ramesh-roey Reviews

Agent Vinod (2012)

Agent Vinod_License to Boredom

[4/10 · 23 March 2012]

One of my friends said that Agent Vinod is the remake of old Agent Vinod (Available on YouTube). I was not convinced, but when I came out of the theater I started believing it. Really? Sriram Raghavan? After Ek Hasina Thi and Johny Gaddar, Agent Vinod? I still can't believe that Saif and Sriram come up with this utterly disorganized film.

Agent Vinod is something that Saif wanted to do with Kurbaan,(Thank god they haven't repeated any love making act, may be Saif wanted to concentrate more on acting skills.) The main problem of the film is screenplay. Screenplay throws out sequences without any explanation.You can't connect with this film. It feels like writers were stoned and when they were high they started writing Agent Vinod. This film shows you glimpse of 12 or more countries with irrelevant characters that supposed to be most wanted criminals.Every character is flat and shallow. I can't even say 'underwritten'. There are ton of questions that could really make you sick and dizzy. Couple of dialogues is witty but you heard it in first trailer itself. Sriram tried different things like to relate the sequence with Charlie Chaplin's films and to synchronies the fight sequence with silent song but it doesn't hold your attention because your mind continuously tries to figure out what the hell is going on.

Too many characters but no one gets enough time to act. Saif is confused, he tries to carry the film but the plot (?) is so weak that I would have watched Don 2 again. Why the hell did editor freeze some random frames? To make an impression on viewer's mind?

The good thing about agent Vinod is that it's not in 3D. This is not an action movie, it just a movie where someone kills someone, that's it. The most idiotic thing about the film is that a bullet is sufficient to kill Vinod but then, again we have to face lame action moves. Why was there Rajat Kapoor and Gulshan Grover? They come and go, they do nothing.But why did even writers come up with those characters.

Agent Vinod is not an intelligent, smart film and it doesn't come up with anything new. This spy has license to boredom.

Agneepath (2012)

Agnee...path made me angry...

[26 January 2012]

The second official trailer of Agneepath released with equal exposure to every character chilled by pulse pumping soundtrack of Ajay-Atul. Every frame was well crafted and contributing something to evident agitation. It was rare to see trailer like this in Hindi film industry where trailers burdened with random visuals.

The film starts in the year 1977 at small village 'Mandwa' near Mumbai, which gradually introduces each character and eventually the big masculine demon 'Kancha' played by Sanjay Dutt, Is this Sanjay Dutt's best performance till date? Nope, he is bald with smirk that he tries to sustain till the end. Writer (Karan Malhotra) tried to modify the original by defining each and every character and miserably he failed. He was confused whether to introduce entirely new or spice it up the original. Story drags here and there without any explanation, director cum writer cum person who shares same name with his producer (Karan Johar) defined those things which are small portion of the film, but he never defined it (may be he was very happy to sign Katrina for 'chikni chameli') why Vijay out of the blue, after 15 years makes move to get control over Mumbai and goes to see Mandwa so that Kancha can torture him? So that Rauf Lala (Rishi Kapoor) will know about everything? Why writer? Why? I'm being too dramatic, but film is all about this drama which just looks good on the screen (thanks to Kiran Deohans) but unorganised writing made it plastic. At the one point of time, I felt, is this a last attempt of Yash uncle to shade emotions with heavy dialogues? where each dialogue lasts for 3 minutes (I was not counting that's threshold limit of my patience in the movie theatre.) Movie is filled with heavy (not smart) dialogues; it only grabs your attention when Rushi Kapoor comes in the frame, wow... what a performance!!! He enjoys his position as Mumbai don after being super organised about it. He sets an example about how much Hrithik has to learn.

Kiran Deohans comes with such good frames that personified art direction, especially Mandwa gaon which looks like cemetery after Kancha started ruling it. At a point you get confused whether Vijay stays in red light area or common man chawl.If it is a common man chawl then why Kaali (Priyanka) wears saree in sultry way? Yeah, I know I'm being paranoid and I blame this film for that.

