Best Films of 2010

Better late than never I always say ... now onto my list!

5.  Band Baaja Baaraat

After getting "modern love stories" like Break Ke Baad, Love Aaj Kal, etc., BBB was just what I needed; a good ol' 100% Desi love story.  What I was most impressed with was Ranveer Singh, he's charisma and on screen chemistry was fantastic and felt natural.  By far one of the best male debuts of this year.



4.  Raajneeti

Speaking of our favorite Chocolate Hero of the moment, Mr Kapoor makes this film.  He's transformation in this film is epic.  I've got to commend Rabir for his ability to pick such unique roles, and more so his acting abilities.  It's films like this Rocket Singh that have truly set him apart from his contemporaries.  One very annoying factor is Sarah's inability to pronounce Samar!!! It's not a hard name to pronounce, I mean come on!



3.  Robot

Boom Boom Robo Duh Robo Duh ... if this isn't enough to get you in the mood for Robot then i don't know what is.   This film blew my freaking mind away! I can't say it enough I love Robot!  My only regret was having had watched it in Hindi! :-(



2.  Dabanng

This is masala at it's best! ... I wish there was more of this in Bollywood, but thankfully Salu has found his calling in the South ... and boy do we love him for it!



1.  Ishqiya

Vidya never ceases to amaze me, this is one actress that can truly be praised for her acting ability which we don't get much of from some of our current starlets in b-town.  Her ability to seduce with only words and a look is powerful and not something a lot of people have and for that I praise her even more.



Honorable Mentions:


My Name Is Khan (1st Half)

The first hour of this film was picture perfect ... everything i've come to expect from KJo and then some.  From the moment Rizwan meets Mandira I was with them at every moment.  Plus! The first part of MNIK has the infamous hair porn scene, which is a must for all you hair enthusiasts!

Biggest Disappointments/Highlights of 2010...

Overall 2010 was a very weak year for movies...honestly and sadly it was.  But the few highlights that we did get was worth it.  Sure we had to go through films like Dulha Mil Gaya and Chance Pe Dance, but all in all I still looked forward to every release with a big grin on  my face!


Disappointments of 2010:

1. My Name Is Khan (2nd  Half)
Believe me when I say this ... I worship the ground that this man walks on ... but the 2nd half of MNIK killed what could have been my favorite film of the year.  As much as i debated with myself on this issue, I still can't forgive KJo for his very offensive portrayal of African Americans.  It's not just that but after intermission everything is just a hot mess.  


If you're still interested in watching this film, I would more than gladly recommend the International version of this film, which completely and successfully cuts out the "Katrina" scenes out.  

2. Kites (Barbara Mori)
As a Latina infatuated, fascinated, or obsessed (as some might like to say) by the Hindi film industry; any attempt at representing the Latin community on the filmi big screen I would fully support.  Therefore, upon hearing that Barbara Mori would be in this film, already a fan of her Spanish novelas, I was a quite excited.  I always get a bit worried when Latinas are portrayed on non-Spanish outlets, it's always the same stereotypes.  And of course it was no different here ... which is why my disappointment mostly came from this.

3. Housefull, Action Replayy, Tees Maar Khan (Akshay Kumar)
Oh Akki, my golden man ... how I love thee!  All I can say is that I have seen every single one of his films since I first watched him in Tashan ... and will continue to do so.  I just really hope he does much better this year, I won't say that these were horrible films but they weren't great either.  Akki you need to get your mojo back!


Still love ya though!


Highlights of 2010:

1. Dabangg (SalMan Khan)
Ummm .... have you seen this film?!?!? ... 'nuff said!

2.  Tees Maar Khan (Katrina Kaif)
This girl just amazed me, and no i'm not talking about her acting...she looks AMAZING!   Anyways ... it took me some time to get on the Kat is Awesome train but now i'm on it.  I've got to give Katrina credit...she is hands down the hardest working actress in the industry!  And she deserves all the praise she gets... I mean someone of her background; couldn't speak Hindi and questionable acting skills ... has become one of the most bankable heroines in the Hindi film industry ... all i can say is You Go Girl!

