Kerala Cafe

There are 10 or 12 shot movies here...all connected by the Kerala cafe. I found 3 of the stories memorable. The one with Jagathy is the funniest. He plays the role to a hilt. Jagathy is a person who travels by public transport daily.

The story starring Siddique had an interesting twist which was also good.

Now all these stories have small names which I just can't seem to remember.. You can see Salim Kumar in a serious role which he does very well.. another story with an unusual plot....

The Bridges of Madison Country

I finally saw The Bridges of Madison Country starring Meryl Streep & Clint Eastwood. Streep is just too good- her acting subtle. The movie has been taken by Clint eastwood and is based on the book of the same name.

The story takes place in Iowa where Robert Kincaid goes to photograph a bridge, the Roseman Bridge. Francesca, an Italian married to an Iowan farmer shows him the way to the bridge.....

Well I don't want to spoil the suspense for anyone. All I will say is that it's romance.

Movie Review:Angel John

I must say I did not have any expectations for this movie. Truth be told...I wasn't aware of it's existence ....When a friends' son said he wanted to see this, I just went along with the crowd. But when I heard that Mohanlal was playing the lead...I was like" Heaven help us!!!" Although he is a versatile actor, I wasn't quite sure of him playing an angel and all that and with a name John to boot. But I was in for a pleasant surprise. I liked the movie. It had a good story. Something different from the ordinary. Jagathy and Salim Kumar are really funny in the movie. I also liked the new girl who acts in the movie. By the way I can't say that the songs are exceptional or anything...so don't go by the songs....

Movie Review: Mamma Mia

A family entertainer which keeps you engrossed from the beginning to the end. Plenty to laugh about. Also gets mushy midway. But its' mostly a fun movie. Even guys who like watching stuff like Black Hawk Down might enjoy. There are songs throughout the movie. All ABBA songs. Rehashed with new words which make sense from the stand point of the story. A moving performance by Meryl Streep. It also stars Pierce Brosnan and Amanda Seygfried.

There is somehing to laugh about through out the movie. alo liked the performnace of the small woman who is Streeps friend, thechef and writer. She is also very funny.

Movie Review:Swades

I found the movie Swades very inspiring. Especially when I saw the villagers making electricity on their own. It is a different story for a Hindi movie and the songs are all so very soothing. But then Rahman has set the tunes for this movie. I love the song " Yuhi Chalo". Ashuthosh definitely knows how to tell a good story. I really liked Lagaan as well. The casting is also good. Choosing people who fit the role so nothing is jarring. This makes the story believable.

Shah Rukh acts in this one and its' a different role for him. Something different from the usual.

Movie Review: Yuva

I finally saw Yuva. Directed by Mani Ratnam, it's a movie about youth, the choices people make and where it leads them to. Mani Ratnam brought out the best in Abhishek Bachchan as Lallen Singh, the street Gunda. Om Puri also stands out as the Bengali politician. This is a very interesting movie with a strong storyline and good editing. It tells the story of 3 young couples. Vivek Oberoi, Rani Mukherjee,Kareena Kapoor, Ajay Devgun and Esha Deol also star in this movie which was a huge hit.

The music is by AR Rahman

Review:Frank Millers Sin City

Frank Millers Sin City just happened. Its' not a movie I would have picked. Rather it picked me. I started seeing it coz I was infront of the Tv at that time. But then I kinda got glued staring at the screen wondering what's gonna happen next. It's like a comic strip come alive. Mostly in black and white with splashes of color very occassionally. I must say it's a dark movie in more ways than one. The theme is also very dark. But in this darkness, there is a good vs evil plot going on. It's taken in a different way, the telling of the story, the cinematography - different. The technicians must have worked real hard to get this effect. The story is also rivetting. And the characters. You have all the big actors in this one. Bruce Willis, Mickey Rourke,Jessica Alba, Carla Gugini, Ropsario Dawson, Elijah Wood, Benicio del Toro and others. I found Marv played by Micky the most interesting and also Benicio. This is an unusual movie. However it cannot be classified as a light entertainer. Having said that I must say that it is intriguing.

