Tag: Comedy

Dear Zindagi (NOW PLAYING)

EmmaLeave a comment
dear-zindagi_work
Kaira (Alia Bhatt) working behind-the-scenes on a music video.

This is a MUST-SEE film (written/directed by Gauri Shinde) for anyone who has given up on Bollywood, thinking it TOO old-fashioned, formulaic, and obsessed solely w/ romance!  Kaira (Alia Bhatt, who also starred in 2 States) is a cinematographer in her early 20s who finds that avoiding romantic commitment does NOT always bring happiness.  She breaks up w/ her businessman boyfriend.  Then one of the other guys in her life, Raghu (Kunal Kapoor- who I first saw in Aaja Nachle), offers her a “dream job” in NYC.  And we can tell that Raghu wants to be MORE than friends!

dear-zindagi-10a
Kaira (Alia Bhatt) jokes with Raghu (Kunal Kapoor)

Kaira’s close friends, including Fatima (Fatty) and Jackie, grow concerned about her changing attitude and personality.  Anger bubbles up out of nowhere, she can’t sleep for MANY nights, and loses her Mumbai apartment (when tenants decide that ONLY married couples should live in their building).  Kaira is forced to go back to her hometown (Goa) and reevaluate her life.  To make things worse, Raghu suddenly gets engaged to his ex-girlfriend after they reconnect on that NYC movie set!

dear-zindagi_mtgdoc
Kaira meets with her therapist Dr. Khan (Shah Rukh Khan)

Finally, Shah Rukh has chosen a role that is apt for his age. His screen presence is definitely a treat to his fans! Alia Bhatt is definitely lucky in the aspect that she got a good role that aligns with her personality and of course she has excelled it!  -Excerpt from a IMDB review

Enter Dr. Jehangir Khan(Shah Rukh Khan), an psychologist who happens to love ripped jeans (just as Kaira does).  She is VERY reluctant to open up about her life, BUT he gains her trust w/ his patience, unorthodox methods, and (most crucial)- a judgment-free mind. At a beachside bar, Kaira and Jackie meet Rumi (Ali Zafar- who hails from Pakistan), a free-spirited singer/songwriter.  Zafar reminded me of Gael Garcia Bernal; his songs were pretty good, too. 

dear-zindagi_couch
Kaira listens intently to Dr. Khan during one of their sessions.

Kaira is eventually able to discuss her friendships (which she needs to pay MORE attention to), past romances (which she cut off when then men got TOO close), and her family (overbearing w/ their traditional expectations).  Aside from the typical pains of life as a young adult, there is something specific in Kaira’s childhood that is holding her back from the life that she wants.  

dear-zindagi-song
Dr. Khan and Kaira sing an impromptu little song

Pluses- story, acting, cinematography; second half, the scenes which feature SRK and Alia. The family moments of Kiara and her family, her friends. The execution of the entire movie from event to event. The whole final act which leaves you in a happy mood. The breakdown sequence. The maturity in the direction which takes the movie into a new level. The dialogue given to SRK. Negatives- The music is good but isn’t great. The editing in the first half could have been better.

-Excerpt from another IMDB review

There were a FEW moments in where I was reminded of In Treatment (HBO), BUT this is an original story which has (probably) never been told in a mainstream Indian film.  Going into therapy is demystified in this film, which I think could be it’s best legacy.  

2 States (2014)

Emma2 Comments
2states_book_poster
Book cover and film poster

This rom com (based on the memoir of the same title by Chetan Bhagat)  came out in Spring 2014; I saw it two weeks back.  This is a fun, yet realistic film, that’s NOT only concerned w/ two MBA students falling in love, BUT what comes after (getting to know each other’s families and the drama that ensues).  To add a twist usually NOT seen in mainstream Indian films- Ananya (Alia Bhatt) is from the South; Krish (Arjun Kapoor) hails from the North. 

So, what’s the biggie here- they’re BOTH Hindu, right?  Yes, WE American desis MAY feel that way!  BUT their families who speak different languages and follow different customs, along w/ ALL the typical baggage (which you’d see in a film like Meet the Parents). 

chetan_anusha_bhagat
Chetan and Anusha Bhagat- the real couple behind this film

When they first meet in grad school, Ananya is annoyed that there is no beer at the local café.  Krish explains: “Gujarat is a dry state.”  He gets interested in her first, BUT thinks she’s “out of my league.”  Krish offers to help Ananya w/ Economics (which is her weak subject).  Their friendship quickly grows into love after he declares one night that he doesn’t ONLY want to be her buddy. 

