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Movie : Dhobi Ghat ( Hindi/English) 2011

Director : Kiran Rao

Cast : Aamir Khan , Prateik Babbar , Monica Dogra , Kriti Malhotra

There was so much hype preceding the release of Dhobi Ghat , you would have been forgiven if you were expecting an absolute gem of a movie. After watching it a bit late after it's release , I felt it was not a gem of a movie , but it's definitely a superbly crafted one .

Dhobi Ghat is all about 4 varied , different characters : The reclusive lonely painter Arun ( Aamir Khan ) , an NRI Banker Shai (Monica Dogra ) who decides to take a break in Mumbai to capture it's people through photographs , a dhobi/washerman Munna ( Prateik Babbar ) and a young married lady whom we never see in the "real" world , Yasmin played by Kriti Malhotra . The movie portrays how the maximum city Mumbai acts as a giant canvas to paint the lives of these 4 people.

The story starts with Yasmin , whom we only see through a self-filmed video camera , which she uses to convey messages to her brother . Married off to a silent moody husband , Yasmin uses the camera as a medium of escapism , recording the smallest things in her day-day life sometimes , and intending to send it across to her brother. Arun , accidentally stumbles upon these tapes , when he moves into the house where Yasmin used to reside.That's when the connection starts building up.

Shai on the other hand , has a one-night stand with Arun . She then meets Munna and the bond between them starts growing. Not quite love , not quite friendship , but it's a simple connection nevertheless which accounts for some of the finest parts of the movie and also provides for some witty humorous situations .

There is not much of a story or plot to write home about. It's a single dimensional portrayal of a multi-dimensional city and it's people . The movie takes it's time to establish it's characters for the most part , and it is only in the last half an hour or so , that we begin to comprehend certain truths and realities and how the characters cope up with these .

Sometimes , the absence of a concrete story or plot , makes all the difference between a bad movie and a good one . but there are movies which manage to keep the viewer interested , although they don't have too much of a plot. Dhobi Ghat is one prime example of this rare breed . The portrayal of the characters is what takes the movie forward . Characterization is another aspect which differentiates a good movie and a bad movie. And this is where Dhobi Ghat scores by a huge margin .

Brilliant performances from the cast . Prateik Babbar is a complete natural , as the aspiring actor and the sequence where Shai does his portfolio, is simple , understated brilliance . Munna is one character you will remember for quite some time . Monica Dogra is completely convincing in her role as the NRI complete with an accent , who explores the maximum city's lesser known faces . Aamir Khan , as always is a class-act. There has been a lot of talk and criticism about his portrayal , saying all he does is frown . But come on , what more can a reclusive painter do ? The last few minutes of the movie where he realizes the truth about Yasmin and his subsequent reaction to it , one of the finest and subdued performances from one of India's best contemporary actors.

But is the character of Yasmin , which steals hearts . Kriti Malhotra does a fine job , never in front of the actual camera , but a character whom we always see only through her self-recorded video camera . She portrays a range of emotions , from love , longing for home , depression etc . The innocence of her character , bowls you over.

The screenplay does seem to be a bit on the slower side , owing to the non-existent story . But viewers who prefer a bit of art-house , sensible cinema , won't mind. But the "Singh is King" generation audience might not find it interesting .

The Achilles heel of the movie , if there is one , has to be it's over-emphasis on it's characters and not the canvas , the city . When a movie is tagged with the title - Mumbai Diaries , I definitely expected something else. Yes , this movie is all about the city's people and not the actual city , and I loved it . But then , when you have such a wide canvas as Mumbai to paint upon , it could have helped to use it to it's maximum . No complaints though , as the wonderful characterization makes up for it's flaws.

I would not go so far as to say that you would fall in love with the 4 characters , but it is a fine attempt nevertheless . Maybe I was able to relate more to the movie as I am relatively new to Mumbai myself , and have fallen in love with the city and it's people. There is LIFE in the city . I am a bit of a photo-maniac like Shai , also a bit of a recluse when I feel I need to spend time with myself , Arun . A bit of a loser , Munna and also maybe someone who seeks a different form of escapism like Yasmin . I think looking back at the movie , maybe we all have a shade of Arun , Shai , Munna and Yasmin within us , knowingly or unknowingly. After all ,the human species is a crazy one , isn't it ?

On the flip side again , the movie leaves a couple of questions unanswered . The motive behind placing the character of an old silent lady as Arun's neighbor ? Does Arun go back to his ex-wife ? What happens after Munna gives a piece of paper to Shai ( Lemme not tell you what the paper contains ) ? I don't intend to say these are negatives , but definitely the director could have come up with an epilogue sort of ending , if nothing. Maybe a " 10 years later" kind of clip.

Apart from the acting the movie scores heavily with it's finer moments . The scene where Yasmin writes on the beach sand diligently again and again , even though she is aware the letters will be washed away by the waves in no time . The movie sequence where Munna tries hard not to place his arm over Shai as they enjoy a movie . The sense of jealousy when Munna sees Shai meeting Arun . These are the kind of moments which have made me fall badly in love with the visual medium over the past many years .You might not remember the movie for what it is , but small pearls like these are to be cherished and savoured.

It might sound contradictory to what I had stated earlier , but it is a good thing again , that too much emphasis has NOT been placed on the city and it's charms . Thank God we don't get to see any typical Mumbai stereotypes like vada-pav , the local train traffic , the hijras etc . This is a different perspective of the city , more of it's people , rather. I just wish maybe the Director could have struck a fine balance between showcasing the city , and it's people. That would have made this one gem of a movie.

