Ajay Devgan drinks some Koffee with Karan

This was one of the more candid and refreshing episodes of KWK.  Having Ajay as a guest and hearing from the horse's mouth tidbits about his life was very interesting.  Ajay is media shy so this was a coup of sorts.  Fun episode.

Peep World Trailer

Soul surfer Trailer

Dhobi Ghat - Baby Steps into the 20th century

Hindi cinema, particularly that called Bollywood cinema, is often a pastiche of snippets and vignettes from cinema all over the world. And the influences are usually aged and not modern. Thus Life in a Metro, the film that could almost be Dhobi Ghat if minimalized, took an entire sequence in its interconnecting stories from the Billy Wilder 1960 film The Apartment, but wove in a few other tales around the trysting place to modernize the whole. Others did not care as much – Tees Maar Khan went right to deSica’s 1966 film After the Fox and simply added in a few extreme characters and item songs to season the tale for Indian palates.

Patiala House Trailer

Red Riding hood Trailer 2

Dhobi Ghat reviews! 3.2/5 so far

Minty Tejpal mumbaimirror.com UNRATED Dhobi Ghat is shot well, has some beautiful moments, the production design is good and all the actors do a fine job, barring Aamir, who sticks to a grouchy, taciturn demeanor. 
Mayank Shekhar hindustantimes.com 3.5/5 This film is first-rate tribute; it’s visceral, I realise -- both clichés for compliments. Nothing more appropriate comes to mind
Rajeev Masand ibnlive.in.com 3/5 To be honest, Arun is the only character in the film that strikes me as awkward. He’s saddled with clunky dialogue, and played uncomfortably by Aamir Khan, who surprisingly comes off as too conscious.
Gaurav Malani Times Of India UNRATED hich can be an enriching and exquisite experience, Kiran Rao's directorial debut seems like a pretentious attempt to adapt to the prerequisites of the offbeat genre.
Raja Sen www.rediff.com 2.5/5Dhobi Ghat is a middling debut, watchable due to its nuances but simply not interesting enough to recommend. Yet Rao seems assured of her craft, and worth looking out for in the future.
Sukanya Venkataraghavan filmfare.com UNRATED Dhobi Ghat is a bright little postcard that will hold your attention for a few seconds and make you smile. And it’s a moody painting that will entice you to linger and stare and stay with you forever.
Aniruddha Guha dnaindia.com 4/5 Kiran Rao makes an assured debut as filmmaker and narrates a sensitive story bereft of hyperbole and drama.
ELLA TAYLOR npr.org UNRATED Everyone's perpetually on the move in Dhobi Ghat, too, but Rao's casual episodic rhythms seem designed less to overstimulate her viewers into submission than to address the indeterminacy of a city in the throes of galloping social change.
Khalid Mohamed passionforcinema.com 2.5/5 Bottomwhine: Kiran Rao’s first feature film is uneven, particularly in the writing. It’s neither totally impressive nor totally dismissable. Should you see Dhobi Ghat, then? Yes, if only to get away from the washing machine.
Komal Nahta koimoi.com 1/5 Her screenplay is very slow-paced and although there are a few light moments, it does tend to get boring for the average viewer. Perhaps, the biggest drawback of the drama is that it is inconclusive.
Gaurav Malani Times of India UNRATED so after dabbawala , it's now the dhobi .  Is that what you mean by world cinema? Dhobi Ghat only ends up being dull, dreary and disappointing! 
Anupama Chopra NDTV 3/5 Intriguingly, Aamir Khan, otherwise such a fine actor, strikes a false note. With constantly furrowed brows, he seems to be performing at a different pitch from everyone else.
Bhavna Somaiya - Lehren 5/5 one of the most significant films of our times!
Kunal Guha movies.yahoo.com 2/5 Moral of this non-story: when life gives you a dhobi, serve him tea in your cup and if you're a rich and lonely hag, make him your dirty laundry.
Pankaj Sabnani glamsham.com 2.5/5 DHOBI GHAT is surely a different and brave step in Indian cinema; but not exactly a pleasing one. 
Taran Adarsh Bollywoodhungama.com 4/5 On the whole, DHOBI GHAT is an imposing and vibrant cinematic portrait, appending itself to the new wave of independent Indian cinema which I am extremely pleased to applaud.
Rick Groen The Globe and Mail 3/4 As they do, the film means to be the cinematic answer to Suketu Mehta's book, Maximum City – that is, it wants to draw a vibrant portrait of Mumbai in all its cruel beauty. Wants to, and almost succeeds.
Alyssa Simon Variety.com UNRATED  Perhaps most notable for the new talent in front of and behind the camera, the film marks the debut of the two main actresses who acquit themselves nicely, as well the first leading role for the immensely appealing Prateik who seems destined to be a big star.
Andrew Schenker slantmagazine.com 2.5/4 Rao's film is least clumsy and most interesting when dealing with the latter, even as it's partially implicated in the same thorny dilemmas facing the director's on-screen surrogates.
Simon Abrams The Village Voice UNRATED about a romantic rich man/rich girl/poor boy love triangle, but is mostly about vanishing culture in Mumbai—is sadly only as interesting as its peripheral details. 
Nick Schager Timeout NewYork 2/5 Unfortunately, Mumbai Diaries addresses these weighty concerns with such delicacy that they barely make an impact, thus calling further undue attention to the creakiness of the warhorse plot—and the blank brooding of an increasingly uncomfortable-looking superstar.
Harvey Karten compuserve.com B+ (I am taking that to be 3.5/5 stars) the acting appears authentic even to the point that the film comes across almost as a documentary.  It’s difficult to believe that this is writer-director Kiran Rao’s merely freshman effort in a feature film. 
Sonil Dedhia rediff.com 3/5 Dhobi Ghat is sure to find a niche audience and will be a hit in festival circuits. Being a Mumbai-centric film, it may connect with the audience in the city. But it needs to be seen whether it will find takers in other parts of the country.
Kaveree Bamzai, India Today 4/5 Rao's film is like fresh air, as elusive in Mumbai's leaky chawls as in its smoky drawing rooms.
Nikhat Kazmi Times of India 3.5/5 A lyrical ode to the modern malady -- metro-eccentricity -- Dhobi Ghat is intelligent and artistic cinema. 

