Midnight in Paris

In a nutshell:

Story: Refreshing, dreamy
Humour: Subtle

Acting: Good

Music: Romantic, nostalgic

Overall: Lovely for a quiet dim-lit evening (don't forget the wine =))

After a long time, I have watched a film that can be called "dreamy" without being a fairy-tale. One that takes you to another world and keeps you in your own at the same time.

To begin with, the music casts a spell that makes this journey through space and time seem almost natural. The background guitar is already on my list of youtube favourites, you can listen to it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nwCWhyKI0pA

"Midnight in Paris" is the story of an American writer who earns a living writing Hollywood movie scripts, but is a novelist at heart. On a trip to Paris, he falls in love with the city and is considering moving there permanently, much to his fiance's displeasure. The story takes an unusual turn when after a stuffy dinner, he takes an aimless ramble along the streets of Paris. The protagonist (Owen Wilson) discovers that he is time-transported into the 1920s at the stroke of midnight. He meanders through the Paris of early 20th century and hobnobs with the who's who of literature and art. Although hopelessly addicted to nostalgia, through this sojourn, a very important insight about life begins to dawn upon him nudging him to take some previously impossible decisions in his 21st century life. I invite you to tag along with him on his journey of wonder, dilemma and discovery.

To say any more about the plot would take away from the pleasure of actually watching this film. So, all I would say is, de-Americanise your room, cook some tasty dinner, get some wine, drag your other half into bed and watch this film as you both float away to dreamy Paris and down the hallways of time.

Au Revoir!

Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara

In a nutshell:

Story: Enjoyable
Direction: Very good
Acting: Very good

Humour: Superb!

Music: Energetic, refreshing
Overall: Paisa vasool!

Recently, I had the pleasure of watching "Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara" starring the trio Hrithik, Abhay and Farhan. Two things about this movie linger on in my mind - the humour and the poetry. "Laila, tumhe meri body ke alava life se kya chahiye?" and "Mere dad to guzar chuke the, woh agar sports day par aate to kaafi strange hota" and "Construction business? Koi baat nahin, aisi galatiyan ho jaati hain logon se" were some classic humour pieces after long in a Bollywood movie. The dialogues really gave a BPL (Bum pe laat) to the other contemporary humour flicks like Delhi Belly.

The three main characters are portrayed very well. It is refreshing to watching Hrithik in a normal role, rather than a flawless demi-god superhero. Arjun (Hrithik) has his flaws, fears and fair share of troubles. Imran is the typical secretive poet who maintains a cool and flirtatious demeanor outwardly. It is with remarkable sensitivity that the screen-play depicts the journey of this man from being apologetic merely as a formality to actually 'feeling' apologetic for his actions, after he faces deep sorrow himself. And Abhay plays the typical good boy, who has gotten himself into a relationship which is turning out to be completely different than what he had imagined. Javed Akhtar's poems in son, Farhan's voice add that touch of sensitivity to the message - 'seize the day'. Set against a lovely backdrop of Espana, the Tomatina festival really steals the show! I am sure as hell going to Bunol!

All in all, join the trio on their exciting journey of self-discovery through Spain and through life. I bet you would want to go on this journey again and again sharing the same company. Overall, I would rate ZNMD ‘paisa vasool’ (must watch dobara!)

Well I already have, and plan to go "tibara". But before I sign off, I'd love to recite the part I like the best -

"Dilon mein apni betaabiyan leke chal rahe ho, to zinda ho tum

Nazar mein khwaabon ki bijliyan leke chal rahe ho, to zinda ho tum

Hawa ke jhokon ke jaise azad rehna seekho

Tum ek darya ke jaise lehron mein behna seekho

Har ek lamhe se milo tum khole apni baahein

Har pal ek naya sama dekhein yeh nigaahein

Jo apni aankhon mein hairaniyan leke chal rahe ho, to zinda ho tum

Dilon mein apni betaabiyan leke chal rahe ho, to zinda ho tum"

Jab We Met - Paisa Vasool

In a nutshell:
Story: Interesting
Direction: Very good
Acting: Very good
Music: Good
Overall: Paisa vasool!

Director Imtiaz Ali’s ‘Jab We Met’ is a very engaging piece, unlike other Bollywood stories which need ‘n’ number of music scores, item numbers or irrelevant comedy to sustain or rather summon the lost interest. This one progresses quickly with no trivialities and keeps interest levels taut like an express train.

This movie is an example for every other that attempts to feature travel. As we watch scenic locations in India, the movie makes the viewer enjoy the traveling as if it is first hand. It is evidence that a great story can be made without expensive shoots abroad.

‘Jab We Met’ primarily is a love story, throughout which romance is suggested not flaunted, with an exception of the last scene which justifies an intense display of emotion. The director has been able to portray romance in its most natural and mature shade with a great sense of subtlety, despite very young characters. Extremely good direction in this regard.

Another good point about the direction and the script is that the transformation or opening up of Aditya Kashyap (Shahid Kapoor) from a morose, serious guy to an enthusiastic, lively businessman is shot at a very well-calculated pace. That coupled with Shahid Kapoor’s thorough understanding of the role and his good performance has brought the character to life. Kareena Kapoor by far has given one of her best performances (of which there aren’t many) in Jab We Met. Despite being attached to Shahid Kapoor when Jab We Met was shot, she has steered clear of the slightest hint of anything more than friendship in Geet’s (Kareena) behavior towards Aditya, in the first half of the movie, thus doing justice to her role and the story.

The connecting thread of a train journey is very effective and enjoyable, and so is the background music. In fact, Prittam and Sandesh Shandilya’s music score is laudable and creates a very pleasant experience even when played repeatedly.

There were some minor technical imperfections in the movie like the scene where it seems like Aditya is asking Geet to offload her luggage and the fact that there is something terribly wrong with Anshuman’s (Tarun Arora) Hindi.

However, overall, I would rate Jab We Met ‘paisa vasool’ (must watch!)