Karthik Calling Karthik - Review

Karthik Calling Karthik

Slick - That's the first word that came to my mind when I was watching this movie. You go through the story without for a second feeling like something is overdone or a scene under-performed.

I am very reluctant to write details about this movie in my review as it may give away parts of the plot. I am going to do this review in 2 parts. The first is just going be a review for those who want to know how the movie is. And second for those who have seen the movie and just wanted to read my blog, or for the strange person who wanted to know the details before they actually saw it. Either way, don't worry, am not giving away the plot in this blog. :)

Part 1: As the name suggests it's about Karthik Calling Karthik. The movie is really carried by this one line. Farhan Akthar plays the role with such ease that you forget that he's just 3 movies old. He plays the role of Karthik, a Accountant in a Construction company. The movie is about how he grows into his character and his love interest, played by Deepika Padukone. The movie flows beautifully, with both characters playing of each other with ease. The language in the movie is very much in tone with the setting as well. Hindi and English are used in appropriate amounts and you don't realize it when they switch between them. The music throughout the movie is mesmerizing and I loved it. Ok enough said. I thought the movie was really Good. So, I suggest if you are planning to watch it, go ahead.... it's worth it. You can read the rest of the review at your own peril. Because you may feel like I did, that this guy gave away too much of the story.

Part 2: OK here goes, I think KCK, is so brilliant because, just when you think you know what's going on it takes a turn, leaving you wondering what it is. KCK, begins with Karthik as a lost individual with psychological problems which arise from his childhood. He is madly in love with his co-worker Shonali, who does not even know he exists. He, in effect, is a door mat. Everyone just runs all over him. When he is at his wits end about to lose everything that mattered to him, he receives a call from another Karthik. From that scene on, the movie has this eerie edge to it. Farhan has this strange and amazing way to bring such strength and weakness into his voice that you find one Karthik who is this weak lost soul and the other is a strong force willing him along. With help from the guy on the phone, Karthik goes on to fix his life and get the girl of his dreams. Just when things seem to be going on predictably and you think hey this is just another one of those stories, hey it takes some pretty interesting turns. In the end the movie sorts its self out and all the questions are answered. But, at no point in the movie are you left disappointed or wanting for more. You will empathize with the character, and leave the theater saying great job. I did anyway.

I'll say this is another 4 on 5. I have seen quite a few good movies recently... This is the 3rd Hindi movie in recent times that I have given this rating. Wow. I'm actually impressed. Because I don't impress easily.

Farhan Akthar is a fast becoming one of my favorite actors. He has this strange easy way about him. He plays his parts so effortlessly that you find him really easy to relate to. This is only his second movie that I am watching. Very soon I'll be watching "Lucky By Chance" on DVD. Look out for that review.

Rahul.

My Name Is KHAN - Review

MY NAME IS KHAN

Well, I was pleasantly surprised. The trailers, the sneak peeks left me wondering. Was the movie too cliché, too full of song and dance routines. It was a Karan Johar movie after all.

The movie right from the get go was so polished. SRK plays the role of Rizwan Khan with such ease that even though you empathize with his character, who has Autism, you don't feel guilty laughing, when he does the most funny and child like things with total innocence. Of course less than two seconds later you find your heart strings being pulled by some beautiful moment. This movie pulls no punches, SRK with his head held down, walking around the country with so much of heart, that you can't miss it. One line that you hear in the movie over and over is "My Name is Khan - And I am not a Terrorist". It's filled with so much of meaning, but is at times over used.

The way in which the story is presented in a storytellers mode, is beautiful and you don't feel like you are going back and forth in the story. Kajol and SRK's chemistry has always been unmistakable and this movie is no exception. Their love story is so elegantly portrayed without ever taking the attention away from the main theme of the story.With the story opening up slowly and elegantly, literally blooming, I found every minute of the first half so captivating, that when the interval arrives you are in awe and are really worried that the second half is not going to live up to it.

Unfortunately, that is the case. Although the second half of the movie begins really strong and it takes the story forward, Karan Johar seems to drift and get too involved with almost super human feats. The movie would have been much better served as a story which continued only on his life and journey. The final scenes in the movie take away from a beautiful story and might have been avoided. But for these few scenes, this is one of the best hindi movies I have seen recently.For Karan Johan, I'll say one thing, most of his movies have these huge songs with a 100 extras singing and dancing in the background. I wouldn't say this movie does not have that, but all the songs fit perfectly into the story line. The story and concept is sweet and as I read rightly in some other reviews, sincerely executed.

