Indian/Bollywood movies

BiscLimpkit · Post by **BiscLimpkit** » 07 Jan 2007, 17:06

Aye no worries. I suspect that Dil Chanta Hai will be on its way next week... (along with My Brother Nikhil, Sholay, Lage Rago MunnaBhai).

Here's my wishlist just now:

Kal ho na ho
Dhoom 2
Kabul Express
Kal Ho Na Ho
Lagaan
Devdas
Maine Gandhi Ko Nahi mara
Chandni Bar
The Rising
Water
Sarkar
Khamoshi

Plus I'm adding more everyday... it's getting worryingly too big.

BiscLimpkit · Post by **BiscLimpkit** » 14 Jan 2007, 20:36

My Brother... Nikhil 4.5/5

Number of songs: 1 (sort of...)

This isn't your typical Bollywood film; visually it looks very low budget (like a title from an independant label). Furthermore, there is only one song, which is sung as part of a scene (not as a musical number).

My Brother... Nikhil is a solid melodrama set in the beautiful beach state of Goa. Through interviews and flashbacks, we discover the short life of Nikhil, who goes from becoming a swimming hero to social outcase after contracting AIDS. Wonderful and heartfelt performances all round, despite certain chapters being a little too "black & white." This is my type of film - bleak, gritty but symbolically beautiful.

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 15 Jan 2007, 19:46

Sounds interesting, it's also only 120 minutes. Isn't Goa one of their more upper-class areas of India?

BiscLimpkit · Post by **BiscLimpkit** » 15 Jan 2007, 22:22

It's a popular tourist resort but still has areas that are distinctly local and non-commercialised. It's absolutely beautiful though, I went in November 2005.

The DVD from Elite is a farce though. It only worked on ONE of my DVD players at home (we have five). I doubt it's a faulty disc as many have complained of Elite's shoddy discs (skipping/freezing problems). I'm gonna burn me a copy - one that plays properly.

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 15 Jan 2007, 22:40

That's assuming it's cheap media. Five??? Oh wait we've got 4

(two are mine, two my Dad's).

BiscLimpkit · Post by **BiscLimpkit** » 15 Jan 2007, 22:51

Shit media - there aren't any scratches or anything but the thing's incompatible with most DVD players.

We only have one player but I'm including DVD drives on the PC as well.

If you like a good melodrama, you should watch this. It's not milked and overly sentimental - really good balance.

BiscLimpkit · Post by **BiscLimpkit** » 16 Jan 2007, 22:55

Kabul Express 2.5/5

Number of songs: none.

Superb idea from first time writer-director Kabir Khan (who is fascinated by Afganistan) - focusing on a dysfunctional group, consisting of two Indian reporters, an American photographer, an Afgan guide and a Pakistani Talib, as they trek across to the Afgan-Pakistan border.

There's not really much in the way of political commentary, which is what I was expecting from a film set in post-9/11 Kabul. Instead we have a fairly weak buddy road movie. Even the final message was a bit ambiguous. Any time the characters make an attempt to focus on the politics behind the war, the director is quick to flood the scene with unfunny comic reliefs. It gets too much and the whole topic becomes a farse after a while.

Also the performances from John Abraham and Linda Arsenio (the American reporter) were abysmal. Completely non-professional and dire.

The photography was superb though - harsh yet beautiful landscapes. Yeah great idea, rubbish execution. Next time perhaps, Kabir Khan.

BiscLimpkit · Post by **BiscLimpkit** » 21 Jan 2007, 14:37

BTW, I just noticed that a fair amount of Bollywood films make it onto AUS R4. Unlike the UK R2 counterparts, they seem to be distributed by the AV Channel. I.E. they are PAL and sold within Australia only.

Yashraj and Eros seem to make a common NTSC DVD and distribute that worldwide, including the UK. So it's quite possible to step into a British HMV and American HMV and buy the exact same DVD (the UK DVD will most likely have a BBFC logo as a sticker).

BiscLimpkit · Post by **BiscLimpkit** » 21 Jan 2007, 15:06

I just pre-ordered Dhoom 2. It better be good Slash!!!

Next up will be Kal Ho Na Ho....

