Vinnaithaandi Varuvaaya

This is not exactly a movie review.. this is more about me!

I read the full review of the movie well in advance believing that I will never watch this movie. Just like Trisha's character in the movie has watched just 5 movies in her life time, I have watched only so many or a lesser number of Tamil movies. To begin with, I had very little exposure to Tamil during my school days. Neither of my parents watched Tamil, so there was never a Tamil channel tuned in to nor a Tam movie played. None of my friends watched Tamil too. This is strange cuz most of the mals do watch tam movies. But smhow I wasn't with the kind of people who did, so never really had an intro to tamil movies. But when I did , I felt there was lot of cheap heroism, vulgar dance moves and crass dialogues. But VTV trailers and reviews did catch my attention. I was wondering if I should catch it and that is when one of my friends called up and said a coupla them are watching it and if I wanted to join. And join I did. My friend was constantly doing the translations for me. But I guess even without it I could have followed it. Somehow, I could grasp the essence of the movie. I liked it. The romance is subtle, yet very endearing. Friends who were looking for happily-ever-afters dint quite like it. But the melancholic in me loved the whole concept of unrequited love. Moreover, it was more realistic. This is how most love stories are in real life. People break up and move on. Sm do that faster, some at a slower pace. But they do move on. Or don't they? I guess it probably depends on the intensity of the feeling or the personality of the person concerned. Okay, now I'm digressing. So about the movie... it really has a refreshing feel to it. Not overtly mushy, but there is a very restraint sweetness to the dialogues. The leading lady is perpetually confused, but I guess women (smtimes men too) in love do behave that way. Sme women tend to lose all their focus when they are in love. STILL, she is a very practical woman. I think howmuchever people advice u to follow ur heart, decisions made with the heart rarely work out well. And in matters of the heart, it can be extremely difficult to listen to ur head. Forgot to add....Trisha managed to get that sexy-homely look and their chemistry was good. So go watch it!

My name is CRAP!!!

Really!!! No, not my name. But the movie is a truck full of crap! KJo ( I believe this is how Karan Johar is fondly called-KJo. Just like JLo) has proved yet again that he cannot make a good movie to save his life. Lets rewind and think about Kuch Kuch Hota Hain. It was a huge hit. But even back then (I was just in school), I found so many flaws in the movie. I thought Shahkrukh's character was the most flawed. He and Kajol are best buddies. Kajol falls in love with him, but he loves Rani and marries her. Rani dies, but Shahrukh keeps on mumbling that love happens only once. And whether it is right or wrong, I'm impressed by the conviction of the character. But then what happens? He falls in love with Kajol when she drapes a Sari!!!! The sari is just to get the message across that she has transformed from a tom boy to a woman. Point taken! But what happened to Shahrukh's convictions?Ok, now people are not always right about convictions. But when u let go of ur convictions, it is always seen as a failure. But since it is Shahrukh, the director decided it to glorify it. And back then, I thought Kajol's character lacked self-respect. The guy wounded her deeply, but ran back to her like a lost puppy when he was lonely in life. And she took him back. Well... back then, I was an idealist. I'm sure it happens in the real world, esply if the woman places her love above her own self esteem. But then I feel Kajol's character doesn't know how to keep a commitment also. She ditches Salman on the day of her engagement for a ex-lover-ex-buddy. But she can still be excused cuz I think one shouldn't stay in a relationship or even enter one just to keep a commitment. Commitment should be a result of love. And when there is no love involved, the commitment u make becomes a compromise. So lets forgive Kajol. But what about Shahrukh. Though it is possible for friendship to grow into love, this one doesn't seem right at all. He never fell in love with Kajol back in college even though they were best of friends. He fell for Rani instead. And then he is back to Kajol when Rani is no more. I somehow cannot respect that character at all.

Kabhi Kushi Kabhi Gham... I'm not even attempting. The movie had a set of people who shed copious amount of tears at the drop of a hat. The lavish sets and garish costumes were stinging my eyes. Not to talk about the melodramatic dialogues. Who talks things like that? I'm not even discussing about all the other movie he made. Though Wake up Sid from the same banner (Kjo dint direct it) was aweesomeee!

Back to MNIK.... The movie was D.R.R.R.A.A.A.A.A.A.A.AG.I.N.G!!!! I was told it is one of shortest movies made by KJo. I din't feel it that way. The movie seemed to go on forever. NewYork, a movie which deals with the post 9/11 scenario was far superior. It was crisp, with emotions that actually made u fight back a tear and scenes that evoked empathy. MNIK lacked all that. Full marks to Zarina Jawab who played Shahrukh's mom in the movie. And the guy who played the broadcaster. I forgot his name. But other than that nthg really struck a chord with me. Infact, there is a scene in the movie where a policeman smacks SRK on his face, I found myself rooting for the policeman. Kajol was just average. She is completely amused by everything that SRK utters, even the not-so funny things. Maybe cuz he is a big star eh? I'm sure if it was a lesser actor who ends up saying non-funny things she wouldn't find them half as funny. I think the movie should have only one main theme. This has two - Autism and post 9/11. The director lost focus while making the movie. He din't really know which one to concentrate on, and it became a medley. And I feel the actors who played Shahrukh's childhood did a better job than Shahrukh.

My humble advice to Shahrukh and KJo - U both are great entertainers. Extremely eloquent and witty. Stick to hosting shows and giving kickass interviews. Kindly stay out of movies. Thanks in advance!

Up in the Air or a George Clooney post!

I watched Jason Reitman's Up in the Air yesterday and loved it. I'm not getting into the details here. But must add that George Clooney was @ his delectable best. This role was cut out for him. The man plays a corporate assassin and is hired by firms to fire their employees posted across the United States. And in between all this recession and downsizing chaos, u don't fail to see his charm. There is definitely some kind of charm associated with men who don't want to commit. Atleast when u see them on screen. And he fits this role of a self-assured, confident, professional, playboy (not really a playboy but it is assumed that he takes his relationships casually) to a T. Vera Farmiga is an excellent choice for her role as Alex. I loved the crisp dialogues, smooth flow of scenes, and an unpredictable predictability. There is a dialogue in the movie where Kendrick says that she wants to be exactly like Alex when she is her age, I felt the same. I want to be like Alex when I reach her age - Poised and so sure of myself!

Parzania - Movie Review

I read a review written by my sis on the Movie 'Parzania'. After she mailed it to me to edit it(which I failed to do), I have been nagging her to post it on her blog. Finally she did. But since shez been so out of blogging due to her hectic schedule, there r hardly any visitors. Thot of helpin her out by giving a link to te movie review. Its available at http://devils-advokate.blogspot.com.