Queen_of_pentacles Reviews

StreetDance 2 (2012)

Spectacular and entertaining !

[7/10 · 20 August 2012]

Directed fairly well by Max Giva and Dania Pasquini, this movie is not about fretting over the story or the acting. It's all about the passion of the street dance, and the street dancers. It's also about the Latin American dances like Salsa, Tango.

As the main lead pair, Sofia and Hentschel are hot, and the Director has used the canvass of beautiful city of Paris ,and specially Eiffel Tower, to catch in camera, the development of the hero as only an acrobatic stree dancer,selling pop corn, getting humiliated by Vince the invincible, to a sensitive and perfect dancer, with his heart in his dance.

Sofia is the main attraction, with her seductive,passionate and perfect body language, enormous energy, and yet an alluring femininity about her persona. She overshadows Hentscel in emotional scenes and dialog delivery. Hentscel's only plus point is his well-toned body, and amicability. But otherwise he seems to be a total miscast , with his impassive attitude, and a noticeable effort of acting. With some one more aggressive and powerful, the movie could have been even more effective.

Tom Conti as Sofia's uncle is adorable. But it is George Simpson, who really looks naughty and fresh. all other supporting team members are fit for their roles and skills.

Editing and cinematography is good. i liked the soundtrack, with a fair mix of sentimental and hip hop. This movie is a real Niagara, and you have to just be a part of the whole process,to enjoy it fully !

And don't ask how did they manage to travel practically all over the world, to assemble their crew, when they are just some lower middle class boys, without any substantial income ? The director shows only once, the duo travelling with goats, but otherwise it's the air travel all the way ! In his overambitious handling, the script writer probably forgot this practical point:)

Rock On!! (2008)

Sensitive and believable,for a change !

[7/10 · 18 August 2012]

i was not sure,what's in store for me, when i rented the DVD, but was pleasantly surprised with the overall impact it had on me. Over all,i think the plot line, the characterization, the music, the editing and the acting was good. But some how, even in later movies of Farhan , i feel his voice is his weak point. It is flat, and has no ring to it.But still, towards the end, he has given some good performance ,and is believable as a rock singer.

Arjun Rampal acts as if he never wanted to be in this movie, and wears a tiresome,glum expression throughout, which is quite annoying at times. Shahana as dominating Debbie is well-acted, but why can't she do the family fish business successfully ?

The social,psychological, and financial hurdles which the members of the rock group Magik face, are quite realistic, and believable. Shankar Ehsaan Loy's music score is alluring, and enjoyable. actually ,i liked it better than the Rock star.

i liked the number Sindbad.. quite vivid and an excellent cinematography. However, you can't expect much depth in the lyrics,like our foreign counterparts, the likes of Cold Play,Pink Floyd and Scorpions et al.

How ever,it would be better for Farhan to stick to direction and production, give chance to real camera-friendly young actors, and not ham, for the inability to emote powerfully !

Bachna Ae Haseeno (2008)

Nothing new !

[5/10 · 15 August 2012]

i have now sadly concluded that Aditya Chopra comes up with some implausible stuff, under the garb of romanticism, and hopelessly trying to give some new dimension to the same age-old concept of love. Well, actually nothing wrong in trying to explore some different angles of love, but it ends up in a rather shallow, and impractical attempt, no matter even if you spend lavishly on foreign ,exotic locations, beautiful sets, and three pretty girls to flirt only one lucky hero; Because, the home work on the psycho dynamics of the hero's tendency to fall out the relationships is totally missing !

And ,on top of it, following it up ,years later, to chase those otherwise seemingly happily settled women, except one,of course, kept reserved for the hero, conveniently, appears entirely illogical, and does not explain psychologically,as to why this change of heart and attitude has taken place ?

Now let's look at the cast, starting from Ranbir. He has done a good job to give an entertaining performance, with his dance moves, his dresses, and striking a balance in romantic and humorous deliveries of his scenes; i liked him especially when he goes to Radhika in Italy ,and she makes him work like an ordinary waiter, that's a redeeming part of the movie. Lamba and Deepika are o.k., but Bipasha is totally miscast. How can they pair her with Ranbir ? Her extra oomph in all those revealing dresses also seems overboard ! She is fit to be paired with the likes of macho men like Abraham and Akshay, but oh no, not with the likes of Ranbir,or Imran.

All the supporting cast is o.k. in their respective roles. Paintal is noteworthy.

This movie would have been much better with a convincing and fresh plot line, script writing, and proper editing. Though,editor seems to have had a tough job, while dealing with three heroines ,and their respective lives to handle ! Where can the poor fellow cut short,possibly ? If not for those lovely outdoor locations, the pop corn also would be insufficient in keeping the viewer to refrain from getting absolutely anxious as to the happy or whatever end of the movie, since it simply goes on and on !

Seems like Aditya has a lot of money to squander on those foreign locations ! So he comes up with such hopeless stuff! The viewer has no satisfaction of seeing either a pure entertainer,or a family drama !

A friendly advice to yash raj films and Aditya Chopra.. next time you think of producing a movie, at least hire some professional help, to guide you guys into the depths of human psychology, and societal angles, before you venture into such topsyturvy romantic flicks !

Rockstar (2011)

She loves me, she loves me not..

