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Shiva (2006)
A RGV Film!!! Who Said That?
Is it from the same man who gave us masterpieces like Satya, Company and of course the original Shiva? And on top of all that, he has also made Rangeela and Sarkar. Quite a resume, I should say.
But what has he done now? A remake of his own film (I have seen the original and wasn't able to find any remarkable similarities) which is so bad that you almost refuse to believe the credits which end on Ram Gopal Verma's name as being the producer and the director. I had always thought that a good producer and director are the best criteria to help you choose when you are randomly browsing the shelves with an intent to buy something good. Actors can fail, Actresses can fail, writers can fail, music-composers can fail, but good directors almost always deliver.
There! I said it. I answered my own querry that I hadn't yet raised. Almost. Even then, how bad can bad be when a good helmer is on controls, one might ask. My answer will be: you never know with these guys. Steven Spielberg can give you a Hook; Oliver Stone can helm an Alexander; Coppola can open a Cotton Club;Yash Chopra can churn out a Veer-Zara; Gulzar can rehash a Ho To Tu; and Ram Gopal Verma can make a remake to make you want to tear your hair out.
I have bracketed him in such an august gathering because I believe that he is just as capable and as true to his craft as all these greats. The RGV that I know does not make compromises, does not hesitate from experimenting, does not fear to hold very risky projects in his hands, and has a unique vision all his own. All qualities of the Great.
But this time he has gone off the track with such force that I think I must pay him a visit and feel him all over, just to see that if all his bones are in one piece.
There is nothing good one can say about this movie. Not even one. I am not much well-versed in the technical aspects of a film but as far as the 'artistic' elements go, this is a sure-fire dud. No performance to speak about, no music to speak about, no action-pieces to speak about (positively, I mean), in short, no nothing' to speak about.
I wonder what was this dude thinking while making this film. Probably, about that other remake he is doing. That is not one of his own oldies. And that too is a classic of its genre. A true classic if India has to offer one in this genre, actually. Let's just hope, he keeps his wits about while doing this other job. As far as this remake goes, let's just forget it and never speak of it and every time when somebody tries to stick a thorn in our sides by saying that that was a RGV film too, to counter it vehemently with: A RGV Film!!! Who Said That?
The Karate Kid (2010)
Simple is Beautiful
I never wanted to write a review for this movie. I am not in the habit of belaboring the obvious and I respect other people's opinion. I usually don't recommend movies to my friends -- even if they ask me to. They have their own tastes and sensibilities and they may like or dislike a movie of which I have thought otherwise. Public opinion doesn't make me change my opinion and I am not anxious to have everyone share my point of view.
Enough is enough already. This is supposed to be a review.
But the reason I have harped on so long about my temperament and way of thinking is that I wanted to make it clear that I am not reactive to people's opinions. Some of the reviews of this movie, however, made me react.
I do not understand why so many of the people had given this movie so negative reviews (considerably more have given it excellent reviews though). I cannot comprehend what were these people looking for when they went to see it: education, enlightenment, high-concept, philosophy of a lifetime or simply entertainment? In my opinion, this movie can be seen for several reasons, for example: You can watch this movie for Jackie Chan, the eternal star.
You can watch this movie for Jaden Smith. Curiosity factor, you know? 'Lets see how the Smith kid has done' kind of thing.
You can watch this film because it is the remake of a classic of your youthful days.
Or you can watch this film simply because you want to be entertained. And that's the real point of this film. It entertains you and does so without being cheap or 'lofty'.
If you want to find an emotional identification with this film, you may try the bullying aspect, 'fish out of water' aspect, or the father-son, student-teacher relationship aspect.
This is a beautiful movie made in a very simple manner. And it proves, yet again, that simple is beautiful.