Delhi 6

Rang De basanti (RDB)- is one of my favourite movies and with high expectations and trust in Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra- I booked my tickets for Delhi-6.

I have been to Delhi-6 (Old Delhi area) and have always been amazed at the whole topography of the area, amazing structures and awesome food. It is a place every foodie has to visit at least thrice in this life time (you can never cover the area in one time!!)

I was very inquisitive to see how Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra would get into the spirit of Old Delhi- Kudos to him, he does with oomph!

Delhi-6 is a story with a moral- and is based on a very basic plot. Abhishek (half-Hindu half-Muslim boy) gets his

Granny (Waheda) to India from NY, as its her last wish to visit India. In the process the guy falls in love and experiences the super life and characters of “Delhi-6”.

The director knows each and every actor of the movie and has extracted the max out of each one of them. Let me directly list down the cons and pros of the movie

Cons- Motorola placement- too much emphasis on Abhisheks phone. Am sure Motorola paid a bomb!. Kala Bandar- black monkey scare is taken to a different height and juiced to the extreme. I agree the Kala Bandar is critical to the plot- but it kinda gets to your nerves. Too much focus on Ram leela, which was not needed, it distracts the viewer from the main plot and it just takes up too much screen time. Too much special fx- in the ram leela, one of the car driving scenes is just so artificial, the Statue of Liberty, etc. The climax scene was believable and nice in a way- till the introduced Amitabh Bachan and heaven- what was the director thinking!!!

Pros- Amazing performances – watch out for Waheda Rehman super classy acting!! This lady is back with a bang!! Sonam is a delight; she expresses a range of emotions without going over the top. Her dance scenes for the India Idol audition tapes are tooo good!! She does even better than Abishek in this movie- watch out for this girl. Deepak Dobriyal as the Muslim Jaleebi seller- is amazing with his expressions- he gets totally into the character and you can relate to him – as one sees many like him in the real Delhi-6. Atul Kulkarni is classic as always- acts like a dump/smart Hindu guy called Gobar in the movie- the climax is his canvas. Rishi Kapoor, Pavan Malhotra, Om Puri and Prem Chopra all fit their role extremely well.

Special mention for Vijay Raaz (the monsoon wedding guy) for his super portrayal of the delhi cop!!! He essays the role of “I am the law” to perfection and man! he knows how to slap- just like the delhi cops. His dialogues are laced with Haryanivi but the dialogue delivery is extremely super!. One must not forget Divya Dutta who plays the role of a low cast sweeper, her gaali’s have increased my vocab several notches!! Her get up and make up is damn real- no one could have done a better job.

So net-net great performances- amazing cinematography and screen play. Super music- especially Masakali, Delhi 6 and Daas gaali deve ( watch how Abhishek jams with Waheda in this song- one of great moments in the movie)

The movie will appeal to Delhi for sure and in patches- every part of India – as the movie has an urban and rural feel to it + an expat touch- to appeal to the international audience. It will do well, as its a near perfect film- I will leave it with a 3 out of 5.

Seven Pounds (2.5/5)

Will Smith had teamed up with director Gabriele Muccino to make a true-life based, feel-good film - The Pursuit of Happyness.The movie grossed USD 300 million worldwide and is a cult "Feel Good" movie. The pair now teams up to dish out another offering - Seven Pounds (set to release on Valentine eve- yes it is a Movie on Love)

Will Smith (essays Tim Thomas)- an IRS Agent (??) who wants to give Seven unknown people some amazing gifts- which will change their life for ever. However, he first need's to know if these seven people deserve his generosity- and here starts the Saga of Seven Pounds. The movie starts with an intention to confuse you, you start to ask - what is happening? who is that guy? what is he talking about ?yeh kya ho raha hai bhai?. This is now a very common Hollywood style of film making, which takes you into a whirl of confusion and if you shut up, and pay attention - you will see the story unfolding.

So I focused and kept watching- and lo behold, I saw many characters being introduced, the amazing Woody Harrelson (as the blind call centre employee), Michael Ealy (as Tim's Brother), Barry Pepper (as Tim's best freind) and Rosario Dawson (as Emily Posa- Tim's love (?) interest)

Everyone plays their short roles to perfection. The director uses a series of emotions and tries to engulf the viewer in a maze of feelings. He succeeds to an extent - only because of the performances of Will Smith and Rosario Dawson - you would probably remember her from Eagle Eye, Sin City and Grind House - if you do not . .its not your fault- she has never been this main stream. In Seven Pounds she gives a performance of her life- potraying a very fragile and vulnerable lady- you almost want to reach out to her and help her yourself. Amazing performances and great chemistry between the lead actors.