3.  Ishqiya (Arshad Warsi)
This was my favorite film of the year, but Arshad really stood out in this film.  I had previously enjoyed his work in the Golmaal franchise, but his portrayal of Babban really put him on my radar, I can't wait to see what he brings for us in 2011.

My Name Is Khan ... And I'm Not A Terrorist!

I was glad I was able to watch this film on opening day.  There have been only a handful of films that I have countdown to like I did for this film, some of those would probably be all of the Harry Potter films.  I've already written as to how important this film is and why there's such big buzz and expectations.

You know how when you have all these expectations for a film and are just so excited because you don't know if it'll deliver what it promised.  And then when it does you are just left speechless, because you got what you wanted, and then some, you just kinda don't know what to say...

...Well, this is exactly how I felt once the film ended.  I was just soooo happy that after all this wait the film was just brilliant!!!  I don't want to keep praising it too much, but I would highly recommend watching it.  Shahrukh's portrayal of Rizvan Khan is outstanding!  His character is bigger than the film itself.

The chemistry between Kajol + Shahrukh comes out on screen as being so natural, you believe that this couple will be happy forever.  They truly are one of the industries' most enchanting couple.

***One thing I must point out that made me feel uncomfortable was the portrayal of African-Americans in the film.  I went with a couple of friends to see this film and we were discussing this in the car.  There is one moment where Rizvan Khan {Shahrukh Khan} ends up in Wilhelmina, Georgia.  We are introduced to two characters Mama Jenny {Jennifer Echols} and her nephew.  My friend had comment that they looked like 'slaves' their whole town looked like a slavery plantation; and I have to agree with her.  In the way they were dressed and how they talked it was as if we they were still living in the late 1700's.  I don't think it was done intentionally, but personally I was taken aback as I watched these characters.  This was the only big flaw I saw in the film.

I would still highly recommend this film, because Shahrukh is just phenomenal and deserves all the praise he's getting for this film.  Congrats to Karan Johar + Kajol + SRK for another soon to be classic film in the Hindi film industry.
Noor-E-Khuda

Marry Me

14 Day's of Pyaar ... Valentine's Day Filmi Style (Day 12)

 This my least favorite of all the 4 Karan Johar directed films, the film is just way too family oriented.  I know most Hindi films deal with family matters but this one was just too much for me.  Also I hated Hrithik Roshan's character, he's cries way too much...this in now way refers to the fact that he is a man, and that men shouldn't cry.  I can only handle so much crying from one character, it was just too much for my liking. 

Day 12: Suraj Hua Maddham - Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham {K3G}

*Shahrukh Khan
*Kajol
*Amitabh Bachchan
*Jaya Bachchan

The only great thing about this film is the Rahul + Anjali jodi, it was pure magic!!!

My Name Is Khan is Out Today!!!

14 Day's of Pyaar ... Valentine's Day Filmi Style (Day 10)

No list of love songs would ever be complete without including a song from this film.  Holds the record for being the longest running film in the history of Indian cinema.  It was also listed in the 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die list.

Day 10: Ho Gaya Hai - Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge

*Shahrukh Khan
*Kajol
*Amrish Puri
*Farida Jaal

P.S: I can't wait for my My Name Is Khan { Less than 4 Days Left!!!}

Cast of My Name Is Khan Rock the Big Apple!

So for those of you who have been following all the promotions for MNIK, today was the day that Shahrukh and Kajol rang the bell for NASDAQ.  I love how they they called him a Bollywood Superstar!!!


This is the full ceremony:

February Is Upon Us...14 Days of Pyaar...Filmi Style (Day 1)

So today is the first day of February and in honor of this month I plan on posting several of my favorite romantic songs from films that I have seen.  So hopefully I will be posting one song per day...leading up to the release of My Name Is Khan and Valentine's Day on Sunday.  But since there's just so much romance in Hindi films I'll try to post one for each 28 days of February.  I hope you guys enjoy them and at the same time discover new songs to love!

