The female director

Luck by chance (2009)

This is the first release I saw in 2009. Its Farhan Akhtars' second film and his sister Zoya's directoral debut. But it feels like you're watching a seasoned film. If you have a spectrum of films and film makers who've made expose on "Hindi film industry" than Madhur Bhandarkar would be on one end while Farah Khan would be on the other. And we have Miss Zoya Akhtar somewhere in between. Its like Madhur meets Om Shanti Om.

And thats not saying its a bad movie. Its infact, very good. It has a certain feel good factor to it, yet making it commercially viable. The story of a charming young man who uses his popularity amongst the women to get himslf to the top. But what he doesn't know is that his luck is standing by him the entire way. And on the step ladder rise to fame, he forgets the people whom he stepped over. Surprizingly, the movie ends with realization, but not with reconcilation. Thats what makes the film very real.

Isha Sherwani is sizzling hot in the movie. The part when she seduces Farhan Akhtar in her pink pajamas, I don't think I have words to say what happened. She is mind bogglingly flexible, voulptous and oh-my-God the moles!

My favourite character though was Rishi Kapoor. He plays the modern day producer perfectly. God fearing, two faced, lying and conniving businessman. Farhan Akhtar plays his character with a tone of underplay which plays out very well for him. Its more real. More relatable.

With a bunch of cameos, this movie is defiately a worth watch for movie buffs. You will definately see what I mean by the title.

Rate - 3.5/5

All it takes is a K.I.S.S.

French Kiss (1995)

This is a complete movie. It has just the right amount of romance, comedy, sex and well, that something that makes a movie a classic. I'd rate this movie almost next to Notting Hill, Music and lyrics, When Harry met Sally and Titanic.

Meg Ryan and Kevin Kline look too good to be true in the film. Their chemistry comes off as natural as a real American-French pair. Apart from a strong storyline, France has been potrayed in a very "place I was born" way. In the Hindi rip off, Pyaar to hona hi tha, the lead pair actually fell for each other and got married. (Ajay Devgan and Kajol) So, that says enough for the power of the French kiss.

The last act of Kate giving away all her life savings to help this frenchman she only knows for a week, reminds me of O Henry stories, and the purity of love in the literature of that time. This movie has that effect on people.I remember seeing the movie when I was in school, and I loved it then. But now that I saw it again, after breaking up from a super - serious relationship, I really get what the movie means. Or maybe its just the blues that one would apprieciate romantic movies more. Whatever be the case, the sheer brilliance of the movie cannot be denied by any man's futile attempts to find love!

Experience the french kiss!

Rate - 4.5/5

Best hindi love story ever...

Hum dil de chuke sanam (1999)

I've been dying to write a review for this film, for this is one of the most magical yet ironical love stories that I've seen. Sanjay Leela Bhansali is a man of art, a master at peaking your emotions and then crash / burn. (Bollywood's Baz Luhrman!) I love every movie that he's made (Khamoshi, Black, Devdas) except probably, Saawariya. I don't care what people would say about him and his films, I would never stop watching them. Its the sort of unconditional love, like that for Shah Rukh Khan.

The person who loves you and the one you love are probably not the same person. Nandini who falls in love with Sameer in small town Gujrat and Vanraj, who falls in love with Nandini - his wife. The film potrays the dual nature of true love. The initial exciting, obsessive, all-over-each-other phase which is so beautiful and poetic, but never lasts. And the later part, the true, non-glamorous, all accepting, all forgiving, almost unrealistic kinds. This is a story of a woman who is fortunate enough to find both these forms of true love, only from two different men. What does she accept is what the ending of this epic romance is all about.

My favourite character in the movie is Nandini's grandmother who has the wisest cracks. That scene where she is telling the two lovers about her story, under the starlit sky, is almost poetry in motion. Also, Vanraj is one of the best written characters in recent times. His conviction, honesty and bravery is commendable, and Ajay Devgan fits the bill perfectly. The scene of Vanraj and his father is one of the cornerstones of the film.