A haunting background score by double Oscar winner Gustavo Santaolalla ( Brokeback Mountain , Babel ) adds to the flavor. Cinematography is another plus point with varied shades and tints being used. Completely shot on location , the camera work adds an element of simplicity to the movie. I have stood quite a few times on the same spot near Mahalaxmi station looking over Dhobi Ghat , losing myself in it's charm . Been fascinated by the never ending Mumbai monsoon and amazed at the intricacy of the structures at Elephanta Caves .

I particularly liked one dialogue in the movie , where we also get to have a glimpse of the city's people , apart from the 4 leads. The one where Yasmin explains how people in the city are always in a hurry , observing the antics of her neighbors through her video-cam. However , if am asked to mention the stand apart scene in the movie , it has to be the one where Yasmin's servant-maid and her daughter appear in front of the video camera . Completely natural expressions , and by far one of the most simple and poignant scenes I have seen in mainstream Indian Cinema .

The movie grows on you step by step , and maybe it deserves a second viewing to appreciate it even better . To me , it felt like a wholesome meal , with the Dessert missing . But it is a delightful meal , nevertheless.

People who are in love with Mumbai like me , will dig this movie. Those who have an inclination towards art-house cinema will like it . Those who just want to lose themselves in the magic of characterization , will love it , in all probability . But if you are the type who wants to watch a movie with a gang of friends , replete with never ending SMS'es from your mobile , or if you belong to the "Tees Maar Khan / Singh is King / Golmaal " loving sect , stay clear from Dhobi Ghat . Sadly the Indian audience still is not mature enough to appreciate movies like these , and a classic example is when the theatre was in splits , laughing uncontrollably when Aamir Khan reacts in pain and anguish after he finds out the truth about Yasmin . As a person who would love to see Indian Cinema make it big on the global scale , it disgusted me . But maybe , people are unique and what seems to be a classic piece of acting to me , might appear unintentionally funny to others . Fair enough . But like they say : It happens only in India.

I will have to judge this movie from different perspectives , owing to an internal conflict of interest in my mind .

As an average movie-goer - 2.5 / 5 ( Can watch )

As an Aamir Khan fan - 4/5

As someone who is in love with Mumbai and it's people - 3/5

As an art-house cinema lover ( This is not quite "art" anyway ) - 3.5/5

For the "I want to enjoy my time at the theatre" type - 1/5

Overall , if I were asked to rate it keeping in mind my expectations , I would go with 3.5 / 5 . This is definitely not India's entry to the global world cinema league . We still have a few miles to go , a few gaps to be filled , but Dhobi Ghat is undoubtedly a step in that direction .

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1

English ,2010

Director : David Yates

Cast : Daniel Radcliffe , Rupert Grint , Emma Watson , Alan Rickman , Ralph Fiennes , Brendan Gleeson , Helena Bonham Carter

HP7 Part 1 , is the first installment of the ending , of one of the most watched movie series in history , based on the best selling books written by J.K Rowling .

A brief summary of the plot for folks not familiar with the series . Harry ( Radcliffe ) and his friends Ron ( Rupert Grint ) and Hermione ( Emma Watson ) , are yet again drawn into doing things which you generally don't associate with youngsters of their age . This time around , they are required to find and destroy Horcruxes . A Horcrux , for those not familiar with the wizarding world , is an object , or rather , 7 objects in which the Dark Wizard Lord Voldemort has hidden his soul . The only way to destroy him is to destroy these Horcruxes. Voldemort and his followers , have taken over the Ministry of Magic , and how the Trio and their supporting group , try to defeat Voldemort , is what the movie is all about.

Brilliantly shot and with loads of special effects , the story moves on , with a reasonably good pace , barring the 10 minutes pre-intermission and post-intermission .

The plot , is largely faithful to the book upon which the movie is based , and there are very few surprises in store for readers here . Although it is impossible to fit the essence of a huge book into an almost 2 1/2 hours movie , the Director shows us most of the important sequences , at the same time , a few unwanted ones as well. Crispness is something which I have always associated with most HP movies , barring a few . However , I personally felt this movie lacked the same intensity and pace as it's predecessors , or at least most of them . Nevertheless , Rowling's base story in itself , has enough potential to keep the viewer's interest sustained.

The few visions of Dumbledore's character , who perishes in the previous movie , would bring a sense of nostalgia , to any "pure blood" Potter fan :) . The characters have matured and developed over time , both in the books and on-screen too. The trio of Potter,Weasley and Watson , suit the characters and the sense of bonding and togetherness remains the same .

There is not much of humor in the movie , and for the bulk part , all the characters seem to have a look of impending doom , written all over their faces . The cold interactions between Ron and Hermione , however , do cater to your funny bones occasionally. And Harry steadily smooching Ginny Weasley , with her brother George Weasley acting as an appreciative audience , was brilliant . A couple of other scenes , with typical British style humor , brightens up the proceedings.

Visually enchanting , with tons of effects and a distinctly dark tint throughout it's duration , HP7 Part 1 , will definitely appeal to those who just want to go to the Theatre to be cast under a spell , literally. I still don't fathom why this was not made for a 3-D audience , or at least part of it. I still remember the opening moments of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince , watching it in a theatre with 3D , and opening my mouth wide in amazement . The image of Dementors , flying across a London skyline which falls apart , was brilliant , to say the least . There are many such portions in this installment too , but they would have been better with 3D on .

The background music is a definite boost to the plot and is in-sync with the visual proceedings , adding an element of mystery to it . Cinematography is top notch , and all the colors of the magical world are so vivid , you would think you were in a different world yourself.

