Looking at the list, seems there were a heck of a lot of doozies last year, isn't it? Here are my top 5, in no particular order.
My Name is Khan
Movies shouldn't be made without sufficient research. Its easy to pick an emotion to base the film off of, but an entire production needs more legs than that. I am sure every immigrant and every family with a member who has special needs (my family has both, so yes, I feel the characters) could empathise with Shahrukh's character, but the very black and white portrayal of Americans is immensely cringe-worthy. And even 1/2 an hour of sensible research could have prevented this travesty that makes me want to tear my hair out.
Road, Movie
I should have just turned on the travel channel on silent and turn on some music. Oh fine, I am probably being too judgemental here (isn't that a surprise!), but I do expect more from a film that Abhay Deol chooses to star in. I felt all the characters, felt all their emotions, and empathised with everyone fully- but ended up feeling shortchanged regardless. BECAUSE I really love watching Abhay, I was all the more disappointed, and therefore hated this more than crappier movies that the year offered. Here's my rant.
Aisha
Poor Jane Austen must have turned over in her grave. No scratch that- she must be rolling and spinning in there. The movie was a poor copy of Clueless at best, and didn't even come close to the literary classic. Sonam needs daddy to buy her an acting coach, pronto. Here's my rant.
Veer
Dear lord. This was so bad that I couldn't even bring myself to write about it. Poor Mithun, Jackie, Neena- yikes! And I cannot believe Salman did this to himself! Also, if I ever meet the costume designer, I might just strangle them for the utter trash they spat out. Incidentally- what kind of a grandkid throws his centenarian grandpa into a water fountain?
Sadiyaan
Want to see folks in their 20s who look like they are in their teens? Want to see them try and fail badly at acting? Want to see really good actors like Rekha, Hema, Javed and Rishi try to salvage the sick mess created by those idiots? Here's my rant.
My Name is KhanMovies shouldn't be made without sufficient research. Its easy to pick an emotion to base the film off of, but an entire production needs more legs than that. I am sure every immigrant and every family with a member who has special needs (my family has both, so yes, I feel the characters) could empathise with Shahrukh's character, but the very black and white portrayal of Americans is immensely cringe-worthy. And even 1/2 an hour of sensible research could have prevented this travesty that makes me want to tear my hair out.
Road, MovieI should have just turned on the travel channel on silent and turn on some music. Oh fine, I am probably being too judgemental here (isn't that a surprise!), but I do expect more from a film that Abhay Deol chooses to star in. I felt all the characters, felt all their emotions, and empathised with everyone fully- but ended up feeling shortchanged regardless. BECAUSE I really love watching Abhay, I was all the more disappointed, and therefore hated this more than crappier movies that the year offered. Here's my rant.
AishaPoor Jane Austen must have turned over in her grave. No scratch that- she must be rolling and spinning in there. The movie was a poor copy of Clueless at best, and didn't even come close to the literary classic. Sonam needs daddy to buy her an acting coach, pronto. Here's my rant.
VeerDear lord. This was so bad that I couldn't even bring myself to write about it. Poor Mithun, Jackie, Neena- yikes! And I cannot believe Salman did this to himself! Also, if I ever meet the costume designer, I might just strangle them for the utter trash they spat out. Incidentally- what kind of a grandkid throws his centenarian grandpa into a water fountain?
SadiyaanWant to see folks in their 20s who look like they are in their teens? Want to see them try and fail badly at acting? Want to see really good actors like Rekha, Hema, Javed and Rishi try to salvage the sick mess created by those idiots? Here's my rant.
Now I will go and let my BP recover from the strain of remembering these fiascoes. Deep, steady breathing helps.
11 comments:
and how u end up watching 'Sadiyaan' ?!
Oh, and same feelings about MNIK too. Bad it was.
Hi Shweta,
Hmm. I've only seen My name is Khan, but I fear what you say is perhaps a little biased because you side too much with the American audience?
(Just in case you're interested to read a more positive take: http://www.letstalkaboutbollywood.com/article-my-name-is-khan-or-what-can-blunt-truth-achieve-53667098.html)
Bye!
Yowch! Finally a post that makes me glad I slept through 2010, filmi-wise at least.
I understand your comments about Road, Movie - I, too, am much harder on movies that squander potential than I am from movies that are just plain bad on every level from concept through execution.
As for Sadiyaan - disappointing to hear it was so miserable. I remember reading about it way back when it was in pre-production and thinking it had some promise.
Don't agree with you on MNIK and Aisha, but the rest is true.
Dunkdaft: Prob saw Sadiyan cos Im crazy!!! I wanted to see Hema and Rekha on screen together, so had to do it :D
Yves: Its a personal choice: I tend not to like movies that do a one dimensional presentation of the "other" side . "I Indian" and "Goal" (-ve presentation of Anglo Brits) come to mind, as does "Padosan" (lampooning of Southern Indians). And of yes, Peter Seller's The Party- I havent been able to make myself see anything by him after seeing that one.
Filmi Geek: When I was scanning through the 2010 list to see what I liked/hated, I honestly didnt think there was much to choose from either. Road- I wanna beat Abhay for that. Sadiyan- I saw it for Rekha and Hema, but even they could only do so much :)
Lime(tte): But 3 out of 5 is good! :D
I haven't seen that much from 2010 either (what else is new!) but of your list I've seen Veer and MNIK and they're both also on my worst list :)
For what it's worth, I completely disagree with Yves about the question of your bias in MNIK. I think it's really quite on point to hear your opinions on the film's depictions of the US and Americans - the geographical arc of your own life is very much like that of the characters of MNIK, isn't it? Yet you obviously understands social issues here a lot better than the writers of this ridiculous but well-meaning film.
Beth: Sincere thanks for the support! I feel a little research can help so many filmmakers, whichever side of whichever border they are from. No matter how biased I may sound, I suspect Kjo didn't even google the issues even once, which is a bit of a shame considering the film's budget. And I'm glad you wasted your time only on 2 of these- knowing your literary interests, Aisha would make you want to throw things at the screen :D
I actually have Aisha coming through netflix. I cannot NOT see it despite the various things I've heard :)
Beth: I cant wait to hear ur reactions! im betting they'll be priceless :)
Hi Shweta My name is Khan definitely makes it to my worst of list as well, i remeber saying after watching it that this is a film that would be so embarrassing to watch down the years
I haven't seen much this year but i enjoyed Veer in a campy fun kind of way, Happy 2011 to you
Bollywooddeewana: A very happy new year to you too! I think Veer may increase in camp value over the years; kinda like Suryavanshi :) Khan is just bad form- Bollywood can do so much better.
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