Tuesday, January 31, 2012

The Descendants [Views]

Directed by Alexandar Payne

What is it that makes the women in my life destroy themselves ?


Matt King (George Clooney) has the responsibility of handling his two daughters, one has already got out of control, and the other isn't far away. His wife suffered a tragic boat accident, and after been in coma for some time, the doctor's finally give up on her. As her last wish, Matt wants every person whom she loved to come and visit her once in hospital. What he doesn't know is that there would be one person that he would have to himself find and bring in to meet her. A secret he was unaware of, which somewhat weakens him at a time when he needs lot of strength.

What I really loved about the film was its treatment. The screenplay has the humour as well as the drama to make you emotional. Story is very much common, what the director excels is in bringing the small things out of the chosen story, those various moments, the dilemna situations where you wonder what is right, and whether you should do something for a person you know has in a way dissappointed him! 

I like the way plot is built, there is no forced change in the behavior of daughters towards their father. Even at the end of film, there hasn't too much changed.. only change you see is they start having a emotional connect with him now. Maybe, it is because of their mother who is now gone. Or it is, most likely in my view for the time he spent with them while arranging everything so that their mother's final wish gets completed. That final shot of all three together is one of the best from the film. 

Cinematography is very good, specially the island sequences.. they look so beautiful. 

Some of my fav scenes would be, Matt running to his wife's friend to know the truth, which his elder daughter revealed to him. The scene where Matt talks to his wife alone in hospital, the only way he has to take all the anger inside out. The scenes between Matt and Sid (Nick Krause) are quite humurous, especially the 'retarded' dialogue one. The one where Matt decides about what he would do with the plot he is sole trustee of. And, the scene where the doctor tells Scotty about her mother.. for first time she shows the emotional side in a otherwise 'in a getting spoiled mode' throughout the film. 

George Clooney performance is very good, his expressions as a father who is unsure how he would tackle the two monsters of daughters.. and at the same time the pain he is going through after getting that shocking news about his wife. There are some silent scenes in movie involving him, like the one where he cries going at a place after knowing the name of the person. 

Amara Miller is very cute as a small child, love the way she replies back to her father.. and the final moments of film where she presents her emotional side very well too. 

Shailene Woodley looked beautiful, and a very good supporting role she had. She was the elder daughter, the one on whom Matt could rely on. Very spoilt, but realizing the need of the situation, she helped him though with all her attitude, and a boyfriend that travels everywhere. 

Nick Krause, was in the film only to bring a added humour into the screenplay. He does have 1-2 good advice sequences with Matt too. 

Also, actors who played Elizabeth's (Mattt's wife)  father and mother, were nice.. specially the father. Reminds me of the scene where he hits Sid on his face for laughing at Elizabeth's mother's condition. 


Overall, The Descendants has a beautiful take on family relationships especially father-daugther.. plus a journey of Matt, who tries to tie the loose ends of his life. 


------
Yash.

Most Awaited Films of 2012

Here's my list of top 20 most awaited movies from 2012 :

P.S - The release dates are subjected to change.

Kahaani (March 9)
directed by Sujoy Ghosh, starring Vidya Balan

Based in Kolkata, story of a woman, who is pregnant and is in search of his husband. Vidya Balan looks impressive in its trailer, could be another of her powerful performances.


Shanghai (In between March - June)
directed by Dibakar Banerjee, starring Abhay Deol, Emraan Hashmi, Pitobash, Kalki Koechin

A political thriller about the rise of common man. The abhay-emraan due makes this one special, Dibakar told in a interview that these two have given powerful performances. Also, wonder if Kalki is once again paired against Abhay or not. 


Agent Vinod (March 23)
directed by Sriram Raghavan, starring Saif Ali Khan, Kareena Kapoor

A spy movie with a fantastic trailer. Some good humour with action and thrill on cards. Expectations high from Sriram whose last two films Johnny Gaddar and Ek Haseena Thi were loved by cinema lovers.

Ferrari ki Sawaari (April 27)
directed by Rajesh Mapuskar, starring Sharman Joshi

Vidhu Vinod Chopra production film, and Sharman Joshi in male lead. Vidya Balan's item number would add to the film's appeal. Also, the theme would be new, expecting something creative and fresh from it. It might be Sharman's first solo success.

