Change Your Image
kammaz
Reviews
Krrish (2006)
Watch it ... if only for the special effects!
"Krrish" as a movie, has excited two distinctly different types of reaction. Some have positively hated it ... deeming it a sheer waste of money trying to watch the film. The other, kids and those young at heart, have been impressed by the action sequences and special effects.
I must say that Rakesh Roshan has done well to have roped in people from outside the country, when it came to filming the special effects. Indian cinema still has a long way to go as far as such sequences are concerned. To that end, this movie has been a path-breaker.
However, having said that, I would still say that the sequences lack the sort of finesse or slick handling, that say, movies like "Superman" or "Star Wars" and the like, have shown us.
On the whole the movie is enjoyable ... with the exception of Priyanka Chopra and her screen "friend" ... who have overacted awfully. Their make-up too is too loud and seems better adapted to the Kathakali theatre style! The heroine is such a stark contrast to the protagonist ... it seems to stand out like a sore thumb! There is one point that I have been wondering about. I trust Mr. Roshan Senior, will take note.
Krrish's father is said to have gone abroad for a period of two years. This information is repeated a few times. Yet, one is told that Krrish was born at the point when at the end of the two years, his father, being disillusioned about the fact that his special abilities had been used for nefarious purposes, has decided to go back to his native land. Unless this is a marvel of science, to put it very crudely, it is a bit difficult to figure out how his wife had been able to produce a child when her husband had been away. Immaculate conception? Or do the special abilities come into play here? Hritik Roshan has proved that he's as good as any of the other actors who are dominating the Bollywood scene at present. His portrayal of the father and son proves this point. He has managed to make each of the characters distinctly different from the other ... through mannerisms, expression and of course attire. Whilst the father is still naive, slightly unsure of himself, exuding an all-pervading innocence, the son is a lot more worldly-wise, confident, in control of his destiny. Hritik Roshan deserves kudos for his acting!
If you aren't a critic who bitterly tears movies to shreds just for the heck of it ... please go and watch the film. But go with an open mind ... without any preconceived notions, or expectations.
The Da Vinci Code (2006)
Sketchy
There's been such a lot of controversy regarding the book that the movie was bound to be something that people watched out for eagerly. Despite a lot of adverse criticism, people flocked to the theatres to watch the movie and judge for themselves whether all the hullabaloo was really worth it. To that end, I think, unwittingly, the people who were calling for a ban, actually ended up promoting it!! I was amongst the people who waited for the movie to be released in theatres in India and made my way to the hall the moment it was released.
Having read the book, I was a trifle disappointed by the movie. From the point of view of portrayal of the characters, the actors have done a fairly good job. But the sum total of the movie as a whole, could have been better, I feel.
The book deals with the plot very systematically ... proceeding step by cautious step. The plot is developed very logically and convincingly. It's true that the ending is a bit tame, but by and large, the book's action is fast paced and gripping.
This is sadly lacking in the movie. I realise that with the limited time frame within which the plot has to be unravelled and wound up, it is impossible to do justice to the storyline. However, I still found the treatment to be very sketchy and superficial. There were people in the audience who had not read the book. It was difficult for them to follow the entire action ... that is, there were gaps that remained ambiguous since there was no explanation, no foot-notes about entities such as the Opus Dei etc. The reasons behind Silas' actions remain a mystery. For the average Indian audience, or for people who are non-Christians, a lot of what was portrayed on screen, left questions in their minds.
The movie fails to live up to expectations. The atmosphere of suspense (Dan Brown's book is essentially a thriller), never really gets a chance to be built up.
The book is "unputdownable" ... but the movie, apart from satisfying the curiosity of the public, thanks to the furore over it's release, is eminently very "missable"!!
Being Cyrus (2005)
Like a famous ad campaign ... IT'S DIFFERENT!!
"Being Cyrus" is ... well, ...about Cyrus (Saif Ali Khan). The film essentially centres around him and the other characters just provide him with the material to play his game. They are mere pawns in the game that he is very much the master of!
The film, as everyone probably knows by now, revolves around the fortunes, or rather misfortunes, of a Parsi family ... the Sethnas. There's Dinshaw, an artist to the core... eccentric, lost in his own little world ... completely oblivious, or seemingly so, to the immediate world around him. His wife, Katy ... a frustrated, scheming shrew, if ever there was one! One actually feels that she gets her just desserts at the end of the movie! On the other hand, one actually feels sorry for Dinshaw because he doesn't even realize what hits him ... and WHY!