Movie Review: Lakshya

Yesterday I finally saw Lakshya. I must say I loved the movie though it was a tad long. It's a Hindi war movie. I say " Hindi" war movie coz a Hindi war movie is very different from an English or Hollywood war movie. You get the basic idea of war and what happened. Yet you feel kinda happy at the end. I have always loved 2 songs in this movie. One is "Mein Aisa Kyon?" and the other is "Agar Mein Kahoon ".The music is by Shankar Ehsaan Loy. Prabhu Deva has choreographed " Mein Aisa Kyoon?" and I thought the songs in the movie are quite apt. The lyrics make sense and the songs and dance sequence add to what the director is trying to convey. By the way Farhan Akhthar has directed this movie and it helps that his father Javed has written the screenplay, story and lyrics. The story is also interesting and unique. I liked the exploration of the teenage dilemma of being confused and not knowing what to do. Plus it gives people an idea about what people in the army do and what they contribute to the country. I think Hrithik, Boman Irani and Preity act really well. But credit also goes to Javed for writing such an intersting storyline and Farhan for directing the movie in such a fascinating manner.

10 Things I hate About you and Maid of Honour

I saw 2 comedies recently.One was "10 Things I hate About you." This has Heath Ledger and Julia Stiles in the lead. It's teen romance with lots of reasons to laugh. Its a cute movie. Here you can see Heath Ledger taking on a light role compared to all the intense stuff he's done. He really was a good actor that could take on any role with ease.

Another light romantic comedy would be " Maid of Honour". It has Patrick Dempsey and Michelle Monoghan in the lead. The leading lady decides to marry an aristicratic Scotsman. This is the plot.

Movie Review: New York

A movie about terror suspects of 9/11. More than 1000 men of foreign origin were suspected and detained. The movie is based on this. Neil ( Nitin Mukesh) is asked to spy on John( abraham) who is a suspect. But Neil and Katrina and John were friends in college. These are the issues in the film. I thought the sound quality of the picture was good and the film editing. The editing lends the move a very western sensibility.

Katrina looks flawless throughout.

But the good thing is that I left the theatre on a posiive note. Thats' whats' special about Bollywood. No tension.

Movie Review: My Moms' New Boyfriend

This is a delightful comedy starring Antonio Bandares and Meg Ryan. A FBI agent returns home after 3 yrs to find is mom a changed person. While he is coping with the " change" she falls in love with an international businessmen. On top of all this the FBI agent finds himself leading a team to investigate his mothers' new friend.
This is really funny and there is plenty of humour throughout the movie:)

Course it helps that all the actors act really well in a convincing manner. Directed by George Gallo, the movie also has Colin Hanks, Trevor Morgan and Selma Blair.

Movie Review: 27 Dresses

27 dresses can definitely be classified as a chick flick. Katherine Heigl is very beautiful and the movie is OK. But its' not as good as Confessions of a shopoholic since the actors do not evoke much emotions in the viewers. I thought her sister was good and also the Indian guy. Seemed funny.

I thought the part when Tess goes berserk after reading the article in the paper was funny. Had a good laugh.

All in all not bad. Good for "time pass". No harm done. At the same time nothing spectacular!!!

Movie Review: Confessions of a Shopoholic

This a a light romantic entertainer starring the very talented Hugh Dancy and Isla Fischer. John Goodman, Joan Cusack,Kristin Scott Thomas and Krysten Ritter all appear in this funny movie directed by PJ Hogan. The story revolves around Rebecca Bloomwood, a shopoholic and how she finally gets cured. Hugh Dancy plays her love interest and acts very well. Recommended to all who want to have a good laugh without thinking too much!!!

Book Review: A Thousand Splendid Suns

Entertaining and informative, this is another of Khalid Hosseini books which will have you literally spinning the pages. The plot is unique and the characters well etched out. The book also gives the world a view of Taliban ruled Afghanistan and the plight of women there. A moving portrayal of 2 women- Mariam and Laila.

When the Taliban ruled, lady doctors are only allowed to do surgery wearing a Burqha!!!

Movie Review: From Hell

I was switching channels when I saw Johnny Depp. His garb caught my fancy and soon I was caught in the spell of " From Hell". I must say that this is another movie of Depps' which I really liked. Of all his movies, the only one I really could not relate to was " The Brave". He has played a wide variety of characters and this movie is no different. Directed by Allen and Albert Hughes the movie has an element of drama which I loved. Heather Graham and Ian Holm also act in this period movie. Depp is an inspector investigating a case involving Jack the Ripper. A murder mystery which has enough suspense and taken aesthetically. While the theme itself is dark, the movie is light. The sets and costumes add to the feel.

