Update on “Movie Psyche”

I missed including this URL in my original post below ; this is essentially about Bollywood taking over Hollywood. Was I surprised seeing this article in Times of India website ? No, not at all.

It reads as follows : “Hollywood bets big on Bollywood”

Well here it comes, or here it goes to Beverly Hills. Hollywood is going to be besieged by the Salman Khans of Bollywood very soon. Though the above article talks just about Sony Entertainment making movies in Bollywood, this is the real start I guess.

Have a wonderful week ahead, folks.

Cheers

Vijay Srinivasan
18 Nov 2007
Mumbai

Movie Psyche

I saw four movies during the long Diwali weekend.

Two were Diwali releases from Bollywood - “Saawariya” and “Om Shanti Om”. The other two were Hollywood classics - “Psycho” and “Blood Diamond”. While the Bollywood movies continued their legacy of wholesome people entertainment and escapism from realities of daily grind, the Hollywood movies truly stand the test of time. The Hindi Movies have traditionally assumed (for the most part, by most directors, exceptions of course exist) that the film-goers are complete fools looking just for pure entertainment of the unbelievable variety. We do come across such genre of movies in Hollywood as well, like the Bond Movies and many others about extra terrestrial creatures and aliens. But those are clearly targeted at the children and adolescent crowd, though the entire movie-going crowd might still be interested to see the “The Hulk”. The key differentiator in such movies is the scientific experimentation gone awry combined with a solid plot and amazing animation. However, there is no such things in Bollywood as Sci-Fi, the sole exception that I can recall is “Koi Mil Gaya” which I enjoyed viewing with my kids.

Both the latest releases score not even 3.5 stars. Saawariya is a gloomy film, I did not understand the flow of the movie at all for quite some time. It is a very loosely woven, content-free plot with no logic for the happenings ! A sheer waste of time, just managing to get 2 stars probably because of the new actor introductions and some innovative dance sequences. I should have avoided, and the family did not like the movie either. But then, it is a gamble to see any movie, right ? We wanted to leave the theatre a couple of times, but just stayed on to see what is the ending - always the case, isn’t it ?

OSO (or “Om Shanti Om”) was a better movie, though it believes in taking one for an idiot completely. It is reincarnation of the hero and the heroine, while the rest of the characters continue through the movie nonchalantly. The acting was better…….the scenes were better than Saawariya. Dance sequences were incredibly better. I noticed that other movie goers thoroughly enjoyed the collection of stars performing together at the reception of the new movie launch in OSO (yes it is movie inside a movie). I think the better rating of probably between 2.5 and 3 stars deserved by OSO is more for the above reasons rather than for Farah Khan’s directorial capabilities or the foolish story plot which nobody in his/her right sense would ever care to believe. And, there are hundreds of such movies in Bollywood and Kollywood (in the South) to merit hardly any attention.

Let us not forget why these folks keep making such movies. It is pure economics ofcourse. And, they do understand the demographics of India and its tastes very well. Given their touch with the masses, and the incredible pull of star actors, it is no wonder they can repeat their story plots infinite number of times, ad nauseum, to keep drawing the same crowds time and again.

But that is the famous Bollywood for us all ! I am not writing about Alfred Hitchcock’s movie here - I again got an eerie feeling - a real one at that, when I saw “Psycho” again. Remember the “Bates Motel” ? Well, that is a director par excellence who continues to engage and enthrall as well as shock audiences (sometimes the same audience, sometimes the new generation) around the world. And, he makes you think, anticipate, and shake with fear !

I pray that Hollywood should not be taken over by Bollywood one day.

Have a great weekend.

Cheers

Vijay Srinivasan
17 November 2007
Mumbai

Schindler’s List and A Beautiful Life

I happened to see Schindler’s List again. I have always wanted to avoid seeing it again, but it so happened it was running on Star Movies channel and I just chanced upon it. The movie is so riveting it is difficult to switch the channels.

Without going into a detailed commentary on the movie, I can only say it touches everyone’s heart, mind and soul. The sheer brutality of the German soldiers and the manner in which the stoic Jews deal with the same, and the methods of Schindler to save them in ingenious ways, reminds one simultaneously of the animal within men and the heart of one hero who found ways to help the Jews from their deprivation.

