Nita has tagged me to write 10 movie quirks about me.
1. I first went inside a movie theater when I was 16. Too late, wasn’t it? My first movie was Pyar Kiya to Darna Kya. I was mesmerised with sheer experience of watching a movie in theater. 🙂 Since then Kajol has been my favorite actress. No matter what she did, I have liked her.
2. When I was younger, I used to like SRK because he could emote so well with eyes. It was also a time when I could not decide whom I liked better: George Clooney or Brad Pitt. I am no longer a ardent admirer of any actor (if you discount my wee bit soft corner for Kajol). With every performance, my opinion about the actors changes. But I must admit, have liked most of the male actors at one point or the other.
3. The movie-watching activity is completely captivating experience for me. I prefer to watch with rapt attention, without any interruptions. I don’t even need a popcorn. I do not even pay attention to a crying baby or a talking couple unless they are too loud.
I remember that once I was watching a movie at my schoolmate’s house. Suddenly I noticed through tear-stained eyes, my friend and her mother were quietly laughing looking at me. Perhaps if you were to see my facial expressions while I watch movie, you would also laugh. I guess I play happy, sad expressions on my face synchronously while watching movie.
From experience, I have learnt that I can enjoy a bad movie with people who can crack jokes and laugh. I was cracking jokes all along Jodhaa-Akbar because despite its visual brilliance, it was a drag.
4. I hate to miss any part of movie. I like to watch complete with epilogue and credits. I do notice how creatively credits have been rolled out. So that I can copy and use them when I make my own movie. 😛
I become angry with my companions if they were responsible for missing the movie. I sit through worst of movies, trying to make best time out of it. Only time I walked out in middle of a movie was when my companion had to leave for an urgent matter.
5. Even if you tell me that the movie I have been wanting to watch is bad, I would still like to go to theater and find out myself why it is bad. Your recommendation is just not enough if I have different expectations or gut feel about it.
6. I like to watch making of a movie after I have seen a nice movie. However, some of the makings are quite repetitive and useless publicity gimmicks. One movie whose making I enjoyed watching was Lagaan. It was a enriching, learning experience. I have similar expectations from DVD of Taare Zameen Pur. If there is is no making of the movie available (such as for Hitchcock movies), I search the Web to know more. There is this thirst in me about movies that needs to be quenched.
7. I love discussing a movie after I have watched it. If you agree with me, it makes me happy. If you have conflicting views, all the better. 🙂
8. I love watching foreign movies. I not only enjoy them at film festival, but also will happily watch them with subtitles on a DVD. I discovered my love for foreign flicks when a friend got me free passes for a movie festival.
9. Just as I like to watch a movie as soon as it arrives, I have no qualms about watching old movies. As I never saw a movie at school, I have lot of catching up to do in adult life. 🙂 Since past two years, I have been doing my best to watch classics and other old movies. If you have any suggestions about some nice old movies, do recommend them in the comments.
10. I avoid watching out-and-out action flicks, specifically gory movies like Apocalypto. For this reason, I could not bring myself to watch Passion of the Christ.
I thought animation movies were for kids. Not anymore. I like them now. 🙂
I like biographical movies like Pursuit of Happyness, Goodfellas, Schindler’s List, Chak de. I also love thrillers, comedies, romances, period dramas, suspense and documentaries. Pretty much everything. 😛
I tag some busy-bodies Vimal, Shuz, Sulz, Puresunshine and Sid. I am sure these people will have interesting things to tell. If you want to do this meme, let me know, I will add you in tag list for some link love. 🙂
Visceral Observations 
I am totally with you on #5 and #7 and I think these two points are connected in a way. For me seeing a movie is not enough, I need to talk about it! 🙂 That is why I started writing reviews.
About #9, I too love classics but I am not sure you will like the ones I like. I like a lot of the old Guru Dutt movies and Mughleazam too is one of my favorites. Pyaasa is one of my all-time favourite. When we were kids the matinee shows were usually classics but today one has to buy them or rent them. I used to look at the newspaper everyday looking for the matinee shows, then call my friend and both of us would rush to see the movie because it would never last more than a week! I don’t enjoy seeing movies on CD much but if I have to I have to! 🙂
loved Mother India too. I mean, these are really really old movies….!