Water For Elephants International Trailer

Chupke Chupke – remake now?

News of a remake is in the air, and I hear that Abhishek Bachchan, Bobby Deol and Big B himself are being considered for roles. I am not averse to remakes provided they bring something new to the table. What can they bring to the table that matches the old botanical farce or improves on it?

Remembering the classic : Main Jat Yamla Pagla Deewana

Zor Ka Jhatka promotional video

All the award shows, and then this Tv show anchoring, recouping of Ra.one costs going on big time!

Yamla Pagla Deewana - all reviews; 2.4 stars so far

Cast: Dharmendra, Bobby Deol, Sunny Deol

Anupama Chopra NDTV8 2.5/5 By the end, I was all Deol’ed out. If it had been crisper and the writing better, Yamla Pagla Deewana had the potential to be a rollicking good time. Unfortunately, it’s only intermittently funny and extremely exhausting. 

Aniruddha Guha DNA 2/5 Apart from an earnest performance by Sunny Deol and some really hilarious scenes in the second half, Yamla Pagla Deewana is a tiresome watch.

Nikhat Kazmi Times of India 3.5/5 Watch it for its unbridled goofiness, the attempt to laugh at the Punjabi stereotypes and for the Deol chemistry that makes you chuckle, now and then. 
Rajeev Masand, CNN IBN 2.5/5 Alas, director Samir Karnik doesn’t know when to pull the brakes. The film hurtles along endlessly, and well overstays its welcome. The emotional scenes are cheesy, and Bobby’s romantic scenes quite needless.
Raja Sen Rediff.com 2/5 To be fair, the film's second half does rustle up a few scenes of momentum, but this is a nearly three-hour film and we all deserve better. As do the Deols.
Komal Nahta koimoi.com 2/5 Watch or Not? Masses, go for it surely! Classes, go for it only if you can leave your brains at home.

Gul Panag's Turning 30 releases Friday - turn back clock to Dor!

I have a fondness for Gul - she seems down to earth and very smart.  I hope for her sake that Turning 30 does very well.  Here is a promo:


I am reminded of a wonderful film with Gul and Ayesha Takia - Dor!  Revisited it and loved it.



Dor - The ties that bind - from a time when the name Nagesh Kukunoor meant something.

