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Reviews
Shukriya: Till Death Do Us Apart (2004)
Better than the original movie.
Since I watched the movie Meet Joe Black with Pitt & Hopkins three years ago I enjoyed the story already. However this theme is not an easy one to play out considering, the supernatural and concept of 'angel of death'. Mere mortals acting this out could constitute a mocking of ideas some sincerely believe in. Even though Shukriya is no doubt broadly based on the same story lines as JoeBlack, it has however done more justice to the theme. This being simply because the theme is less alien to Indians' audience and the entire concept of angel of death is typically Asian. Take for example Oppenheimer's famous quote when he invented and detonated his famous A-bomb, which he himself claims to have taken from the Gita, relating to the personification of death. Where J.Black more closely resembles sci-fi, Shukria articulates it more spiritually refined. The idea was always an interesting one, but Anupam Sinha seems to do greater justice to the theme than Martin Brest. A western viewer however would do without the lengthy music video's scattered throughout Shukriya, which get tedious especially because of the deep language but summary translation. I however enjoyed the Indian version more, which not only combines life and after-life better, but also east and west and a number of other great equations.
Dhoom (2004)
Historic movie
This movie is probably the first one that if it were spoken in English, it would be an equally great film, and would appeal to the wider audience. Some of the songs are in English, albeit in Indian style, and is stuff i find airworthy for your regular mtv station. Among the singers includes a US-Thai citizen partly raised in India.
Yash Raj films are already famous for action nationally, but this could well be the start of his name in the global market. In fact i think it is, and therefore consider it an historic production. Especially the stunts, the highly suggestive acting, and consequent communication will appeal to many viewers. The story also isn't your regular masala Indian movie tale. I loved the suggestive humor, the professional acting. Even songs and dances, that usually bore a viewer to sleep in Indian films, are so well choreographed, they'll keep anyone happy, even if they were to view the non-subtitled version as a non-Hindi speaker! However, there actually is a DVD with English subtitles and anyone can enjoy it, as did my European friends who don't know a word of Hindi.
The Princess & the Marine (2001)
twist in the tale
Good movie no doubt. Great story. I've seen the real couple on talk show Oprah about a year ago.
However i read the paper yesterday, 1 Dec 2004, and the couple (marine & princess) have filed for divorce. The court has declared the marriage is no longer competent: divorce. Blame it on the Vegas night life, in-laws, or whatever. It remains a pity, especially since the tale was to be an inspiration for lovers, not a tragedy. Many of us will be disappointed. Maybe a visit to the TajMahal in India at night, a love-monument, would have done them good. But now it's too late. They both went through so much trouble and danger, and so many extra miles, and now this? That's a twist, albeit not a surprise, seeing marriage statistics in general these days...
La vingt-cinquième heure (1967)
This Euro WW-ii theme is still relevant.
This movie's about a simple individual who gets changing labels of friend and foe stuck on him, and is a victim of the way society works. Although set in the epicenter of war in Europe during the 40's, the story contains a timeless theme: A man is known by the company he keeps. First as a Romanian peasant Johann was taken to be of inferior race: Jewish, a "non-Aryan", and thus put in a POW camp by the Germans. But then by scientific observation, the Germans come to recognize Johann to be equal and even superior to themselves: Indo Aryan; that is from an original direct lineage of their own Aryan forefathers in India. Johann plays along and enjoys the perks of his newfound social status, creating confusion amongst his fellow family, and eventually amongst the Allies as they free the POW camp. The social dilemma is clear. The "soldier" is so well camouflaged and undercover that even his "own side" fails to identify him correctly. So Johann gets judged by his appearance or the Germans he associated with. Never mind, that he had the good interest of his fellow prisoners in mind! I, being of Indian descent and raised in Europe, recognize this contradiction whenever I come across racists or neoNazis. That's why I enjoyed this movie when I watched it on TMC-Europe. This movie gives valuable insight to both perpetrators and victims, and even to fighters against similar evils.