Thursday, October 7, 2010

Film Review : We are Family

We are family is a adaptation or inspired by Stepmom. I havent seen that film neither its trailer etc, so no comparisons can be made by me.


The plot of the film is how Arjun gets sandwiched between 2 ladies, one who he used to love once and one who he loves now. How he tries to get both Kajol and Kareena like each others company, the children and Kareena(his new love) to gel with each other. And how the rest story goes on ...

The screenplay of the film is interesting, there is not too many surprises in store except for one maybe which atleast I wasnt aware of coming. The treatment by the debutant director is good. The best thing that I liked about his direction was that he kept the melodrama out of the scene. It appeared quite real.

There are some places where the pace slows up, specially towards the pre intermission and the pre climax. Editing could had been better there. Dialogues were good, especially the ones on the relationships. Some good Locales, though I wonder why some locations are repeatedly shown in films like the opening scene one.

The look of Arjun in the climax was quite weird. Wonder if there was any need of that big change.

Talking of weak points, I feel the decision to go back to old love by Arjun.. that wasnt really shown with full conviction. It happened way too quickly. Also, there were 1-2 scenes of kareena-kajol less in the film. Those would had made it a more powerful film. Just like the scene where Kajol accuses Kareena when she will learn to behave like a mom.

Performances wise, Kajol was brilliant. Look at her expressions especially in two scenes. One where, she asks Arjun why he feels he can manage this new relation when he couldnt do so with the old one. And the other, when she throws the kitchen utensils releazing the coming life. Though, I didnt like the over-kiddish scenes that she is given again and again in films.

Kareena Kapoor looked really gorgeous. She appeared more like a second fiddle or supporting role character in the film. And she did it very well.

Arjun Rampal had a tough role I feel. Firstly, it was the 2 highly rated actresses to compete with and then a role where he has to shine through his performance with script not really offering too much for him. Though, I liked his character sketch a lot which went very well with his performance. Loved two scenes the most, one where Kareena asks him when will he learn to say things that are in mind. And the other, where he tells Kajol, what the real problem is.

Among the kids, I loved the smallest girl Anjali. She was simply too cute, too adorable. Anyone would feel emotional when she would say a dialogue with such a cute face, like a real innocent child. I feel like watching the film again thinking of her.

The rest two kids too had their moments, the boy mainly when he tells arjun about the mess, scene present in the trailer too and a scene in the climax with kajol.

While the elder girl who was more of a rebellion type, somehow irritated me in the start. Dont know how I should think of her role. I feel her character sketch wasnt upto the mark. She appeared too much confusing.


Songs were very well used in the narrative. I really loved Lets rock song, Kajol was simply amazing in it. Very well supported by Arjun and Kareena, and superb choerography. Reham o karam was emotionally used at places. Also, same with Hamesha forever. Though, I wish quality of latter two songs was good too.

I specially loved Sun le dua song background theme which was used at 2 important situations. And they really invoked lot of emotions into the scenes. Thats the power of that theme.


Overall, We are Family is a very good watch. It isnt a come, watch and cry kind of a film. But it has some good emotional moments with a good screenplay and very good performances that keeps you interested till the end of the film.


Rating : 3.65 Out of 5 

Film Review : Lafangey Parindey

I dont know what Yash Raj is doing by producing such films, what has happened to Pradeep Sarkar or may be he isnt a good director at all, atleast he had some good shades of direction in Laaga chunari mein daag but in this film there's nothing at all.

The script is repeated in many films, just few turns here and there, and the same story is presented which is totally predictable. You probably would feel for 2-3 scenes at most, which is quite normal for a human being who isnt strict. For rest part, you are been asked to tolerate some of very stupid dialogues, some forced dialogues having names of Film Celebrities, Climax that resembles Rab ne but quite funny here.

There is just nothing to admire, even the songs are terrible leaving asides Title track that too is good in parts only.

Editing was okish, Screenplay was below average, required better narration. Dialogues were rubbish. Background score nothing impressive. Also, the boxing scenes were looking so monotous, as if they kept putting same scene again.

Performances wise, Neil and Deepika were nice but there was something missing, probably lack of powerful scenes. Piyush Mishra was ineffective too surprisingly.

