Reviews

We knew all about this-didn't we?

OSo is not a crossover movie, it is not anything path breakingly original(It is heavily inspired from Karz, the concept is), it does not have anything particularly refreshing in terms of story or screenplay..etc.. Yet- OSO succeeds, and that was what Farah and co were gunning for this Diwali.

Srk is back to his old ways -this is a 'true blue' SRk movie, he does all that he is a master at- plus the latest addition or attraction- his bronzed 6 pack!

Does he succeed? Its very simple- For people who adore Srk in his regular roles, will lap this one up too.

For someone expecting a Kabir Khan (Chak De) maybe a tad disappointed.

Om Shanti Om is in the league of Main hun Na- in terms of cinematic sensibilities. Its just pure fun woven around a story, but never getting too deep into it. Characters are a bit sketchy, plots get a bit contrived, and clichés abound everywhere, yet this movie passes the litmus test-because it is all about the timing too.

Its a perfect package for Diwali - an entertainer and Srk-the country's' biggest brand(arguably)-the combo wont fail.

I am not exactly delving into the story, for most people know what is needed. Yes, its is a bit of a tribute with a zany sense of humour to the 70's, you see the bell bottoms are back, the sideburns, flowery shirts, as the 1st half of the movie is entirely in the 70's.(Srk as the bumbling and goofy Om Makhija)

And yes its about reincarnation, following the lines of Karz, Srk being the victim(and also Deepika). Srk is reborn as Om Kapoor now- a hot cool dude and a big shot in Bollywood. It is quite predictable hereon, the twists are few, but well crafted. I just wished the buildup was stronger, the meat in the climax was missing.

Finally- The movie does fit the bill of a good entertainer- Paisa Vasool, will be liked by young and old, I wont be surprised if this does turn out to be the BO winner of the year. Songs are hummable, Dard-E-Disco being a lot of eye -candy(for women). Srk will attract a lot of 'drools'.

And the title song with 31 stars is fun too!

The minuses being just that- it could have had more substance to the characters and the climax a bit more thrilling.It seemed like it ended too soon suddenly. And also some more meat to the 'motive' of Deepika being bumped off by Arjun.(Rampal)

Performances-Its familiar territory for Srk, believe me its a role which of course was just written for him, though the 2nd half-Om Kapoor seemed a bit clichéd. His dying sequence compares to his previous movies-will get the audience's empathy. Deepika is pretty and emotes well, not really a lot of meat in her role, but shes quite effective. Kirron Kher Hams, but shes still adorable, she manages to do that with ease. Shreyas Talpade was an interesting choice as Srk's pal, does that with consummate ease.

And my award would go to Arjun Rampal- a out and out 'cool negative' role, very suavely done. Its one of his more noticeable performances.

OSO- as mentioned is predictable, and yet fun, it works well for people who want a 3 hr reprieve!Its not what I can call 'Miss not' but still is the best of the current lot.

I hardly post a comment on this site, but this movie did what most movies fail to do.

It Moved me, and made most of the people watching the movie-moist eyed. Very few movies had such a spell binding effect on me in the recent past, and I would even dare to compare this with a Shawshank Redemption or a Rainman, 2 movies which touched me a lot.

No Dustin Hoffman or a Tom Hanks in this movie to regale us, but Will Smith outdoes himself in this, and for years to come, I shall remember him for this movie, and not a Bad boys or a 'Men in Black'.

And for most part, I could relate to it, it has been so realistic without being depressing.

And as the climax nears, you have a gut wrenching feeling, and as the movie draws to an end, you are ready to step out of the room feeling overjoyed, relieved and blissful, willing to cheer aloud for the simple, bumbling and lovable Chris Gardener.

To sum it up simply, it is a movie of a rather intelligent but struggling salesman played brilliantly by Will(Watch him at the end, when he gets the job at Dean & Witter, he is rabble rousing), the trials and tribulations, struggles he endures in his daily life, nothing over the top or dramatic, but yet very true.

Watch him think twice before parting with a 5 dollar bill for his super rich boss, who had left his wallet, and when all he had was a few bills to keep him and his child afloat. Very touching!

But in all it is an inspiring and endearing movie.

It shows what steely determination and conviction is all about, yet it never enters a preachy mode.

