Blog | Amodini's Movie Reviews - Part 66Amodini's Movie Reviews | Movie Reviews by Year, Genre and Rating

Movie Review : No one killed Jessica

Posted on February 22, 2011 by amodini

Rating : ⭐️⭐️⭐️ 1/2
Genre : Drama
Year : 2011
Running time : 2 hours 16 minutes
Director : Raj Kumar Gupta
Cast : Rani Mukherjee, Vidya Balan, Neil Bhopalam, Mohammed Ayub
Kid rating : PG-15

NO ONE KILLED JESSICA (NOKJ) : TRUE-LIFE TALE !

As is well known NOKJ deals with the true-life murder of model Jessica Lall. Jessica, serving drinks at a posh Delhi night-club refused to serve drinks, after a certain time, to an arrogant Manu Sharma. Manu then took out a revolver and shot her at point blank range. After the murder Sharma, the son of a powerful government minister, was shielded by the law, and a case against him failed to bring about any justice for the slain girl and her family.

The case was re-opened only after NDTV took up a campaign against the obvious injustice and middle-class urban citizens signed petitions and held candle-light vigils to bring Jessica’s murderer to book. After a re-trial Sharma was declared guilty and sentenced to a life-term. There were reports though, that even later in jail, he was treated with a lenient hand.

In the film, some names have been changed, so the accused is now Manish Bharadwaj instead of Manu Sharma. Rani Mukherjee plays Meera Gaity, an intrepid investigative reporter for a news channel, and Vidya Balan plays Sabrina, Jessica’s sister.

Meera’s character is roughly based on Barkha Dutt, NDTV’s senior news editor. She appears to be a brasher, loud-mouthy version of Barkha, and as desi films require it, quite a bit prettier and well-dressed. Meera is going around doing her thing when she hears of the Lall murder case on television, and is surprised that Sharma gets away with murder, inspite of being in a packed night-club with several witnesses. Outraged, she decides to make the injustice a main story for the television channel, and persuades her boss to let her work on it.

Meanwhile Vidya as Sabrina is trying to re-appeal the verdict, and making the rounds to see why the witnesses backed out of speaking the truth. We see her struggle, in the face of rampant corruption, unhelpful officials, and an ineffectual justice system, trying to keep afloat her hopes of getting a rightful conviction for her slain sister. And we sympathize, knowing the laxity of the Indian law, when it comes to the rich and powerful.

NOKJ is not quite the super-slick film, but it does pass muster. It’s screen-play hangs a little loose. Direction is average, and the weak supporting cast doesn’t quite bring a sheen of reality. Both Rani and Vidya though, bring presence and vitality to their roles, and stop this film from being a superficial controversy-based film.

Before watching the film, I hadn’t expected much, since films based on such notorious cases rarely mirror the true angst of the tragedy. This one, fortunately, comes close to doing it, courtesy the two lead actresses. Also for all you MTV fans, you might actually see some familiar faces – Param Baidwan and Rahul Dwivedi of Splitsvilla fame are in this film as supporting actors. Param plays accused Manish’s friend and Rahul has a couple of seconds on-screen as a potential witness in the case.

This one is fairly watchable. For all you Netflix-ers, this is now also available to stream.

Kidwise : The subject matter, obviously, is not suitable for kids. Apart from that, the film is not un-naturally violent or sleazy. Might serve for children 15 years and older.

Posted in 2011, bollywood, drama, rating-PG15, social issues, watchable | Tagged vidya balan | 4 Comments

Hello and a very Happy New Year !

Posted on February 8, 2011 by amodini

Yes, it’s kind of late for the wish above :-). But, bear with me, since it’s taking a while to find my feet again in Blogger World in the New Year. I did see “No one killed Jessica”, “Phas gaye Obama” and Aakrosh and recomend all of them – reviews coming up shortly.

Posted in 2011 | Tagged of me, status | Comments Off

The Best Hindi Films of 2010

Posted on December 27, 2010 by amodini

2010 had a lot of films, but the good ones were few and far between. Here are my Top 10 :

#10 – Karthik calling Karthik : A who-dun-it involving some heavy phone usage. A passable for a thriller, this one starred the fetching Ms. Padukone and director-turned-actor Farhan Akhtar.

