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From random posts to write ups for popular sites , here’s more serious writing for fun!
Check one of my latest posts transform into a story on rediff movies here
Movies are the next best thing to dreaming.
Nope, that’s not a famous quote by some one consequential. Well, it could turn out to be one soon enough when my charm reaches its much deserved peak of fame.
Till then, I guess we’ll just live with quoting these words of acquired wisdom in the trusted anonymity of conversations on these pages.
And speaking of more ‘wisdom under the pretext of an indulgent one sided monologue’, how ever bad the latest spate of blockbusters must be doing at the box office, One never needs to pay up huge monies for one’s taste of fantasy. Simply cozy up with cushions, dim the lights a bit, get yourself a warm cup of coffee with something to nibble and catch one of these movies to spend the most amazing weekend, home alone!
Priceless(2006)
This is one Priceless movie watching experience!
Aptly, name this gem is a French film and whoever said French movies are all about deep reflection and layered meanings, too tedious and too dry, well watch this!
Irene meets Jean; they fall in love and live happily ever after. Not quite, I must say.
The pretty lady in question is actually a manipulative escort, who lives off at the expense of rich older men and uses mercilessly the poor head over heels in love bartender to get what she wants. Only of course to eventually realize, that what she wants is to be loved and that’s when they drive off into the horizon on a scooterette! Shot at exotic locale (which refreshed memories of Monaco and Monte Carlo) this movie is as delightful as a French puff pastry – a truly priceless 2 hours of heartfelt smiles and sighs!
Watch the effervescent Audrey Tautou, trample over hearts and teach the tricks of the trade to the shy Gad Elmaleh only to run to him when she’s just about to lose it all & catch the most amazing on screen adventure of a kiss (I am told won the best kiss award that year at a lot of international fests – catch it here).
Tip of the day: A regular on World Movies!
Before Sunrise( 1995)
Soulmates for a night - Before Sunrise
One of those very rare movies , which keep you wondering what happened after the titles began to role? Jesse and Celine meet up on the Euro-rail. He is an american tourist dealing with a recent heart break travelling to Vienna on his last day in Europe , and is flying out the next morning.She is a young student , on her way to Paris where she studies. They hit it off and on an impulse he persuades her to get off at Vienna for a night that turns out to be the most romantic journey of their lives. They talk and explore the city and connect in a way that they never did with any one before . Fighting the urge to not commit to a long distance relationship that both of them feel would kill what they shared and an attraction that they just cant deny , they eventually part ways with a promise to meet exactly 6 months from the day they met , this time at Paris.
Watch this and you’ll know what it means when you ‘really connect’ with a person. You talk with out inhibitions , share ideas and dreams and open up in the most endearing ways. No mush , no melodrama , pure conversations – This is definitely my idea of romance.
Tip : Watch Before Sunset (2005) that was made exactly 9 yrs after the first movie that captures their meeting again. nope , they dont meet after 6 months(aww…) but they do meet .. after 9 yrs. Heart wrenching , isnt it? Catch my favourite scene when they have a ‘fake phone conversation with friends’ here
Clueless(1995)
When you have everything , what really are you looking for?
Who says classics are boring? You can take an Emma and spin it on its head and here you have the most contemporary adaptation placed right here in your high school. Cher , is rich , pretty and popular. There’s nothing really she can’t talk herself out of . Other than staying at the top of the social ‘high-school’ who’s who list , her immediate worries in life are playing matchmaker , indulging in the retail therapy and rescuing the down-trodden in terms of trends!
Josh , her step brother calls her selfish & superficial. She tries to prove otherwise by evangelising the social life of Tai , the new kid on the block in a purely unselfish act. But soon all hell breaks loose , she flunks her driving test , is losing out on popularity charts to her latest ‘project’ and is confused about her feeling for her Mr Right , Josh! All ends well , when she gains back her popularity , friends and love and giving us the cutest poor little rich girl of the screen ever. Lots of fizz and attitude , this movie’s like soda pop – lifts up your spirit and leaves a sweet after taste. Watch it for Alicia Silverstone , and you ‘ll know where the movie gets its sparkle from.
Amelie (2001)
Meet your neighbourhood Robin Hood - Amelie !