[6/10 · 17 July 2012]

First of all,i found it rather funny, to Janardhan acquiring a name Jordan! How does it matter ? He remains the same ,uninhibited young guy, changing his hairdo's and dresses, according to the moods and the phases in his life. i, especially , disapproved of that huge mess of beard, and that funny topi, as if he is one sophisticated gazal singer.

Jordan's idol is Jim Morrison,but in this Hindi version of rock, i didn't feel any of the passion, or the lust, which is so synonymous with Morrison. Though Rehman has put in a good effort,one simply can not identify with this kind of a mix, as rock. Rock is rock, and Elvis or Michael were the embodiment of rock, standing the test of time. Rehman's music is like a bouquet of different attractive flowers, but it fails to make one integrated impact. Can any one remember the tunes or the words of the music score,except a very few ?

Is this also an unhappy ending love story ? Well, most of the part, both Jordan and Heer are totally confused as to the nature of their relationship, and the viewer does not get the feel of that craving.

i would say, frustration is the theme of this movie, where most of the characters are damn frustrated,over one thing or the other, be it Jai, or Jordan's mentor,or his audience,or even the press !

The script takes the support of Heer's progressive illness, retreating miraculously in between, and finally Heer succumbing to it, just to give that touch of the movie Love Story,from Hollywood, not Bollywood !

Basically, because of handling the love part on different levels, it has lost it's grip, and ends up without making any deep impact,or a truly tragic end ..

Though pleasing to the eyes due to different beautiful locations, this movie predictably falls short of all the expectations, and sadly, easily forgotten.

Ranbir has tried his level best, Nargis is no Julia Roberts, just another fresh face, with a mouth, wider than usual, and Shammi is sensitive in his cameo.

Lack of focus, and ambiguity of the plot line,has given a big blow to this movie. And with due respect to Rehmanji, i would still maintain, that he is an intelligent mixer,or should i say,remixer, for whom, the lyrics are absolutely secondary, or even they are meaningless mostly,to suit the tunes; That's why i would always bow my head to the lyricists and the musicians of yester years only !

See it once for curiosity, but don't get frustrated,if your expectations aren't fulfilled !

Housefull 2 (2012)

Eye candy.

[7/10 · 13 July 2012]

i was actually apprehensive as to whether i would watch the movie till the end, or switch off my DVD player ,without waiting to see the end ! How ever, except for the last fifteen-twenty minutes of some stupid melodrama,of Jaggu aka JD undergoing a change of heart, and all friends turned into foes ,turning friends again, i was surprisingly not bored while watching this More-the -Merrier fun.

According to me, the script writer, director or even the producer, do not claim for any high levels of IQ,or any sensibilities, while they came up with the idea of producing this movie.The team basically seem to have only one goal in their minds, and that was to present actors like Akshay and Abraham, who are an eye candy for female viewers, and those four beauties, who would please the male viewers, in their fashionable scanty attires.

One can enjoy all the dance numbers, the music is superb, the locations are pleasing to the eye, and most of the scenes like the python grabbing Talpade's private parts, or Fifi the pet crocodile chasing Akki and Ritesh.

Out of the current lot, Akshay gives a good account of himself,not only in comedy, but some excellent fights and stunts. Abraham is average, Shreyas is good, Ritesh looks tired and bored, mostly due to his role, and Asin is quite at ease,looks pretty.

It's Rishi again, who is brilliant in his comedy, and delivers his dialogs with such gusto.

Mithunda and Johny make a good pair, and the use of Marathi liners are well-written and delivered.

How ever, Boman and Chunky were avoidable, due to their loud acting.

Ranjit the rapist ! Good to see this veteran actor of yesteryears in a cameo, as Akshay's father.

And yes, the flop hero Dabboo, too, was avoidable.

i was surprised with the good quality dialogs written for this movie.

Editing keeps up the tempo, filmography is pleasant, and locations have been chosen thoughtfully.

Worth-watching once , either at theater,with loads of popcorn, or at home, with enough snacks,if you are thoroughly bored, and nothing better to do !

Jack and Jill (I) (2011)

Did Pacino act for friendship ?

[4/10 · 11 July 2012]

Viewers have cried hoarse condemning this crap movie as the worst film of the year, rightly so.But one wonders how come Al Pacino agreed to act in this annoying stint of Sandler ? He must have wanted to help Sandler to redeem his movie, which is so stupid, and except for that scene when Jack and Jill jump on a skipping rope on a cruise.

Katie Holmes doesn't have to do much than smiling sweetly all the time, and the kids are more than sympathetic to Jill. why does Jack have adopted kids ? They are sweet any way, but wasted. Indian adopted kid is shown in all kinds of weird get up, God knows why ? With some thoughtful and brilliant direction, and a female actor to play the role of Jill, as some reviewers have suggested, in addition to witty dialogs, this movie, with no good plot line, could have been hilarious.

It's Al Pacino, who looks cool, and alluring ,in his role as himself, who manages to entertain us, though for some brief moments, in his rap, his drama on the stage, and with Jill. But his role is also poorly written, and he can not do much to save the movie from disgrace to an actor of Sandler's caliber.

An absolute disaster of a movie, watch it out of curiosity at least, as to an experiment in terrible-movie-making !

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (2011)

Why India ?

[5/10 · 10 July 2012]

Well, the city could have been any, as one can hardly identify the one shot here as Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan; No trace of those famous pink buildings, scintillating bazaars, women clad in colorful costumes and exotic jewellery. Instead, we see some ordinary men and women from city slum households.