The plot seems a bit convoluted and fuzzy at times. What, for example, does Katy pay Cyrus all that money for? What does Cyrus do with it? He's certainly not seen spending much of it! Why does he spend endless hours instead in a studio/workshop doing God alone knows what! Why, in the first place, DOES he go to Dinshaw's place, ostensibly to learn the ropes of fine clay pottery making? He doesn't seem to achieve very much there either ... since one merely sees him constantly trying to get seduced by his hostess, a nymphomaniac to the core! All is of course revealed at the end ... but till then, things seem a bit of a mystery.
Which brings me to the actual theme of the film. The suspense is very well maintained actually. It's a crime thriller with a difference. But, at least for a lay person like me ... some of what happens, seems totally uncalled for. Murder, euthanesia ... whatever you may choose to call it. There are also gaps ... After all, how can one get into another person's mind ...since the entire film is in flash-back? Things somehow don't quite add up.
The acting is good on the whole. However, Cyrus has such a perpetually bored, dyspeptic expression ... could have done without it, I feel! Dimple has over-acted a bit. Or perhaps she's meant to be hyper and irritating! But it still seems like a trifle too much of over-acting!
From the point of view of displaying the typical traits of a community ... I think "Being Cyrus", is certainly right up in the front. The places, the people, the degradation, the hopelessness ... it's all very well portrayed.
The one point which really struck me as being a bit odd was the lack of balance between the parts of the film prior to and post intermission. The second portion seemed to flash by and even before we knew it, the film had come to an end. It's like getting a jab in the arm and suddenly sitting up and going through the actions in super fast motion! The first portion, on the other hand, seems to drag a bit. Nothing moves ... it's like being in a state of suspended animation.
However, on the whole, I think the movie is well worth watching. If not for any entertainment value ... the film is worth watching for the sheer novelty of the plot.
Malamaal Weekly (2006)
Disappointing, after all the hype
I bamboozled my sister into going to this movie since I'd heard such a lot about it and had a lot of expectations. Needless to say ... we were both sorely disappointed by what we were subjected to!
For starters,the movie is a slap-stick of the worst kind! There are portions that are funny, but by and large, one has to make a major effort to even figure out what the jokes are all about. It's almost like someone trying to tickle one forcibly to elicit some laughter, but all that one succeeds at is to make the person ill-humoured and crabby!
Why does Paresh Rawal need to wear a pair of dentures that start out by looking like they need to be cleaned ... then this happens (that is there are a couple of scenes where the dentures are sparkling), only to be stained again, probably when the continuity-man notices the flaw! Paresh Rawal has tremendous comic potential ... his acting calibre is truly remarkable. Why did he accept a role in such a "D-graded" movie??
Most of the senior, established actors, though talented, seem to have wasted their efforts in this movie. Rajpal Yadav too seems to have got stuck in a rut with his mannerisms and dialogue delivery. He should try to break out of this mould before his style becomes any more clichéd!
As for Riteish Deshmukh ... he was about the only pleasant surprise. He's probably best suited to the role of the smart-aleck villager ... or at any rate, he's portrayed his role very well! As for his love interest ... the less one says about her, the better!! She behaves like a socialite who's been thrust into a rural setting ... and hates every moment of it!
There are quite a few discrepancies other than the one mentioned above. Anthony's position, expression etc. change through the movie. As for his sister, Mary, there are at least a couple of times that she utters, "Hey! Bhagawan!" ...IN SPITE of being a Christian!
Being an animal lover, I found selling the pet goat to the butcher, in very bad taste. It could have been avoided.
The situations are also very forced and this mars the general flow of the narration.
All in all, what with all the advertisement and hype leading up to the release of the movie (including a "lottery") one expects a bit more than what one gets.
I would sincerely dissuade people from spending large sums of money (thanks to the rates at Inox!) in order to see this film. Those who do go and see it ...well, don't tell me that you weren't warned!!
Taxi No. 9 2 11: Nau Do Gyarah (2006)
Enjoyable, but tends to drag a bit ....
I went to see Taxi Number 9211 after seeing the trailer. It seemed an enjoyable movie ... something different from the usual fare. I wasn't too wrong in my initial assessment. However, there are certain flaws too ... ones which detract somewhat from the entertainment value in the long-run.
The movie is really one of a kind, with a unique storyline. The women who feature as part of the plot, are almost redundant since the story is essentially about the clash of the super-inflated ego of the taxi-driver (Patekar)versus that of the heir to a vast fortune (John Abraham).