That such a thing like that happened just over 6 decades ago in this world is a strong reminder to the people who inhabit this earth that the worst enemies of mankind are from within. There was no god who would have allowed such an insult to humans who were just ordinary folks carrying on their lives. The racial profiling that was used then is in use around the world in today’s divided world. It may not lead to killings and treatment as brutal as the Germans inflicted on the Jews, but nevertheless it is something to constantly worry about. The automatic implication of Dr Haneef in Australia without proof of any serious kind is just another example. One can imagine what would have happened if Dr Haneef was implicated in the U.S. He would have been in Guantanamao Bay prison by now. My faith in the British Commonwealth rule of law played out well in this case - without evidence, Australia released Dr Haneef. I do not agree however with the cancellation of his visa which now appears to be without basis - Australian Government just wants him out I guess. But, on what basis ?

The other movie, “A Beautiful Life” is again a wonderful movie of an ever-optimistic soul who was jailed by the Germans. Amazing power of faith again !

It is sometimes wonderful to see these older movies instead of the Bollywood junk movies. There is not even one movie comparable to these American movies coming from anywhere in India. Again the last Hindi movie that I really enjoyed was “Black” followed by “Parineeta”. There has been a drought ever since (more than 18 months). However what you see all around is the rage of Bollywood. Even the U.K. is under complete siege by Bollywood, especially of the likes of Shilpa Shetty !

Well, the bigger message is of the beast within men - even if one soul is unjustly eliminated from the face of this earth, the perpetrators - whether they are state or non-state actors - would have to bear the consequences sometimes in the future. One can argue that a Germany or Japan (famous for massacres as well - the Nanjing massacre in China of thousands of Chinese early in the last century and crimes committed in the second world war) did not suffer from economics - they both rose like a phoenix from their respective ashes and became economic superpowers ultimately. So, where is the question of any punishment ? I am here referring to the individuals involved in war crimes rather than the governments - they would have paid their dues whether they believed in god or not. One has to pay for crimes committed in life - especially when that crime involves taking away the lives of non-combatants - the phrase made famous by George W Bush in his war against terrorism. I would argue that the term is comparable to the plight of the Jews in the hands of the Germans or that of the Chinese in the hands of the Japanese. These were simple people who were murdered brutally by the occupation forces, despite their non-involvement in the war(s).

I am reading more stuff on all this……..very absorbing and revealing.

Have a wonderful weekend,

Cheers

Vijay Srinivasan
28th July 2007
Mumbai

The Craze over Harry Potter

I thought it is ridiculous kids spend so much time discussing Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix movie and the upcoming release of the new book by JK Rowlings.

It is difficult to understand why people are so crazy about such stuff, can atleast understand the mood of the kids, but why the adults ?

I don’t find Harry Potter that interesting - not something for which you queue up. I read about someone in the U.S. who has been queuing up daily for the past more than 10 days for getting hold of the first copy of the new book. Just ridiculous !

I also read that JK Rowlings is richer than the Queen of England. No wonder, is it ?

Psychologically, it is easy to see the impact on children. In this world of dynamic business and fast-moving society, kids sometime would like to believe in the make-believe stuff to keep them going. And, look forward to some new stuff coming along every year ! There are many such sequels to movies and books. But, I never like sequels. A story begins and ends within the covers of the book…..it should not continue into yet another book in a series for which one waits with bated breath.

Well, let the kids enjoy their childhood. But adults, move on, there are better things to do than wait with a Pepsi and Popcorn in the queue outside a Cineplex, or chase the ticket delivery chap as I did for my kids. Ofcourse, I refused to see the movie. I had other things on top of my mind on a Saturday. The came back and said that the movie was just “good”, and I asked them “Did Harry Potter die finally ?”. My son looked at me and said “No ! He will only die in the next movie.”

Well, there you go - wait for the next one. In the meanwhile, my daughter has booked for the new book coming to the shops probably next week ! Life with Harry Potter indeed seems to be interesting, well nay, exciting !

Enjoy the little bit of the weekend that is left, and look forward to a week of more Harry Potter action next week,

Cheers

Vijay Srinivasan
15 July 2007
Mumbai

Tara Rum Pum

We went for the latest movie “Tara Rum Pum” last evening.

A family movie of a different kind this time - I actually enjoyed it though it bordered on childish and unbelievable story line at several places. But then, you accept it from any Hindi movie. One important difference here is that the family unit stays together through thick and thin, and has a positive mental attitude and approach to life even during their worst troubles in life. The troubles do not get washed away quickly, but rather persist towards the end. Tough life and determination to see it all through ! However, the resolution comes through close friends, self effort was not leading to anywhere.

You can see the trailer of the movie and hear the nice songs at “Yash Raj Films - Tara Rum Pum” .

