Change Your Image
Devane
Reviews
Aaja Nachle (2007)
Not groundbreaking... But its a good movie
I don't think Aaja Nachle was meant to be a groundbreaking movie with the coolest screenplay. On a whole its even somewhat uninspired and not entirely original but its a good movie nonetheless. In the context of Bollywood however, it's actually is pretty original. Which was the last big-scale female-fronted Bollywood movie there was? Frankly, I can't think of anything in the past two decades. Nothing from of the large scale, Yash Raj fame.
To the critics who think this movie wasn't even worth a watch, I think you've got the point wrong. Well sure it is a bit too polished- a bit too commercial and "safe" but what choice do the producers have? I don't think the Indian film industry is ready for something more experimental and adventurous. There had to be some trade off.
Even then, some of that commercialised coat melted with Madhuri's charm. Yes, I think Madhuri played her "magic" well in this movie. She sunk her teeth into the role and exuberanted her charm so well, I think she alone added a lot more colour to the movie. She almost overshadows the second and third lead in the film- Konkona Sen and Kunal Kamar. Both of them played their roles well and did a commendable job at that.
To sum it up, I think most critics of this movie expected too much from the comeback of the lady who's been hailed as Bollywood's greatest actress. As it is, she shone brightly in a movie that's decent. Its storyline may be somewhat predictable from the onset but its still an untapped genre in Bollywood.
I'd say, sit back, relax, don't think too much and watch it for what its worth.
I'd give it 7.5/10
Pukar (2000)
Not perfect but it isn't to be missed
Here's a movie that was directed not quite in the typical Bollywood fashion. Rajkumar Santhoshi quite blatantly tried to give it more of a Hollywood feel (perhaps with the exception of the few random song sequences).
Like a previous user commented, the storyline isn't totally airtight but that's just a minor flaw.
Pukar presented quite well a story of how a naive woman went too far with getting the man she loves. She lived in her happy little world were she thought she'd be marrying him someday but she gets crushed when she realised he's in love with another woman, albeit a top-line model. Politics sets in when some high profile criminals bank in on her love for him. She unrealisingly sets him up...
Madhuri sinks her teeth into her role! She was nominated for Best Actress at the Filmfare awards 01 for her role here and you'll see why after you watch it. The movie is a little long and gets a bit draggy in the second half but Madhuri truly captives here, in a character that is naively possessive but whole-heartedly loving. She shinned throughout this movie.
To sum it up, Pukar could have been a mind-blowing romantic thriller, but it falls a little short. Still, its definitely worth watching. Rent it at least
Swati (1986)
Thought-provoking and touching. Highly recommended
Firstly, an assumption is made in this film on the role of woman. Nothing surprising, its very Indian culture really. Its probably argued to be functional but for women to strive to be mothers and wives to their husbands all their life isn't something I agree with. Anyway, that was the assumption made here and from there... its taken well.
Swati is a story of a girl and her mother who are in a big problem. Theirs is a family that isn't looked upon well in the society they live in. Its not like it's their fault but that society doesn't care less. Its ruthless but Swati is determined to go all out, she stands up for what she believes in and kicks down any barrier that comes in her way. She's determined to stop all the hypocrisy, prejudices and lies that engulf her and her mother's happiness But things weren't so simple. The story takes a big (and sad) twist.
I was only attracted to this story because of Madhuri Dixit. I never liked Bollywood except her. Its strange. Madhuri plays Swati's friend in the movie but their relationship eventually melts into something closer. Madhuri was great here. Who'd have thought that this woman would eventually become the industry's (arguably) greatest? She shone in this movie. This being one of the earlier movies she did, she wasn't quite as powerful as she was in a movie like Devdas but she was still really good and brought a lot of life and color to the girl she was playing. An otherwise 1-dimensional and shallow character. And god she was skinny in this movie! She was so young and skinny. A startling contrast to her 11 years later in Dil To Pagal Hai (= The lead actress was stunning though. Her piercing eyes are piercing, almost making her look like a goddess of sorts. She's a strong person, rational and with a great love for her Mother. Even without the good storyline I daresay Swati's character alone was so well played and intriguing it would make the movie worth a watch
Captain Planet and the Planeteers (1990)
some reviewers here just don't get it.
What is captain planet? Do some research here since you already spent so much time trashing it (quite naively, most of you). It was a cartoon aimed at little kids, with the message "try to pollute less".
It wasn't fantastic. If you go into the animation, the characters, the show -itself-, it wasn't all that good. Yes, the characters lacked depth (they should have worked on this IMO) and the villains were exaggerated. But hey! It's aimed at 6yr olds! How is a 6yr old going to understand something more "real world"?
I'm 18 now and I remembered watching the show when I was about 5 back in 1991 and I thought it was wonderful (I still think it isn't bad now). I became interested in recycling those pieces of paper I used to draw and scribble on and didn't want anymore, I turned lights off when I weren't using them amongst other things back then.
