Here...

...Yahan (2005)

This is a very dark film. Literally, the visuals are hauntingly blue tinged and dark with jerky camera work. Its almost as if you're watching the entire film through an eye-spy camera. But thats where the beauty of the film lies. This is Shoojit Sorcar's directoral debut. I wonder why he hasn't come out with more work (maybe because this one bombed out!)

The movie is about terrorism in Kashmir, blah blah blah... But the movie definately has a soul. It is intense and powerful at times, and tender and intimate at instances (like the song ada) Jimmy Shergill, Minisha Lamba, Manoj Tiwari and Yashpal Sharma have given powerpacked and realistic performances. Infact, every actor in the film is very real. I couldn't find a tinge of artificial.

I don't know why such brilliant movies go unnoticed in this film industry while utter pieces of crap like Singh is King get so much recognition. This film is a work of art and addresses a very important issue for our country. Forget an avid movie goer, this film didn't work because of the eunuchs amongst us who feel proud by calling themselves Indian. I spit on thee!

Rate - 4/5

Same people, different lives

Billu Barber (2009)

Irrfan and Shahrukh starrer, directed by Priyadarshan, music by Pritam and special appearances by Deepika, Priyanka and Kareena - a film which turned out to be a mixed bag. Partly because of the weird combination mentioned above, and partly because the movie had this unmistakable Priyadarshan stamp on it. I think thats where it lost the battle. The storyline of this film deserved a classic treatment which was lacking.

The story of a superstars' world and the story of a barber's world. How diametrically opposite and yet branching from the same root. Fascinating concept, very well built up suspense, brilliant acting by the two Khans, but the film just lacks that special something!

Lara Dutta is probably a surpize in this movie where she plays a homely village woman, doing a far better job than her earlier attempt (Mumbai se aaya mera dost)

All in all, a very slow village-like film. Reminds me of Welcome to Sajjanpur, but lacks the Shyam Benegal touch!

Rate - 2.5/5

HOODA hell is this?

Mere khwaboon me jo aaye (2009)

Another film by a female director, but this time I wasn't that lucky. Because this installment wasn't really that good.

I mean, I really liked the concept - A woman tries to forget the problems in life by fantasizing about a hot young man who helps her out in everything except the bed (kinda like a gay best friend!) But, the treatment given to the storyline is very poor.

Randeep Hooda's character is very well written and he has done his bit very well. Infact, he makes the movie tolerable. Raima Sen is so cute and good looking, she is the sort of girl that you wish sits next to you in class and you stare at her throughout the entire lecture! She is that gorgeous.

I have nothing else to say but...

Rate - 1.5/5

bevdi...

DevD (2009)

I can't believe I havn't seen a movie for two weeks. I've been waiting for this movie to release, and watching this movie was like having an orgasm. All the pent up energy finally found a chanel to flow!

This is an absolute cult movie. Anurag Kashyap kicks ass! Smoke, Drugs, Alcohol, Sex...what more could you ask for? (Did you shout Murder?) A heartbroken, drug drowning mans' journey from one woman to another in a modern Delhi is potrayed in a classic style and verve. This is what Bollywood cinema has come up to, and I'm very happy.

This movie is like a bunch of random ideas put together. Mixing facts with fiction, weaving practical jokes and making a movie on sex is hard enough, let alone making it commercially viable. If you're in distress, if you like getting high, if you like gaudy imagery or if you appriciate real art, in its most raw form, this movie is for you!

Abhay Deol as Dev is a phenomenon. There is going to be a generation of druggies and jilted lovers who would want to look like him when they break up or when they get high! He has abso-fuckin-lutely rocked the screen with EMOSSIONAL ATTYACHAAR!

Paro and Chanda, the two women in the life of Dev...who were potrayed rather meek and submissive in the earlier versions of Sharatchandra Chattophadhya's Devdas, are evolved characters in this movie, with their own egos, whims and fancies, and sexual needs.

I fall short of words when I describe the music of this film. I've been going over the tracks again and again for over a month now, and I still can't get enough of them. Amit Trivedi has done a wonderful job with his 18 tracks.

My God, I 'm so happy I waited out for this movie, and it did not dissapoint me at all!

Rate - 4.5/5

Trivia - Anurag Kashyap's guest appearance in the movie? He is Kalki's customer before Abhay.

Steve Martin at his best!

Dirty rotten scoundrels (1988)

This movie just blew me away. I think it was one of the first comedy con movies ever made with the twist of a modern day thriller. Back in the day when Steve Martin and Micheal Caine made this film, they knew they were ahead of time, especially when it came to the ending. Of course, Micheal Caine is no stranger to controversial subjects (Blame it on Rio)

There have been so many Bollywood rip offs of this movie that I've lost count. (Khel, Andaz apna apna, etc.) But the original stays.

I would really want you to watch this movie than ruin any part of it for you. Go ahead.

Rate - 4/5

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