My Take on Movies

Movies - My Take

2006-12-31T01:36:00.000-08:00

Movies have one aim - to entertain. Degrees of entertainment vary ofcourse depending on the execution. Here's my take on what I have felt on movies I have watched.

I have rated them with the expressions I was left with when the curtains came down.

Eeeks! ■■■■■ Huh! ■■■■■ Hmmm! ■■■■■ Yeah! ■■■■■ Wow! ■■■■■

Raising Cain - And many more

2006-03-07T00:01:00.000-08:00

Raising Cain is another of Brian De Palma masterfully crafted suspense thrillers dealing with multiple personality disorders. It has John Lithgow who plays the character with the multiple personality disorder. Well directed and well performed by the entire crew. Take time off to watch this interesting psychological thriller.

My Take: Hmmm! ■■■■■

11:14 - Weird timing..

2006-03-05T23:00:00.000-08:00

A man in his car hits a dead man at 11:14 in the night that falls from a flyover above, he tries running away from the cops - lands up at a family whose girl has gone missing. Girl's boyfriend is trying to get money for her abortion, robs the store he works in. Girl's dad finds girl's ex boyfriend dead in the graveyard and decides to fix the crime scene.....girl dies in car crash....it so happens that girl is connected to nearly everyone in the movie. Confused! Even I was when I saw the movie on DVD. Forced connectivity to create a suspense thriller all comes to naught. Watch this at your own risk.

My Take: Huh! ■■■■■

Taxi No. 9211 - Do not hail this taxi.

2006-03-05T22:50:00.000-08:00

A mish mash between Collateral and the trouble brewing withing the Birla household on succession as well as a moral of the story. This production is way below class. I have no idea how I agreed to get conned into watching this movie. Nana Patekar and John Abraham disappoint as the main characters. A wee bit too much of hamming there. Sameera Reddy is best off doing revealing roles and item numbers rather that try and act. Like I said in the title of this take - Do not hail this taxi you will get fleeced.

My Take: Eeeks! ■■■■■

Wedding Crashers – Moviegoer bashers

2006-03-01T01:47:00.000-08:00

This Owen Wilson/Vince Vaughn comedy Wedding Crashers is about two guys who have a fetish for crashing in weddings. The goal however is to bed single women at weddings. They have their set of rules that they work on. However it leaves a lot to be desired, and does not deserve the hype that it generated. Watch it at your own risk.

My Take: Huh! ■■■■■

Rang De Basanti - Color me in three colors

2006-02-10T00:50:00.000-08:00

How do the young and restless behave - watch Rang De Basanti to find out. What changes for them in that one tipping point of their lives from no hopers/wanderers to people with a mission however far fetched it may seem. This is a truly inspirational film especially if you are an Indian concerned about the future of this country. This is about fighting the establishment, this is above love, and about finding purpose. All perfomances are well executed, Siddharth and Aamir are the best of the lot, with the rest not so far behind. Alice Patten is cute.

Music gets you dancing in your seats especially tinga dinga dinga dinga ding :) No prizes for guessing which song that is. Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra hasn't disappointed in his next film after Aks. He is one of the best "before intermission" film makers I have seen. Overall don't miss it...and buy/hire DVD only after you have experienced it on the big screen.

My Take: Yeah! ■■■■■

Call the Bluff! – Bluffmaster

2006-01-01T22:18:00.000-08:00

It’s a slickly done movie with inspiration taken from the Michael Douglas – Sean Penn masterpiece The Game and a host of other movies I’m sure. The songs are westernized with Hip Hop and Rap beats shot as though they are music videos. Abhishek Bachchan is impressive; Rietesh Desmukh and Nana Patekar are very good. Priyanka Chopra uhh…hmmm…uh…hmmm…is there in the movie. Watch it – it’s a nice movie but could have been much much better.

It’s difficult for children of very successful fathers, I’m sure both Abhishek and Rohan Sippy would agree. But finally the pedigree will show.

