What is genius? It is difficult to define but one thing for sure is that it is out of the ordinary. I just saw the movie Borat. And I found it humourous, shocking, gross and annoying, at various points throughout the movie and sometimes simulatneously. You might end up hating it or liking it – I am somewhere in the middle but it is still a good movie because it is different from everything else we are used to watching.

In an era where even reality shows are almost completely staged it is refreshing to see a movie in which almost all of the scenes are unscripted and all the characters except the central 4 characters are unaware that they are being filmed for a satirical (?) movie. Almost throughout the movie I felt that the participants did not know they were being filmed but I thought that it was just the way the movie was filmed and narrated and that like all movies the actors were indeed acting. A quick check on Wikipedia (Borat on Wikipedia) confirmed that I was wrong and that most of the movie was unscripted and that the participants were asekd for their permission only post-event.  

This movie might come across as being anti-American, making fun of various things American at various stages in the movie. However if anything I think it shows America as being an extremely tolerant and accomodating culture. Think of Borat’s high-society dinner where he insults and offends the host and the guests again and again and only at the very end is he kicked out. He would have been kicked out for things much less offending in most Indian settings I can think of Think of the car dealer who spends an hour or more trying to sell him a Hummer costing 50+ grand but eventually sells him a $700 ice-cream truck. Think of the etiquette consultant who maintains a straight face even when she was being shown nude pics of Borat’s son. And there are many such instances throughout the movie.

Brilliant. Genius. Stuck in your head kinda movie. This is not a movie you would want to see with your parents or your kids but this is definitely a movie you should see sooner or later.

I saw the movie Laaga Chunari Mein Daag a couple of days back at InOrbit with my parents. It had been a long time since we had seen a movie together.

I liked LCMD. It has received a lot of bad reviews, the movie hall was also only half full and my expectations were pretty low. But the movie surprised me by having a decent (albeit predictable and old) story, a very good cast and some very solid acting. I think it is a “should see”.

Rani Mukherji‘s acting was very good, Konkona Sen Sharma‘s appears fresh and bubbly (as her character demands) and Anupam Kher and Jaya Bachchan both play their roles to near perfection. I could actually feel what they were going through. Kunal Kapoor did not have much to do but suits his role and so does Abhishek Bachchan. I think the excellent acting is what holds the movie together. A lesser cast might have not made the movie so watchable.

I found the movie to be lacking only in a couple of places. Badki’s (Rani Mukherji’s character) transformation from a village belle to a high-society “escort” girl is wrapped up in 60 seconds. Too short and does not really convey the doubts and anguish that she would have experienced. The ending is also a bit anti-climatic. Movies like this should have endings that keep the viewer on tenterhooks and keep them guessing till the last moment, after all in drama movies the entire movie is a buildup for the ending. The ending is too sugar-coated and short and does not do justice to the movie.

Movie critic Maitland McDonagh described the movie as “breaks no new ground but is solidly entertaining”. I think that describes the movie quite well.

Saw 3 new movies in the last 2 weeks.

Apocalypto was nice. Not much of a story in there but once the movie starts moving it keeps you glued to what is going on. Fast-paced and sightly gruesome is how I would describe it. Reminded me of Arnie’s Predator.

Honeymoon Travels Pvt. Ltd. was also nice. Again no story in there but at least you won’t get bored. Don’t go with too high expectations and you will not be disappointed.

300 was the worst English movie I have seen in recent times. I wonder how it has become such a big hit. Unreal imagery and dialogues that reminded me of some crappy Hindi movies. And it also reminded me again and again of Sunny Deol

Memphis: Whatcha doin’ there, boy?
Baby Mumble: [tap dancing] I’m happy, Pa!
Memphis: Whatcha doin’ with your feet?
Baby Mumble: [looks down] They’re happy, too!

What better way to spend a few hours on a weekend than to watch a cool cartoon film! I saw Happy Feet yesterday with a bunch of friends and had a rolling couple of hours of non-stop fun.

The movie is way too funny to be dissected so just get out there and go see it. This is a movie that I am definitely going to add to my home movie collection, when I get one that is.

I read up the Wikipedia entry on this movie and I was surprised to find that there are many true facts about penguins in the movie.

Here are a few interesting links for you:

• Emperor Penguin
• Southern Rockhopper Penguin
• Adelie Penguin

A few more memorable quotes from Happy Feet

Ramón: Just a moment. I hear people wanting something… ME!

Baby Seymour: Don’t push me ’cause I am close to the edge. I’m trying not to lose my head.

Mumble: I’m being spontaneous!

Ramón: You did everything penguinly possible.