Tuesday, August 23, 2011

The restrained dawn strains behind the crowd.

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Review: Go watch the last Harry Potter movie!

Do you know that feeling inside your stomach you get after watching a great film, reading a great book, or listening to a great piece of music? That knot that seems to radiate pangs of aching emptiness and happiness? 

That is not quite the feeling you get after watching Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows Part 2, the finale of the eight Harry Potter films made from the seven books by J K Rowling [ Images ]. Instead, what you get is an overwhelming feeling of: If Only.

Don't get me wrong, Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows Part 2 is a juggernaut of a movie, epic at times, poetic at others. Actually, it is so good that you wish all the films had been this good.
Especially after watching the trio of Daniel Radcliffe [ Images ], Emma Watson [ Images ] (too pretty to be Hermione, but that's not a complaint) and Rupert Grint [ Images ] mature into such fine actors. They have become Harry Potter, Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley; that is their triumph. These are roles of a lifetime, and the kids deserve a round of applause.
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As do the entire ensemble cast. Maggie Smith [ Images ] playing the strict but loving Professor Minerva McGonagall, Alan Rickman [ Images ] as the misunderstood Severus Snape, Helena Bonham Carter [ Images ] (an absolute hoot playing Hermione play Bellatrix on Polyjuice Potion) as the manic Bellatrix Lestrange, and Ralph Fiennes, who plays Lord Voldemort with rare aplomb. Even Evanna Lynch as Luna Lovegood and Matthew Lewis as Neville Longbottom really flower in this one.  
A scene from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2The two-hour-ten-minute movie moves like a steam train on full throttle, and the Battle of Hogwarts is almost as grand as you would have imagined it to be. The film alternates between action and emotion with the right kind of shutter-speed and tries to stay faithful to the book to a larger extent than previously seen. The special effects are top class, and more realistic. Check out the gnarled old dragon at Gringotts, for example.
But there are still Potter booboos. I mean, surely, you can't have Harry duelling Lord Voldemort even before Nagini is dead? And, surely, more people joined the Battle of Hogwarts?
And the final film remains a victim of past mistakes, though it tries to cover it all in one grand sweep, and, to director David Yates' [ Images ] credit, almost succeeds.
Truth be told, Yates, who took over since Order Of The Phoenix, has stood head and shoulders above all the Potter directors.
The first two films by Chris Columbus were disasters. In Philosopher's Stone, you never felt Harry's awe at discovering and being part of the wizard world. In Chamber Of Secrets, you never felt the fear.
Things got better from Prisoner Of Azkaban, with the Mexican director Alfonso CuarĂ³n introducing a darker approach. But by then, too many of the key side-dishes of the Harry Potter buffet had been chopped off the menu (a trend continued with Goblet Of Fire, directed by Mike Newell). So, when you finally see Fred Weasley dead, I doubt you will fell as much for one of Rowling's finest characters. You just have't met the irrepressible Fred and George in the films.
Similarly, though the final film opens with Harry at Dobby's grave, I doubt one can feel as much for Dobby the free elf, given that the whole subtext of wizards versus other magical creatures has been given short shrift in the films. As has Harry's own love affair with Ginny Weasley, coupled with the superhero's guilt.
And yet, the final film shines. Snape's flashback is beautifully done. And Deathly Hallows Part 2 gets its imagery right with subliminal Second World War suggestions. The books (like all fantasy fiction) have a lot of such references missing in the films, including the one about the evil wizard Gellert Grindelwald appropriating an ancient symbol (think swastika and Hitler [ Images ]). And the layers and layers of subtext that make the books such a delight are sorely missing in the mood of the films.
But that's just a fan's rantings. Deathly Hallows Part 2 is undoubtedly the best of the Harry Potter movies.
Which is why the If Only feeling. Maybe someday ten years later, Warner and Rowling will allow a remake, and we will be able to dive anew into the magical mystery world of Harry Potter -- without the baggage of the past. And a fan will be able to give five stars to a Potter film.
For now, go and watch this lavish movie for its performances, for its special effects, and for its storytelling.

Monday, March 14, 2011

Paris Hilton
Paris Hilton More Pics
Socialite Paris Hilton says Cy Waits is the best boyfriend she has ever had and would love to start a family with him.

"I feel broody sometimes. I'd love kids in the future. Cy's the best boyfriend I've ever had. I'm so happy with him," contactmusic.com quoted her as saying.

The 30-year-old socialite has been dating nightclub mogul Cy Waits for a year.

Paris' mother Kathy recently admitted she and her husband Rick would love to see their daughter settle down with Cy.

"I know that they've been dating a little less than a year and I think she's waited this long. She adores him and I never ever ask or ever push that question with my girls because I got married so young, I never want them to feel pressure," said Kathy.

"Anyone that loves animals and is kind like that ... she'll be an incredible mom. I was at Macy's with her recently and there were 1,000 people there and the little children came up and she lights up. I could see babies and a wedding."



