Bhollywood

Sing to me, Saawariya!

Saawariya (2007) : 1.5/5

It presents itself as a fairly easy movie to love; but as treacherous as most films tend to be, Saawariya stabs you in the back with an excruciating 120+ minutes of blue hued cinematography on fanciful sets with overextended (and forgettable) song numbers (with the exclusion of the catchy title song, haha).

I wanted to like this movie. I wanted to like the characters but none of them proved to be worthy of forging an affinity with, as they all seemed either too naive, too stupid, too dreamy, or too achingly annoying. Come to think of it, Saawairya doesn’t live up to its supposed expectations. When the most intriguing thing about a film is its production design and gorgeous lead actors, you know you’re in trouble (I forgot where I read this).

In its entirety, Saawariya’s handicap is unclear but you’ll definitely see it wobbling hard as the film climaxes. It turned out to be a sad case of abandoned characters and a forgotten plot- all for the sake of an overly stylized fairy-tale like Indian utopia. And without even reading the IMDB trivia page, it’s evident that Hollywood has dipped its dirty fingers into what would’ve been a delicious Bollywood treat. It has now tarnished into a soiled amalgamation of both, which i now dub as Bhollywood. I know. Ang baho talaga.

Love songs love

Les Chansons d' Amour (2007)

Les Chansons d’Amour (2007): 5/5

Three's a crowd

This movie is all about what the title says- Long Songs! Songs that sing about love and all the beautiful cliches that go with it. Yes it’s the whole gamut surrounding that notorious, infamous, nauseating, bittersweet 4 letter word, but quite suprisingly I don’t hear (or read) anyone profess in the entirety of the film. A movie that bears similarities to Moulin Rouge for being another musical all about well, love, the message we’re transmitted in Chansons encompasses the former movie’s and brings a sweet dimension to the not-so-new mumbo jumbo concept of love and relationships (or the lack thereof).

I only know about ten words in French but Les Chansons d’Amour speaks (rather, sings) a language clearer to me than any of the hundreds of other trying hard lovey-dovey flicks out there. It’s the kind of movie you develop an intense crush on, the kind you want to see more of, the kind that makes your entire day after a mere glimpse, the kind you want to get to know better. I realise I might be a bit biased with liking this film because of that beautiful creature Louis Garrel in it, but Les Chansons d’Amour is the kind of movie that stays with you. It warmed the cockles of my heart, this movie did (oh Woody!) and I know it’s been quoted plenty of times but I just have to say it: Love me less, but love me a long time.

American Psycho : The Broadway Musical!

"Looks like I'm a pretty sick guy!"

Imagine my face light up like a giddy weirdo upon reading this awesome piece of news. What a delight it was seeing this headline from cinematical.com., perfect for this hump day Wednesday!

This made my day I tell ya. This is perfect. It’s a combination of two things I like/love – American Psycho and musicals! well not all musicals.

It’s hip to be square!

ok I gotta return some videotapes

Read on!

This just in to Cinematical headquarters: American Psycho, based on the novel by Bret Easton Ellis, is being turned into a stage musical! Seriously. We’re not joking. According to a press release, “The Johnson-Roessler Company, The Collective and XYZ Films have partnered to acquire, develop and produce the live stage version.” Most folks remember the 2000 film starring Christian Bale as a wealthy New York investment banking executive whose sick, twisted, murderous alter ego exposes itself in the most delightful and imaginative ways. While Bale had been acting since a very young age, it was his role in American Psycho that catapulted him into the spotlight.

There’s no word on who they’ll get to play Patrick Bateman on the stage (though I’d personally love to see Bale reprise the role for a limited run — heck, we know he can belt a tune or two; just watch Newsies). As far as music goes, it will “revive the nostalgia of the 80’s alongside celebrated hits from the era.” Look for tunes from Talking Heads, Genesis and Huey Lewis and The News to make an appearance.

Once is more than enough

Once (2007)

Once (2007): 4/5

‘Once’ is a modern-day musical sort of tale of starving artists who enter a beautiful, blossoming relationship. We are spectators into the lives of these two ordinary people (their characters aren’t even given names) known as the Guy and the Girl. Consider this movie an artsy less-perky, and Irish version of Music and Lyrics – but not exactly. Music is the obvious means of communication between girl and guy, as well as between the film and the audience. In the spirit of indie-ness and in all its low budget glory, camerawork is secondary, movement and composition-wise but who cares? The romance is so carefully crafted by omitting grand romantic gestures and dialogue, lovey-dovey sequences – hell, this is actually one of those rare movies wherein explicit flirting doesn’t lead us into the bedroom. It’s a lovely little movie, this is. Wrapped up my year , yes it did!

PS I’ve been listening to the song ‘Falling Slowly’ from the movie’s soundtrack for months already and it still doesn’t fail to lull me into serious sentimental mode, it’s sickening he he.