In Mughaleazam the story is about Akbar’s son. Dilip Kumar is in the lead player and Madhubala is the courtesan. Prithiviraj Kapoor plays Akbar. It’s a fantastic movie!!
@Nita: True, experience of watching movies in theatre is matchless. But If we have watch on CD/DVD, we have to. 🙂
I have seen both Pyasa and Mughal-e-azam. I loved Pyasa though it was tragic, full of ironies of life.I saw that colored Mughal-e-azam that came recently. I would a say epic period drama. Jodha-Akbar had something worthwhile to look upto.
I wish I could churn out movie reviews as fast as you. You are unbeatable in your blogging discipline.
1.) Pyaar Kiya to Darna Kya. Nanga waala Salman in the opening scene pasand nahi aaya? 😛 I thought Arbaaz was really good in that movie.
2.) I like SRK too, but I used to like others when I was younger. First it used to be Sunny Deol for some reason. Then it was Akshay Kumar in my action movie phase. But by the time I grew older, it became almost a style statement to be a ShahRukh fan. He was really big in those Kuch Kuch Hota Hai days. He’s really big now also but that time kuch aur hi baat thi. I remember buying a chain with the letters “COOL”, same like the one he wore in Kuch Kuch Hota Hai.
3.) Same thing, movies are fun only when you get absorbed in them. Pretty much the reason I watch Dukhi and emotional movies alone because I start crying really quickly. And then everybody makes fun that guys are not supposed to cry and all that. I wept like a 2 year old who has been robbed of his lollypop in TZP.
4.) I know what you mean. Sadly though they don’t really bother to show the complete credits because everybody gets up and starts leaving. I like to read the names of the people involved and try to find out how many I’ve heard about. When you make a movie, mereko role pakka dena. Chahe chaiwaale ka role ho par pakka dena okay? 😛
10.) Totally agree. Even I can’t watch complete horror and gory movies. Movies are supposed to be for fun, not to disgust you. Sadly though Hollywood loves making that type of movies.
I thought Animation movies are for kids too, pretty much the reason I never watched Shrek. But now that I’ve watched Madagascar and Happy Feet, I know they can be good. Reminds me I have Ratatouille to watch someday soon. It’s good na?
Baaki Holi wagehra ka kya plan hai?
Ya, I remember salmaan entry on bike and then song, oo jaane jaana..i like the song.
These days SRK is all over TV. In few days, we will have SRK channel dedicated just to him.
Arre, tumhara role pukka, I will give you a role where you propose to a girl you have been wanting to. I will make you do it over and over again till you get it right.
And Happy Feet was a nice movie. Ratatouille too. Nothing on Holi. Without friends and family around on Holi, I am reluctant to play it with rowdy acquaintances.
When is your next exam?
“on Holi. Without friends and family around on Holi, I am reluctant to play it with rowdy acquaintances.”
You are without friends by choice!! Busy Bee!
@Mattoo: That’s sweet of you to remind your friendship. 🙂
On holi, you have to be around. I would certainly not go to ********* to play. As for not meeting, girl, I am sorry about that. 😦 Weekends are only days that I have for myself and other tasks. They are going to be devoted to house thing for another few weeks. But we meeting this weekend, right?
let’s catch up on this offline now! oops! online on gtalk!
Haha, agar woh role diya toh retake le lekar tum log ka paisa waisa sab khatam ho jayega lekin main nahi sudharne waala.
Next exam is on 31st of March. Computers.
A wonderful post once again!
2. Even I used to like SRK movies once upon a time. The only ones I found unbearable was EBDM and ODYHI. I even liked Trimurthi jus becuz he was in it.(ya ya! i was too dumb then). But after KKHH, I realised that I am seeing the same SRK over and over again. The same tears, the same expression and running behind others wife/gf. Be it Deewana, Darr, Anjaam, KHKN, Ram Jaane, Karan Arjun, DDLJ, Pardes, Yes Boss, DTPH, KKHH, Chalte Chalte, Veer Zaara, KANK; his villains have been either the heroines’ bf or husband. (I donno if I missed out any movies there !)
I guess I liked SRK those days simply because he used to act in different kinds of movies while actors like Akshay and Ajay used to be in those mindless action movies. I even like the spontaneity of Govinda and I feel he is one under utilized actor. He was fabulous in JDMGRH especially in the emotional scenes.