My Take - Hmmm! ■■■■■

A Series of Unfortunates

2006-01-01T21:59:00.000-08:00

This Jim Carey starrer A Series of Unfortunate Events is part of the series of unfortunate Carey gags that by now have become predictable, staid, ridiculous, and hamming at its best. Please! Please! I beg you run away from this movie even if someone gives you a million dollars. Alright for that kinda money watch it with you eyes open fantasizing about something else and set the DVD on a dubbed version you don’t understand.

What on earth were powerhouse talents like Meryl Streep and Dustin Hoffman doing in this production; ‘Is money everything in this world?’; Come on guys have some self respect and give some importance to the reputation you have before signing on the dotted line. It is an interesting plot and all that, but...it leaves a lot to be desired. Watch at your own risk.

My Take - Huh! ■■■■■

Kill Bill Vol. 2

2005-12-29T23:02:00.000-08:00

Kung Fu! Quentin Tarantino style. The second part of the movie, actually it’s just that he went about making Kill Bill and realized late that it had become too long for western audiences – so he clipped it into two. But true to the Tarantino style of story telling this one lives up to his reputation. This part however doesn’t have as much action if you have already seen the first part, but nevertheless there is more story telling and scene setting done here. That’s Quentin Tarantino for you jigsaw style filmmaking, the moviegoers have to put the pieces together.

Uma Thurman, David Carridine & Michael Madsen show loads of style in their histrionics. Need to watch both the volumes back to back to enjoy the complete experience.

My Take - Hmmm! ■■■■■

The Machurian Candidate

2005-12-27T22:09:00.000-08:00

What happen's when an influential private equity megacorp Machurian Global using bad science tries to get their zombie candidate as the President of the United States? You get the The Manchurian Candidate. A more contemporary version of the 1962 film of the same name which had the Chinese as the bad guys and Frank Sinatra instead of Denzel Washington playing the protagonist, this is more a fictitious version of the controversial Fahrenheit 9/11.

Interesting plot though it gets a little intertwined in itself, it is a nice to watch movie, especially if you are the types who like a bit of political espionage that is inspired from reality.

My Take - Hmmm! ■■■■■

State of Grace

2005-12-27T21:48:00.000-08:00

The 1990 movie on the Irish mob in New York, State of Grace is a well crafted thriller judded with stars of the likes of Sean Penn, Ed Harris, and Gary Oldman. Good performances by each of these artistes, knowing the kind of actors they are they never disappoint you. My favourite bit is this dialog that Sean Penn says "You believe in the Angels, or the saints. And you believe it, but it hasn't anything to do with reality.".

It's also the movie Sean Penn met his wife Robin Wright (Kelly of Santa Barbara fame) who co-stars with him.

Ofcourse this is not one of the best mob movies you would have seen, expecially not in a category which has Godfather in it.

My Take - Hmmm! ■■■■■

The Last Temptation of Christ

2005-12-12T08:28:00.000-08:00

Blasphemy! That’s what the Christian world said when they saw "The Last Temptation of Christ”. It’s been 17 years since the controversy on this Martin Scorsese flick. Deftly executed in terms of the content and cinematography, this movie rakes up a lot of issues on the divinity or rather the humanness of Christ.

Got a chance to see it at last and yes even though I don’t call myself a hardliner it did make me a little uncomfortable watching it. I'm of course willing to believe that Martin Scorsese had access to some information that the laity in the christian world is not aware of (read as the non fictional Da Vinci code if there may be).

All in all, I must say do watch it, but with a lot of caution lest you need to question your belief system.

My Take - Yeah! ■■■■■

Meet the Fockers? - Rather not.

2005-11-07T00:00:00.000-08:00

The sequel to the popular Meet the Parents is watchable albeit on DVD only. It looks a little overboard in terms of the storyline. Splendid performers like Robert De Niro, Dustin Hoffman and Barbra Streisand being wasted in this comic family drama. I do not consider Ben Stiller to be a great performer so he of course has been used excellently in a doofus comedy that does full justice to his talent or lack of it. Robert De Niro should stick to the Analyze This types rather than this brand of comedy.

