This was before Indra, right? So the similarities aren’t a coincidence? Or else they are both picking up on an older traditional I don’t know about. There are some Mahabharata touches to it, but the jealous overlooked woman and the vengeance in the second generation, that is oddly specific.
You know the problem with pioneer films? They are so groundbreaking and wonderful when they come out, but then after they have cut out the new path, the films that come after it are so much more luxurious and elaborate, it makes that poor struggling scratched and damaged first film look like nothing in comparison.
Is that a controversial statement? Not the birthday part (can’t really deny that), but the best SRK-Rani part? I don’t think so, they’ve worked together a lot, but they haven’t actually been the main “jodi” in most of their films. It’s really just this one and Paheli and Kabhi Alveda Na Kehna. So, okay, you can fight with me over whether this is a better movie or Paheli or Kabhi Alveda Na Kehna.
Force 2 popped up on Netflix a little bit ago and I thought “why not?” Well, there is a reason why not! This is not a good movie! It took one good thing from the first movie (John Abraham’s character), and then grafted on a bunch of things that weren’t good at all. And therefore, as punishment for the filmmakers (Bad filmmakers! Bad!), they don’t get a real review! They just get a little mini one. But full of SPOILERS! So if you liked Force and are kind of curious about Force 2 but not enough to watch it, you should just read this.
This is one of my Netflix movies, and I have no memory of why I added it to my list. I’m sure I had a good reason. Possibly that it was an Allu Arjun movie with Prakash Raj, maybe one of you recommended it, or maybe I knew at one point that it was his first film. If I ever knew, I’d forgotten by the time I watched it. And now I can’t believe it! He was so good!
My first Malayalam movie from my huge online shopping haul! It was so-so. I think I remember why it was recommended to me, because it was Nivin’s first movie, and the first movie Vineeth directed. It was kind of cool to see how both of them started out, and the movie was also sort of interesting in its own right to look at how a plot I have seen in Hindi and Tamil films was done in Malayalam. But I wouldn’t say it is exactly a “Great Film.”
I’m back! After I scribbled off my No Spoilers Review in the middle of the night, I am now awake (sort of) and am ready for my SPOILERS review! And in this case, I am going to say that you should read this whether or not you have seen the movie. There are already various think pieces going around that critique the film by taking elements in isolation, I want to critique it by taking everything in context.
Well, this was depressing! And shockingly coincidental. I am beginning to suspect that the K. Balachander fictional universe only contains about 200 people, which would explain why so many characters end up having surprising connections to other characters previously introduced.
I mentioned last Monday that I saw two Malayalam movies in the theater. This was the other one! The showtime gods were kind to me, I realized I could catch a matinee of Ezra, grab a lassi at the concession counter, and then move right into the show for Fukri.
Guide part 3! This is what happens when I write about Great Movies, I just go on and on and don’t know how to stop (16 parts into DDLJ, by the way, and not even to intermission). But I am going to be firm with myself this time and try to keep it down to just 3 parts. Especially because, unlike DDLJ, this isn’t a movie all my readers will necessarily have seen. (part 1 gives no plot details of the film, just background on the pre-production, part 2 starts with a general discussion of the style and techniques of the film before getting into plot. Read them both before you read this, because I will be referring back!)
(Sorry, 6 church meetings in 3 days kind of killed my writing time, so this is going up a day late) Should I have watched the Telugu version instead? I went with this one because I know the director’s home language is Tamil, and of course it’s Rahman’s home language too and the songs were half the reason to watch it. But on the other hand, Nagarjuna’s son is very very cute.
I went to see a Malayalam movie in the theaters again! Actually, I saw two, and was completely unproductive otherwise all Saturday. It was a great weekend. And next Monday, you get to see a review of the other movie!
This movie looks sooooooooo pretty. And perfect. And it kind of reminds you in a vague way of an actual good film. But, at the center of it, there’s nothing. It’s just wax, no heart.
Yesterday I did an in depth post on the whole behind the scenes process of making Guide and who all the personalities involved where and what their background was and so on and so on (not including the Murder and Sex Cult part of the Anand brothers’ story, because those hadn’t happened yet). I wanted to say aaaaaaaaaaaaaallllllllllllllllll of that before I got into discussing the actual film. Which is what I will do now, only I will be referring back to stuff from the other post, so read this first!
As you know, if you read my blog regularly, I went on a trip recently. And I decided the perfect time to finally watch Guide was on my smartphone on the flight. And it was perfect! I had no other options, so I couldn’t put it off any longer. And I was able to watch it with intense focus, since I was holding the screen right up at the end of my nose. And this was a film that really really really deserved close watching! And close analysis, which is why I am starting with a post that just gives background before I even talk about the film itself.
Another Allu Arjun film! Am I remembering right that his hair changes frequently? Unlike most male stars, where the hair and the whole look is kind of part of their brand? If so, I think he should keep changing, because this look is not the best.
In several parts of this film, I was reminded of Annmariya. Same single parent family, same kid with too many worries, same unusual relationship between an older tougher man and the kid. But while Annmariya took place in a world of magic and destiny where nothing ever went really wrong, this film took place in the “real” world, and was much sadder.
As I mentioned in my non-SPOILER review, my Grandpa loooooooooves submarine movies. Well, really all boat movies, but sub movies are his favorites. And because of that, I have seen a fair number of submarine movies myself. And I have to say, this is a very very good example of the sub movie genre. I would have liked it even better if we’d gotten to the underwater warfare part sooner.
Okay, maybe I was just in the right mood, or maybe it’s because romantic comedies come along so rarely these days, but I was really really impressed with this one! Old-fashioned idea, new fashioned execution, real characters with real conflicts, and a happy ending! And a central couple that was kind of cute and sparky. If only there were some really big budget song numbers, it would be the perfect movie. Seriously, if you like light rom-coms and have been waiting for a new one to come out that feels like Happy Bhaag Jayegi or Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania, go right over and watch this!
This is a classic submarine movie. A very specific genre, which also happens to be my grandfather’s favorite. I cannot WAIT for this film to be available on Netflix so I can send it to him! If only there had been even more underwater shenanigans and videos of little toy boats moving in bathtubs, and slightly less patriotic stupidity.
I just went ahead and ordered every R. Balachander movie on Netflix with subtitles. Which means I ended up watching the remake of Apoorva Raagangal instead of the original. I hate it when I do that! Oh well, at least I’ve seen some version of it now, even if it isn’t the “good” version.
I don’t have that much to say about this movie, really, but I also thought I should put up a post before Naam Shabana comes out. And there is no news today, or anyone’s birthday, or any other possible topic for another post, so I thought I might as well put it up.
This show was SO GOOD! But I think I might like Humsafar better? Just personal taste, Humsafar was kind of cleaner and simpler. This one had all these layers and perspectives and complications and different philosophies and feminist statements and all of that and it just MADE MY HEAD HURT!
Am I correct that this is not the best movie? I am never sure with my Tamil/Telugu/Malayalam films, if I am missing something really subtle that makes it into a brilliant classic. I only picked this one because it had Prithviraj and was available through Netflix. While a good movie and one I enjoyed watching, it didn’t quite have that “BRILLIANT!” feeling. Although the songs were great. And the plot is delightfully complex
Did you know Nagarjuna was in Khuda Gawah? I didn’t! And I’ve seen that movie way more times than anyone should see Khuda Gawah. How did I not notice him back then? Because now, I love him!
dontcallitbollywood 