Thursday, December 19, 2013

Selected movies - Bollywood 2013

1. Special 26
‘Special 26’ is also a film which can be watched with the family , Director has avoided vulgarity in this heist.
I would steal one star for the song and love angle put in and the lights (they were too theatrical) ........
Just like A Wednesday, Special 26 doesn't have any camera excellence but the strong execution of a strong backed story makes it believable , not to miss the excellent historical reference of 1987........ 
and watch it for Anupam Kher's body language and Manoj bajpayee's intense screen presence.
Kudos Neeraj padey , You did it once again !!!Great Con movies like Matchstick Men, Snatch or Catch Me If You Can --
Here comes Desi Baap..
Special 26 !

Impressed !
2. Saheb, Biwi Aur Gangster Returns
"Saheb Biwi aur Gangster returns" is a sequel in the truest sense.
SBGR is heavy on metaphor with irresistible humor and dialogues. It has tribute from old movie "Woh Kaun Thi" a film about women conspiracy. A movie which opens and ends with sound of guns being cocked? High on power and poetry.. and of course A sensitive tomato.
"Saheb Biwi aur Gangster returns" - What an awesome characterization.. sticking to the original carry forward story .... Climax was unprecedented almost at par with the original and with a touch of Gulaal (read songs and period). Paravesh Rana was a debutante's surprise , it shows what a reputed director can do...
Well Done Tigamanshu Dhulia Saheb !!!

Now seriously waiting for the next franchise -re-returns !!!!!!!

3. Aashiqui 2
Aashiqui 2 is lovable movie with nice efforts from both the lead newcomers. The music is the biggest stealer and you wont be surprised to like this movie even there is nothing special about this one. It is in the package and an old name.

4. Bombay Talkies
Bombay Talkies is tribute to 100 years of Indian cinema where different genre directors coming together to give us the dark
and thought provoking movie.
Karan Johar,Dibankar, Zoya and Anurag Kashyap is good enough to talk about current social stigmas brilliantly separated by four short stories.
Watch it if you love bollywood and its evolving genres.

5. Lootera
Lootera is a movie not to be missed if you consider movie as an art. The direction is flawless with amazing sketches of classic era . Its indeed a blessing for real and relatable characters whose love is undefined. Vikramaditya Motwane might not be good in low light shoots but the movie works well in daylight and he has nailed it.
Screenplay gives way to wordless knock of perfection. While both Sinha and singh will keep this movie as feather on their acting hat. I should also mention Barun Chanda for the rustic and proud yet fragile portrayal.
The art and photography is finest among recent releases. Background scores and poetry takes a backseat when compared with Udaan. Characterization of Divya Dutta was one missing link in this beautiful movie. The masterpiece "Last Leaf" was indeed one good long masterpiece.
3.5/5


6. Ship of Theseus 
Hats off to Anand Gandhi for "Ship Of Theseus ".. What an amazing, thoughtful and completely researched screenplay. Amazing character sketches you can ever imagine and what an art. 
Speechless.A near-masterpiece.
A rare spiritual journey in movies (Bolly+Holly).
Its a feat. Theseus's paradox (“If parts of an object are replaced with similar parts, does it remain the same?”) brewed with so much of honesty and creativity in English, Arabic, Hindi, Prakrit and Swedish for its international appeal. The story and screenplay is philosophically woven around dichotomy and duality of human compassion and existence. A reference to the ancient Indian atheist Cārvāka (चार्वाक दर्शन fame) for the argument is splendid. you need a keen ear,not to miss the sublime skeptical turbulence in words. Dont chomp your popcorns aloud.

Above all :- This movie was shot on a Canon EOS-1D Mark IV, provides such a clarity and focus that even handheld shots are too content with the theme. The movie has some mesmerizing cinematography esp Bombay and Himachal scenes.
A must from India to Oscars.....

4.5/5


7. Madras Cafe
"Madras cafe" is a damn good and well researched movie. Highly engrossing, emotional and content.
I couldn't find a single moment of slackness.
John Abraham proves that an educated producer can be menacing. and not to forget Shoojit Sircar- You are becoming a master of all genre.
Hats off to narration and scripting and jingoistic screenplay (Somnath Dey and Shubendu Bhattacharya with Juhi Chaturvedi):- where Fiction meets literature meets Reality. I must also accept amazing photography by Negi, its perfectly shot.

Siddharth Basu and Prakash Belawadi have done a great justice to the roles. This is one film Bollywood hasn't touched before. Tense, political and refreshing.

This is one of the best War/Spy Thriller movie ever came out from Bollywood.
Rating:- 5/5


8. The Lunchbox
Lunchbox is a philosophy in screenplay, amazing street candid photography with varied details and here NFDC is back with bang to art-house lovers.
Cinemas at its best co produced by Anurag Kashyap, NFDC ,UTV and German/France/US studios. I can bet Karan Johar can only produce movies of this greatness after fully seeing it.

Irrfan is good with his character' of middle aged man, his expressions and controlled and holds a magnitude of wisdom. While Nimrat kaur is a surprise gem for Indian screen, She has mastered the art of slipping into the skin of a house wife who loves cooking.
and then we have our own indi Pacino - Nawazuddin. All three are brilliant in this movie.
and not to forget Bharati Achrekar Voice.
Food and serendipity, is well written by Ritesh Batra. Although Director fumbles during the various pen sequences, otherwise he has a water tight script.Every detail in this film proves the great craft.
Its a simple love story at the surface, but the moment you scratch beneath, you will find a thoughtful Mumbai city.
4.75/5


9.Shahid
"Shahid" is an honest film. 
Subtle, Thought -Provoking .
A special mention for Raj Kumar Yadav , for such an brilliant act portraying toughness and fragile at the same time. The other performance of Tigmanshu Dhulia in a brief cameo will remind you of legendary Ramadhir Singh.
One of the best Bollywood movie depicting real court room trials. 
Thank you Hansal Mehta for bringing an unknown incidence into the limelight.
4/5














in order of release

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