Movie : Rock On!!
Language : Hindi
Date : 30th Aug,2008.
Review
If I say that ROCK ON!! Rocks then you may be misguided to think that its a rocking party through out the 2 hrs and 30 mins of the movie. I really do not want to give that perception. So I have found a better word. ROCK ON is like SWEET POISON.
POISON coz it grows on you slowly and takes you over. Story is obviously about a group of friends,their dream about music, their compromises in life and about the magic they create under a band named 'MAGIK'.ROCK ON has a pace thats really on the borderline of being boring and fine. So its up to you have some patience during some parts of the movie. Pace especially slackens in the later portions of the first half.But did I like the movie? Yes, I did.
I am no big fan of Rock music. Probably haven't even heard a rock song in full length. But yet I loved the movie. The common feeling the group has towards music can be related to if you have ever shared good music with any of your friends. Their compromises and trails all are relatable. The music is top class and adequate for the movie. Cinematography is top notch giving the movie an international feel.Direction is superb except for the pace of the movie at some places.
My favourite tracks from the movie - ROCK ON, Tum ho to, Socha Hai, Tumhari Meri Baatein. And I han't heard any of the songs before the show.
The rock concert scenes are truly amazing. You feel that you are actually attending a rock concert. I really loved the rock concert scenes.Performances are top notch. I think bollywood has gone a long way ahead in casting. JTYJN and now ROCK On. Casting has been Spot On.
Farhan Akhtar is the top notch. He lives and breathes the character of Aditya. He is a true rockstar when on stage. Lu kenny as Rob and Purab as KD are superb. Arjun Rampal as Jo is fine but is a wooden in some scenes. Prachi Desai is good as Aditya's wife.
ROCK ON has been compared by other reviewers to Dil Chahta Hai and Jhankar Beats. I don't feel so. ROCK ON is different from DCH coz ROCK ON is more serious cinema. There are very few lighter moments in ROCK ON.Don't expect funny moments as in DCH. You won't find it in Rock On.Rock on is different from Jhankar beats coz its again more serious and rock on is about rock music.
ROCK On elevates Indian cinema to truly international standards. Hollywood's best movies have always been successful in taking different themes and slowly drawing the audience to that theme in the movie.ROCK ON is such a movie.To me its the best movie of the year, till now. I hope you go with an open mind and really fall in love with ROCK ON.
I am going for a 4/5 rating. 1 point is lost for pace of later portions in first half, some scenes of arjun rampal and for not having a bit more comic scenes.
So 4/5 and MUST WATCH tag for ROCK ON.
Watch it to witness Indian cinema rise to the best in business.
Go fall for this Sweet Poison named ROCK ON.
Movie : Veruthe Oru Bharya
Language : Malayalam
Date : 13th Aug,2008
Review
Somewhere I had heard that a successful script has something called a 'RASACHARADU'. I am not sure how to translate that in English.I think that would mean a sequence of entertaining events. The main thing with VOB is that sometime after second half, like 20 mins in to it the saw called 'RASACHARADU' breaks and from there on the movie doesn't remain the same as it was till then.
VOB is entertaining especially in the first half. At the end of first half, you may not feel over the top and overjoyed but still its fine.Script is tight and the sequence of events captivating enough. Performances are competent. But after the now famous 'Manji..' song the movie beginsto fall apart.
Direction is good.Akku Akbar has tried and succeeded to bring out the film in to its full form. The script and screen play are good except for the last 30-45 mins. How I wish they had taken a different route in the last 30 mins. Music is good especially the Manjil song. Cinematography is competent for the theme.
Performances:
Jayaram is good. His character is irritating at times. Sometimes it even makes u feel whether its too far fetched like when in the Amusement park. But still he plays it with élan that u leave ur logics with him and the director. But the script has been at fault again. The movie has shown him completely as a chauvinist and at the end when the Psychiatrist describes him as craving for love etc it becomes complete U turn.
Gopika is good. But if you ask me whether its excellent. Then the answer is No. Sangeetha in CVS and Manju Warrier anyday wud better this. Her complete absence after she leaves home leaves a vacuum at much desired portions. But over all she does good.
The actress who has done the daughter's role is also refreshing provided her dialogue delivery.Suraj is cool with his one liners.
About being preachy, its not that much of an issue. The movie indeed has a good message about 'Women being the security of a house'. But I felt irked about the 'internet' portion in Rehman's word of advice to parents. Coz thats not related to the story. Mobile misuse was the only issue there.At that point it looked preachy for a second.
There is no problem in the story getting serious towards the end but the way Jayaram's paranoic behavior is depicted is completely mishandled. There are sequences which may be hair raising for you. The climax is poorly handled. Suddenly you feel that the entertaining, family drama is turning in to a needles phycological and even horror movie.
But let me put this straight, VOB is not one of the best movies that you would watch this year. No where close but for the entertaining first half, theme and presentation it can be summed at best as an AVERAGE fare.I am really sorry to say this. Coz I really wished that this movie was good and entertaining and a classic revival for malayalam cinema and all. But sorry to say that it doesn't happen even with all the grace marks attached.
As someone summed it up during the return journey to home. It was a nice chance which was lost. It could have been superb, good etc but sadly its average.
Its 2.5/5 and AVERAGE rating for VOB.
Its worth a 'dekho' if you have the habit of watching most of the movies that get released.