The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

As title of film, it’s very curious movie with extraordinary story. Adapted from 1920s story by F. Scott Fitzgerald with same title, the movie tells story of a man who starts aging backwards instead of aging forward. Made alive with the maximum use of technologies, the movie tells the love story of Benjamin and Daisy (Cate Blanchett). Aided with great performance by both lead actors, this movie would surely haul some Oscars. (If there’s no Slumdog, it might have become the very strong contender for top honor).

My verdict: Go watch it. It’s an epic fantasy tale with rich storytelling backed by fantastic performances.

The Reader

If Kate Winslet didn’t win Oscars this time, Oscars would be making a big mistake but not recognizing her talent. This movie is all about her performance. Set in post world war Germany, this movie tells the love story of 15 years old Michale and his double age Hana. Unlike many dramas, this story revolves around perpetrator instead of victim.

People safeguard their secrets but there’s price to pay. And this movie shows how far people can go to guard their secret and are ready to pay every prices.

My verdict: This movie is all about Kate Winslet. Watch it for her Oscar-nod performance.

A trend breaker (or should i say setter?), refreshing, youthful – That’s how ROCK ON is.

Rock On is story of a band called Magik, their struggle, failure and again a hope to fight for. There are 4 band member i.e. Farhan Akhtar as Aditya Shroff, Arjun Rampal as Joe Mascarenhas, Purab Kholi as Kedar Zaveri aka Killer Drummer aka K.D (remember him? The Channel V’s VJ) and Luke Kenny as Rob Nancy (Another Channel V’s VJ). If you want to know what story is all about, please either visit wikipedia or watch movie yourself, am not gonna be spoiler over here. AM just expressing how i felt watching this movie here.

Watching Rock On was very soothing experience. I was so excited about this movie. First time i heard the music, i fell in love. While watching the movie, i felt like i am in the concert. Just wanted to scream and shout like the audience going wild. The lyrics are cheesy but i believe that’s what makes them so good. (After all why always saying only deep meaning lyrics are better. Sometimes swallow lyrics also express your feeling just like that). Look at lyrics of Pichle Saat Dinon Mein. Ain’t it good? I say YES.

Reading reviews, i heard that music is just ok and could have been much better. Well nothing is 100% and there’s always room for improvement. But i liked it. Whatever critics say, who cares? Tum ho to or ye tumhare meri baatein… they are great man.

Farhan Akhtar looks good and so sounds good. Now whether he’s going to be prominent star or singer, time will say. But i liked his singing style. And he looks cool on screen too. What attracted me most is Purab’s character. Funny, smart and optimistic: he’s the one who bring occasional laughs. He doesn’t mind dancing to express his feeling or dare to go to stage alone and play on.

Arjun Rampal looks silent but he’s done terrific job though he should have gotten more prominent role than this. Fine many people might say he’s got powerful role, but i agree. I am sorry, but the whole movie was mainly focused on Farhan. Luke looks ok, and many times made me feel he’s got talent but not explored well.

Prachi Desai looks so beautiful and charming. She’s got terrific smile. She’s talent too. And as Joe’s wife Debbie, Shahana Goswami has done terrific job. She’s mind blowing in every scene.

There are many loopholes in the movies like Joe coming on the stage out of nowhere. Hello director, could anyone can reach backstage so easily? And like doctors letting Rob play music though he’s seriously sick. I doubt and how did he get energy to perform like that? And the scene where Magik fails (music video shooting case) that could have been more dramatic and more strong. I didn’t feel so convinced the way Magik broke.

Anyway, overall i liked the movie. It’s no secret. I would rate it 3.5 Stars.

Go watch it. It’s refreshing and good. It’s not like Dil Chahta Hai. Could have been more better but still, happy.

The most interesting element of this movie, in my view is, it’s freshness and characterization particularly of Kareena as Geet. You feel like this role is only written for her: A highly optimistic and cheerful girl who loves to live in her dream and try to fulfill it. Her continuous babblers and smiling face brings smile even in your face.

Most of the characters have common problem i.e. after sometime it starts getting irritating. But no, not with Geet. She’s fabulous and sparkling in every frame without being irritating. Either it’s scene of Hotel Decent or talking like mad in train, or scolding railway officer or her meeting with Manns (forgot his name, but Geet family decides to hitch her with this guy). They all are funny.

And about Aditya (Shahid Kapoor), he also looks fresh and great. Dunno why, I don’t like most of his movies and himself but this is an exception. As broken hearted turned happy optimistic guy, he has justified his role. Whenever you feel like may be now this movie will start getting boring, there’s new twist which holds you.

This movie holds some of my fantasies too. May be, that’s why also I love it. Whenever I watch Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge or Jab We Met, I also dream to go on travel and meet my better half. Funny right? But that’s how I feel

There are some filmy lines, but I like them.  Because I believe they hold the truth. Here are some lines:

Geet says: Live you life at fullest and do whatever your heart tells. Who know what happens tomorrow. If something wrong happens then I don’t want to blame anyone for my misery.
Geet: Stop worrying about future. No matter how you worry, you can’t avoid misery. So smile and be happy. At least, these moments will be cherishing ones.
Again Geet says: When people fall in love, there’s no right or wrong.

The debate could go on and on why we fail to make original good movie. The involved professional blames low finance and constraint market. Whatever arguments are, we all agree most of the Nepali movies don’t keep the standard. Last Nepali movie i watched was most hyped Kagbeni. After i watched it, i got confused. Is it more like movie or documentary? But i must agree, technically it was better than other general movies but still there were lots of hitches there.

And now Sano Sansar is coming up. The director, Alok Nembang, is acclaimed music video maker who holds academic degree and experience of film making. So i am really hoping this movie would be very good. The trailers look good and in fact, they look very sweet. So this is on the list of my MUST WATCH movie:

Sano Sansar music video