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.

Favorite Songs of 2010!

Can you believe its already the end ?!?!? ... SO many memories, regrets, and SONGS!
I will eventually get to films but for now these are my top songs of this year.  I based this list solely on how many times it was played on my ipod, so enjoy!


10. Song:  Aila Re Aila
      Film:  Khatta Meetha
What's not to love about this song?!? Akshay looks adorable in his newspaper boy 'Man' outfit.  I must also add that over time I have become a hardcore Pritam Fangirl, so most of what he does never disappoints me... 



9. Song: Uff Teri Adaa
    Film: Karthik Calling Karthik
I remember when I first heard this song, I was hooked ....but then {dramatic music}I saw the pictuarization and was left very disappointed.  Thankfully i'm only judging the song and not the video.  Even though I was disappointed with the video I fell in LOVE with Deepika's hair-do so much that I even got myself a Deepika inspired cut, which I might get again!



8. Song: Kilimanjaro
    Film: Robot {Hindi}
This songs is awesome Period!



7. Song: I Hate Luv Stories
    Film: I Hate Luv Stories
Absolutely one of the catchiest songs of the year!



6. Song: Sheila Ki Jawani
    Film: Tees Maar Khan
Katrina = Bahut Sexy! 'nuff said.



5. Song: Ainvayi Ainvayi
    Film: Band Baaja Baarat
This song rocks my world, I have seen this promo more than 50 times ... I love it that much.  It may also have to do with the fact that I am in love with Anushka and her eyebrows! 



4. Song: Bombay Bombay Tararam Pam
    Film: Striker
I still have yet to see this movie, even with its questionable ending, as a Siddarth fan I must see it! Plus, it's an Amit Trivedi gem!



3. Song:Parda Parda Ha Parda
    Film: Once Upon A Time In Mumbai
This song did 70s sooo well, unlike {cough} Action Replayy {cough}



2. Song: Gal Mitthi Mitthi Bole
    Film: Aisha
What Amit Trivedi did this song?!? ... It was just meant to be ... even with my dear Abhay's horrible no dancing skills ...



1. Song: Munni Badnaam Hui Darling
    Film: Dabanng
Ummm ... duh! of course this is number 1. Malaika is an Item Girl Goddess!



Honorable Mentions:


Song: Walla Re Walla
Film: Tees Maar Khan
I can't help it if Salu all of a sudden makes me smile :D



Song: Thok Di Killi
Film: Raavan {Hindi}
I don't care what anyone says I loved Abhi in this film! And he even convinced me that he could maybe even dance in this song ... so i give him an A for effort.

Sallu Marathon ... My Mini Review of Maine Pyaar Kiya

I know, I know I have always expressed my dislike for SalMan Khan, he was the guy I loved to hate on...so it came as a shock when I finally watched Maine Pyaar Kiya and I was enamored with Salman.

I think it had to do with the fact that he was the romantic hero, which is something that nowadays I don't get from him.  In my heart that spot was reserved for Shahrukh, how close minded of me...I know.  But I was amazed at how much I really connected with his character, I loved every minute of this film.

Even the 'acting' by both of the lead actors...as one YouTube comment read, "And the best acting goes to the White Pidgeon!..." Which pretty much sums up how well acted this film was, but still even with these flaws I was in love with Salman's portrayal of Prem.

Another confession...I actually found Salman to be attractive...this is something I would NEVER EVER admit to...specially present day Sallu, but god! I would always question and think, try to understand why on earth do women find him attractive, oh well...I think for now I'll just stick to his older films.  It just seems to be a pretty comfortable spot for me, in order to truly appreciate him as a romantic hero.

Which further proves my obsession with Love Stories.  I just I'm just a sucker for that chocolate Bollywood romantic hero, there! I've said it!  Plus!!! Another bonus...the music was fantastic, My theme song in life is now officially, "Aaja Sham..."


Here's the one song that is just so wrong it's right!!!  You won't be disappointed!


Here's the Link for the film, I believe that it is a legal copy since the actual production company Rajshri released it.

... 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.