Will bhaiji . .has a different expression throughout the movie- his sorrowful eyes convey dead emotion and very trapped feeling. His performance his honest and he conveys the guilt, and the pain stemming from this guilt with total conviction. However the point to be noted is that -thou can relate to his super performance, but not his role -- - - -this is where the problem is.

The movie has a wafer thin story line and I kinda feel cheated after watching the movie, probably cause I expected a strong story line. I could relate to the performance - but not the story, maybe because I have never lived through the tragic life of Tim Thomas. But that does not negate the emotional manipulation the script aims to take you through. The romance of two people was rather sweet, but what happens next felt odd . .infact it bordered on bizarre. The climax does not help either, it seems very silly - at the end of it I was asking myself " Why the F*** did he do that?

Anyways the unquestionable strength of the movie is the acting. The director tries his level best - to breathe life into a dead, thin script. Any other director would have failed miserably- but Gabriele Muccino does an expectedly good job. There are some amazing magic moments in the movie, performed with panache. Sorry to say - but the satisfaction and end elation you got from watching "The Pursuit of Happyness"- you will miss in this movie. Maybe the Valentine effect will cloud your judgment and you may love the movie for all its worth.

But for now I will leave this movie with a 2.5 star out of 5 and you with a great suggestion: Leave your head outside the theater and watch the movie strictly - with your heart. . . ..dil de diya hai . .jaan tumhe denge .. . .

P.S -I want to get myself a jelly fish tank - looks really great.

Frost-Nixon (4/5)

The movie has 5 Oscar nominations - this was my motivation to research -what the movie stood for and then see the movie.- Thank you Ron Howard!

Why do I thank Ron Howard (the director of the movie)??- Because I learnt something my Maharashtra Board History books did not teach me. Nixon is the only US President till date who had to resign (he resigned before I was born- am not that old you see) due to an array of illegal and secret activities undertaken by his administration. This was called to be the Watergate Scandal.

Armed with new gyan and you tube videos of Nixon resigning - I got into the movie.

The movie is set in a period after Nixon (played by Frank Langella) resigned and it’s based on a series of interviews between David Frost (now Sir David Frost) and Nixon. David Frost (played by Michael Sheen) a British Talk Show host takes on this first high profile political interview and soon realises that he has bit the dust. BTW- David Frost is a known face for my generation of Indian's- he was the host of the old edition of Guinness book of world records- and that was my favourite show.

The movie is based on interviews and hence one must admire Peter Morgan (writer) and Ron Howard (the director) for making the movie as interesting as a chess match with unpredictability of a India - Pakistan match (from the 90's era). The movie is gripping and glues you to your seat- you will be tempted to know more and hence research more after the movie is done- such is the effect.

The movie starts with a build up to the interview and how Frost tries to get people sponsor the interview- great story line. This era was the prime of the Television era and hence Frost sets some new rules in the industry in the process of the interview.

One additional info- it seems that this movie is a adaptation of a stage production of 2007- and the roles of Nixon and Frost in the stage production was also played by - Michael Sheen and Frank Langella. The chemistry is so evident - and the screen play is very powerful. Classic camera angles – firm close ups - transponds you into the movie. Pop Corn and Sprite (my standard combo) was left untouched.

The show belongs to Sheen and Langella. Every line on their face, their posture, their eyes, Langella’s sweat, Sheen’s Tie, etc is used as a medium to express thoughts beyond word. Priceless scenes and every scene filled with detail. The brilliance of Frank Langella cannot be admired enough-No one- could have done Nixon’s role better -- clearly a well deserved best actor nomination for the Oscars (and my favourite to win it too!). The whole cast, during the filming of the movie - used to never step off character- total hard core method acting. A total male dominated movie- with no romantic angle.

In the end you tend to feel sorry for Nixon and suddenly you also realise how much effort goes into preparing for such political interviews. Nixon is dead today- David Frost does a Live weekly current affairs program on Al Jazeera English. But after this interview Nixon as a legacy was tainted.

You need hell load of guts and conviction to make such a movie.Watch it on DVD. I do not think these flunkies plan to release the movie on big screen. Simbly amazing!!

So watch the movie- for the performances, the screen play and for gyan - beyond what was taught to us at school. Enjoy!

How to Lose Friends and Alienate People (3/5)

The movie was released in the US in October 2008 and is now going to be released in India in Feb . . .that’s clear evidence how the Indian audience is deprived of good cinema.