On the flip side , as mentioned the screenplay could have been more crisp and tight. There were quite a few "yaaaawn" moments from my side , but it never got boring . The sense of bonding between the Trio still exists , and appears natural for the most part. But however , the on-screen chemistry or camaraderie between other vital characters , such as the members of the Order of the Phoenix , left a lot to be desired. The scene where Mad-eye Moody , finely portrayed by Brendon Gleeson , assembles the Order and asks them to take a potion , looks as if we were watching a high-school PT/Sports teacher barking orders. The chemistry BETWEEN the supporting cast , is definitely missing and is hardly convincing .

We never get to see good old Hogwarts , keeping in sync with the plot . Sometime , it does get a bit odd , as I have been a huge Potter fan from the very beginning , of both the movies and books , and the majority of the action always took place in Hogwarts , except the fag end of the series , as is the case with the Deathly Hallows Part 1 .

There was much talk about an on-screen kiss between Harry and Hermione , and for many Potter buffs , this was considered as a sin . Personally , it was a topic of much discussion for a few days before the movie release , between me and my Potter-fan colleague in Office. Thank God , it was a relief to see in which context these 2 characters are shown kissing and fondling each other on screen . Potter fans , there is no need to panic about this piece . Watch it , and you will know exactly what i mean .

The supporting cast do not get much importance role wise and the Trio pretty much account for everything that's happening on-screen . Hagrid , Mad-eye Moody , the Weasley family and Snape and many more , have nothing much to do. But these are all polished performers and every supporting cast member has come up with extremely convincing and naturally pleasing performances , even in their short-lived screen time.

Radcliffe and Emma Watson , still fail to thoroughly convince me with their acting skills , which can be termed average . However , looks wise , I don't think many other people could have filled the shoes of characters of Harry and Hermione . Among the trio , it is Rupert Grint ( Ron Weasley ) who appears natural and convincing .

Ralph Fiennes , as Lord Voldemort is giving us his best as always , with each Potter flick . He displays a perfect mix of varied emotions : Anger , frustration , impatience .

A special mention for Helena Bonham Carter , who is at her menacing best , as Bellatrix Lestrange . She brings in so much energy into her performance as the cold-blooded Death Eater , it's infectious . A small role , but superb !!

This movie is strictly for the Potter buffs , as there are many Wizarding terms and references , throughout the movie, and anyone not so familiar with the story and the series would feel completely lost . And the references to old Potter lore , thrown in for good measure , certainly does not help the cause of non-Potter fans . Sample this : Tales of Beedle the Bard , Invisibility Cloak , Snitch , Godric's Hollow , Horcrux , Dragon heart-string wand etc . If you are not a Potter fan , your head must already be reeling after reading the review , as if you were hit by a "stupefy" spell :)

I think this movie ought to be rated from 3 perspectives :

1 . For people not familiar AT ALL with the series -- 1.5 / 5 , as you would appreciate the technical aspects alone and NOT the story .

2. For people who are REASONABLY familiar with the series -- 3 /5 , maybe tag along with a more knowledgeable Potter-buff friend for the movie.

3 . For Potter-buffs -- 3.5 / 5 . It is not immensely satisfying , but it's in no way a let-down either .

The movie serves as a perfect prelude to it's ending , which would knock on Theatre doors in July 2011 , and dig this , in 3D !! The last image of Lord Voldemort , holding the Elder Wand in his ghost-like hands and raising it , sending upward a beam of strong light , amidst the darkness of the night sky , is an indication , of better , darker things to come .

Movie : Endhiran


Language : Tamil , 2010

Genre : Sci-Fi

Director : Shankar

Cast : Rajinikanth , Aishwarya Rai

Well , what can I say . It has been a long time since I blogged , and am happy to be back with a movie very close to my heart . It does not get any bigger than this.. India’s biggest director , biggest superstar and the world’s most beautiful woman , with the country’s best musician …

Endhiran , starts off with a scientist Vaseegaran ( Rajinikanth ) , creating a humanoid robot called Chitti ( Rajinikanth ) , aiming to deploy such robots in the Army to help the forces . Things seem to be smooth , until Chitti is injected with an emotions module , which makes him similar to any other human being . Chitti then falls in love with Vaseegaran’s fiancée Sana ( Aishwarya ) , and falls into wrong hands , what happens henceforth is what Endhiran is all about.


Movies of this genre definitely warrant creative liberties . But the director has taken the term to new levels altogether . With Chitti talking with mosquitoes , helping Sana with her medical exams , shooting bullets from his fingers , this packs a punch in every sense of the word.


What will make this flick appeal to all , is the sheer magnitude of the project itself. Technically superior to any other Indian movie ever , this is one hell of a ride. Family audiences will devour the no holds barred entertainment on screen , lap it up twice , thrice and over and over again.


Comedy seems to be a bit of a letdown here , with Santhanam not doing much to set your ribs tickling with laughter . It is Chitti’s artificial intelligence , with some witty dialogues which make the viewer smile and laugh at times . Sample the scene where he teases a police constable who questions him for driving a car without a license .


The plot is not quite complex and sticks to Shankar’s fairly simple and straightforward style of storytelling . Nothing much to confuse the viewer , who is busy dropping his jaws in awe at the brilliance which unfolds on screen . Nothing to tear your brains out , a simple plot is what makes this one tick , and tick like a clock running at the speed of light , in typical Robot terms .


Negative characters are quite a few , with Danny Denzongpa playing the scheming Scientist with an eye on Chitti , hoping to turn him into a weapon of mass destruction . Sabu Cyril makes a guest appearance as a link between Danny and a global terrorist conglomerate .


However , the Robot Chitti is the darkest character . Scenes where he lusts for Sana highlight the extreme negative aspect of the character .


Acting by Rajinikanth , is something which is a big deviation from his usual movies . The gross looking hair , thanks to long hours spent in the process of creating Chitti , the solemn looking scientist Vaseegaran , does not offer the Superstar much scope to showcase his acting skills. He comes up with a subdued , yet dignified portrayal . Full marks here .