All the characters are miserable in their own way, some gay, some disgruntled with their status, and others totally confused as to why the hell they are here in India !

i was amazed with the scene of Sunaina stripping her clothes in a jiffy, and getting into the bed of Sunny, for a quick sex at night, after riding her scooter with such speed,as if it's matter of utmost urgency for her ! We have yet to develop this kind of culture, where sleeping with the boyfriends in such a bold and brash manner is so easy in India.

The script and dialogs are poorly written, with no consistency,or consideration for the main characters, especially Sunny lecturing all the time,with unending eloquent speeches, most unsuitable to his young age.

The director is absolutely confused in his approach and understanding of Indian mindset and scenario. Right in the beginning, there are demeaning references to India in general, and Jaipur in particular.

Towards the end ,however, the director has woken up to the fact, that so far, the movie has gone on haphazardly, with only series of events, and hardly any solid characterization. In fact, they could have been less, without making much difference to the already weak story line,or the lack of it.

Some moments of tenderness, between the character played by Judy Dench, and Maggie Smith, how ever, redeem this film, from being crap.

The musical score is mediocre, and does not linger, not even true to the haunting melodies of Rajasthan..

That's why i say, why India ?

These people could have assembled in any part of the world, for that matter.. but then how would the gay relationship between a British guy, and an Indian,most unusual, but nothing extraordinary, would have been shown ? It hardly evokes any tenderness on the viewers' part, in fact this angle was absolutely unnecessary for the plot as such.

Hardly any purpose served by making the characters suffer through the heat and teeming crowds.. i really felt sorry for them! Pierce Brosnon's Octopussy was more authentic, and beautifully shot, in Rajasthan only, though on a different note, the filmography made all the difference.

All the adjectives are in the title only.. no trace of them in the movie.. i have my apprehensions in recommending it ,even for a one time watch.. do it if you like, at your own risk of boredom !

Do Dooni Chaar (2010)

Rishi Tusi Great Ho !

[8/10 · 5 July 2012]

A good,clean, family drama-cum comedy, a successful second innings for Rishi, both the newcomers, Aditi and Archit acting superbly, and Neetu is just adorable as a housewife.

Good editing , breezy shots, and natural situations add to the effectiveness of the fast tempo of the movie.

All the supporting actors are well-cast, especially the Farooqui couple, Sardarji of the Chatwal classes, and the corrupt police inspector.

Message of values more crucial than the worldly things has been conveyed beautifully, and does not smack of any preachiness.

Just relax on your couch and have a good time watching this flick on your home theater.

Ishaqzaade (2012)

Ishaqzaade or Jokeszaade ?

[5/10 · 4 July 2012]

Shame on Yashraj films, who have continued to thurst some mindless stuff on the viewers,since Fanaa.

Police don't seem to exist in the town of Almor, only thing people are interested in is winning elections, by engaging into dirty tricks, and use of guns and fire,as if they were toy guns.

The script writer is totally confused as to the chemistry between Parma and Zoya, are they interested only in the physicality of their attraction towards each other,or do they really love till death do us part ?

It's all a matter of convenience for the script writer. Why does Parma discard Zoya in the first place, after their so-called suhag raat in an immobile train compartment ? And why does he change his mind later on to ask for forgiveness ? Beyond logic !

The number ishaqzaade really gets on your nerves to a limit ! Zoya appears to be nothing more than a sex-starved young woman, who is so gullible,that within hardly a few meetings with Param. Param's scene of pissing on the hoarding of his political rival is disgusting ! In the last scene, both Param and Zoya die like dogs, and yet fail to evoke any pathos. The act of one of the hooligan kicking dead Param's heel to see whether he is really dead, is the height of the inhuman angle ,and deranged direction. i repented renting the DVD,and wasting my precious time,but thanked my stars for not going to the theatre to watch this trash !

Mr. Popper's Penguins (2011)

Jim Carrey's penguins.

[7/10 · 3 July 2012]

Jim Carrey is awesome, when it comes to acting with the animals, and he has given the most hilariously funny performances, whether it is about domestic animals,or even wild animals. The only other actor i can think of having a wonderful chemistry with animals,is Roy Schnider. Here,in this movie,we have penguins , who were the main heroes of movies like Happy Feet. But that was animation, and here we have Carrey, who gets connected ,just like his children, with those cute, but some times mischievous, some times aggressive penguins, that he is ready to forego attending an important meeting, just to get their custody back from the matter-of-fact zoo keeper, who could entice them with tempting fish, but not in the end, which is shot so well, that one feels it was worth watching it till the end.. and of course,it is watchable throughout, mostly because of Carrey, who has given a very controlled and sensitive performance. Especially the scene,when the egg refuses to hatch, and carrey's back is to the camera. The sets are realistic, wonderfully picturised, and sleek. Supporting cast is up to the mark. How ever,it's the dialogue ,which is failed to support the humour angle, except in some places, when the housekeeping staff come to check about all the mess created by the little adorable creatures. i have given it seven on ten, as the director could have evoked some more hearty laughters, but missed them. A clean family comedy, worth watching at least once.though it's a little saddening to note, that the age has started showing on Carrey's face too, though it has not yet succeeded in dampening his spirit,or that slim ,agile figure. i can see Carrey's The Mask over and over again.. The most lovable of them all.. forget the Oscar, Carrey, your fans are world-over !

