Anurag Kashyap is indeed a special story teller. Even before the high praise from everywhere for Dev D could end he is back and how? Even this time the size of the canvas is same but how Anurag paints this one is very different from Dev D.The movie is a political drama based in the University where students take elections so seriously as if they were already in the Lok Sabha. ...
Dev D Movie Review – Cult To The Core
Its not often that one comes across a cult film, one that becomes a benchmark for filmmakers for years to come. But the funny thing about such movies is that they very rarely appeal to the masses. Dev D is one such film in which a lot of people just could not stand and others fell in love with it, including me. It is just a question of whether the sensibilities of such a film hits the right spot in your mind or not. ...
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.
Best Songs : Delhi 6, Arziyan, Masakalli, Genda Phool, Rehna Tu
Rating – 4/5 ...
Chandni Chowk to China Movie Review – Blah!
- Meow Meow?
Damn these paid previews. What they have done is changed the first day first show from Friday morning to Thursday and i suffered yesterday on account of that. I was never a fan of paid previews as i had a certain attachment to Friday. But now that people watch a movie on Thursday itself the novelty factor is gone by Friday.
This is what happened to me for the much anticipated Chandni Chowk To China. A couple of friends saw the movie day before yesterday and trashed it. So even though i knew it was gonna be bad i had no choice but to go for it as i had bought the tickets on Tuesday itself. And just when i thought it couldn’t get any worse my brother who also saw the movie with his friends on yesterday morning trashed it too and big time.
The feeling of walking towards your death is something i really don’t know how to describe. I knew i was gonna hate it, but i was also thinking that going with such a low expectation would be a good idea as i wouldn’t be as disappointed as the others. Oh how wrong i was!
I reached the theatre on time but was surprised to see a very moderate crowd, no where near a house full. So i think to myself “maybe other people also heard that the movie was bad and they were lucky enough (sensible enough, according to my mother who also suffered on my account) not to have bought the tickets already.
So now lets get to the painful part. Believe me i tried really hard to like the movie but the constant sarcastic claps from the audience didn’t really support the cause. Whether it was the stupid knife proof, bulletproof, parachute umbrella or the new i-pods used as some stupid language translators, the audience never left an opportunity go by to clap and applause the sheer stupidity of the film.
It was so unbelievable to see the sheer lack of seriousness that was clearly visible even in the intense scenes. Nikhil advani thought that if he uses all the formulae from Kung Fu to Parathe wali Gali and from a sacred warrior to Sita aur Gita he will have a hit, he couldn’t have been more wrong. And what the hell is Akshay doing? whats wrong with our self made man. I mean i am fed up of him taking his audience for granted all the time. He has seriously lost it. I was one of the people who laughed his head off on his stupid jokes but enough is enough. AK if you are listening, its time to re-invent yourself.
The only person who made the right decision by opting to do this film was Deepika. She got to do something that she wouldn’t have in any other film, kick some serious ass and be called Meow Meow(seriously) . There wasn’t much of acting but the action that she did is the best i have ever scene done by a lead actress in Bollywood.
That is about the only positive thing i can say. Music? well lets just say that i was lucky as all songs were not present in full length otherwise i wouldn’t have made it out alive. None of the songs made sense and were forced into the film (actually the entire film itself was kinda forced).
Oh yes i got another positive point. Phew!! thank god coz i was thinking that i will be getting howlers for not even having two positive points for the film( I mean one positive point per half is the least i can do). Yeah so the action, It was over the top, exaggerated, unrealistic(I mean its not Shaolin Soccer, so what was that Cosmic Kick all about?) and really boring to say the least, even in the climax. Oh shit, I am sure in my head it sounded positive. I guess i was thinking about the Gordon Liu movie which he wont be embarrassed about. ...