Kat’s near wadrobe malfunction

On Friday night, the actress’s red top kept slipping at a music award function. But things did not get out of hand…


Wardrobe malfunctions happen all the time these days; Katrina Kaif nearly encountered one on Friday night at a music award function.



The incident in question happened on stage when Katrina was grooving with a bunch of girls. Her top slipped off on more than occasion.


She managed to ward off a half-monty, even as her outfit, which was tight at the shoulder during the start (see pic 1) began to steadily fail her (See pic 2, 3).

A source from the event said, "Clothes to be worn at the event are made in a very short period of time.

Although stars do have dress trials and Katrina had one too, it was a mere accident of her strap giving way. (See pic 2,3) Wearing an outfit and standing is different from wearing an outfit and performing.

So one assumes when she tried it, it was perfect, but while the body parts were in motion, the strap seemed to slip off at various occasions.

Being a regular at stage shows Katrina managed it and did not cause any kind of embarrassment to herself."

Guess in the future she will be more careful before dressing up for a stage act. We assume that she was in some tearing hurry before she donned the red top.



Shah Rukh Khan and Sonam Kapoor
Shah Rukh Khan and Sonam Kapoor More Pics
Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan was named the worst actor and Sonam Kapoor the worst actress at the third annual Golden Kela Awards Saturday night, a spin-off of Hollywood's Razzies awards, which recognises the worst in cinema.

While Shah Rukh won the award for Karan Johar's " My Name is Khan", where he played a patient of Asperger's syndrome, Sonam got the award for her home production "Aisha".

Ironically, Shah Rukh has also won the Filmfare award for the best actor for the same film.

"My Name Is Khan" also received the worst film award.

Sanjay Leela Bhansali won the worst director award for "Guzaarish". "Guzaarish" also got Black Award for Emotional Blackmail.

Director Ram Gopal Varma was awarded the Bas Kijiye Bahut Ho Gaya Award (Please Stop Its Enough), asking him to stop making films.

The worst supporting actor male went to Arjun Rampal for "Housefull", and worst supporting actress female went to Kangana Ranaut for "Kites".

Interestingly, out of five nominations in the category of supporting actress, three were for Kangana in "No Problem", "Once Upon A Time in Mumbaai" and "Kites".

Bawra Ho Gaya Hai Ke award (Have You Gone Nuts) was given to actor Ben Kingsley for his participation in the film "Teen Patti".

However, there was a special category of 'Anti-Kela' awards for the films that were the saving graces of 2010. The awards were for the films that were meaningful and entertaining, while still being in the mainstream.

Those awarded in this category were "Udaan", "Ishqiya", "Love, Sex and Dhoka", "Do Dooni Chaar", "Peepli Live" and "Tere Bin Laden".

"I think we should learn to make fun of our own work and I think it's just fun although it's tough because we make a lot of bad films. It will be easy to choose good films but it will be difficult to choose worst work," said Vishal Bhardwaj, producer of "Ishqiya, who was present at the award ceremony hosted by Cyrus Broacha in Rockdome at the Ambience Mall in Gurgaon.

"Ishqiya" director Abhisek Chaubey added: "Nobody wants to admit that they have made the worst film and coming here would be admitting it, nobody really wants to believe that they did something worst. But really hope people who are nominated see the lighter side of it and come here."

Small-budget film "Udaan" swept this year's prestigious Filmfare awards and here also it won the Anti-Kela for being 2010's "saving grace".

"Being given an award by people who are looking for bad stuff in films means a lot," said director Vikramaditya Motwane in a video message.

Meanwhile, Aditya Narayan and Pakhi Tyrewala were awarded the Golden Kela for worst debut male and female for "Shaapit" and "Jhootha Hi Sahi" respectively.

Actor Uday Chopra was given the Chimpu Kapoor award (No talent award for relatives of celebrities).

"Pee Loon" from "Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai" was adjudged the most irritating song and Sanjay Leela Bhansali won another award for the most atrocious lyrics for song "Sau gram zindagi" from "Guzaarish".

Akshay Kumar-Aishwarya Rai starrer "Action Replayy", which was the big screen adaptation of a play, was given the award for the Most Original Story.

Director Sanjay Sharma's gay love story "Dunno Y... Naa Jane Kyun" received the Lajja (Shame) award for worst treatment of a serious issue. "Ek Second... Jo Zindagi Badal De" won the When did This Come Out Award.

Rohit Shetty's "Golmaal" series won the worst triology ever in the history of films and Salman Khan starrer "Dabangg" was given the Ajooba Award for Sheer Awesomeness.

The worst animated film award went to "Baru the Wonder Kid".

Pradeep Sarkar's "Lafange Parindey" was given the Jajantram Mamantram Award for Worst Named Film.

Singer Sukhwinder Singh was given the Sonu Nigam Award for Career Suicide for his debut in "Kuch Kariye".

Vivek Oberoi-starrer "Prince" was given the Golden Kela for the most ridiculous sequence in the film.

Jackie Shroff won the worst casting ever award for his role as Shirdi Sai baba in the film "Malik Ek".
Host Cyrus was at his wittiest best during the award function. Also present were actor Praduman Singh of "Tere Bin Laden" fame and "Do Dooni Chaar" director Habib Faisal.

