Dil Se (1998)

Dil Se is one of my very favorite Shah Rukh Khan films. I say this for several reasons. It's up there with Veer Zaara, Devdas, and Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge. Though it did not do well in the Indian market upon first release ( I wonder why?), it did well in the European market and went on to gather several awards.

Briefly, it's the story of a Radio India reporter, Amar (Shah Rukh Khan), who falls in love with a mysterious girl/woman, Meghna (Nanisha Roirala), whom he meets at a train station. They cross in the night, he continues on to a meeting in Kashmir to interview terrorists for the radio station and then proceeds to look for his love. He encounters her several times with less than satisfying consequences. Eventually, he gives it up and agrees to contract a marriage with a family acquaintance, Preeti (Preity Zinta). Meghna seeks him out and begs to live in his family complex and asks Amar to get her a job at Radio India. Amar, still in love, in spite of his imminent marriage to Preeti, agrees. Too soon, he finds out Meghna is a terrorist and involves himself in attempting to stop the terrorist plot.

This all sounds basic; however, this film has several outstanding features. First, after meeting Meghna at the train station and losing her, Amar has a song and dance routine on a moving train. That's right. Shah Rukh dances fearlessly, seemingly, on the roof of a moving train for many miles. It is awesome choreography, music, and cinematography. It's a famous scene that is mentioned in Bollywood lore as a first and as an accolade for SRK. Next, while oftentimes the lyrics of Bollywood song and dance are not translated into English, the music in Dil Se is translated (Moserbaer version). The poetry is beautiful. Is this a ghazal? I think so - must be, it is so insinuating, lingering, compelling, soulful. The script of this movie is just great. Amar follows Meghna onto a bus going to the hinterlands. The bus breaks down and they travel together. In an intimate scene, after Amar has asked Maghna what she likes and what she doesn't like, she returns the favor and asks him the same question. Amar's response is inspired and to die for - unforgettable. (Men, take note.) Shah Rukh Khan's acting is faultless. He allows himself to be human, to appear with faults, to be absolutely and poignantly human. He is not the big hero in this, and yet he is. The ending is moving, horrible, brave, inevitable, (words fail me, but more remains to be said.) The scenery is stark and beautiful. This movie is memorable and worth seeing more than once.

Baadshah (1999)

Silly, but very enjoyable, Baadshah is a spoof of detective shows, action thrillers, and romance. Baadshah (Shah Rukh Khan) is an adept but somewhat foolish private detective with four partners. The movie open with Baadshah impersonating a mafia don, gambling on cards, and winning a small fortune in cash and diamonds. He promptly turns it over to his client who asked him to recover the diamonds. We see Baadshah is ba-a-ad. He's cool, svelte, quick on the draw, adroit on his feet, and ready for action. We also see his foibles, his conceit, and his humanity. His second adventure involves making Seema fall in love with him, breaking her heart, and leaving her to marry the son of his client. Baadshah is successful, but he ends up falling in love himself. Before his client can marry his son to Seema, they are arrested and sent to prison for fraud and robbery. In the meantime, Baadshah takes a third case involving a kidnapping of a young girl. It is at this point the the audience is treated to the unexpected plot development: unbeknownst to Baadshah, a plot is afoot to assassinate the female government figure, known as "Ma" to all of the land. In an attempt to foil the plot, the secret police plot a counter move involving a secret agent to whom they give the code name, Badshah. From that point on, we have a case of mistaken identity and the plot becomes very convoluted, amusing, and fun. Jokes and irreverent references about politics, movie stars, tongue in cheek dialogue and dance moves are interspersed throughout the movie. LOL several times.

Shah Rukh sports tons of costume changes in designer fashions and plays with the irony and facetiousness in the script. Some of the situations are way over the top; for example, in one of the typical Bollywood romance song and dance episodes - you know, the ones where the loving couple express their devotion through song and dance in Switzerland, quick scene change to the beach, quick scene change to the meadow, etc. - Baadshah and Seema dance with Swiss goat girls and then end up lying together on a Swiss blacktop road with a car speeding up toward them. That's simply ridiculous and funny. Johnny Lever is also in this movie and plays Baadshah's sidekick. He does a good job, doesn't get too loud, and he's not campy. So even though most of the movie is over the top, Johnny Lever is restrained. The female lead, Twinkle Khanna, sports a Demi Moore haircut after the intermission...

