My quest of watching Bollywood movies continues! Once again I visited my local library and checked out a TON of Hindi films. One of those films was a cute and funny, light-hearted, romantic comedy called KISMAT KONNECTION, which was a real treat to watch.
Original Hindi Movie Poster (2008)
Set in the bearthtaking city of Toronto, the film follows the misadventures of Raj Malhotra (Shahid Kapoor), an out of work Architect who just can't seem to get a break. Desperate, he visits a gypsy who he saw on late night television named Haseena Banu Jaan (Juhi Chawla). She tells him that his luck does need to change, plus his "lucky charm" and his "one in a million" will be the same. Her predictions come true in the form of the beautiful Priya (Vidya Balan), a social activist who is protesting the demolition of the community center where she works at so a shopping mall can be built in its place. Ironically, Raj has just been hired to design the shopping mall. Too make matters worse, Priya discovers that she is Raj's lucky charm and breaks up with him. Now Raj needs to figure out how to save the community center and to win back Priya's heart.
This was a cute, funny little romantic comedy with some great musical numbers. The cinematography is top notch, and credit goes to director Aziz Mirza, who does a great job keeping the film flowing smoothly without any dragging any part of the film. He also gets some terrific shots of Toronto as well as some fine performances out of his cast. Kapoor's portrayal of the unlucky but lovable Raj is fun to watch but Balan steals the show as the strong, independent, and caring Priya; giving her more dimensions to her character creates a pathos that we the audience can relate to. However we can relate to both Raj and Pryia for this one simple fact: they are both real and flawed characters, whether they're falling in love or fighting with one another. Their acting is very down to earth and relatable, so this is a bonus for the audience. The film was originally released in India on July 18, 2008.
KISMAT KONNECTION is a fun-filled romantic comedy that fans of this genre will enjoy to watch, while simultaneously being introduced to the wonderful world of Bollywood films. A real treat to watch and share with your significant other. Defiantly worth checking out!
KISMAT KONNECTION is currently available on DVD by UTV Home Entertainment. To purchase a copy, visit the Amazon website at www.amazon.com. To learn more about UTV and their film library, visit their website at www.utvgroup.com
After seeing Martin Scorsese's brilliant new film HUGO 3D this past Sunday, I started to think that some of you out there may not be familiar with the films of Georges Méliès, let alone who he was. For those who read my review of the film, I only hinted as to who this extraordinary man was and how movies today would not look the same hadn't been for is imagination and sense of wonder. So for tonight, I thought it would be nice to pay homage by giving a brief biography about one of cinema's most important filmmakers ever. So ladies and gentlemen, here is the true story of Georges Méliès: The First Wizard of Cinema!
Georges Méliès (Dec. 8, 1861-Jan. 21, 1938)
Méliès was born in Paris, France on December 8, 1861, where his family manufactured shoes. Later on in life he became a professional stage magician and was performing shows at the Theatre Robert-Houdin, which he bought in 1888. But fate stepped in when in on December 28, 1895, when Méliès saw the Lumière Brothers' films and soon fell in love with the movies. He originally tried to buy a camera from the Lumières but they refused to sell him one. As a result, he bought a projector from Robert W. Paul (a successful engineer) as well as a Bioscope camera. Soon, he was off making moving pictures.
His first films, like the Lumières, were actuality films (called actualités) which he added to the program at his theatre. Years later these films would became known as documentaries. He later filmed scenes of himself doing magic tricks. Then one day he accidentally discovered that he could use stop-motion photography to render trick visual effects, such as making objects disappear or change in size with a puff of smoke. Méliès was also the first to use techniques such as fade-ins, fade-outs, and dissolves to create some of the first real narrative films. He was also the first to use split screen and double exposure in his films as well. Also by accident, Méliès also created the world's first 3D camera While trying to figure out how to make sure that his US films weren't stolen before the release of his European copy, he devised a camera that would hold two reels of film that would shoot the image simultaneously; one reel is the "right eye" and the other the "left eye." When these images overlaped on another, they would become what we call a 3D image. If you don't believe me, read my review of the Méliès program I attended at the Motion Picture Academy back in September. The link in near the bottom.