One of few films, where I felt leaving before the interval, thanks to the snacks that made the 2nd half bearable.Overall, the film is totally boring with nothing new or interesting in store ...


Film Rating : 1.5 out of 5 

Film Review : Aashayein

The film had a good concept, how would utilise 3 crore that you just won in gambling, when the same day u come to know about ur death in 90 days. But this isnt the case, as the script has too many loose ends and the lack of emotions along with some un-needed parts weakens the main story.

1st Half specially goes so slow, though one can argue that this is Nagesh way of screenwriting. But still, it went way slow to my liking(though no one can ever match Manorama). Still, there were some good moments captured, the one where John sits in darkness about to tell the bad news. And the one, where he feels sorry to Sonal.

But, the real fun or best part of film comes with Anaitha Nair character that livens up the film in 2nd half. Girnad and Farida do well as supporting roles but Anaitha is such live wire, her character keeps surprising you all the way.

The climax is not really good, thanks to the Indiana Jones part that didnt gel well for me into the narration. The whole adventure thing somehow didnt connect well.

John's performance was good, not best as there were scenes where he overacted. Sonal Sehgal looks soo good but acting wise she is pretty okay though her role is quite short in film.Anaitha Nair is without a doubt brilliant, Farida Jalal character was quite unlike the one for her though she did well. Rest were good in their small parts.

Love the scene where all are watching Anand or the one where all describe what weird thing they did when they came to know of their disease.

I missed the main songs not used in the film, Pal mein was never my fav song although have to agree most songs went well with narrative still I would had liked rest songs also used instead of using 3 songs with para wise at different places.

Overall, the reason I couldnt like the film much was the fact that the message keeps roaming here and there throughout the film but it doesnt really get the right path to reach you. The lack of emotional scenes and some overdone scenes makes the matter worse only with a weak climax.


Rating : 2.25 Out of 5 

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Music Review : Striker

Starcast : Siddharth, Padmapriya, Nicolette Bird, Aditya Pancholi, Anupam Kher, Ankur Vikal, Seema Biswas.
Director : Chandan Arora
Music Director : Many(mentioned with each song)

Aim laga ungli chala
Singer- Blaaze, Composer - Blaaze, Lyrics - Nitin Raikwar, Blaaze
The song is like motivating a player in the game of carrom, the beats are nice though the rhthym and lyrics dont go well. As a background, the song may work though, else quite below the mark.
Verdict -> Below Average

Maula ajab teri karni maula
Singer - Swanand Kirkire, Composer - Swanand Kirkire, Lyrics - Swanand Kirkire
The song has religious sentiments as visible by the title. The lyrics are very good but a weak composition makes it very restrictive turning out to be a average song in the end. Swanand Kirkire has sung it quite well, though not among his bests.
Verdict -> Average

Pia saanvara tarsa raha
Singer - Sunidhi Chauhan, Composer - Shailendra Barve, Lyrics - Jitendra Joshi
Sunidhi has sung the song really well. I guess this song will be on Padmapriya describing her character. Lyrics are good. The song though requires a certain mood for repetitive listening.
Verdict -> Nice

Yun hua raat yeh
Singer - Vishal Bharadwaj, Composer - Vishal Bharadwaj, Lyrics - Gulzar
You expect awesome lyrics from Gulzar, and you get them in this song. You expect awesome composition from Vishal Bharadwaj and you dont get that this time. The song has too much of Kaminey meets U me aur hum in it throughout, so much that it fails to give a original impact. A song I wont like to remember. Sadly, its Siddharth's fav song from the film unfortunately not the same for me.
Verdict -> Below Average

Haq se le haq se
Singer - Siddharth and Yuvan, Composer - Yuvan Shankar Raja, Lyrics - Nitin Raikwar
Very good composition, the flute tune used in the starting of the song is really impressive. The lyrics though doesnt match up with the feel of the song at places.Siddharth and Yuvan has sung it quite well. The song is basically about 2 friends out of which one is telling other to play and win, only then the world will know you.
Verdict -> Good