Sana , played by the gorgeous Aishwarya Rai , is a major driver to the plot , even though she does not have anything much to do on screen . She looks like a zillion dollars , and radiates beauty like never before , amply helped by some stunning costumes and truly exquisite locales for the dances. Looking at her in the “ Kaadal Anukkal “ song , almost made me fall in love with Mrs. Junior B . And am sure I was not the only guy in the audience , whose heart skipped a beat watching her blaze the screen with her Goddess like looks.


Santhanam and Karunas play Vaseegaran’s bumbling assistants , with an unexpected change of character . Danny Denzongpa does decent justice to his role as the villain , but I felt this fine actor of yesteryear could have been used better .


However , it is Chitti who steals the show , especially in the second half . How his character and mindset changes in no time , calls for applause . He carries the plot on his silicon shoulders , and it is no small burden , my friend . There are so many things that could have gone wrong in the movie , but Chitti’s antics overshadow these flaws . An absolute treat to watch .


The best thing about this would be the special effects and technology used . Scenes of such epic proportions , like the one where hordes of Rajni come together to form a Robot Army blasting everything in their path , has taken Tamil , rather Indian cinema to places never seen before . A definite pat on the back to Shankar’s vision and confidence to pull it off.


On the flip side . Few scenes could have been done away with , as they add NIL value to the plot and story . And for a diehard Rajni fan , it would come as a small disappointment , as this lacks the legendary Rajni stamp , to a large extent . Not many punch dialogues , not many unique mannerisms , as expected by the fans .

I never imagnied in my wildest dreams , that Rajinikanth would run away from a baddie who tries to rape his girlfriend . That's something Rajini "can't" do..

Something which would dampen the expectations to a small extent , but these are covered up with spectacular scenes on screen . I had to stop myself from jumping like a maniac , when a giant Robot consisting of many Chitti’s rises from the ground and stands in inimitable Rajni style and kicks a truck in its way , like David Beckham blasting a free kick into the goal post .


Music by Rahman is definitely not his best , but is pretty good no doubt , supported by stunning sets and huge production values in the song sequences . The background score could have been better and can be termed as average at best .


Shankar deserves maximum credit for his impeccable vision and guts to embark on a project of such proportions . And he has pulled it off , friends , using the Silicon Singam to maximum effect .


Some scenes will strain the vocal chords of fans , especially after the debacle of his earlier "Kuselan". The one where Chitti saves Sana from being raped , after charging himself with electricity in the middle of a train track , or the one where Rajni the Robot appears as God incarnate , in a sequence where Sana objects to loud music. These are signature Thalaivar moments . But as a Rajni devotee , I wish there were more of these . But I felt Shankar has taken this for a larger audience across geographic locations , and maybe that’s what made him cut down on the “Macho-Rajni” factor to some extent.

Shades of the classic vintage Rajni in the second half , reminiscent of Alex Pandi , will go down well with Tamil cinema fans

I will go with 3.5 / 5 as a normal movie watcher and 2.5 / 5 as a Rajni devotee . Decide which category you belong to . It does not matter , because even if you are not a Rajni fan , you have every reason to watch it. Because , you can either hate Rajni or love Rajni , but you simply cannot ignore him . Endhiran is a must watch , at least once , for its technical brilliance , if not Rajinikanth’s magic on screen . Mind it !!


Verdict : 3.5 / 5 ( Must watch )

INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS ( ENGLISH , 2009 )

Director : Quentin Tarantino

Cast : Brad Pitt, Eli Roth , Diane Kruger , Christoph Waltz , Melanie Laurent , Daniel Bruhl

A character says " when the military history of tonight is written , it shall be recorded that I was a part of ...... " . This pretty much sums up the crux of Inglourious Basterds . It is history , conceived , conceptualized and executed through the lens and vision of maverick filmmaker Quentin Tarantino.

Inglourious Basterds revolves around a series of events which unfolded ( fictionally ) during World War 2 , in France. France was under the control of the Nazis , and a group of merciless American soldiers called the Inglourious Basterds , led by the ruthless Aldo Raine ( Brad Pitt ) are hell-bent upon killing as many Nazis as possible , when they land in France. Few years ago , Shosanna Dreyfus , a young Jewish girl , is made to witness the gruesome murder of her family , by Colonel Hans Landa ( Christoph Waltz ) , however she manages to escape from the ordeal , and few years down the line , she is in charge of a Cinema Theatre in Paris. Shosanna Dreyfus ( Melaine Laurent ) still holds a grudge against the Nazis and we realize a golden opportunity to take her revenge falls into her lap , literally. It is here that the motives of the Basterds and Shosanna intersect , setting up a " blazing " finale.

Along the way , we see quite a few characters . The German Soldier , Fredrick Zoller ( Daniel Bruhl ) who turns into a movie star thanks to his exploits in real life , the German Actress Bridget Von Hammersmark ( Diane Kruger ) , who at some point helps the Basterds in their cause , and few more interesting characters. Of course , not to forget the imposing figure of Adolf Hitler , who in Tarantino's bizarre style is immaculately characterized , asking his soldiers for Chewing Gum in the middle of a movie screening.

This movie has many classic Tarantino touches . The long , lengthy dialogues are highly interesting , even though for the bulk of the movie , all people do is talk talk and talk. The conversations are animated , and you never feel bored . The discussion about rats in the opening sequences between Hans Landa and a French Peasant who harbors Jews , is a typical Tarantino effect. It is reminiscent of many of his movies , where he tends to bring up seemingly ridiculous subjects into his dialogues , but it adds to the mood as always.