And it gives you the 'Shawshank 'effect , you are wonder struck by the movie, simple and yet very effective.

Kudos to the entire crew, a miss not movie of the year!

-Kartik-New york/India

I hardly give a 10 out of a 10 for any movie, Anand being the only exception.

I saw it first when I was around 10 years old, my dad opined that it is a classic and I realized it the 1s time I saw.

Hrishida's movies have always been magical, a simple story, an excellent screenplay, normal next door people, we saw it all, from Golmaal to Abhimaan, Bawarchi to Guddi.

But Anand is a cut above the rest.

Every portion or frame is sheer class.

And with this movie, Hrishida roped in Kakaji(Rajesh Khanna) who was already riding high, to deliver what would be his career best performance, and Amitabh Bachhan in his early days who played his role to perfection, the tall/lanky, intense introvert's role was played with great finesse by the Big B -heralding his arrival.

Some or in fact many watch movies for entertainment or what we call time-pass.

Anand belongs to the genre of movies which gives you more than what you expect in the 150 odd minutes.

It is one of the few movies which you cannot erase from your memory.

A story of a terminally ill patient who lives hi life with gay abandon and is full of life and energy may not seem novel in this era, but it was certainly a path breaking movie of its times.

But a thing is guaranteed, irrespective of the number of times I have watched, as the movie closes, you are invariably left moist eyed, which only classics can do.

Lilting music, class BGM, very apt dialogs, great support cast work, everything works to this movies favor.

To me Anand is unparalleled and shall live on...to be one of the best in Indian cinema.

Rang de was bound to be the glory hog of this year at start. AAmir Khan has a niche in this industry and his roles are like a Yardstick. Add Rakyesh Mehra, a budding and energetic director, Rahman(well well hes as Aplus as you can get in bigger projects), and a host of talented people.

Great promos, zingy music, Aamir's new hairdo did create the awareness.

Well most of us have seen the movie by now, they know the story and even those who haven't know what its all about.

My critique, which a few more share too is though Rang de is commendable, it leaves you disturbed. Though it is powerful it is depressing towards the end.

well avoiding the spoilers, I feel that the novelty and characterisation is perfect and rabble rousing.

But for a movie of this genre, if we wish to take the message seriously, i start thinking whats the point??

Does the movie indicate that It is fruitless to be daring and take up arms against injustice iN India? What is the route to follow?

What is the point' to put it simply??

The questions do arise in your mind, it is radical and different, and I find it difficult to say whether i admired the movie or I liked or I accepted. Like/admire I do, But not acceptance wholeheartedly!

The pluses surely are that its mint fresh, A class music and cinematography, inspiring performances by everyone. Interestingly AAmir does not have a very dominating presence, his role is as important as others don.

That does not stop him from being endearing and effective. Ditto for Sidhaarth, Sharman, Atul, Soha, Maddy and Kunal.

The moral still is- Rang de is worth your money, it makes you think not like the silly laugh a thons which serve no purpose.!

_K

Swades - we the people says it all. It is probably one of the most sincere and un cynical movies of recent times, and same holds true with Shah rukh, who delivers an endearing and perhaps his most subdued, underplayed yet a bravura performance.

It starts with the NAsa engineer, who gets the longing to go back to India to meet his Nanny, and feels guilty that he had never got a chance to repay the love and warmth he received from her when he was a child.

Come India, he comes to the ground realities of India, the village, even though the country has come of age is 'shining' not much has changed in the heartlands or the villages where you see illiteracy,strange dogmas, inequalities, chauvinism etc.

Shah rukh sees it as a call to put his education and knowledge to use, and he knows his home needs him more than anywhere else.

the movie is simple, straight and sincere, runs on the lines of a documentary. Sure it is not glamorized but it delivers, excellent story telling skills.

It is bound to touch your heart, and definitely relate able for the NRI's who think about going to India.

The icing on the cake is not only the wonderful performances by the support cast, but the natural and non preachy characterizations of the entire cast.

Shah rukh is likable, even with his usual and lovable antics, he is more serious, and clearly dominates the proceedings.

Rahman's music is a big plus, with Yunhi Chala and Yeh Jo Des hai being the pick. Rahman has a panache for delivering great music for topical movies.

A movie with substance.