'Dostana' Movie Review

Cast: Priyanka Chopra, Abhishek Bachchan, John Abraham
Direction: Tarun Mansukhani
Music Director: Vishal Shekhar
Critics rating: ***1/2
Release Date: November 14, 2008

'Dostana' essentially employs the comedy of errors code, though not in terms of mistaken personalities but preferences. Karan Johar extends his legacy of kanta-ben humor as the crux of the story.

The setting is in Miami where Samir (Abhishek Bachchan) and Karan (John Abraham) almost turn homo in quest for a home. Together they pose as a gay couple to gain rental accommodation in a swanky apartment owned by Neha (Priyanka Chopra). Neha has no qualms about sharing her flat with the male duo thanks to their happy-and-gay ways. The trio team up to become the best of buddies.

Friendship expectedly ends up into love in Bollywood and, as anticipated, Samir and Karan are both besotted by their beautiful roommate. Since Saajan styled sacrifices are no more the order of the day, this love triangle evades the path followed by Amitabh and Shatrughan in Yash Johar’s 3-decade-old Dostana . Son Karan Johar prefers traversing the David Dhawan track of one-upmanship from films like Deewana Mastana and Mujhse Shaadi Karogi .

While each one attempts to outdo the other, their competition is only multiplied with Neha falling for her colleague Abhimanyu (Bobby Deol). As one thing leads to another the film reaches a wild climax.

Dostana would have ended up as a regular love-triangle if not for the intelligently-incorporated gay angle. Furthermore it survives significantly and skillfully throughout the film springing up smart surprises every now and then. Amongst the best of the gay gags is Kirron Kher’s scandalized outlook towards her son’s (Abhishek) gay relationship and subsequently coming to terms with his partner-preference. The cultural spoof that ensues is hilarious and the wacky conceptualization of the uproarious song ‘Maa-Da-Laadla’ deserves brownie points.

The actual story initiates in the second half and the screenplay adopts a multi-dimensional approach with sufficient twists and turns that steers away any monotony. It starts as a tug-of-war between Abhishek and John but soon the duo team up to outshine potential contender Bobby. This ensures cordial chemistry between the male leads. As the scene gets all emotional in the pre-climax, the film opts for a time-leap exactly like Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna . And while you foresee the end much before it actually arrives, the feral finish makes up for the predictability.

While Tarun Mansukhani proves his credentials as a competent writer and director, he also has a keen eye on exploiting the best from his cast. For all desi gals who have been drooling over Daniel’s derriere, John ‘flashes back’ with a hint of his butt cleavage. For a change a Hindi film heroine admits to her real age onscreen. That’s modesty! And Abhishek never ever gets off his shirt. That’s self-realization! However a Shilpa Shetty item number isn’t the best of ideas to kick-start a film, which you easily overlook as the story takes over.

High on technical proficiency, the cinematography by Ayananka Bose is menthol-cool and the casual clothing line by Aki Narula and Manish Malhotra complement the characters perfectly. Vishal Shekhar’s musical score is groovy though brutally techno at times. The background score comprising of ‘What the *uck’ sounds and also deriving from Jahan Teri Ye Nazar Hai (Kaalia) support the screen antics ably.

The screen chemistry between the Abhishek-Priyanka-John trio is palpably cozy. Priyanka Chopra looks gorgeous and is perfectly poised in her performance. She never under-acts or goes over-the-top. John has more to show-off than his chiseled physique. He is easygoing in his role of the dominant male. Abhishek Bachchan is splendid in his sissy act (in the initial reels) and even otherwise is impressive. Bobby Deol thankfully underplays his character. Boman Irani is accurate in his gay act though his petty portion was avoidable. Kirron Kher repeats the Om Shanti Om act with precision.

Dostana redefines the ‘ feel-gud’ genre and makes up for some ‘homo-genius’ entertainment.

News Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com

'Quantum of Solace' Movie Review

Star Cast: Daniel Craig, Olga Kurylenko, Mathieu Amalric
Director: Marc Foster
Rating: ***
Release Date: November 7, 2008

"The name’s Bond... James Bond" which has been the ‘trademark’ introductory note of Ian Fleming’s sexy British secret agent 007 (that has had women across the globe go weak in the knees) has been surprisingly evaded in Quantum of Solace. Let alone the exclusion of this popular dialogue, Quantum of Solace doesn’t even begin with the "James Bond signature Theme" played in the background as the opening credits start rolling. Add to this Bond’s (Daniel Craig reprises his role of Bond) disinterest in seducing gorgeous women with his charm and then bedding them.