The movie is 3.5 on 5 (but, just for the fact that it tugs at your heart so much I'll give it 4)

Rahul

Oh yeah.. About the other 2 hindi movies I liked as much as this one but didn't get a chance to review. They would be 3 Idiots and Kurbaan. I know 3 Idiots is no comparison as it's in another genre, and undoubtedly the best hindi movie ever. Kurbaan is a very elegant, thrilling story about terror that was really under rated. Saif Ali Khan and Kareena gave brilliant performances in that movie. With all the movies about 9/11.. MNIK and Kurbaan are 1 & 2.

Avatar IMAX 3D - Review

AVATAR - IMAX 3D

I know, I know.. Over 2 months after it's release.. After it's become the biggest blockbuster ever... Dude your late.

Well everyone who saw this movie told me not to watch it in 2D. It had to be in 3D. So this last Sunday, my wife and I set out to watch this movie in the afternoon.Guess what... It was sold out. So, we bought tickets for the next show (which was by the way 4 hours later) and set out to do some other work. We returned to the theater an hour before our show was to start, thinking we'd be the first in line. Guess what.. we weren't. There were 4 folks already in line. Well it's a 3D movie and I guess everyone wanted the best seats in the house. We were no different I guess. We got in right in the center of the theater, supposedly the best seats in the house.

To top it off, this was the first IMAX full feature movie that we had seen. The only other 3D movies that we had seen before this were some Discovery channel specials. Trust me, they aren't worth the time or the money. So needless to say, I was curious. What was the big deal? I in fact even Goggled to to find out the difference between Real3D and IMAX 3D, I wanted us to get the best movie viewing experience ever...

So, was this movie really worth all this Hype....
Frankly, I don't think so. It was visually the most stunning movie that I have seen. But it does not have much of a story. It's a standard Masala movie visually stunning action scenes and breathtaking animation. It's about evil plundering humans and their quest for "Unobtainium" on the planet of Pandora.The planet is a green wonderland that's inhabited by a large variety of creatures and a humanoid species known as the Nabi. So as you may have guessed the movie about their fight for survival. Since humans can't move around the planet freely, they use robotic war suits and experimental "Nabi Avatars" who are bred from Human and Nabi DNA. Well this goes on and on, but by this point most of us have guessed where the story is going by now. So I'll stop here and tell you what I think about it. Being the first time I've seen a 3D movie, I was considerably impressed with the effects and the colors. I haven't seen so many colors in a movie before this. You really feel that the Nabi are real and you can really relate to them. The movie is seamless between live action and animation. Just for the graphics, the fast paced nature of the movie, watch it once. But please, don't get your hopes up. Just enjoy the ride and go home. 


If I have to rate it, It's just 3.5 on 5..

Rahul

For those wondering... Real 3D uses a single projector v.s.IMAX 3D which has 2.. So apparently, IMAX is better, because it can show more detail and clarity, oh yeah and it has a bigger screen.

The Illusionist - Movie On DVD Review

The Illusionist

After really enjoying The Prestige last year, I decided to watch the Illusionist, which seemed to be along a similar theme - MAGIC!

It's set in early 1900's Vienna, the movie is about an illusionist named Eisenhiem played by Edward Norton who dazzles the town with his magic. Eisenhiem's story is recounted at the start of the movie where we learn about his history in the town, his love story with a Duchess Sophie (played by Jessica Biel) who are separated due to their class differences.

When Eisenheim returns to Vienna, he notices Sophie at one of his shows and there begins the roller coaster story of love, betrayal, murder and magic. The story is brilliantly supported by a good setting and powerful performances by all the actors. With the twists and turns, it's only towards the end that you really understand what's going on.

This movie was a fun and gripping watch. 4.5 out 5 for this magical adventure.

Rahul....

Ishqiya - Movie Review

After seeing a bunch of reviews which gave this movie 4 stars, I decided to go watch the movie and see what the deal was. But, I didn't actually read those reviews, all I saw was that the movie was starring 3 big stars and decided to go ahead and watch it.

The first 5 mins of the movie was difficult to understand due to the thick UP accent. But by the time you get used to the language, the movie is already off to a rolling start and it does not stop until the end. Naseeruddin Shah and Arshad Warsi have an awesome camaraderie and the play their respective roles beautifully. But, the definite star of the movie would be Vidya Balan, her performance is so full of mystery and sensuality that it keeps you hooked. It's a simple, feisty story with a very different story.

The movie has slight flavors of a Quentin Tarantino story, with a very edgy story and a romantic triangle thrown in. I'm sure most people will like this story just because it's so different from a standard Bollywood story. A gutsy movie with a awesome setting. I'll give it 3.5 out of 5.

A definite must watch.

Rahul...