Uh, finally writing a movie post. I watched the following movies:
Summer of 2007: An unheard movie directed by first-time director Suhail Tartari. But it was a meaningful movie, not your usual masala type genre. It deals with farmer suicides in India. A group of medical students come face to face with the stark reality of poverty amongst farmers. Movie tries to advocate micro-credit system as one of solutions to help the farmers.
I didn’t find the movie boring. I felt that the intention of the director was honest. With a better known cast and tight script, movie could have made a splash. Some known actors from the movie were Gul Panag, Ashutosh Rana and Sikander Kher. Liju, not so long ago, wrote in his snippet review, that Sikander Kher looked like an ape. I agree with him. Kher could do with some grooming tips before trying to play ubercool, hot-headed boy from a Mumbai medical college.
Rating: 2.5/5, solely for story and intention. I would recommend as it has important issue at core.
Dark Knight: I missed first 45 minutes of the movie because I was stuck in a bad Delhi jam on a rainy day, just 5 minutes away from the theatre. You have already heard by now how fabulous was this movie.
The Joker
It portrays the quintessential battle of evil against good, of the sinister evil that resides amongst all of us. Movie has a legendary portrayal of Batman’s nemesis, Joker, by late Heath Ledger. There was no resemblance so much that my friend refused to believe that this was the handsome guy who played Casanova in the movie by same name.
Where a Bollywood movie usually ends, this Batman actually begins with renewed vigour and worthy twists. I was watching this sinister movie on a late evening with sinister weather outside (rains and also jams). I was distracted with worry how I will reach my home, 30 kms away. So I am sure I will watch this movie again.
This Batman sequel was also in news with superstitious reports of how DK cast was jinxed.
Rating: 4/5
Bachna Ae Haseeno: Movie reviews on blogosphere are a good thing. Therefore, I had no expectations from this movie. I went to watch it only because I could not watch either Wall-E or Rock On due to unavailability of shows near my home.
I enjoyed the movie with jokes and remarks from friends. It was Bipasha rather than Deepika who caught my eye. Ranbir Kapoor reinforced that he has the makings of a dependable star.
Highlight for the movie for me was Ranbir running errands for Bipasha. Why did he? Watch the movie to know about it. Movie has beautiful locales which is hallmark of Yash Chopra movies.
Rating: 3/5
Rock On: I liked the movie a lot. It seems after a long time a Hindi movie has pleased me this year.
Similarities with Dil chahta Hai? Story of four urban friends. Differences. Getting back together. Similarities end there. Mood is different, treatment is different.
I have to pat casting director’s back. Usually wooden Arjun Rampal was appropriately cast in a character Joe who is an introvert who speaks and emotes less. Purab Kohli is funny and Luke Kenny fits too. Prachi Desai gives an understated performance. Sahana Goswami was good and convincing as a bitter woman with broken dreams, struggling to meet both ends. You hardly notice that Farhan Akhtar is not so perfect when it comes to his dialogue delivery. You are completely hinged into the story.
Music is good and Farhan ahs sung 5 songs! Though I found some of the some of the lyrics very funny. 🙂
Rating: 3.5/5
Phoonk: I gave up watching this movie after first 45 minutes. Story hadn’t advanced any bit yet. I was tired of looking at repeated shots of a black crow from different angles in a failed attempt to project spookiness. I found antics of Ashwini Kalsekar, an actress whom I consider as talented, over-the-top. I was too bored to make an effort to find out what happened in the movie. How did the movie become a hit??
Rating: 1/5 (Why am I even rating it??)
Visceral Observations 
So sad you missed the first 45 mins of dark knight! be sure to catch it on dvd sometime. I am actually an expert at seeing movies like this…in fact worse than this. I see them, like 20 mins are a time or at times 10 mins (I’m talking of movies that come on tv) and then I catch the next part (or the previous part) the next time the movie appears on tv! so now you know why I watch movies in the theatre! at home there are so many things going on (more interesting) that tv viewing is impossible.
I agree iwth your opinion on Arjun Rampal. I thought he acted well, but you are right, he was just playing himself.
Poonam: Yes, I was very sad about missing the movie. I hate to miss even the casting details for the movie. And I can be very patient when it comes to movies. Even on TV. 🙂 Though I prefer them in theaters.
I have seen DK and simply loved it & am darn sure that you are gonna watch it pretty soon 🙂
Summer of 2007??? Hmmm this is the 1st time am hearing anything good about the movie. I guess the crtics who see the movies usually watch it as a “product” and even we junta are guilty on that count.
Some movies should be watched & appreciated for the message they give & issues they tackle. Not all movie makers have the guts to go different. I will surely give this movie a try. 🙂
@Nita watching a 3hr movie on TV is like watching it for 5 hrs!!! with 10 mins break after every 15 mins!! especially on Zee cinema. I have left watching movies on TV long back.
@Poonam I have heard of Summer of 2007 but didnt feel like watching it. I think Phoonk is a flop!! BAH is fine…but Bips is looking so old compared to Ranbir. Loved the song Khuda Jaane. Deepika is weird with her long arms. 🙂
Rock on
Similarities with Dil chahta Hai? << Yes, of course … for obvious reasons
and I thought the movie is good but, a little slow.. 🙂
but you know that I am not much in to movies.. right ?