My Take - Huh! ■■■■■

Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory

2005-11-06T23:53:00.000-08:00

Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory is a well crafted movie. I had to see the original after my disastrous viewing of Charlie and the Chocolate factory"". This one is much better and more believable than the remake. Gene Wilder is wonderful so is Peter Ostrum as Willy Wonka and Charlie Bucket respectively. The truth of the matter is please leave the classics as they are, do not remake them atleast not in a way that people get to see your incompetence. Also, I'm glad that now I have my own personal copy of the film on DVD. This one is a not to miss especially if the kid in you is still alive and of course if you like chocolates.

My Take - Yeah! ■■■■■

Monster in Law

2005-11-06T00:08:00.000-08:00

Monster in Law is a classic Saas Bahu (Mother in Law - Daughter in Law) relationship played by the ever so young Jane Fonda and the Oh so hot Jennifer Lopez. Insecurities about the one man, Michael Vartan, in their lives - son and fiance respectively is narrated well. I wouldn't go and suggest that this is a must watch, but it is a decent movie to pass your time. J Lo does well in movies of this type where she ends up playing a poor girl thrust in a rich mans world.

My Take - Hmmm! ■■■■■

No entry!

2005-10-24T00:33:00.000-07:00

No Entry!. If you have a chance to watch this movie, just keep your brains aside. This mindless comedy of infidelity is better watched by hiring a VCD or better still watch it when your cable guys gets a copy screened for you. Ofcourse as the name suggests this is a No Entry for you in a cinema hall. Performances or should I say hamming is the flavour of the day.

My Take - Huh! ■■■■■

Charlie and his cute chocolate boy looks

2005-10-13T22:47:00.000-07:00

Well, that's probably the only thing that was good about Charlie and the Chocolate factory, the cute chocolate faced Freddie Highmore who plays Charlie Bucket. Johnny Depp is wasted as Willy Wonka and looks like a poor cousin of Edward Scissorhands sans the scissors ofcourse. Tim Burton can definitely do a better job than just pick out an old classic Willy Wonka and the Chocolate factory and redo it badly.

I nearly slept during the IMAX experience, so did my wife. Frankly I didn't get it, why waste precious IMAX film for a film that doesn't need it. My advice to Tim Burton, if there is no possibility to get that tickling feeling from your toes to your loins while watching a film, keep IMAXing aside and stick to basics.

All in all if you still want to compare the old to the new, stick to a DVD hire. Just not worth the IMAX experience especially if you haven't seen an IMAX film before, you will wonder what's the big deal of IMAX.

My Take - Huh! ■■■■■

Iqbal - The story of following your dreams

2005-09-26T02:20:00.000-07:00

Nagesh Kukunoor of Hyderabad Blues fame is getting better with every movie he makes. Iqbal the story of a deaf and dumb village boy who dreams of riding his dream of becoming one of the men in blue. The struggle he goes through against all adversity is the highlight of this movie, along with performances from Shreyas Talpade who play Iqbal and Naseeruddin Shah. Shweta Prasad who plays Iqbal's younger sister is also well played.

All in all a feel good movie to watch if you are an 'underdog' supporter. Besides if you are a fan of Nagesh Kukunoor's brand of movies, this one is pretty slickly made.

My Take - Yeah! ■■■■■

Shuteye Shutoff

2005-09-19T08:10:00.000-07:00

Al Pacino, Robin Williams, and Hilary Swank are exceptional in the 2002 murder thriller Insomnia. Slickly shot in Alaska where the sun never sets, this crime thriller is
well executed with great perfomances. It's unimaginable that you'll find that Al Pacino and Robin Williams set a wrong foot when it comes to performances, and this one is no exception. Christopher Nolan well known for his crime flicks is one filmmaker to watch when it comes to gripping crime thrillers replete with tight characterizations.

This one needs a rerun because each moment has some tale being told. Needs a keen eye to pick the relationships each of them share and the worlds they live in, and ofcourse how protective they are of their worlds.