The dialogue is enjoyable and funny, though both Abraham and Patekar are at their offensive best! Their hot-headed exchanges are a dream for someone who wants to be rude and obnoxious! The movie starts out with a lot of promise. Somehow, things peter out somewhere along the way. For one, the action and intended violence seems somewhat unwarranted. Patekar trying to kill Abraham because he (Patekar), will not part with the key to the locker that Abraham has unwittingly left behind on the seat of the taxi cab. Okay, he doesn't want to let Abraham get his way ... but attempted murder??!!! What if the man had gone and got himself killed? Wouldn't have been too funny, would it? And, I mean ... trying to kill a person just because your taxi cab has been smashed up and you've been peremptorily thrust into the police lock-up as a result of this man's whims .... A bit far-fetched!! Somehow, I got the feeling that the producers of "Taxi Number 9211" needed the movie to run for the full duration of a feature film and were being forced to conjure up situations unnecessarily. They could easily have done with a little less action. After all, the basic storyline would not have been affected by the omission of a few scenes of brawling and abusing. Everyone, without exception, seems to be ultra-hyper, in this film ... The film would still have had it's appeal as a movie with a difference with a little less palpable tension.
The sea-change (almost) that comes over both the main characters, as a result of their interaction with each other, is effective as a denouement. Both of them simultaneously realise the fact that they had been attaching too much importance to issues that were actually very insignificant in themselves. Their mercurial disposition takes a beating, thanks primarily to each other. If that was meant to be the moral of the story, the film has succeeded.
The ultimate song ... shown during the credits ... is very enjoyable. Unfortunately, a lot of people, I found, had already started vacating the theatre-hall, before the song started. Perhaps the timing could have been better ... if the audience is expected to watch "Meter Down".
Though enjoyable, I wouldn't recommend this film to people who, like the characters in the film ... have a dearth of patience!
15 Park Avenue (2005)
A guideline to understanding schizophrenia
As everyone knows by now, 15 Park Avenue is the story of a schizophrenic girl and her half-sister.
The manifestation of Schizophrenia is still viewed as being an illness which people often feel might disappear if ignored. There are also those, who, however far fetched it may seem when it's shown in the film, think that the illness manifests itself as a result of some sort of supernatural influence. I think Ms. Sen deserves a lot of praise for "15 Park Avenue". She has done a good turn, not only to the general public, but also to those who deal with schizophrenics ... relatives, social workers, psycho-analysts. The film actually helps in dispelling a lot of myths and misconceptions about the exact nature of this psychological disorder. I'm told that the film is largely based on her own personal experiences with a person very close to her, who suffers from this mental affliction. To that effect, I'm sure that none of what has been shown, is blown out of proportion ... on the contrary, it is a true representation of facts.
The performances are good, on the whole, as can be expected. Konkona Sen Sharma, Shabana Azmi and of course Rahul Bose, are very good indeed. They emerge as very "real" characters ... credible enough for one to be able to identify with them at times. People may think me terribly queer, but I think there are moments when one can identify with Meethi as well! I suppose all of us have a streak of "insanity" inside us .... perhaps some more than others. These are the people who are singled out. After all, don't we all have our secret fantasies and dreams? Impossible ones, at times? Would we be dubbed as being "off our rockers" if people could glimpse into these areas of our minds? Would a person with low self-esteem, be considered a schizophrenic because he/she shuns company ... preferring instead to live in a world of his/her own because that's the only space where there is a sense of security?
Konkona, as Meethi, is outstanding!! Her performance is so effortless ... she lives her part. She has shown the ability to lull the audience into forgetting the divide between reality and acting! A case in point is the part where she's distressed at the scene, shown on TV, of Saddam Hussein's arrest. Her reaction seems so uninhibited and intense ...as if she's really heart-broken at this tragedy! Her brand of Indian English too, is so spontaneous and natural.
However, the same cannot be said for at least a couple of the other actors. Kanwaljeet and Waheeda Rehman, splendid actors both, seem ill at ease when delivering their dialogue in English. Their diction is less than perfect ... stilted and affected, the fact that they are making a supreme effort, becomes more than apparent. Their dialogue delivery is jarring and tends to break the smooth flow of the unfolding of the tale.
The brutal rape of Meethi (Konkona), seems somewhat unnecessary. Any other incident would have sufficed just as well, I feel. The point here is that something triggers off the extreme manifestation of the illness. As the psychiatrist explains, one cannot, with any modicum of conviction or certainty, say that the incident of the rape was instrumental in bringing the hitherto latent propensity towards schizophrenia, to the fore. Then why are we subjected to the scene where Meethi lies bleeding and unconscious. Was Ms. Sen trying to make a social statement about the state of politics in our country, where the voice of the masses is silenced by a handful of people who resort to violence in order to stay in power?? If so, then the scene of the rape is warranted but not strictly in the context of the main body of the film.