Sundays at Tiffany's (2010 TV Movie)

Diamonds are forever !

[6/10 · 24 April 2011]

First of all, they should have considered some apt titles, than this meaningless one. Yes, there was that Breakfast at Tiffany's, and that was one classic movie. True love and diamonds are synonymous with eternity, and may be, the director wanted us to connect with the concept, that true soul-mates find each other, conquering all the hurdles and barriers. Though we do not have any of the first rate stars ,like Kate Winslet or Hugh Jackman, the trio of Milano, Winter ,and Sergei, are a pleasant surprise, who have done justice to their roles, within the limitations of the plot line, the dialogs, and their interaction with the other characters. Basically, the focus is on establishing the principle of eternal love, soul-mates, guardian angels, and the gap between the fantasy and the actual world that the people live in and have to manage .

Milano is quite good looking, graceful, and has enacted the role of a confused woman, who is facing a total stranger , who seems to know all about her.Eric Winter is charming, and unassuming, and they make a good pair; However, Sergei , a tall, handsome actor, doesn't have much to do, except showing his affluence, winning ways with the press and media, and showing off, also dominating Jane, who is a talented young woman he is going to get married with. Milano and Winter have shown beautifully, the growing relationship between two friends, meeting after so many years, yet being able to share an excellent chemistry, which grows to developing into even physical intimacy. Surprisingly, the couple engaged to get married, does not indicate any such inclinations to come closer. Hugh's character is not written very well, obviously to highlight the long lost soul-mates, and their much awaited reunion.

There is no harm in seeing this movie once, as it is simple, yet touching,on many occasions, and lastly ,Michael the guardian, coming back to be with his love, who has also ran out of an elite wedding, in search of him, and his confessing that he needs her now.

However, since Michael has learned to make his living now, that's a kind of relief to every body, seeing him as a successful chef, serving Mac and Cheese ! And that's another message, about all of us wanting to be naive like children, and enjoy just some simple pleasures of life. How ever, the movie has it's own limitations, like a very straight story line, and almost predictable responses of the groom-to-be, his lack of sensitivity, and materialistic personality. All other actors are good in their supportive roles, especially the lady psychiatrist. Musical score is nothing great, but average. But please tell me, how does Michael manage to buy that expensive diamond ring ,after all ? Keep it up, Tiffany's, and bring the lost loves together !

Did You Hear About the Morgans? (2009)

Was this movie meant to amuse children ?

[5/10 · 28 March 2011]

Such a child-like handling of the entire production sets one thinking, if the Producer-Director-script writer, and even oddly paired couple ,looking so miserable ,were under the impression that this movie is for the kids ? First of all, Parker and Grant, don't match at all, and it would have been better for them actually, to find their own suitable partners, and even solve the conflicting interests about adoption , and get married to the similarly inclined ,compatible individuals. All the situations like the couple witnessing a professional murderer, who shifts his weapons from a dagger to a gun, moves about openly without any fear of the FBI,and FBI in turn, wait patiently till he most intelligently :) finds out ,where the couple is hiding, and merrily drives to the venue. The situations are so simple,that they are almost naive and nearing laughable, but barely humorous, except may be the bear scene. one wonders why a handsome guy like Grant , is so much after Parker, who looks unkept,out-of-fashion, and washed out; and to be a little fair to her, i would say ,she has tried her level best, to deliver her dialogs in a little different way, to indicate her confused state of mind, and maturity ,than her flirt husband. And imagine, she has also cheated on her husband ! Though it seems that the plot line was intended to give the viewers, some relationship kind of stuff, without any explicit sex scenes, and a healthy physical and emotional interaction, the team has sadly failed to deliver the goods. Lessons to be learnt, please do not handle every thing so casually, that even a theme which could have been a delicate and beautiful , heartwarming, has been presented in a way, which is neither hilarious, nor unpredictable. Some how, the musical score is the only plus point, and i found it very suitable, lilting, and perfect for Wyoming backdrop. i also liked the sumptuous breakfast of sausages, eggs, and every thing else , so sweetly prepared by the charming hostess ! And yes, Parker asked to milk the huge cow ! The old couple has certainly the score above the middle-aged.

Direct Contact (2009)

What a waste !

[4/10 · 7 November 2010]

So there are these poorly produced movies ,just like Bollywood in Hollywood too ?

Unbelievable car chases, blasting and fires and bullets and what not , but the body builder hero manages to skip every time, along with the good looking , kidnapped woman, who doesn't do any thing,except smiling cutely at the macho hero, as if she is too willing and quite eager to get in bed with him; Of course, after all the chase is mercifully over, to the relief of the viewers as well ! Phew !

Far from plausible, sensible, or practical, this just another cheap flick, and i would say ,even worst than any Bollywood movie, it would be a pain in the arse to sit in a theater and watch till the end. With some good editing, sensible direction, and more realistic visual effects , the movie could have been passable; Good for enjoying a goof and unintentional comedy !

Aisha (I) (2010)

Daddy's girl !

[6/10 · 1 November 2010]

Anil Kapoor has gone all the way to reinstate his dearest daughter Sonam, as he presents her in world famous designer costumes, as claimed in the extra shots, when the movie was shown on T.V. channel. i haven't seen Emma of Jane Austen, but the life style of today's hep youth depicted in this movie, is completely western, and mostly much advanced,even for the majority of rich and affluent class of India,or specially the Metros.

