suraj Posted January 11, 2009 Posted January 11, 2009 Beautiful music overall. My only disappointment, if thats the right word, is that ARR has started to invoke a lot of non-Indian music in his works and quite often the non-Indian part overtakes the Indian part. Still a nice album. Jai ho is my favorite song from the movie. I am partial to it because of the fact Gulzar still manages to churn out gems like only he can. Ratti ratti sachchi maine jaan gawayi hai Nach Nach koylon pe raat bitaayi hai Ankhiyon ki neend maine phoonkon se udaa di Gin gin taarey maine ungli jalayi hai Gin gin taarey maine ungli jalayi hai!! The last of the freaking geniuses :hatsoff::hatsoff: Gulzar is a genius and a gem of India- unfortunately a lot of people fail to understand his subtleties; there could be a whole thread on the most amazing lines he has come up with through a life time!!! I watched the movie but didn't pay much attaention to the music but will listen to the album now :hatsoff:
Guest Hiten. Posted January 11, 2009 Posted January 11, 2009 Jai ho is really terrific score. Sukhvinder Singh seems to have AR's backing.
ludhianvi Posted January 11, 2009 Posted January 11, 2009 Had posted in the watched any movies thread about his movie... I REALLY liked the movie. Whichever movie one watches immediately after this one, it leaves a bad taste. I had watched this movie called 'Hello' upon blue_brigade's suggestion after watching Slumdog MIllionaire and I was found wanting more. The music is awesome, something one would expect from AR Rehman. My favourite one is Jaye Ho, and then Liquid Dance, and then O Saya. One must listen to it in high quality to appreciate the music even more. Jai Ho [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DciW_yuQGCw]YouTube - Slumdog Millionaire Soundtrack - Jai Ho[/ame]
suraj Posted January 11, 2009 Posted January 11, 2009 Meanwhile while I loved the movie, this review does seem sensible in many aspects: Blame it on the hype. The reviews -- mainly from the United Kingdom and the United States, where the film was released first -- for Slumdog Millionaire [images] compete with each other in discovering superlatives. It is being billed as the movie of the year gone by, and has catapulted its protagonists Dev Patel and Freida Pinto into competing with Oscar heavyweights in major award nominations. So expectation is par for the course, I hope you will agree. But after watching director Danny Boyle's attempt at encapsulating the India story with a miraculous tale, I for one was majorly under-whelmed. Let me try to explain why. And for those of you who want to watch the movie first unencumbered by premature knowledge of plot turning points, please click away to another page, because it is impossible to critique this particular film without giving away what classify as 'spoilers'. So where was I? The film. Do you remember a recent movie that had the tagline -- 'he was arrested for raping his daughter'? Well, Under-trial too was based on 'real events'. The point I am trying to make is that a film about real events need not end up real enough, or engaging enough. That is precisely what Slumdog Millionaire suffers from, IMHO. The premise is brimming with potential. A slum kid rises above fate to win Kaun Banega Crorepati -- the sets are ditto, as is the background music for the show -- and the love of his life. He is helped by destiny, as each of the questions on the quiz show is linked to an event in his life. Wow. But the execution falls very flat because of two basic flaws: The language barrier, and a wishy washy story line. It starts off with Jamal Malik being given the 'third degree' in a police station because the cops are sure the slum kid has cheated on the game show. I agree custodial torture is not limited to Abu Ghraib. But what is not taken into account is the usual fall guy in 21st century India -- the media. If a 'slumdog' -- as the police inspector (Irrfan Khan [images]) calls Jamal -- were to be poised to win Rs 20 million on KBC and if the country knew it (as it does in Slumdog), I doubt he would be subjected to any other grilling apart from that most profound of television journalism questions: "Aapko kaisa lag raha hai?" (How are you feeling?). (suraj: this is quite true IMO) And if he was arrested for cheating, it would be an even bigger story, with reporters grilling the police and PYTs (pretty young things) doing PTCs (piece to cameras, the bit where the reporter faces the camera and signs off with usually insights like: 'What will happen next remains to be seen. With cameraperson in Mumbai [images], , ') in front of Jamal's slum. Instead, Jamal narrates to the police inspector just how he knows the answer to each question. So we flashback to him as child diving into potty -- isn't once enough, given that Boyle's gritty and edgy Trainspotting featured such a nauseating scene too? -- to get Amitabh Bachchan's [images] autograph. For all the Amitabh-crazed fans, maybe the megastar does oblige children caked in faeces; be sure to try it the next time. More such flashbacks reveal the scars life has inflicted on Jamal and his brother Salim. The Bombay riots that orphaned Jamal; how he and his brother Salim met Latika, the love of Jamal's life, as children; the underworld don who has children's eyes gouged out so that they can earn more as beggars; how Jamal and Salim escape him and land up in Agra [images]; how they come back; how Jamal and Salim and Latika are thrown apart; and how, eventually, love conquers all. Again, fantastic -- and seemingly real -- premise; but shoddy experience. For starters, the kids (who deliver heart-warming performances, faring way better than those who play their adult avatars) and his brother speak in Hindi, and suddenly when they turn adolescent they start talking