Change Your Image
alokyad
Reviews
Sarkar Raj (2008)
Not as Effective as Sarkar (prequel)
I watched Sarkar Raj (First Day Third show.....why? As I was hugely impressed by Sarkar (prequel) which RGV made on Godfather). Usually it happen with me in past that when I approach any movie with huge expectation, it failed to deliver what I expected. Rang de basanti and Taare Zameen pain though is exception (Both Aamir starer).
Sarkar Raj started from where it left i.e. Abhishek bachchan acting as family power centre controlling his family business of controlling masses and classes of Bombay. A foreign business house (Aishwarya) wants to start a power project which mediators told won't be possible without Nagare family approval. She finally able to win approval and story progress with Abhishek trying hard to get it done. In between lots of up and down happens and finally Senior Nagre required to return back to action. I won't go further with plot as it will kill interest of yours if you really planning to see the movie. If you really are?? Now Pro's of movie. First. Actor working in it. Amitabh as Subash Nagre and Abhishek as Shankar Nagre. Both excel in their roles still Abhishek this time not able to take whole limelight the way he did in Sarkar from his father. Amitabh is at usual best. Aishwarya too did good job apart from looking classy. Other actors too did their work well. The camera work is also good with sepia and blue tint used effectively in most places. Close portrayed face of Amitabh and Abhishek works well as both actors says a lot with their face gestures and eyes. Background music is especially good (even in places awesome). I personally like Govinda chant and Chaah Bhanwar Trishna.
Con's. Too many to render here in this piece of work. Not to be too critical, the story has no novelty in it. It works absolutely on same level where it works in Sarkar means instead of bringing something new, RGV uses the same formula again in story. Screen play too has lots of loops which failed people to engage with him during 2 hrs experience. Example. When Amitabh are in front of Abhishek photo acknowledging that if that the cost of being fearless, he might not chose the way he did in life. For me, he gave me the one of the best cinematic experience of my life. Top notch performance. Still people in Movie hall started talking to each other. What I want to convey is that people in middle of movie start losing interest in it which is bad sign for any movie. Despite great acting people's mind drifted from story and went else where. I haven't observed the same during Sarkar (prequel).
I still think Satya and Sarkar as RGV best work; and won't put Sarkar Raj in same league.
My Rating: 3/5.
Chak De! India (2007)
Chak de India...Rocks!!!!
When I first Saw the poster of movie on Web or promo on TV, for me it was just an another flick on movie + Sport. The only change was that this time instead of Cricket, they have chosen even more sounding bore 'Hockey'. So, truly speaking, I had no interest in movie despite it has Shahrukh Khan in it (which also doesn't attract me anymore because of his portrayal of same old emotion in same old manner). But suddenly on Saturday morning, there is huge BUZZ on television channels about movie, creating some feel good factor, so for a movie buff like me, it enough to give me a kick to go and watch the movie.
The movie start with introduction of Kabir Khan (Shahrukh) as one great hockey player and how he miss one final and important penalty against Arch rival Pakistan which kills his entire career; and being Muslim, add more misery in his life as people start treating him like a Pakistani residing in India and still playing for Pakistan. He has to left his home as well as Hockey for some 7 year before he return back as Coach of Women Hockey Team, who is looking for coach to lead team to world cup, just to prove that his is still hard-core Hindustani from heart and the best player in hockey. What he get is bunch of 16 gals, who all hale from diff part of India and have lots of ego. They all lend up to play for themselves and have no respect for country or team. Then start the grooming of Gals by coach Shahrukh and how he get involved with each players in order to improve them as better player. He finally able to manage to take women team to Australia for Women Hockey world cup final and how he make them to win against all odds. Don't think that I have kill the excitement of Story as pleasure of this movie doesn't lie in Story but in character development and screenplay.
The cast of movie is just so Amazing. After years, I have seen such a good cast especially these bunch of gals who before doing movie neither was Hockey players nor actresses except one or two odds. Chitrashi Rawat as Komal Chautala, Shilpa Shukla as Bindia Naik, Vidya Malavade as Vidya Sharma and Tanya Abrol as Balbir Kaur are just better then any existing actresses. Other gals too have worked wonderfully and especially Sagarika Ghatge (Preeti Sabarwal) who would definitely go very far as she has a face of actress but need more polishing in terms of acting. Now Shahrukh. What I can say. Speechless is what I become as he really dominate all the scenes and looks so convincing as coach of Indian women hockey team. After few minutes in movies, you really start looking him more as hockey coach rather then Star Shahrukh Khan.
