New Bollywood Movies Reviews, Press reviews and Members' reviews - pls share |
New Bollywood Movies Reviews, Press reviews and Members' reviews - pls share |
Sharmila-Sweet |
Nov 19 2009, 12:39 PM
Post
#1
|
Regular Member Group: Members Posts: 915 Joined: 17-October 08 From: India Member No.: 75253 |
Kurbaan Film Review [SPOILERS]
First things first. Kudos to Karan Johar for shifting gears completely and entering into serious territory. Of course, we do love him for his K-class cinema: all his crunchy popcorn films beginning with K, ever since Kuch Kuch Hota Hai redefined mainstream romance. But Kurbaan doesn't need the popcorn at all. It keeps the screen on overboil for most of its screen time with its hard-hitting storyline that dares to venture into undefined territory. Like Khuda Kay Liye, Kurbaan too looks at the other side of Islamic fundamentalism and puts the post 9/11 tumult in perspective. Who are these guys who carry anger in their hearts, revenge in their heads and bombs in their pockets? Why are they hell bent on blasting the world, irrespective of the anguish it spells to all and sundry? Can there be a purpose behind their madness? Is one man's terrorist actually another man's activist? Kurbaan, written by Karan Johar, raises these pertinent - and extremely topical - questions, without glossing over the one undeniable truth: a suicide bomber can never solve the inequities of the world, Palestine, Iraq, Afghanistan, notwithstanding. So we have Ehsan Khan (Saif Ali Khan), the Pakistani who lost his wife and kid to American excesses, seething with a desire to avenge his loss. He isn't the archetypal, skull-capped, bearded fundoo, mouthing soliloquies on jihad and intifada (uprising). On the contrary, he's suave, sophisticated and a charmer, tutoring the world on the misconceptions of Islam in the modern world. Small wonder then he manages to win the heart of college professor Avantika (Kareena Kapoor) and follows her to New York on her stint with NYU. But the domestic idyll is short-lived as Avantika soon discovers it isn't her neighbours (the Afghani extended family, headed by Om Puri) alone who have suspicious antecedents. Husband Ehsan too is an integral part of the plot to bomb America for its excesses against Muslims, the world over. In a classroom sequence, the film tries to put Islamic fundamentalism in perspective by linking the rise of the Muslim terrorist to America's oil-grabbing foreign policy and its questionable attempts at destabilising oil rich countries in order to remain a superpower. Almost every member of the sleeper cell that comprises the Afghan family has a sad story of loss and horror that drove them into becoming fidayeens (suicide bombers). And before you begin to question the filmmakers for going too lenient on terrorism, you find Avantika who remains a non-convert till the very end. Articulating the voice of reason - and non-violence - she questions her husband and oscillates between love and hate for the man who has fathered her child. A prisoner in her own house, her only hope is Riyaaz (Viveik Oberoi), the undercover journalist who has his story of personal loss that pitches him on the other side in this war. He is determined to fight the terrorists and derail their plot of bombing America. Karan Johar's story has gravitas. Renzil D'Silva's narrative keeps you on the edge of the seat, for most of the time. Salim Suleiman's music score has a melodious feel. Hemant Chaturvedi's cinematography serenades both Delhi, where the Saif-Kareena romance blossoms and New York, where it cracks up. And the performances by almost all the lead characters are gritty. If Om Puri paints a chilling picture of the terrorist who masquerades in the garb of the commoner and Kiron Kher makes the myth of a suicide bomber plausible, then Viveik Oberoi lends credibility to the voice of the progressive Muslim. But it is the chemistry between Saif and Kareena that lights up the film as the duo bring to life a picture of passion and restraint as the doomed lovers. We do however wish their relationship had a stronger emotional graph, post the startling revelation. How did the duo contend with the fear, hate and disillusion that crept in after Saif revealed his true identity: a bit more on that? And a bit less in the length of the film which could do with some taut editing in the second half. Also, there are a few inconsistencies that mar the film's realism. Why does the FBI loom large like a know-it-all, do-it-all figure? Not only do the FBI sleuths always be a step ahead of the terrorists and arrest them without actually knowing who they exactly are, they also emerge unscathed in a suicide bombing attacking where almost everybody crumbles. Super Uncle Sam, did we say! But Kurbaan sure does strike a chord and sets you thinking on stuff that needs to be sorted out before the new world order - a more humanitarian, less violent - sets in. Don't miss it. A word about Performances: Saif and Kareena