more like a love story.

The first thing that takes you by awe in the first 15-20 minutes or so is the lovely sets. The sand-colored stones, the fortress like look is done really well and you know you are in fairly land with spurts of color showing up on the screen. You are in this town that is more-or-less nameless and is not bound in time. You will see TVs but they have wood-finished remote controls. You have the milkman's cycle and vintage cars.

The other special effects are also fascinating. I wondered if it was just because I was seeing this in a Hindi film. And the answer was a resounding NO! I would have equally appreciated it in a film from any part of the world. The action sequences are smoothly cut and put together. The camera moves lyrically and somehow never gets me out of the story book.

Unfortunately, there's nothing else that's above the average here. I shouldn't be repeating too often that the story is oft-repeated. :) Not only that, it slacks down quite a bit after the first half hour. Also there are jumps in the story that make you feel like you are watching a movie based on a book and they lost 50 pages after every 50 pages. The intriguing suspense in the beginning is not built further and is sorted-out pretty disappointingly.

The acting I guess requires everyone to behave a little over-the-top. I'm not the loud-act-makes-me-laugh audience, so I wouldn't know if the people who like that would enjoy it. I just think it’s a lame excuse in the name of appealing to the kids. We should be developing better tastes in the next generation.

But, given that they are *supposed* to act loud and larger-than-life Amitabh Bachchan and Sanjay Dutt enchant. We knew they are capable of it, and we see it again. Oh, how my heart sinks in giving a movie starring the Big B a low rating. You want to look only at this 65-year in a screen full of dancers. How he pulls off an entire song and makes elegant, the simplest of choreography … *sigh* oh well…

Riteish Deshmukh too succeeds, what looks like effortlessly, in playing the larger-than-life idiot! Some of the scenes with two Aladin's on screen (just like that!) make you respect him even more as an actor. Even if those were the only two expressions he could hold. And what's so special about Jacqueline Fernandez, again? Not her chalk-white face with whiter make-up, right?

And those songs get one too many and thus way too often and spoil that for you too!

For those who are not into Hollywood, this one is a must-must-watch! Others could say, "baah! I've seen it in Hollywood - like 100 times over." Or you could watch it like you would watch the next Holly-thriller-action-superhero movie with a typical No-one-can-save-the-world-but-me plotline. And yet, if there were a sequel, I would look forward to it, because all hope's not lost.

- meetu, a part of the audience

Parental Guidance:

Violence: Super power fights.
Language: Clean
Nudity & Sexual content: Clean.
Concept: Good vs. evil
General Look and Feel: A fairy tale look maintained through the film with loads of songs.

Detailed Ratings:

Direction: 3
Story: 1.5
Lead Actors: 2.5
Character Artists: 2

Dialogues: 2.5
Screenplay: 2.5
Music Director: 2
Lyrics: 2.5

Review - London Dreams: through a pleasant though long night

meetu — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 20:15:48 +0530

Hindi Movies, Relationships | 10 comments
Running time: 150 minutes

Quick Review

Rating: Watch on DVD

Friends are forever or maybe they are not. Or maybe they become best of friends except for that thin line that still keeps them apart. Does being human mean taking care of yourself or does it mean giving yourself to one and all? Can a human be so selfish or so selfless? Both nauseating in their own way? Well, it takes all kinds to make this world. And that I guess makes it an interesting place to live in albeit insane. Yes. A Vipul Amrutlal Shah film made me think beyond what was going on, on screen. And this is, despite having a few of the quintessential Hindi film touches to it.

That's because it ALSO had broader non-standard and pleasantly surprising strokes. Example, there's no one event or line that transforms the good to evil or vice versa, the character is written in such a way that the transition is smooth. Another such stroke, which I thought made this entire film worth its while, was Arjun's (Ajay Devgn's) character. His traits established, the passion that drives him to his goal and maybe even to insanity. Whether or not he achieves his goal and/or insanity is for you to go and watch. And that's the beauty. The film maintains a dark-ish atmosphere where you know anything could happen and it's equally likely that the film won't end on a popular note. And that keeps the interest alive. Ajay, of course, makes and maintains the serious ambience through the film. The twitches and the way the eyes move to disclose what's on Arjun's mind are not to be missed.