New List:

Kal Ho Na Ho
Lagaan
Devdas
Maine Gandhi Ko Nahi mara
Chandni Bar
The Rising
Water
Sarkar
Khamoshi

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 21 Jan 2007, 20:18

BiscLimpkit wrote:I just pre-ordered Dhoom 2. It better be good Slash!!!

Please post what you think.

So I have to ask

. What are some Shilpa Shetty films?

BiscLimpkit · Post by **BiscLimpkit** » 21 Jan 2007, 20:43

Rather embarassingly, I only heard of her until Celebrity BB.

The only one I recognise is Dus (which I hear isn't very good).

Dil Chahta Hai 3/5

Number of songs: 6 (4 of which are musical numbers)

The story follows three friends who each have a different interpretation of love. One is a non-believer, another confuses love for lust and the third knows that love has no boundaries. The title translates as "The Heart Wants" (or to be precise, "What the Heart Desires"). Writer-director Farhan Akhtar had a nice idea but made the film way too long. At over 3hrs, it's a slow piece to get through and still lacks sufficient characterisation. Overall it was fun though - good look at the next gen of Indian youths.

BTW, this film is highly praised everywhere. I seem to be the first person to find it overrated. Just check out the imdb link!

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0292490/

PS: The songs were terrible in this. :x

BiscLimpkit · Post by **BiscLimpkit** » 21 Jan 2007, 20:46

I really like the main song in the upcoming film Salaam E Ishq: A Tribute to Love. Some say that this is a rip-off of Love Actually... but it's premature to make that statement. I've a feeling that it'll suck but wouldn't mind watching it.

Thing is, I hear it's gonna be a looooooooooooong film.... oh no!

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 21 Jan 2007, 21:07

BiscLimpkit wrote:Rather embarassingly, I only heard of her until Celebrity BB. The only one I recognise is Dus (which I hear isn't very good).

That's the one where she plays someone with AIDS/HIV (I forget which) right?

I heard it was decent but maybe it's decent by Bollywood standards.

BiscLimpkit · Post by **BiscLimpkit** » 21 Jan 2007, 22:47

No that's another film (forget the name).. it's a remake of Philadalphia.

Don't know what Dus is about... might check it out if it's cheap or something.

slasher13 · Post by **slasher13** » 22 Jan 2007, 15:15

BiscLimpkit wrote:Don't know what Dus is about... might check it out if it's cheap or something.

I have Dus, haven't watched yet, it on my too watch pile, apparently it like 24

Anyway just watched

Bhagam Bhag - 3/5
I didn't know what to expect of Govinda in this, it looks like he is coming back. I remember Govinda from late 80's, early 90's with such film called Hum and Coolie No. 1. I've never been that much of a fan of Akshay Kumar, but why this I watch this movie, because of the classic duo of Paresh Rawal and Rajpal Yadav. They make a classic pair, I have watched them previously on Chup Chup Ke on the cinema, and both my wife and myself was just laughing soo much. They are just sooo good. This movie was okay, there was a few chuckles and the story is actually quite good, lots of twist, which was strange. I did like Govinda in this, He has done comedy before, but in this, he is really good. There is a scene in a police station (which is in the UK) where he explains what going on, and if you understand Hindi, it is just funny, the way he talk, how fast he talks. It a shame that Rajpal is just a supporting cast in this, and he doesn't get that much airtime with Paresh. Special mentions also has to go to Jackie Shroff (Excellent actor, One I feel is an excellent underrated actor) and Shakti Kapoor (The classic villans of indian 70's/80's cinema). Shakti is very very funny in some scene, especially when he goes into the taxi drunk and comes out the other end, what he says just had me in laughter.

Interesting fact:
Bhagam Bhag is a remake of a hit Malayalam comedy called Mannaar Mathai Speaking which was a sequel to Ramji Rao Speaking which was made in Hindi as Hera Pheri.

My next movie which I am going to watch is Hera Pheri... expect a review soon

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 22 Jan 2007, 15:58

A Bollywood version of 24 - cool

BiscLimpkit · Post by **BiscLimpkit** » 22 Jan 2007, 17:59

Bhagam Bhag's playing tomorrow but I'm going to give it a miss. Thanks for the review Slash.