Still from A TRIP TO THE MOON (1902)
Between 1896-1914, Méliès made over 500 films, but only one of those films still stands the test of time and is widely considered to be one of the greatest and most influential films ever made. In 1902, Méliès made the film A TRIP TO THE MOON (Le Voyage dans la Lune), which included the famous image of a rocket hitting the eye of the man in the moon. The film became the foundation for future science fiction films as well as fantasy films. However, by 1913, the first World War brought an end to the innocence of his films. Many solders had seen the horrors of war, and Méliès' films of fantasy and make believe seemed childlike. Unable to change with the times, the Theatre Robert-Houdin was closed in 1914 as a result of World War I, which forced his film company into bankruptcy. Not realizing just how important his films were, he let the French Army seized most of this stock to be melted down into boot heels during World War I. Many of the other films were sold to be recycled into new film. As a result, all of his films appeared to be lost forever along with him as well.
After being driven out of business, Méliès became a toy salesman at the Montparnasse Station in Paris and was completely forgotten. Fortunately, the French surrealist movement in the 1920s brought about a rediscovery of his surviving films, and the acknowledgment of his contributions to the art and the industry of motion pictures. Eventually, this led to his being awarded the Legion of Honor in 1931. He was also given a rent free apartment where he spent the remaining years of his life. Georges Méliès passed away on January 21, 1938, and was buried in the Pere Lachaise Cementary.
The Georges Méliès 5-Disc DVD Boxset (2008)
Seventy-three years after his death, Méliès is still talked about and his films are still being shown and being rediscovered by a whole new generation of film fans and lovers. Over the years many of his films thought to have been lost were being unearthed and preserved. In 2008, film historian David Shepard along with Eric Lange produced the unprecedented and comprehensive five disc DVD boxset entitled Georges Méliès: First Wizard of Cinema (1896-1913) released by Flicker Alley. The boxset contained 173 rare and original films thought to have been lost. Upon the release of this DVD set, several more of Méliès' films were discovered, prompting Flicker Alley to release Georges Méliès Encore: New Discoveries (1896-1911). It contained 26 new and rare films on a single DVD. But the surprises weren't over yet.
In 2010, a rare, hand colored print of A TRIP TO THE MOON was discovered in a film vault in Barcelona, Spain. French film historian and archivist Serge Bromberg acquired the film but the print was in very poor condition. As a result, Bromberg's company Lobster Films, along with Groupama Gan Foundation for Cinema and the Technicolor Foundation for Cinema Heritage, plus with the aid of Tom Burton at Technicolor’s laboratories in Los Angeles, California, launched the most complex and ambitious restoration project in the history of cinema. In the course of one year, they were able to restore Méliès' film in time for its premiere at the 2011 Cannes Film Festival, with a recorded soundtrack done by the French band Air. During my vacation in Los Angeles back in September, I attended the special program entitled "A TRIP TO THE MOON AND OTHER TRAVELS THROUGH TIME, COLOR, AND SPACE" at the Motion Picture Academy of Arts and Science, where they had a special screening of the film, along with other important silent films (including the previously mentioned Méliès 3D films). For those of you who didn't get a chance to read my review of this special occasion the first time around, please click here to read about it.
Georges Méliès is more than just a filmmaker, he is an icon. A hero to some, others see him as a pioneer. But what is not disputed is this: now and forever more, Georges Méliès will simply be remembered as the first wizard of cinema!
The Georges Méliès: First Wizard of Cinema (1896-1913) 5-Disc DVD Boxset and the Georges Méliès Encore: New Discoveries (1896-1911) single disc are currently available on the Flicker Alley website. To purchase copies, visit their website at www.flickeralley.com
For the third and final film I saw on Sunday, I headed over to the CineArts Theatre located in Santanna Row. It was a cool, crisp night; the perfect night to go see a movie! So with this in mind, I went and saw MY WEEK WITH MARILYN which is based on two books by Collin Clark, the man who had his first love with the legendary Monroe.
Theatrical Movie Poster (2011)
The film takes place in the early summer of 1956, and a young 23 year-old named Colin Clark (Eddie Redmayne) is working as an 3rd assistant director (i.e. gopher) on the British set of THE PRINCE AND THE SHOWGIRL, the film that famously paired Sir Lawrence Olivier (Kenneth Branagh) and Marilyn Monroe (Michelle Williams), who was also on honeymoon with her new husband, playwright Arthur Miller (Dougray Scott). When Miller leaves the country, Clark introduces Monroe to British life and they spend a week together, during which time she escapes from her Hollywood routine and the pressures of work. But when young Clark falls in love with Mrs. Monroe, she reminds him that she's married and will not give up being a film star for him.