My Take - Yeah! ■■■■■

Salaam Namaste - Fresh Breath Energy

2005-09-13T14:37:00.000-07:00

The latest from the Yashraj Films stable and it doesn't disappoint you. Salaam Namaste is a refreshing look at the westernised concept of a live in relationship. Adeptly handly by debutante director Siddharth Raj Anand and beautifully potrayed by the ever youthful Saif Ali Khan and the dimple cheeked Preity Zinta. The supporting cast of Arshad Warsi, Javed Jaffery and the rest add comic timing that without fail will get you in splits and also add to your cult dialogs or fun dialogs list. Do try spotting the scion of one of India's premier business houses doing a very special appearence - don't blink lest you miss him. The director does an hitchcockian appearence as well, but I'm told that it was because the primary actor didn't turn up.

The movie has excellently picturized exotic locations in Austrailia that make you go and want to settle there. The music is very refreshing and hummable. All in all a great film to go and watch for everyone who is in love or wants to be in love (aren't we all suckers for that). They could have however done better on the climax than picking it up from Nine Months. Nevertheless, watch it on the big screen for the fresh colors used by the film maker.

Way to go Siddharth for adding your name to the ever growing list of Indian film makers who are making a difference to the film industry.

My Take - Yeah! ■■■■■

Hello, Dolly!

2005-09-12T16:47:00.000-07:00

Picked up the DVD of Hello, Dolly!on one of my rare appearences at the local music/video store. A 1969 classic, it has my favourite female singer Barbara Streistand along with Walter Mathau. An elegantly done musical this one also has Louis Armstrong in his last appearence in a movie singing the title song as well. Musicals are a great fun to watch and I would recommend this movie to anyone wanting to get a peek into the world of musicals.

Though not in the same league as the director Gene Kelly's earlier classic Singin in the Rain - this will however keep you entertained with its music. Worth a watch and the title song and dance sequence deserves multiple reruns, what with it being the Satchmo's last appearence on the big screen.

My Take - Hmmm! ■■■■■

AB - Sarkar ya Superstar

2005-08-17T13:40:00.000-07:00

Mind Blowing – That’s how I would describe this movie. The 2nd of the movies that have both the Bachchan’s, father and son. Loosely based on The Godfather and a rehash of the Thackeray family, this is one of the best films from Ram Gopal Varma’s stable. Wow performances from Amitabh Bachchan, Abhishek Bachchan, Kay Kay Menon and the others in the cast. The best thing about this movie is there are no songs, to the point effective dialogs and delivery, and to top it all speaking with your eyes performances. A must for ham actors to make them understand that acting is more about shutting their trap than opening it.

Abhishek Bachchan has been able to hold his ground in front of the doyen of Hindi cinema and more importantly his father Amitabh Bachchan. This guy is to be watched – He is the next big superstar in the making. And that could not have been more aptly shown when, he takes over the reins from his father in the movie. Watch out all you Abhishek Bachchan critics you will all eat crow now.

Don’t even dare watch this movie on cable or DVD – you will kill yourself for it later, watch it on the big screen.

My Take - Wow! ■■■■■

Virudhh or Vrudhh??

2005-08-17T13:39:00.000-07:00

The angry young man of Bollywood now becomes the angry old man in Virudhh to combat allegations that his dead son is a drug peddler. The movie has a pretty interesting storyline which has some stellar performances by ‘once meek now resolute’ Amitabh Bachchan and ‘school principal turned strength of the family’ Sharmila Tagore. John Abraham as the dead son is impressive, so is Sanjay Dutt in a cameo. It's interesting how storylines are written these days with the older generation in mind.

Do keep an eye on the over the top inclusion of surrogate advertisements during the movie. See how many products you can spot . The cast knowingly and willingly promote products that are sometimes tied into the movie storyline and sometimes leave you wondering whether the intermission just set in. I understand it is a novel way of branding, but please don’t make the viewers bear the brunt of it.

Nevertheless, do watch this movie for the essence of family values that this film tries to portray and for the performances by the top stars.