If you feel romantic movies are sweet, this one’s a French Patisserie. Amelie’s been a lonely girl since childhood and as a young woman she’s shy and introvert. After a sudden realisation one fine day that she’s perhaps wasting her life , she takes upon herself the task of bringing joy and happiness to everyone around her. As she goes about on her secret mission of fulfilling dreams of her father , neighbours , co-workers at the cafe where she works and this lonesome stranger she comes across – she makes the biggest mistake which blows off her cover- She falls in love. Watch this fairytale that give every spy movie a run for its money as you watch the impossibly pretty Audrey Tautou plan the most amazing set ups playing match maker ,wish fulfiller and revenge seeker for all those around her. As reality meets fantasy , you cant help thinking to your self , if only we could come across some one like her . Sigh!
Vicky Cristina Barcelona(2008)
Alrite , this one’s quite a twisted affair. But what makes this movie , so damn neat is its non adherence to norms. Vicky and Cristina are as different as chalk and cheese. Vicky is practical and traditionalist , knows what she wants and has planned her entire life around . Christina , on the other hand is free spirited and bohemian , and perhaps knows what she doesnt want , and is okay with trying to finding the answer to this question all her life.
On their trip to Barcelona , they chance upon Juan a painter with quite an eccentric view of love. What starts off as a casual meeting becomes a complex tale of unfulfilled love & deep passion that both of them share with not only Juan but also his ex wife Maria Elena with whom he has an off and on relationship. At the end of it all , both the women , end up where they started . Each more assured than ever of their belief in life – their view of love and the way they wish to live.
Tip : Watch this one , for the most amazing views of barcelona , rediscover the beauty of the spanish language and a fresh take on love , if you’ve ever been confused , this one makes you feel – its all right!
Started off writing this post long time back.. perhaps the approaching wedding date was giving me jitters ;-).
Saw Love Aaj Kal recently and am yet to see something that Bold that makes so much sense about relationships on screen. yes , there was this whole angle of ” i met the man of my dreams , and then i met his beautiful wife” to quote alanis in kabhi alvida na kehna . but i found that movie a little unrealistic as far as the rani – abhi track went . i honestly wouldnt leave a husband like abhi’s character for a million dollars and certainly not for a highly egoistic , lost and confused – shahrukh – kinda- guy ( in the movie!)
but this one. wow!
the whole change that we see in young couples now – the rise in divorce or separations , open marriages . they may have their own reasons. but i think young men and women , do have the guts now to face each other post wedding and say- i think we made a mistake. i think we arent right for each other. i think we should part ways.
i am not propagating parting ways as a solution to the worlds marital problems. but like many other trends that define the life in a metro – i found this quite ‘in your face’. isnt it as clear and defining in a person’s life – as perhaps coming out of a closet is?
so its not just the last fera and then the maang ka sindoor , that seals the fate of lovers married to different people than they would have rather preferred. filmi love goes beyond all boundaries – that of the ever of strong great wall of the big fat indian wedding too!!
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Movies they say mirror the real life .
Well here are some that I ve been watching lately.
Kuch Kuch Hota Hai
Anjali ( Kajol ) has her fiance waiting for pheras and she freezes when she sees her college time crush Rahul ( SRK) . They finally end up together , as was meant to be . And everything falls in place right at the altar when the bride walks out of what was planned by her into something that was planned by destiny.
Jaane Tu ..
She gets engaged with the seemingly ‘perfect guy’ . He’s seeing the pretty young girl he always thought he wanted to be with. Its all dreamy like a fairy tale. And then life happens. And they get together.
Yuva
She’s getting married to the kanpuria businessman, he’s dreaming of catching the next plane to US of A. Headed in different directions even before they cross paths , They end up together anyways.
Ps: and NO , D .. am not gonna leave you . umm.. or on second thoughts – just in case Shah rukh drops by at my door step , then perhaps . well we have to wait and watch right?
Okay. I think my take on Jane Tu – looking at life from the other side was quite fun . Yes I do think so.
So am gonna do another one of those , role reversals? on Kismat Konnection.
So why would you want to watch the movie . Here’s my reasoning!
1. When Shahid is on screen , smiling that ultra – chweet smile of him , its difficult to keep your eyes off the screen ( NO , I am not seventeen . Yes. THIS does mean one can WATCH the movie . what the hell!)
