Wednesday 18 April 2012

Agneepath (2012) Movie Review


Storyline

Agneepath is a story of revenge of Vijay Chauhan against an evil and sadistic Kaancha, who hangs Vijay's father to death. Vijay grows up with a single aim of avenging his father's death. The story revolves around Vijay Chauhan, his relationships with his family and above all, his Revenge.

Reviews

Agneepath Rises.

You shouldn't wonder why everyone wants to remake a Big B movie. While the obvious to say is that they are a cult but the truth is we don't have stories, performances and dialogues like that today. A safe trick to pull the audience is to give them a star-studded remake of a movie the continuums of generations swear by.

If you are an ardent moviegoer, you might have felt bad with the fate of Don and Sholay remakes but Agneepath rises. Yash Johar & Mukul Anand will be proud of Karan. They can choose either or both.

First of all, it's not a complete remake. It has its own diversions but it's a wasteful effort not to compare it with the original. Some parts of the remake are a total downer. Not just the parents, I heard the kids say – I think the original was far better.

Sanjay Dutt is the first and the biggest disappointment. Tattoos of Shiva, preachings from Geeta, anecdotes from Mahabharat & Ramayan but not a single original Khalnayak moment till the last 15 minutes. I remember seeing the promo six months back and everyone spoke of Sanjay Dutt taking the entire pie from Hrithik Roshan – only if he would have been a more evil psychopath, psychopath, psychopath.

The next is Chikni Chameli. The choreographer & composer totally spoilt the cake. What a sheer waste of Katrina Kaif. The last but not the least is absence of Krishnan Iyer MA. I want to add the iconic "Sister Abduction" scene to the list but I understand that it's too much of a comparison.

There's not much you could say about the script/story since it's a remake but to talk about the dialogues written by the talented Piyush Mishra – they are mediocre. No special marks to the technicals as well.

Hrithik Roshan is brilliant, probably the best anybody could justify the real VDC. When he cries, feels happy, kills a man, runs, wants revenge, gets bruised – it's all in his eyes, he makes it real enough. He might not have been able to replace Big B's attitude but it was time they used this side of him than just counting on his looks & moves.

The surprise of the movie is Rishi Kapoor. What an actor! With the added touch of the surma, he made a better villain than Baba. He should have had a bigger role.

The score of the movie is suitably Maharashtrian, complimenting the movie. I don't know if you have noticed this but Bollywood seems fascinated with the idea of Ganesh songs or others running parallel with murder and melodrama scenes.

Apart from Kancha, everyone's performance has taken the movie a notch higher and fortunately there are no stupid-yet-intentional-because-audience-loves-it additions. Coming from Karan Johar, romance and slickness gives way to raw.

It's a nice remake and while you watch it try hard not to compare it with the original Agneepath, Agneepath, Agneepath.


Friday 13 April 2012

Thodasa Roomani Ho Jaayen (1990) Movie Review


Storyline

The film is a comment on a society that brands people into images they should be, and talks of individual dreams and aspirations. Set in the background of a small town in India, against the harsh weather conditions and lack of rain, the story revolves around a girl who is unconventional in her ways and appearance, in-feminine in the conventional sense of the word, and therefore subjugated to much negative public opinions and advices on what she should be. She is supported by a supportive just father, a younger brother who is about to turn 18 and a realistic, discouraging but loving older brother. And in their lives then enters a man who believes in magic and tells them that he can bring rain! The story unfolds with much poetry and a dreamlike quality that is magical.