#9 – Peepli Live : Producer Aamir Khan’s bid for the Oscars, at number 9 is a well-made, rural story of two brothers and their get-dead-to-get-rich scheme.

#8 – Well done Abba ! : A simple village based story, Abba is Shyam Benegal’s piece-de-resistance. Nicely flavored and beautifully told, this comes in at the 8th spot.

#7 – Ishqiya (Podcast Review) :Vishal Bharadwaj’s offering for 2010, Ishqiya was a comedown from his usual product, but was still engrossing and well-made. Naseeruddin Shah, Arshad Warsi and Vidya Balan star as delighfully quirky characters in this of-Uttar-Pradesh film.

#6 – Do dooni char : Rishi and Neetu Kapoor’s comeback vehicle, this has a decent story, character development and good acting. Plus it has loads of class, is clean and my pick for the Best Family Film of the Year.

#5 – Rajneeti : 2010’s magnum opus, Rajneeti has this year’s hottest stars Ranbir Kapoor and Katrina Kaif fighting a political game.

#4 – Once upon a time in Mumbai : This year’s crime thriller (and really there was only one) this one had brooding Devgn in a role tailor-made for him. With Emran Hashmi, Kangana Ranaut and Ms. Goody Two-Shoes Prachi Desai this makes it to the Top 5.

#3 – Band Baaja Baaraat : A YashRaj production that sparkles with music, color and charm, BBB stars Anushka Sharma and newcomer Ranveer Singh, is a fun-filled romp, and total paisa-vasool.

#2 – Aisha :The desi verion of Emma, Aisha is Sonam Kapoor’s film all the way. Abhay Deol lends his charm to this good-at-heart film, and the foot-tapping music and slick production values vault this one into the second spot.

#1 – Udaan : Vikramaditya Motwane’s excellent film which straddles both arty and commercial cinema, Udaan is wonderfully told and made, and undoubtedly the best movie of the year.

Posted in 2010, annual roundup, Best hindi movies, bollywood, lists, ratings, recommended, Top 10 | Tagged 2010, best, bollywood, entertaining, films, hindi, indian, movies, top 10 | 5 Comments

Moview Review : Do Dooni Char

Posted on December 19, 2010 by amodini

Rating : Good (3.75/5)
Genre : Drama
Year : 2010
Running time : 2 hours 5 minutes
Director : Habib Faisal
Cast : Rishi Kapoor, Neetu Kapoor, Archit Krishna, Aditi Vasudev, Akhilendra Mishra, Supriya Shukla
Kid rating : G

DO DOONI CHAR : HEART-WARMING TALE !

Rishi and Neetu Kapoor make it to the big screen as a couple after many decades. While Rishi has been seen in films like Chintuji and Delhi-6, this is quite the return of the prodigal actress for Neetu. Written and directed by Habib Faisal (who has also written the screenplay for the recent Band Baaja Baaraat), Do Dooni Char makes a perfect comeback vehicle for the still-charming couple. He has put on more than a few pounds (following in the footsteps of his father and brothers), while she has grown slimmer, but they share the same sparking on-screen chemistry as in their heydays.

Rishi is Santosh Duggal, a middle-class Delhi school teacher struggling to make ends meet in the big city, by working two jobs – one at school and one at the tuition center. His harried wife Kusum handles the home front, scrimping and saving, while the teenage children wish for all the toys and trinkets that only more money can bring. Believing in living within their means, they live in a small over-crowded flat, and he drives the trusty old scooter to work.

When Santosh’s married sister invites them for a wedding in her in-laws-family, true to Punjabi form, she wants her brother to flash his non-existent money around to show his well-heeled status to the world, and to keep her “izzat” in her family. And what better way than to arrive by car at her home ? Of course Santosh has no car, so a car is borrowed, but he determines that they must needs have one of their own. This is what this film is about – the quest to go from a 2-wheel drive (literally, the scooter) to a 4-wheeled one (the much desired car) when money is tight and there are many wrong (and tempting) ways to a little extra cash . . .