Monday, February 28, 2011

Vote for your favourite SRK look




Shah Rukh Khan in Don 2


Shah Rukh Khan sports a new look in his forthcoming film Don 2: The Chase Continues. He sports long hair, stubble and a tattoo.
The new look revealed recently has already become a talking point, establishing his reputation as India's coolest superstar.
With this in mind, we cast a look at King Khan's various avatars over the years. Click through the slide show and vote for your favourite look at the end.




A scene from Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi
For a change, Shah Rukh's alter ego Raj lost out to the reticent, plain-looker Surinder Sahni. Many would agree that the 'other' SRK in this Aditya Chopra romantic drama was garish and over-the-top.
It was then left to Sahni, dressed awkwardly in formals and sports shoes, to charm the fans not with his heroics, but with his simplicity. Must say this was one of the actor's most sincere performances.




Shah Rukh Khan in Om Shanti Om
SRK and his six-pack abs were the buzzword all through 2007.
Overnight, it seemed, the actor became fitness conscious, pumped iron for hours and unveiled his fab body in the chartbuster song Dard-e-Disco.
To be honest, the ripples that his abs created could only be compared to the time when Salman Khan introduced Bollywood to serious body-building stuff of the Stallone, Arnold kind.


Chak De! India, 2007



Shah Rukh Khan in Chak De! India
Plain white shirt, khaki trousers, a hockey stick in hand. Kabir Khan, the fallen hockey hero, wore his grit and hope on his rolled-up sleeves.
His reputation was finally restored in the end when he led an underdog Indian women's hockey team to victory in the world championship. 
The dream boy of Bollywood never looked so real.




A scene from Swades
This was one of the actor's best acts in his two-decade long acting career where he had a no-fuss look, and where he wasn't playing loverboy Raj or Rahul.
Director Ashutosh Gowariker gave his Mohan Bhargava, a NASA scientist, a casual appearance and a contemplative and compassionate gaze that won laurels from even the staunchest critics.


Veer-Zaara, 2004



A scene from Veer-Zaara
SRK as an aged ex-pilot? You must be kidding. That's how everyone reacted in the first few days of this Yash Chopra flick's release.
Shah Rukh proved he's the king of romance even with dishevelled hair and some grey showing in his beard.


Asoka, 2001



Shah Rukh Khan in Asoka
In this epic, he is Prince Asoka. With shoulder length hair, tilak on his forehead, primitive bare essentials and a sword in tow, the young prince, however, took time off from his princely pursuits to sing and dance.
Remember the sensuous Roshni Se Bhare Bhare?


Mohabbatein, 2000



A scene from Mohabbatein
Now, this remains one of Shah Rukh's most popular looks (violin included).
When Mohabbatein released, the actor's fans excitedly emulated his look -- sharp eye frames, light coloured pants and a sweater over the shoulders. It's still known as the Raj Aryan look. Talk about recall value.


Josh, 2000



Shah Rukh Khan in Josh
The film flopped. Rather badly. But Shah Rukh's masculine, street-smart Max of the Eagles gang is still remembered.
The leather jacket and gloves, dark shades and the bandanna quickly became a rage. To date, Max remains quite unlike the usual SRK.


Karan Arjun, 1995



Shah Rukh Khan in Karan Arjun
One of his earliest action roles, Arjun is angry and wronged and will do anything to extract revenge from a local baddie.
It indeed helps to have Salman Khan for company -- as a brother, if you will.


  »  » Vote for your favourite SRK look

Baazigar, 1993



Shilpa Shetty and Shah Rukh Khan in Baazigar
Another villainous act. But what a cool villain this was.
He could make women fall for him so easily. One could see that flirtatious streak in the actor quite early in his career.
Looks like Vicky Malhotra has kept his date with destiny.


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Aamir's Steady Makeover Thrills



Aamir's Steady Makeover Thrills

By movietalkies
Tuesday Mar 1 12:13 PM
Aamir Khan, the man who transforms rather well into the persona of the character that he adopts onscreen, will showcase himself as a top cop in Reema Kagti's new flick that he's signed up for, alongside Rani Mukerji and Kareena Kapoor, apart from illumining the role of a baddie in 'Dhoom 3'.
Filming of the Kagti film, commenced on March 1, 2011 with Aamir facing the arc lights. And a certain Madhu Mantena , producer of 'Ghajini' continues to be miffed with Khan, since he chucked his future venture (Ranbir Kapoor, happens to be the starry replacement) and opted for the Excel Entertainment movie directed by the 'Honeymoon Travels Pvt. Ltd.' director.
On the personal front, Khan delights in making appearances… with a stubble, moustache and hairstyle that seem to change faster than a chameleon colours. At the recent launch of Sussanne Roshan's designer store in Mumbai, Khan showed up minus the stubble that he'd been sporting for quite a while and gone were the ear studs in the starry ears too.
Earlier, he'd showed up with a thickset stubble and moustache, sporting earrings too.
For Aamir, the media's all ears and eyes now…