vnblues Reviews

Tees Maar Khan (2010)

Such a riot!

[10/10 · 20 June 2011]

I'm surprised at some of the harsh reviews here. I am not a Bollywood fan, I probably watch one Bollywood movie every 2 years.. and I just loved this one because it made me laugh.

It makes fun of some of the embarrassing truths about Bollywood. Take Slumdog Millionaire and the obsession about getting an Oscar. By making a spoof out of it, the movie finally made me believe there are at least some sane people in Bollywood who have some self-respect. Why should we care about the Oscars when we have awards of our own? The Oscar isn't even that great an award.

You need to watch this movie with family or a bunch of friends who have some exposure to Bollywood movies. Everything is exaggerated and that's what makes it fun. Looks like both the Akshays really enjoyed their role. Loved them both here. The dialogue is purposely done in a filmi style. They are making fun of the industry. Come on people! Have a sense of humour about it.

I'm giving it a 10 to offset some of the poor reviews here. Come on folks!

The Visitor (I) (2007)

Full of hallmark-card type sentimental unrealistic nonsense

[1/10 · 14 March 2010]

The movie started off promising but disappointed me completely. It just reinforces stereotypes instead of dispelling them.

I understand it is quite possible for one to take an irrational interest in other people's lives but if I know anything about human relationships this doesn't happen unless both parties are at least cordial with each other. In this case, the black lady (I must say, a drop dead gorgeous black lady because uhm it is a weak movie that just needs an audience on any ground possible) was unnecessarily rude to the professor till the middle of the movie. The (again very good looking) Syrian guy is nice enough but his mum needs a punch on her face for expecting a complete stranger to a) take her to Queens b) take her to a Broadway show c) just treat her like a princess

Not getting into the specifics anymore, but the characterization was weak. They seemed to be angry for no reason all the time. And worried for no reason. Sure, deportation is cause for worry but their anger and fear were just misplaced. And such Hallmark-type of drama. A university professor misses his flight to take an Arab lady to a detention centre just because she wants to see the area that her son is in (Mind you, her son is not dying.. worst case he us just going to go back to his country). The oh-so pleasant and easy bonding between the black girlfriend and Arab lady just minutes after the Arab lady is surprised to see that her son's girlfriend is "so black". The unnecessary tears. The ridiculous sentimental bullshit. Argh! I almost hit my head against the wall.

There are far worse horrors in this world than living illegally in America. I understand immigration is a big issue (and I'm a wannabe immigrant myself) but the movie doesn't highlight the real problems faced by immigrants at all. I had no sympathy for those shown in the movie, so if that was the intention of the director, sorry pal.. did not work.

Departures (2008)

Couldn't sit through it!

[1/10 · 7 March 2010]

Unbelievable. I couldn't watch beyond 45 minutes. And this is coming from someone who loves films and is not alien to Japanese films.

I'm shocked that this has 5 stars on Netflix and 8.2 stars here. Argh! It is so poorly made that I don't even care to write a review saying how poor it is. I'm quite surprised that it has won so many awards. Who are these guys judging films?!!! I've never had much regard for the Academy Awards but seriously, how can such third rate stuff be given an award? The direction is amateur, the acting is overdone, and the screenplay is absolutely unrealistic. I checked on wiki and the director Yōjirō Takita used to direct softcore pornographic films. That should have been a redflag for me.

Nizhalkkuthu (2002)

An excellent film about attitude towards work

[10/10 · 18 June 2009]

The film is beautifully taken and provides glimpses of life in the old days during the Maharaja's rule in Travancore. But more than that, it shows how a man struggles because he takes everything extremely personally.

It is evident from the language used that the hangman and his family are originally from the neighbouring state of Tamil Nadu. From a sociological perspective I thought it interesting that the Maharaja had to hire someone from a neighbouring state for this dreadful job. Everyone involved, right from the Maharaja to the hangman, are aware that at some level it is a sin and they try to absolve themselves of this sin in their own ways - the Maharaja by granting pardons and the hangman by performing numerous rituals.

The crux of the story however is the attitude towards duty. The hangman cannot separate the professional from the personal. He is always troubled by his past executions. On the night before the execution when an official is narrating a story, in his mind he pictures his own family. So personally does he take it, that he cannot go ahead with the execution knowing that he is going to kill an innocent boy. Contrary to this, the son - the non-violent Gandhian - calmly goes ahead with the execution.

Great film.