After a long time comes a film that is clean, interesting and well-made. Faisal writes the film with an eye for detail and character development. The dialogues are believable and earthy, and he fleshes out incidents which lay bare the plight of the Duggals. Thus we have no trouble sympathizing with the Duggal family. Rishi and Neetu are great at what they do, and a big reason why DDC succeeds like it does, but I must also give credit to the actors who portray their children. Aditi Vasudev makes daughter Payal’s sprightly, out-spoken character come alive, while Archit Krishna is quite good as the son, Sandeep, who finds alternative means to get what he wants. The supporting cast members like Akhilendra Mishra who plays car-owning neighbor Farooqi, and Supriya Shukla who portrays Santosh’s sister are also very competent, and help make this heart-warming tale even more believable.

In a world of consumerism and living-by-credit, comes this, dare I say old-worldly film, which tells us of the virtues of contentment and satisfaction. Yes, it might sound a tad preachy, but really is so well done that the message goes down easy. Unlike most current films Do Dooni Char is a simple, modest tale sans the filmi frills and frippery. A film with creativity, class and charisma, it is one of the better films of the year, and a totally worthwhile watch.

Posted in 2010, bollywood, drama, family-friendly, rating-G, recommended | Tagged habib faisal, humor | 4 Comments

Movie Review : The Tourist

Posted on December 15, 2010 by amodini

Director : Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck
Starring : Angeline Jolie, Johnny Depp, Paul Bettany, Timothy Dalton, Steven Berkoff
Rating : 3.5/5

The Tourist starts off with our introduction to Elise Ward (Angelina Jolie), in Paris currently and being followed by the Parisian & British police. The reason for the attention – Elise is the lady love of now-missing tax-fraudster Alexander Pierce. Elise, well aware of the surveillance, picks a fall guy to divert attention. On a train from Paris to Venice, she chats up a random person, picked because he has a build similar to Alexander’s. The guy picked, Frank Tupelo (Johnny Depp) tourist and American school-teacher, is smitten with the mysterious beautiful woman who offers him her friendship and her hotel room, and does not realize until too late, that the police and a mobster, whom Pierce has wronged, are now out to get him . . .

This film was fairly engaging, but not, by any means, a whopping success. The premise is interesting enough with all its twists and turns, land and water chases and the almost-about-to-appear mystery man. The story is a tad sketchy, and hole-ridden, and Donnersmarck can’t quite get the plausibility across. So it sits on me rather like a masala Bollywood film would – yes, you have the siren, and the mobster and the bad guy who might not be so bad, but it does take some suspension of belief to get into the mood.

Jolie and Depp, paired together as romantic leads, don’t smolder on screen. (If there were any sparks they were probably doused by the excess facial hair Depp, as Frank, sported.) They do well enough; she, with her perpetually tip-tilted chin, red-carpet attitude and the sultry seductress routine is believable as the mobster’s moll, and he, as understated Frank is quite the improbable action-man (as required). Despite that, I’m left a little cold as far as rooting for the characters is concerned. Elise is mysterious, adding to the intrigue, but it is hard to see her execute physically demanding tasks in 5 inch heels, diamonds and perfectly set hair. And Frank, forced to run from people he does not know, bumbles along, but does not exude the charisma required for an arresting leading man.

Paul Bettany stars as the London Metropolitan Inspector John Acheson, hot on Pearce’s trail. Timothy Dalton is Inspector Jones and Steven Berkoff rounds off the impressive supporting cast as mobster Reginald Shaw. The film is beautifully shot in Paris and Venice. Despite its enviable star-cast, larger-than-life gangster drama, and lovely locales, this film can’t quite get it’s mojo on.

If you’re out of films, this one might do on a Friday. But if you have a better alternative, take it.

Posted in 2010, action, english, hollywood, thriller, watchable | Comments Off

Movie Review : Band Baaja Baaraat

Posted on December 11, 2010 by amodini

Rating : Very Good (4.5/5)
Genre : Romance
Year : 2010
Running time : 2 hours 30 minutes
Director : Maneesh Sharma
Cast : Anushka Sharma, Ranveer Singh
Kid rating : PG-13

BAND BAAJA BAARAT : A CHARMER OF A ROMANCE !