The movie is all about how a British writer struggles to fit into a job with a high profile masala magazine in New York. The movie is based on Toby Young's (Son of Michael Young, Baron Young of Dartington, who invented the term "meritocracy.") memoir which goes by the same name.

HTLFAP (excuse the abbrevation) is a total comedy with great performances by Simon Pegg . .who I remember from Shaun of the Dead (which was also incidentally written by him) and Kirsten Dunst . .who I can never forget from Spider Man (which was not written by her). The humour amazing and new - and it emerges from the effort Sydney Young (Simon) to take control of his life and grow his career and manage his love life. The movie uses narrative style and paces humour very well. The movie makes you laugh at Sydney Young's antics and the chemistry between him and Alison (Kirsten) is just amazing. Megan Fox (she looks a lot like Riya Sen) also is plays a budding star’s role to perfection and is very believable. The move was R rated in the US due to a certain lap dance – not sure how the Indian censors will chop the classic scene (pity!)

If I say anything more I would be giving out the plot. .so I will just end with saying go watch this well directed, superbly scripted and brilliantly acted movie- just watch it!

Luck by Chance (andar ke baat hai) (3/5 star)

I hereby start my reviews with Luck by Chance.

10:25 pm show- in Gurgaon. Was lucky to get a 2 pe 1 ticket free .. courtesy Imint .. via Bookmyshow!! . .I already feel good!!.

Dont miss the opening credits . .. done very nicely . .lot of thought gone into it . .I am impressed. Enter Konkona (chechi) . .. full frame . .with wonderfull expressions . .the director directly hit bollywood below the belt by touching on casting couch right at the start. Is this movie going to be like fashion . .I ask myself .. will it explore the underbelly of bollywood??. No my friend . .the movie just flows . .totally fluid. Konkona who has lost weight and looks good) and Farhan (who always looks good). . .are strugglers. After the casting couch scene . .it moves to a scene with Aamir Khan . .. with Konkana as an extra. The whole movie is littered with such star apprearences . .Kareena, Abhishek, ShahRukh, John, Vivek, Rani,Karan, Akshay etc. However all these guys are shown in good light . .and as themselves.

Zoya Akhtar (did you know her mom is Honey Irani) has a great insight of the industry . .not amazing considering her high end genes. I will not give out the plot- however watch out for Rishi Kapoor (the producer) and Dimple Kapadia (the starlets mother). Rishi (Romi)has a lovely wife in Juhi ..who is like the F5 button on my comp. She refreshes the screen everytime she enters the frame. Rishi plays the veteran producer to the core and Dimple . .almost plays out her life . .her act is very real - almost seems as if she is playing her life. Great actress!! Her daughter Isha(the Kisna lady- directed by Shubash Ghai ..remember) . .looks good and fit. .acting . .is ok ok. Hrithik .. is very good . .kinda reminding you . .- I am here, don’t forget me . .short role .. but great performance. .and amazing moves!Sanjay Kapoor, Saurabh Shukla and Anurag Kashyap . .play amazing full roles. Aly Khan and his wife (did not get her name) also play great roles . .

This movie will appeal to the thinking class . .and frankly . . . .after seeing this movie you can appreciate how someone like Amitabh and Shah Rukh made it big in the industry. Farhan and Konkana have great chemistry through out the movie . .and they will be getting loads of awards for their performance (to think of it . .that is one piece they did not touch . .in the movie). However many priceless moments in the movie . . .don’t miss a moment!

For a first time director/writer to have so many characters and not to make avial (mixed vegetable delicacy from Kerala) of the movie is in itself an achievement. This movie took 7 years to see the light of day . .but . .frankly for our sake . .I hope Zoya does not take another 7 years to make another movie.

****Lady take a bow! ****

Why am I doing this??

I have started this blog with the intention to review movies. You may ask, that there are so many people in the system who are doing the same . . .why have you taken up this mantle of reviewing?? good question . .answer is as follows- The reviewers today seem biased- some movies which get 3-4 star . .. with the reviewer suggesting . . .go watch the movie .. man . .you are missing life if you dont watch this movie . . ..you need to do yourself a favor . .go watch the movie . .now. .now . .go now!!! --- and when I go watch it . .the movie sucks . .big time! ..

Now I do not claim to be a movie maker . .but I love movies . .and I salute those who create movies . .I like. But today there are guys . .who just churn crap! . .so . .here I am -- a guy on the verge of being 30 . .. .who loves to watch movies with my better half. . .! churning out Independent reviews!!. .Jai Hind! (not Jai Ho!!)