Pictured Moving

Watched Johnny Gaddaar finally. It is a slick flick modeled on the 70s bollywood thriller genre made famous by the likes of Vijay Anand. Neil Nitin Mukesh has done both is grandfather the legendary singer Mukesh and father ‘the would have been legendary’ Nitin Mukesh proud. He has the looks to make his presence felt on screen. Enough said about Neil - the plot in the film is the regular deal/heist plot, but what is good is that Sriram Raghavan the director manages to hold your interest till the very end with slick editing and the customary twist at the end. The supporting cast of Dharam Paaji, Vinay Pathak, Rimi Sen, Zakir Hussain and Rasika Joshi also do justice to their roles.

It is a must watch if you want to relive the thriller days of the 70s.

My Take: Yeah! ■■■■■ 

Watched ‘Mithya’ the quintessential low budget good actors Rajat Kapoor latest venture. Firstly I think Rajat needs to be complimented for not stereotyping his cast in movie after movie that he tends to use them. What comes out of Mithya (essentially means Illusion or Bhram) is a tale of a struggling actor (Ranvir Sheorey - impressive everytime I see him) and his being drafted in the role of a real time Don and his journey through that role. The rest of the cast is impressive as well with the likes of Naseeruddin Shah, Saurabh Shukla, Vinay Pathak, Harsh Chayya and Neha Dhupia putting in realistic performances. Though I heard some people didn’t like the ending but then this is not one of your regular films either which have the predictable ending.

Hats off to the team of Mithya and I would recommend to definitely watch this movie.

My Take: Yeah! ■■■■■

Welcome? Firstly I wonder why would anyone name their movie ‘Welcome’. This mindless comedy that also has become Akshay Kumar’s 4th hit of the year dilutes the coming together of two powerhouse performers Anil Kapoor and Nana Patekar after Parinda.

Why on earth would anyone make such a movie? The comedy is slapstick with some innuendos. Katrina Kaif is supposed to only look pretty while Mallika Sherawat walks away with the meatier cameo.

Ok I’m sorry I took my mind with me - didn’t do full justice to it. But then when you pay Rs. 200 for a movie you do expect to get some return. Right? Watch it at your own risk…preferably through cheap DVDs available in the market for less that Rs. 100.

My Take: Hmmm! ■■■■■ 

The answer is a vehement NO. Basically I have been conned by the trailers of the movie. If they would have done half the justice to the movie that they did to the trailer this would have been a fun flick to watch.

Partner is a contexualized copy of the Will Smith hit Hitch. While the latter was very well made and had good performances from Will Smita and Eva Mendes but this much touted David Dhawan - Salman Khan - Govinda comedy leaves a bitter taste in the mouth and a gaping hole in the pocket.

Way too much hamming and slapstick comedy, this movie is best avoided unless you are a desperate fan of any of the three. Save some money and wait for your cable guy to show it.

My Take: Eeeks! ■■■■■

A mish mash between Collateral and the trouble brewing withing the Birla household on succession as well as a moral of the story. This production is way below class. I have no idea how I agreed to get conned into watching this movie. Nana Patekar and John Abraham disappoint as the main characters. A wee bit too much of hamming there. Sameera Reddy is best off doing revealing roles and item numbers rather that try and act. Like I said in the title of this take - Do not hail this taxi you will get fleeced.

My Take: Eeeks! ■■■■■

How do the young and restless behave - watch Rang De Basanti to find out. What changes for them in that one tipping point of their lives from no hopers/wanderers to people with a mission however far fetched it may seem. This is a truly inspirational film especially if you are an Indian concerned about the future of this country. This is about fighting the establishment, this is above love, and about finding purpose. All perfomances are well executed, Siddharth and Aamir are the best of the lot, with the rest not so far behind. Alice Patten is cute.

Music gets you dancing in your seats especially tinga dinga dinga dinga ding No prizes for guessing which song that is. Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra hasn’t disappointed in his next film after Aks. He is one of the best “before intermission” film makers I have seen. Overall don’t miss it…and buy/hire DVD only after you have experienced it on the big screen.

My Take: Yeah! ■■■■■

It’s a slickly done movie with inspiration taken from the Michael Douglas – Sean Penn masterpiece The Game and a host of other movies I’m sure. The songs are westernized with Hip Hop and Rap beats shot as though they are music videos. Abhishek Bachchan is impressive; Rietesh Desmukh and Nana Patekar are very good. Priyanka Chopra uhh…hmmm…uh…hmmm…is there in the movie. Watch it – it’s a nice movie but could have been much much better.It’s difficult for children of very successful fathers, I’m sure both Abhishek and Rohan Sippy would agree. But finally the pedigree will show.

My Take - Hmmm! ■■■■■

No Entry!. If you have a chance to watch this movie, just keep your brains aside. This mindless comedy of infidelity is better watched by hiring a VCD or better still watch it when your cable guys gets a copy screened for you. Ofcourse as the name suggests this is a No Entry for you in a cinema hall. Performances or should I say hamming is the flavour of the day.

My Take - Huh! ■■■■■

Nagesh Kukunoor of Hyderabad Blues fame is getting better with every movie he makes. Iqbal the story of a deaf and dumb village boy who dreams of riding his dream of becoming one of the men in blue. The struggle he goes through against all adversity is the highlight of this movie, along with performances from Shreyas Talpade who play Iqbal and Naseeruddin Shah. Shweta Prasad who plays Iqbal’s younger sister is also well played.

All in all a feel good movie to watch if you are an ‘underdog’ supporter. Besides if you are a fan of Nagesh Kukunoor’s brand of movies, this one is pretty slickly made.

My Take - Yeah! ■■■■■

The latest from the Yashraj Films stable and it doesn’t disappoint you. Salaam Namaste is a refreshing look at the westernised concept of a live in relationship. Adeptly handly by debutante director Siddharth Raj Anand and beautifully potrayed by the ever youthful Saif Ali Khan and the dimple cheeked Preity Zinta. The supporting cast of Arshad Warsi, Javed Jaffery and the rest add comic timing that without fail will get you in splits and also add to your cult dialogs or fun dialogs list. Do try spotting the scion of one of India’s premier business houses doing a very special appearence - don’t blink lest you miss him. The director does an hitchcockian appearence as well, but I’m told that it was because the primary actor didn’t turn up.

The movie has excellently picturized exotic locations in Austrailia that make you go and want to settle there. The music is very refreshing and hummable. All in all a great film to go and watch for everyone who is in love or wants to be in love (aren’t we all suckers for that). They could have however done better on the climax than picking it up from Nine Months. Nevertheless, watch it on the big screen for the fresh colors used by the film maker.

Way to go Siddharth for adding your name to the ever growing list of Indian film makers who are making a difference to the film industry.

My Take - Yeah! ■■■■■