Chaahat (Desire) 1996

One of Shah Rukh Khan's early movies, Chaahat is a story of obsession, except this time, Shah Rukh is the object of obsession rather than being the one who obsesses. Although the movie claims to come with English subtitles, they did not work, it was all in Hindi (I presume.) The film is about a father (Anupam Kher) and son (Shah Rukh Khan) who are singing performers. The father becomes ill and Roop (the son) decides to take him to Mumbai for treatment. In the city, a rich hotelier offers Roop a job as a singer because his sister has fallen in love with Roop. In the meantime, Roop has fallen in love with another woman whom he eventually marries. The hotelier is played by Naseeruddin Shah who also appeared with Shah Rukh in Chamatkar. All three of the male leads are very good in this film. Anupam Kher can be seen in many films and he plays a great dad; he is wise, understanding, and loving. The end of his movie is very violent. Roop gets beat up by the hotelier because he has scorned the sister and she's upset. In spite of a horrendous beating, Roop survives to give back some of the same. The drama and action is intense. I just wish that I could have understood the dialogue....Shah Rukh does what he does best in this film.

Fauji Television serial 1988 with Shah Rukh Khan

Fauji is Shah Rukh Khan's first acting job in front of a camera. A serial about the training of commandos, televised in 1988, Fauji received critical acclaim and made Shah Rukh as star. Fauji is out on dvd, in two volumes; Volume 1 with episodes 1-7, and Volume 2 with the rest. Shah Rukh's role was increased as the series went on because he was so popular. He plays Abhimanyu Rai, an irresponsible light-hearted youth who slowly develops into a responsible soldier. SRK's athleticism is prominent in this serial as is his charm and enthusiasm. The direction and storyline of the serial is naive, low budget, and somewhat silly; yet it is interesting if only to get a view into Indian television culture in 1988 (compare to American television at the time) and to see Shah Rukh Khan's beginnings as a film actor.

Chalte Chalte (2003)

A story about love, community involvement in the love story, heartache, and forgiveness, Chalte Chalte was produced by Shah Rukh Khan's company, Dreamz Unlimited. The movie has an interesting beginning. The two main characters are introduced through a dialogue among their friends. The friends speak of Priya (Rani Mukherji) and Raj (Shah Rukh Khan) as a real life love story. The friends relate the story of their first meeting, courtship, and marriage. Then the audience meets the two for the first time at a one year anniversary party. The love story has become rocky and eventually the two separate, but that's not the end of the love story. Shah Rukh Khan and Rani Mukherji are a good combination; their acting is very good, especially in the scenes of conflict, and the story is something that everyone who has been in a relationship can relate to. Several scenes were filmed in Greece. Considered average by critics, the film is entertaining to watch, moving, and plausibly realistic.

Maya Memsab Shahrukh's first movie

A remake of Madame Bovary with Hindi sensibility, Maya Memsaab is the story of a beautiful independent thinking woman who is unable to settle. Deepa Sahi plays Maya, the beautiful, educated, whimsical girl who marries a doctor and then tries to settle down into a middle class life. She has several affairs, one of whom is Lalit Kumar (Shah Rukh Khan), a younger fellow who has developed a crush on her after viewing her from afar. Unfortunately, Maya is looking for romance and stimulation. When all of this fails to satisfy her longing, and her debt has exceeded her ability to pay, Maya takes the only way out, suicide. The movie is an investigation into her death and all is slowly revealed.

I enjoyed this movie. Shah Rukh Khan is good as her spurned younger lover who is then taken up as a play thing by Maya. Her husband and older lover are also good. Stylized as an art movie and the director, Ketan Mehta, stylizing it as a dream, this is a well-acted interesting movie. I'm sure that women can definitely relate. Who of us hasn't fantasized of a way out of hum drum every day existence? The question, though, is can we afford the cost? It turns out that Maya could not afford it. Her house and life was forfeit. Deepa Sahi is very good as Maya (illusion). The movie made me want to read Madame Bovary again. This is a must see.

Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam Straight from the Heart

A great movie, Hum Dil De C huke Sanam is a story about people who learn to love and understand. Samer (Salman Khan) come to India from Italy to learn how to sing ghazals. He is a well known singer in Italy, but he wants to learn more. Nandini (Aishwarya Rai) the daughter of the teacher Samer has come to learn with, becomes smitten with him. Romance ensues and Samer does not step up to engage himself to her. Nandini becomes engaged and then married to Vanraj (Ajay Dvgan). Nandini's father forces Samer to return to Italy. Nandini is miserable in her marriage and Vanraj, loving her, determines to reunite her with Samer. They go to Italy to find Samer. The first part of the movie is typically Bollywood, but as always, the second half turns poignant and meaningful. The movie is all about the second half, which, of course, I won't share with you. Needless to say, there is a twist and a plethora of meaning. See this one. This was my second viewing, better than the first.

2nd scene from The Taste of Tea

Found a picture of the fruit tree from the second scene in the movie and just needed to post it. What a gorgeous tree. I understand why the viewing of blossoms at certain times of the year might just be the only thing one ought to be doing.