Firstly, i am not quite convinced, why the veteran, ever green Anil, has chosen to select Emma for Sonam, after she appeared in Saawariya, a flop fantasy of Bhansali, which launched Sonam and Ranbir. Then she acted in a couple of movies, popularized Maskkali song,with her spriteful number, but didn't make any mark ,as an actor to reckon with. And most probably, Aisha would meet with the same fate, though there were mixed reactions from the viewers and the critics.

The plot line is hardly substantial, more or less predictable, and lacks grip ; all the couples switch partners, come extreme close physically, but depend on some casual incidents like Shefali falling in water, or Saurabh running to get her sandal in the middle of the traffic,etc. Sonam and Lisa have some beautiful bodies, but as per the western standards; In fact,i was wondering why Sonam is wearing a brassiere, since i failed to see any noticeable bosom ! Did any body else ? Those farm house parties with couples sexily dancing to tango, or the guitarist playing some soulful music, and the girls swaying without any inhibitions, and the last Bhngada number at the time of the multiple weddings, have been tastily filmed, and quite beautiful. But then, the movie has it's own limitations, due to the weak interaction among theses youngsters in search of love, as the attitudes seem to be mostly shallow, and drifting based on how the wind blows. Daddy Anil has tried to present his loving daughter in a leading role of an ultra-modern girl, who is actually more traditional in her ideas about love, marriage, and friendship. She is supposedly generous, by spending more than fifty thousand rupees only dresses and parlors, visiting animal clinics once in a while, etc. Next, though Abhay has done o.k., his voice is his weak point; it clearly lacks depth, and sounds monotonous. Now ,then, Daddy Anil, please come up next,with some real strong good story, and cast poor Sonam opposite an equally charming hero , and avoid making odd pairs. Watchable on a DVD, but easily forgettable.

Wisdom (1986)

Oh No ! Don't chew the sandwich please !

[5/10 · 30 October 2010]

So the Hero thinks it would bring tears to the eyes of the viewers,if he coolly and gallantly keeps munching a stale sandwich, right in front of the police officers,he is sadly mistaken. Because his girlfriend has just succumbed to a gun shot, and their seemingly unending journey has sadly ended . It seems Mr. Wisdom doesn't want to surrender amicably, after all. It hurts, for sure, to give up,his ego being strong , he is not the one to give up easily.

What's with this burning the loan papers in the banks ? eating dough nuts , rolls and chips on the way ? What's his mission ,any way ? Unlike other star couples , Bonny and Clyde, the narrow escapes lack thrill, and seem very casually handled by the script writer and the director.The couple, good looking and young, but drifted , handle deadly guns, and even kill a police officer in a tense situation. Demi looks good , but is quite raw in her acting; any way, she has to just widen her pretty, red lipstick donning sexy mouth, to express her fear,confusion, and fear, all rolled in one. The only touching element,is the truth looming large equally on the heads of the viewers,is the unavoidable end, that the unfortunate couple is heading towards. Well wishers coming and giving them gifts, and then the same elderly couple who run the motel, amongst the audience, now sobbing at the fireworks; And lo ! The run away ,smart couple has actually escaped arrest, and have shown a sense of humor,or should we call it audacity,to place stuffed dolls ,in their beds, Your Mama written on their chests ! Now that's a bit too much, Estevez. Nothing new, only plus point is the unusual music score, as pointed by some other posters,too. i have rated five for a good effort ; could have been better in some expert hands,perhaps.

The Witches of Eastwick (1987)

What do women want ?

[7/10 · 11 September 2010]

This movie is not to be taken at it's face value, that is the evil stuff, special effects and the witches settling down with their respective ,totally different looking kids, and not resembling their biological father Daryl, but more or less with their moms. As many of the reviewers have correctly pointed out, a more competent, thoughtful and mature direction would have turned the movie into a memorable movie, than a forgettable one, and actually flippant , to put it more bluntly.

Starting with Jack's seductive best, and isn't he known as the greatest seducer of them all, on an d off screen, it becomes a mockery of his earlier image,of a charming, sexy,witty maverick,into a totally destroyed individual, devoid of his all evil powers, a physical and mental wreck ! This doesn't match with his aggressive persona projected through the pranks he plays ,when his ego is badly bruised by the three women, who have now turned hostile, and want to ruthlessly destroy him, and get rid of him for ever ! Nicholson is truly brilliant,has given a good performance as usual, but perhaps with a better script and stronger direction, and more scope to allow him for delivering his powerful dialogs, it certainly would have matched his role in The Shining, a classic horror movie of all times. The confusion over comedy, horror ,or some thing different, has resulted into robbing the movie of it's excitement, awe, and thrills. We already know that the this guy who came in as a powerful factor in the lives of the three witches,is finally going to lose after all, and this prediction deprives the climax of all the charm.

Now about my interpretation behind the apparent plot line of a more-or -less not too ancient tale of some thing unusual happening in a small town; Well, he goes to buy ice cream and stuff like that, doesn't he ? So, according to my some what wild thinking,this is a take on the psyche of women, who are shown ruthless, merciless, determined to take revenge, coming together to achieve that, and not being grateful to what a man has given them; a palacious home, cute kids, wealth, a butler, a dog, and above all, torrid sexual pleasure ! i felt very touched when Daryl tries to communicate with his babies, they,too,gleefully chuckle and respond; and what do these three women do ?

