May you find exposure to movies here that that you would not have otherwise and the inspiration to watch one or two of them. Feel free to comment, subscribe, or help educate the Invisible Children through the social vibe link on the right.
Aashayein
India (2010)
Starring: John Abraham, Sonal Sehgal, Anaitha Nair
Aashayein begins by showing a gambler that winning is not what life's all about. Rahul is a compulsive smoking gambler placing everything on one last bet; this wager contained his girlfriend's life savings. Strangely enough he won. He does what any man would do that won a fortune, he throws a party for a few friends to announce his intentions in life and proposes to his girlfriend. There could be no grander stage of happiness that could be built from which someone could fall.
In the moment of his greatest joy Rahul takes ill. Shortly afterward he is diagnosed with lung cancer. Fighting the million ways that his heart and thoughts are tugging his soul fate finds him while in the deepest of his despair. He runs away to a place where those with terminal diseases go to die and somehow blesses them with the most beautiful of gifts - life.
Aashayein is not the most upbeat of movies out there. In truth it has taken me about 4 months to watch it because I've known that. It is, though, a beautiful movie that is touching and thought provoking.
Quote: I don't know what tomorrow will bring. But now, now I have to live.
Delhi-6
India (2009)
Starring: Waheeda Rehman, Abhishek Bachchan, Sonam Kapoor
Roshan was born to a Muslim mother and a Hindi father. He was raised in America and when his grandmother takes ill he is the only one that is willing to travel back to the city the family came from. He willingly thrusts himself into a world where he placed between two major religions, a culture unlike any he has ever dreamed of, beliefs and customs that people are willing to die to defend, and a black monkey. As he discovers the roots of his family, meets his parents old friends, and his family's oldest supporters Roshan's life completely changes the more he is immersed in his new world.
This movie depicts culture shock in a wonderful light. It partially shows the edges of the boundaries that different religions, castes, races, and cultures create simply by being. It's full of good humor, song, dance, and of course a Bollywood love story - but, it also has a bit of racial and religious clashing. In the arena of Bollywood movies I found Delhi-6 a good one; finally a movie where I didn't feel like I wasted my time for the first time in a week!
Guru aka Gurukant
India (2007)
Starring: Mithun Chakraborty, Abhishek Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai
Guru is a movie that has sat in my collection for months, once again I should have watched it sooner.
This movie is about a villager who left his family and went to Turkey to work at a young age. His father never accepted that he would become anything. When he was to receive a promotion he saw little sense in continuing to work for someone else while remaining poor and quit working to go back home and follow a dream. From that point forward the story unfolds. Unlike many Bollywood movies that go on and on and on while playing out the plot with nothing new being introduced, Guru was constantly brining new issues or causes into the movie all the way through. Also unlike many Bollywood movies, Guru is not a sappy love story all the way through; granted the love story does play a main part in the movie, but it is not the focus. There are a few cute dance scenes which of course I love just because they involve the beautiful Aishwarya Rai.
This movie was about overcoming obstacles. It depicted how much having the right person at your side can make all of the difference while enforcing that without determination you will never reach your goals.
All in all I have to say I really enjoyed this movie. Partially because of the messages the movie contains and partially because of it's uniqueness as a Bollywood flick.
Quote: If you're with me I can beat the whole world.
If law can be made in a day, it can be changed in a day.
Think big, think ahead, and think fast.
Aladin
India - Bollywood
2009
Starring: Ritesh Deshmukh, Jaqueline Fernandes, Amitabh Bachchan, and Sanjay Dutt
I can not express how insanely happy it made me to find this movie. There are just certain stories that always capture my interest, Aladin and the Genie have been one of them for almost 30 years.
The story has little new to it, but it comes from close to the land of the original tale and so from that perspective it is new enough. This story begins with Aladin hiding from his heritage. Through a strange twist of fate he ends up with the magical lamp and from it summons Genius. Aladin can not conceive of three wishes and is prodded by Genius who is eager to get the three wishes over with and go about his way.
This movie has the comedy, the love story, the Bollywood dance, a cultural overlay, magic, carnies, a genie, and some interesting visual effects. Oh, there is this funny song that you have to hear. There's a Genie rap in the movie that cracks me up, I wish I understood the Hindi part - but, that might take some of the humor away. All in all I was happy to see the movie and at just over two hours the time was much better for this story then the typical near 3 hour epics that Bollywood produces.
Fanaa
India (Bollywood)
2006
Starring: Aamir Khan, Kajol, Tabu, and Rishi Kapoor
You know how most Bollywood movies have an intermission because they are so long? The second part of this movie was nothing like the first, it was truly like a second movie. There aren't many times that I am caught off guard by the turn of events in a movie, usually I find movies predictable... this one was all but predictable. From drama, to romance, to action, and some adventure this movie evokes many different sentiments. The cinematography in the movie is absolutely stunning full of amazing sweeping views of gorgeous countrysides and scenery and Delhi as well. The music is interesting in this movie. A portion of the same tune is used in about 90% of the musical sequences. How it changed to fit the different songs is through the whole movie and was still recognizable is unique. The brave attempts at poetry through the whole first half was cool also; I'm quite sure this would have been a more enjoyable experience if I could understand the native audio - poetry always looses some of its constructive points in translation.
