As a special treat for Salman’s birthday, I have been reposting all the Classic films I have reviewed of his (“classic” meaning, not new films I saw in theaters, but old ones I decided were worthy of reviewing again). And now he will become the First of the Stars to have his own little index of related reviews. I will try to remember to keep it updated.
I was trying to think what to put up for Friday Classics, and then I thought “why not a Salman movie that I have reviewed in the past, reposted?” And then I thought “why not two Salman movies?” And then I thought, “why not ALL THE SALMAN MOVIE CLASSIC REVIEWS ALL AT ONCE.” And I am going to start with Love, which was an early early movie of his, and he is just brilliant in it.
Yes, this song will last us well into the new year. There’s just so much to look at in it! And it is so pretty and romantic and fun and everything else! (full index of DDLJ coverage here)
As I already said in my no spoilers review, this was not a fun movie. And not a movie I liked. And, I think, not actually a good movie. But a movie with all the trappings to fool people into thinking it is good.
Well shoot, that was a disappointment! And I feel kind of bad because I dragged my sister and cousin along with me. On the other hand, I am also happy that I had them there for moral support. Because this was very dark and very stressful and not really fun at all!
It’s been pointed out that I might appear to undervalue this film and that is why I haven’t spoken much about it. Truly, I don’t undervalue it! It’s just such an unusual film that it doesn’t fit easily with a discussion of anything else. Nothing else is really like it, and therefore available for comparison with it. And it didn’t start a particular trend in filmmaking (beyond the general “Family Films” trend), because it would be so hard to imitate. But yes, I do know about this movie, I know all sorts of things about it and I am aware of it’s place in film history.
I saw this movie 3 times in theaters, mostly because I wanted to watch the Jab Tak Hain Jaan teaser over and over again. But also for itself, it’s a very well-made fun movie. I forgot just how well made and fun until I re-watched it just now.
Oops, I forgot to put up a post yesterday! Oh well, no one is reading these anyway. But I still feel bad, so I will put up two today. First, Salman in Kuch Kuch Hota Hai!
I finally watched Kick! Thanks to Hotstar and needing something mindless to play in the background while I cleaned. It’s okay, mostly interesting for seeing Salman’s version of an action avenger type. (yes yes, I know it is a remake so it wasn’t originally supposed to be Salman)
I got sick, so things got a bit backed up and I had to move a few things around. And therefore, Friday classics on Saturday!
This is I think the first serious review I wrote. Back when no one was reading me. So I am reposting it so you can enjoy it now. And also because I am too sick to write new content today, all that sitting up and focusing.
Happy Friday! And Happy Dharmendra’s Birthday! I considered changing my plans in honor of Shashi, but I decided no, Shashi would want life to go on. And anyway, we should let Shashi serve as a reminder to cherish our legends while we have them (Dilip Sahib’s birthday is in 3 days, get ready for a blow out!)
Still upset about Shashi. I just read Amitabh’s little tribute, he talked about how Shashi would always introduce himself by holding out his hand and saying with a warm smile “Shashi Kapoor”. It was a sign of his humility, he never assumed that people knew who he was. You can see that humility in this film, he has a wonderful role, but it is no bigger than anyone else’s, he easily shares screen space with Nawazuddin Shah, with Nafisa Ali, and of course with his own wife.
This is a perfect little light movie to watch on a Saturday morning while folding laundry. Doesn’t really deserve a Friday Classics review, but I can’t help sharing my joy in watching it! Especially since it is on Netflix now, so the vast majority of you can watch it too.
We were just talking about this in the comments yesterday, how exciting it was to see Imraan when he was first launched. Which got me thinking about this movie in general, and how good it was, and how strange it is that no one involved in this promising first film really lived up to their promise. At least, not yet. There’s always hope!
My last review last week, that was the version I wrote for grad school, all about what it means for star studies and the higher level of meaning and blah de blah de blah. But I found the need to write a second review after talking with you in the comments, that is more in my blog style.
I put up the No Spoilers review for this back on Saturday, but I wasn’t in a huge hurry to get the spoiler review out. It’s a slow build kind of film, I am guessing interest will be higher on Monday and Tuesday and Wednesday than it was on Saturday. Plus, I had to spend 4 hours at church on Sunday and then make two cakes and a pie, so there wasn’t much time for writing.
What a nice movie! Good people working together to figure out how to make their lives better. Well, how to make Vidya Balan’s life better, because she is the one who counts.
Get ready for me to be lazy! I just dug up a paper I wrote for grad school on this film/Shahrukh’s star persona and wildly slashed out bits and rearranged and then threw it up. But whatever, I haven’t done a Rab Ne post yet really, and it was time. The post I really wanted to write was on Lucky: No Time for Love, but I’m not going to let myself, because that should wait for Salman’s Birthday Celebration time.
Dabangg! Finally getting around to it. And feeling “wasteful”, since I am going to have to come up with at least 7 posts for Salman week and now here I am wasting a topic I should have saved. At least Salman was considerate enough to release his film right before his birthday, so it will all just sort of flow together. Anyway, I will have to come up with another 7 topics without Dabangg (or possibly 14 if I decide to give him the full movie week and birthday week he is owed), because I have stuff to say about it and I want to say it this week! A lot to say, as it turns out, this ended up being the longest Classics Friday post so far.
I really hope everyone who wants to has had a chance to see this film now. I put off posting until Monday morning India time/after the last evening show has started America time so that you could. If you have not seen it yet not, here is my regular no spoilers review, read that instead. And if you haven’t but are going to be able to later, DO NOT READ THIS REVIEW. Or if you aren’t sure if you will enjoy it, YOU WILL ENJOY IT, DO NOT READ THIS AND GO SEE IT INSTEAD!!!! But if you have already seen the film, or live somewhere where you won’t be able to watch it for months and months and want to know what happens, then you can read on.
It’s been a long time since I went to a movie theater and it was so crowded I could hardly find a seat! That was exciting. And I don’t think it was just about the quality of this film (although it is very very good), I think it is also a “right time” thing.
Happy Ittefaq day! Seeing it tonight, the new one that is, and reviewing/spoiling the old one this morning. I’m spoiling on purpose, I suspect the remake will be in conversation as it were with people’s expectations from the original, so if you know the original plot, it might make you more curious to see the remake.
I hadn’t watched this movie in about 14 years, and by golly it is just as good as I remembered! Better actually, because back then I didn’t realize how unusual it was to have this kind of a plot.
What a fun movie! Sure, not all the jokes landed for me, but a fair number of them did. And the cast was clearly having a great time. And most of all, the filmmakers knew what they were doing! I could relax and let go and be aware that I was in capable hands. And to talk about that, I need to get into SPOILERS. Which kind of matter for this movie, so if you think you might see it in theaters, maybe read the No Spoilers review instead.
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