Just vanish him with a remote ! Seems to be inspired from Shakesperean dramas, where the women are more evil, and cold-hatred than even men. i normally don't miss this movie, whenever it comes on any channel, specially HBO, and i do it for Nicholson, to see his seduction, his desperation, and his eyes; but end up feeling that some thing is missing. Cher, Susan and Mitchelle, all look good, but don't have much to do. so also about the other supporting cast; i have given seven, as i feel, one should watch it at least once, specially for Nicholson.

Khoon Bhari Maang (1988)

Another hit from the K series of Rakesh Roshan !

[8/10 · 28 July 2010]

Rakesh Roshan still continues with his lucky letter K, even today, his Kites being the latest; Though in spite of much hype, Kites bombed at the box, Khoon Bhari Maang did well at that time, and continues to interest the viewers ,whenever shown on any channel , and otherwise to Rekha fans.

It's a well-known fact, that Rekha was popularly titled by the cine-critics as Lady Amitabh. She had the charisma, the looks, the acting skills, and an amazing appeal to pull the crowd only by herself. Roshan has cashed on this factor, by cleverly combining it with a strong plot line, and a carefully selected and superbly cast supporting actors, the best out of them being Shatrughan Sinha. He excels in his role, with a macho appeal,coupled with good acting. Kabir Bedi and former beauty queen Sonu Walia add to the glamor, and look sexy , as they should, for their respective roles.

But this is basically a Rekha Movie, and she has given a very convincing performance. Her transformation from an ugly ,unassuming duckling,to a super model,though a bit overdone and artificial, is an eye candy to watch for her fans. she does look gorgeous. Actually, the basic story line is literally stolen from a Marathi Drama, without giving the original author his due credits, and a lot of masala has been added to attract the mass audience. Some of the flaws like, why the otherwise capable heroine did not care to undergo a plastic surgery, when she had all the resources,or how come the criminal duo does not suspect her, is conveniently compromised for the twist in the story. Music score is good, locations are pleasing to the eyes, cinematography is excellent. Some how, the climax of the movie by fulfilling the scorn woman's mission of bringing the culprits to their end, is quite dragged, and some editing would have helped.

The movie keeps the viewers engaged ,though, by it's pace, and also the grip of the story, as to what will happen next. Rakesh Roshan does have a knack for churning out the block-busters, and he practically launched his banner with this one.

Jhutha Sach (1984)

Disguises, Deceptions, and Dawn of the Damned.

[7/10 · 27 July 2010]

Dharmendra and Rekha, both of them hot and sexy in their own right, have given some light movies as a pair. That song, when they sing a duet on a dwindling crane, Rekha saying intermittently, Maine aisa to nahi kahan tha.. was a hit.

But in this movie, both have been cast in different roles altogether; Though Rekha is known for her histrionics, Dharmendra drifted after some good movies like Anupama, as a sensitive, soft-spoken hero, to characters which were more tilted towards comedy , in addition to his action films. In Jhootha Sach, he has to act rude and blunt , as well as underplay emotions; i feel he could have done even better ,if he would have taken his role a little more seriously. He looks confused on may occasions, and i would blame the director, for not orienting him, what is wanted from him. Overall,though the movie has the stereotypes of a typical villain ,played by Puri, and the seductive vamp by Irani, some effort has been made to show the dynamics between the impersonating dad, and the two kids. i liked the song, Chor Pakda Gaya.. which is quite touching,and has some appeal. Inspite of an illogical plot line, and mostly clichéd situations, Rekha gives a sensitive performance, and Dharmendra does his best, could have done better. i would rate this movie as at least worth-watching once, to see how even in a Hindi movie, the director has tried to show us ,some natural reactions of young children, longing for father's love, and the plight of a mother, who has to think of so many gimmicks to achieve what she wants desperately, the happiness of her children.

Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (1999)

Viva Gujarat !

[5/10 · 22 July 2010]

Is this Gujarat really in India ? So much abundance of every thing, people having no other business than dressing in their so-called traditional attires, dancing and singing at the slightest provocation, eating at mile-long tables, and that joker Salman Khan trying to woo Aishwarya, who overacts to no limits! After Hum Aapke Hain Kaun ?, this another painfully lengthy, loud, unrealistic,over-dramatic movie i have seen. And it goes on and on, having not much substance in the first half, and some illogical situations in the second half. Sum total? Helpless wait to see the end, suitable for our so-called values taught by Indian Cultural Academy. Same plot line , give it to any sensible director, or an artistically inclined Bengali director, and they would have spun gold out of it, by capturing the dynamics, the tensions, and not to speak about the dialogs.

What Bhansali as a director is interested into ,is nothing else but stunning the audience with his extravaganza , locations abroad, and establishing Salman - Ash as the most romantic pair of Bollywood. But both of them prove to be rather irritating, no matter how much hard they try ! Compared to them, Ajay gives a restrained and leveled performance, and does well, as a frustrated yet a loving man, who has married a wrong girl; actually he is a relief in this movie. An overdose of idiotic melodrama, costume parades, fake situations.. that's what the likes of Bhansali feed our gullible crowds in India and abroad. Is it possible that the truth will dawn on these guys one day, that all the viewers are not as vulnerable and low in intelligence quotient as they conveniently think ? Carry enough pop corn , to bravely sit through this movie ,to last it till the even more stupid and anti-climax of an end.