Heroines in most of the Hindi movies have been just an eye candy and their presence has never attracted me to watch one in a theatre.
3.Same here. I just don’t care what happens in the hall when the movie is on. And I get irritated when my friends pass comments onto my ear while watching.
4.Same here again. I need to watch a movie right from the display of the Censor Certificate and sit till the final credits roll.
7. That’s one reason why I started reviewing movies in my blog. Infact, major the reason for me to start blogging was to share my reviews with people whom I knew. I was too lazy to draft a review and send it to many. This was a lot easier. I just love when someone conflicts my views too. Though I couldn’t review No Smoking in my blog, I had a war of words with a couple of them thru mails justifying the movie.
10. Cant tolerate all those blood on screen. I have never watched a horror/gory movie so far (…brrrr..not even at home), unless RGV’s Aag isn’t classified in that genre.
Btw, I never miss any of the animated ones that hits the theatres (except for the Indian ones; they are of no good). And I am a big fan of all those movies based out of comic book heroes.
Movies… If u ever want somebody to destroy the fun of watchin movies… Plz contact movie…
This is not to say that you cannot watch movie with me….but strictly no comments.. if u do so u’ll have the full disection of the movie…
I remember when Sid And I went to see WATER we made the movie a comedy…and had the entire three rows to ourselves with other patronbs changin their seats due to our comments…some of them not so polite…
Then we had or friends walkin out of chak de becoz of our comments. they bought the next show ticket and watched the flick without us (SId And I)
Any takers… for a flick with me … (I sponser..to gals only)n 😉
sorry first line is supposed to be
>>Movies… If u ever want somebody to destroy the fun of watchin movies… Plz contact me
@Mattoo: Ok
@Ish: Don’t worry about my money. If I have director’s hat, I can’t afford to fail. YOu will have to propose. 😛 Chal, happy studying till then. Have fun on Holi. Any special plans?
@Vimal: Yeah, SRK acted well in some old movies like Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa. But what does EBDM and ODYHI stand for? Can’t recall 😦
I too want to watch No Smoking. You liked it, right? I wonder why people have conflicting extreme views about that movie?
@Falcon: I am not surprised to know that you are a potential rabble-rouser in theaters. I can join you when I plan to watch a bad movie in theater out of boredom. 🙂
@ Poonam
>>I am not surprised..
kahin mere shakal pe to nahin likha hai…
By te way u r always welcome… but bad movies with me at your own risk….
It can bounce back..
however I am not the first to start…rabble
EBDM is English Babu Desi Mem(eeks!) and ODYHI is Oh Darling Yeh Hai India(eeks again!).
Ya I did like No Smoking. I agree its tuff to comprehend the movie while watching it.But once you are out, there would be so many thoughts running to and fro in ur mind. The movie is about an arrogant narcissist(named K, which infact is also the directors initial) who loses his freedom, soul and individuality. Later, his life moves on with the saying ” If you cant beat ’em, join ’em”. Start watching the movie from this perspective, and many of the surreal incidents in it would actually make sense. Iam yet to decipher 25% of the movie.
The movie was torn apart by a few critics, while it received a standing ovation in the Italian Film Festival. If Indian audience can accept a surreal movie like Matrix, y not this? Moreover, in Indian movies you also both the hero and heroine getting teleported to foreign locales for a song and then back to their town. Now isnt that being surrealistic ???
@falcon: Shakal se to nahi, pur aisa hi laga. Never go to movies with Ish. He doesn’ like being disturbed there. As for me, if I decide to watch a bad movie at theatre, must be because I have nothing better to do, so in that case, I can match your rabble.
@vimal: oh, I haven’t seen those two movies. 🙂
Khalid Mohammed gave that movie a very pathetic patheic review. But then AK on his website passion up has written a piece where he alleges Khalid Mohammed works for Yashraj films. Oher crtics said as much same thing. But few bloggers praised it. They too did make this Matrix reference. I havent watched matrix either. Guess its time to catch up on both these movies. 🙂
Hey Poonam,
I like to see movie completely in stretch but i cnat go to theater every time to watch a movie so i watch online. Also, since something or the other keeps coming up in a students life, watching movie in parts is a good idea. I strongly feel that if the movie is good, you will watch it completely even if its in parts. Not very sure what you meant by quirks, is that some weird experience watching films.