As previously mentioned, the film is based on Colin's two books: The Prince, the Showgirl and Me was published in 1996, based on his diary account nearly 40 years after completion of the film. However, there was one week that was missing from his first book. Then in the year 2000, that missing week come to light in the form of My Week with Marilyn. The book received harsh criticism from both readers and fans of Monroe, who bashed and berated Colin's book, citing that it's filled with utter lies and rubbish. Whether if Colin's story is true or not, some people found it fascinating, and thought it would make a good movie.
While the film is simply wonderful, it is Williams' performance as Monroe that's really outstanding. She really channels Marilyn into her performance, and when you watch her in the film, you're not watching Williams; you're watching Marilyn Monroe walk. You're watching Marilyn Monroe talk, and act, and sing, and dance. But also we see Marlyn when she's depressed, sad, overwhelmed, and doped up on pills. The range of emotions the Williams' goes through to perfect the Blonde Goddess herself is just astounding! She even looks like Marilyn! Look for Williams' name at Oscar time, because she so deserves to be nominated after giving this compelling performance!
MY WEEK WITH MARILYN is a marvelous and amazing film, a vibrant and reveling story of not just film history, but of first love. A must see for all fans of Monroe or of film history. Two very big thumbs up!
MY WEEK WITH MARILYN is currently playing in select theaters nationwide, including the CineArts Theatre here in San Jose. To view showtimes, visit their website at http://cinemark.com
Whenever someone mentions the name Martin Scorsese, a thousand thoughts and images run through my mind. He is an American treasure, one of the most talented, beloved, and respected directors of the last half of the 20th century. His film have enriched all our lives, and we have been privileged to see his films. For the second film I saw today at the Camera 7 Pruneyard, I went and saw Scorsese's new film HUGO 3D, based on the novel The Invention of Hugo Cabret by author Brian Selznick.
Theatrical Movie Poster (2011)
Set in 1930s Paris, the film follows a young boy named Hugo (Asa Butterfield), whose master clockmaker father (Jude Law) died in a fire and thus is dragged off by his uncle, an alcoholic watchmaker who is responsible for maintaining all the clocks in a Paris train station. After his uncle disappears, Hugo steals gadgets and tools to fix the only thing left by his father: a broken automaton—a mechanical man that his father was restoring, which may also solve the mystery of his death. But one day Hugo is caught stealing tools from by a toy store owner named Méliès (Ben Kingsley), who takes away Hugo's blueprints for the automaton. By coincidence, Hugo befriends Méliès' adventurous goddaughter Isabelle (Chloe Grace Moretz), who helps him with his automaton. But by investigating the origin of the automaton, they both discover a startling secret: that Isabelle's godfather is none other than Georges Méliès, forgotten French film pioneer of silent cinema!
The film is Scorese's love letter to both his passion of films (is this case silent films) and his idol, the great Georges Méliès. In the scene where Hugo and Isabelle sneak into a theatre to watch Harold Lloyd's 1923 silent film classic SAFETY LAST, my heart went a flutter. For those people in the audience, young and old, who have never seen a silent film before, here was Scorsese's opportunity to expose people to this long, lost art form. When Hugo gets the automaton to work (thanks to the key that Isabelle wears as a necklace), it draws an image that he saw in a film with his father. This leads the children to the library to learn more about the cinema. They look through a film book which has pictures and, in a beautiful montage, Scorsese has images form some of the most important silent films ever to have graced the screen. From D.W. Griffith's 1916 film INTOLERANCE to Charlie Chaplin 1921 film THE KID, the audience is given a visual treat, a treat that hopefully inspires them to see and learn more about the wonderful world of silent films.
The image that the automaton drew was from one of the most iconic image ever in cinema history. In 1902, Méliès directed the film A TRIP TO THE MOON, one of the most important and influential films ever made! Now I have seen this film several times in my life, and I can honestly say that every time I watch it, I am just amazed by it. It was one of the first films to tell a story; containing a plot to put it more scholastically. A group of astronomers create a rocket that sends them to the moon. The image of the moon's face with a rocket in its eye is THE most recognized image ever! Whether or not you have seen the film, you have defiantly seen this image! Scorsese pays homage to Méliès in the film, citing him as cinema's first true innovator, pioneer, and artist.
