Category: Movies

Singham

Prasad Ajinkya1 Comment

Yesterday was the world premier of the movie Singham, starring Ajay Devgan. World premier is just a euphemism to say that the distributors of the movie want to extract a bit more from television advertisements. The movie is definitely a non-stop entertaining watch, with eye-candy Kajal having some idiotic scenes, great action scenes and good sound tracks. A masala flick.

The reason movies such as Singham, Wanted (Salman Khan) and Nayak (Anil Kapoor) run at the box office, and become decent sized hits is simply that the people have become tired of the degree of corruption in the Indian system. Being tired is still different from being objective, and hence as a common man, we do not do any thing, however, in the movies, the protagonist takes on the corrupt system and by sheer force of his will (and lots of brute force) make a change happen. We like to believe in such a romantique notion.

Camelot

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I am a huge fan of the legend of Merlin and King Arthur. In fact Merlin is one of my favorite mages, right up there with  Gandalf (of the LOTR fame), Jaina Proudmore (of the WoW fame) and Sabrina (of the Archies fame).

Movies like the First Knight and King Arthur, have been made, but all of them have really underplayed the tale of Arthur and Merlin, and the involvement of Merlin in the legend. In fact both the movies fail to mention the schemes of Morgan Le Fay in this tale.

Until now that is.

A new series has just started this April, starring Joseph Fiennes, Claire Forlani and Eva Green. I got hold of te pilot episode which was aired last week, and it looks promising.

A review on IMDB

With his shaved head, expressive eyes and mercurial intensity, Joseph Fiennes is arguably the finest Merlin I have witnessed in my #$ years on this earth. The persona seems to possess him, or, possibly he has possessed it. Eva Green, as Morgan is simply begirded in the essence and romanticism of that which currently attracts young people to the Goth lifestyle. She is beautiful and mesmerizing in her character. I am a fan of James Purefoy, and as usual, this man can be anybody he wishes. He is a bad boy and carries it very well in “Camelot.” Claire Forlani is exquisite and gives us a woman with some strength, rather than the pretty little one who must merely be saved. Jamie Campbell Bower, as Arthur, and Peter Mooney, as Kay, are delightful as two young cubs at play who must grow into great men of responsibility.

One single complaint with all current series that are being aired in the US though, an extra almost unnecessary element of sex is present. I wonder if they build it into the script only to increase TRPs. However, the series shows a promising start – do check it out.

3 idiots & i-become

Prasad Ajinkya11 Comments

3-diots I read Chetan Bhagat’s novel, enjoyed it … but sadly the book lacked a certain message. It’s either that or it’s been 3 years and I dont remember the book very well. 3 idiots is a stark contrast.

The basic plot is the same, but once you go in the details, both the stories are distinctly different.

One of the central themes of the movie is about following one’s passion. To aim for excellence and not for ability. The scene where Aamir Khan talks about being well educated and not well trained is a must see. I can really identify with that, since its very much related to a vision that I am currently working on.

This is i-become.

i-become is about realizing your career not as a place just to earn money, but as a place for following one’s passion by utilizing one’s full potential. The way Madhavan decides to follow his passion for Wildlife photography, so should each one of us aim for our aspirations. Without a purpose, a goal, an aspiration … life is nothing but a empty shell.

What do you think?

Star Trek

Prasad Ajinkya3 Comments

If you are a trekkie, then you have to watch this movie. The main difference between all movies made previously and this one, is about how the legend was born instead of some one off story about the legend. Seeing James T Kirk become James T Kirk was indeed a treat.

star_trek

PS – This is not the post that’s so much awaited, but I had to eek this through :)

Idiocracy

Prasad Ajinkya5 Comments

idioThere have been sci-fi movies and there have been sci-fi movies; But none like this one. In any sci-fi movie, you expect the human civilization to be so ultra advanced and modern, that it is set to baffle the viewer of today. It’s always shone as a rosy picture that technology being at a zenith with everyone striving to do more. Well maybe I went overboard with the striving bit, but I am sure you get the picture, right?

Idiocracy is different in this regards, it paints the real picture and drives home a point, that if the world continues as it is currently, then this scenario might just come out to be true. Especially in the developed countries (I wonder why they call them developed countries?) – See the major nations for a change, all of them have skilled labor problems. People do not have an incentive to do more … to become what they could have aspired for. What countries like India now need to do is learn from this and ensure that our people do not make the same follies.

Don’t worry, if you do not wish to think over this so much, then just watch the movie and laugh it out. Worth a watch, better still if you can think.

Luck By Chance

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449px-LuckbychanceWent to see Luck By Chance this week. Yes on a roll here. And extremely free :-).

Farhan Akhtar impressed everyone through Dil Chahta Hain. Many called it over-rated, but I loved the freshness of the movie. Then came a string of decent hits … then came Rock On, when people could actually put a face to the director. Imagine a 32 year old father of two, becoming a heart throb of Bollywood. People were calling him an overnight success and a lucky boy.

I guess that’s why he decided to make Luck By Chance. Luck By Chance shows us the life of a typical struggling actor and what are the sacrifices they have to make in order to make it big. Not to mention the paparazzi and affairs and the wheeling and dealing that one has to do in order to shape one’s career. Its startlingly true, and its being accepted by mainstream cinema. Akhtar is not a fluke kid, but a genuine all-rounder when it comes to films.

Give the movie a go, I do not want to put forth all the details in the movie, but suffice to say that its recommended watch. Movies like this make me think that Bollywood still has a chance.