The ending seems somewhat abrupt. Is the audience expected to find a solution? Where does Meethi disappear to? Does Ms. Sen want us to feel that perhaps what the psychiatrist says about whose reality is more real and hence credible, holds true? In other words, is she trying to say that we are not without bias when judging who is on this side of the fine line between sanity and insanity? I'm not very sure.
A thought-provoking film on the whole and well worth watching. However, IF you are the sort of person who likes things to be neat and tidy ... everything cut and dried, with a water-tight solution to each issue that comes up ... this film is clearly not meant for you!
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005)
FANTASTIC .... quite literally
My niece, who's a Post Doctoral Fellow in Warwick (UK), recommended the movie to me. She had already seen it and thought it was good ... though she felt that it didn't do justice to C.S. Lewis' book.
Since I have not read the book, I went to the hall with an open mind ... and was instantly transported into a world of fantasy! I was transformed into a small child as the movie progressed.
The story is essentially that of good triumphing over evil ... as is the case with all fairy tales. But in spite of this clichéd theme ... there was something very novel about the approach and treatment of the storyline. For one thing, one can't truly identify with stories like "Cinderella" or "Snow-white". But "Narnia" was different. The children, who are essentially the protagonists of the movie, are very human ... with their strong points as well as their weaknesses. They are not mere "picture-book" characters ... not all "white" ... there are shades of gray in their characterization ... which makes them all the more appealing. Some of the scenes are quite dark ... a phenomenon that seems to be increasing ... with book like the "Harry Potter" series, etc. But children nowadays are better capable of handling these aspects than we were, as children. As a matter of fact, I think they appreciate these nuances.
I LOVED ASLAN!! Fantastic animation and characterization!! He's so superior, so majestic and regal in his bearing. I think it's extremely difficult to be able to portray a character like this, so very convincingly. The White Witch is terrible but it's not until she takes her revenge on Aslan, that she becomes a truly despicable character!
As an Indian, I had a serious regret even as I watched the film. Why can directors in this country not think of making movies like this one?! Why do films here always have to deal with rape, violence, eternal love stories with it's fair share of complications ...
"Narnia" offers clean, wholesome entertainment for everyone. Unless one is seriously "age-challenged" (which means that the person is so inherently an adult that he/she has forgotten what it is to be a child ... for even a couple of hours!), I would suggest that people should go out and watch this film. It makes you feel really good. Forget the minor discrepancies and failings ... the movie rejuvenates you. It brings back memories and feelings that we, as adults, have, in most cases, chosen to leave behind us in the past, or at any rate, try to disavow.
I look forward to other movies like this one ... and if you want to know what I'm trying to say ... please GO OUT AND WATCH THIS MOVIE!
Rang De Basanti (2006)
Disappointing... doesn't achieve the desired purpose
There's been a bit too much hype about this movie. After all the publicity that the movie received, one would have expected it to be at least worth sitting through. Sadly, that's something that this film is definitely not worthy of. I admit that it attempts to raise some very crucial issues. The issues regarding the mindless frivolity that the college-going generation is apparently immersed in, the virtual ignorance of India's history (at least a superficial knowledge of the martyrdom of heroes who sought to win freedom for the country), questions of corruption at the highest levels ... The movie could and indeed should have explored these issues in a more effective way. Instead of appealing to innate sensitivity and intellect of the public, it sinks to the level of utter inanity! The scenes of choosing a cast for the documentary could have been edited a lot more drastically. All that it achieves is to lengthen the duration of the film. AND it's not even remotely funny!! As a matter of fact, the film could just as well have started off at the point where it does, after the intermission! I had read somewhere that the film takes a critical look at the corruption in the Defence Services, that lead to the MIG disasters. But that issue seems to have been overshadowed by a lot of other trivial matters... matters that apparently lead up to the ultimate climax, but are nonetheless merely pathetic exercises in trying to drag the film to a full feature length of a certain number of hours. The problem is not explored in a way that would have made it really hard-hitting. As a matter of fact, the film fails to bring the point across effectively. Rather a damp squib, if ever there was one!! What was surprising was that I didn't see too many people even discussing what they'd just seen, as they emerged from the cinema hall. Instead of this apathy, which is the best that the film has managed to achieve, what it could have done was to really shake up the dormant masses and set them thinking about what they'd just seen. The film isn't thought-provoking or in the least bit convincing in the way that it should have been. The musical score is also disappointing. None of the songs have any lasting appeal or recall quality. The denouement is meant to shock the public but the effort falls flat. All in all, I think that the movie could have done with a lot more vigorous editing and could have done away with most of the utterly pointless baggage that it has been burdened with. In conclusion, I'd like to say ... if you haven't seen the film ... DON'T!!! You'll be wasting your hard-earned money if you do!!