The Bollywood Perspective

Hello People

Today’s post is for all those people around the world who react to Indian movies on YouTube. The last couple of years there’s been an explosion of reaction videos on YouTube. Especially foreigners reacting to Indian movies. However, I notice majority of these reactions are quite off the mark, for no fault theirs own, simply because they have either a limited view on the background of Indian movies or do not understand the underlying nuances.

So if you are reacting to Indian movies for the first time, or even if you have been for a long time, these few tips might give you some insights which could come handy for your next reaction.

Read the full article here

AB

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Sanju?!.

Paresh Rawal questions why an article ends with a question mark instead of a full stop? The answer is simple , when a narrative is in doubt, it presents itself with a “could-it-be possible” narrative, while the finality of it all arrives, when it is backed by facts and it becomes a statement.

There is a difference between creating a gripping true to life biopic and an entertaining movie which pleases the masses. Sanju tilts more towards the latter, a good entertaining movie, but not such a great biopic.

Is that even possible? They did make a movie! It’s a good movie.

Sanju ? ! .

Read the full article here

GB

Secret Superstar : A View

The content and context of Secret Superstar are real, hard and need to be addressed more in our society.  However, we will view this as more of a movie watching experience rather than the social cause it addresses.

We need to change the lens a little bit to really see what Secret Superstar has to offer from a  cinematic experience and not cloud our view by the nobility of it all.

Read the full view here

GB

 

Dunkirk : A View

Yes, its true, Dunkirk is a World War II epic. Gut -wrenching, suffocating, real-life depiction of the pain, fear, anguish and frustration of the horrors of war. But you died a hundred times with Schindlers List as well, and cringed with the Inglorious Basterds, cried listening to the Pianist, rooted for the Great Escape, yet admired Catch 22 ‘s irony  and whistled  with the soldiers crossing over  Bridge on the river Kwai, but your heart sank to see Life is Beautiful.

So what’s new with Dunkirk?

Read the full view here.

GB

Jagga Jasoos : A View

Think of a fairly tale come alive. Exotic locales, picture perfect long shots and a light weight feel good musical. It has adventure, think Shikari Shambhu, it has emotion , think Tinkle, it has humor, think Suppandi. I ‘ve chosen only Indian comic book references, but I guess you get the drift. Tintin, Sherlock Holmes would be similar references from the western world.

But to understand the lyrical narrative style, you need to watch Chicago, or closer home a movie called Thoda Sa Roomani Ho Jayen. No connection in plot or class, but just the musical style of story-telling is what is common.

You can read the full article here

Gb

Rangoon – A View

When Hunterwaali meets Casablanca, when Ingrid meets Kangana,when Bogart meets Saif you know you are in for trouble.Yet you hope because of a name Vishaal Bardwaj. But like the say, sometimes in life, things don’t add up even if you are doing the math right. Rangoon is a movie which had all the elements of greatness, yet failed to touch a single chord throughout its duration. Find out why?

Read the full article here

GB

Raees – A View

Call me biased if you will, but will there ever be a better Vijay Dinanath Chauhan than Amitabh Bachchan ? A better Don than Amitabh Bachchan?

No. There won’t , period.

With that out of the way, Raees, is a bold , could’ve been good, absurd and confusing movie. It greatly reflects on the mindset, and handle on the craft, of Mr.Dholakia, the writer and director , of would you believe it-Parzania? A National Award winning movie. Perhaps sums up why the disappointment is high.

Read the full view here

GB

Dangal – A View

Making movies with a social message is not uncommon in Bollywood. Making movies on sports is a recent trend that is catching up. Recent movies like Iqbal, Chak De are some examples of good movies. But what sets Dangal apart?

Read the full article here

GB

Befikre – A View

Yash Chopra was like ahead of his times with epic love stories like “Lamhe”,  considered bold at the time, which went on to  become a cult later. But we are not here to compare the reclusive director Aditya Chopra with this illustrious father. Yet the film Befikre reminds you of so many instances that you can’t help but compare.