German-Swiss filmmaker Marc Foster makes it very clear right from the beginning of Quantum of Solace that this Bond flick will break away from all the Bond clichés, the very ones which have given Bond its unique identity.

The sexual tension that Bond so impressively manages to create with his women and the flirtatious banter he has with them takes a backseat and the film rides high on him seeking the revenge of the death of his beloved Vesper (Eva Green in Casino Royale) though he tries hard to show his mission as strictly ‘professional’ and not ‘personal’. His heartbreak and agony makes him ruthless thus forcing him to largely exercise his license to kill.

Foster plays a big gamble by taking humour and sex out of Bond’s life but fairly succeeds in keeping his character interesting and intriguing as ever.

Coming to the story of the film, Quantum of Solace picks up where Casino Royale left off. The film begins with a heart-thumping car chase where Bond in his Ashton Martin is being chased by a troop of gunned villains leaving you breathless. This is only one of the many dangerous chases Bond gets involved in. From one breathtaking stunt to another, Quantum manages to keep you on the edge of your seats, all thanks to its brilliant technical stunt team. The second chase shot in Sienna, Italy is the highlight of the film, where Bond jumps and runs across rooftops, race course, church tower and finally the church bell at a terrific speed to catch hold of a traitor who secretly works for an organization ‘Quantum’ involved in various devious activities. Quantum is headed by Dominic Green (Mathieu Amalric, effective) who in the pretext of being a philanthropist is actually conspiring to take total control of the world’s most important natural resources. He is also the man involved in Vesper’s death.

As he chases Green, he bumps into a feisty Camille (Olga Kurylenko) who has her own score to settle with Green’s partner in crime General Medrano. Together the two set on a mission to kill their culprits without sleeping with each other (very unlike Bond). Bond defies all orders given by M (Judy Dench, impressive) as he is hellbent on tracking down Green.

Quantum highly scores as far as the impeccably shot high octane stunt scenes and effective performances are concerned. However the villain Green comes across as terribly underpowered when compared to Le Chiffre (Mads Mikkelsen) in Casino Royale and that’s where Bond’s character looks unreal as every time Bond is shown single handedly getting rid of his opponents, irrespective of their presence on land, water or air, that too with his sheer physical prowess minus much help from his hi-tech gadgets. His banter with M is also highly missed in the film. The Bond girls Olga and Gemma both somehow fail to match up to Eva’s screen presence and sex appeal.

Daniel Craig as Bond is simply impeccable. From being heartless, humourless, and ruthless to being sensitive, caring and vulnerable...he displays all facets of Bond’s personality with ease and we would want to see him playing James for many Bond installments to come. Daniel is in great shape and looks terrific too.

Quantum is definitely worth a watch, not only because it is a Bond film but because it has Daniel Craig playing the Bond.

News Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Movie Review of Fashion (drama)

Cast: Priyanka Chopra, Kangana Ranaut, Mughda Godse, Arjan Bajwa
Direction: Madhur Bhandarkar
Music Director: Salim-Suleiman
Critics rating: ***1/2
Release Date: October 31, 2008

WITH Chandni Bar, Page 3, Corporate and Traffic Signal behind him, director Madhur Bhandarkar has developed a trademark style of film making which has the word `realistic' incessantly tagged on to it, by both the viewers and the industrywallahs. Well, Bhandarkar's oeuvre may not exactly fall into the classic cinema verite cult, nevertheless, it does try to bridge the gap between art house cinema and mainstream masala with its declaration: Are you ready for the bitter truth? Yup.

Each time the filmmaker picks up a subject, he proposes to do an expose on a particular segment of society. And each time, there is a dogged attempt to reveal the underbelly: ugly, festering and foul. Fashion too falls prey to this inbuilt bias of the director's creative vision and introduces a degree of predictability in the plot. The first half of the film is a relentless replay of all the cliches one would associate with the world of glamour. Small town girls need to shed their middle class morality before they can scale the ladder of success.