The shooting of the movie also saw its lead pair Salman and Aishwarya hooking up. But life isn't a movie (Why do people say that?) They broke up, with a lot of anger, might I add. Aishwarya is now happily married to Abhishek while Salman is still looking for look alikes.

Everything about the movie has already been raved about. The brilliant characterization, the stunning art direction, the immaculate beauty of Aishwarya, the honest performance of Ajay and lastly, the music which forms the soul of the film.

One of the best romantic films of all times.

Rate - 4.5/5

How many times does Sameer throw the honey off Nandini's hand? Five.

Skate fest...

Lords of dogtown (2007)

This is a movie about insane skateboard stunts and awesome colours that will leave you awe struck. But thats about it. The story is pretty much shitty.

How "lords of dogtown" grow up together on a skating team, some out grow themselves with fame and money while some with a brain tumour. Somewhat like Rock On!!! But you will enjoy the joyride of ride on the skateboard with them. The camera work is insane, giving you video game - like visuals.

Heath Ledger plays a pre-joker character in this movie. Its as if you can almost see the Joker evolving in this man.

Rate - 1.5/5

A film on film making

Amator (1979)

This is far from being a classic film, but for all aspiring short film makers like me, its gold.

A man bought a video camera to film his new born daughter, ended up winning awards for his short films. Film about a midget who worked with him for 25 years, film about how promises to change the world were broken, film about pigeons on the window. The kind of short films I'd love to watch and make. This movie stole my heart for the sheer reason why the man was so driven. Apart from the art of film making, he wanted to potray the truth through his films. And change. Now we all know change is the biggest five lettered word there is, but so is truth.

I wish I could make such films some day.

Rate - 3.5/5

Cross connections

Moonstruck (1987)

Again, a movie seen on pure whim, and turned out to be pretty good. Its a classic Italian family comedy set in New York about relationships (mostly illicit) and how love finally prevails. Cher and Nicholas Cage play the lead.

A 37 year old Italian widow (first husband got run over by a bus) is proposed by a man to which she says yes. But the man has to fly back to Sicily to comfort his dying mother. He tells Cher to give his brother a call and call him for the wedding. She meets his brother, finds out about their bad blood and eventually falls for his raw passion. On the other hand, Cher's dad is cheating on his wife with another middle aged female. They meet Cher and her fiance's brother at the opera. Talk about being short of words. Same night Cher's mother who goes to a restaurant for a lonely dinner finds company in a middle aged professor who likes to lure his female students. Cher's grandfather (who walks his five dogs at night, who does that?) sees them walking home. The morning that ensues after this full moon night, brings Cher's fiance back from Sicily with the news that his mother miraclously survived and now, he can't marry her. So, Nicholas Cage (the brother) asks Cher to marry him in front of the entire cast.

Musical, romantic and ironical. The movie is a treat to watch when you're in love or just out of it. So, you can watch it anytime!

Rate - 2.5/5

Not so funny!

Knocked Up (2007)

I saw this film on a whim. I didnt know any actor, any body related to the movie or anything. But the title was pretty self explainatory. I wasn't even paying much attention the first half hour. Partly because the story wasn't progressive and partly because of the multitasking (telephone, internet and nagging parents) But then the story picked up, and it wasn't that bad.

This is not an in-your-face comedy. It is witty at times, and the spontaneity, weirdness and originality of the conversations is very impressive. Ben Stone's character carries the movie on his back with his comic timing. The chic from Grey's Anatomy (the one who always keeps crying) is the girl who gets knocked up and eventually falls in love with the internet geek (whose job is to post nude videos from famous movies on a non-profitable website!) Mike, from Friends, (who marries Pheobe) also plays a funny part. His conversation with Ben about "the five chairs" is the cornerstone of the film.

I think this movie is funny for people who don't like obvious comedy.

Rate - 2/5