In first Agneepath (I don't want to compare) a single 'cut' takes you to grown up Vijay. Here, a frame wasted for plain "15 years later" subtitle,guess what,in the very next scene,Hrithik comes to play Dahi Handi(Height of Spoon feeding).

Oooh God!!! What a stupid film with such stupid pot holes, it has given cult status to the original by being such stupid film.

What else I can say? You came empty handed and you will leave with empty handed (from holy Bhagavad Gita), the core philosophy of Kancha, but I went with sheer excitement and left the theater with empty popcorn cone.

Don 2 (2011)

One liner and Shaharukh... that's it

[4/10 · 26 December 2011]

When I saw trailer of Don2, it looks like teaser of new random travel show, because it had loads of stills from Berlin concluded by close up of Shaharukh Khan. But for other teasers they used au courant technique of animation with one liner, pretty cheap na? I was morbid when I heard songs. really? I don't want to compare with any other popular songs, but the vigor is missing. Music of this film is stale.

Don 2starts with the scene where Don's enemies are plotting against him. The scene doesn't even contribute anything to this heist film. But then the scene entirely overshadowed by next sequence where Don comes with smirk on his face and act like a superhero. Shaharukh always believes that he is the king of the industry, when he gets to play the character which gives justice to his true persona, he personified it. In Ra.one, he was confused whether to play romantic hero or tough robot. But here, character is already defined. 3D effects are not notable. Ritesh Sidhwani made this film in 3D after watching Ra.One in 3D, of course he said so.

Screenplay tries to disclose everything and anything, which wasn't necessary. Farhan hasn't to overcome this problem; why there is necessary to show that Sameer's (Kunal Kapoor) wife/galfriend is pregnant. Does that contribute anything with your any conflicts of the script? The answer is no, but that consumes pace of the film. There are too many shots and scenes which are well shot but when you zeroed down them, you will come to know that their contribution in the story is zero. Farhan did same thing with his potentially smart film 'Lakshya' let's not talk about it. Farhan tried to make Don's character like a superhero but he forgotten to make it believable.

Script errors are too many. If you are aware of format of heist film then, the end and twists(?) is predictable.

It was Shaharukh who hold up the show. Priyanka Chopra doesn't have any idea why she is in the film. (May be it was intentional) Her character (Roma) is underwritten. Why there is a guy who wants to hit on her? That's not characterization, that's Script play writer was busy making other plans.

One liner that will tempt me to watch this movie again.The movie is not intelligent enough to watch it all till the end

Rockstar (2011)

Celebration of 'look within' process

[8/10 · 13 November 2011]

When the Rockstar's trailer was released. I was blown away by the frames that speak louder than everything else. Kudos to those who edited and reedited the trailer with such a sharp mind that one wants to watch it over and over again. I have gone through many interpretations of the trailer to satisfy my curiosity; I expected (as usual) something vibrant from the film.

The film starts with rock concert where people are celebrating the 'Rockstar Jordan'. This Rockstar, who kicks some cops and gates, comes on the stage, and then first cord of his guitar takes you to the flash back. Janardan Jakhad (Ranbir Kapoor) is the ordinary youngster who fascinates about big Musicians. He wants to make it big with his guitar but as they say, college and confusion comes together, he is not sure how and what to bring out. Rockstar is all about the 'look within' process, an ordinary guy conveys his 'look within' process through the music. Love of his life triggered that process.

It's about the chaos that surrounds you, you always try to make meaning out of it and unfortunately we end with our own interpretation which is backed by the conscious ego. Jordan is not the different, He is very true with his 'own' that people starts relating with it. We always comfort the idea of 'be yourself' by being in fascinating moment. You will be astonished by the thought that Imitiaz Ali wants to say which slowly grasp your mind and makes you part of it. The heart of the film is Ruby's poem about a place where 'unconditional love' exists.