Finally ! A film from YashRaj which displays the heart that made YR succesfull ! Written and directed by Maneesh Sharma, starring newcomer Ranveer Singh, and 2-films-old Anushka Sharma, BBB is an almost believable Delhi based love-story.

Bittoo Sharma (Singh) is our lovable lafanga .i.e.; he who does not study (as he is supposed to, being a student), work or have any plans to. He is content to fritter away time and the family money, until things come to a head; his father turns up to cart him away to the family sugarcane business in Saharanpur. Unwilling to leave the bright city lights, Bittoo in desperation concocts up an imaginary business partnership, with Shruti Kakkad, a girl whom he has met just once before.

Bittu’s father leaves in a huff, but Bittoo realizes that it is in his interest to turn the “imaginary” partnership into a real one. But therein lies the problem. Ambitious Shruti is intent on setting up her own wedding planning business. Shrewd and vociferous, she is the no-nonsense kinds. The kinds that dismiss lazy loafers like Bittoo, right off the bat.

Will Bittoo be able to convince her of his sincerity ?

That’s the bare bones folks. Of course you know that they will meet, and complications will arise. The story itself is OK, not outstanding, but is sketched out so well, that it makes for an interesting film. Habib Faisal, director of “Do dooni char” writes the screenplay and dialogues, because of which this film glides along smoothly, carrying with it the sounds of sights of Delhi. The realistic sounding dialogues have subtle humor and feature a lot of the vernacular Hindi and Punjabi prevalent in Delhi-speak; words like “syapa” (trouble), “dhinchak” (loud/blingy), “kaand”(trouble/scandal) and others make an appearance.

Ranveer Singh, debuting in this film, is fabulous. He looks like a rustic version of Ranbir Kapoor, but emotes, dances and delivers his dialogues far better. I can’t quite see him in the urbane, city-boy type of role, but as unsophisticated Bittoo Sharma he is just perfect. You can’t quite help but root for him. And Anushka Sharma finally comes into her own as an actress, displaying to great advantage her till-now-hidden acting chops. As the middle-class rebel Shruti, teetering between her own ambitions and her family’s wishes for her to settle down, Sharma is wonderful and gives her character depth and spirit.

This movie also features some strong actors in supporting roles – there’s Shruti’s understanding Mom (Nirupama Verma), the flower supplier Maqsood (Neeraj Sood) and the caterer Rajender (Manmeet Singh). This film is shot in Delhi, and is full of its color, life and gaiety. BBB features some very energetic song-and-dance numbers, like “Ainvayi Ainvayi”, situated where else but at The Great Indian Wedding, and some light love ballads like “Aadha Ishq”. In short BBB is great good fun. One of the best Hindi films of the year, I highly recommend this one.

Kidwise : YashRaj films generally are a G-rating, since they are clean and free of innuendoes/cheap vulgarity. Even when they do get amorous, the scenes are so tepid, timorous and short that YR movies are pretty kid-safe. Not so this one. BBB is 90% kid-safe. However smack dab in the middle of the film is an intense kissy-kissy, love-making scene which goes on for a good 5-6 minutes, vaulting this movie right into the PG-13 zone.There’s some smooching towards the end of the film also, so be prepared if you’re taking kids along.

Posted in 2010, All Netflix, bollywood, dance, drama, family-friendly, Hindi movies on Netflix, rating-PG13, recommended | Comments Off

Movie Review : Dabangg

Posted on December 10, 2010 by amodini

Rating : Above Average (3.3/5)
Genre : All-in-one
Year : 2010
Running time : 2 hours
Director : Abhinav Kashyap
Cast : Salman Khan, Sonakshi Sinha, Vinod Khanna, Dimple Kapadia, Mahie Gill, Arbaaz Khan, Sonu Sood, Tinnu Anand, Om Puri, Anupam Kher
Kid rating : PG-13

DABANGG : MASALA WELL DONE!