Read the full article here

GB

Ae Dil Hai Mushkil – A view

Karan Johar’s swang song, labour of love, raison de etre, was more of a baap-re, ignite the shove the love and run along, for some.Much awaited, long anticipated left me much irritated, long agitated.

In a  way, that is a compliment because the expectations were well raised and the chemistry well praised.It was all poised to leave you with an epic feeling, instead you feel the need to leave the theater without hitting the ceiling.

Read the full view here

GB

Star Wars : The Force Awakens

Disney and JJ Abrams latest offering on the Star Wars Trilogy has all the elements from high speed chases, to special effects to old heroes and old sequences rolled into it. Deja Vu.

Looks like the force was not with them.What is missing is the magic that the preceeding trilogy created.

Read the full review here

GB

Dil Dhadakne Do : Movie Review

Zoya Akhtar’s much anticipated film is here. A heart wrenching story of an elderly couple on a cruise with their neighbors friends and family to solve global and domestic issues on a boat . Float. Their mission is to celebrate the wedding anniversary with a business merger tie up. Hic up.  Excess baggage and luggage tours Istanbul, Greece and the blue waters. Shatters. Until one day in the hip ship comes a stud dud to show and vow women’s liberation and equality to the tycoon. Baboon.

Read the full review here.

GB

PK – Movie Review

PK reminded me of the song We didn’t start the fire. The lyrics tell so many stories in so little time.

It attempts to address the elephant in the room. It attempts to ask questions which have not been asked , or not frequently asked,in mainstream hindi cinema .Oh My God was one such example – which did, and did wonderfully well.Aamir Khan Raju hiring combination sets the expectation bar really high after 3Idiots. But are they able to pull it off ?

Read the full review here.

GB

Bhaag Milkha Bhaag -Movie Review

The Milkha Singh Biopic.

Director Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra‘s latest offering. The story of the Flying Sikh is captured in the drama in typical slick slo-motion sepia tone sequences.Can it or will it keep the audience glued to their seats ? Will you watch it the second time ? Or is it a DVD for keeps ? Did Farhan Akhtar do a good job? How was the editing,screenplay and narrative ? How where the characters developed ? What where the highlights and low lights ?

 

Find out  here.

 

GB

 

Bombay Talkies – Review

When 4 talented directors come together to make a film what happens?

Its a chaos of briliance one expects. But are they able to deliver ? Do justice? How do they manage to tell a short story when they are used to a luxury of 3 hours usually.

A movie review of Bombay Talkies.

Read it here.

GB

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Talaash -Movie Review

Director Reema Kagti’s second venture is about a psychological thriller , errm  emotional drama, errm revenge saga, murder mystrey … a movie which couldve been made better. There are lots of plots,sub plots, angles and tangles -to know the deep dark secrets  – Read it here.

Cheers

GB

Jab Tak Hai Jaan – Movie Review

Well the swan song the grand finale is here.Yash Chopras final instalment of love affairs ends with Jab Tak Hai Jaan.So reviewing this is going to be difficult because I am a YC fan and yet there is a strong movie critic in me.

So read for yourself and find out  – beware spoiler alert.

Jab Tak Hai Jaan – Movie Review.

Cheers

GB

Barfi – Movie Review

The designer Barfii is here – rich in color ,sweet in texture  and overall a feel good factor.

Is this good enough to spend time ,money and brave traffic to go watch ?

Find out  here.

Cheers

GB

 

Ek Tha Tiger

So before you read the review you need to identify what type of an audience are you?

Type 1 : the entertainment only kinds or Type 2 – the serious movie buff kinds.

I have covered the review from angles so go ahead and read about it here.

Cheers

GB

Vicky Donor

Be honest, how many times would you think that a movie about a sperm donor and 53 kids is going be actually sensitive and heart felt.?

You would imagine it might be a corny over the top the  crude humor kinds? But that’s exactly what Vicky Donor is not.

A  brilliant script and superb editing/direction and acting has made this movie into a totally wonderful viewing experience.

The concept is new on the Indian film Industry circuit and it s treatment even better.

Read about the detailed review here.

 

Cheers

GB