Mission "Mission Istanbul"

Why this one? I don't like this movie, but I think it could've been reasonably better. So I see a scope of doing something.

Here's what I'd do different in this movie.

1. Build up zayed's character. Give him more space in the film.
Show the wonderkid in the college, and how he managed to scale up the ladder to become one of the hottest news reporters around. Fast track it, but defnitely show it. Also fast track and show the love life, the subsequent marriage and the following shifting of Zayed's interest from marriage towards work.

2. Build up the Istanbul personality. Let the audience get familiar with Istanbul.

3. Al Zora - the news channel - um maybe a bit more of convincing and little less of obvious mystery about this place. The mystery of this place was too in the face. It would have been great, if this news channel was not at all indicated to be something of a mystery, and as the story unfolded, the mystery would emerge.

4. Grow up bollywood and listen to the audience. Zayed khan had the brains, the brawns could have been left with Oberoi and Shetty. Why does the Hero have to be capable of taking on the super sized villain physically, even though his characterization does not support his amazing fighting skills.

5. The end could have been a lot more interesting. If the end was not achieved with the typical fight sequence but rather through some brainy cleaver little trick. Remember - the Firm? Tom kicked the firm in the groins with his brainy little trick of getting them to close for a small crime of electricity theft (as far as I remember)

That's all that I felt was missing from the movie. I would gladly Miss the Mission Istanbul, as it is now!

Chak De India - lacks the PUNCH. But a decent watch.

Bouquets : Good storyline, good screenplay, good film overall. pretty decent watch.
Brickbats? well....
This movie could have been a fantastic one - instead of just a decent one! It lacked the PUNCH.
The surprise elements were missing. Everything was quite obvious. The match between girls and boys team, and the commendable integrity with letting the girls loose was appreciative. Other than that, it was just Obvious.

The actors did a terrific Job though. Including Mr. Shahrukh Khan. His performance in this film reminded me of his excellence as an actor - which to my mind was fading after his initial Darr, raju ban gaya gentleman, etc. days.

One of the few things that I would change in the story line:
I would let the team India loose the final match against Australia. I would have let it take the second place. And keep the hopes high for the next world cup.
Reasons:
1. The team that has never played world cup wins the world cup against 6 times former champions - , now c'mon people - how bollywoodish is that!
2. The spirit of yet to win...remains lingering a lot longer. It did not leave the after effect. The film could have been a lot more memorable - (a la Rang de basanti). India is not a winner yet. India CAN be.

Another thing which I would have liked - is for the screen play to accommodate some nitty gritties of Hockey.

So Indians know all about Cricket. All terminologies. All great players. This film could have delved a little more into the history, the great personalities, the excitement that goes into hockey. It missed that crucial element - which leaves me a little hungry of authenticity.

Lastly, but most Importantly - I would have handled one subject rather than addressing so many of them.
This film spoke about the following subjects to me:

State of Indian Muslim: An Indian Muslim player when missed a goal against Pakistan - he's termed as traitor.

Hockey Vs Cricket

Girls Professional sports Vs. Boys Professional Sports

That's too many to handle. And thus the attention kept shifting. I would say that the screenplay had room for improvement in this respect.

And I think, I Think, the title song - could have been Oh so much punchier. It almost seemed sad!

Otherwise, the memorable aspects of the Film:
Unity in diversity: girls from different states, backgrounds coming together - a true India.
A convincing portrayal of the condition of sports authorities in the country.
The charming part of the girls & boys match, the restaurant fight, the clash among the players, the killing training session (Awesome - short yet effective).

So that's my two bits. Take note. Or not. :)

- Om

Rang de Basanti

Do you think this masterpiece of a movie could have been anything different?

Not the history, let's talk about the future

Agreed. You must know where you're coming from to know where you're going.

But I, for one, am so obsessed with future that other than giving the past an acknowledging glance, not really keen on it. And the future looks good!

Somehow, I'd not realized earlier, the power and impact of films on my life and others. By the time I started feeling that there's so much more to a film than just entertainment, I was way too involved in all other areas of my life. My dream - got a pin - stuck to the soft board - there with a nod that it's a dream.

Films - the audio Visual - the story telling - the real life story telling - represents to a great extent the cultural and social faces of the place of the origin of the film. It tells you that what's the average mindset of that place is. It tells you what the majority of that place prefers. That's a very general statement though.

For instance - take the popular TV serial - F.R.I.E.N.D.S - Not only does it give hints at the matured audience that's viewing it but also the intellect & creativity of the place in general. When such a creation is passed on to the younger generation - their minds are fashioned in the similar tones and thus reflect into everything they do in their lives.

So, are films an important part of our society. I think yes!

If not more, they are as important as the wonderful literature passed on to our generation.

And should there be a lot more responsibility in bringing out a film? I say yes. You let waste be thrown at the society, some of it does stick. The bombardment of information, the celebration of mediocrity, the glorifying of unhealthy acts - must be regulated - but it's probably more of an independent responsibility than the government's.

It's just that we are so hopelessly trained to think in context of money making and then using that money for making more money - like there's no tomorrow!

When a creation comes in that's there more for a reason greater than money, it's got to appeal to those who do make this world so much better place to live in.

The good news is that now such reflection of the culture and society need not require large sums to create. With technology enabling an average person to live up the dreams - it's going to be a real interesting show - the waste v/s the sensible films. The lines are thinning. Anything that's grabbing the attention and interest of the viewer can over throw a money backed set film formula with huge stars. Recent films have proven this fact - with the coming of low budget films, offshore films (I don't like this term for some reason), and the nonacceptance of several mega star high budget - and much publicized mega movies - that the society can not be taken for a ride much longer. Be it cricket or Films - quality performance is what's going to matter, not rosy pictures or empty words.

Though I respect almost all who have respect for themselves and choose to follow their dreams - but talking strictly in terms of contribution of making great films, there are so many wonderful people who have somehow lost the desire . The desire has been replaced with 1. Greed for more money 2. Irresponsibility 3. Gutlessness - what happened to that young desire to make a difference - how could you let it die before you do?

So with all due respect to these wonderful community - film lovers - I'm initiating this blog - discussing films.

Stick around it might get interesting!

Om Puneet Saraf