HUGO 3D is Scorsese's most personal film to date; a marvelous family film that also pays tribute to films and filmmakers of the past. The film truly is Scorsese's best movie ever, and for this film lover, it is wonderful gem to watch. Please go see this amazing film with your family, your friends, or even by yourself, and share it with others! Six out of five stars here people!!
HUGO 3D is currently playing in theaters nationwide, including the Camera Cinemas here in the South Bay. To view showtimes, visit their website at www.cameracinemas.com
Around this time of year Hollywood unleashes a tidal wave of great films during the holiday season, which tells me that we are now in Oscar season! This month I've seen some truly amazing films, one right after another. So for today I ventured out to see three films; two of them at the Camera 7 in the Pruneyard Campbell. The first film I saw today was THE DESCENDANTS, directed by Alexander Payne and starring George Clooney.
Theatrical Movie Poster (2011)
Based on the novel by Kaui Hart Hemmings, Clooney portrays Matt King, a lawyer who also happens to be a land baron on the verge of selling 25,000 acres of land owned by his family with his cousins (which includes Beau Bridges) for a large sum of money. However during this, his wife Elizabeth (Patricia Hastie) is involved in a terrible boating accident, leaving her in a coma to which the doctors say that she will not wake up from. Soon Matt finds himself alone with his two daughters: youngest Scottie (Amara Miller) and rebellious seventeen year-old Alexandra (Shailene Woodley). But when Alexandra informs him the Elizabeth was having an affair with a real estate broker Brian Speer (Matthew Lillard), Matt takes his daughters and Alexandra's friend Sid (Nick Krause) on a trip from Oahu to Kauai to confront him, all the while he still wrestles with the decision whether or not to sell the family's land that was handed down from Hawaiian royalty and missionaries.
Once again Payne blends both humor and emotional drama to his film. His first film since 2004's SIDEWAYS, the film wears its heart on its sleeve, but Payne makes sure he doesn't overdue it. It's emotional depths that all of the characters in the film transcend into makes it so rewarding to watch.
Clooney once again nails his role as the grief stricken Matt, who also must attend to his affair. Young Amara Miller does a great job as well considering the how much darkness is in the film. However major applauds goes to Woodley, who is just devastating as the angst ridden, mother-hating, foul-mouthed Alexandra. Woodley is mostly well known for portraying Amy Juergens on the TV show THE SECRET LIFE OF AN AMERICAN TEENAGER, but with this role, she is able to really stretch out as an actress and turns in an incredible performance. Defiantly watch her career take off after this film!
THE DESCENDANTS is an great film, witty and dark surrounded with compelling characters that will stay with you long after the film is over. Truly worth seeing in the theater!
THE DESCENDANTS is currently playing in theaters nationwide, including the Camera Cinemas here in the South Bay. To view showtimes, visit their website at www.cameracinemas.com
OK, every now and then, you have to indulge your inner child! It is a requirement that we adults must do to remain young, or at least feel young. So today my friend Amanda and I traveled to the Camera 12 located in downtown San Jose to visit some "old friends" from our childhood. So ladies and gentlemen, children of all ages, it's time to raise the curtains! It's time to light the lights! It's time for you to see THE MUPPETS on the big screen tonight!
Theatrical Movie Poster (2011)
Before the film, there was another TOY STORY TOONS short film before the main feature. Entitled SMALL FRY, the film's about a mini "Happy Meal" Buzz Lightyear toy who switches places with the real Buzz. However Woody and the rest of the gang realize this and try to rescue their friend. Another great Pixar short!
Now about the main feature! Jason Segel stars as Gary, who has a great girlfriend named Mary (Amy Adams) and has a younger brother named Walter (voiced by Peter Linz), who also just happens to be a huge Muppets fan! The three of them take a trip to Los Angeles for Gary and Mary's 10 year anniversary. The also stop by the old Muppets studio, where they learn that oil tycoon Tex Richman (Chris Cooper) plans to tear down the studio and drill for the oil that is underneath it. Soon they track down Kermit the Frog and inform him of Richman's evil plot. The guys (and gal) manage to reunite the Muppet gang to put on one last show, The Muppet Telethon Show, to save their beloved studio.