Battke Los Angeles : Awesome Trailer

If you are a Twitter user read on….

You might be interested in the people’s choice, the democratic way – the Twi-Fi awards!
If you care then follow http://twitter.com/#!/twi_fi_awards and vote for the Twitter jury now!
Voting for Tweeple Jury of the FIRST #TWIFI Awards is LIVE here: http://twifi2010.in/. For details: http://on.fb.me/gRvWuv #TwiFi

We hope these will be fair, transparent, and above all, will honor the worthy.  So follow and vote for the jury.  Then vote your film choices once the nominations are out.

Is this a plug for a vote?  Yeah it is.  Read my reviews at http://pakhipakhi.wordpress.com/category/film-reviews/ and vote for gobbledyspook if you liked them!  Or vote for others you like better - BUT VOTE!

The awards are making news today!

Bored of run of the mill Bollywood awards that seem mostly fixed?  Then a new movement started on Twitter to make the ‘tweeple’ choose their own film awards is just for you.

Student of the year, update - Is SRK in the film?

Produced by SRK and KJO, Directed by KJO

click to enlarge

http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/2011/01/11/15184/index.html

Ever since Shah Rukh Khan and Karan Johar launched their new venture STUDENT OF THE YEAR last week, industry people and even those on social networking websites are busy speculating the plotline of the film. Rumours are rife that the film, which stars three newcomers in the lead, is the present-day version of Karan's own KUCH KUCH HOTA HAI and Aditya Chopra's MOHABBATEIN. But Karan rubbishes the rumours, "Not at all! There's no KUCH KUCH HOTA HAI or MOHABBATEIN in this one. Not a moment, not a dialogue, not a scene. It's a completely new script."

Twi-fi – Whose awards will they be?

Awards season has begun in Mumbai and the chamiyas and chailas are practicing their dance numbers for the stage shows. In the meantime a twitroots revolution is slowly building up. Twitter will have its own awards and the jury will be journalists who write about movies and a few selected bloggers (based on a Twitter vote). The jury will nominate, and the twitterati at large will vote, to select winners! More details can be found at links http://twifi2010.in/ and http://on.fb.me/hN2jpp #TwiFi
There are two immediate problems I notice. Twi_Fi has about 1400 followers so more grass needs to grow in this grassroots revolution, and quickly!

Patiala House Music Review

Jassi’s vocals make a huge difference in Laung da lashkara, a passably catchy track; but Rola pa gaya is severely weighed down by its stereotyped SEL sound. Hans Raj Hans’ Tumba tumba is delightfully earthly and tuneful, while Shafqat’s Kyun main jaagoon and Vishal Dadlani’s Aadat hai voh are both brilliantly scored, with fabulous lyrics! Baby when you talk to me has a lilting, 80s pop one-hit wonder sound while Richa Sharma rounds off the soundtrack with the resonant Aval Allah. Patiala House gains a lot from its elegant melodies! And yes, something needs to be done about Hard Kaur.

Milliblog

To sum up, one is spellbound as Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy prove once again that whenever they have been entrusted with the task of composing for a big project they always rise to the occasion and deliver the goods. Last year it was Shah Rukh Khan's MY NAME IS KHAN, where they showed their class and versatility, and they have come out with flying colours once again in case of PATIALA HOUSE. Our favourites are "Laungda Lashkara, "Kyun Main Jaagoon" and "Aadat Hai Voh". Definitely an album worth procuring and savouring!

Glamsham

No One Killed Jessica - all reviews! 3.375 stars so far

Taran Adarsh bollywoodhungama.com 4/5 In times of yore, a lot of films have been attempted on real-life incidents, but haven't struck a chord so effectively. NO ONE KILLED JESSICA should shatter this jinx. This heroic and daring film truly deserves a prolonged applause. 
Aniruddha Guha dnaindia.com 4/5 Meanwhile, let’s relive an incident that stared us in the face but which we chose to ignore for too long. No One Killed Jessica is a fitting reminder of what is wrong with our society, but also of what is right. Don’t miss it.
Sukanya Venkatraghavan Filmfare unrated There is courage in Vidya’s frumpiness (was so much of it necessary though) and audacity in Rani’s understanding of her character. They pull out all stops.
Gaurav malani TOI unrated Rajkumar Gupta shows absolute conviction in bringing to life one of the most significant murder-case convictions in the history of India. No one miss this cinema!