Successful models are sad, lonely, broken people, addicted to drugs, alcohol, cigarettes. Godfathers are cruel, manipulative, exploitative. And last but not least, Brokeback Mountain isn't just a film for male fashion designers; it's a lifestyle statement for most of them.

Mercifully, Fashion isn't about cliches alone and manages to transcend them with it's moving tale of three women who try to maintain their honour, dignity, identity in a cruel world that spills over with grime behind the glamour. The film not only takes you behind the psychedelic ramp, it travels through the dark inner recesses of the three lead characters, laying bare their strengths and weaknesses; their fears and hopes; their dreams and nightmares.

If Meghna Mathur's (Priyanka Chopra) journey from Chandigarh to Mumbai is a tortuous coming-of-age sojourn for a small town girl who dreams to become a super model, then reigning diva, Shonali Gujral (Kangana Ranaut) travels through her own personal inferno, ending up totally singed when the arc lights fade. Between them is Janet Sequeira (Mughda Godse), the high on EQ model who chose to make her own compromises by giving up her career and settling down in a faux marriage with her gay designer friend, Samir Soni. Three distinct women who make a choice between success and failure, sanity and insanity, life and loneliness...and create a sensitive parable on bonding and empowerment.

Dramatically, it's Priyanka's journey that is the most comprehensive as it tackles her growth from an ambitious, young girl to an arrogant model who fails to handle her success, crumbles and then rises again, like the proverbial Phoenix. The actress delivers a competent performance and yet, has tough competition from the other two girls.

Debutante Mughda pitches in a confident portrayal of the sweet and sensitive buddy. But the show stopper (read scene stealer) is crazy, kinky, Kangana who does an exquisite metamorphosis from a wispy, high-strung, nervous child-woman to a stunning ramp diva. Watch her handle her wardrobe malfunction, make faces at her nagging manager or exchange bitter workplace truths with rival Priyanka in the ladies' washroom and you'll realise she's perfected the Girl Interrupted act after similar roles in Woh Lamhe, Life in a Metro and Gangster . The men? No place for them, specially since the women completely overshadow them.

Of course, the film desperately needs some tight editing to cut out the flab. Nevertheless, go, witness woman power, in all its agony and ecstasy.

News Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Movie Review of Golmaal Returns (comedy)

Cast: Ajay Devgan, Kareena Kapoor, Arshad Warsi, Tusshar Kapoor, Shreyas Talpade
Direction: Rohit Shetty
Critics rating: **
Release Date: October 31, 2008

DUMB seems to be getting dumber. Funny is beginning to feel unfunny. And Bollywood's current tryst with comedy isn't quite `Welcome' anymore.

Of course, the first Golmaal itself wasn't a high IQ exercise, with its tale of overgrown college students ending up in a blind couple's house. But there were some robust moments of sheer fun along with some crackling chemistry between the foursome: Ajay, Arshad, Sharman, Tusshar.

Here, talented Sharman Joshi has been replaced by also-talented Shreyas Talpade and Kareena Kapoor, basking in the success of Jab We Met , has been added to enhance the star value of the film. Ironically, the silicone shots don't seem work, as the film keeps sagging to unlimited depths, thanks to a no-brainer script and some really bad acting.

First the script. Ajay Devgan has an extended family which includes his couch potato wife, Kareena, his bimbette sister, Amrita Arora and his dumb brother-in-law, Tusshar Kapoor. Wife Kareena is an inveterate serial watcher and draws all her life's mantras from the Kyunki-Kahani soaps of Ekta Kapoor. Naturally, she suspects her husband when he spends a whole night on a yatch away from her. The husband, who had tried to save a desperate girl, ends up spinning an implausible yarn to save his skin.

The rest is one miserable rigmarole, where Tusshar and Shreyas try to infuse some madcap moments in the tedium, while the rest of the people just keep screaming and running.

It's quite sad to watch seasoned actors like Ajay Devgan and Arshad Warsi goof up in comic roles that they managed to carry off with elan in the earlier film. Shreyas, once again, displays his sense of comic timing, visible in Dor , while Tusshar proves that his dumb act in both the films might just end up as his career best.

The girlie brigade is completely unwatchable, especially Kareena who seems to be sleepwalking through the film. Again, sad, since she's such a fine actress and had managed to become the nation's fav girl after Jab We Met .

Ready for a third sequel? Not if it's as brain dead as the second.

News Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com