Err as usual was in a hurry and missed last 3 reviews 😀 (you better get used to this side of me :))
BAH It was Ranbir & only Ranbir who had caught my eyes & stayed there forever 😉
Rock On Arjun Rampal wooden??? Nah! I have always liked the guy 😀 but yes your observation on Farhan was bang on, though in my case I was hooked onto his looks which made me ignore his flaws 🙂
Phoonk has been phoonkofied from my list 😀 no plans of watching it whatsoever.
Yeah, I agree with your reviews of Dark Knight and Rock On. I had expected Phoonk to be better but I guess it doesn’t always happen that way. Especially when it comes to RGV’s movies.
Never felt like watching Summer 2007, even I heard the premise was a lill hatke, probably will catch it on a DVD.
Dark Knight was too good, but I liked it as a Joker movie than a Batman, the caped crusader was hardly there!!!
Bachna Ae Haseeno was below average. Only Bipasha was worth watching, infact only her character was well written .But that mehendi scene of hers in the rain at the registrar office made me howl !!!
Rock on was way toooo good while watching the movie; the experience was awesome. But after reaching home and putting in a lill thought, I realised that its a normal movie but presented differently, the Rock backdrop contributed for the difference. I dont know if I have missed any sequence, but does the movie explain at any point as to why Rob and KD were not in touch (in those 10 years) after Joe and Aditya broke up??????
I guess you know that I dont watch horror movies or anything similar to that genre 😀
I have never heard of Summer of 2007. And you missed Dark Knight? 😆 Poor you!!!
And how can you go to watch Phoonk??? I am also surprised that the movie is a hit. Now they are planning Phoonk Do….Err…Phoonk 2.
Hey, you missed 45 mins of the Dark Knight and still rated 4/5 or is it 45..? 😉
and I found Rock On to be Okaay….
oh, I hate missing parts of movie at the theater…. I dont like missing the previews they show in the beginning as well. 🙂
I think I have to watch Rock ON.
” Highlight for the movie for me was Ranbir running errands for Bipasha. ”
Oh really? I never knew you enjoy watching that sort of thing..:P ..
i have seen “rock on” and i think it simply rocked! 🙂
will definitely try to make “summer 2007”!
HEy,
Nice blog. Good movie reviews too. I quite liked Rock on.. Just seems like Hindi cinema is finally coming of age.
Anyways, I am Suvidha. Just started blogging too. Let me know what you think of my blog.
http://mistywoods.wordpress.com/
Take care and keep blogging.
Suvi
OMG! U got ‘Phoonk’ed!
Thatz a pretty ‘mixed bag’ list of movies! Guess you aren’t the FDFS types 😛
@Smita: Yes, I will watch DK once again. Let me know what you think of Summer 2007 when you watch it.
@Reema: You are right about watching movies on TV. But its ok to watch on HBO. Like I will watch Music and Lyrics tonight even though I have its DVD.
@Ish: I usually do not give up watching movies, but Phoonk was really bad.
@Vimal: Yes, DK was joker movie. I, too, cry watching movies. Yes, Rock On had different treatment. Story had its holes. Also. except Joe, all were privileged guys with “pain” in heart for not playing in band.
Phoonk can not belong to horror genre, it had no horror. 🙂
@Amit: Nah, I was watching Phoonk on my laptop. Thats why I left it. and I will watch DK again.
@Xylene: Then we are similar. I too hate missing previews and movie in theater. This time I just couldn’t help it. 🙂
@Anshul: Rating is based on what I saw and I liked what I saw. 🙂
@lallo: Now you know, I would love it more if it were you rather than Ranbir painting toenails of the lady. 😛 Wow, I am having a blast imagining it.
@sakhi: yes, let me know what you think of summer 2007. It has 4 doctors in the movie. 🙂
@Suvidha: Thanks for coming by, I will soon be to your blog. 🙂
Nice reviews 🙂 Good to see you back 🙂
Coming in late but Arjun Ramphal rocked Rock on, I think that scene in the taxi where he’s struggling to escape to where the concert is happening was brilliant. Never thought much of him before this movie, but now am in fan territory.
As for Heath Ledger, what do I say, after Dark Knight, I actually wept at the thought that we’ve lost such a superlatively brilliant actor. I’d have never thought it possible, but I dont even remember Jack Nicholson as the joker anymore after I’ve seen Heath…..alas and alack.
@Nova: Thanks!
@Kiran Miral: Hey, I understand what you mena when you say that. But if you look at the scene critically along with Rampal’s average expression, you would know he’s playing himself. Pat casting director’s back who knew Rampal would fit the bill for this character. People though Rampal acted well. 🙂
I have never watched the movie where Jack Nicholsan played Joker, though I like him a lot. So this was first portrayal of joker I saw, and I was hugely impacted. Sad to lose such a talented actor like Heath in such a tragic manner. Such a waste.