My Take - Hmmm! ■■■■■

Herbie – Fully Loaded – More Needed

2005-08-17T13:37:00.000-07:00

I will be a little biased here, not because of anything but because I am a sucker for underdogs winning, and I sure most people are that way. The movie is no great shakes, just that Herbie is back, the great old Volkswagen bug. Decent entertainer, with a predictable storyline attached to an impressive cast including Lindsay Lohan, Michael Keaton and Matt Dillon.

They could have done better on the stunts, because they seem too mediocre for today’s age and time. But who doesn’t want to see underdogs winning and who doesn’t get Goosebumps when the underdog gets a standing ovation. Worth a DVD watch if you want to watch this movie, else sandwich it with other entertainers if you are a movie hall buff.

My Take - Huh! ■■■■■

Madagascar - So near yet so far

2005-08-17T13:35:00.000-07:00

Another offering from the hugely talented DreamWorks, this is a movie set in the New York Zoo, and is about how a Lion (Alex), Zebra (Marty), Giraffe (Melman), and Gloria (Hippo), escape out of the zoo in search of the Wild. Where they have freedom and don’t have to follow a routine of being entertainers to visitors coming to the zoo.

Interesting movie, though it doesn’t have as strong a plot like some other animation flicks that I have seen earlier, nevertheless a good entertainer. Chris Rock as Marty excels, Ben Stiller as Alex is good, and David Schwimmer as Melman is as doofus as Ross in Friends. The Lemurs from Madagascar are great fun, though I was not able to pinpoint the cast that played the lemurs.

Of course the soundtrack is old school with Frank Sinatra’s New York New York and my favourite Satchmo’s What a Wonderful World, but there is nothing to drive home about the animation. However, give it a shot – you won’t regret it.

My Take - Huh! ■■■■■

Going down...

2005-07-26T15:55:00.000-07:00

Alone in UK thought I would spend some time watching a movie at the Ozone Multiplex, in Oxford. Went through the list of movies and picked The Descent. Why did I pick it up, well because for one that was a movie I could watch alone, not one that my wife would like watching, and two, maybe I wouldn't get to see that back in India.

At the end of it after paying 6.50 pounds (Rs. 520) to watch this movie didn't seem worth it at all. It had an all women cast alongside slimy, under developed, foetus like, cannibalistic, blind men playing the fear factors. There is a lot of blood and gore all through the movie. Seemed too incomplete in the end when there was just one woman alive out of seven.

I'm not particularly a horror movie connoisseur, but I can tell you one thing, having grizzly creatures doesn’t make a horror movie. On an end note I think my taste of watching good movies is going down, more like the title of the movie.

My Take - Eeeks! ■■■■■

A lot like any other love movie...

2005-07-04T19:35:00.000-07:00

Had a chance to see A Lot Like Love, the Amanda Peet - Ashton Kutcher love story. Nothing exceptional in this movie. Boy meets Girl, both are indecisive, take 6 years to realise they are in love with each other, and it has a happy ending.

Ashton Kutcher has come a long way from his That 70s Show days. Amanda Peet however seems to have stolen the show to an extent in this movie. Old Uncle Oscar will however not wince.

Easy going weekend movie or stay at home and watch movie. If you don't see it, you haven't missed much. It's a lot like any other love movie...

My Take - Huh! ■■■■■

Mr. and Mrs. Smithereens

2005-06-13T12:50:00.000-07:00

What do you get when you put together Bourne Identity, Mission Impossible, True Lies, and The War of the Roses together? Mr. and Mrs. Smith!

Throw in Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie for some saleability, and you have a winning combination. Well hold on, not so fast, my mistake for taking the movie at face value (Brad's and Angelina's). Either the producers thought that people are stupid and are gullible or whatever. I frankly thought this is an unnecessarily over rated movie with no meat at all. Best action sequence when the two are converting the Smith house into smithereens and also my hopes. There was nothing more to add after that.

The only claim to fame (or disrepute) for this movie is it brought Brad close to Angelina and far away from Jennifer. So in case you are going to see Mr. and Mrs. Smith...see someone else!

My Take - Eeeks! ■■■■■