Shimin Amin as director already proved himself with Ab tak chappan and this attempt is even better then earlier. He really have grasp on trade and not a single moment come in movie where you will feel to move out of chair. The pace is kept at quite a good speed i.e. neither fast nor slow, and you will cherish every moment which is been lived up on screen. They best part is that it has no routine songs or useless romance exist between coach or any player. Songs are played in background and especially Chak de India number by Salim - Sulaiman duo will pushed you so much that you really want to jump in movie theater and want to say aloud...Chak de India.
Finally, A MUST DEKHO movie for everyone along with your whole family. Be prepared to paint you face with tricolour as you will experience same kind of thrills, voices, buckups and clapping which you mostly found in cricket stadium between India and Pakistan matches during movie. Excellent attempt to lift some hope for our dying national game "HOCKEY".
Rating (out of 5): ****
Gandhi, My Father (2007)
A well made movie depicting Gandhi in diff light.
From very long, we are seeing movies on Gandhi. And mostly, the light is always on portrayal of Gandhi as freedom fighter or man with principles. But when I heard that a movie is being made which will highlight Gandhi as Father and stress on his relationship with his Son, it instantly hit my attention as this is one territory which is least being explored as it has his own dark side and less people shown courage to dwell into it. Fortunetly, Anil Kapoor (Producer) and Feroz Abbad Khan (Director) did.
The story start with Gandhi working in South Africa and his relationship with white people and his wife. Latter Akshay (Harilal) joined his father for becoming a barrister but his dream took overturn when his father (Gandhi) pushed (Or motivate) him to become freedom fighter. It showcase that Gandhi believes more on practical study rather then formal education. Harilal too try to walk on his father footstep but soon failed as its infatuation towards his wife, children and his own dream of becoming big success altered his path and then start the repulsion between son and father. He finally defeated his father in terms of pursuing his dream and to left him on his own terms. He written back to India but then start his unsuccessful stories which become bigger and bigger with time. I am leaving reader to see movie to catch further story...
Performance. First Akshay. He has given best performance of his tenure so far and is absolutely convincing in his portrayal as Harilal Gandhi. The scene in which he reach the room where his wife dead body is placed is one where you can see a fine actor which is hidden/developing in Akshay. Darshan jariwala is also good as MK Gandhi and able to live up such a larger then life character. He performed well and with quite an ease. Shefali Chaya (Now Shah) as Kasturba is brilliant actress and already proved her metal in TV serials. Bhumika chawla too performed well but actress of her candidature is waste in these kinds of role. Other actor have also justifies their performances.
Technique and Make up is also good and cinematography especially that Duo tone color picturisation was too good. Costume looks and match with context.
Overall, a worth seeing movie which is defiantly slow in progress and impatient people may find it boring but give you an insight of area which is not brought to silver screen till date. Also, the way story progress and connection of scene may look worn to some people and to critics especially but for an average movie watcher like me, it still enough to make me occupied on my seat till end.
The Girl Next Door (2004)
True, Natural, little awkward but very enjoyable.
This movie isn't very real but emotions portrayed are. Film is about a teenager (Emile) who will be soon high school graduated and looking for scholarship for which he is preparing from long. One fine day, he saw a absolutely gorgeous neighbour (Elisha) who popped in suddenly to next-door and do some striping act for him. Consequences lead him to her and then story moved fwd showcasing today's high school life, beginning and breaking of emotions, teen friendship and how easily teen can be influenced. I am not going to tell you the story or plot as I just loved the naturalness in it and though it definitely not the unique one, it certainly more thrilling to get to see it without any expectation or information.
Director Luke Greenfield has done good job and developed characters effectively. Especially Emile and Elisha. Both have good talent and will heading for good future. Elisha has some resemblance with Natalie Portman especially the way she smiles but will sure make niche for herself soon. All support cast has done some good job as well especially Timothy Olyphant who played porn movie producer.
I definitely recommend the movie as must watch especially for people who love simple movies with real emotions though sometimes become awkward to watch but you enjoy them for their true portrayal. Uncut version M not sure is there some cur version or not) is strictly not to be watch with Kids or parents as contains some graphic nudity and mature content.
Rating: 7/10