Zooni, a young blind woman who's lived a sheltered life. She leaves the most important thing in her life, her family, and travels to Dehli in a grand adventure with her father's reluctant permission. Through most of the movie she is recounting quotes of her father's wisdom, which I found quite enjoyable and personally reminded me of someone I used to know. Rehan, "God's greatest gift" in his own words, is a tourguide. Destiny brings them together and what follows if the story of a lifetime. The path of their relationship takes the most unforeseen twists as Zooni makes a decision to undergo a corrective surgery to restore her sight. Fanaa is quite cheesy in an enjoyable way through the first half.
Seeing a Bollywood movie with a blind woman as the leading character was interesting to me. Kajol did a great job in keeping her eyes from reacting to visual stimuli during filming.
In all if you're a fan of Bollywood I have to recommend this movie it wasn't my favorite, but it wasn't bad either. It's a awesome love story and has the wft? factor going through quite a bit of it. I'm glad I gave it the chance.
Quote: The choice isn't between good and evil. That's easy. The real choices of life are choosing between the lesser of two evils, or the greater of two goods.
Saawariya
India (Bollywood)
2007
Starring: Ranbir Kapoor, Soman Kapoor, and Salman Khan
Saawariya didn't contain anything new for me, but it was still a beautiful movie. The movie was a cross between Pretty Woman and Moulan Rogue, with a little more innocence then either; not saying it directly pulls from the plots, but the Sawwariya reminds me of both. With that said the scenes are absolutely beautiful; the filming mirrors that statement as well. They did a great job creating romantic mysticism with dimly lit foggy scenes. The town itself reminds me of Venice in general appearance and feel, but has a vibrant look to it in the dark that I don't recall of Venice; all of that with a traditional Indian overlay and some custom neon and coloring to finish it off. If for nothing else then the sheer romanticism created by the sets alone I would watch this movie again. The scenery in short is poetic.
The acting was good. Sonam like many Bollywood actresses is just absolutely gorgeous and plays her part well. Ranbir allso put on a stellar performance. One of them a hopeless drifter who sings his way through bars and the other a woman awaiting a love who promised to come back to her the following Eid; they meet on a bridge and the stars can tell the rest of the story. Together they made a movie that reminds you when love is hopeless life will go on.
I did have to take and download a different subtitle file then the one that came on the DVD and play the movie through an alternate viewer that would let me force overlay subtitles. The one that came with the movie didn't seem to match the spoken dialog; seemed like a lot more talking was going on then I was reading. With a different subtitle file I got a much better translation I think and translations of the songs (which are half the reason why I watch Bollywood movies anyway). If anyone else finds they have the same ailment and need help with the subs let me know, it's a simple process.
My Name is Khan
India
2010
Starring: Shahrukh Khan, Kanol, and Sheetal Menon
Since the day it was released on Netflix on demand service this movie was in my queue; I left it there for months without watching it for one reason or another and I'm sad that it took me so long to watch it.
My Name is Khan is an amazing movie consisting of a well knit web of difficulties. The movie is centered around the struggles of Muslims and Hindi in America before and after 9/11. The main character, Khan, faces struggles of his own throughout his childhood and adulthood both in India and in the United States. The circles of struggles touch on the relationships between Indian Muslims and Hindis, family, religions, countries, cultures, racism, discrimination, acceptance, love, loss, innocence, and so much more. I don't know that I have ever seen a movie that involved so much that was so well done; I had assumed this movie wouldn't interest me and instead when I started watching it in the middle of the night I couldn't go to sleep until I finished watching it (5am). This is simply a must see.
I will be the first to admit that I do not know much about the Great Divide in India, what caused it, or why it still an issue. I'm not sure if the Great Divide is the same as the Partition of 1947. But, it is sad that there are so many people who struggle to this day with religion and in the case of Khan's homeland the caste system as well. This movie didn't involve the caste system, but was but did depict the struggles from two cultures from the same country while in a foreign land. It also involved the struggles of the Indian Muslim and Hindu population living in the United States and how they also began to divide after 9/11. This movie is simply and amazingly eye opening and moving.
There could not have been more horrible things happening to a man who was simply trying to do his best to live in a world where he was different then everyone else. Khan's struggles with Asperger Syndrome and with his own identity. Even being shunned by society at large and struggling on so many fronts a warmer heart and soul could not have been written into his character any better.
Through the struggles of one man and his actions this movie reminds us that one individual can be a powerful force, no matter who they are.