After just seeing a fabulous movie like “National Treasure” with a high-caliber actor like Nicholas Cage, it was difficult to accept the usual masala Hindi movie. It was good that Tara Rum Pum was of a different genre, with a race car driver as the hero. The heroine was the usual type - rich girl falling to a lanky lad. The New York Speedway shots are excellent, with actual races and thrilling crashes. It was difficult to accept though, that race car drivers can get away easily with intentional hits on other cars designed to spoil others’ chances of winning, given that they are all on camera all the time. There were clearly deliberate criminal acts just designed for the movie.

Overall, it was fun, and that is the sole reason why Indian crowds love movies anyway. Weighty stuff is generally not acceptable, except for artistic awards at filmy ceremonies.

Box Office is the final decision maker. My guess is that the movie will sail through, though not break any records. It also comes at a time when there are not many movie releases.

Have a Great Weekend Folks !

Cheers,

Vijay Srinivasan
28 April 2007
Mumbai

30/31 December 2006

On 30th Dec late evening, there was a party in my condominium premises which we attended as a family…..it was great with very nice dance and song performances by various kids, including mine.

Some pics from that event……

DSC00491, originally uploaded by vjsri99.

DSC00468, originally uploaded by vjsri99.

DSC00467, originally uploaded by vjsri99.

However, on 31 December, we decided to spend time together as a family - not go outside given that it would inevitably be crowded everywhere, further policemen would be sniffing almost all drivers - we thought it would be better to stay indoors. Nevertheless we went out for dinner to Rajdhani - fabulous Gujarati Food of the highest quality. After that we saw a few movies at home.

One such movie was the Pearl Harbour, which works very well if you have a hi-fi home theatre system. The whole house will be getting bombed for a long time - as long as the Japanese took to complete the two bombing sessions on the unsuspecting ships anchored at the harbour in Hawaii. We were seeing it probably for the third time - all of us love the movie’s theme and the great direction of the movie - the sound effects of the movie come out great on a DTS 5.1 system.

Some of the pics from the movie courtesy the Pearl Harbour Movie…….

DSC00527, originally uploaded by vjsri99.

DSC00500, originally uploaded by vjsri99.

DSC00524, originally uploaded by vjsri99.

Best Regards

Vijay Srinivasan
01 Jan 2007
Mumbai

Birthday Date

Today being my Birthday, I did not know what exactly to do to realise that I had turned a year older. I had taken this week off, spending time around Mumbai with my family, so was at home today. I received ofcourse, a number of calls wishing me a happy birthday. However, I did not plan to do anything special, sounding a bit awkward when people asked me what is my plan for the day - struggling to say something inconsequential !

Then, sometime during the day I hit upon the idea of going out with just my wife for a dinner date combined with a movie. We decided to go to “Kabul Express”, but missed the dinner due to the time pressure of getting into the movie theatre by 8:45 PM, grabbing some burgers and gujarati dishes at the Fame Adlabs Cineplex.

Due to the heavy advertisements/hoardings that we had seen of this specific movie, our expectations were high. We really thought that we were atlast going to see a Taliban movie, with Bollywood theatrics and masala - that it would be thrilling to the core.

What a disappointment ! Apart from scenic mountain views (which are repeated several times throughout the movie), and some dusty car rides, there was hardly anything in the movie which could have made us part with our hard-earned money. I was telling my wife that the movie would improve as it progressed, but nope !! There was no juice of anykind in this disaster. A very ordinary movie which can basically be a time killer. To top it all, there was hardly any serious acting by any of the characters.

I read the reviews after I saw the movie, and realised that movie reviews published in web sites and newspapers in India should not be trusted. The whole idea seems to be to drive crowds to theatres for movies with some brand name actors who occasionally also act. Directors are pathetic mostly.

The last true Hindi movie that I enjoyed is roughly about a year old, and that was “Black” which I seriously thought should have gotten an Oscar. It did win several national awards. The other Hindi movies that I saw (may be 4 to 5, including Kabul Express) were not worth even discussing - Hindi movies were not anyway supposed to be discussed, just to be enjoyed for their lyrics I guess. Tamil movies are more worse, full of violence and meaningless repetitions of yesteryear themes.

I just saw some fabulous English movies, will write soon on them.

Anyway, I enjoyed the time out walking around the mall and doing some window shopping. That was my birthday celebration.

Have a wonderful week folks.

Best Regards

Vijay Srinivasan
27 December 2006
Mumbai