Savera Someshwar rediff.com 3.5/5 It's because this film could have been 'something more.' For example, there are people who will love Rani Mukerji in this film, but both her character and her performance could have been better.
Nikhat Kazmi Times of India 4/5 The film has an impeccable first half and could do with some editing in the second half. But the high drama, the arresting performances and the spunky audio track (Amit Trivedi) make NOKJ a memorable viewing. 
Anupama Chopra NDTV 3/5 This uneasy mix of truth and creative license; subtle notes and heavy-handedness make for an uneven film that in places seems stretched unnecessarily. That said, No One Killed Jessica is several notches ahead of the tripe we’ve been subjected to in theatres lately.
Minty Tejpal Mumbai Mirror 3/5 Though certainly worth a watch, the emotional pitch of this fiction remains below what really happened, in fact.
Rajeev Masand CNN IBN 2.5/5 No One Killed Jessica isn’t a bad film; it’s just a disappointing one from a filmmaker who showed such promise with his debut film Aamir. This one falls short.
Sanjukta Sharma Livemint.com unrated No One Killed Jessica is a film of stilted possibilities—it can’t define a genre or even pass off as a competent piece of film-making. For a watch, the two ladies holding fort is the only abiding reason.
Gautam Chintamani Buzzintown.com 3/5 It’s not simple murder mystery but also offers a fleeting look at how we failed as a civil society in dealing with the guilty who didn’t stop from ending someone’s life for a drink. 

Sheila is just a ringtone!

Jaideep Sahni Tags : Posted: Tue Feb 01 2011, 17:43 hrs New Delhi:

Maybe a ringtone from 2020 will tell us — a crazy 10-second piece about a time when there used to be these longish things called film songs, and ringtones used to be made from them, instead of the other way around.

The future? Ringtones would give birth to film songs and Oscars might move to India. The aam aadmi will be a walking multiplex, and a thousand micro-theatres will bloom.

In 2020, when lakhs of Indians will be stuck to their mobile slate-phones, hooked 24/7 to their 9G networks or other oxygen equivalents, life may be a bit different. The average cellphone would have turned into, at the very least, a talking-viewing-projecting personal device, and the average person, a walking multiplex. When a cheap theatre ticket would cost Rs 2,000 and a bucket of popcorn half of that, would the young be still as excited to go to the nearby multiplex?

Javed Akhtar ousted by the film industry? UPDATED with article by Javed Akhtar

The entire controversy around the amendment to the copyright law is needless — because the law is not creating or inventing any new right or royalty for music composers and songwriters in India. The provision already exists, accepted by producers and music companies by signing MoUs in the Indian Performing Rights Society (IPRS). Since 1969, the IPRS has been entrusted with the task of collecting royalties for artists. But, more often than not, this has remained only on paper. The new bill is meant to enforce it and secure for Indian composers and songwriters the royalties that their counterparts elsewhere in the world rightly enjoy.Across the world, authors and composers share the royalty with the publisher, whose task is to market the music. In India, till 1993, producers were members of the IPRS, as publishers. In 1993, music companies replaced the producers as publishers by signing an MoU with authors and composers that they will share the royalty on an equal basis. Meanwhile, music companies told the producers that they would give them money upfront provided the producer got the author and the composer to give up their rights unconditionally in perpetuity.

This day the music died! Pancham's death anniversary

In the Pancham Unmixed DVD package is included a DVD of the songs of RD Burman – The Great RD Blast. These are original film videos of 30 of his best songs and the sound quality for the music is exceptional. I have often wondered why it is that CDs of old music have shrill and screechy sound, while the same songs heard in a film DVD, or even on Youtube, will often sound so much better. The old music is all in analog form up-converted to digital, so why does the type of source make a difference? Anyway I digress. On to the DVD full of music!

Happy 2011 to all FS members and visitors!

And now for new year resolutions! ahoy there 2011

I decided to make this list before the revelry of the 31st made me lose my judgment. After a few margaritas and some loud music one tends to make all kinds of resolutions that seem foolish the next morning. And then the guilt sets in. So this year I am starting early. In 2011 I resolve to: