the social network

I dont know, or I dont remember the last time some film had so much effect on me that I rewatched it thrice within a span of two days, searched for its screenplay, read it completely at office hours and still wouldnt subside as I would continue to look for more info on the Facebook - saga. Maybe Inception was that film, but still wasnt upto the mark. Sure it was an out-an-out 'edge of the seat' thriller, but I wouldnt carry anything back from it.

Social network is a superb film not only because it is based on a contemporary subject like social networking, but also because of powerful scripting, good performances and an engaging narrative.

The first few minutes of the film feel as if its a thriller, thanks to the lurking background score. From the first frame, till the title of the world's youngest billionaire - Mark Zuckerberg roll out, every frame is a delight.

I would really have to give it hands down to Jesse he is to playing the tole 

Shortcut to Greatness

Aasaan ..not Azaan

Sachin J. Joshi, in and as Azaan...(shh..he's a RAW agent)



Incidentally, Prashant Chadha, director of this super expensive high-tech action film is also credited with creating the 'Himesh Reshammiya look' and launching him in Aap Ka Suroooooor. 


Son of a Gutkha baron, it is not hard to see why despite being so good-looking Sachin Joshi had to really earn his place in Bollywood. So Azaan it is.

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Deepika Padukone - Mrignayni

Well, we have read about things that designers, marketeers do to maximize the impact of their message.

The norm is especially tougher for commercial photography where colour schemes, backgrounds, tones, lighting and a hell of a lot of things are taken care of.

But in this above photograph, part of the new marketing campaign by Sony featuring Deepika Padukone in sexy ..minimalist.. jungle gear, the message seems to be a bit skewed.

She is taking a self-shot but the display shows otherwise? It shows an animal in the frame!

I know that cameras have mirrors and that mirrors never lie! :D But owing to the soft corner for Ms. Padukone in me, I would assume that this is a blunder on the advertiser's part. In all honesty, this picture would have made more sense had the frame featured Ms. Padukone herself.

Talking of competition, since the holiday/festive season is here already, Nikon too has unleashed its own campaign featuring Priyanka Chopra. The ad features her "reliving" the festive moments while going though the pictures, which works well.

Making no sense, this campaign certainly isn't the best coming from Sony!

Bakwaas Company

There is a dialogue in the film, which to me, appears pretty wannabe-ish.

"Bade se bada business, paise se nahi, ek bade idea se bada banta hai!" Until the credits rolled and I ventured out of the hall, I had a strong feeling to re-phrase this -

"Bade se badi film Yashraj ke naam se nahi, ek achi script se badi banti hai!" Samjhe!

And I just read somewhere that Yashraj may finally have a hit with BC! Honestly this is going to encourage such frivolous films in the future. We could use all of this monies to make much better films.

I wont give in to the story too much because even if there is some, it hasnt been treated properly. If you have ever heard of this phrase "Presentation is everything", it gets proven by this film. The cinematogrpahy is so trashy that you'd feel a student film would arguably look much better than it!

Apparently, you never do feel for the characters and of all the emotional outbursts they encounter. In its quest to be a 'thriller', the film moves tooooo fasst and relies too much on voice overs than actually building up on the mood.

Shahid Kapoor appears too wanabe playing a conman and changes fancy goggles in nearly every frame of the film. Characterisation?

Bah!

Oh well, before I forget they used Michael Jackson in one of the sub plots of the film. Really, MJ would be turning in his grave...

And one of my favorite singers, Mohit Chauhan has a song in the film too. The music is utterly forgettable. Apparently, everytime the Badmaash Company succeeds in conning someone, they celebrate and ... there .... u have a song! .....Boring!

The only guy who looks like he is acting is Shahid Kapoor himself! All those sideys and that Indian Idol struggler .... are seen making the effort, only!

Anushka Sharma! The salwar kameezez are gone, and boy she is hot! But then, she is only there for the skin show. As it happens all the time, when she decides to return back to the sati-savitri mode, all that skin gets magically covered.

Zero Entertainment! However, its the director Parmeet Sethi's first film only and the script isnt totally trashy - is a bit clever, but a finished script and a 'finished' film are still to come. I am hopeful.

They conned me into watching this film (apparently I bought the tickets in black)

Bakwaaas Company!!

Karthik Rocking Karthik

I have never been able to catch a movie 'first day first show' even of my most favourite-st actors - until now.

Its a plus anyways as the tickets are priced low .. and you have fertile college crowd everywhere ...

Farhan Akhtar is brilliant in the film, as he is with all his movies. KCK is full of witty one liners - which are so characteristic of every Excel movie.

But I felt no chemistry whatsoever between the man and his lady, which is what makes the second half a bit ' ...havent I seen that before' kinds.

It sure has its tense moments. There is something very spooky about the phone and you feel scared of the 'other' Karthik.

I feel this (might be) one of the pathbreaking films in the thriller genre, if it does well. Its a long time we had a genuine pshychological thriller. I mean, havent we all gotten bored with the Abbass Mustan way of seeing thrillers?

A personal observation: There is something about Excel Movies. Right on from DCH - Honeymoon Travels - LBC - KCK etc. they might not produce stuff that is a super - duper hit, but they have tried telling different stories each time.

Would want to watch all their movies.

M(ain) NI K(ehta) tha .. bekar film hogi

I saw MNIK or My Name is Khan. For the first time in several years I was optimistic about a Karan Johar film.

Firstly, because he was moving away from the usual candy floss slash family melodrama formula, and secondly, and probably for the first time ever since he started directing, he had NOT written the screenplay.

All, until I saw the film. My first feelings were like I saw a documentary, of sorts. Or rather a confused travelogue on America ...

there was just no central message in the film ...or rather, they failed to convey it exactly

But I have to admit, I liked Shah Rukh Khan more than any of his earlier movies [except KHKN]. We are gradually seeing the 'actor' in SRK and not the rahul-raj-repeat! characters.

The film will be accepted solely on the acting brilliance of SRK ...and practically, nothing else.