Dabang is a masala film with a difference. Situated in the rural badlands of Uttar Pradesh this film thinks it’s a Western, and it’s lone good-hearted cowboy ? Why, our Salman Khan of course. Khan, brimming with attitude, and some great dance moves, is Chulbul Pandey, or as he likes to call himself RobinHood Pandey. A corrupt cop, Chulbul has a heart of gold, takes kickbacks from the rich and the criminal to give to the needy.

Dabangg also has refrains of the 80s southie-based action films (remember Jeetendra and the Himmatwala types ?) in its stepson angle. Chulbul is the stepson of Prajapati Pandey (Vinod Khanna). His mother (Dimple) is the long suffering filmi maa who wishes to see her older son, Chulbul, and her husband on amicable terms, but her husband favors his biological son Makhandas (Arbaz Khan). Then there is the villain Cheddi Singh (Sonu Sood) a criminal politician, and the love interest Rajo (Sonakshi Sinha). Stir all these classic Hindi film elements together, infuse with stylized dramatization, and some great songs and background music, and you have a good old pot-boiler of a film. Pure masala but stylishly done.

There isn’t much of a story here – just some unresolved plot elements. The hero might seem strong but he must seek acceptance from the ever-critical step-dad. There’s your pathos – Chulbul wiping away a speck of a tear after another bristly episode with Daddy dearest. He’s got to get the girl, and bring the villain to book. Once he does all this the film will end, and you know all this almost at the beginning. Still, the ensuing journey, as Chulbul goes around doing the requisite amount of dhishum-dhishum and pelvis-shaking, is not unpleasant.

The film has village locales, which lends itself to fight sequences in godowns, and item numbers in the chowks. The heroine Rajo runs around in an almost backless choli, and a snotty attitude to boot. And Sonakshi (Shatrughan Sinha’s daughter), who plays Rajo, does an adequate job. Not quite 100% heroine material with her traditional looks, she suits the role of the rustic beauty. Salman, as the swagger-filled Chulbul is the star of the film; no one could have done this role better. It is because of him that Dabangg is the blockbuster hit that it is. Salman fills Chulbul with personality, delivering strong punch-lines and crassy jokes with equal ease. Chulbuls’s character is not written with much depth or logic, but Salman still makes him appealing.

This film runs along pretty smoothly, except for some time post-interval when it gets a little too cheesy. Director Kashyap guides with a strong hand. Dabangg has some beautifully executed fight sequences, in slo-mo, done very Matrix-style. The music also earns it brownie points; there’s the now famous “Munni badnaam hui”, pictured on a vigorously hip-swinging Malaika, and the soulful “Tere mast mast do nain” to do it credit. Dabang has all the ingredients of the masala perfectly placed. It does fallback to a older genre that I would deem “villagey”, tom-tomming the benefits of brawn (and un-education) over brains, but counters that with a sophisticated filming technique.

This film has mass appeal, is out there and outrageous, and unafraid of being what it is – no pretensions. You do not require a brain to view this film, and in that category (which has its share of idiotic films), this is one of the better ones. If you’re looking for a tangible story-line, nuance and character depth, Dabangg is not for you (pick “Do dooni char” instead). A bonafide Friday night entertainer, loud and deafening, Dabangg is worth a watch.

Kidwise : Might be unsuitable for younger kids, what with the hip-crunching, suggestive innuendoes, and the adult-sized doses of sleaze.

Posted in 2010, bollywood, rating-PG13, watchable | 3 Comments

Movie Review : The Next Three Days

Posted on December 7, 2010 by amodini

Director : Paul Haggis
Starring : Russell Crowe, Elizabeth Banks, Liam Neeson
Rating :4/5

Russell Crowe is John Brennan, a community college teacher living a contented life with his wife Lara (Elizabeth Banks) and Luke, their three year old son. Lara is a working professional, although she has been facing flak on the job from her female boss. Their suburban lives are turned upside down when one day the police barge in and arrest hot-tempered Lara for murdering her boss. She is taken away and later convicted and incarcerated for life. John, of course, believes her innocent, but must let the law take its course since the police have conclusive proof. Lara is already depressed and pleading her innocence, but is moved to attempt suicide when she hears that she will be moved to a prison even farther away from her family. John, then, decides to attempt the unthinkable – try and jailbreak his wife.