I noticed you pay good attention to words spoken in the film like “Tak liya” etc. These were from your Jodha Akbar blog. Nice work !!
Rgds,
Nahi, no plans for Holi. Just gotta prepare myself for the crash course starting from Sunday.
Knowing almost nothing about Indian movies, I am here to ask you to pls reply – if you have time – to this comment on your comment regarding books and multimedia (including movies).
http://manofroma.wordpress.com/2007/12/29/guess-what-is-better-than-prozac/#comment-1127
My best regards
@Sid: Basically, I tagged you means I asked you to write a post on some idiosyncrasies you might have around movies – quirks.
And thanks for your appreciative words, buddy. That works so much for the motivation to write more. 🙂
@Ish: Isliye who crash couse wala post 🙂 Sahi hai. To aaj kya kiya?
@Manofroma: Initial points may seem so, but this post is not about indian movies but about the quirks each of us has while watching movies. You could write it too in your own way. 🙂
I will respond to comment there.
Not there is a point which contradicts which I have opined about all my life.
Nice to see that I am not unique 😦
Nice way to pen down the thoughts.
A very good and well written post indeed, Poonam. Also the discussion.
1. First time I went to see a movie I was 3 and it was in an open-air theatre. There were lions on screen so much looking like coming out of screen to grab me I cried and ran away. Still remember it well. Since that day I didn’t like scary movies much. But I was mesmerised.
2. I was in love with so many actresses since I was 8-10: Marylin Monroe, Kim Novak and Shirley Mac Lain especially. I seems I liked big maternal actresses like Kim Novak.
3. I am also totally into the movie, and nothing can disturb me. I cry, even if here as well, like maybe everywhere, men are not supposed to cry. Some years ago a woman told me: you men are so stupid you have not understood how liberating crying can be. This idea hit me, so from that day I never send tears away, I let them arrive if they must. I won’t say I am sobbing, lol, but eyes do get wet, with love stories mainly. I thank that woman. Good therapy.
7. I used to love to discuss about a movie. Now much less because of reading which has absorbed me more. In fact I usually talk about books.
8. I absolutely adore foreign movies. Good means of knowledge. In this they are better than books: because of the music and the visual thing they tell you more about the country. As far as India, I like almost all I saw and in that I become acritical since I like so much the colours, music and dancing and the dresses etc., and you find these things in most of them, thence I like most of them lol.
Recently I saw Water by Deepa Mehta, which I adored (also the holi colours!), even tho I am sure u might laugh at it and say it is a fake or plastic movie, I have no idea.
I loved Monsoon wedding by Mira Nair too, and its songs really so much. Incidentally both movies deal with child abuse in some way, which is something sad. It seems a problem there. But it is a problem everywhere.
9. Being older of course I adore old movies for the reason they send me back to my youth. Plus when I was little Italian cinema was much better and acclaimed. Some all-time Italian classics: Fellini’s movies, De Sica’s movies. Best old comic actor: Totò. Also De Sica was a good actor.
@avyaya: Then I am also not unique. 🙂 Glad that you liked it.
@manofroma: True, I agree crying is matter of liberating myself of uncomformatble emotions. I certainly don’t think of it as a sign of weakness. I have only heard of Italian clasics., never watched the,. But, will surely do soon.
I don;t think water was fake. I listed it in top 10 movies of 2007 here: https://alchemistpoonam.wordpress.com/2008/01/29/top-10-movies-of-2007-part-ii/
Monsoon Wedding was also a nice movie that I haven’t yet watched. 🙂 And I will have to google Shirley MAc Lain. 🙂
Arre kuch khaas nahi kiya yaar, bahut bekaar teachers the crash course waale. Actually bekaar nahi the par mereko kuch khaas samajh nahi aaya kyunki basics clear nahi hain and upar se the teachers were also either Bengali or Tamil so they were speaking in a really weird way. Maths waala toh bahut hi zyada Bengali ho gaya isliye us period mein to bilkul blank ho gaya. Now gonna go to some other academy. From one academy to another, bas yahi kaam reh gaya hai. 😦
Poonam, what made you stay away from theaters till the age of 16? 🙂 My mom is such a big movie fan that she took me to theaters even when I was a toddler. 😛 I think I was born in a theater…okay okay…that’s going a little too far.