Bolt (2008)

A super cute movie for all.

[8/10 · 19 June 2010]

i just loved the interesting plot,and all the main characters in this flawless movie; Firstly, the attraction of having Travolta's voice for Bolt is a good reason, and just like Murphy as the donkey in Shrek is an endearing character, Travolta's voice for Bolt is equally fitting. Animation, editing,and the flow of events is superbly handled. Those three pigeons are unforgettable. what an observation of their body language ! The dialogs are full of wit and humor . How ever, like other animation movies, this one too, could have had some musical scores to it, and shouldn't have ended with just one last number. i have given eight on ten, as i feel that the humans in the movie were not given adequate attention. and were more like caricatures, except for Penny , the little girl of the show, and her parents, especially her father.

Dil... Akhir Dil Hai (1982)

Love's labor lost.

[7/10 · 27 May 2010]

Naseeruddin Shah in his hey days, Parveen Babi at her good-looking best, and Rakhee as usual in her decent silk saris, husky voice and controlled expressions, this movie would have turned out much better,and memorable,if scripted and directed differently. First of all , it seems unusual that a fun-loving and fashionable young woman like Sapna would fall for a vulnerable and straightforward guy like the one enacted by Shah. Makes a very odd pair indeed. Some dialogs are quite sensitive and carefully written, whereas the rest are not up to the mark,like Sapna chatting with her college friends etc. Though all three of them have tried to give their best, Naseeruddin is however not so impressive like in his other movies. Rakhee is good,and so also Parveen,playing a different role than her usual ones. Does the movie give a message,that no matter what ups and downs come in the relationships,true love always wins over ? But ,then,it is Rakhee's large heart,which forgives and forgets the escapades of her former husband, and makes a happy ending, but not so happy for Sapna,who would carry a tag of a divorcée unnecessarily.

Too bad for her, and for the audience too,who are left confused,as to what exactly is the social message that the movie wants to give. This movie lacks the depth of a strong plot line, careful editing or the intricacies of the intimate relationship of husband and wife, and becomes monotonous in a way , with lack of any strong situations or events. Could have been a two-act play instead. i ,however, liked Naseeruddin in that scene ,watching his wife dancing with the other guy,and then walking away.. Wasted talents, and a good theme,otherwise.

Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi (2008)

Absurd Ban Gayi Jodi !

[5/10 · 18 October 2009]

There is only one plus point which i could gain from this absurd movie, with the viewer's logic stretched to the limit , and Aditya Chopra's stint with the so-called story and script writing, which has no bearing to any such factors like the cultural back drop , credibility of the events shown,or the message ;and that point is the beautiful picturisation of the Golden Temple of Amritsar !

What exactly was Chopra's conviction ,when he thought of this title ? Yes , we do believe that marriages are made in heaven , but once married , it's not only the duty of husband or wife , to make the marriage work . If Taani wants to dance to the modern Western beats , that too, in a conservative place like Amritsar , Surinder doesn't have to miserably try to change his otherwise acceptable image ,to an exactly opposite character ,just to win her heart ,or make his vivacious wife happy ! Are we fools ? Or is Taani so naive ,that she can not notice the similarity between her husband and the other hep guy ? Come on Aditya , you can not take every thing for granted , and present us with an absurd plot line , equally absurd incidents , starting from the beginning , with all that rush to make every body concerned die , and then tie the knot of Suri and Taani , to shift over ,and eat toast and butter every day for breakfast, and the Taani making some lunch for her hard working husband ! Tut tut ! i am an ardent fan of Shah Rukh , and feel sad that his talents were indeed wasted over such a stupid movie. He did try to enact a simple guy , with spects and all , and gave us some sensitive moments like putting a rose next to his wife's breakfast , taking it away etc. Like in his other movie Duplicate , he was much more adorable in his two different roles, and that was due to the factors of a strong , entertaining plot, forceful direction , alluring songs and dance numbers , among other stuff. And what do we have here ? Not much ! If Suri would have decided to take his wife in confidence , and agreed to transform himself to her expectations , this movie wouldn't be typical Bollywood fare.

Swinging between romance and comedy , light entertainment to emotional scenes , this movie fails miserably in making any impact in the end , and would be easily forgotten. Except for that Haulle Haulle.. song , and Shah Rukh dancing to it's beat , there is no relief offered.Anushka is fresh and endearing , but her character is so confused , the viewer is confused even more. i have given five points , exclusively for the cinematography of some shots like an Ariel view from a terrace of the night lights , the Temple , and of course Shah Rukh , in a limited way, as his potentials are not used at all ! One may see it for curiosity's sake , and that's it , nothing more !

Bed & Board (1970)

Understanding in the end.

[8/10 · 1 August 2009]

i loved this movie for the minute observations of different characters , social scenario of a French neighborhood , husband-wife relationship , birth of a baby , and obviously , the husband's affair , while the wife is still in the process of adjusting with her newly acquired status. Every thing ids so natural ! Taking out of the trinket from the waters . meeting the newly found acquaintance in her apartment , going out for dinners and the wife finding out about the affair ! It touches your heart the way this young couple is trying to make their living , the cute baby , the girls' parents , and the hero's witty remarks , that he loves parents , if they are not his own ! Francis , a genius film maker , has a rare quality of observing the shades of human behavior , which is truly gifted . After all the turmoil, the couple does come to terms with each other , as they really love each other , and every thing else is just a passing phase. Perfectly cast , imaginatively pictured , wittily dialogued , this is a real gem of a world classic movie.