Day 1:  Tum Se Hi --- Jab We Met

*Kareena Kapoor

*Shahid Kapoor

So I've already gushed about this film enough in one of my last posts, so just enjoy the video.

I also found this video with the Hindi lyrics and English translations, which I thought I might add, in case anyone was interested in knowing what the song says.

My Name Is Khan ... Less than 13 days to go!!!

So as you can clearly tell I am one of those super SRK fanatic freak fans who is counting down the days leading up to the release of My Name Is Khan. 

For those you non Bolly-knowledgeable people who not aware how big this is...allow me to explain and show you some fabulous promos at the same time.

1.  This film marks the reunion of the greatest trio {In my opinion they are the greatest} in the Hindi film industry. Shahrukh Khan {Actor}, Kajol {Actress}, Karan Johar {Director/Producer} have made so of the industries most memorable films;

• Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998)

• Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham (2001)**

• Kal Ho Naa Ho (2003)*

• Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna (2006)*

*I included KANK/KHNH because Kajol did a special appearance in the film.

**K3G was the last film in which the SRK + Kajol Jodi was ever seen on the big screen.

 Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge

2.  This film also marks the partnership of Karan's Dharma Productions with Sharukh's Company Red Chillies Entertainment.

3.  This film is also the first film to get support and partner up with FOX Searchlight Studios.  Which I see as a great opportunity to get more exposure for the Hindi film industry.

4.  It has been almost 10 years that the SRK + Kajol Jodi was seen on screen.  They are one of the industries most memorable couple in modern Hindi Cinema.

***These are some of the reasons as to why there is so much hype surrounding the film.  But for me, only need these reasons to watch this film SRK + Kajol + Karan.

Here are some of the promos for the film:

International Trailer

Sajda

Tere Naina

I Love You

New Promo for My Name Is Khan

Sajda...

Gosh!!! First official song promo for MNIK ...I seriously cannot wait for the soundtrack to be out!!!

All credit for discovering this video must be given to Shell's Bollyworld

***At the :39 mark .... SRK  looks adorable!!!!!!!!!!!

Finally, My Introduction...

...I realize that I have started this blog the wrong way, but I was just way too excited about MNK trailer I just felt that I had to share it with the world!  Let's see...how to introduce oneself to the world and no one at the same time.  I'll start off by discussing my future plans for this blog and although my intro says i'll talk about everything, it'll most likely {about 99%} consist of Bollywood goodness.  I started this obsession a little more than a year ago, I was flipping through the channels one Saturday morning and I stumbled across Channel 18, and a show with people dancing in strange costumes and singing in a language i was very unfamiliar with.  At first I dismissed it as one of those boring music specials they have on public access television, but I decided to stick with it, and boy was I in for a lovely surprise.  I was sucked into this world I had never known to have existed, I started to listen and really pay attention to the song, but then the show was over.  The next Saturday I was determined to find out what I had seen a week ago, thankfully with every music video that is played the title of the film and song is listed and so I wrote both down {Mauja Hi Mauja, Jab We Met} and began my research.  I found out that these were not just music videos but songs in films.  And my first dose of Hindi Cinema came from the film Jab We Met, {which thanks to YouTube} became the first ever Bollywood film I ever saw.  And still, to this day remains one of most treasured films in my DVD collection.  This was my introduction into what has now become one of the most important aspects of my life...Bollywood!

KHAAAAAAANNNN!!!!!

To all of those who have been anxiously awaiting a small glimpse of the upcoming film, "My Name Is Khan," Christmas has come early, on Dec. 16 (US time) we were gifted with the trailer for the film!!!   Here for your entertainment is the trailer for MNIK:

 {The Trailer starts at 1:20}
My first reactions to this were just WOW!!!...I've been waiting for this reunion {SRK + Kajol + Karan Johar} for quite some time now.  I have such high hopes for this film...I just hope it doesn't turn into another Kurbaan.  The movie releases on Feb. 12, 2010...this is going to be the PERFECT Valentine's Day movie!!!