I’m glad to know that you enjoy foreign movies too. You should write some reviews on them. I would love to read them. Somehow, all that I read are Bollywood reviews on your blog. 😦
And also, it’s good that you don’t care much about the company and you’re even happier if someone disagrees with your viewpoint! Heh. I think that’s happened to both of us lots of times, and I should say that I have really enjoyed discussing movies with you.
I am glad you liked Water. Went to see it with a friend who wasn’t glad of the idea of watching an Indian movie (a foreign culture he knows little about), but then he was fascinated. Didn’t see Earth etc. yet. I will consider your top 10 movies of 2007 a must-see thing, only how can I find all of them in here 😦 I might consider some Indian shop in Rome, who knows…there are quite a few.
I found out the right spelling is Shirley MacLaine. I absolutely fell in love with her with “Irma la Douce” by Billy Wilder (1963) with great actor Jack Lemmon, in which she plays the role of a prostitute.
But Kim Novak was my favourite (mainly for her generous beauty, I’ll confess): in Picnic (1955) she was stunning, co-starring William Holden. In Hitchcock’s classic thriller Vertigo she worked together with James Stewart. I also loved Billy Wilder’s cult “Kiss Me, Stupid” (1964), with her and Dean Martin.
These were the actors of my days, together with these Italian actors:
Marcello Mastroianni, Gina Lollobrigida, Sofia Loren, Ugo Tognazzi, Alberto Sordi, Claudia Cardinale, Monica Vitti and Nino Manfredi.
Italian cinema had its cradle in Rome, in Cinecittà studios (= city of cinema). Even today, many films are shot in Cinecittà but Italian cinema is almost dead now in my view.
Tagged by Poonam to write about my movie quirks.
@ish: I remember my own Bengali teachers with weird pronounciation. One of them used to pronounce “wood” as “ud” and vascular tissue as “bhascular tissue”. 🙂 Dusra crash course dekh rakh hai kya? Take help for basics from someone, a classmate or someone elder perhaps. That is a must.
@Ruhi: Where have you been, girl? Actually my parents never allowed me to watch TV or movies when I was at school. Did not want to write that in post. This first movie too was sponsered by my teachers in Calcutta when we had won an inter-school competition at district level. 🙂 When I told Mom about it, she said don’t tell Papa. 🙂 I have no regrets now, though.
As for writing reviews, I have to be better organized. In fact , if you noticed I have never written review for Bollywood movies as well except in top 10 2007 movies post. I wrote Jodhaa-Akbar only because I was irritated by too much praise of it. I plan to change it, though. pur kya karun I prefer to watch a movie to relax (after work) rather than write. So, I have watched so many but written about v few. In fact, you can find my movie opinions mostly in comment section of the reviews written by others. 🙂
And Discussing things with you has always been pleasure, be it movies or something else. 🙂
@manofroma: I knew Kim Novac, but did not recognise Shirley now do 🙂 I do not recognise Italian actors though. I have watched a couple with subtitles, but do not recognise actors. I have always wanted to see Bicycle Thieves by DeSica though.
@Vimal: I read you post, blogmate and commented on it. 🙂
Poonam, sorry, I haven’t been frequenting WP.com, like I used to. Most of the times, I check in only to see what you guys have written and then comment. I guess it might be this way till June. I hope I get some time to write posts though.
And about your not watching movies until the age of 16- well…Hahaha…my mom will be totally shocked if I tell her this. 😛 And yes, writing movie reviews is quite time consuming and if you’re really busy, then it’s better to use that time to watch another movie (like I do). 😉
I am sure anyone will be shocked if they hear this. 🙂 And it is always a good idea to catch up a new movie to relax.
And as for your blogging, I may not miss writing my own, but I will certainly miss reading your posts and comments. 🙂
I love watching movie solely for the way they make me (after viewing)…i loved how i felt when i saw Munich (void of feelings..was gruesome), Gran Torino (worthless, lonely), Eastern Promises (cold and void, and even scared)….it a long list, so well watching movie is like getting high for me…