in pucca English. Huh? Arre, that's because the film is meant for a world audience, and you can't have an entire film in subtitles, you might say. Fine, but then why do the police officers have to speak 'Indian' English and why does the 'slumdog' have an accent? And no, a semi-literate office help in a call centre does not develop an accent. (suraj: this was a fault yet a neccesity I guess for the movie to gain wider audience) In fact, a lot of the 'how he knows the answers' flashbacks are too contrived. Sample this, Jamal knows Samuel Colt invented the revolver because Salim got a gun -- it is never explained how -- and shot dead the vile man who heads the beggars' racket. In my hometown, the pistol goes by monikers like 'machine' in the netherworld; I doubt the average underaged Mumbai underworld operative knows a Colt 45, or Samuel Colt. The first gun is usually what is called a 'country' revolver. (suraj And then there is the stereotyped, half-baked, black and white characterisation, almost bar none. For example, Prem Kumar (Anil Kapoor [images]), the KBC host, is the typical villain who taunts the chaiwallah on his show; and the audience joins in with jeering laughter. Agreed, slum children get life's rawest deal, but not on live television. More likely, sugary treatment on the show, and bitter backstage. It is also not explained just why Prem goes after Jamal with such malice, beyond a muttered 'It's my show'. (suraj: Again this is very true and was a big weakness of the movie IMO I can go on and on -- like point out that call centres serving customers in Scotland don't keep telephone directories of Indian cities accessible at the click of a button, and that mobile phones are not listed in telephone directories yet (that's how Jamal finds his brother again) -- but the point is that Slumdog Millionaire is miles short of what I had expected it to be. The really key events, the struggles of survival, are glossed over, and instead we get montage (albeit beautiful) shots hurrying towards a climax that leaves you untouched. A R Rahman's music is good, but not the master's best. But then, maybe on second hearing it will grow on you. But -- maybe it's just me -- you never really feel for the adult Jamal. Maybe it has something to do with the acting. I have no problems with the 'West' taking up themes of poverty and highlighting the real India. I can completely understand a foreigner being obsessed with the filth and the poverty -- I too was stunned by the plight of the homeless in New York -- of India. I thought Slumdog is brilliantly shot, and I am willing to forgive Ram dressed as a mix between Shiva and Krishna in a foreign film. But I do have a problem with a story that pretends to be real when in reality it is just a masala film -- the kind we churn out by the dozens in Bollywood. Yes, Slumdog Millionaire is just superficial fluff, mainly because of its gaping plot holes. It should have been much better researched, and they really should have stuck to one language. Maybe the makers -- and half the world, apparently -- believe they have married Bollywood escapism with Western sensibilities, but it is not a match made in cinema heaven. It is more along the lines of 1970s Bollywood tear-jerkers, the kind where the hero transforms from street urchin to gang lord in one running shot and where long-lost brothers are reunited by tattoos. Blame it on the hype. http://www.rediff.com/movies/2009/jan/09review-slumdog-millionaire-sumit.htm
Guest Hiten. Posted January 11, 2009 Posted January 11, 2009 Had posted in the watched any movies thread about his movie... I REALLY liked the movie. Whichever movie one watches immediately after this one, it leaves a bad taste. I had watched this movie called 'Hello' upon blue_brigade's suggestion after watching Slumdog MIllionaire and I was found wanting more. The music is awesome, something one would expect from AR Rehman. My favourite one is Jaye Ho, and then Liquid Dance, and then O Saya. One must listen to it in high quality to appreciate the music even more. LOL! I suggested you to watch the movie 'Hello' to compare how a rookie director effs up a 'supposedly' best seller novel "hello" to Danny boyle's attempt of making a movie out of another best seller "Q & A".
Lurker Posted January 11, 2009 Posted January 11, 2009 Jai ho is really terrific score. Sukhvinder Singh seems to have AR's backing. Not that it matters but Sukhvinder Singh has had my backing since early 90s when he sang, I beleive one of his first song in Hindi, Pape baccha lo tussi, in the movie Lootere. The song was a rage although much of that could be layed out to Chunky Pandey dancing in drag on the song:cantstop:. The movie itself was a decent success with Sunny and Juhi and Anupam Kher being the villain with name Changez Lala. Fultoo masala movie. Sukhvinder's range is evident when he sings earthy song, as in title song of Omkara. It is almost impossible to imagine a Punjabi singing like a Bihari/UP villager tune. Good artist. xxx
Lurker Posted January 11, 2009 Posted January 11, 2009 ^^ By the way Lootere was also the movie in which Juhi Chawla came close to her exposing best only to be toppled by Puja Bedi in a swimsuit. This was before the days of Desibaba obviously and Puja's poster was under many, if not most, of guys mattress. :--D Sample this. bjz-BnqXXD0
suraj Posted January 11, 2009 Posted January 11, 2009 ^^ By the way Lootere was also the movie in which Juhi Chawla came close to her exposing best only to be toppled by Puja Bedi in a swimsuit. This was before the days of Desibaba obviously and Puja's poster was under many, if not most, of guys mattress. :--D Sample this. bjz-BnqXXD0 Ah still remember Juhi's wet white T-shirt and her gori gori legs as I imagined I was Sunny Deol looking through my binoculars @ her!!!
