Being Cyrus: very irritating. don't know why this film got on my nerves, but that's exactly what it did, much to my bewilderment. it was very good in phases, and so irritating in the rest, that it is all i remember of the film. irritation!! i think dimple really overacted, naseer, was wasted, saif did nothing noteworthy... the only ones who i liked were the guy who played the old father, boman, and simone singh who was understated and a relief. so what was all the brouhaha about? "path-breaking" and "indian cinema has arrived" were what i kept hearing about this thriller-in-patches. not in my books, it was not! you see countless such "dark" films on star/hbo between 2-4PM if you take a day off and stay glued to the tv screen. one saving grace: good soundtrack!
rang de basanti: oh-mi-god! another letdown. it didn't even come close to dil chahta hai. where was aamir the powerhouse? i searched for him everywhere, through the fields and the college campus, but i couldn't find him anywhere. what i did find was another gem, but then again, i couldn't find his name. he was anupam kher's son in the film and i think he did a fabulous job. soha too was endearing, and a complete natural. she looks like she was born to act. the film had some excellent moments, like the blokes jumping from a height into the pond below etc. but i found parts of the story unrealistic and difficult to believe. for one, would any political party in the heart of delhi have the guts to beat up a peaceful procession carrying candles, and put one old lady into a coma? i don't think so!! similarly, i don't think the last scene of the film made any sense. the cops just start killing the boys without finding out if they are ALL armed? wouldn't they enter into a dialogue with them first? ask them to surrender, or some such thing? given the fact that they are live on air!! i dunno, but this film on the whole was very unconvincing. the music was good! thank god.
history of violence: they say bad things come in threes:) hmm. brilliant first half. stupid second half. that's all i can say. viggo mortenson was terrible. he was like a flop porn star all throughout. no expression. just waiting for the next love scene to appear so he could start acting again. the story had an amazing start, in fact, it was fast-paced and snappy for the first hour, but then it disappeared into an abyss of mediocrity. a happy loving mcdonald-like family is shattered by a piece of unexpected violence. now you can do wonders with a plot like that. but no. the film has to go and get all entangled in its own web. the end leaves you amazed -- you can't imagine that something so right could end up so wrong!!
Wednesday, April 26, 2006
Thursday, April 20, 2006
tagged!!
i have been tagged by mindcurry.
5 people who top my shit list..... and why:
1. People who are nice on your face and bitch about you behind your back
2. People who can't bear to see other people do well
3. People who put other people down in order to look/feel good
4. People who pass snide remarks out of insecurity
5. People who look around for people to blame when things go wrong
5 Guilty pleasures:
1. Sleep
2. Dessert
3. TV
4. Daydreaming
5. Tuning off
5 things I never want to forget:
1. My friends as a journo
2. Bandra
3. The first time I walked into my present home
4. Living on my own
5. Discovering the magic of cinema
5 things I wish to forget:
1. Bad friends
2. Bad jobs
3. Bad films
4. Bad bosses
5. Bad moves
5 exotic dishes I have tried ( most were exotic coz of the people who made them, otherwise have tasted better in random restaurants)
1. My grandmother's mutton curry
2. Stuffed Bombay Duck at Gajali, Santacruz
3. Mother-in-law's prawn wadas
4. Stuffed bhangra at Calangute beach
5. Vindaloo at a Goa wedding
5 most valued possessions
1. my memories
2. my downloaded music
3. my diary as a schoolgirl
4. my crucifix from fort aguada
5. my patience
5 people who top my shit list..... and why:
1. People who are nice on your face and bitch about you behind your back
2. People who can't bear to see other people do well
3. People who put other people down in order to look/feel good
4. People who pass snide remarks out of insecurity
5. People who look around for people to blame when things go wrong
5 Guilty pleasures:
1. Sleep
2. Dessert
3. TV
4. Daydreaming
5. Tuning off
5 things I never want to forget:
1. My friends as a journo
2. Bandra
3. The first time I walked into my present home
4. Living on my own
5. Discovering the magic of cinema
5 things I wish to forget:
1. Bad friends
2. Bad jobs
3. Bad films
4. Bad bosses
5. Bad moves
5 exotic dishes I have tried ( most were exotic coz of the people who made them, otherwise have tasted better in random restaurants)
1. My grandmother's mutton curry
2. Stuffed Bombay Duck at Gajali, Santacruz
3. Mother-in-law's prawn wadas
4. Stuffed bhangra at Calangute beach
5. Vindaloo at a Goa wedding
5 most valued possessions
1. my memories
2. my downloaded music
3. my diary as a schoolgirl
4. my crucifix from fort aguada
5. my patience
Wednesday, April 12, 2006
it was men-to-be
The Constant Gardener: There's not much to say about Ralph Fiennes in The Constant Gardener. The movie happened each time Rachael Weiz walked in, and paused each time she walked off. No matter how hard Ralph tried to pull off the subterfuge, the jealous husband, and the weed puller, he couldn't get the camera to fall in love with him, as Rachael unintentionally did. She was provocative, honest, and completely impassioned in her role as the vociferous activist for the down-trodden in Africa.
As with most other movies set in Africa, some of the shots were heart-rending, others kept reminding you of India.
The plot weakens in places, but it manages to keep you spell-bound with the rest. Not to be missed. Especially the politics of the giant pharamceuticals in under-developed countries. It's enough grist for the NGO mills.
Walk the line: Joaquim Phoenix, that's what the movie was. But yes, Reese Winterspoon won the Oscar for her role as his one and only love interest. Phoenix was Johnny Cash all the way, the way he swaggered, hung his guitar, or twisted his facial expressions. His love-sick moments were quite commendable, the drug battle even more so. There were so many parallels here to Ray Charles -- both men lost a sibling at a very young age and blamed themselves for it, were very very unfaithful to their wives, and pursued drugs for a good night's sleep. The only difference was that Ray married the right woman, and Johnny Cash the wrong. That's what made their music so impassioned?
As with most other movies set in Africa, some of the shots were heart-rending, others kept reminding you of India.
The plot weakens in places, but it manages to keep you spell-bound with the rest. Not to be missed. Especially the politics of the giant pharamceuticals in under-developed countries. It's enough grist for the NGO mills.
Walk the line: Joaquim Phoenix, that's what the movie was. But yes, Reese Winterspoon won the Oscar for her role as his one and only love interest. Phoenix was Johnny Cash all the way, the way he swaggered, hung his guitar, or twisted his facial expressions. His love-sick moments were quite commendable, the drug battle even more so. There were so many parallels here to Ray Charles -- both men lost a sibling at a very young age and blamed themselves for it, were very very unfaithful to their wives, and pursued drugs for a good night's sleep. The only difference was that Ray married the right woman, and Johnny Cash the wrong. That's what made their music so impassioned?
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