As with most Tarantino movies , there is no central character , in this one too. Even though the ridiculously named title suggests this is going to be a blood bath , with ruthless soldiers baying for blood , the Basterds themselves are by no means the central element of the movie. The movie gives more importance to the other characters , very similar to his other movies where there is no protagonist per se , and everything else just happens to fall into place. this is more about Shosanna , more about her theatre and her revenge plans , more about Hitler's whims , the Nazi ideology , than just about the Basterds bashing up Nazis alone.

Characterization as always the strong point of any Tarantino movie , in the absence of an actual strong plot as a foundation , is top-notch. And added to it , the screenplay , even though it runs at around 2 and half hours , is as good as ever . Not much visual action on screen , but more of dialogues is what makes this movie beautiful. Tarantino's movies have always had cheeky , adorable dialogues , laced with a small element of sarcasm , and this one is no exception. Very few Directors can make a card movie-character game interesting , and Tarantino executes this to perfection . The sequences in the basement tavern , where the Basterds first meet Bridget Von Hammersmark are easily the best written ones I have seen for a long time.

The characters are immensely adorable and likable instantly. Even a seemingly ruthless Hans Landa " The Jew-Hunter " , will be received by audiences with warmth , as Christoph Waltz infuses humor and charm into the character. Watch out for the scenes where he interacts with the Basterds face to face . Eli Roth as Donny Donowitz , is brilliant in his portrayal as the "Bear Jew " who uses his baseball bat to make a bloody mess out of the Nazi's heads. Diane Kruger is elegant and graceful in her role as the German actress who helps the Basterds. Melanie Laurent comes up with a fine performance as the orphaned Shosanna who plots her revenge on the Nazis , in her own backyard , her Cinema.

However Brad Pitt is the best among the lot. We have seen numerous actors portraying American Officers in War movies , all unique in their own right. And Aldo Raine is no different. Aldo "Apache " Raine means business , and you understand this , the moment Pitt's character is introduced on-screen. He is easily delectable , in that dodgy rough American accent of his mouthing dialogues like " Nazi ain't got no humanity " . " " Every man under my command owes me a 100 Nazi scalps ". A feast for the eyes , Pitt brings in so much humor into his portrayal , and the dialogue need not necessarily be funny , for you to smile gleefully at him . I loved him , especially in a sequence where he poses as Bridget von Hammersmark's Italian accomplice , with minimal knowledge of Italian , and Hans Landa , confronts him and converses with him and his 2 fellow Basterds in fluent Italian .

Even the secondary characters bring in so much energy to the movie , and add value to the proceedings. The German Minister , the young soldier in the tavern who has just become a father , the Dark projectionist in the theatre and many more such personalities make this an even more delightful movie experience.

Technically , this is as good as any Tarantino movie.

Quentin Tarantino has given a truly outstanding and enriching movie experience. But , there has been a lot of talk about how this is better than Pulp Fiction . I beg to differ.

I ain't no authority on movies , nor am am I an authority on Quentin either. But I definitely feel this is not better than Pulp Fiction . These are 2 entirely different films , and Pulp Fiction is more of a Tarantino-ish movie than this one. Yes , like I said earlier this does have the signature Tarantino touch , w.r.t dialogues , characterization etc. But observe the differences too. Especially in the screenplay. Inglourious Basterds has a largely linear screenplay , whereas Pulp Fiction easily remains one of the best non-linear movies till date. There is something new to observe and learn from Pulp Fiction everytime I watch it. Inglourious Basterds too deserves multiple viewings to fully appreciate it's beauty . But , Pulp fiction.. I have seen it umpteen times and even if I were to watch it right now again , am sure I would observe something new. And Pulp fiction had more memorable characters than IB ( even though IB's characters are remarkable ). Even visualizing " Ezekiel 25 : 17 " would give me goosebumps now. Two completely different films , each remarkable in it's own right , and should never be compared. But just for the record , with all due respect to the Basterds , I would choose Pulp Fiction anyday.

I will go with 4.5 out of 5 for this brilliant film . Towards the end , ALdo Raine says " I think this just might be my masterpiece . ". I feel this was a statement from Tarantino himself. But I would say this ain't his masterpiece yet . The best is yet to come , and am eagerly waiting for his next movie. As for Inglourious Basterds .. Well , as Aldo Raine himself would put it "Damn good deal"

VERDICT : 4.5 / 5 ( Uber )

THIS IS IT ( ENGLISH , 2009 )

Director : Kenny Ortega

Cast : Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson , the King of Pop , was supposed to perform a series of concerts in London , but 3 weeks prior to the kick-off , passed away unfortunately.

This is It , chronicles MJ's preparations and rehearsals for what would have been one of the most spectacular concerts ever in history . Footage shot during the preparations from all stages , from conception , to auditions , to design etc has been used to make this special feature.

I was never a serious MJ fan , and at best can be termed a casual MJ fan. But after his death , I was more intrigued by his nature and performances and the man behind the music. And that's what led me to watch THIS IS IT , on it's opening night at the Theatre.

This is easily one of the most amazing experiences I have ever had. Extremely pleasing to the eye , this movie is not just for die-hard fans , but for all music lovers. A wide array of MJ's most famous hits will keep the viewer entertained throughout the film's duration.

It shows the preparations for the path-breaking concert , right from the dancers audition stages , goes on to show the set design , the music setting , the sound-checks , and the actual rehearsals. MJ is omnipresent in all stages , and is very much an integral part of all the work that has gone into setting up the concert. Every care has been taken to ensure no stone is left unturned in making this a once in a lifetime experience.

