Filmy Fool | Films, Series, Books & more
Reviews and Opinions
Filmy Fool | Films, Series, Books & more
Reviews and Opinions
One whole day has gone by and I still ache. Something is amiss, and yet, there is no fixing it. I always felt a strong connection with Irrfan but I never thought it would so hard. I guess If I had reflected hard enough, the signs were all there for me to see. Irrfan was never just another actor that I liked, he was so much more than that. So I decided to write this post, in the hope that in some way, this will lessen the pain. ...
Another year comes to an end and for me, this has been the break-out year for small films. As I was compiling my list of best Hindi Films of 2018, I realised that there are no big films featuring in it. No Khans, no big budgets, no multi-starrers. Instead, what I have are 10 films which have great story-telling. Some use the intrinsic qualities of the actor to create memorable moments, others push the actors into alien territory, hence, creating magic. So here are my best Hindi films of 2018 in no particular order. ...
A new trailer that has intrigued me is Karwaan. The reason for that in one word...Irrfan. He has been my favourite khan for a long time and I really hope he comes back from his illness very soon. His films will continue to be loved and it seems like another could be added to that list. ...
Irrfan Khan is not your regular hero but he is one of the rare breed of actors who can kick some serious butt even if he is pitted against your typical hero in his very own backyard. But he hasn't reached such a stature overnight. It’s taken years of TV serials, numerous passable films and a lot of hard work. He got his first break in films with Mira Nair's Salaam Bombay but unfortunately, his scene was deleted before the release. He went on to play the role of Senapati in the famous Chanakya on TV and was also seen in the award-winning film Ek Doctor Ki Maut in 1991. Still, it wasn't until 2003 that he was really noticed in India even though he did The Warrior which won the Alexander Korda Award for Best British Film. ...
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. ...