Cham cham
Singer - Sonu Nigam, Composer - Shailendra Bharve, Lyrics - Jitendra Joshi
It wont be easy for anyone to tell that its sonu who has sung it if you dont reveal the name of singer and ask a person to listen this song. He so beautifully sings it in a different tone. The composition is beautiful and extremely romantic. The background vocals of "ra ra re ra rup tap ra re ra" make the song more loving. Even the lyrics are so romantic, with a line on the character for whom the male actor sings the song "noor barse nazar se noorie tujhmein basi hai meri jaan". The song tells the feelings of a boy who has just fallen in love.
Verdict -> Outstanding

Bombay bombay
Singer -> Siddharth, Composer - Amit Trivedi, Lyrics - Prashant Ingole
I really love when a song is done on a city or country. Be it govinda's bambai or Amrish puri's yeh mera india or Abhishek's yeh delhi hai mere yaar. And now, another one added to it, Bombay bombay(not Mumbai Mumbai) as the song is filmed on 1985 when it was Bombay only. Add to it that the composer is none other than Amit Trivedi. The composition though will remind you a bit of Aamir(rajeev khandelwal film) without a doubt.But the good thing is it doesnt last for long. The vocals by Siddharth surprised me, never knew he was so good in playback. He has some dialogues in starting, middle and end, and then ofcourse the rest is his singing part. While the song very well portrays the city, the city of dreams that never sleeps. Only wish I had was the song to be 1 min longer though its already a 5 min song, so being a touch greedy. /) The tunes used are fantastic especially during the starting, the song just makes u go mad.
Verdict -> Outstanding




My Picks :


Lyrics - Cham Cham, Maula and Yun Hua

Vocals - Sonu Nigam, Siddharth, Yuvan and Sunidhi Chauhan

Background Tunes - Bombay Bombay, Haq se and Cham cham.


Best Songs of Album : Cham Cham and Bombay Bombay


Overall, Striker is a refreshing album, with different type of songs from different composers. Some work while some dont, nevertheless the album is worth a listen.


Album Rating : 3.25 Out of 5

Sunday, January 24, 2010

Recap - Top100 Songs(2009)

Very Tough Job, I selected the songs that I like/love which were 192 in number, then removed 92 and arranged the final 100. Around 3-4 hours work it was.

Here is my list of Top100 Songs - 2009 in order ..


1. Rehna tu - delhi6
2. Dil ibadat - tum mile
3. Ek hulchul si - dev d
4. Maahi(rock with me) - raaz the mystery continues
5. Dhan te nan - kaminey
6. Main chala - jashnn
7. Jashn hai jeet ka - london dreams
8. Sapno se bhare naina - luck by chance
9. Aahun aahun - love aaj kal
10. Kurbaan hua - kurbaan

11. Pardesi - dev d
12. Kaisa yeh raaz hai - raaz the mystery continues
13. Duniya - dev d
14. Masakalli - delhi6
15. Emosanal atyachar(rock) - dev d
16. Barso yaaron - london dreams
17. Tu hi haqeeqat - tum mile
18. Hikknaal - dev d
19. Dil gira dafatan - delhi6
20. Maahi - raaz the mystery continues
21. Delhi6 - delhi6
22. Dard e tanhaayi - jashnn
23. O meri jaan - tum mile
24. Kaminey - kaminey
25. Emosanal atyachar - dev d
26. Chak lain de - chandni chowk to china
27. Morey saiyyan - tere sang
28. Soniyo - raaz tmc
29. Kuch aisa - aao wish karen
30. Rafa dafa - radio

31. Aankh micholi - dev d
32. Dont say alvida - main aur mrs khanna
33. Yeh dooriyan - love aaj kal
34. Yahi meri zindagi - dev d
35. Reh jaane do - aao wish karen
36. Iktara(male) - wake up sid
37. Duniya - gulaal
38. Jao na - whats your rashee
39. Aalam gujarne ko - kal kissne dekha
40. Behti hawa sa - 3idiots
41. Ali maula - kurbaan
42. Nazrein karam - jashnn
43. Hey kaala bandar - delhi6
44. Sau janam - whats your rashee
45. Fiqraana - blue
46. Khanabadosh - london dreams
47. Tum mile - tum mile
48. Alisha - pyar impossible
49. Blue - blue
50. Aye saaye mere - new york

51. Salaam aaya - veer
52. Zoobi doobi - 3idiots
53. 10 on 10 - pyar impossible
54. Aarambh - gulaal
55. Main kya hoon - love aaj kal
56. Nazaara hai - tasveer 8 by 10
57. Ishq hi hai rab - dil bole hadippa
58. Kyun - kambhakht ishq
59. Allah hoo - sikandar
60. Rehnuma - blue
61. Aal izz well - 3idiots
62. Piya jaise ladoo - radio
63. Salone kya - whats your rashee
64. Om mangalam - kambhakht ishq
65. Wake up sid - wake up sid
66. Rana ji - gulaal
67. Sureeli ankhiyon wali - veer
68. Tu ne re - victory
69. Sabse peeche hum khade - aao wish karen
70. Saali khushi - dev d
71. Aaya re - jashnn
72. Chiggy wiggy - blue
73. Sufi - jai veeru
74. Money money - victory
75. Mera bharat mahaan - rann

76. Paisa - de dana dan
77. Rann hai - rann
78. Saiyyan ve - jail
79. Nayan tarse - dev d
80. Tune jo na kaha - new york
81. Yaar mila tha - blue
82. Khudaya khair - billu
83. Khawab jo - london dreams
84. Chandni chowk to china - chandni chowk to china
85. Gali mudhi ittefaq se - paa
86. Damaadji - radio
87. Pehli baar mohabbat - kaminey
88. Aish karle - jashnn
89. Chor bazaari - love aaj kal
90. You may be - aladin
91. Mann ka radio - radio
92. Khudaya ve - luck
93. Mere sang - new york
94. Aaj din chadeya - love aaj kal
95. Dil yeh deewana - chandni chowk to china
96. Tera hone laga hun - ajab prem ki gajab kahani
97. Tu jaane na - ajab prem ki gajab kahani
98. Shukran allah - kurbaan
99. Dhadke jiya - aloo chaat
100. Rabba - main aur mrs khanna


Songs which I loved but couldnt adjust in Top100 :


Rishtey naate - de dana dan
Bebo - do knot disturb
Rab milya - tere sang
Gale lag jaa - de dana dan
Taali - veer
Bikhri bikhri - whats your rashee
Jaane nahi denge tujhe - 3idiots
Gajab - aa dekhen zara
Meherbaaniyaan - veer
Jaayu kahan - billu
Gulon mein - sikandar
Mann ko atibhaave - london dreams
Shola shola - london dreams
Yaari bina - london dreams
Aasmaa odh kar - 13b
Besharam - rann
Remote ko bahar phenk - rann
Yeh zindagi bhi - luck by chance
Manzaraat - sikandar
Milke yun laga - jail
Tere bina - kal kissne dekha
Aa le chal - whats your rashee
Dhadkan dhadkan - whats your rashee
Aaja Lehraate - whats your rashee
Bebo main bebo - kambhakht ishq
Bhangra bistar - dil bole hadippa
Hai junoon - new york
Kya karun - wake up sid
Mere naal - do knot disturb
Zulfein khol khaal ke - do knot disturb
Yeh jism - acid factory
You get me rocking n reeling - billu
Twist - love aaj kal
Vaada raha - vaada raha
Aloo chaat - aloo chaat
I got the picture - tasveer 8 by 10
Aazma luck(male) - luck
Aazma luck(female) - luck
Jee le - luck
Baawre - luck by chance
Just do it - chance pe dance
Main tera dhadkan teri - ajab prem ki gajab kahani



Some other songs that I liked in 2009 :