But, then again it's a mainstream Hindi film and it keeps reminding you of that. For instance, almost all the other characters are pretty much flat. Including Manu (Salman Khan) and Priya (Asin). And the actors didn't do much with whatever little scope their characters had either. Salman Khan is his usual stuff. His comic timing is best at some of the really funny lines given to him. It's amazing how the man can do the same thing over and over and over and still have his fans cheering and hooting for him all through. Though in this one there are a few dashes of facial muscle movement here and there.

In a script that did so much with the male protagonist, it’s a shame that the lead woman was so etchily sketched. She could have been more involved. She could at the very least have not disappeared from one of the most crucial plot points in the film!

The show-down is a bit too much to swallow. And the climax came way too quickly and was abrupt. Yes, and I'm still complaining about its length. It's sad when a film is long and you still find something amiss.

Whatever the drawbacks of the film are in terms story or dialogues the improvement, in the entertainment-quotient of these two departments (of a Vipul Shah film) came as a pleasant surprise. And so did the aesthetics in terms of cinematography and sound design. Maybe just losing Akshay Kumar might have done the trick. Ok, sorry, couldn't resist that unwarranted dig.

It's a film that makes you want the hero to win and the anti-hero to not lose. You flinch when the latter is punished and want to reach out to him and tell him it's ok. This one also has a strong hard work vs. talent+charisma debate as a backdrop. But the drama goes on a tad too long. Long enough for you to notice the holes in the other departments. And there they lose us.

- meetu, a part of the audience

Parental Guidance:

Violence: None. One of the characters is a substance abuser.
Language: A few innuendoes here and there and a little bit of toilet humor.
Nudity & Sexual content: Skimpily clad women in bars and dance sequences.
Concept: That of friendship - what makes and breaks it.
General Look and Feel: Is nice and peppy without being too bright or away from reality.

Detailed Ratings:

Direction: 3.5
Story: 3
Lead Actors: 2.5
Character Artists: 2.5

Dialogues: 3
Screenplay: 2
Music Director: 3
Lyrics: 3

Review - Fruit and Nut: more like rotten eggs

meetu — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 14:50:49 +0530

Hindi Movies, Comedy, Slapstick | 1 comment
Running time: 100 minutes

Quick Review

Rating: Switch channels if it's on cable

It tries to be a slapstick with a different kind of humor. And ends up being a different means to achieve the same end, like umpteen other slapstick - ridiculous yet unentertaining. Result - no laughs here either!

Rating: Switch channels if it's on cable

You see Boman Irani in the horrendous get-up and you know the next two hours aren't going to be very bright. But then again, you are an ardent movie buff, right? No wonder you are reading the review of a Hindi film called Fruit and Nut or, like in my case, at the threshold of a theater playing it. Thus you are here with a sliver of hope, a faith in Boman Irani and Diya Mirza's choice of scripts. HA HA! You have been made into a nut case and that's about the only laugh there is related to the film.

It can't be that bad, you think? Bald and wigged villain kidnaps beautiful damsel because he wants the map to a gutter underneath the state assembly building in Mumbai. Co-villain(?) joins in mid-way to achieve the same purpose, except that everyone changes their aims and objectives conveniently. Some because they are actually serving the purpose of protecting heritage against the big bad mall-ification of the city. Except that you are not interested a teeny-weeny bit.

It is a madcap storyline that slapstick lovers relish. The point, they say, is in the chaos where the aim is to make the impossible possible - believable or not is another story. You want madcap? You got MADCAP!! By the ton and more. Everything, every single micro-element of the film is filled with nonsense. Each character is a caricatured caricature. Each movement on screen is an attempt to make the audience laugh at some character or the others' misfortune. Which translates to 'Oh, so not funny'. And the quintessential loudness of the genre adds to the pandemonium.

There seems to be a satirical comment on the trends of urban life while also spoofing Hindi slapstick films. Only that can explain the above average absurdity and disconnect in the dialogues. Especially the lines given to Khandar (Mahesh Manjrekar). A lot of pun used but none with any connection to anything. Anyway in hindsight, it feels like a farfetched theory and me trying my best to find meaning in the chaos.