Review

Really nice movie,
Strongly recommended for a nice weekend evening. Excellent direction, acting and totally new story line. Especially the first part where the whole movie follows a poetic route of dialogue delivery rather than traditional rout. Though the film drags in second part, it is still watchable for its central character, Nana Patekar

Director: 

Amol Palekar

Cast

Anita KanwarAnita Kanwar...
Binni Rai (as Aneeta Kanwar)
Nana PatekarNana Patekar...
Natwarlal aka Dhrushtadyumna padmanabh Prajapati Neelkant Dhumketu Barish Kar
Riju BajajRiju Bajaj...
Bim
Hemant DesaiHemant Desai
Vikram GokhaleVikram Gokhale...
Collector Jaideep Das Gupta
GorakshakarGorakshakar
Madan GupteMadan Gupte
Arun JoglekarArun Joglekar...
Behraam
Gautam JoglekarGautam Joglekar
Aparajita KrishaAparajita Krisha...
Urmila
KrishnakantKrishnakant
Dilip KulkarniDilip Kulkarni...
Bade Bhaiyya
Deepa LagooDeepa Lagoo...
Budhiya (as Deepa Shriram)
Suresh RegeSuresh Rege
Vasant SabnisVasant Sabnis

The Chess Players (1977) Movie Review And Watch It Online.

Storyline
Wazed Ali Shah is the ruler of one of the last independent kingdoms of India. The British, intent on controlling this rich country, have sent general Outram on a secret mission to clear the way for an annexation. While pressure is mounting amidst intrigue and political manoeuvres, Ali Shah composes poems and listens to music, secluded in his palace. The court is of no help, as exemplified by nobles Mir and Mirza, who, ignoring the situation of their country and all their duties towards their families, spend their days playing endless parties of chess.

Review


Ray's unique gift
This movie is a precious gem. I have not seen anything like it and only a rare amount of movies dare to be as different. One cannot expect any less from Satyajit Ray, one of India's greatest filmmakers. Shatranj ke Khiladi is a satirical comedy that stars the best actors delivering the finest performances. Amjad Khan and Saeed Jaffrey definitely did their best for this movie. Sanjeev Kumar and Shabana Azmi are excellent as always. Richard Attenborough and Victor Banerjee do very well with their small roles. I was also surprised to see Farida Jalal in a negative comic role as an unfaithful wife. Ray also applies his artistic talents in set designs as you'll see some beautiful paintings. Background music is limited but used effectively. The movie was shot brilliantly where it is quite evident that the director has given attention to very little detail. There is one scene where Sanjeev Kumar goes to his room to see his wife. Saeed Jaffrey is waiting for him. We soon see a scene where Jaffrey goes to check on Sanjeev then when he returns...we see a hand changing the position on the chess board. This is just one of the finest example of excellent direction, among the many you'll witness in this classic masterpiece. The events of the 19th century are portrayed very poetically. While some may say that the pace is slow, it did not bore me one bit and there was always something happening. This, indeed, is a fine piece of film-making. I suggest you go and watch it.
WATCH FULL LENGTH MOVIE ONLINE HERE.
Directed by
Satyajit Ray
Writing credits
Munshi Premchandstory (as Premchand)
Satyajit Raydialogue
Satyajit Rayscreenplay
Javed Siddiquidialogue (as Javed Siddiqi)
Shama Zaididialogue

Produced by
Suresh Jindal....producer
Original Music by
Satyajit Ray
Cinematography by
Soumendu Roy
Film Editing by
Dulal Dutta

Art Direction by
Bansi Chandragupta

Cast

Sanjeev KumarSanjeev Kumar...
Mirza Sajjad Ali
Saeed JaffreySaeed Jaffrey...
Mir Roshan Ali
Shabana AzmiShabana Azmi...
Khurshid, Mirza's wife
Farida JalalFarida Jalal...
Nafisa, Mir's wife
VeenaVeena...
Queen Mother
David AbrahamDavid Abraham...
Munshi
Victor BanerjeeVictor Banerjee...
Prime Minister (as Victor Bannerji)
Farooq ShaikhFarooq Shaikh...
Aqueel (as Farooque Shaikh)
Tom AlterTom Alter...
Capt. Weston (Outram's aide de camp)
Leela MishraLeela Mishra...
Hirya, Khurshid's maid
Barry JohnBarry John
Samarth NarainSamarth Narain...
Kallu
Bhudo AdvaniBhudo Advani...
Abbajani (as Budho Advani)
Kamu MukherjeeKamu Mukherjee
Uttamram NagarUttamram Nagar