Gangs of Wasseypur (May)
directed by Anurag Kashyap, starring Manoj Bajpayee, Nawazuddin, Shabana Azmi, Piyush Mishra

The film deals with coal mafia, based on Surajbhan Singh, the Bihar politician convicted for Murder. The theme may interest Gulaal lovers especially. Manoj and Shabana are powerful actors, and one can expect Anurag to handle them perfectly. Plus, Nawazuddin has been praised a lot by Anurag on twitter, so looking forward to his acting.

Jannat 2 (May 4)
directed by Kunal Deshmukh, starring Emraan Hashmi, Randeep Hooda, Esha Gupta

The trailer would be out in a week or two. I loved its earlier part, this time also the main theme is about Emraan believing in earning money quickly by any means. Randeep Hooda has risen as a actor ever since Once upon a time in Mumbai. And Esha would look to impress in her debut.

Dangerous Ishq (May 11)
directed by Vikram Bhatt, starring Karishma Kapoor, Jimmy Shergill, Rajneesh Duggal

Comeback film of Karishma kapoor, where she essays 5 different roles with the film based on 5 generations over past lives in 15th century. Vikram bhatt may impress a lot in one film and totally dissappoint in another. I hope Rajneesh has a substantial role in the film with Jimmy also there. Also, Himesh Reshmmiya has given the music.

Talaash (June 1)
directed by Reema Kagti, starring Aamir Khan, Rani Mukherjee, Kareena Kapoor

A murder mystery, the trailer didn't reveal much which is quite good. 3 powerful actors, and Reema got enough praise for her directorial debut Honeymoon travels pvt ltd. Also, music by Ram Sampath after Delhi Belly would be something to watch out for.

Rowdy Rathore (June 15)
directed by Prabhu Deva, starring Akshay Kumar, Sonakshi Sinha

2nd film of Prabhu after 'Wanted', and its again a action film. It could be the film that could re-define Akshay Kumar's career. Also, a chance to see how good the chemistry is between Sonakshi and Akshay.. as they will be seen later in 'Joker' also.

Barfi (July 13)
directed by Anurag Basu, starring Ranbir Kapoor, Priyanka Chopra, Ileana d Cruz

Modern Charlie chaplin who cant talk or listen, a comedy film that could be one of best of year if its well presented. Kites failed but I loved it and Basu always has been one of my favs director. The buzz of the trailer is, that the movie would be anticipated by everyone once its trailer is out. Ranbir-Priyanka chemistry was missing in Anjaana Anjaani, one hopes they are sizzling this time around. Also, south actress Ileana makes her hindi debut with this film.

Ek Tha Tiger (August)
directed by Kabir Khan, starring Salman Khan, Katrina Kaif, Ranvir Shorey

Salman Khan plays the role of a undercover agent of Indian Intelligence Agency. The film's action sequences are told to be inspired from Bourne Series. Also, Salman-Katrina were last seen in Yuvvraaj that didn't work. Kabir Khan is known for hard-hitting films in his own way, I expect different action film than the usual Salman films we have got accustomed to now.

Raaz 3 (August 31)
directed by Vikram Bhatt, starring Emraan Hashmi, Bipasha Basu, Jacqueline Fernandez

The film explores the horror of the human heart. Emraan-Bipasha paired for first time against each other. Both the previous raaz versions are close to me because of personal reasons. Hence, this also becomes a highly awaited film for me. Vikram Bhatt had directed 1st part, Mohit did the 2nd one, and now Vikram gets to direct again.

Heroine (September)
directed by Madhur Bhandarkar, starring Kareena Kapoor, Arjun Rampal, Randeep Hooda

The journey of a girl to stardom and what follows after that. Aishwarya was officially going to do it, but pregnancy made her leave the film. Kareena Kapoor is in right hands to give good performance, only thing is that Will Madhur form a screenplay that's different from Fashion as the main theme is holding some resemblance.. I am sure, once the trailer comes out.. these negative vibes will end. If the film works, Kareena could win best actress awards in 2013 everywhere.

