2008 - Movies to watch out for

Jodha Akbar

This was going to be the first major release of 2008 but it has been shifted to Feb and Sunday is going to be the replacement on 25th jan. Well we dont care till we get to see it. From the promos it promises to be another epic from Ashutosh Gowarikar. Both Hrithik and Ash are looking cool in their historic avatars of Akbar and Jodha. Icing on the cake is Music from A.R.Rehman. Cant wait to listen to background music. It should be breath taking as it is from Rehman. All in all, sounds like a great start to 2k8. Lets keeps our fingers crossed!!!

Halla Bol

This was supposed to come in last week of Dec. But has shifted to second week of Jan. Santoshi and Devgan always delivers something good. And nothing good has come from both of them for a long time now. So lets hope this one is as hard hitting as it promises to be.

Tashan

Akshay back to the Action Movie. Wow. With Saif. Wow. And Anil Kapoor too. Ufffff. Dont forget Kareena. This promises to be a big blockbuster provided Vijay Krishna Acharya does not screw up the movie. 2007 was not a good year for Yashraj and this is their first release in 2008. I sincerly hope they deliver something different this time. I am also praying this should not be a rip off from some hollywood picture. But what the hell. Ain't Akki and Saif looking Kool in their new gateups. I would say Super KKOOOOL. So lets hope for the best.

Race

Another Action/Thriller from Abbas Mustan. Starring Saif, Akshay Khanna, Anil Kapoor this one looks all masala fare. My prediction says it will be a hit if it is an average movie. But again lets pray its not a copy of some angrezi movie.

Drona

Abhishek in long hair without his hair band. Thank God!!! What I have heard is this movie deals with Super hero and super power stuff. Nothing out on Story yet. Lets see what Abhishek does in this one.

Sarkar Raj

Ramu back in action after his Sholay. AB Sr. and Jr. together with their latest member Ash. I sincerly hope Ramu gets his golden touch back with this sequel to the hit movie Sarkar. He was thrashed too hard for his take on Sholay. I hope all the bubble settles down when this one comes out

My Name is Khan

Karan Johar + Sharukh the King Khan + Kajol. Do I need to mention anything else. Just go and book your tickets.

Hera Pheri 4

Now who doesnt want to see Babubhaiyya, Raju and Shyaam back in Action. But wait where is Herapheri 3!!!

Taare Zameen Par

I was one week late in watching this movie. By then everyone was done watching the movie and each and every one had told me this was the best movie of their life time. So I went to see the film with high expectations and it all started on a really wonderful note. There he was. The Boy wonder. The Best Child actor I have seen in a long long time. The moment Darsheel Safary came on the screen I forgot everything else. He was not speaking much. Eyes were doing all the talking. Happy, Sad, Scared, Frustrated, Anger - All through eyes of this 9 yr old. And not everyday some one makes movie on this subject - A child not able to cope with the competition around him and parents as always not helping much. First half was real nice but no Aamir so far. He came at the right moment in the movie but sadly his entrance did not help the movie. It actually started making the movie more commercial and preachy. Suddenly everyone was bad. Teachers, Parents, Other Kids and Only Aamir was the savior. Also the end was quite abrupt. Read the rediff review, Raja Sen explains it well.



Still this was a good effort from a first time director making a movie about Children and trying to do something different. Also full marks to Aamir the Director for extracting such a fantastic performance from the kid Darsheel. For this alone he should win the award for the Best Director. Shankar Ehsaan Loy did it again giving us a very soulful music.



All in all a nice movie to end this year. We hope Aamir directs something soon.

Movies I Enjoyed in 2007

Finally I have something to write. Year will end in a short while and its time to look back upon the films I enjoyed the most, not in any specific order.

1. Guru

Positives - Terrific performances from AB Jr. and Mithunda. Good Music. Nice story. Awesome last 20 mins with AB in full form

Could be better? - Yes. If made more hard hitting, less commercial, less songs

Bottom Line - We Loved AB Jr. He showed glimses of his dad. Not Kidding

2. Chak De India

Positives - Tight Script, Crisp Direction, Terrific back ground music, SRK playing a character and not himself, Bindiya Nayak

Could be better? - I dont think so

Bottom Line - Chak de became the national anthem and will probably fetch an honest award for SRK

3. Jab We Met

Positives - Director Imtiaz Ali extracting fine performances from the lead pair, Awesome Songs, Good dialogues and Screenplay

Could be better? - Second half could have been better

Bottom Line - Sleeper hit of the year on its way to be a BlockBuster

4. Taare Zameen Pe

Positives - Fine story idea, Darsheel Safary, Good Soundtrack

Could be better? - Should have been more hard hitting, less commercial and less preachy. Should not have shown everyone as negative other than Aamir.

Bottom Line - Darsheel Safary should win the Best Actor trophy

5. Johnny Gaddar

Positives - Amazing performaces by the whole cast, Awesome Script and Direction, Cinematography and Background music

Could be better? - No Way

Bottom Line - One of the Best Thrillers to be churned out from Bollywood after a long time.

6. Bhool Bhulaiya

Positives - Akshay Kumar, Vidya Balan, Song Hare Ram

Could be better? - Akshay should have been introduced in the first 5 mins of the movie.

Bottom Line - We Love Akki

7. Cheeni Kum

Positives - Amitji and a mind blowing Tabu

Could be better? - Second half could have been better.

Bottom Line - We absolutely Loved Tabu. She is the Best Actress of her generation

8. Aaja Nachle

Positives - MADHURI aka Mads

Could be better? - Script could have been better

Bottom Line - Even at 40 none of the new gals can match Mads

9. Bheja Fry

Positives - Novel story, Vinay Pathak

Could be better? - Screenplay could have been funnier.

Bottom Line - Vinay Pathak was discovered as a new Sensation.

10. Black Friday

Positives - Good Performances and Direction. Was really Hard hitting

Could be better? - Naah we liked it the way it was

Bottom Line - Anurag Kashyap can make some really hard hitting movie.

11. Risk

Positives - Randeep Hooda and Vinod Khanna. Direction

Could be better? - Remove Tanushree

Bottom Line - Good Movie

12. MP3 - Mera Pehla Pehla Pyaar

Positives - Nice performances from the lead pair, Makes you nostalgic about your school days

Could be better? - Songs could have been better and it should have been promoted in a better way

Bottom Line - Trust me and Rent the dvd. You wont be disappointed

13. Om Shanti Om

Positives - SRK, Music, Nice Spoofs, An Entertainer

Could be better? - Second half could have been better

Bottom Line - SRK was Awesome

All in all it was a good year for Bollywood with both Boxoffice and Critical Acclaim.