The film offers a lot of metaphors that makes you part of it. Janardan can't sing and play his music in jammed environment of studio, but effortlessly he composes his music with Shehnai maestro (Shammi Kapoor) who recognised him as a free spirit. How anyone can controlled your 'within' when you have at urge to bring it out.

'Jok bhi mein keh na chaho barbad kare alfaz mere', this is nothing but desperate attempt to connect with yourself.

This film tries to organise the definition of the Love. This film conveys that love comes with no restriction, responsibilities which are difficult for someone's appetite. Imtiaz Ali brings his signature madness of 'Jab we met' and 'Love Aaj Kal' in this film. But he has forgotten to fill those plot holes, where this Rockstar randomly meets his love of life on the street of Prague. (This sequence reminds me recent disaster 'Mausam' where randomness was constant) and the TV reporter who out of the blue wants to find about this Rockstar. Imtiaz Ali used non-linear story telling format to organise the story but unfortunately that weakens what he exactly wants to say. People will watch it again and again because of AR's music that calms you and makes you thoughtless for a moment. Ranbir had a chance he has proved it. Ranbir conveys character's emotions and metaphors. He switches his roles perfectly as a troubled Rockstar who yelled at reporters every other time and as a lover who doesn't give damn about anything else but his love. As we all know Imtiaz's love for firangi gal, Nargis Fakiri fails to synchronise herself with her co-star. Imtiaz Ali surprisingly avoids melodrama and come with the ending that will allow you to fetch your own interpretations. This kind of ending that doesn't give full stop to storytelling and story viewing experience.

The movie that itself talks about beyond the wrong and right, I don't want to judge this movie on the grounds of film-making rules.

This is my love for this kind of cinema.

Ra.One (2011)

Are you kidding me? Yes we are

[3/10 · 26 October 2011]

I was excited for the Ra.One and G.One (little bit for K.rina). It was Diwali but all the shows were house full. I somehow managed to get couple of tickets. I wanted to watch 3D show but at the last moment they cancelled it. One of my friend said that it is marketing gimmick; 3D version will be released after a week to sustain hype of the movie.

Everyone was talking about how Ra.One is going to break all the records. A TV channel said that it is better than AVATAR because Ra.One has 3500 no. of special effects, AVATAR had 2700 special effects. It was new for me because I never know that special effects can be counted. I have to find out counts of special effects for the ROBOT. Rajani sir comes in the movie with his own style. Unfortunately that scene abruptly ends.

SRK said that he has made this film for his children, he is right. The main target audience of the movie is children. The hero of the movie is Prateik. SRK's son in the movie. He planted an idea (why I can't get rid of 'Inception') in his father's mind that villain has to be better than Hero. His Abu (SRK) made a video game where villain is better than hero. Villain is so smart that he learns many things from his own program and becomes Agent oh sorry, I mean Ra.One. Ra.One plays game with Prateik but Prateik left the game without completing. Now Ra.One is angry, he wants to kill him. He comes out of video game He started asking people whether they are John Connor, I mean Lucipher aka Prateik. He randomly kills other people because they are not Lucipher. (If you feel any sarcasm here then it was not intentional). But then G.One comes in between them.

A critic said that Ra.one has enough twists and turns that keeps you at edge of your seat. I think he is talking about SRK's physical twists and turns while doing stunts. SRK had to face dilemma whether to play romantic hero or tough Superhero. Karina is funny. She drives Mumbai's local railway in red sari, which was hilarious. When G.One wants to dance, he doesn't care about Ra.One's heart, he just throws his coat and starts doing Bharatnatyam and then Ra.one come there. How he knows that the kid is there? Oh c'mon deal with your own problems.

Script writer (really?) was thinking that his main motive is to entertain the children, with glimpse of science- fiction (just fiction for me) so he can write anything he wants. In short story is illogical, predictable. They are so many mistakes in the movie.