Crowe is, as always, fantastic. As an English teacher forced to think like a criminal, he lives the part of a law-abiding, meticulous man nervous about crossing over to the other side. He procures a gun, mixes around with drug-dealers and the like, learns to “bump” locks and push people around – so far out of his professor-ish world that he is all nerves and racing heartbeat. But it might all be for nought, since he is racing against time and an astute detective . . .

Directed by Paul Haggis, director of “Crash” and writer of films like “Million dollar baby” and “Quantum of Solace”, this film could be considered a tad meticulous for a “thriller”, since it is a detailed account of everything John does to accomplish his goal. Still, it remains engrossing and engages the viewer by portraying the hero’s desperate plight and the extreme measures he is forced to take. It has action packed sequences, huge jumps in emotion, and presents one challenge after the next. Yes, John wants to get Lara out of jail, but he is one person against a city full of cops. There is no way his crazy plan could succeed, is there ?

This film is a very competent thriller, cerebral, yet high-octane. It is also beautifully paced and put-together. And it doesn’t hurt that it also has a very compelling storyline – a normal, law-abiding, bookish person pushed, by insurmountable odds and desperation, to commit a crime. One of the best films of the year, this one is highly recommend.

Posted in 2010, action, english, hollywood, outstanding, recommended, thriller | Tagged outstanding | Comments Off

R.I.P. Manish Acharya

Posted on December 4, 2010 by amodini

Manish Acharya, the young director of “Loins of Punjab”, and one of the narrators in “Sita sings the blues” passed away today in a road accident. Manish was also involved in Farhan and Zoya Akhtar’s “Luck by Chance”. Not even a month ago (November 11th) Pankaj Advani, the director of the fabulous “Sankat City” died of a heart attack.

Such talent and they were so young!

May they rest in peace.

Posted in 2010, bollywood, directors | Tagged india, usa | Comments Off

Movie Review : Atithi tum kab jaoge ?

Posted on November 30, 2010 by amodini

Rating : Above Average (3.3/5)
Genre : Comedy
Year : 2010
Running time : 2 hours
Director : Ashwani Dhir
Cast : Ajay Devgn, Konkona Sen Sharma, Paresh Rawal, Satish Kaushik
Kid rating : G

ATITHI TUM KAB JAOGE : OVER THE TOP BUT FUNNY!

The title says it all – the guest comes visiting all right, but he has no plans to leave, which leaves the hosts wondering. This film is tailor made for Indian /desi audiences since the “houseguest” is supposedly a revered creature in our culture, however over-bearing he may be. “Atithi tum kab jaoge” then, is “Atithi devo bhava” (Treat a guest like God) under stress.

Ajay Devgn plays Puneet, or Pappu, a script-writer in Mumbai. His wife Munmun (Konkona Sen Sharma) is also a working woman. They have a son, and are generally rushing about big-city life trying to live their urban lives. When distant relative Lambodar Chacha turns up to visit, they welcome him in. Chachaji settles in, gargling and farting his way through the house. He also likes food, and demands delicacies of his bahu. Basically with his noisy habits and querulous behavior he manages to upset the household and the hosts. When he is still firmly ensconced in the small apartment a few days later, and hasn’t thought about leaving, his hosts can’t take it anymore . . .

Paresh Rawal is fabulous as Lambodar Chacha, as is Konkona; in one hilarious scene Munmun follows Lambodar Chacha around with an air freshener trying to mitigate his “scent”. Ajay Devgan isn’t a natural comedian, but does passably. This is a comedy and given the subject, you expect over-done. A mildly annoying guest would not be quite as entertaining. The director milks the unwelcome guest issue to the hilt, and you laugh at how outrageous it is. And it is so funny, because most of us have been put upon hosts one time or another; we identify.

A fairly strong script and screenplay keeps you engrossed. A strong directorial hand keeps this over-the-top comedy afloat. The only time it wobbles is when the director, in some scenes, tries to infuse some artificial emotion and family-style melodrama into it; blood is thicker than water and all. Fortunately we recover from that hiccup. This is not a sophisticated film by any means, but what it is trying to achieve, it achieves well. ATKJ is a good overall comedy and pretty clean – recommended.