MJ's music has countless fans , who would just do literally anything to just be close to him. And this love and passion for the man and his music , is reflected in the faces of the dancers who rehearse with him. The opening sequences consist of a series of small interviews with the dancers , and everyone seems truly blessed to be up close and personal with the King of Pop. Ecstatic , is an understatement , especially when quite a few dancers grew up dancing to his tunes.

The film is visually stunning in every sense of the word , right from the opening minutes till the very end. Actual videos which were made , to be shown in the backdrop during the concerts , left me spell bound. Especially the Thriller track , which re-created the Ghosts and Zombies magic of yesteryear 's iconic music video , and this was apparently conceived as a 3D version . Smooth Criminal's prelude has MJ in the middle of an old Black and White Hollywood film , and sets the tone perfectly for the song which remains one of his most electrifying pieces.

The actual music , is truly breath-taking . A team of highly talented musicians all come together and join hands with MJ to give us a stunning display of musical intensity . And MJ being the energetic chap that he is , makes it a point to improvise in all ways possible. Just watching him make suggestions to the Keyboard Artist , proves his dedication and commitment to give his fans the best. And MJ does what he does best .. sing and dance.

The dance movements are beautiful and every song's brilliance is increased manifold , by the steps which the dancers perform . Everyone just seems to be so overwhelmed dancing alongside MJ , and just perform with so much intensity and energy , its almost infectious.

And MJ as always goes that extra bit to ensure his fans are satisfied . He seems to be perfectly at ease , climbing onto a manually operated crane , which would zoom onto the crowd and MJ would be amidst hordes of screaming fans .. I only wish this happened. But nevertheless , we get to see MJ starting off " Beat It " atop this crane.

Michael Jackson's image just seems to keep you hooked onto the screen. Whether it be sitting with his team and selecting dancers from the auditions , or giving suggestions to his artists , or grooving to music in aplomb , there is that characteristic MJ style all through the movie.

His singing is more or less the same as the MJ we know , belting out hit after hit . And his dance moves which have kept fans enthralled for years , appear to be as graceful and unbelievable as ever.

Michael Jackson has always been a top-notch stage performer , and he seems to have enjoyed himself to the core , during the preparations and rehearsals for " This is It " . He looks to be possessed with some supernatural energy , and it was just amazing to see him groove to the sounds of the electric guitar , alongside a stunning Orianthi Panagris who just rips the guitar to shreds in a dazzling musical storm , especially during " Beat It ". MJ prolongs the ending of " I just cant stop loving you " , and if any other artist were to prolong a song for so long , I would have felt irritated . But MJ , oh gosh , just prolongs it with so much passion and the final " you " is directed at his audience , which in this case , would be his staff , technicians and the dancers.

The setting for the concert is what people call a feast for the eyes . It varies from a robot whose exterior is made of Video Screens , from which MJ would have made his grand entrance , the 3D version of Thriller's dead creatures , the Jackson 5 backdrop and many more stunning pieces.

The touching video for "Earth Song " , specially made for the concert , will strike a chord for sure. MJ's love for the planet and it's people and all creatures , is reflected in this moving piece.

Towards the end of the film ,we see all the dancers and staff standing in a circle with MJ , thanking everyone for their efforts . This would be a tear jerker for any die-hard MJ fan , especially the shot of him hugging everyone involved with him.

I see absolutely no negatives in this movie at all. Maybe it could have been a wee bit shorter , but am sure no one would notice as you would be too engrossed with the music and the man and his dance.

Please do not exit the Theatre when the credits start rolling out. It is probably the first time in my life , I have seen people still unmoved from their seats when the credits start rolling. I am just crazy about " Heal the World " , and this is one reason I was waiting even after credits came and was blessed to hear it play loud and clear .. Finally , the girl from the " Earth Song " video , comes hugging the Earth , and the screen displays " Heal the World " , and an autograph from MJ , saying " I love you " sent the audience crazy into rapturous applause .

Like I said , I was never a true MJ fan and it was only after his death I started realizing more and more about him . His charity work is beyond words . He had done so much to help the poor and the needy and Africa especially had always been his concern. No wonder people all over the world mourned his death , as if they had lost a family member. And Michael says " We are all family " when he stands in a circle with his staff and crew towards the end . Indeed a very moving moment.

It is highly unfortunate this concert never materialized . If the preparations were so grand , I cannot even imagine how the actual concert would have been. London must have gone crazy when MJ would rise above wild screaming fans crooning " Beat It " from atop that crane.

MJ had always advocated the need to Heal the World , through love , peace and harmony . Peace is what his music stood for. Harmony echoes in his every intention , and love.... Here is a man who loved the entire world , even though the media always hounded him as if he was a criminal. For someone who was tortured a lot by the media , he never vented his anger much . He always hit back , doing what he did best .. sing and dance. And his songs and dance shall continue to live on forever.

MJ performed in India only once , and this was an initiative by the Thackeray led politicians in Mumbai/Bombay , India. Michael Jackson always stood for peace and love. And ironically , a certain Thackeray does the exact opposite now . Such is life :( C'est la vie.

I will go with 4.5 out of 5 for this phenomenal film .

This is It. The final show from the greatest performer we have ever had. I just wish i was a bigger MJ fan , after watching this film. Michael Jackson has passed away , and we have to move on. Michael , wherever you are , I know you must be smiling down at us , the people of the world , and I know that even though you are mortal no more , you shall still love this world always. The world is in turmoil now , as you know very well MJ .. but Michael , your music is immortal , your dance is never-ending... and I just pray and hope that one day , even if ONE person is moved and touched by your music ,and gives up violence and turns over a new leaf after being inspired by you and your work for humanity , that will be your biggest success. We might not have 50 sold out concerts .. London will never witness you live .. The world shall never go mad again when you sing or dance live .. But... I know you had a far more important goal in life than money , fame and sold out concerts . One fine day , your spirit shall be content , when we people unite and Heal the World. Thank you MJ for everything.. the music , the dance and above all for making an effort to make this a better place , for you and for me and the entire human race.