Dhoondte Reh Jaoge (2009)

An odd couple , with more odd people , trying to make you laugh !

[6/10 · 11 July 2009]

Anand Pawar , a born loser , and a naive ,middle-class working man , with faltering speech , to add to the woes , loves Neha; she aspires to be an actress one day , but presently ,is nothing more than an ordinary girl next door . Raj ,on the other hand , is a cunning , slimy producer , who has to play tricks to get his story accepted , and even shop lift clothes , for appearing decent . Kunal Khemu , Soha Ali Khan , and Paresh Rawal , in the lead roles of this movie , are supposed to entertain us , along with the medley of a bunch of crazy characters , who pop up as per the need of the hour . Lifted , of course from Hollywood , that is the idea of making a flop film , Dhoodate Reh Jaoge manages to evoke a few funny situations , but fizzles out in the end , with crowds in the theater going in a frenzy , supposedly with the comic situations in the film , and the funny takes on the Bollywood block busters . The director , the script writer , and the actors ,too , are at a loss to give a fitting climax to this otherwise good attempt to produce some thing different than the usual formula films , in it's climax , which ends on rather unbelievable ,goody goody acts and dialogs , like Aryan handing over Neha , which he looked after as Anand's security deposit , and Neha running in his arms ,in a full bridal costume , like a fancy dress competition ! Sood never changes his expressions throughout the movie ! Soha's attempt at dancing like Urmila ,is casual , and confirms that she can't dance ,for heaven's sake ! Paresh has started to show signs of his advancing age , and his flirting stints as well as some vulgar actions and dance , smack of overacting , unacceptable . Amongst all , kunal is good , and surprisingly , natural . Hero's duplicates idea and playing on their physical handicaps is stretched to the limits , and makes it pathetic instead of funny. Some how , the movie comes across as a childish sort of a presentation , with every thing carried out in a casual manner , specially the Press conference scene , investors handing over money etc. Today's Bollywood has come a long way from all the situations shown here , and a very vibrant and sleek industry , in spite of the heap of garbage it produces , by spending in crores of rupees every year !

Nevertheless , this could be termed as a good effort at making fun of our big time productions , but sadly , it wasn't done seriously enough , to throw a well-aimed snow ball , and initiate fun , at the expense of the stalwarts. Nako Nako number is well taken , and Kunal has danced with ease . Want to pass some time without bothering for the money you spent , better watch it on Video than in a theater , a little patience is required ,to sit through till the climax , going flop towards the end ! i have given it a six , because it's quite funny in the first half , and the tempo was quite smooth . Must mention Johny Lever , who leaves us yearning for seeing his old self ; Tolerable , but not that hilarious like his other movies . Like to watch odds ? Then go for it !

Aakhir Kyon? (1985)

Elusive love , marital discord, deceit by the dear ones , and a writer is born!

[7/10 · 14 June 2009]

Smita Patil , a dusky beauty with talents which could match only Shabana's , has pulled up this otherwise clichéd movie , with Rajesh Khanna's equally sensitive , underplayed , and adorable performance . Rakesh Roshan and Tina Munim fit the bill of adulterous partners , who deprive Nisha , a loving housewife , simple but with character , grace and a strong will power . Unable to bear the presence of her very own sister not only flirting with her husband , as well as father of her new-born baby , Nisha decides to leave the house ,in search of her own identity . The director should be appreciated for depicting the grooming of Nisha into Ashashri , with her hidden talents of anchoring , singing and writing flowering ,and establishing her as a successful writer ; She also becomes materially prosperous , while the wheel of destiny scoffs upon her erring husband , and brings him even lower than her status. Rajesh Khanna , acting as Alok , an admirer of Nisha , builds faith in her , loves her silently , and expresses it discreetly, only to be denied the acceptance by Nisha . This part of the script is not very easy to accept, as Nisha also likes him a lot , for his wit , his simple charms , and affectionate nature , as well as love for her daughter . Since Nisha thinks it might be too late to give it another try , she does not reciprocate , but is shown in two minds , when Alok walks away from her life , broken-hearted . Little baby Guddu is charming. Tina looks attractive enough to make a married man go astray ! Musical score is satisfactory , specially the lyrics are simple yet meaningful.

In Smita Patil's untimely death , Indian Film Industry lost a very unique actor , who gave us a number of path-breaking movies , which are practically the mile-stones , and raising pertinent social issues , like her Marathi movie Umbaratha , meaning threshold for instance . In her real life too, Smita fell in love with a married actor , who was no match to her fame and name , but she basked in the glory of her true love , and wore a Mangalsutra , for a Muslim husband ! Strange ! However , one must admit that Rajesh has stood up with her , and his expressive eyes speak volumes , and he has been also able to enact some scenes capably ,like slapping an audacious journalist etc. The message is loud and clear . Never say die , and do your thing , ladies , stand up on your own , and keep your dignity . It is remarkable that the story writer was not tempted to show the heroine opting for the oldest profession in the world , selling her body for a living , as the trend was eventually shifted to , in many such movies which came later , to show the helpless women becoming glamor dolls !