Monthly Archives: November 2016

Dear Zindagi Full Summary (SPOILERS, of course) Part 1: Right From the Start, We Learn This is a Woman’s Story

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I mentioned in my SPOILER review, how this is a very very female story, both in content and style.  Sure, the narrative is all about one woman’s journey, based on emotions and relationships and all that “girly” stuff.  But it is also told in a very female way, more about what is unsaid than what is said, through body language and intuition and so on.  Which starts in the very first series of shots.

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Boys: Don’t Make Me Be a Teenager in Love in India!!!

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Attakathi, Vinnaithaandi Varuvaaya, Premam, and now this, they all have very similar content, the kind of content I don’t really see in American film, or even in Hindi films that much.  The struggles and pain of being in love, and not being of an age for it.  It isn’t something American movies deal with, maybe because it isn’t an issue in the same way in America?  At least, not any more.

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Koffee With Karan: Ranbir is Turning Into His Father!

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I don’t mean he’s getting the famous Kapoor figure (fingers crossed he never has that).  Or the onscreen charm (he has always had that), but he is beginning to get just a hint of that terrifying interview quality.  From what I’ve seen and read, it sounds like all the Kapoor men (except Shashi) have that a little bit, that slight hint of “Lord of the Manor, Don’t Cross Me or I’ll Have You Killed” in their eyes.  On the other hand, Ranveer is still a total sweetheart. (first episode discussed here, and second here, and third here)

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Giving Tuesday! Here Is What You Can Give To From the National to the Local

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This year help is needed more than ever, there is a decent chance many of my relatives will be getting “donation in your name” gifts.  But that doesn’t mean they can’t be fun!  Here are some of the groups that I particularly like, with a filmi explanation for why you should care. (I feel bad not including any Indian organizations, but I am nervous about endorsing the wrong ones since I don’t know enough about their work on the ground level.  All the ones listed below I know well and can confidently endorse)

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Katching Up With Koffee: Varun and Arjun! Karan’s Boys!

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I missed this, because Star TV didn’t have the courtesy to suspend all broadcasting in honor of Dear Zindagi Week.  It’s just the worst when these multinational media conglomerates don’t bother to tailor their products to local cultures.  Anyway, catching up now, up first, Varun and Arjun! (first episode discussed here, and second here)

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Box Office! They Know that North America Had a 4 Day Weekend, Right?

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Global figures are out for Dear Zindagi!  Yaaaay!  And it did best in North America!  Which has no significance whatsoever because North America had an extra 2 days in the weekend! And on the other hand, had a lot of competition here! But being a hit in Australia, now THAT is significant! (as always, the figures come from Rentracks courtesy of Bollywoodhungama)

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Happy Cyber Monday!!! You Know What Would Make a Great Xmas Gift? My Book!

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It really would!  Especially if you have been trying to explain to your family and friends why you like these movies and take them seriously.  Let me make the explanation for you!  It will save you so much energy and anger.  Or, you can buy it as a Christmas gift to yourself, and then have handy talking points all ready for all the family gatherings.

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Lazy Sunday Links

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This is the tail end of Thanksgiving holidays for me.  I’m at my sister’s, we have watched Manam and Dishoom so far, Byomkesh Bakshy! is on the docket for tonight. And, in general, I am feeling a bit lazy.  So, instead of giving you content all on my own, I am going to be linking to awesome things.

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Mujshe Dosti Karoge: Hrithik Manic is So Much Better Than Hrithik Stupid!

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I just watched this movie again, with someone who hadn’t seen it before, and it confirmed once again that Hrithik in the second half is really kind of dangerously angry.  And that I find him much more appealing when dangerously angry than I do when just sweet and kind of dumb!

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Panduranga Mahatyam: Story Structure Both Ahead and Behind the Times

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I got this DVD from Netflix and watched it a while back, and much of it went over my head.  But what I could appreciate was the cool things it was doing with story structure and visuals.  So that at least I can talk about!

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Christmas Give Away Post 4!

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Yay! Post 4!  In case you missed the others, the rules are simple.  Every week, whoever made the most comments, gets a Christmas card.  You can only win once, if you make the most comments another week, I will skip and go to the next highest.  Oh, and every week I announce the winner for this week, and put up a picture of the card that last week’s winner received. (Here’s the card I posted last week, my favorite.)

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TGIF Post, Men in Shorts: Who Wore it Better?

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I’m liking this, having permission on Friday to just put up a super silly post to start the weekend off with a laugh.  And this one, like the last one, was suggested by a conversation with a commentator.  Moimeme mentioned a collection of men in shorts pictures, which seemed like a brilliant collection to have!

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Happy Beginning of the Christmas Season!!!!

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This is the post I put up exactly a year ago, when the only people reading this blog were…me (I started posting on my Facebook page so at least my parents would read it a couple days later).  I have gotten much more technically competent since then.  So I am updating it and re-posting it. With notes added from “future me” in brackets.

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Happy Day After Thanksgiving/Start of Christmas!!!

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I looooooooooooooove Christmas!  I have 8 Christmas trees, 1,000 Christmas carols on my ipod, and I spend about a month’s income every year on presents and other sundries (like more Christmas trees).  And so, for this very very special occasion, I am going to do a songs post that is NOT Indian!!!!  Although, don’t worry, there is an Indian one going up later today too.

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Dear Zindagi NO SPOILERS Review: The Biggest Flaw is Shahrukh’s Hotness

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First, just like I did for ADHM, I put up a SPOILER review for DZ first so people who have seen the movie have a place to discuss it.  So please, no spoilers in the comments here!  And no specific questions like “what did you think it meant when the aliens landed and it turned into a gritty post-apocalyptic drama?” here either.  This is the place for people who haven’t yet seen the movie to hang out and learn about it.  Everyone else, go hang out here.

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Happy Thanksgiving!!!

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I was thinking I would take a day off from blogging, but why?  At least 2/3rds of my readers aren’t from America, and Thanksgiving is one holiday that is really just for America.  At least on this particular date, I think Canadian Thanksgiving is in October or something?  Anyway, I am going to write this post and schedule it in advance, because I will be traveling and sleeping off Turkey on the actual day.

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Dear Zindagi SPOILER Review: This is a Movie Made For Women, Start To Finish

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Yes, I AM going to spoil the whole movie!  I feel terrible about this, considering that Shahrukh was nice enough to release it 2 days early in America so I could see it before leaving for Thanksgiving.  But on the other hand, a bunch of other people in America also saw it today, and we should have a place to discuss it.  And there are those people (sometimes I am one of them) who want to know how a movie ends before they even decide to see it.  But if you are choosing between seeing the movie and reading this post, SEE THE MOVIE!!!  It’s really really good.

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Happy Dear Zindagi Week! Grand Finale (I hope)! Chak De, India!

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Saved the best (and also most obvious) for last!  When you talk about Shahrukh supporting and encouraging and teaching young women, it’s all about Chak De, India.  But, why is he doing it?  Both his character in the film Chak De, and in real life by taking this role opposite Alia in Dear Zindagi?

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