3500 Special effects? Well I think half of it was used on Karina in Chammak Challo song to make her hotter.

When I was coming out of the theater, I had same feeling when I watched first day first show of Mani Ratnam's Ravaan. I was little bit happy at that time because of beautiful cinematography and AR's music. But here I was to totally disappointment.

This film will made a lot of money but it can never touch heights of intelligent film like 3 Idiots and not so intelligent film like Bodyguard.

New Girl (2011–2018)

Cuteness Personified

[6/10 · 7 October 2011]

The show is just three episodes old. I couldn't resist myself to write this review. New Girl is fantastic. Cuteness Personified. Zooey just overcast others by her natural charisma. This show is best show in this fall.

The good thing about the show is that it has huge potential and Creators are wisely using it. They have successfully developed characters, especially Zooey's character, Is that girl really out there? I would like to fall in love with her. Zooey gives compliments to writer's imagination by her acting.

Format is very simple and now a days it rarely comes on TV. I think this show going to stand apart from rest of other comedies.

Shaitan (2011)

Inner demon + slightly unorganized format

[7/10 · 13 June 2011]

The self realization process is always tough. You have to deal with inner demons and divinity. Some people call it Emotional Intelligence. Emotional intelligence is about to know your emotions and being aware of how to express it. There are lot of among us who doesn't know how to express rage. They prone to rage instantly and make unfavorable decisions. Shaitaan talks about it but unfortunately in unorganized way. The director, cinematographer succeeds to set loud premises for the film, but then they fails to deliver organized, tight film. It is script that fails to realize resolution point. Director tried too many concepts but he never concluded a thing. This film ends with uncertain note. Director wanted to tell that inner demon can destroy you and there is also divine side which can be pulled out by love, sympathy, affection. Screenplay is real star of the film. Sequence where two protagonist fights in front of Jesus gives you multi-dimensional perspective. Shaitaan comes with surprises, because only predictability of inner demon is its unpredictability. Love can takes you away from your inner demon. It was justified in the film.

Acting department has got new talent. Rajeev Khandelwal is the one who stands out. You can see maturity in his acting. Kalki's story is a high point of the film, especially opening sequence that exactly portrays inner demon. Actually director treats it as a part of personality rather than predefined emotion. Cameramen used similar camera movement in the introduction sequence of the film that enriches the experience. I enjoyed that part most. Background score is funny because it brings out the sarcasm. There are very small details that make this cinema more interesting. Things like original name of Amy that sounded like typical Indian rural name, which emphasis on contrast between personalities. Hammer car that denotes loud, care free attitude towards life.Somehow this film reminds me Danny Boyle's Trainspotting, may be because of care free attitude that portrays in both films. In the era so called entertaining cinema, this kind of cinema maintains balance in Hindi film industry,

7 Khoon Maaf (2011)

This daaarrrrling is forgiven and unforgettable .........

[7/10 · 18 February 2011]

As we all know Vishal Bhardwaj's love for English literature, '7 Khoon maaf' is based on Ruskin Bond's short story 'Susanna's seven husbands'. Vishal Bhardwaj succeeds to set dark mood and Susanna's character. Audiences would be uncomfortable with pace of the film.

Susanna lives with her servants in a bungalow which is situated in Pondicherry. She marries with seven different husbands one after another with a reason. VB kept it as a mystery that whether she killed those her husbands or not. The ending of the film is not very organized. When we saw promos of the film, they were about a woman who kills her seven different husbands. We thought that the women would be suffering of any unusual disease. VB doesn't use any kind of disease to establish Susanna's character.

Priyanka Chopra has presence in every scene of the film. She never tries too loud to portray the character. She has done a good job. But the Susanna's character is too strong and complex to portray that you end up expecting more from the actress. VB had challenge to establish Susanna's character. He used deep well with full of poisonous snakes to represent Susanna's dangerous psyche.