This show is political some of you say? I strongly doubt so. I'm quite sure the message was -SIMPLY- "don't pollute" and that's how it occurred to me as a 5yr old boy back then.
For those of you who think this show is political, douse yourself in some water and reflect.
Devane
Bishôjo senshi Sêrâ Mûn (1992)
Although the entire series was wonderful, Sailor Moon S stands out as the best
Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon is perhaps one of the most successful anime ever, and now that Sailor Moon has turned 10 (it started in 1992), it is often refered to as a classic, but it hasn't been decided if there will be a new Sailor Moon series.
Anyways, Sailor Moon S (note: I'm only referring to the anime, not the manga) has the most dramatic plot, screenplay, and action, making it highly addictive. This series is also somewhat comical.
Pharoh 90 an evil force from beyond the solar system aims to destroy this solar system (out of envy?). There are three talismans that are found in the souls of thress special people. These talismans combine to form the Holy Grail which Pharoh 90 can use to destroy the galaxy or which the Sailor soldiers can use to protect the galaxy.
Part One*: In this season, we are introduced to three new sailor senshi: Uranus, Neptune and Pluto(actually, Pluto was introduced in the previous but it is in this season that she appears often). They realise the villian's plan and are determined to prevent them from finding the talismans. In fact, they would probably kill anyone that came in their way. On the contrary, the inner soldiers (who were the only main characters in the first two seasons) do not know much about the villian and only fight the henchmen(the henchmen are sent every other episode to find the talismans). They fight with a heart and cannot understand why Uranus, Neptune and Pluto( the 'Outers') keep away from them.
Part Two* The Sailor soldiers(all of them) realise that a high school misfit they know of, Hotaru, is actualy Sailor Saturn (but she hasn't awokened yet). Sailor Saturn is the second most powerful Sailor Soldier( after Pluto) and has amazing powers of destruction. The Outer Soldiers want to kill her, as Pharoh 90 is capable of possessing her(since she hasn't awokened as a Sailor soldier) and use her powers to destroy the galaxy. The inners, controlled by their emotions, would not allow the outers to do so. In the end there is a(wonderful) two-episode showdown. What happens? Watch it!
(* there is no actual part one and two. I only use these terms to explain the series easily) and note: my summary has missed out quite a number of important points, so the series is actually more interesting than how I desribed it.
The first part is not very intense (but very enjoyable especially since it is highly comical).The second part of this series is very intense and we see very strong outer and inner conflicts between the characters.
The verdict: WATCH IT! A must-see!
I'd give it 9/10
Bishôjo senshi Sêrâ Mûn (1992)
Although the entire series was wonderful, Sailor Moon S stands out as the best
Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon is perhaps one of the most successful anime ever, and now that Sailor Moon has turned 10 (it started in 1992), it is often refered to as a classic, but it hasn't been decided if there will be a new Sailor Moon series.
Anyways, Sailor Moon S (note: I'm only referring to the anime, not the manga) has the most dramatic plot, screenplay, and action, making it highly addictive. This series is also somewhat comical.
Pharoh 90 an evil force from beyond the solar system aims to destroy this solar system (out of envy?). There are three talismans that are found in the souls of thress special people. These talismans combine to form the Holy Grail which Pharoh 90 can use to destroy the galaxy or which the Sailor soldiers can use to protect the galaxy.
Part One*: In this season, we are introduced to three new sailor senshi: Uranus, Neptune and Pluto(actually, Pluto was introduced in the previous but it is in this season that she appears often). They realise the villian's plan and are determined to prevent them from finding the talismans. In fact, they would probably kill anyone that came in their way. On the contrary, the inner soldiers (who were the only main characters in the first two seasons) do not know much about the villian and only fight the henchmen(the henchmen are sent every other episode to find the talismans). They fight with a heart and cannot understand why Uranus, Neptune and Pluto( the 'Outers') keep away from them.
Part Two* The Sailor soldiers(all of them) realise that a high school misfit they know of, Hotaru, is actualy Sailor Saturn (but she hasn't awokened yet). Sailor Saturn is the second most powerful Sailor Soldier( after Pluto) and has amazing powers of destruction. The Outer Soldiers want to kill her, as Pharoh 90 is capable of possessing her(since she hasn't awokened as a Sailor soldier) and use her powers to destroy the galaxy. The inners, controlled by their emotions, would not allow the outers to do so. In the end there is a(wonderful) two-episode showdown. What happens? Watch it!
(* there is no actual part one and two. I only use these terms to explain the series easily) and note: my summary has missed out quite a number of important points, so the series is actually more interesting than how I desribed it.
The first part is not very intense (but very enjoyable especially since it is highly comical).The second part of this series is very intense and we see very strong outer and inner conflicts between the characters.
The verdict: WATCH IT! A must-see!
I'd give it 9/10