Lurker Posted January 12, 2009 Posted January 12, 2009 Ah still remember Juhi's wet white T-shirt and her gori gori legs as I imagined I was Sunny Deol looking through my binoculars @ her!!! Garam-a-garam memory you have Sir. The song in question is Main teri raani tu raaja mera. pclqu5MBzzE Lootere had some good songs. Mujhe le chal Mandir was quite soothing too.
suraj Posted January 12, 2009 Posted January 12, 2009 Garam-a-garam memory you have Sir. The song in question is Main teri raani tu raaja mera. pclqu5MBzzE Lootere had some good songs. Mujhe le chal Mandir was quite soothing too. Achi tarah yaad hai bhaiya waise hi jaise every desi guy remembers Dimple all wet near the pool in Saagar's "jane do na...", Dimple again rolling in hay in Jaanbaz's "Tera saath hai kitna pyara" and Raveena in her yellow saari in "Tip Tip Barsa paani" (Mohra) !!!
Lurker Posted January 12, 2009 Posted January 12, 2009 Achi tarah yaad hai bhaiya waise hi jaise every desi guy remembers Dimple all wet near the pool in Saagar's "jane do na...", Dimple again rolling in hay in Jaanbaz's "Tera saath hai kitna pyara" and Raveena in her yellow saari in "Tip Tip Barsa paani" (Mohra) !!! Hain? How come you forgot 2 of the best? Sri Devi in Kaate nahin kat te (Mr India) :omg::omg: Zeenat in Hai Hai ye Majboori. (Roti Kapda Aur Makaan) :omg:
vroomfondel Posted January 12, 2009 Author Posted January 12, 2009 I have still been thinking about Slumdog, a month after I watched it. Lots of things to say, but foremost is the following: Danny Boyle's genius lies in the fact that he can show an overblown representation of all the bad stuff that happens to people and still make the audience feel energetic and hopeful at the end. Also happened with Trainspotting, even though I will have to revisit that movie to see how I feel about it now. Agree with that review someone posted above. It's a typical Indian masala movie (plot holes and coincidences), and a DAMN good one. Great cinematography, amazing music, decent acting, fast paced, and clocks in at 2hrs. This is how a formula film should be made. I hope it gets nominated for the Oscar, it would be a great homage to industry people like Salim-Javed, who are the inspirations for the script. The other main criticism people have is that it "shows India in a bad/western light". I think that great-bong fellow wrote something like that on his blog. I hope most of us are more secure and less in denial about what India really is.
Lurker Posted January 12, 2009 Posted January 12, 2009 The other main criticism people have is that it "shows India in a bad/western light". I think that great-bong fellow wrote something like that on his blog. I hope most of us are more secure and less in denial about what India really is. Totally disagree with that. If there is one thing you can take away from Slumdog Millionaire it is that Mumbai has the propensity to spawn multitude of stories. Which city would give you experience, and questions, that range from Religion(Ram vs Allah) to Revolver. Think of any top city in the world - London, NYC, Tokyo, Shanghai etc etc - and ask yourself if this story can happen anywhere else in the world? Can a New York kid jump in public toilet to get an autograph? Can a London brat become a tourist and guide foreigners? Can a couple of Tokyo kids fend for themselves singing and walking on top of a moving train??? All of this happens everyday in India, definitely in Mumbai although not sure about the kid and the autograph episode. Over the top it may be at times but the fact is the movie looks extremely realistic with the Mumbai backdrop. I remember reading sometime back how most of the big cities of the world today are dead except some of the cities including Mumbai(even though that MC Thackeray is trying his level best), and Slumdog Millionaire clearly shows how Mumbai can spawn inspiration today. Okay thats my lecture of the day. :nervous: xxx
vroomfondel Posted January 12, 2009 Author Posted January 12, 2009 my thoughts exactly. glad we agree.
Cricketics Posted January 12, 2009 Posted January 12, 2009 just won the golden globe for best screenplay Karan Johar is also sitting there at the ceremony
Lurker Posted January 12, 2009 Posted January 12, 2009 just won the golden globe for best screenplay Karan Johar is also sitting there at the ceremony SRK is presenting tonight. Not sure which category though. Or if he has already presented. HOLLYWOOD, CA, January 9, 2009 – Shah Rukh Khan, Bollywood’s biggest film star and recently named by Newsweek as one of the 50 most powerful people in the world (the only film star on the list), has been set as a presenter at “The 66th Annual Golden Globe Awards†to be telecast live on NBC Sunday, January 11 (8 – 11 p.m. EST) at The Beverly Hilton. http://www.goldenglobes.org/news/id/123
Cricketics Posted January 12, 2009 Posted January 12, 2009 Karan johar - didnt see him you might have just tuned him. they showed him i think about 40 mins ago for atleast 5-6 seconds.. i think shahrukh is also there, he is supposed to come and give an award with his wife Gauri
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