R.I.P Brother ... God Bless you...

VERDICT : 4.5 / 5 ( UBER )

PARANORMAL ACTIVITY -- ( ENGLISH , 2007 )

Director : Oren Peli

Cast : Micah Sloat , Katie Featherson

Well , they say you should never harbor any expectations at all , before watching a movie , to truly enjoy it.. but when the whole WWW has been going nuts about a movie , how can you not stop yourself from falling prey to the expectations trap ? And , Paranormal Activity ( PA ) is a stellar example to validate this ..

Katie and Micah are a happy couple , who have just moved into their new home , begin to experience a series of weird incidents , which they believe are supernatural. Micah , decides to record all the happenings using a camera and an audio recorder, so as to use the recordings to do some private research to ascertain the reason behind the occurrences. Katie on the other hand is not entirely convinced about his plans , and seeks expert opinion in this regard. That is what the movie is all about.

Widely praised as a truly scary flick , I admit I expected a lot from this , but sadly , I guess my hopes were too high. Paranormal Activity definitely is not a bad film , nor is it a great movie , nor is it a mediocre attempt. What I loved about the movie , was its characterization , more than the actual chills and thrills , which form the crux of any Horror flick.

For an independent film , without much backing and negative star power , it might be tough for the Director to make the audience relate to the characters. But here lies the beauty of this movie. The characterization is simply brilliant , and the way human relationships tend to falter in the face of diversity has been brought about really well.

Horror films these days tend to be nothing more than a bloodbath , amply complemented by Computer Effects etc , with zero logic . Paranormal Activity is a bold attempt at changing this perception . There is not a single drop of blood visible throughout the movie , except for the climax , and hardly noticeable too. computer graphics , make-up etc don't appear anywhere at all.

Shot on a paltry budget of 5000$ , Paranormal Activity proves wrong the wide misconception that good movies can only be made with a strong financial backing. I do not mean to say this is a great movie , but considering it's budgeting constraints , it is well shot .

The camera tends to be the main player in the movie , as what is supposed to scare us , is caught on the camera which Micah places in his bedroom. The bizarre angles , the little jerks and shakes in the visuals , all contribute to the natural appeal of this movie. Nothing seems to be artificial , ranging from the house , to the dialogues , to the plot itself.

Everything about the movie seems to be so realistic , largely due to the fine performances from the pair. Micah and Katie perfectly complement each other. Katie has a past connection to the happenings , as we learn later on and can genuinely feel the horror of the incidents , while Micah , appears to be an easy going guy , with clever sarcasm in his dialogues. Micah seems more focused on his camera and its use in the research , rather than in solving the actual problem.


The screenplay is quite brisk , and even though there are a few dull moments , the overall eerie mood of the movie is maintained. However there are certain "YAAAwn " moments , especially when after a point you realize that you never are going to get really scared . But I would never classify it to be boring , and it makes for a rather decent watch , pace wise.

The first half an hour or so , goes in establishing the characters and any scares , that's depending on your scare - levels , appear after that only. But the whole Day-Night cycle tends to get a wee bit repetitive , but no complaints as the concept probably demanded such a method of storytelling.

I am not trying to sound all brave and bold here , but few movies have scared me , in the true sense of the word. Like I said , Computer graphics and make-up etc have never really scared me . What scares me , is the fact that unexpected things might happen , anytime. I remember reading somewhere , a M.Night Shyamalan interview , where he says something like " I do not believe blood and gore is scary. What scares me , is , I sit at my office desk and suddenly the picture frame of my family photo on my desk falls down , for no reason .. I pick it up and place it properly back , but it still falls down . I repeat the act and it still falls down , for unknown reasons.. That to me , is fear ".

Forgive my memory , but I think that's what he said..Anyway , I just meant to say , that I too share the same perception about fear and horror. And Paranormal activity is more of a mind-games genre of horror , rather than something which visually scares you.

Yes , there are a few scenes which scare you visually , but these are more of " Silent for sometime and sudden loud noise " kinda scenes , rather than true fear. You know , the kind which makes you jump suddenly , but only to fall a second later , laughing at how stupid you were for being scared by a sudden loud noise , amidst silence. However , I would not be insensitive enough to label PA as this type of movie . Yes , it did not scare me , but it definitely played with me psychologically.

I mean , it manages to hold your suspense , as you wait to see what unfolds , because you can relate to the characters to a fairly large extent , thanks to the realistic making . When the couple go to bed , as we see in the camera's recording , you tend to be as nervous as them , to see what really happens , and what the Activity is all about. Even during the initial scenes , you wait to REALLY know what the psychic has to say , when Katie calls him for help. That , people , personally speaking , contributes to the charm of a horror movie.

On the flip side , very few genuine scares in this movie . I watched this at past-midnight , with the lights out , and in a small room with a fairly loud 5.1 Speaker system . It still did not give me the chills. I admit it held my interest , but it was more psychological than horror.

Many people have hailed this as one of the greatest horror films ever , and saying they had nightmares after watching it etc etc . I saw it past-midnight .. It's 3 AM now , and I will sleep in sometime , however , I can assure you that I certainly won't have any nightmares , nor is Paranormal Activity going to make me lose my sleep , in anyway . In case I do , you shall be the first to know.

