vinayb111 Reviews

Jannat: In Search of Heaven... (2008)

Jannat - A must see

[13 June 2008]

I thought this film would be a nonsensical usual mahesh bhatt film which had stories but were artificial..

But it got me by surprise. It was a good story man!! Not realistic and all that but well told.

Emraan hashmi has become a star..long overdue..not much deserved but only for the fact that he is consistent. Though he is not conventionally good looking..he is okay. The film deals with that part of match fixing not seen as yet. New director, new girl but the Bhatt camp behind it means they back directors fully. Or he would not have been able to make this film.There would have been interferences, dictates and all that. So many producers are like that especially first time Producers.

All in all.. a must see.

The Queen (2006)

Unforgettable

[9 June 2008]

A film which boldly depicts the situation as it is in a Royal household .. how much the human factor works there and that all that glitters is not gold.. they do have feet of clay.. You grieve for diana much more as also the Queen.. she couldn't help it that is the way she was brought up.. but you hate her as well.. Prince charles character was a surprise.. did he really love Diana? It seemed as if he was only a pawn in the hands of his parents>>but he was disloyal to her..secrets which will never unfold

a film made with lots of subtleties performance of helen was great as was the script. what they included was good.. like the scene where she grieves for her deer and not diana..so real. a worth watch and more than once

Race (I) (2008)

Not Bad

[9 June 2008]

I quite enjoyed the film. It had some fun moments some slick treatment and some great locales. Look it wasn't the kind of film where one was expecting anything ground breaking. It was an abbas Mustan kind of film and we know they are no Almodovar. So they delivered what they promised and that is all..Finally it did not make sense? why the enmity between the two brothers to such an extent.. Akshay had a reason even if by a long shot but was saifs reason? None.

The cinematography was good, Saif looked good he has turned into quite a performer. Akshay was okay.. the script was tacky but the twists were good.. scenes were shoddily written/

Time pass flick..nothing more nothing less..

Bhram: An Illusion (2008)

Bhram - An engrossing fare

[21 May 2008]

Bhram came as a complete surprise..very pleasant one. It is an extremely well made film not much into exaggerated dramatics, yet very poignant new and fresh. It was like seeing a Hindi film but made by a westerner, since treatment and approach was not hackneyed.Quite a first from Bollywood.

Beautiful visuals, evolved sentiments, real characters and technically finely honed effort. The best part is it can be a repeat watch since its not a thriller of a whodunit kind where once you know the end, the plot is revealed.It is more a drama of relationships and the twists and turns of fate. So on a repeat watch lots that one misses out while following the story the first time can be now focused on..like the shot takings,use of tones, subtleties etc.Mature is the one word that comes to mind on seeing it.No age old traditional scenes. Innovative.Wish there were more films like this from India.

Jaane Kyun by Sonu Nigam was sensuously picturised but what I liked best was the story being told in the song. A girl who hated men now decides to give herself willingly to her man, and make the first move. It was so subtle..without dialogues or any underlining. Just her flashback in the song. Good job.

And the climax was simply awesomely shot with a great suaveness.Liked the songs as they fitted well in the mood. Not a single song was in lip sync.All background scores.I noticed this on second viewing.

Minus points..although the cast performed great, but had Dino been replaced by an Arjun rampal or even Akshaye Khanna the film would have been taken more seriously.Cinematography could have been better.

Milind was fantastic, also Dino and so was new girl Sheetal menon and Simone Singh.

Over all a good film which somehow makes a deep dent and stays with you. Once the dust settles, Bhram I think will be counted as one of the best of 2008 and among the best in the dark genre along with 'Being Cyrus'.