Aiyya (September 28)
directed by Sachin Khandelkar, starring Prithiviraj, Rani Mukherjee

A anurag kashyap production, and remake of south film 'Arya', Prithivaj to make hindi debut. The story is about a Tamilian painter falling in love with a Maharashtrian girl. The name 'Anurag' always increases my expectations.

Lootera (October 26)
directed by Vikramaditya Motwane, starring Ranveer Singh, Sonakshi Sinha

Its his 2nd film after the much praised 'Udaan'. Ranveer plays a character who is fond of Dev Anand. A film set in 50's backdrop, as both Ranveer and Sonakshi fall in love under strange circumstances. Also, first film for Ranveer outside yashraj banner.

Yash Chopra untitled next (November)
directed by Yash Chopra, starring Shahrukh Khan, Katrina Kaif, Anushka Sharma

Yash chopra returns to direction after more than 5 yrs, last being Veer Zaara. Shahrukh-Katrina together in a movie for first time.. A R Rahman music and Gulzar lyricist.. its a total powerful cast and crew. But, the question remains, will Yash Chopra make a love story he has made in past and make today's youth bow down to it, or will he bow down and make a film that today's youth likes. I hope its the former, with mix of latter.

Once upon a time in Mumbai 2 (No date fixed yet)
directed by Milan Luthria, starring Akshay Kumar

There is no declaration of rest cast yet, the film is a sequel to the original one, as the story continues further. Akshay plays the character Emraan played, i.e Dawood. Its set in 80's and shows the rise of the evil prince to turn the king of Underworld. I loved the 1st part, very stylish and great punchlines. Expecting Milan to get in my good books again after dissappointing in The Dirty Picture.

Matru Ki Bijlee ka Mandola (No date fixed yet)
directed by Vishal Bharadwaj, starring Imran Khan, Anushka Sharma, Pankaj Kapur, Shabana Azmi

To work with a talented director would be blessing in disguise for Imran only if he takes this opportunity. Vishal has in past brought the best out of actors in his films like Saif in Omkara or Shahid in Kaminey. It also would be test of Anushka Sharma, as females in past have had key roles in vishal's films. To see Pankaj and Shabana together in a film, just increases the craze. Also, not to forget the music would be by Vishal Bharadwaj.

Bhaag Milkha Bhaag (No date fixed yet)
directed by Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, starring Farhan Akhtar

Another ambitious film it would be for Farhan as a actor. Plus, he has yet to give a hit as solo actor.. this could be it. A story on legendary athelete 'Milkha Singh' , the theme reflects 'zindagi se bhaago nahi, zindagi ke saath bhaago'. The music would be by A R Rahman.

Sudhir Mishra's next (No date fixed yet)
directed by Sudhir Mishra, starring Arjun Rampal, Chitrangada Singh

Chitrangada plays a ambitious woman who accuses her boss Arjun for sexual harassment, whom she loves. Slight deja-vu of Aitraaz, but I am sure the treatment would be different, and so would be the ending.


Some of the other notable films that could surprise this year are :

• 1920 Evil Returns (directed by Bhushan patel, starring Aftab, Tia,Vidya Malvade)
• Blood Money (directed by Vishal Mahadkar, starring Kunal Khemu, Amrita Puri)
• Bol Bachchan (directed by Rohit Shetty, starring Abhishek,Ajay, Asin, Prachi)
• Chaar Din ki Chandni (directed by Samir Karnik, starring Tusshar Kapoor, Kulraj Randhawa)
• Chashme Buddoor (directed by David Dhawan, starring Ali Zafar, Siddharth, Divyendu)
• Cocktail (directed by Homi Adajania, starring Saif Ali Khan, Deepika Padukone)
• Dabangg 2 (directed by Arbaaz Khan, starring Salman Khan, Prakash Raj, Sonakshi Sinha)
• Department (directed by Ram Gopal Verma, starring Amitabh, Sanjay, Anjana, Rana, Naseeruddin)
• Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu (directed by Shakun Batra, starring Imran, Kareena)
• Ek Deewana Tha (directed by Gautham Menon, starring Pratiek, Amy)

• Go Goa Gone (directed by Raj Nidimoru, Krishna DK, starring Saif, Kunal Khemu, Vir Das)
• Housefull 2 (directed by Sajid Khan, starring Akshay, John, Ritiesh, Asin, Jacqueline)
• Joker (directed by Shirish Kunder, starring Akshay, Sonakshi, Shreyas, Minnisha)
• Khiladi 786 (directed by Ashish R Mohan, starring Akshay, Himesh, Ileana)
• Kismat, Love, Paisa, Dilli (directed by Sanjay Khanduri, starring Vivek Oberoi, Mallika Sherawat)
• Kunal Kohli's next (starring Shahid Kapur, Priyanka Chopra)
• Kya Super Kool Hai Hum (directed by Sachin Yardi, starring Tusshar, Ritiesh, Neha, Sarah)
• London Paris New York (directed by Anu Menon, starring Ali Zafar, Aditi Rao Hydari)
• Milan Talkies (directed by Tigmanshu Dhulia, starring Pratiek Babbar)
• Race 2 (directed by Abbas Mastaan, starring Saif, Anil, John, Deepika, Jacqueline)

• Rock the Shaadi (directed by Navdeep Singh, starring Abhay, Genelia, Preeti Desai)
• Shootout at Wadala (directed by Sanjay Gupta, starring John, Anil, Tusshar)
• Son of Sardar (directed by Ashwini Dhir, starring Ajay, Sonakshi, Juhi, Sanjay)
• Student of the Year (directed by Karan Johar, starring Siddharth, Varun, Ali, Rishi, Sanjay Dutt)
• Tezz (directed  by Priyadarshan, starring Ajay, Zayed, Kangana, Anil, Boman, Sameera)
• Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani (directed  by Ayan Mukherji, starring Ranbir, Deepika)
• Paan Singh Tomar (directed by Tigmanshu Dhulia, starring Irffan Khan, Mahie Gill, Nawazuddin)
• Maximum (directed by Kabir Kaushik, starring Sonu Sood, Naseeruddin, Neha, Vinay, Anjana)
• Hate Story (directed by Vivek Agnihotri, starring Gulshan Devaiya, Paoli Dam, Nikhil Dwivedi)
• Luv Shuv Tey Chicken Khurana (directed by Sameer Sharma, starring Kunal Kapoor, Huma)

Also, I hope 'Its my Life' and 'Mumbai Cutting', pending since 2008 release this year.

Since I have started watching English films a lot too now, so here's my list of Hollywood films that I am waiting for the most (not sure if they would release in India, this year only.. so feel free to correct)

Dark Knight Rises (July)

I haven't seen the 1st part, but the 2nd part with the 'Joker' character is one of my most fav. The trailer was very impressive, plus Nolan is well known for keeping screenplay in such a way that you could keep thinking over week's what the ending was.


The Bourne Legacy (August)

I was dissappointed to know that Matt Damon won't be in this 4th part. He was spectacular in the first three parts. The action sequences, background score, engaging screenplay and Damon were the reasons for success of earlier parts. It would be a test for 'The Bourne Legacy' to repeat it without Damon in the film. 


Skyfall (November)

Read in a interview that its a bond film. A confession : I have not seen a single bond film. This could be my first, as spy films I enjoy watching a lot.


Django Unchained (Dec 25)

Tarantino to explore racism and slavery, with Leonardo di caprio. It's clearly one of most anticipated films for me. I guess they both haven't worked together yet. Expect another stylish film from Tarantino. 


The Great Gatsby (December)

A leonardo di caprio film playing the lead 'Gatsby'. Another film based on a novel, I just hope it turns out much better than J.Edgar did. Also, there is a talk that Amitabh Bachchan might play special appearance or cameo in the film.



I hope 2012 lives upto the expectations from the biggies, as more often than not.. these biggies turn out to be  bad experiences. Looking forward to see each and every film mentioned in this blogpost. Bring it on!

------
Yash.

Sunday, January 29, 2012

Recap 2011 : Performances

Below is my list for various categories of 2011 Films, with 1 winner and next 4 deserving nominees.

Best Actor Male : Ranbir Kapoor (Rockstar)


• Shahrukh Khan (Don 2)
• Pratiek Babbar (Dhobi Ghat)
• Ajay Devgan (Singham)
• Irffan Khan (Yeh saali Zindagi)


Best Actor Female : Priyanka Chopra (7 Khoon Maaf)


• Vidya Balan (No one killed Jessica)
• Kalki Koechin (That girl in yellow Boots)
• Vidya Balan (The Dirty Picture)
• Monica Dogra (Dhobi Ghat)


Best Director : Imtiaz Ali (Rockstar)


• Zoya Akhtar (Zindagi na milegi Dobara)
• Raj Kumar Gupta (No one killed Jessica)
• Kiran Rao (Dhobi Ghat)
• Vishal Bharadwaj (7 Khoon Maaf)


Best Film : Rockstar


• 7 Khoon Maaf
• No one killed Jessica 
• Don 2 
• Dhobi Ghat


Best Supporting Actor Male : Farhan Akhtar (Zindagi na milegi Dobara)


• Naseeruddin Shah (The Dirty Picture)
• Hrithik Roshan (Zindagi na milegi Dobara)
• Rajeev Khandelwal (Shaitan)
• Neil Nitin Mukesh (7 Khoon Maaf)


Best Supporting Actor Female : Rani Mukherjee (No one killed Jessica)


• Parineeti Chopra (Ladies vs Ricky Bahl)
• Poorna Jagannathan (Delhi Belly)
• Kriti Malhotra (Dhobi Ghat)
• Nushrat Bharucha (Pyar ka Punchnama)


Best Actor in a Comic Role : Divyendu Sharma (Pyar ka Punchnama)


• Bobby Deol (Yamla pagla Deewana)
• Paresh Rawal (Ready)
• Vir Das (Delhi Belly) 
• Deepak Dobriyal (Tanu weds Manu)


Best Actor in a Negative role : Prashant Narayanan (Murder 2)


• Prakash Raj (Singham)
• Vidyut Jammwa (Force)
• Boman Irani (Don 2)
• Mohammad Zeeshan Ayyub (No one killed Jessica)


Best Music : A R Rahman (Rockstar)


• Vishal Bharadwaj (7 Khoon Maaf)
• Ram Sampath (Delhi Belly) 
• Vishal Shekhar (Ra.One)
• Chirantan Bhatt (Haunted)


Best Lyricist : Irshad Kamil - jo bhi main (Rockstar)


• Irshad Kamil - saadda haq (Rockstar)
• Gulzar - awaara (7 Khoon Maaf)
• Irshad Kamil - rabba main toh (Mausam)
• Prasoon Joshi - accha lagta hai (Aarakshan)


Best Playback Singer Male : Mohit Chauhan - saadda haq (Rockstar)


• Master Saleem - awaara (7 khoon Maaf)
• Mohammed Irfan - phir mohabbat (Murder 2)
• Mohit Chauhan - tum ho (Rockstar)
• Rahat Fateh Ali Khan - ishq risk (Mere brother ki dulhan)


Best Playback Singer Female : Usha Uthup & Rekha Bharadwaj - darling (7 Khoon Maaf)


• Harshdeep Kaur - katiya karoon (Rockstar)
• Neha Bhasin - dhunki (Mere brother ki Dulhan)
• Shreya Ghoshal - teri meri (Bodyguard)
• Sunidhi Chauhan - aa zara (Murder 2)


Best Debut Male : Vivaan Shah (7 Khoon Maaf)


• Kartikeya Tiwari (Pyar ka Punchnama)
• Saqib Saleem (Mujhse Fraaandship Karoge)
• Gulshan Devaiah (Shaitan)
• Partho A. Gupte (Stanley ka Dabba)


Best Debut Female : Parineeti Chopra (Ladies vs Ricky Bahl)


• Saba Azaad (Mujhse Fraaandship Karoge)
• Monica Dogra (Dhobi Ghat)
• Nargis Fakhri (Rockstar)
• Poorna Jagannathan (Delhi Belly) 


Best Debut Director : Kiran Rao (Dhobi Ghat)


• Bejoy Nambiar (Shaitan)
• Nupur Asthana (Mujhse Fraaandship Karoge)
• Amol Gupte (Stanley ka Dabba)
• Luv Ranjan (Pyar ka Punchnama)


Best Story : Ruskin Bond & Vishal Bharadwaj (7 Khoon Maaf)


• Amol Gupte (Stanley ka Dabba)
• Imtiaz Ali (Rockstar)
• Pankaj Kapur (Mausam)
• Zoya Akhtar & Reema Kagti (Zindagi na milegi Dobara)


Best Scene : Rajjo's outburst in a 5 mins long monologue (Pyar ka Punchnama)


• Conversation of Khatana and Jordan on road (Rockstar)
• Sussanna dances on 'Darling' after knowing truth of her husband (7 khoon Maaf)
• Imran after meeting his father, with the shayari 'dil tu kyun rota hai' (Zindagi na milegi Dobara)
• Ra.one enters a ground where raavan is being burnt on Dussehra (Ra.One)


Best Jodi : Saqeeb-Saba (Mujhse Fraaandship Karoge)


• Priyanka-Vivaan (7 khoon Maaf)
• Ajay-Kajal (Singham)
• Hrithik-Katrina (Zindagi na milegi Dobara)
• Rajeev-Soha (Soundtrack)


Best Trailer : Agneepath


• Shaitan
• Murder 2 
• Rockstar 
• Don 2 


Best Screenplay : Imtiaz Ali (Rockstar)


• Bejoy Nambiar & Megha Ramaswamy (Shaitan)
• Zoya Akhtar & Reema Kagti (Zindagi na milegi Dobara)
• Raj Kumar Gupta (No one killed Jessica)
• Sudhir Mishra (Yeh saali Zindagi)


Best Dialogue : Farhan Akhtar & Javed Akhtar (Zindagi na milegi Dobara)


• Akshat Verma (Delhi Belly)
• Luv Ranjan, Sumit Saxena & Vaibhav Suman (Pyar ka Punchnama)
• Rajat Arora (The Dirty Picture)
• Farhan Akhtar (Don 2)


Best Editing : Aarti Bajaj (Rockstar)


• Namrata Rao (Ladies vs Ricky Bahl)
• Shan Mohammad & Dipika Karla (My friend Pinto)
• Archit Rastogi (Yeh saali Zindagi)
• Nishant Radhakrishnan (Dhobi Ghat)


Best Choreography : Bosco Caesar - senorita (Zindagi na milegi Dobara)


• Farah Khan - I hate you like I love you (Delhi Belly)
• Ganesh Hegde - chamak challo (Ra.One)
• Sandip Sopparkar - darling (7 khoon Maaf)
• Pony Prakash Raj - ooh la la (The Dirty Picture)


Best Background Score : Ranjit Barot (Shaitan)


• Gustavo Santaolalla (Dhobi Ghat)
• Vishal Bharadwaj (7 Khoon Maaf)
• Amit Trivedi (No one killed Jessica)
• A R Rahman (Rockstar)


Best Cinematography : Carlos Catalan (Zindagi na milegi Dobara)


• Binod Pradhan (Mausam)
• Ranjan Palit (7 khoon Maaf)
• Anil Mehta (Rockstar)
• Tushar Kanti Roy (Dhobi Ghat)


Best Action : Allan Amin (Force)


• Vijayan Master (Bodyguard)
• Feroz-Parvez/Andy Gill/Spiro Rozatos (Ra.One)
• Matthias Barsch (Don 2)
• Jai Singh Nijjar (Singham)


Best Art Direction : Subrata Chakraborthy & Punita Grover (7 khoon Maaf)


• Samir Chanda (Mausam)
• Dhananjay Mondal (Saheb Biwi aur Gangster)
• Haris Umar Khan (Mod)
• Shashank Tere (Delhi Belly)


Best Costumes : Manish Malhotra, Aki Narula & Dolly Ahluwalia (Rockstar)


• Lovleen Bains (Mausam)
• Aarti Pathkar (Yeh saali Zindagi)
• Anaita Shroff Adajania & Manish Malhotra (Ra.One)
• Jaimal Obedera (Don 2)




Distribution of Winners (films wise) --

Rockstar                                           : 9
7 Khoon Maaf                                  : 5
Zindagi na milegi Dobara                   : 4
Pyar ka Punchnama                          : 2
Force/Mujhse Fraanandship Karoge : 1
Agneepath/Dhobi Ghat                     : 1
Ladies vs Ricky Bahl                        : 1
No one killed Jessica/Murder 2        : 1
Shaitan                                            : 1


Rockstar easily takes away most categories for me, its impossible to choose Shahrukh over Ranbir even though I loved Shahrukh a lot in Don 2. Priyanka Chopra in 7 Khoon Maaf was too  good to be ignored just because the film was a flop at boxoffice. Imtiaz Ali was easily the pick of the directors, zoya's direction in luck by chance was much better, not denying that I liked zindagi na milegi dobara very much.

