Monthly Archives: September 2008

Movie Review: Krazzy 4 (2008)

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0.5 Star (out of 4)

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In this humorless remake of the 1989 Michael Keaton comedy, The Dream Team, four mental patients on an excursion in Mumbai must fend for themselves, after their doctor is kidnapped. Every character is a stereotype, and the violent main character, Raja, is totally unsympathetic. American audiences may not understand the film’s many jokes that rely on knowledge of famous figures from the Indian independence movement. And Krazzy 4‘s other gags just aren’t funny.

No Rating (violence, language); 130 minutes

This review originally appeared in The Naperville Sun on April 18, 2008

Movie Review: U Me Aur Hum (2008)

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3.5 Stars (out of 4)

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U Me Aur Hum feels like two movies in one. The first half is an amusing romantic comedy about a couple falling in love on a cruise ship. What follows is a heartbreaking drama about the responsibilities that come with love. The sophisticated storytelling is emotionally effective, and the film’s star, Ajay Devgan, succeeds in his first attempt at writing and directing. His co-star (and real-life wife), Kajol, is the best actress Bollywood has to offer.

No rating; 150 minutes

This review originally appeared in The Naperville Sun on April 18, 2008

Movie Review: Race (2008)

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1.5 Stars (out of 4)

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Saif Ali Khan and Akshaye Khanna play two brothers vying for an inheritance who try to kill each other in complicated ways that ignore both logic and physics. The plot twists are ridiculous, and their retroactive explanations are even worse. The stunts are more laughable than exciting, as when one character bungee jumps into a moving car. Not even Anil Kapoor’s humorous portrayal of a quirky, fruit-eating detective can save Race. Given how detestable both brothers are, it hardly matters which survives.

No Rating (language, violence); 154 minutes

This review originally appeared in The Naperville Sun on March 28, 2008

Movie Review: Black & White (2008)

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3 Stars (out of 4)

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Suicide bomber Numair (Anurag Sinha) questions his destructive plans after finding corruption among his fellow jihadists and compassion among his would-be victims, particularly a caring professor (Anil Kapoor) and his family. Numair is cruel and unsympathetic, but he’s not a mindless killer. Terrorism is more complex than good vs. evil, and with Black & White writer-director Subhash Ghai challenges audiences to look at its root causes for ways to steer potential murderers away from violence and toward peace.

No Rating (violence); 134 minutes

Movie Review: Dus Kahaniyaan (2007)

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1 Star (out of 4)

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The ten short films in this anthology share no common themes, and few even have complete narratives, making Dus Kahaniyaan feel more like a trailer reel than a real movie. Given the racy content of several of the flicks, including adultery and drug use, the movie seems like an excuse for directors to explore material that wouldn’t make past the Indian censors in a mainstream feature. Of the ten short films, “Rice Plate” has the most intriguing premise, while “Lovedale” has a pleasant, self-contained story. The rest are just ideas too underdeveloped to merit being put on film.

Movie Review: Jodhaa Akbar (2008)

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3.5 Stars (out of 4)

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The controversial marriage of 16th-century Mughal emperor Jalaluddin (Hrithik Roshan) to Hindu princess Jodhaa (Aishwarya Rai) exposes the deep division between the Indian populace and its Muslim conquerors. Director Ashutosh Gowariker devotes equal time to the empire’s political intrigue and the love story of Jodhaa and Jalaluddin, justifying the movie’s long run time. Jodhaa Akbar is gorgeous, and hundreds of real actors give its battle scenes more authenticity than today’s CGI-heavy Hollywood epics.

No rating (violence); 193 minutes

This review originally appeared in The Naperville Sun on February 22, 2008

Movie Review: Taare Zameen Par (2007)

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1.5 Stars (out of 4)

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Eight-year-old Ishaan is punished for his poor performance in school, until a caring art teacher realizes that the boy is dyslexic. Aamir Khan, who plays the teacher, uses his directorial debut to criticize the Indian educational system’s treatment of special needs students. Taare Zameen Par is overly long and treads no new ground for anyone who has even a passing familiarity with learning disabilities. But Khan at least does a credible job of showing the world as seen through Ishaan’s eyes.

No Rating (violence, language); 164 minutes; The movie’s title translates to “Like Stars on Earth”

This review originally appeared in The Naperville Sun on December 27, 2007

*I expand upon the above capsule review in this 2011 post about Peepli Live‘s failed Oscar bid.

Movie Review: Welcome (2007)

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3 Stars (out of 4)

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When Rajiv (Akshay Kumar) meets Sanjana (Katrina Kaif), he thinks he’s found the girl of his dreams. Too bad her brothers are mobsters. Kumar is charming enough in Welcome, but Sanjana’s brothers, played by Nana Patekar and Anil Kapoor, steal the show as they try to curb their violent instincts to appease Rajiv’s family and see their sister married at last. The slapstick comedy moves along quickly, apart from a preposterous final action sequence that drags on a bit.

No Rating (violence, language); 160 minutes

This review originally appeared in The Naperville Sun on December 28, 2007

Movie Review: Aaja Nachle (2007)

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3.5 Stars (out of 4)

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New York choreographer Dia (Madhuri Dixit) returns to India to rescue her hometown’s cultural heritage by staging a musical. The story is predictably heartwarming, as Dia’s determination gradually wins over the town that once shunned her, but the plot is just a pretext for Dixit’s superb dancing. Fans of dance-centric films like Strictly Ballroom or Footloose will be spellbound, especially by the epic musical performance the characters stage at the end of Aaja Nachle.

No Rating (violence); 145 minutes

This review originally appeared in The Naperville Sun on December 7, 2007

Movie Review: Om Shanti Om (2007)

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3.5 Stars (out of 4)

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Even death can’t stop B-movie actor Om (Shah Rukh Khan) from proving his love for superstar Shanti (Deepika Padukone). The beautiful sets, extravagant dance numbers and dozens of cameos make this film both a love letter to Bollywood and a great example of the genre. Thanks to writer/director Farah Khan’s commitment to her vision and Shah Rukh Khan’s comedic skills, Om Shanti Om is perfect for new Bollywood-goers, yet rewarding for longtime fans.

No Rating (violence); 160 minutes

This review originally appeared in The Naperville Sun on November 16, 2007