Movie Reviews, Theatre in India, Travel trails --- see images of life through Sonali Jha Chatterjee's logbook...
Showing posts with label Bollywood. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bollywood. Show all posts

Tuesday, 9 September 2014

Movie Review (Hindi)

Mary Kom

It is rarely that I get to see two Bollywood movies back to back which I enjoy. Also both movies being women oriented is also an interesting coincidence. So, soon after Mardani, I get to see this wonderful movie, Mary Kom, based on the life of India's champion boxer, Mary. 
When I had heard about the making of the movie, I read that Priyanka Chopra was to play Mary Kom. Frankly I had my misgivings about her being cast in this role. And thank goodness I was proved wrong! 
I do wish all women were blessed with such an understanding husband as Mary Kom's. He takes over the household chores and looking after the twin sons and forces Mary to stick to her discipline!! Is he for real? Apparently he is. Also like all great achievers, Mary has a super coach who keeps her 'boxing fit'. 
The movie brought all elements of good cinema together. The script was tight, the editing close, the acting just right and the direction couldn't be better. 
This makes me more confident of looking forward to movies revolving around women. There was Kahaani, English Vinglish, Queen, Mardani and now Mary Kom. Thanks to the changing times... Here's to WOMEN!!!!!

Thursday, 11 July 2013

Movie Review - Bollywood

Lootera (The Thief)
After hearing rave reviews of this Hindi movie, I decided to take a look myself. Another reason why I do not watch a movie after going through the reviews. I either have very high expectations or just don't have any. Lootera suffered because of this. The film is well shot. A lot of importance has been given to each shot which is great and a welcome change. But the story did not really work for me. It reminded me too much of Fanaa (the Kajol-Aamir Khan starrer). Boy meets girl, falls in love and then ditches her coz his line of work does not allow for love. Ditto here. Then there is more of Fanaa at the end with snowscape and the hero's death. I was really glad the writer did not get a child into the mess.
But the best of all was the use of the O. Henry short story, The Last Leaf. The artist in the story claims to paint a masterpiece at some point in his life and finally the masterpiece is the last leaf painted on a wall that helps a young woman live, while he dies of pneumonia. The story was, of course, used in pure Bollywood style in Lootera. But I thank those responsible for this tribute to O. Henry.
P.S. - Sonakshi Sinha and Ranveer Singh are good actors.