Month: September 2014

Movie Review: Khoobsurat

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Disney_Khoobsurat

Release Date: September 19th, 2014   Length: 140 min

Director: Shashanka Ghosh

Producer: Walt Disney Pictures in association with Anil Kapoor Film Company

Based on the 1980 hit, “Khubsoorat” starring Rekha and Rakesh Roshan – this remake produced by Disney and Anil Kapoor Film Co. is a romcom starring the charming Sonam Kapoor, daughter of Anil Kapoor.

Dr. Mili Chakravarty (Sonam Kapoor) plays an uppity, colorful, high-energy physical therapist who is hired by an aristocratic family near Jaipur to rehabilitate the king (Aamir Raza Hussain), who has been wheelchair bound for ten years. His son, Prince Vikram Rathore (Pakistani heartthrob Fawad Khan) finds love interest in Dr. Mili…however a few obstacles stand in the way: 1. His mother (Ratna Pathak Shah), the authoritarian figure has strict rules and regulations placed on the Rathore family 2. the prince’s engagement to Kiara (Aditi Rao). 3. Vikram and Mili’s polar-opposite personalities. Watch the movie to find out how Dr. Mili wins over the Rathore family!

The Positives:

  1. It’s a comedy – just don’t forget to leave your brains at the door!
  2. Sonam Kapoor does a decent job given her ridiculous character role she has been given to portray. I prefer watching her in less ridiculous roles, though.
  3. Fawad Khan – beyond eye-candy. Can’t wait for him to be in more Bollywood films!
  4. The sets: this film is shot in Rajasthan at the most beautiful palaces!!
  5. Fawad Khan’s suits. He rocks much better attire than Sonam does.

Note: he only looks hot with facial hair…don’t believe me? Google image him.

The Negatives:

  1. Too many “cringe-worthy” scenes. Sonam Kapoor’s character was overdone.
  2. Sonam’s outfits – outrageous. She is a gorgeous MODEL…other than putting her in a few workout clothes here and there, her wardrobe was distracting and too outlandish. She never even wears the outfit in the “princess-like” movie poster!
  3. Songs – very disappointing. This movie had great potential for an awesome soundtrack – but yet, it did not meet my expectations.
  4. As a physical therapist myself, I wish they had shown more of the transition of the King’s rehabilitation progress throughout the movie (e.g., how she progressed him from being able to extend his knee to standing!)

Overall, it’s worth a watch if you’re a Sonam fan – of if you want to be a Fawad fan. Otherwise, don’t sweat it if you miss it.

* Fun Fact * Fawad Khan – Pakistani actor who played in a band, Entity Paradigm. Yes, he sings! Check out ‘Bolo Bolo’ they played at Coke Studio.

Fun Links:

What Royals Do 

Rating Breakdown:

Acting: 3.5/5
Story: 3/5
Costumes: 2/5
Sets/Filming Location: 4/5
Songs: 2/5
Eye Candy: 4/5
Length of Movie: 3/5

Rated: PG
Overall: *** (3/5) or 6/10

Key:
* = flop, don’t even bother
** = time pass, you’ll live if you don’t see it
*** = worth a watch
**** = A hit!
***** = Bollywood Blockbuster

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Movie Review: Finding Fanny

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Note: There are no spoiler alerts in this review.

Genre: Comedy

Cast: Deepika Padukone, Arjun Kapoor, Naseeruddin Shah, Pankaj Kapoor and Dimple Kapadia, with Ranveer Singh in cameo role.

Director: Homi Adajania

Production: Maddock Films/Fox Star Studios

Released: September 12th, 2014

This was an off-beat light-hearted comedy story about five oddballs who set out to Goa to find Stefanie Fernandes (Fanny). Throughout their journey, they discover love and friendship in one another. This movie is in English, no subtitles needed here. If you’re a Deepika Padukone or Naseeruddin Shah fan – this one is for you. If you want to gawk at Arjun Kapoor, go right ahead. Enjoy it while it lasts though, this movie runs just 105 minutes. It is a very simple film of low expectations with a slow, but soulful plot.

The positives:

  1. Deepika is in it.
  2. Not your typical hindi movie with song and dance numbers every five minutes.
  3. It’s a comedy, yet can be dark/satirical at times which is rare in Bollywood.
  4. All of Deepika’s outfits consist of a few simple, floral dresses which, no doubt, look stunning on her.
  5. It’s a “feel good” short-film that will leave you feeling light afterwards.

The negatives:

  1. The plot is slow, especially in the beginning – I’d say be patient and go with the flow.
  2. Although the title of the movie is catchy… Finding Fanny?
  3. I wish they had expanded on Arjun Kapoor’s role in this movie and made Ranveer Singh’s cameo longer…he was hilarious!

* Fun Fact * The film was initially offered to Imran Khan and Sonam Kapoor, but they both rejected the offer.

On the whole, save the trip to the movie theater and see this movie on a lazy Sunday afternoon or a cozy night in.

Acting: 4/5
Story: 3/5
Costumes: 2.5/5
Sets/Filming Location: 4/5
Songs: 3/5
Eye Candy: 3/5
Length of Movie: 5/5

Rated: PG-13
Overall: *** (3/5) or 6.5/10

Key:
* = flop, don’t even bother
** = time pass, you’ll live if you don’t see it
*** = worth a watch
**** = A hit!
***** = Bollywood Blockbuster