Anyway, though I understand this is not my kind of humor, I doubt it has anything for the genre-buffs either. When 100 minutes get a bit too much to stay put in the seat, you know all has gone wrong.

- meetu, a part of the audience

Parental Guidance:

Violence: Kidnapping, etc in the name of comedy.
Language: Clean
Nudity & Sexual content: None
Concept: Crime and terror to save the heritage of the nation.
General Look and Feel: Loud and not funny

Detailed Ratings:

Direction: 1
Story: 0.5
Lead Actors: 1
Character Artists: 1

Dialogues: 1.5
Screenplay: 0.5
Music Director: 2
Lyrics: 1

Review - Main Aur Mrs Khanna: Where's the love?

Akashi Kaul — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 02:29:52 +0530

Hindi Movies, Comedy, Relationships | 0 comments
Running time: 130 minutes

Quick Review

Rating: Movie buffs - rent a DVD

So when a guileless Salman Khan worshipper like myself, gets ready at 8 in the morning,(and mind you, GETS READY and not just WAKES UP), to go for the latest Salman Khan movie, the least she (or in some cases, he) can expect is for that movie to be a Salman Khan movie, right? Wrong. Apparently, nowadays, it’s okay to lead the audience on. You can show them something and not deliver. So when you project Main aur Mrs. Khanna as a Salman Khan starrer, you can get away with ensuring that the Khan with an attitude makes a single appearance on either side of the interval.

Main aur Mrs. Khanna, to say the least, is the work of an extremely confused filmmaker. Perhaps, Prem Soni, the director, screenplay, story, and dialogue writer (phew!) of this movie, started off with a fair idea of what he wanted to show, but somewhere in the middle, just lost it. What could otherwise have been a pretty good movie turned into a so-so fare by the average treatment meted out to it. The plot is interesting but it is let down by a loose screenplay. Also, a film like Main aur Mrs. Khanna could have done with a lot more drama in it.

The main flaw, however, in Main aur Mrs. Khanna lies in characterization. The characters, especially the lead characters, are not etched definitively. If you were to define a singular character in the movie in just about one word, you wouldn’t be able to do so. For that matter, even if you were given as many words you liked, you still wouldn’t be able to do so. Primarily because right till the end of the movie, you have no idea WHO these people are. Sure you know their names, you know their profession. But the connect that a viewer has with a character, is sorely missed. We don’t feel for Kareena when she cries, nor do we laugh when she laughs. This movie commits the cardinal sin of being just something that we are watching on the big screen – it forms no relation with its audience.

The first half is slightly flat but the tempo picks up a little in the second half. In fact, the second half can squeeze quite a few laughs out of you. Just when you think that the movie might just start living up to your expectations, the plot falls flat again. The end is, in fact, very patchy and some details in the end are just plain unnecessary.

Another sphere where the movie lacks is the chemistry between the lead pair. A movie that is trying to put across a message about love and relationships simply cannot do without absolutely sizzling chemistry between the lead (or so the promos say) couple. The missing chemistry, however, is not the actors’ fault it is more the director and story/screenplay writer’s fault. He just hasn’t etched characters strong enough to portray any sort of relationship.

The look of the movie otherwise is good. The locales are good, as is Kareena’s styling. From the glam doll in Kambakht Ishq to girl-next-door (or at least Kareena’s version of it), Kareena’s look has definitely undergone a change. However, it is at odds with the character she plays. How can an orphan afford such expensive clothes?

Salman is well, just Salman. No need to say anymore. He looks good and acts like he always does. However, the age is definitely beginning to show a little, and the whole ‘young couple’ look kind of goes for a toss.

Sohail Khan has probably delivered his best performance to date in this movie (which isn’t saying much, considering he has acted in movies like Aryan; but he is quite good here). Yash Tonk is funny in bits and unnoticeable in other bits. Nauheed Cyrusi and Mahek Chahal might as well have been carved out of stone and Dino Morea had a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it appearance. The surprise package of the movie came in the form Bappi Lahiri, who was in his element as Kareena’s boss.