The film also boasts appearances from Rashida Jones (CDE Executive), Alan Arkin (Tour Guide), Bill Cobbs (Grandfather), Zach Galifianakis (Hobo Joe), Ken Jeong ('Punch Teacher' TV Host), Jim Parsons (Human Walter), Kristen Schaal (Moderator), Emily Blunt (Miss Piggy's Receptionist), and Sarah Silverman (Mel's Drive-In Hostess). Also appearing as themselves are Whoopi Goldberg, Selena Gomez, Neil Patrick Harris, Judd Hirsch, Rico Rodriguez and Jack Black, with cameos by Dave Grohl, Mickey Rooney, and Fiest.
Once again, the Muppets are back, thanks to a very clever script by none other than Segel (a die-hard Muppet fan) and Nicholas Stoller. Their love for this franchise is evident; fun sing-a-longs, random humor, self-parody, mocking pop culture; keeping the spirit of Muppets creator Jim Henson alive. But the film also touches on such important issues such as self esteem, believing in yourself, and whether or not you are relevant still, which Kermit struggles with, along with Walter. Do the Muppets still matter in the 21st Century? Does anybody care about them still? Will they be able to save their studio? But the big question is this: Will Kermit and Miss Piggy get back together? What? I'm not gonna tell you! You have to go see the film for yourself!
Granted the Muppets are not exactly as they were when I was a kid, but with good reason. Many of the voices are not the same, which happened with the passing of Mr. Henson (he died on May 16, 1990 from walking pneumonia at the young age of 54). Ironically, he passed away on the weekend that he was going to sell his company to Disney (he also died on the same day as Sammy Davis Jr.). Also Frank Oz didn't participate in the film. Oz was one of Henson's longest collaboraters and former performer of some of the more popular Muppets, including Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, and Animal. Oz, who reportedly had been working on a script of his own for a new Muppets movie when Disney made the choice to go with one by Segel and Stoller, was offered a chance to work on the movie but turned it down. As a result, Oz and his trademark "voices" are no where to be found, and to be honest, it's a real shame. Hopefully this little dilemma will be solved before the next Muppet movie is made.
THE MUPPETS is great fun for the whole family! Kids will have fun watching it, meeting these great characters for the first time, while the adults will reminisce about watching the original TV show when they were their kid's age. Like I said, I had a blast watching these guys again, and hopefully we'll be seeing more of them very soon!!
THE MUPPETS is currently playing in theaters nationwide, including at the Camera Cinemas. To view showtimes, visit their website at www.cameracinemas.com
Not too often, I see a film that really speaks to me. A film that talks to my soul and unearths buried emotions that reawakens forgotten memories of days past. The film I saw tonight was a film that I wasn't really interested in seeing. While the trailer looked promising and it received raved reviews, I literally had to force myself to see it. And I'm really glad that I did. The film LIKE CRAZY is, without a shadow of a doubt, the best romantic, love stories to have ever graced the silver screen this past year!
Theatrical Movie Poster (2011)
The film follows a young couple, who despite coming from different worlds, fall madly in love with one another. While attending at an unnamed LA college, British student Anna (Felicity Jones) falls in love with an American student named Jacob (Anton Yelchin). They are a match made in heaven, but when Anna violates her Visa by remaining here in the US, she is immediately sent back to the U.K. While fighting customs and immigration battles, Anna and Jacob must decide if their relationship is worth the distance and the hardship. While they try to move, with Anna dating her neighbor Simon (Charlie Bewley) and Jacob seeing his co-worker Sam (Jennifer Lawrence), their love for each other remains intact. But will it be enough to save their relationship?
Words cannot begin to describe just how beautiful this film truly is. It is as if the film was made just for me, showing me my greatest lost love. The film is sheer poetry, weaving words and emotions together seamlessly, creating a love letter for the whole world to read.
Director Drake Doremus, who also co-wrote the script with screenwriter Ben York Jones, delved deep within to create such a moving piece of film. Directed with such tenderness and affection, it is perfectly directed without you realizing it. But the best part of the film is Jones, who turns it an Oscar- worthy performance as Anna. She is just absolutely spellbinding! A captivating performance, realistic and grounded. She really does deserve an Oscar nomination for this film!
LIKE CRAZY is just a beautiful film, touching and riveting, the best romance film for all time!! For fans of THE NOTEBOOK, (500) DAYS OF SUMMER and BLUE VALENTINE, the film is required viewing! Go see this film and get ready to fall in love all over again! Five out of five stars!!!
LIKE CRAZY is currently playing in select theaters, including the CineArts Theatre here in San Jose. To view showtimes, visit their website at http://cinemark.com