Movie Review: Outsourced

I got " Luck(y) by Chance" yesterday and saw "Outsourced". Ayesha Dharkar and Josh Hamilton star in this movie about a firangi coming to India to oversee a call centre. The perpsective is American and is extremely funny. Some of the scenes seem exaggerated to me like the cow in the call centre and the institute flooded with water. However most of the movie had me in splits. I particulary found the shot of Kali funny. Credit goes to the Casting Director. Ayesha and Josh make the movie believable.
I recommend it to anybody who wants to have serious fun.

Book Review: Skinny Dip

This funny thriller ( yes, it's a thriller and its funny at the same time) by Carl Hiaassen really had me laughing and wanting more. The character of Earl Edward O Toole somehow stays in my mind. It's got humour, suspense, action, drama....A woman finds herself afloat in the ocean and its one blockbuster story how she torments the would be murderer and what happens to him and his plots. HA!!!

Movie Review: The Pink Panther 2

Aishwarya looked lovely in Pink Panther 2. However Emily Mortimer upstaged her when it came to acting. But Aishwarya had a larger role than I expected. Steve Martin was very cute and funny as inspector "Clouseau"!!! However remakes never come upto the originals and people who have seen Peter Sellers play the same role may be slightly disappointed. It's an all star cast which includes John Cleese and Andy Garcia. The story as always revolves around the missing Pink Panther and the inspectors attempts at retrieving it. The scene with the pope is very hilarious. All in all an entertainer.

You can play some games in the Sony site here.

Frieda Pinto the next Bond girl????

Theres' a buzz that Frieda Pinto may be the next Bond girl. She might be able to bring an exotic touch like Barbara Bach and more life than Olga. Olga while beautiful seemed devoid of emotion. Apparently Jennifer Aniston is another contender for the role. But between the two of them, I think Frieda would be a much better choice.

Frieda has already been signed by Woody Allen for his next movie alongside Naomi Watts and Anthony Hopkins. The fact that Danny Boyle may be the director for the next Bond movie will also help her cause. Plus she has already wooed people all over the world with her red carpet appearances. She is already on the best dressed lists of many. Her future seems bright and sparkly.

Lets' see whether she will be able to pull it off....

Movie Review: Apocalypto

I saw bits of the movie and I was intrigued. However I must say I closed my eyes during some parts. Savage,brutal, morbid,sanguinary...were the words that came to my mind during the first part. I was just about to give up on the movie when it started getting really interesting. This is from the point where Jaguar Paw and his people are told they are free to escape. From this point, I became totally engrossed in the movie and found myself rooting for Jaguar Paw. Rudy Youngblood has portrayed the trials and tribulations of Jaguar Paw very effortlessly so that we feel his pain,his fears,his hopes and his strength. It helps that he is Native American. The movie is about the Mayans and the dialogue is Mayan.

Made by Mel Gibson, the movie is gripping. However some of the scenes are a bit graphic and may not suit the faint of heart. But if you can watch until this particular point, it's worth the watch. The movie was shot on location in Mexico, so you get a real feel of the jungle.

Movie Review: Doubt

I simply loved this movie. Its' another example of a sensitive issue shown in a very aesthetic way. I thought Amy Adams played the noviciate to a hilt. I was also impressed by Mr Hoffmans father. And at the end of the movie, one is in doubt too. Was she right...?

Meryl Streep is up for another Oscar as the strict nun who tries to do a good job. It's definitely a must watch.

Kaavya Madhavan Ties the Knot

We wish Kaavya all the best. I started liking Kaavya after seeing Ananda Bhadram and Classmates. I think she has done justice to the roles. The industry will surely miss her.

2 Must Watch Movies: Slumdog and Benjamin

I was lucky to watch 2 wonderful movies of our times. I urge you all to watch both:
1. Slumdog Millionaire: Dev Patel,Frieda Pinto, Anil Kapoor
2. The Curious Case of Benjamin Buttons: Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett

...twinkle little star

I came across this video on U tube where they have given the Desi version of twinkle twinkle little star.