Neil Nitin Mukesh got simple character but he is not experienced enough to portray it. John Abraham is forgettable. Irrfan Khan is as usual excellent especially in bizarre love making sequence. Aleksandr Dyachenko is just another foreign actor. Annu Kapoor delights you. He is real treat to watch after a long time. Naseeruddin Shah doesn't get enough space to show his skills. Vivaan Shah (Naseeruddin shah's son) looks like foreigner who has given subtle and satisfactory performance. VB always portray human emotions with rustiness, this is film is not an exception. You will be surprised by some of the guest appearances.

Cinematographer Ranjan Patil used dark tone to enrich the experience, when you get irritated by the pace of the film then it is the dialogs which grabs your attention. Music done by the VB is also suitable for the film. This film reminds me Kevin Costner's 'Mr. Brooks' where he is addicted to killing.

If you are fan of VB then this is film for you, don't miss it. If you really want to understand something new about films then go watch it. For others well...Cricket world cup started.

Mumbai Diaries (2010)

Dhobi Ghat - must watch

[8/10 · 22 January 2011]

Arun (Aamir Khan) is a painter. He is an introvert. He expresses himself through his paintings. He can't express by communicating with others. He makes paper boats while talking with his agent. He refuses relation with Shai (Monica Dogra) at beginning of the relation. He uses very ordinary cell phone and not at all concern about his looks. He changes is home because lease runs out .He gets a new home. Yasmin (Kriti Malhotra) used to live there with her husband. Yasmin was new to Mumbai and therefore she expressed herself with video shooting. Arun starts watching that video tapes. Arun drags himself into self- realization process by watching those videos. He starts discovering new things about himself and start expressing through a painting.

Arun's new home has a neighbour, an old lady. She never reacts. She is like 'Unknown part' in human psyches that never known by others and by self. When tapes finished, Arun get frustrated because these tapes helped him to look within. He comes out of his room and expects reaction from an old lady, 'Unknown part' .But that thing never reacts. Arun manages to express silently at sea shore like Yasmin used to.

Shai is a photographer. She satisfies her curiosity through photography. The common thing about Shai, Arun and Yasmin is that they are curious about something. Yasmin is curious about Mumbai, Shai is curious about Arun, Arun is curious about himself or for Yasmin. Munna (Prateik Babbar) is different from them. He is not curious but he has dream to become an actor and he falls for Shai.

The film doesn't end with particular note. This film doesn't have any central conflict still it is engrossing and that makes the film different from others. This film is not about story it's all about characters. Kiran Rao has done mature attempt. She is very clear and focused about the characters. All four actors have done great job. Prateik (Munna) never tries too hard or falls short to make the character believable.

Cinematographer (Tushar Kanti Ray) had challenge to shoot Mumbai because Mumbai has been used in Hindi cinema. Cinematographer avoids usual frames of the Mumbai like locals, Taj hotel, CST. Cinematographer explores places of Mumbai that never been explored. Cinematographer used tight close-ups, out of focus frames to establish closeness between Shai and Arun. Opening scene never shows a person who is in back seat of taxi. This scene is for those audiences who know about Mumbai very well. B/W photographs taken by Shia, Yasmin vanishes in excess bright light, window in front of Arun's huge painting makes cinematography experience more enriching.

Editor (Nishant Radhakrishnan) used 'Jump cuts' when Shai clicks photos of Munna, frozen some of the frames when Shai clicks Munna as a rat –killer, that made sequence interesting.

The film reminds me Anurag Kashyap's 'No Smoking' where each frame, scene offers something to think and connect with it.

Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey (2010)

Teenagers,Freedom fighters ,David Fincher's The Social Network etc etc.....

