Ever notice how, when ice-cream has more sugar than necessary, plain water tastes weird (in a bad way) when consumed immediately following? Each of these films offers a good example to illustrate this framework of after-effects of ice-cream consumption applies just as well to film consumption. (Well, at least it does theoretically; that Physicists tell us water is tasteless is beyond the scope of this discussion :D). Let's briefly discuss each, then, from worst to best of the lot.
Please excuse the title to this post being cliched, but then, significant portions of these films are cliched, and there's hardly a shortage of those who love to scream. Each shall also be assigned a qualitative 'I Scream' rating.
Sunday, November 08, 2009
Kambakkht Ishq, Dil Bole Hadippa, Blue, and Barah Aana: I Scream. Everyone Screams. For what, again?
Saturday, October 31, 2009
London Dreams (2009) Review
This is why we love Bollywood. A simple story of friendship, jealousy, and dissatisfaction with the supernatural, is only so good on paper. A fine film elevates the simple elements to an admirable level while retaining its strong emotional core. The result is a fun entertainer in which our friendship with cinema is the clear winner.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
The 3 Idiots (3i) Umbrella
This post was originally published on September 10, 2008, under the title '3 Idiots expected in Summer 2009'. Things changed since, of course. The film is now all set to release this December 25. This post shall serve as the umbrella for all things 3i, then. A link to it is available in the sidebar (right) via the 3i icon. From now through its release, links to news stories, all trailers, songs, etc. will be added below.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
October and November releases
I've fallen behind in previewing some of the upcoming releases, and this post should help make time to review movies again. Several films to look forward to over the next couple months. Just look at the diversity of themes addressed in October and November. About time the remarkable evolution the Hindi film industry has undergone over the past decade become a consistent and prominent feature of the release calendar (with exceptions, of course; an average of two good movies a month would work). As always, the complete list of releases is at the bottom of the post. Notes on ones I look forward to follow.
Tuesday, October 06, 2009
Blue (2009): Behind-the-Scenes, Music Review, and the Great Soundtrack Giveaway
The film 'Blue' releases on October 16, in time for Diwali. Let's call this a preview post, if we may. There's exclusive video from the sets (courtesy the film's action director, James Bomalick), some of my thoughts on a soundtrack (A. R. Rahman) I'm having a lot of fun with, pictures from a recent Kylie Minogue concert, and a really cool giveaway (my first; courtesy Saavn) which I hope you participate in -- among others, you can win one of 10 copies of the album!
Monday, September 28, 2009
Wanted (2009): He-Man. Superman. Salman.
Salman Khan wearing a He-Man shirt instead would be more appropriate, but the truth is, it wouldn't matter. He fights and looks like He-Man, occasionally wears a Superman shirt, and commands as much respect from walls and wall hangings as does Spider-Man. Yes, it's no bird or plane, or larger-than-life (and conventional) superhero. It's an impulsive but kindhearted, wayward but focused, fierce but likable, and very human, Salman! :)
If you think that first paragraph is silly -- and you might if you dismiss superhero/gangster/action flicks as trivial guy cry -- Wanted is probably not for you. However, if there's even an iota of you that enjoys good guys (and gals) versus bad guys (and gals), presented in a classic masala format, Wanted is most definitely for you.
Monday, September 21, 2009
Blue (2009) lyrics and translation: Bhoola Tujhe; and A Song for each Picture #8
How can someone be so good so consistently? The soundtrack to Blue (the film releases October 15) by A. R. Rahman is easily among the best of 2009. It is certainly the most contemporary and hip of the year, and in its musical and lyrical themes, beautifully aligned with the plot. (More on the soundtrack in a future post.) And in its quest for diversity, it even packs in a song -- part-subject of this post -- on relationships with the supernatural, in this case God (Khuda, or Allah).
Monday, September 07, 2009
Wanted: September Releases and Chick Flicks that Click
And so begins the most exciting period of the filmy year! Lots going on this month and through the rest of the year, and before we get right to it, a quick note to thank Sonu Nigam and Sunidhi Chauhan (picture here) for a spectacular concert here in L.A. on August 16, which culminated with Mere Haath Mein from Fanaa (2006) with the word 'rooh' (soul) substituted for 'dil' (heart) in the title couplet! Sonu is easily among the best I've seen live, and I'd put him alongside Asha Bhosle and Lata Mangeshkar as vocalists who are more mesmerizing in person. Notable moments included tributes to legends Mohammad Rafi and Michael Jackson (members from the Jackson family were among the audience), and acknowledgment by Sonu that he considers himself the voice of Salman Khan. He certainly had the songs to back up his claim.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Fanaa (2006): Paying tribute to Mother India (1957)
Director Kunal Kohli opens Fanaa with this shot of Zooni Ali Baig (Kajol), immediately establishing the purposefulness of a blind woman in Kashmir singing Saare Jahaan Se Achcha, saluting the Indian flag, and doing so around children. Each of these subtexts is essential to the plot of an obvious but humble tribute to the Mehboob Khan classic, Mother India (1957). Here is a different kind of contemporary commercial movie which packages an interesting blend of formalism and substance with strong emotions and some core masala ingredients. The result is strong reliance on its superstar cast, which is not at all a bad idea when your lead pair comprises the best actors in popular cinema today.
Sunday, August 09, 2009
Jal the Band, live in Los Angeles
Jal, the rock group from Pakistan, performed at Exposition Park here in Los Angeles last night. In what has to be one of my most ad hoc visits to any concert (didn't even *know* they were to perform until the afternoon), I was very pleased having seen them live. They are fantastic performers.
You're probably familiar with their music through Bollywood. Read Jal's Wikipedia entry, and one name stands out to those familiar with Hindi film music -- Atif Aslam. As a long-time fan of Pakistani pop and rock (much of which has to do with exponentially better lyrics), I can tell you Jal are much better off without Atif, and I like them more without him too. Having said that, there's hardly any doubt the split worked out for both parties. So if you have any favorite works by Jal or by Atif Aslam, let's talk about them!
Tuesday, August 04, 2009
August releases and A song for each picture #7
"Explosion 2009" featuring vocalists Sonu Nigam and Sunidhi Chauhan was to stop by Los Angeles this past Sunday. The concert has been postponed to August 16, as noted here. Those of you in Houston, San Francisco, and Denver, and perhaps Minneapolis and Boston, will continue to have a chance to attend. See this Bollywood Food Club link for the schedule and any related updates.
From among the new releases this month, the two I am looking forward to are those I am prepared to not see in theaters. One will likely not be picked up by my local theater. The other I would prefer having access to a fast-forward button for. Both are intriguing, and we begin with them, then. The complete list of releases is at the bottom of this post.
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