Farhan proved how good he can be even with Hrithik and Abhay in the film. Rani Mukherjee shutted the mouths of her critics, with a superb performance in a supporting role, though have to say the role was written very much in sync with her image, dhinchak and daring girl. Parineeti and Kriti didn't make it that easy for me to chose Rani over them.

Divyendu speaks so much in the film, that too at a rapid pace, the film begins with his comic sequence too. He brings a humour in even emotional scenes with Rajjo. Bobby Deol might appear a surprise in top5 for some people, but I felt his comic timing was very good in the film. How can I forget Prashant Narayanan's menacing laugh in Murder2 promo, easily the top winner in villian category.

Music awards had to go to Rockstar, AR Rahman the clear winner.. special mention to Chirantan Bhatt for Haunted making to my top5. While Irshad Kamil's lyrics for Jo bhi main, I can't stop praising about everyday when I listen or think about the song. Mohit Chauhan had a brilliant year, but all that got noticed mainly with Rockstar, and the anthem song 'Saadda Haq'. Special mention to Master saleem's rendition in 'awaara'. Usha Uthup made a great comeback to singing, with Rekha Bharadwaj co-singer.. 'Darling' was the only thing almost everyone loved who didn't like the film.

I don't believe in child categories otherwise Partho would had won it. Vivaan Shah might not get nominated even in any award shows, but the moment I saw 7 Khoon Maaf, I knew he is my pick for best debut of the year. And, no one came that close to take his position. Monica Dogra and Nargis Fakhri did give some good performances, but Parineeti Chopra was just so much lively and lovable to miss out. Kiran Rao was simply outstanding in her creative debut as director.

I loved the story of 7 Khoon Maaf, a lady who kills every of her husband because she always used to marry a wrong guy having a very bad defect. Rajjo's outburst when I saw that scene, I knew it would be impossible for any other scene to replace it. Its a tough act, to do a 5 min long monologue with such conviction that too from a debutant and not to forget the pace at which he had to deliver all the  dialogues. Special mention to the sussanna scene, it brings the real madness of the character.. and the emotional side of Jordan in khatana-Jordan road scene where he questions the fame he has now which doesn't give him any joy.

Saqeeb-Saba as Best Jodi, many would laugh or call it baisedness. But, who else was deserving ? Shahrukh - Priyanka didn't deserve to be among top5 even. Hrithik-Katrina were the closest but somehow the fact that their screen time was less than saqeeb-saba made me keep them at no.2 Also, Priyanka-Vivaan is one of different choice too.. I felt they both shared excellent chemistry in the entire film, and a jodi could always be of 2 friends.Agneepath's trailer was too good because of those taglines 'revenge', the ganesh chaturthi background theme, the action and the anger in eyes of Vijay Dinnanath Chauhan, with the final Kancha line 'vijay dinnanaath chauhan ko marna padega'.

Rockstar had a amazing screenplay, non-linear and lots of montages, flashbacks. Also, the costumes reflected very much the kind of phase Jordan-Heer are currently in. The editing of Aarti was fantastic, the way she keeps the continuity while taking different shots of Jordan at different times in his life, and the experimentation of jump cuts during Heer's hospital scene.

Zindagi na milegi Dobara had a great cinematography, the sea shots or the entire khawabon ke parindey sequence is so beautiful. Senorita was the best choreographed song, total fun. The dialogues were real, connectable to easily and the poetic shayaris by Javed Akhtar further enhanced the quality of the film.

Shaitan had a brilliant sound design and background score, which can be felt right from the opening credits. Allan Amin's action in Force was different, the climax was exceptional. The art direction in 7 Khoon Maaf gives it that dark feel, which makes us feel what Sussanna is or is about to go through.



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Yash.