While I was in the process of due diligence on this movie I found an article that broke my heart. While the article is a compilation of stories and says the actions of those involved had more to do with cricket in India than the religious or cultural differences portrayed in My Name is Khan the actions by religious groups shows otherwise in my mind. It is sad that different cultures struggle for acceptance from each other in their home land and add the struggle of acceptance of a nation to that difficulty when they come here. As borders grow less obscure in the way the world is trending currently hopefully mankind will learn to accept itself at large no matter what culture or background someone comes from. http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/news/2010/02/100212_my_name_is_khan_nh_sl.shtml
Quote(s): "My Name is Khan and I'm not a terrorist"
Ammi: "This is you Rizvan. And this is the person who has a stick in his hand. And he is beating you."
Rizvan: "It's bad, beating is bad."
Ammi: "Yes, it's bad. Now this is you again Rizvan and this is the person who has a lollipop. And he gives it to you.
Rizvan: "Lollipop is sweet. It's a good thing."
Ammi: "Good boy. Now tell me which of these is a Hindu and which one a Muslim?" Looking at stick figure drawings.
Rizvan: "Both look alike."
Ammi: "Good. Remember one thing son, there are only two kinds of people in this world. Good people who do good deeds and bad people who do bad. That's the only difference in human beings."
Veer-Zaara
2004
India
Starring: Shahrukh Khan, Preity Zinta, and Rani Mukherjee
This review is biased, mostly because I fell in love with both Bollywood and Preity watching this movie. In my mind no greater love story has ever been written. The depiction of honor, beauty, and valor in Veer-Zaara is epic by any standard. So much did this film move my heart I could write pages on how this movie made me feel, but that would require spoilers :) This movie was the first Bollywood movie I had ever watched and has eternally earned the spot of the number Bollywood movie ever; I know someone will argue that. The culture displayed through this movie was quite interesting as well. This movie depicts in subtle ways the multiple cultures that exist through northern India and Pakistan.
Veer, a pilot in the Indian army, and Zaara, a gorgeous woman from Pakistan, crossed paths in the strangest way as she was fulfilling a promise made to her beloved grandmother. The most beautiful love that could never have formed began. The rest is all in the movie. The love story in this movie is the foundation for one of the most beautiful struggles I have ever seen. If I could I'd name constellations after this couple.
I recommend this movie 100% and to those who don't like it, well don't watch it twice :)
The most amazing love story that has ever been conceived is right here in: Veer-Zaara
Quote: "Give me this, one day from your life.....I know a day is very precious to you. But, I promise that you'll never forget this day."
Guzaarish - The Petition (2010)
Starring: Hrithik Roshan, Aishwarya Rai, Aditya Roy
Guzaarish is a very deep movie. With the main character being a magician and the previews showing him doing shows I had went into the movie expecting a slightly lighter tone complete with epic magic shows; this was a false expectation.
The movie chronicles the struggles of a quadriplegic fighting for the court to allow him to end his life after being incapacitated for 14 years. Ethan (Hrithik Roshan) shocks many people with his petition. Some are supportive while others are not; Guzaarish reflects the struggle humanity has with the subject and tries to portray both sides while keeping the main character's desire for assisted suicide in the forefront.
Ethan's struggles remind us that each of us no matter our positions in life could end up in a similar fate. There are two quotes I will leave you with from the movie that I love
Life is always too short. But it is long enough, if you live fully every
Break the rules. Forgive quickly. Kiss slowly. Love deeply. Laugh uncontrollably. And never regret anything that made you smile
Like all the movies that I watch, this movie is not for everybody...but, if you have an inclination toward the topic I would certainly recommend it. I think it is a great movie.
Samsara caught my interest because the movie is centered around a Buddhist monk who questions what he is doing meditating and praying all day. He questions what it is to be selfless and not have desires. When he asks his teacher directly one day the response is, "What is better? Satisfying one thousand desires or conquering just one?" Of course the movie does a good job defining the Buddhist concept of Samsara, the movie is aptly named.
Samsara surprised me as the movie went on. I was quite bored with the story at first and watched for the amazing scenery. After a while I found myself watching the story and not the scenery. In this movie the monk leaves his holy temple, falls in love, has an amazing impact on those around him, changes his life and that of many others. The movie is not fast paced nor is full of action. The love story of this movie is not one of timeless love, but instead one of a strong bond that may or may not be broken. The spiritual love story in this movie is one I am glad I did take the time to watch. There is one question asked at the beginning of this movie which is answered at the end: How does one keep a drop of water from drying up? The answer is so simple..
If anyone watches this and would like to discuss theories on what the ending means I would be more than happy to entertain that conversation. Do be warned that this movie contains some very sexually explicit scenes, I had to shut it off as my little brother ran through my house when I was watching it. In the end for me this movie was well worth watching. It is a little out of my typical genre selection, but amazing in so many ways. I also give props to the director for putting out such a well composed movie on a small budget; it is deserving of the AFI and Melbourne Film Festival awards.