Koi na koi chahe - radio
Shaam ho chali hai - radio
Kuch iss tarah - tasveer 8 by 10
Aaj dil gustakh - blue
Dil bole hadippa - dil bole hadippa
Yeh aaj kya ho gaya - luck by chance
Tak dhina dhin - aladin
Ji jala - pankh
Balla utha - victory
Chai ke bahaane - chintuji
Mushkil halaato se darna kaisa - jugaad
Dhol yaara dhol - dev d
Tu hai rab mera - jugaad
Koyal kuke - life partner
Kyun hota hai dil deewana - shortkut con is on
Kal nau baje - shortkut con is on
Mind it - quickgun murgan
Dil keke - wanted
Jalwa - wanted
Aaj kal zindagi - wake up sid
Pal mein hi - chance pe dance
Pump it up - chance pe dance
Tennu le - jai veeru
Aisa toh socha na tha - victory
Jashn hai josh hai - kal kissne dekha
Soniye billori - kal kissne dekha
Daata sun le - jail
Raat ke dhai bhaje - kaminey
Fataak - kaminey
Pyar impossible - pyar impossible
Yeh kaisa love - pyar impossible
You n me - pyar impossible
Sikkon ki bhookh - rann
I will be there for you - tere sang
Maula mila de - tere sang
India se aaya mera dost - chandni chowk to china
Pyaari pyaari - whats your rashee
Maula maula - ruslaan
Teri yaadein leke - runway
Haan main jitni martaba - all the best
Kyun - all the best
Sheher - gulaal
O raahi re - luck by chance
Pocket mein rocket - rocket singh salesman of the year
Gadbadi hadbadi - rocket singh salesman of the year
Pankhon ko - rocket singh salesman of the year
Boliyaan - aloo chaat
Gumm summ - paa
Mere paa - paa
Aa dekhen zara - aa dekhen zara
Ae aa o - billu

Saturday, January 23, 2010

Recap - Albums (2009)

There were numerous albums released in 2009, 118 to be precise. Cant really compare music of 2009 with 2008 as I feel music is something that you are bound to love, its hard that a year passes by and you dont add numerous number of songs in your all time favourites list.

Here's my Top10 Albums of 2009 in brief :

1. DELHI6

Rahman at his best ..

My Favs : Rehna Tu, Dil Gira Dafatan and Masakalli

Special Mention : I love the rap done in the Hey Kaala Bandar Song. ;)










2. DEV D

Amit Trivedi is a new sensation in the Music Composers arena today with Aamir first and now Dev D.

My Favs : Pardesi, Duniya, Ek Hulchul si and Emosanal Rock version..

Special Mention : The background tune that comes in Ek hulchul si after 1st antara is very haunting. Also, the scream or anger(whtever u call it) by Anurag Kashyap in Emosanal rock version track.


3. LONDON DREAMS


Shankar Ehsaan Loy with another gem of a album.

My Favs : Barso Yaaron and Jashn hai Jeet Ka.

Special Mention : Barso Yaaron literally makes you dance with the song such is its impact along with the Hanuman Chalisa. While the lines "Maine dhakel ke andhere cheen ke le li roshni, mere hisse ke the savere, mere hisse ki roshni" from Jashn hai jeet ka are outstanding.



4. RAAZ - THE MYSTERY CONTINUES


Lots of Composers like Toshi-Sharib, Raju Singh and Pranay Rijia giving a very good overall album.

My Favs : Maahi and Kaisa yeh raaz hai

Special Mention : Soniyo is one of most romantic tracks sung by Sonu Nigam, while the starting tune of Kaisa yeh raaz hai is somewhat scary.



5. JASHNN

Probably first solo album by Toshi-Sharib I guess, and such a great final product.

My Favs : Main Chala and Nazrein Karam


Special Mention : Nouman Javaid's main chala and dard e tanhaayi are extremely emotional tracks(credit to all 3 - compositions, nouman and lyrics).





6. TUM MILE


Among Pritam's best compositions ever without a Single Doubt.


My Favs : Dil Ibadat, Tu hi haqeeqat and O meri jaan.

Special Mention : Lyrics of all songs especially dil ibadat and o meri jaan. While the extreme romantic feel in the tunes of tu hi haqeeqat.



7. KAMINEY

Vishal Bharadwaj, name that I didnt really think of as that special until Kaminey came.

My Favs : Dhan te nan and Kaminey

Special Mention : The use of Punjabi lines before 2nd antara of Dhan te nan increases the madness of the song(yet to understand those lyrics).