After Dhoom 2 arrives, I reckon I'll order Kal Ho Naa Ho, followed by Rang de Basmati (sp).

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 22 Jan 2007, 18:11

Slasher/Bisc I have Dhoom/Black in my rental queue

slasher13 · Post by **slasher13** » 22 Jan 2007, 18:11

BiscLimpkit wrote:Bhagam Bhag's playing tomorrow but I'm going to give it a miss. Thanks for the review Slash.

After Dhoom 2 arrives, I reckon I'll order Kal Ho Naa Ho, followed by Rang de Basmati (sp).

No worries Bisc, Sorry you didn't like DCH, I thought it was great. I love the music, especially Tanhayee. That is very very sad, the lyric's and way it is sung is beautiful
Tell me what you think about Dhoom 2, I enjoyed Kal Ho Naa Ho (great music) and Rang de Basmati.

BiscLimpkit · Post by **BiscLimpkit** » 22 Jan 2007, 18:22

Good man Grim, although watch Black first. That film's legendary.

Slash, I didn't hate DCH or anything. It was fun - just a tad overrated.

Until those titles arrive, I have Lage Raho MunnaBhai and Sholay to sit through. You seen My Brother... Nikhil yet Slash?

slasher13 · Post by **slasher13** » 22 Jan 2007, 20:59

BiscLimpkit wrote:Good man Grim, although watch Black first. That film's legendary.

Slash, I didn't hate DCH or anything. It was fun - just a tad overrated.

Until those titles arrive, I have Lage Raho MunnaBhai and Sholay to sit through. You seen My Brother... Nikhil yet Slash?

My Brother.. Nikhil... I haven't watched, I think that will be my next one. Sholay I've seen ages ago, will watch that again, Lage Raho I want to see, but not yet

...

Grim watch Dhoom first ;-)... LOL, both of those movies are good, completely different, actually Black is a unique bollywood movie, and that a good think, both Actor are excellent (Although didn't quite get into both Big B speaking english, when he is making a point to the parents.) The young girl is simply excellent, her anger, sadness are all portrayed beautifully in this movie. It simply an excellent movie, well worth watching in 1 go

BiscLimpkit · Post by **BiscLimpkit** » 22 Jan 2007, 22:05

You got the Nikhil DVD? If so which one? Elite?

My Elite one is totally buggered. It only works on one player! I'm tempted to either buy it again or make my own personal copy.

slasher13 · Post by **slasher13** » 24 Jan 2007, 15:38

BiscLimpkit wrote:You got the Nikhil DVD? If so which one? Elite?

My Elite one is totally buggered. It only works on one player! I'm tempted to either buy it again or make my own personal copy.

Whoops forget this was there..... Errr I have a personal copy stored on my PC

.., But yeah I know what you mean, some indian movies I have sutter alot. Does you dvd player say "No Disc"?

BiscLimpkit · Post by **BiscLimpkit** » 24 Jan 2007, 18:09

It skips and freezes all o'er the shop. I think it's due to disc rot. Cheap Indian bastards. :x

memetic · Post by **memetic** » 25 Jan 2007, 00:54

BiscLimpkit wrote:Rather embarassingly, I only heard of her until Celebrity BB. The only one I recognise is Dus (which I hear isn't very good).

Dil Chahta Hai 3/5

While I haven't watched heaps of Bollywood, this is one of my faves. Yeah the songs aren't so good and most of the acting is pretty crap, but Aamir Khan, who up until this point I didn't like much, makes it for me. Last third of the film is quite strong.

Ok, here's mine...

Guru - 2.5/5

Man, this film has so many problems - where to begin? Despite the abysmal failure of an ending, Guru is an interesting film for a few reasons. The narrative follows the life of one character, nicknamed "Guru" and played by Abhishek Bachchan, who dreams of making it big. He does end up making it big, creating the biggest polyester company in India. What's interesting is the character's evolution from hero to anti-hero as his company gets bigger, more corporate and corrupted. There's also some interesting side-stories and characters which proved to be more intriguing than the main plot.

In a lot of ways they could've named this movie "Enron the Musical" and it would've been right on the money. Acting's pretty poor but adequate. Lamest climactic courtroom speech EVER. Killed it for me.