transport their off screen tuning to the big screen. While their passionate encounters are a class in aesthete, their delineation of Ehsan and Avantika is mature, restrained and realistic. Om Puri, Kiron Kher and Viveik Oberoi are in sync too. Music: While Salim-Suleiman have come up with an entire audio track which fits in with the ambience of the film, it is Shukran Allah and the title track, Kurbaan Hua which have lingering notes. More importantly, the songs blend in seamlessly with the story and have not been filmed as your run-of-the-mill song-dance numbers. Dialogue: The conversation amidst the diverse protagonists has a realistic edge and seem straight out of life. It's only when he tries to explain the theoretical basis of Islamic fundamentalism that Anurag Kashyap, dialogue writer, seems to enter the realm of text-book knowledge. The exposition seems a rattling of newspapers headlines. Story: Karan Johar explores new depths with his insightful story on the world's most pressing problem: terrorism. Cinematography: Hemant Chaturvedi uses his camera deftly to create stunning vignettes of Delhi and New York, without losing out on the seriousness of the plot. Styling: Kareena looks svelte in dresses and tights and brings to life a glamorous professor who dons the hijab with equal felicity. Saif is his usual dapper self, making casual seem haute. TOI Don't let someone become a priority in your life,
when you are just an option in their life. |
Sharmila-Sweet |
Jul 30 2010, 01:47 PM
Post
#2
|
Regular Member Group: Members Posts: 915 Joined: 17-October 08 From: India Member No.: 75253 |
Buy a ticket for Once Upon A Time in Mumbaai. Now!
July 30, 2010 11:18 IST CommentSyed Firdaus Ashraf reviews Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai. Once Upon A Time In Mumbai [ Images ] there was Bollywood which used to give us great films, but not anymore. Hopes of seeing great films from today's filmmakers seem lost. Once you watch Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai, however, all hope is not lost. Watch the trailer here. Once Upon A Time there were writers like Salim-Javed in Bollywood. Once again, we have found such a writer in Rajat Aroraa. Watch the film and you will understand. By the way, Rajat, where were you hiding all this while? Once Upon A Time in Mumbai there was an actor called Randeep Hooda [ Images ] who was written off. Once again, he's back with a bang as ACP Agnel Wilson. Once Upon A Time in Mumbai there was Ajay Devgn [ Images ] who floored us with his role of Malik Saab in Ram Gopal Varma's [ Images ] Company. Once again he returns to top form with his role of Sultan Mirza. Once Upon A Time in Mumbai there was Emraan Hashmi [ Images ] who acted brilliantly and smooched girls with aplomb. Once again he has acted brilliantly as Shoaib. The smooches, however, are missing this time. Once Upon A Time in Mumbai there was a genre of music in Bollywood that we used to love, dhan-tanan-tananan. Once again Tananan Tananan, Tananan, Taan Taan returns. You've got to hear it to believe it. Once Upon A Time Bollywood used to give us melodious music. Once again, we find that in this film. Pritam [ Images ], I am speechless. Once Upon A Time in Bollywood, heroines had little to do in a film. Once again, Kangna Ranaut [ Images ] and Prachi Desai [ Images ] have little to do. After all, this is a gang war movie. Once Upon A Time our film critic Raja Sen would have reviewed this film. Once again, thank you Raja for going on a sabbatical so that I could review this film instead of you. Once Upon A Time in Mumbai, I saw a great movie on Thrusday night. Once again, I am going to see it on Saturday with my family and again on Sunday. Once Again, you are reading my stupid review. Once again, I am reminding you to book your tickets for this film. Once Again, you're still reading this review. Stop and go buy a ticket. Now! Once Upon A Time in Mumbai there was a director Milan Luthria who made Kacche Dhage with Ajay Devgn and Saif Ali Khan [ Images ] and then lost it. Once again, he is back. Thank You, Milan. Rediff Rating:4/5 ============================================= EDIT: DON'T BUY A TICKET FOR THIS MOVIE - HIGHLY OVERRATED This post has been edited by Sharmila-Sweet: Aug 2 2010, 01:36 PM Don't let someone become a priority in your life,
when you are just an option in their life. |
IDOL |
Sep 5 2010, 10:00 PM
Post
#3
|
Dedicated Member Group: Members Posts: 5434 Joined: 24-January 05 From: Calgary, Canada Member No.: 1583 |
and i watched WE ARE FAMILY......
nice movie.....i like it.....as usual, kajol is at her best ....kareena is also great.....arjun is good too............it's a sad movie......kajol has cancer and is dying......well, i admit i cried while watching this movie....it's about life and relationships..... i'd rate 3.5 .......................................................................
|
Lo-Fi Version | Disclaimer | HF Guidelines | | Time is now: 5th June 2024 - 01:00 AM |