8. LOVE AAJ KAL

The magic of Jab We Met duo working again as Imtiaz - Pritam pair delivers again.

My Favs : Aahun aahun and Yeh dooriyan.

Special Mention : The Twist tune and Main kya hoon composition.




9. GULAAL


Impact of Powerful lyrics with good compositions describes Gulaal perfectly, Piyush Mishra the man behind them.

My Favs : Yeh duniya agar mil bhi jaaye, Aarambh hai

Special Mention : Lyrics of all songs, the references made in Rana ji song.





10. LUCK BY CHANCE


Shankar Ehsaan Loy delivering another great album. The main reason I loved the album a lot is the connectivity factor that is present in each and every song(leaving baawre).


My Favs : Sapno se bhare naina and Yeh Zindagi bhi

Special Mention : The 3 mins scene before sapno se bhare naina upto the end of the song are worth remembering the lifetime. The song that was filmed in the best possible way.

Other Albums that Just missed my Top10 :
Rann, Whats your Rashee, Radio, New York, Pyar Impossible, Paa, 3Idiots, Aao Wish Karen and Blue.


Most Under Rated Albums :

Aao Wish Karen : It has such awesome Xulfi tracks and also Kunal's sabse peeche hum khade.
New York : Badly affected by the large number of music albums released at same time. Loved tune jo na kaha and Ae saaye mere.
Jashnn : It wasnt popular at all, thanks to non famous starcast.
London Dreams : Wonder why people didnt like it, it was a complete album from S-E-L.

Most Over Rated Album :

Ajab Prem ki Gajab Kahani : Damn over rated, except for 2 songs(tu jaane na and tera hone laga hun), rest songs werent that special at all.



Dev D and Delhi6 are simply awesome albums of 2009(every music freak must agree to it).

Looking forward to 2010 Music ;)

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Leonardo Di Caprio - Amazing Actor!

I dont know what value this actor has in the minds of those who call themselves huge hollywood freaks. May be they consider him okish or bad actor. Also, most of the Hollywood films that I have seen till now have been of Leonardo only.

I have seen his 4 films till now, hopefully will catch up with many more very soon. There is something in his acting that excites me a lot.

Jack Dawson of 'Titanic', so brillaintly he portrayed the character of a young guy who despite being poor isnt shy of falling in love with a richgirl and dies in the process of saving her from the falling ship i.e Titanic. My favourite scenes are actually two here, one is when he tries to prevent Rose from jumping and other is the climax one when he asks Rose to promise that she will live no matter what.






Billy Costigan of 'The Departed', here he played a undercover cop who is on a
mission which is so dangerous that he could end up dieing. The f word is used so much in this film(makes me wonder if its remake comes in bollywood and anurag kashyap makes it, how it would be :p).

He plays the character of a guy who is scared at times, angry with the person he is working for as he is in some dangerous situations and also worried about the informer who hasnt been tracked out yet. I specially loved the scene where Frank takes him to a place and the background score of "Shipping to Boston" plays, which so well brings out the current state of Billy(it was the pre climax scene).


Roger Ferris of 'Body of Lies', its probably one of least liked films of his for me, but I still liked his performance a lot. His character somewhat matches with the 'The Departed' one. Still he brings about so many different mannerisms that sets Roger apart from Billy. His initial visits to Aisha's colony and the Russell Crowe hit on chair making him fall are my most fav scenes of this film.






Frank Wheeler of 'Revolutionary Road', its probably a disturbing film. When I saw it, it took time for me to understand why Frank and April(Kate Winslet) behave in such a way. Leonardo's character has got a grey shade and so does Kate. Both shout, scream, their anger scenes cant be described. Infact, the post Tu hi haqeeqat sequences in past life scenes of Tum mile are quite similar to the fights these two have in this film(not completely though). There is a 2-3 minutes silent scene(which we rarely see in hindi films), I just love that entire sequence that has a very light background music as they show Frank who just had a worst fight with April, is feeling bit guilty and looking for her to come back.


I will be watching 'Catch me if you can' pretty soon, will surely write on it here when I do. Also, waiting anxiously for his next 2 films - 'Shutter Island and Inception', simply loved its trailers.