DK's Box Office

In accordance with my nature of wanting to contradict all that elapses in my immediate surroundings, having roomed up with a movie buff, the number of flicks I sat through in the past four months was fairly limited. That unfortunate tragedy was compensated to a fair degree in the weeks that have elapsed since my return.
The following is a list of flicks that I saw, with my opinion, en bref

1. Garfield - Tail of 2 Kitties : Sweet. But frankly, I'd like to kick that cat once in a while.

2. Don : For most part of the movie, I was cursing myself to have allowed my folks to drag me into watching a Shah Rukh Khan flick. I've seen so many of his. Aren't all of them the same? Well, he jolly well seems to play the same character in each.
However, the synopsis was completely unpredictable and left an impact, making the flick worthwhile. As did the presence of Priyanka Chopra. And the music.
I forgave my parents and myself.

3. Dhoom 2 : On that front, I had no choice. I had no option for I was on more of a young-teenage-boy-sitting task. I was to take my 2 cousins for the flick, one of whom had seen it already and wanted to watch it again. Why? Because he's young and innocent and possibly believes that certain robbers specialise in falling from the sky, breaking into supposedly-highly-guarded train compartments wearing one of the most fascinating genus of face-masks that not only substitute the most impossible plastic surgeries but also, in fact, magically transform the voice of the bearer of the mask into that of a person of the opposite sex. Brilliant!
Aishwarya's performance was less-than-mediocre but better than her worst. Abhishek Bachhan, forgettable.
Hrithik was quite good indeed, but I believe he always is. Except when playing the lead opposite Kareena.

4. Funny Face : A 1957 musical starring Audrey Hepburn and Fred Astaire. It was my first absolutely delightful watch of this vacation. And one that I'd recommend to all. The surprise package of the film was Kay Thompson, one of the most accomplished people in Hollywood who hasn't appeared in anymore than 3 films as an actress. And indeed, she stole the thunder from right under the two main characters. A most fascinating character.

5. Umrao Jaan : The film is 3 and a half hours long with a trillion songs. It is best watched on DVD so that the songs can be skipped. No, the music isn't horrible but the film has simply an overdose of it. Edit away most of the songs and you get a lovely film, made with a lot of effort and definitely worth a watch. Ash is superbly brilliant. This could've been her big comeback and brought her laurels, but fate had other plans in store. I suppose she can expect more out of Provoked, to be released next month. Shabana.... well what can I say. She is supreme. The entire industry should bow down before her. She is, no doubt, the best actress I've ever known in this lifetime. One is almost convinced that she has been living her character all her life, she plays it with such ease and perfection.
Yes, the film is unending. But that is absolutely necessary if the story has to be told completely.

The film was magnificent with pathetic reception, no doubt due to the, what I believe, intellectually challenged indian audiences who insist on making as much use of their Top Floor while in a cinema as they do of their appendix.

6. Meet The Fockers : It didn't have me rolling on the floor with laughter as I would have expected it to. But it was worthwhile. If nothing else, it broke my stigma against Ben Stiller, him being one of the three actors that come to mind presently, that I cannot stand to look at (the other two being Brad Arm-Pitt and whatshisname). So I suppose he's off my list. I'll celebrate by watching Meet The Parents next.

7. Breakfast At Tiffany's : Another Audrey Hepburn classic saw her in yet a new and refreshing character altogether from what she had played before. George Peppard played the male lead with sophistication and style. The film was a great flick though I still can't see much of a connection between the story and the title.
Audrey has indeed starred opposite the most suave men in hollywood, such as George Peppard and Gregory Peck in 'Roman Holiday.' They are possibly the only American men I would want to emulate.

8. Bhagam Bhag : To all those who found this film horrible or anything in that family of adjectives, I ask you a few simple questions :-
a. When you purchased your ticket for this particular film, were you or were you not hoping to catch a good thriller? You weren't? I supposed not.
b. In continuation with the previous question, were you or were you not hoping it would be a good comedy? You were? Why, that would make you a majority!
c. All through the film, did you keep a straight face and not let the remotest giggle escape your lips?
Those who answer in affirmative, I would like to remind that it is futile to tell lies on matters such as these.
To those who answer in negative, which should now comprise all those reading, I say "Then the movie succeeded in its attempt to send forth a few laughs.

Now I know good comedy when it comes my way. Hera Pheri was good comedy. Phir Hera Pheri was good comedy.
Masti was lame in its attempt to incorporate comedy of a good nature. As was Golmaal.
Bhagam Bhag, in my opinion, would qualify in the former genre of the above two, and not the latter. My word is final.

I wholeheartedly enjoyed the flick.
The USP of the film was Govinda. No, not his brilliant portrayal of his part but the fact that his role was limited. I despise Govinda and had the lowest expectations of the flick of which he was a part. But lord, or rather, Priyadarshi has other plans in store.

9. I'll Always Know What You Did Last Summer : The third in the series of horror flicks and hopefully the last should never have been made with its horrid story line and pathetic actors resulting in horrible output.
Stay AWAY from this film.

Well, I suppose that's all that I can recall having watched, so Ta ta!