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.

... But I Luv Love Stories ... My Thoughts on I Hate Luv Stories

...It's films like this that remind me why I love Bollywood so much...

***SPOILERS***

As Simran {IHLS} says, "...यह फ़िल्मी दुनिया, रोमांटिक कहानिया ..."  This is everything I have come to love, obsesses, and expect from Bollywood films.  Of course the occasional thriller, comedy, and drama grab my attention...but what I have gotten from these films is exactly that...the melodramatic love stories that have filled my world with fantasies and possibilities.  Obviously I never expect any Raj + Simran, a la DDLJ, type of romance to occur in my life, but the possibility of it is what makes these films so inviting, exciting, and just plain addicting.

Now onto I Hate Luv Storys, I really enjoyed this film, but let's be honest who doesn't love romantic comedies???  Especially when you have a fresh jodi like Imran and Sonam. IHLS is the story of a girl, Simran {Sonam Kapoor}, who is infatuated with love stories.  Simran whom is also living a real life fairy tale life with the perfect boyfriend, romance, and life.   

Unlike J {Imran Khan} who is of course the total opposite of her, who hates the type of love stories that are recycled for audiences over and over, and Gasp! he doesn't believe in love!  I know...how shocking!  Of course like in every love story opposites always have a way of attracting each other, and this story is no different.  

But I think that what made this film just a little different from other romantic films are the clear references they make to classic love stories that most of the audience has grown up with.  Yes, i've read some of the negative reviews that say that because most of the DDLJ types of refrences made in the film don't work is because they are so overused nowadays thanks to film camps like Yash Raj and of course Karan Johar's Dharma Productions.  

Maybe it's just me, but every time I get a reference to Kuch Kuch Hota Hai or any similar film I squeal like a school girl, just because I got it!  Plus!  I was so glad I had seen Sholay just days prior to watching this film...I  got all the Gabbar and Dhanno references!!!

{P.S. The only thing that really ticked me off during the film was the fact that songs had no subtitles!  Arg! I Live for English subs!!!}


My Top 3 Moments in the Film:

3.  The very beginning was already an indicator that I was gonna really enjoy this film.  The narrator was none other than the King of Romance himself, Shahrukh.  Not only that there was a sort of mini montage of different scenes from some of the most romantic films such as: DDLJ, Fanaa, etc.  Khan's voice help set the mood!

2.  When J follows Simran with the little fan.  There's this moment after meeting, J and Simran become friends and start hanging out and blah blah, but there's this super cute moment during the song, Jab Mila Tu, where J does all these typical filmi gags, and of course one of those is the wind blowing the girls hair.  Which is a super classic move!  

1.  As Raj said in Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi, "...you have seen enough Hindi films to know that a girl and a guy can never be friends.  After friendship comes love, pyaar, ishq, mohabbat."   So of course J eventually falls for Simran, follows the very same stereotypes of those romantic stories he loves to hate.  He has this daydream sequence in which he sings a song.  What makes this so funny is how he finally accepts that he in fact is in love and went through all these stereotypes in order to finally figure out that yes, he is in fact in love.

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!!!

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!!!!!!!!!!!

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!!!