[3 January 2011]

While watching 'Khelein hum jee jaan sey' I felt Gowariker has not gonebeyond that book and neither done further research or took extra efforts to explore central characters like Surjit Sen and Kauolpana* Dutta at their personal level. Director had a lot of scope for that, for example, Surjya Sen was married and he is suffering from guilt that he is responsible for his wife's death or he was in jail before the revolution. Raoul Randolf and Gowariker could explore the character on these facts so that it could made primary conflict more strong. There are too many characters in the film; these characters are not properly defined .Madhur Bhandarkar who always manages to build many characters in his films like Page3, Corporate, Traffic signal and Fashion. I haven't read the book and I believed that one should never compare a book and cinema which is based on the book, both are very different experiences.

Gowariker had a chance to capitalise innocence of teenager against brutal fight for freedom, he succeed in one or two scenes but that was not enough.scenes where teenagers didn't know meaning of 'Vande Materam' and interview sessions between freedom fighters and teenagers.Narration is done by two different persons if one of the teenager could used for it then it would make an impact.

I remembered in 'Rang De basanti' where Binod Pradhan used Sepia tone to recreate old time, they wanted to distinguish two different time periods which is also possible in 'Khelein...." because 'Khelein....' happened within substantial time period. They could use non linear way of storytelling and built two different time period. One time period could be about how they execute the plan and other time period could be about how they sacrifice their lives and made major influence on freedom movement. David fincher has done this in 'The Social Network'.

Second half of the film is all about British hunts down all freedom fighters where it lacks drama element, British wanted to capture them dead or alive but later in the film suddenly British wanted to capture them alive and this question remained unanswered.

The film could ends with scenes like how Chittagong's revolution made positive impact on freedom movement, they concluded whole story in single note.

Kites (I) (2010)

Just a Dance sequence...thats it,

[5/10 · 23 May 2010]

well.. I watched preview show of the film... I was eagerly waiting for the film, and then I got first shock... theater wasn't houseful.. film had started..there was a voice over by Hrithik who tries to convey how name 'Kites' is similar to the story of the film. In short Hrithik shows his natural charisma but story of the film is so dry and dull that even Aamir Khan wouldn't saves the film..

This is a story of Natasha/Linda (Barbara Mori) and 'J' (Hrithik) (actually its 'Jay' but in Vegas they called it 'J' and I liked it) falls for each other, one thing is common in them that,they love money and in a night they do all sort of romantic things and then,they realized that they are soul-mates...(just like Yashraj Films) and overall film is all about how they try to survive with their Love... yup that's it nothing more except end of the film.

Cinematography is done by Ayanaka Bose.You can easily notice a thing that he is allergic to long shots or extra long shots,even there are very few mid shots in the film,overall film is shot in tight close ups I can understand that you got two hot actors in lead but still I think action sequences needs few more long shots, well entry of Barbara Mori behind the fish-tank it is just awesome..... hats off to you it is simple and effective and then when villain comes to shoot hero in the end of the film, which was excellent.(it reminds me Road to Perdition,Sam mendes's style)

I think for Hrithik this role is not that much challenging, so after Jodha Akbar expectations is high, in short Hrithik is just good. now lets talk about Barbara Mori and... She can act (She deserves Best new comer award yeah I'm not joking) she is excellent in the Film then there is (Bobby) Kabir Bedi, Kangana Ranaut (the scene where she tries to seduces Hrithik,it is well captured) and then 'Tony' played by Nick Brown, he will get more of these kind of roles.

The dance sequence in the film is just kick-ass.. you never seen dance sequence like this. I think it is the best one.(I will watch whole film for that dance sequence), overall format of the dance sequence is new and fresh with excellent background score,we want few more...

The film even doesn't falls in the category of mature love story like Love aaj Kal (though the characters wasn't) and Faana.Generally love stories has similar kind of endings except Notebook,Eternal sunshine of spotless mind (its holly-wood) and few more but in Kites script is so weak that even ending can't saves the film.

so for all Hrithik fan go watch for dance sequence and don't expect more from the film it is just below than average film, Roshan ji,you should direct Krrish 2.