2. Even though it seems when you see Vidya and Shahid together , that being Siblings is their only possible Konnection ( okay , with a huge age gap between them – blame the parents , fine with you?) but then there’s this one ‘Moment’ in the movie , when you can actually SEE their chemistry. The one on the boat , when he’s asking her about her dream guy . She says , should be 6 ft tall , gets on the side bars to see if 5 10 works . Embraces him to say … This is perfect too. hmmm… :)
3. Bakhuda Tumhi Ho . yes . that song. shahid walking around all over the place , arm stretched , sauntering in slow motion , turning the heart of the whole female – junta in the hall to wishy – washy pulp . And that voice. When Atif sings , he fills up everything around you with his voice! It soars and takes a flight . ( Okay the fact that I am in love with Atif is oh-so-obvious here ! Sigh!)
4. I do believe in Kismat , Signs , Good Luck Charms , Co-incidences , Stuff that cant be explained. So the movie somehow made sense to me – despite the idiotic ending and the melodrama of a crystal ball gazer.
Ummm. That’s it i guess?
Okay so whats the big deal About Jane Tu?
There’s this nice boy , who meets a pretty girl . They like each other . Sing happy songs . Croon mushy lines . Laugh , hug , smile , cry together . But you know “unhone kabhi ek doosre to us nazar se nahi dekha ” So you see , they are confused if they really L-O-V-E each other . And then Jealousy strikes . Lo and behold . Everything sorts out to the makings of a happy ever after !
Dreamy ? ya right!
No i mean honestly . Whats the deal here. I thought of all the stuff that so typically cliche with the movie that i wonder why is everyone raving abt it being all fresh and all!
1. He dumps the perfect girl – All sweetness and Sunshine . Who cares . Who smiles all the time. Loves to walk into the moonlit night . Whose full time occupation is keeping you entertained - goe where you go , do what you like , NO friends of her own by the way all coz YOU are her world!
And you go ahead and realise you love this brat who screams at everything that moves . beats up everything that moves. whoever said Love is blind surely was looking for the word ”dumb!!”. Duh!
2. She meets the proverbial perfect “knight in the armour” to discover the kink in it , coz he’s the fiance who needs to pop in and out of the story quite conveniently.
I mean how vague can you get . He’s a karate black belt like you ve always wanted , soaked in monies , wear flashy labels , drives around in fancy cars . Parties ALL the time while his folks try to put together an empire for him to run. I mean WOW! and then when you oscillate between the now and the would have been , we see him turning the shade of grey from the sqeaky white . And when true love twinkles in her eyes , the poor fiance goes out of the window for good. coz you know what “hes the bad guy in the story!!!” weep weep!
3. You are all a bunch of kids whose immidiate worry is finding true love! i mean whatever happened to planning for a future? like career wise?
The relevance of the college is – its your groups hangout . plus it makes up for a nice background for all your happy songs when every one joins in so that ‘aditi has de zara’. Hmmm… i have always been fascinated by the way the youth of this nation knows their priorities , the burning issues and the solutions to all the worlds problems so well. Movies are such a heart warming reflection of the real life i must say .
We have no dreams . No short term / long term goals. no sense of direction as such. you know our biggest worry after the farewell party is .. boo hoo we wont be able to see our friends every day ! oh , how heart breaking is that!
And if by some strange twist of fate , we do realise we can look at ‘higher studies at amreeka’ as an alternative to ‘kill some more time coz you arent ready for all the shaadi business’ … all it takes is ahh some off-key singing , some last minute confessions , some melodrama ( yes , i ll totally ignore the fact that breaking laws on screen is as easy as breaking into a song and dance routine) to hold you back to apna bharat desh . Its tata to the higher studies as you hop onto the marriage band wagon with the ‘boy of your dreams’
this achy love – shove i tell you can be quite a life changing experience!
Hmm so after watching this typical hindi fillum . with all its happiness and glee and youthfulness and generally being lost and confused and yet taking it all in its stride attitude to life – why am smiling ear to ear and feeling all light headed and delirious in life.
Hmm.. so why am i doing that ? And if i am doing that , then why am i writing this whimsical soaked in satire (read sounding like an uptight stuck up in life 80 yr old out-to-change-the world idealistic critic?) Post… jane tu? Jane tu ya jane na? …:)
just wanted to see life from the other side. I guess i prefer mine anyday !
PS : Ah! am humming non-stop ‘kahin toh hogi woh’ & also that am bigtime crushing over someone who solely exists on the bigscreen AND am way past the ‘i have a big crush’ stage/age in life.. but ofcourse thats better unsaid…. and dreaming of atleast one melodramatic moment ‘just like they show in movies’ in my life too. hmmm… dream on .. dream on..