2states_college
Ananya (Alia Bhatt) and Krish (Arjun Kapoor)

There are only a FEW songs in this film (which are quite good); you can get them from iTunes.  The music blends pretty well into the actions/emotions.  The students/dancers in the background actually look like real/average people, NOT models.  The run time could’ve been shorter.  I recommend it for ALL of you who wouldn’t usually give Bollywood a chance!             

 

Beauty and the Beast (2017): Trailers, Interviews, & More

EmmaLeave a comment

Official Teaser Trailer

Official Trailer

This live-action retelling of Beauty and the Beast stars: Emma Watson as Belle; Dan Stevens as the Beast; Luke Evans as Gaston, the villager who woos Belle; Kevin Kline as Maurice, Belle’s father; Josh Gad as Lefou, Gaston’s sidekick; Ewan McGregor as Lumiere, the candelabra; Stanley Tucci as Maestro Cadenza, the harpsichord; Gugu Mbatha-Raw as Plumette, the feather duster; Audra McDonald as Madame Garderobe, the wardrobe; Oscar nominee Ian McKellen as Cogsworth, the mantel clock; and Emma Thompson as the teapot, Mrs. Potts.

This is a live-action re-telling of the studio’s animated classic which refashions the classic characters from the tale as old as time for a contemporary audience, staying true to the original music while updating the score with several new songs. It is directed by Bill Condon from a screenplay based on the 1991 animated film. Composer Alan Menken is providing the score, which will include new recordings of the original songs (written by Menken and Howard Ashman), as well as several new songs (written by Menken and Tim Rice.)

Cast Interviews  

Emma Watson, Dan Stevens, Luke Evans, Josh Gad and Bill Condon talk about this new take on an old classic tale.

Saturday Night Live Sketch

Beauty (cast member Kristen Wiig) and the Beast (guest host Gerard Butler) realize beauty is in the eye of the beholder. This is from the SNL episode that aired October 17, 2009.

Re-Imaginings of Two Well-Known Stories: Maleficent & Ghostbusters

EmmaLeave a comment

Maleficent (2014)

Disney's "MALEFICENT"..Maleficent (Angelina Jolie)..Photo Credit: Film Frame..?Disney 2014
Disney’s “MALEFICENT” Maleficent (Angelina Jolie) Photo Credit: Film Frame Disney 2014

If you liked Disney’s Sleeping Beauty (1959), then this may or may NOT be up your alley.  In that animated movie, I liked the different personalities and caring displayed by the 3 good fairies (Flora, Fauna, and Meriweather).  BUT in this tale, they are portrayed as clueless (esp. re taking care of a baby) and bickering among themselves- I didn’t enjoy that.  These fairies are Flittle (Leslie Manville from BBC’s North & South), Knotgrass (veteran actress Imelda Staunton), and Thisletwit (Juno Temple, all grown-up from Atonement).  These actresses are underused and in certain scenes- just annoying!  

The first third of the story, which focuses on the child, then teenaged Maleficent, is VERY well-done.  We see the fairy as happy, flying (she was born w/ wings), and becoming friends w/ Stefan, a human boy (who accidentally strays into her forest kingdom).  Maleficent falls deeply in love w/ Stefan, and we think that he feels the same way.  However, he betrays her trust in order to fulfill his ambition one night.

maleficent_spell

Angelina Jolie (who I haven’t seen in MANY things) does a really good job w/ the main role.  And I can definitely see how little girls would think her costume was a cool choice for Halloween.  Diaval (Sam Riley) is a refreshing new twist on the sidekick.  However, Maleficent is NOT a black and white villain in this story.

Ghostbusters (2016)  

ghostbusters-2016-trailers-tv-spots-posters1

I FINALLY saw this film, which was much talked about this Spring/Summer, last week On Demand!  I esp. liked the special effects, as well as Melissa McCarthy and Kate McKinnon (BOTH ladies are SO naturally funny).  The hate that was thrown toward the all-female lead cast is even addressed in one scene (clever move). 

The cameos by the earlier Ghostbusters were pretty cool; wait for the end credits to see Sigourney Weaver.  This is an alternate universe film, so it exists in a world of its own (NOT a sequel).  Yet another reason that some fanboys were pissed off!   

ghostbusters-2016-car

As MANY critics noted, Kristen Wiig’s outfits seem like out of another era (and NOT in a cool, retro way).  Chris Hemsworth plays it straight as a Kevin, the himbo secretary.  This actually makes him seem VERY natural and funny!  Overall, it was an enjoyable film, and there is a sequel planned.