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Slumdog Millionaire Movie Review – A Millionaire for sure but an Oscar?
I don’t wanna get into the habit of pulling down the expectation of everyone but i don’t even wanna praise something just because its got an Oscar nomination. Having said that Slumdog by no means is a bad film. In fact its a superb film, one that takes you on a ride which is fast, crisp and exhilarating. The cast is fantastic specially the small kid who plays Jamal(junior most) along with Dev Patel and Anil Kapoor who plays the two faced host with perfection. Even the others like Irfaan Khan and Saurabh Shukla fit in very well. Also there are some scenes that will stay with you forever like the young Jamal running covered in shit to take the Big B’s autograph or the eye popping beggar scene followed by a heart wrenching chase.
However the most fantastic thing about the move is its screenplay which moves between present and past with such ease and purpose. Simon Beaufoy surely deserves the Oscar nomination and so does Chris Dickens the editor of the film for such sharp work.
Also if there is something else that is Oscar worthy it is the score by A.R. Rahman which complements the happenings of the movie phenomenally well, be it O…. Saya, Paper Planes or even Jai Ho. Its funky, peppy and very apt. A special mention for the brilliant cinematography (Oscar nominated) by Anthony Dod Mantle who captures the slum streets and brothels with utmost honesty.
So now the big question, Oscar? No. Not now, not ever. The only reason that it has reached such heights is because apart from being a good film it is directed by Danny Boyle and not Ashutosh Gowarikar or Rakesh Om Praksah Mehra. I see no reason why Slumdog can be nominated and Taare Zameen Par, Rang De Basanti and Lage Raho… can’t be.
One very important point. There is a scene where a driver beats up Jamal Junior for stealing something and Jamal tells the American couple that this is what real India is, and the American Couple say ” We will show you what real America is like” and hand over some cash. What does Danny want to prove here? That we Indians only know how to beat up and don’t have feelings? Or that Americans are so better of than Indians when it comes to forgiving someone? I really don’t know but i sure would like to ask him that.
Album Review Dilli 6 – Mastano Ki Dilli
Just when India or rather the world was praising Alla Rakha Rahman on his mesmerizing compositions for Slumdog he came up with another gem right in the beginning of 2009 to follow up 2008, which was one of the best years in bollywood for him. Four big releases, four super hits – Jodha Akbar, Jaane Tu …, Yuvraaj and Ghajini. So i was really curious to know what we’ll get to hear from this genius in Delhi 6. And so I heard, i heard and i heard 🙂 
The album comprises of amazing variations of sounds and instruments. Aarti by various singers is like… well, an Aarti. Its soft and melodious. Arziyan sung beautifully by Javed Ali(Jashn e bahara) and Kailash Kher is one of my favourite tracks It is right out of the Haji Ali and Khwaja stable and rightly so considering the backdrop of old Delhi. It just takes you in the very first time you listen to it and before you know it u are humming it everywhere. Bhor Bhaye is a hardcore classical number where Shreya Ghoshal is teamed up with the great Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan and the result is as expected. Phenomenal to say the least. Its not a track that will get a lot of commercial success but shows the versatility of Shreya who just got off Ghajini after doing the’ Latoo’ act.
My other favourite track on this album is ‘Delhi 6’ the title song. Its funky, spunky and a superb anthem for this city. It will totally become a rage with the youngsters. It has the feel of Hip Hop/Rap and Techno which blend beautifully with each other.
Masakalli needs no introduction. It became a hit the very first time it was played on the radio and the first time people saw Sonam Kapoor dancing with a pigeon on her head. What i would like to add is that this song has been sung by Mohit Chauhan and it is totally not his style. Hats off to him for doing such a wonderful job on such a difficult track. Going further ‘Kala Bandar’ is again a very Hip Hoppish track. Naresh Iyer and Karthik and Bony all have done a superb job. It totally makes you wanna move.
Genda phool is by far the most experimental track on this album. It starts of with a short chorus followed up by the husky voice of Rekha Bhardwaj (Namak ) and as soon as you think ” Ah well its a typical Rekha Track” you are surprised and how by a sudden mix of western music which makes it into a cool fusion. And if all the fans of Rahman’s voice are getting disappointed then they need not be as ‘Rehna Tu’ brings Rahman upto the microphone. Its a romantic, soft number which has a western flavour to it. Like always Rahman does a great job at it.
Delhi 6 is a must listen for fans and others alike. Its one of the great man’s finest works.
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Ghajini Movie Review – Revenge was never this sweet
First and foremost let me just break the suspense, Ghajini is a superb film. It’s not perfect,but Aamir very much is. And so the film works not only because of Aamir but coz of various other reasons . So i will leave Aamir for now and talk more about the movie.
Ghajini starts with Aamir killing some random thug and taking his picture from his Polaroid camera which rings every fifteen minutes throughout the movie to remind him to take a pic of anything or anyone important before he forgets it. Police gets on his trail for the murder and one able police officer manages to find him only to be beaten to pulp. But before getting the dose from forgetful Dr. Aamir, he manages to find out one half of Aamir’s tragic past written in a diary.
Tracks change from serious to comic and romantic. Asin enters and just takes centre stage. She plays a simple yet happy girl who just wants three ambassador cars( no more from me about this). She is sweet, caring and full of life. Obviously Aamir falls for her after some misunderstanding . Anyway just when the love story reaches a peak, the flashback ends and the search for Ghajini starts again. You would prepare yourself self for the action but in your mind you would still be wondering about the flashback and how the story ends and how does Asin’s character Kalpana die? Well will not go deeper into the story coz i want each person to enjoy it like I did. Will jump to some technical details 🙂
The style of narration followed is a new trend in Bollywood where the movie jumps between flashback and present time just like in the movie Rock On but with lesser jumps. Camera work is spectacular specially in the song Guzarish and also in one particular fight scene towards the end where Aamir comes and lifts a person from his neck and the camera is giving the first person view so actually he is lifting the camera. The fights are well choreographed but at times feel repetitive. Still the final fight is just mind blowing and you will feel like a part of the fight.
The music by AR Rahman needless to stay is very good and is already very popular. The best song is ‘Kaise Mujhe’ which is a slow romantic song. The much awaited song ‘Latoo’ with Jiah Khan is a disappointment as it must have gotten cut during editing and rightly so. Still i would have loved to see the hot babe do what she does best, or so i have heard. The background score of the film is also a highlight. It makes the fight and the chase scenes even more thrilling and gripping.
Now coming to the cast, Asin like i said is brilliant. She is here to say and conquer for sure. Ghajini played by a goon often seen in Hindi films(sorry don’t know his name but he played the role of Sultan in Sarfarosh) is just about OK. I feel a bigger name would have been better but then again we don’t have very many villains in the industry now like the old time greats Amrish Puri and Kader Khan. Coming to Aamir. In one line he is
Oh
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