FilmyReviews

This clearly is an Imran Khan show. Sedate and subdued, he goes about bringing Rahul to life. However, the film does tend to get monotonous with the focus being on just the two. Batra tries to rope in a few more characters as the plot moves to India with Riana's parents and her extended family. Here, Batra falters as he portrays her family more like Parsis than Catholics. EMAET had the potential of being an even better film. The three stars are for the excellent treatment and Imran's performance.

Assistant to Karan Johar, Karan Malhotra gets to hold the reins for the first time. He knocks off a few elements from the original, and adds new layers to the new. Hrithik conforms himself to the mould set by Amitabh. He sticks to the plot working with vengeance as his crutch. If you blank out Amitabh's performance in the original, Hrithik stands out. He is cool, calculative and not afraid of death. Remember he has Maut ke saath apintment! The entire production is first rate. The songs, especially the Ganapati immersion and the wedding of Rauf Lala's son, are picturised beautifully with well-choreographed dances. Although it will not have a recall value like the old AGNEEPATH, this surely is a 'must one-time-watch'.

Having said that, let's also give credit where it is due, PLAYERS is a slick treat of high adrenaline action scenes that rates up there with the best in Bollywood. With thrillers being their forte, and action their main course, Abbas-Mustan do not disappoint in this department. It would not be wrong to say that most of the cast are plastic in their expression.

This movie is fundamentally flawed. There is a plot, but the premise is weak. Also, the so-called sub-plots don't really add up to the whole picture, making it an exercise in futility. To top it, the actual love story that takes place between Neha Dhupia and Vinay Pathak throws logic out of the window. I, for one, will not believe that a girl, who has come from Kolhapur with stars in her eyes, will settle for a portly nerd. That too when she has just been launched in a music video, which has opened doors to stardom for her.

Nothing works in this film, the story, acting, songs or the locations. You can shoot gorgeous landscapes but ultimately it all boils down to the characters on screen who will make that defining difference whether the cinematography will be talked about or not.

Vidya lives, breathes and executes the character to the 'T'. Even her 'one-size-tight outfits' that has her flesh spilling out of her costumes are tastefully done. You don't loathe her... you fall in love with the character she portrays and almost sympathize with her. As the rest of the south film industry pine for a 'piece of her', all that Silk yearns for is some Tender Loving Care. Her final adieu is poignant. It echoes her state of mind and what she really is looking for. The other 'hero' of the film is dialogue writer Rajat Arora. There's this one line in the film Vidya's character mouths to a 'holier than thou' director played by Emraan Hashmi. "Filmein sirf teen cheezon se chalte hain - entertainment, entertainment, and entertainment..." It won't be wrong to say that The Dirty Picture is all about Vidya Balan, Vidya Balan and Rajat Arora.

The story is simply explosive; multi-layered, with love at its core and the ever-present confusion forming a major part. The scenes where Janardhan goes out in search of heartbreak to get soul into his music and where he actually stalks Nargis and then makes a complete volte-face are brilliant. Its moment like these that have you glued to the screen. If only Imtiaz had curtailed his obsession and let some scenes go, Rockstar could have achieved cult status like Rock On.

Between LOOT and this, it is difficult to choose which the worse film is. At least, you could laugh at the stupidity of Loot. MNMH is beyond description.

'Tell Me O Kkhuda'... how could Hema Malini come up with something like this? It's a jerky ride, with a convenient story that allows the protagonist to enter unknown people's houses and stay on as a guest. 'Tell Me O Kkhuda'... Will this be what everyone will be mouthing after the show?

The first half is a visual delight. The plot moves slickly from one sequence to another gripping you in the wake of destruction that RA ONE brings along. WOW, is the first word you utter because it's flawless. Technologically, SRK has not left any stone unturned. It's only after the interval that the plot meanders a bit, loses it sting and almost falls apart like a pixealised image, before Arjun lights up the screen.

The first five minutes of the movie are gripping. The smart camera angles, the alarming visuals and background score have you in a spin. Soon, however, you realize, you are lost in a maze which is as confusing to the characters on screen. At one moment you are in South Africa, the next in Germany, then somewhere in Poland, Hong Kong, Thailand, and France, not to forget India. Azaan is a cocktail of Tashaan, Blue and Drona.

This one is not for the faint-hearted. It leaves a bloody trail throughout and has an ending unlike the typical Bollywood flick. There's Force and more force. Yes, it's very forceful. Force is handled well. It has a good storyline, some breathtaking action, cosy moments and a grand finale. If you like to feel the rush of adrenaline, Force is for you.