Movie : Dostana
Language : Hindi
Date : 17th Nov, 2008.
Review:
To say that 'Dostana' is a suger coated candy will be an understatement. Its a 4 layer suger coated candy with an extra whiff and gloss.If anyone is looking for the cracking time you had seeing 'Kal Ho Na Ho', then you are sure to be disappointed.I was anyway not expecting a great or path breaking movie but was looking for a movie similar to the hep culture and present time wit and jokes just as KHNK (except that climax mush).
The 'gay' episode in KHNH has been taken and expanded to in to a full blown movie. This angle entertains in the beginning and succeeds to an extent but too much of only this makes one wanting something else also in the movie.In KHNH we had so many other funny moments and gags. Isn't it? But the majority of the funny moments in Dostana are based on this far fetched gay angle. It becomes a bore when its too far fecthed.
But Dostana is high on todays LOOKs. No two words about that. I think look wise you can rate this movie 4/5.Miami's lustful beaches rock as always. Priyanka looks fab. Abhi is cool. John is Rocking and Shilpa sizzles in a cameo. Just as Dhoom2, which was rich on styling and looks, Dostana is high on the today's LOOK quotient.
Dostana many a times takes its viewers for granted. There is no attempt to show the necessity of the moment which pushed John and Abhi to the extreme situation of adopting the gay angle. Thier criticality of getting the apartment at any cost shud have been driven home more convincingly. Also, when Bobby appreciates Priyanka for her good work at Fashion Show, she immediatel falls for him. Thier love angle seems completely difficult to connect to.
In the second half, the wooing becomes an excercise. First Abhi woos Priyanka and I really liked that scene. Then we almost guess that John is goingto do the same. He does it with Kuch Kuch Hota hai which I felt was quite unimaginative.Then its Bobby's turn. Tedious.!!!
But Dostana has its moments of fun. The gay jokes work to a point until we realise that its too much and they don't have anything else in the movie. The three friends angle has been quite uniquely shown with John, Abhi and Piggy Chops.Dats really cool. John and Abhi working to break Bobby and Piggy's affair is fun to watch.
And lastly, My favourite thing in Dostana. The MUSIC. I really loved it. My favourite track is 'Maula Maula (Khabar Nahin)'.But its closely followed by Desi Girl, Jaane Kyu and Shut Up and Bounce. Well picturised songs and ffot tapping music.Way to go Vishal and Shekhar!!
John and Priyanka are the best in the movie looks wise (which is very important aspect of the movie). Abhi and Priyanka are the best Performance wise. Abhi being the clear winner.
With today's Look in place and the music, I feel that the audience would be hooked on to the screen just for that even though there is not much mettle in the movie.
But if you expect anywhere close to KHNH you will have to come back after watching Dostana and see KHNH once again on the DVD to have that fun.
So for me, I think is 2.5/5 - AVERAGE rating for Dostana.
This is just for the MUSIC and the Looks .!!!
Movie : Twenty 20
Language : Malayalam
Date : 05, Nov 2008.
20-20 - Heart Racing, Pulse Pounding Spectacle
20-20 the movie, is so racy that by interval, I was thinking when was I so much excited in the recent past. Pat came my answer. It was either the Rafa-Roger Epic Wimbledon Final this year or the moments when I took the world’s highest rollercoaster at Las Vegas.
Yes, 20-20 is as thrilling an experience as a joyous and dreadful rollercoaster. The pace is palpable at times. Its a great entertainer for the most parts of it. You puff, pant, cheer and move to the edge of your seats for major portions of the movie.
Mam - Lal : The Dream Machine
Just as Roger and Rafa in the Epic Wimbledon Final, Mam and Lal are on exquisite display of talent. Take a bow Malayalam World, here are two of your greatest sons showing off their acting skills. Mam Lal are 'Magic' as they match foot for foot, punch for punch and word for word trying to outplay and outclass each other in one of the most memorable on screen duals that I have ever seen.
I think they live their characters in such a way that they send a very strong message..... to the audience, to the FANS, to Malayalam Cinema and to themselves.
There are no 'super human' situations for Lal. No mustache twirling and slow mo walks. There are no 'forced upon' dance numbers for Mam and flower pattern shirts or dialects.There are just 2 superb well written characters. And both of them ROCK and how!!Thats the message. Give them great characters and not stereotypes and they will ROCK your world.
A word for the FANS of both camps. Just watch Mam Lal in their combination scenes. Neither of them is least intimidated by the presence of the other. Instead both of them thrive on it. They have great chemistry and friendship in real life and that comes on screen. If they can work magic together, the camps shud minimum be able to peacefully co-exist.
The Third Demon
Imagine the Mam Lal explosive mix on over drive and to that you add another a third equally rivetting character. Thats in short, Suresh Gopi as Antony Punnekkadan. I think the most unexpected performance is from Gopi. He truly stands his own in front of the Ms. Chases them, Races them and matches them to the T and shows us why he is still the best bet as a fiery police officer. I admire the way he has stood his ground. Antony Punnakkaden Spits Fire.
There lots of others who leave a mark. Sreenivasan, Salim Kumar, Dileep, Jayaram, Innocent, Bhavana, Manoj K Jayan,Siddique, Shammi Tilakan, Indrajeet, Madhu and so on. It never seems crowded coz the focus is always on the big 3.The first 20 minutes has a comedy track which may seem unnecessary but nevertheless wait increases anticipation for the Big 3.
Technical Crew:
Hats off to Joshy. 70% of the movie is so racy that many a times u will gasp for breath. Till the point Jayaram starts the flash back, its a superlative pace. After that it slackens a bit. The climax is a dampner. But Joshy has shot it in a way only he could have. I mean its a unique feat. The editing is great. Background Score Apt.
Sibi Udayan, take a bow. No one expected this from them and they have come out all guns blazing. The script is water tight for most parts. Its almost IPL kind of excitement. Sachin pitted against Dhoni. Dhoni pitted against Sehwag. It was something Indians never felt till IPL. Its the same sensation. May be they named it '20-20' for the duals as above and also for the 3 hr power packed entertainment.
Negatives:
The biggest negative is the climax. Its so predictable and cooled off. Its the usual climax for any multi starer revenge drama. From ‘Sphodanam’ to ‘Tashan’, All such movies have this climax. All out baddy bashing. There is no surprise element. Such a dampener that the very last line of the movie when everything is over is " Ennal nammaku ini Angottu neengam".!!!! May be they didn't know how to end the movie.
Music is another sour point. 'Hey Diwana' is catchy only coz of Nayan Thaara. She burns the screen. But u might have surely heard better fast numbers. 'O priya' is well shot to Tamil standards but song is nothing great. Credits song for the old malayalam actors is a good idea but that song again is not good.
There are also some gaping holes in the script towards the end.
The building jump is not such a dampner. Its a jump from the 3rd floor, I guess and the situation is electric.The Mam Lal fight is also superb. Of the star introductions I liked Mams but Lal after court scene is supreme. That is Lal's real introduction!!!
All in all, I am going with 3.5/5 and a 'Very Good' Rating for 20-20.
Its the best Entertainer I have seen this year.
And the last word to Mr. Daniel Craig. Sorry Mr. Bond, You are 2 days late. Our BONDs have come and they have created an Explosion. I am so drained off that I have no room for you. Better Luck Next Time.
20-20 - Get Your Seat Belts on.!!!!!!!
Its Heart Racing and Pulse Pounding Spectacle.