Music is passable, with just one track, Don’t Say Alvida standing out. Preity Zinta’s item song is just about okay. Choreography is not spectacular or even noticeable. Other technical aspects are just okay, though the flashback technique, of going into a black and white zone, looks quite nice.

Salman Khan fans might be a tad bit disappointed, though, with the size of his role. Watch only if you must. Till then keep guessing ki ‘Kiski Mrs. Khanna’ (whose Mrs. Khanna).

Parental Guidance:

Overall: U/A

Detailed Ratings:

Direction: 2
Story: 3.5
Lead Actors: 3
Character Artists: 1

Dialogues: 3
Screenplay: 2
Music Director: 2
Lyrics: 2

Review - Blue: In Deep Water

Amrah Ashraf — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 02:06:51 +0530

Hindi Movies, Action, Thriller, Adventure | 14 comments
Running time: 117 minutes

Quick Review

Rating: Movie buffs - rent a DVD

Blue is a perfectly good example of what money can’t buy-quality. With its expansive canvas, produced at an estimated 100 crores, Blue is a sheer waste of money not only for the financiers but also for the audiences. The crew comprises of two oscar winners - Musician AR Rehman and Sound Designer Resul Pookutty, Pete Zucarini of the ‘pirates of the Caribbean fame’ underwater director of photography, the pop diva Kylie Minogue and a host of stars including Sanjay Dutt, Akshay Kumar, Lara Dutta and Zayed Khan. It’s simple lesson for the first time Director Anthony D Souza that the basic premise for a good movie is a solid script and not star power!

In a preposterous statement Anthony D Souza said that it was necessary to restrict the film to less than two hours. But after having sat through the entire 117 minutes (minus the interval which was a relief) the movie could’ve been much shorter. I was actually bored towards the end of the movie.

The movie is marred by an almost non existent script, weak dialogues, lack luster music and poor direction. The story is predictable from the beginning itself and therefore lacks the twists and turns that are absolutely imperative for an action packed thriller. Instead of being a roller coaster ride high on adrenaline and volatile circumstances, the movie is prosaic with a ridiculous climax. It is much too slow for a movie of its genre and does not push the viewers to the edge. Lara Dutta was probably the only factor which left the viewers gasping and asking for more!

There is no doubt that the movie has its moments. The impressive underwater sequences (Pete Zucarini) especially the one where Sanjay Dutt and Akshay Kumar actually ride a shark will take your breath away. The lighting for the underwater sequences is spectacular and the over all look is chic.

It also boasts of some exhilarating action sequences both on land and in water. The bike chase sequence is ‘fast and furious’ which pushes the viewers to the edge.

Lara Dutta’s sculptured body adorned by gorgeous bikinis has pushed the oomph meter to unprecedented levels and is a visual treat for all.

Blue is set in the sun soaked beaches of Bahamas. Sagar (Sanjay Dutt), a simple guy and a polished deep sea diver befriends Aaraav (Akshay Kumar), a rich ambitious businessman who loves his women and a good life. Lara Dutta (Mona) plays Sagar’s wife and his eye candy.

A fat Sanjay Dutt is laughable as a sea diver but gives a good performance otherwise. Akshay Kumar looks uber cool with his grey goatee and a hot body. Zayed Khan’s performance is ignorable and he just cannot emote for nuts. The high point of the film is definitely Lara Dutta who will now give the other actresses a run for their money post her memorable performance in Blue. She looks as fresh as the morning mist and adds panache to her bikini clad character and does not look vulgar at all.

The dialogues are absolutely ridiculous and inarticulate. Lara Dutta in a tense moment exclaims amidst bullets and villains, “why don’t you talk and sort things out?” Amazing isn’t it! The dialogues are almost contemptible.

The music surprisingly doesn’t click at all. The much hyped Kylie Minogue number “Chiggy Wiggy” is disappointing. The other songs (that I cannot even remember vaguely) have forgettable melodies. The last song “fiqrana” does manage to stay in your head but can be easily replaced. Seems Mr. Rehman is too conscious of his new stature post Oscars and played it much too safe.