Finally , I would term it as a very good attempt , but not quite haunting :(

VERDICT : Good ( 3 / 5 )

AADHAVAN - ( TAMIL , 2009 )

Director : K.S. Ravikumar

Cast : Suriya , Nayanthara , Vadivelu , Saroja Devi

Director K.S.Ravikumar has a reputation for churning up masala movies , with all elements synonymous with Tamil Cinema : Stunts , fights , songs , comedy and sentiment. This one tries it's best to live up to the reputation , but ends up coming across as torture inflicted upon the viewers.

Aadhavan ( Suriya )is a hit-man , who is assigned the task of killing a Judge , but when the first attempt fails , is determined to finish the job in 10 days. We then see that Aadhavan ends up as a servant in the Judge's house , and tries to finish him off. Whether he kills the Judge or not is what the rest of the movie is all about.

The Judge lives with a huge , joint family , replete with cousins , aunts , uncles and numerous annoying children , along with Vadivelu a servant. Again something which can easily be related to mainstream Tamil Cinema. Nayanthara plays the role of Thara , the Judge's niece , who eventually is shown to be Aadhavan's love interest.

I frankly fail to understand how a movie can be made with many implausible incidents , all sewn together and thrown at the audience , through a very tough to endure course of time. Absolutely nothing goes in favor of the movie , making it the dampest squib in recent history.

The first half deals with Aadhavan trying his best to kill the Judge , working for Sayaji Shinde who is the king-pin of the gang , under orders from the actual beneficiary of the murder , Rahul Dev .Post interval the movie makes us believe Aadhavan is Madhavan , who happens to be the Judge's long-lost son , as revealed in a terrible flash-back sequence.

Twists and turns are so predictable in the movie , and you can easily guess what happens next . Whatever you expect might not turn up on-screen , as the story holds enough bizarre sequences , thanks to out of the box thinking.. A 10 year old kid shooting at his Dad , as a result of an even more pathetic sequence, in which the kid
decides to protect his friend's dad , who is alleged to be involved in making bombs ... The Kid running away and then grows on to become a goon , under Sayaji Shinde , whom the kid says resembles him of his father :( God , save us.. plz..

The joint family is least interesting and every character is annoying to say the least . Anu Haasan too is roped in to play a cameo role , in an unintentionally hilarious flashback . Saroja Devi's character is irritating , and only adds to the frustration . Vadivelu's comedy track is the least bit hilarious and hardly any laughs are expected.

Dozens of unwanted hogwash scenes are strewn all through the movie , in an effort to make an impact on the audience. There is an absolutely ridiculous song sequence , under the pretext of a stage show conducted impromptu in the Joint family. Another unwanted song under a tribal wedding guise .. I can go on and on about such roadblocks..

Screenplay is extremely erratic and only adds to the sorry state of affairs , and it hardly keeps the viewer interested in the story , in which I lost hope hardly midway into the first half itself.

Fights and stunts look straight out of a Vijay movie.. Aadhavan is treated more as a cross between Superman and Spiderman , rather than a human being.. He jumps from building to building , with extreme ease , and even more surprising is the fact that the Police too manage to keep pace with him . Even the world's best Parkour exponents must learn a lesson or two from Aadhavan .

The comedy sequences evoke zero laughs , and Vadivelu's jokes have absolutely no impact on the audience. The music is mediocre , except for the Hasili Fisili number , which I love , and frankly speaking I would have left the Theater if the song was played much earlier , but sadly , it turns up towards the end only.

Technically this movie seems to definitely have a very high production value , but what use , as it has to be supported by a strong storyline , which Aadhavan clearly lacks. The 10 year old kid is portrayed by Suriya , thanks to kiddish Computer effects .

Suriya's acting is reliable as always , but I seriously wonder why he choses to act in such movies. Nayanthara does nothing except smile sweetly throughout , and she is not the Nayanthara which many people like , and if you think a glamorous Nayan might make up for the terrible movie , sorry to say , I know this a public forum , but..there is nothing to excite the male viewer too.

The climax scene is definitely the piece de resistance , with all pun intended. Just picture this . Aadhavan tries to save Nayanthara and her uncle from Rahul Dev , who suspends them in a car high above the ground , with a crane. After a typical Kollywood fight , the villain shoots Aadhavan , in the heart , and any sane viewer would expect Aadhavan to die. Now , for the best part . There happens to be a petrol tank ( ?? ) in the fight location , which I am sure was a construction site initially . Alright , I can forgive certain creative liberties , but this takes the cake. A bullet hits the Petrol tank , and petrol leaks . Aadhavan miraculously recovers , from the Petrol vapors , even after being shot clearly in the heart . And what is even more shocking is that Nayanthara and her uncle talk to Aadhavan from very high above the ground , from the car . In the middle of all this there is a time bomb which is ticking , and I find it very hard to believe how this bomb was eventually placed on a flying helicopter by Aadhavan , when it was actually fitted onto the suspended car . Add to all this , the car falls down from high above the ground , and Nayanthara and her uncle survive . This climax is definitely an all time low for mainstream Tamil Cinema :( Honestly , the Director must have thought that the people paying money and watching this movie , are fools.

I cannot waste any more time in reviewing this movie , as I regret that the time taken to reach the theater and getting back home after watching the movie itself , is such a criminal waste of time.

1 out of 5 for this sorry excuse of a movie . The Producer and Director turn up in the very last scene and say " Thank You " . I say " Thank you both of you , for giving me an opportunity to blow up a hundred rupees on the movie ticket and for making me feel nauseated after watching your brainchild ."

Peraanmai started my Deepavali , and as my earlier post said , I felt my Deepavali was wasted . Now , thanks to Aadhavan , my Deepavali weekend is badly screwed up.

Even those flowers in the image accompanying this post were a waste of precious money .

Verdict : 1 / 5 ( Pathetic )