The director Anthony D Souza must realize that making a good film is not about bulging budget or star power or putting fancy visuals on screen. A good film has its foundation strong on a solid script while the façade comprises of the above mentioned facets in the right combination.

Blue could’ve been a defining moment in the history of bollywood but instead is a damp squid.

Parental Guidance:

Violence: too much both on land and in water.
Nudity & Sexual content: Lara Dutta sashays in her bikinis almost throughout the film but does not look vulgar and few songs with women clad in skimpy clothes.
Concept: action packed thriller.
General Look and Feel: is initially exciting but boring after a while.

Detailed Ratings:

Direction: 2
Story: 2
Lead Actors: 2.5
Character Artists: 3

Dialogues: 2
Screenplay: 2
Music Director: 1.5
Lyrics: 2

Review - All the Best: closer to worst

meetu — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 20:19:40 +0530

Hindi Movies, Slapstick, Comedy | 12 comments
Running time: 120 minutes

Quick Review

Rating: Switch channels if it's on cable

Same ol' senseless slapping about, fooling around and basically random running all over the place. The regular elements of a typical slapstick coexist and as always, don't entertain.

Rating: Switch channels if it's on cable

Sometime earlier this week, a friend suggested that all I'd need to do for the review of All the Best is to copy-paste the review of Golmaal Returns. I laughed it off then. On Diwali-eve, I'm so tempted to use that suggestion as really well-meaning and useful advice. But, non-plagiarizers that we are, here you go. (And if don't care for the details, the rating says it all. Golmaal Returns is not recommended and neither is All The Best.)

There are these two buffoons who are the creative types, so they obviously can't earn for themselves - Prem, Prem Chopra (Ajay Devgan) and Veer (Fardeen Khan). But they have expensive tastes and style of living. So, of course they beg, borrow, AND steal. And lie, lie to cover that lie and so on. And of course, a successful business tycoon, more gullible than the average nincompoop, Dharam (Sanjay Dutt) completes the circle.

Yeah, that's the kind of "plot" we are looking at. (Of course, you can choose not to look at it, I didn't.) Add to it the endless stream of caricatured characters who add to the commotion. But, there is this razor-thin silver lining to this dark cloud - there are a few good one liners every once in a while. And they are delivered pretty subtly, especially in comparison to the rest of the movie. The understated tone in which the lines just come make them funnier too. But they are only few and not worth spending those extra calories you've put on this festive season. Enjoy the extra weight, seriously.

Nothing else is subtle about the rest of the show though. The acting is loud and the background music is louder. And when that's deemed "not enough" there is this shriek-track played in addition to the background score. Supposedly to make us laugh or NOT!

There isn't anything stylish or cool or worth-watching about the actors' appearances either. The women are wearing the lousiest of outfits and are made up way too much. The men are in their usual slapsticky mode, cracking a few toilet jokes, a few innuendoes and the occasional witty line. So mundane is that there is no amount of oomph their presence could add. Not that they are the best lookers in the industry anyway.

A lot of older films are referred to. Maybe they are supposed to be tributes. But looked more like insults both in the way they were used AND because the film that's paying a tribute also needs to be of a certain basic quality to consider itself worthy of paying that tribute, right?

There is this slight comment on undying friendship and the extent to which the best of friends can go to save each others' skin. And there are a couple very sweet moments between Ajay Devgan and his screen partner Bipasha Basu. The fact that they worked for me despite coming towards the end of a tiring film, means all the contributors to those shots did their job really well. If only there were more of those.

Yes, guys, go watch that diya burn. Your Diwali will be happier by avoiding this one.

- meetu, a part of the audience

Parental Guidance:

Violence: A couple of fights and action sequences
Language: A few innuendoes.
Nudity & Sexual content: Skimpily clad women.
Concept: Friendship and the lies friends tell for each other :)
General Look and Feel: Crisp and bright but I still wouldn't take the kids out for this one. Uhh…or recommend that the parent/guardian go either.

Detailed Ratings:

Direction: 1
Story: 1
Lead Actors: 1
Character Artists: 1

Dialogues: 1.5
Screenplay: 0.5
Music Director: 0.5
Lyrics: 0.5