The Taste of Tea (2003) Japanese Cinema

Wow! The Taste of Tea was a surprising gem of a movie. With great cinematography, a fine cast, and an absolutely beautiful setting, The Taste of Tea is about the fullness of being. This is a story about the daily life of a family and their encounters with being. Each character, the grandfather, mother, father, two uncles, son, and daughter, are quirky, unique and interesting. The characters struggle with private issues, develop during the course of the movie, and cultivate their gardens. Moments of magic realism irrupt throughout the movie and do not detract but add to the mood developed by the director/writer/editor, Katsuhito Ishii. The direction is very good. The script, casting, settings, pacing, and special effects all contribute to an overall effect of gentle amusement and satisfaction. The second scene under a blossoming fruit tree is remarkable for its evocative power. Much of the imagery is unforgettable. This is a visually stunning movie. What is the opposite of sunyata or emptiness? Fullness of being. The Unbearable Lightness of Being?

Chamatkar (1992) Shah Rukh Khan early movie

Chamatkar depends on the supernatural for the movement of its plot. Sunder (SRK) is tricked into relocating to Mumbai by an old school friend. His friend tricks him into mortgaging his home and land in order to go to Dubai, make his fortune as a teacher, and then return to build a new school for his village on his property with all the money he will have earned. Instead, Sunder's luggage and money is stolen and the train he was told to take ends up in Mumbai. A naive villager, with no friends, no money, and no place to stay, Sunder decides to sleep in a cemetery. While there he is accosted by some criminal types who wish to rob him and just when it looks like Sunder's story will be over before it has begun, The ghost of a murdered mob boss, Marco, rises from the grave and comes to Sunder's assistance. God has promised Sunder revenge for his untimely killing upon the enlistment of help from the one man who will be able to see and hear Marcos. Sunder is destiny's child and Marco's only chance for retribution. Sunder agrees to help Marco and they proceed to right the wrongs that were done 20 years previously and are still being perpetuated in the now of the movie.

The dancing and songs in this movie are passable, the special effects involved with the supernatural actions of Marcos are humorous, and the actor who plays Marco (Naseeruddin Shah) steals the show. He's as convincing as one can be in the role and he carries it off with a certain panache. Shah Rukh Khan is a good foil for him. SRK and Naseeruddin have a dance together which is entertaining, the animation during the opening credits is fun, and the underlying story is satisfying. This is a fun film to see if only to see SRK's puppy side. He's so young and new at the game, it appears that he's just learning how to dance. While some of his steps are wooden or awkward, his energy and potential are very evident.

The Ark Sakura by Kobo Abe

Another odd book from Kobo Abe, The Ark Sakura explores Abe's common themes of insect collection, marginalization, and living on the edge. Like The Woman in the Dunes, the Box Man, and The Face of Another, and Secret Rendezvous, Abe creates isolated protagonists who perceive the world in a manner unique from others. His characters become embroiled in Kafkaesque situations and reflect the sometimes absurd dilemnas of the modern world. The narrator lives in an underground cavern which he has slowly and surely converted into a giant ark. His intention is to stock the ark with crew members, seal it off from the rest of the world, and live in it in the event of a nuclear attack. Of course, waiting for the attack would be too late, so his mission is to offer a key and invitation card to special ones chosen for the honor of becoming a crew member and thereby saving his or her life.

This book opens with a scene of the narrator negotiating to buy a eupcaccia or clock bug from the insect selling man. The eupcaccia is a distinctive bug in that it has no legs and "goes around and around in the same place like the hour hand of a clock, feeding on its own excrement" (12). As an example of the oddness of the narrator, he states, "The eupcaccia promised to become a useful litmus test, I thought, one that gave me an objective standard for deciding among potential crewmen. Anyone who showed no curiosity about such an insect--the fulcrum of a compass with which to draw the circumference of the very earth--was simply too insensitive to merit serious consideration" (13). Abe returns to insects as a focus of interest in several of his books. The narrator entices a couple of people to return home with him and he introduces them to his "ark" and his plan for salvation from the inevitable nuclear holocaust. The plot proceeds. It bogs down when the narrator gets his foot and calf flushed down the giant toilet. He is forced to remain in this awkward position for about 1/2 the book. We, readers, are treated to a lengthy discourse about his discomfort and worries about the situation. Excrement and disposal of human refuse is another focal point in this book.

Actually, while the author is imaginative, he seems a little obsessive/compulsive. Maybe that's why I enjoy reading his books; Kobo Abe is unlike anyone else. Murakami comes close as does Kundera or Kafka. However, while both Kundera and Kafka examine the absurdity of the modern situation, they don't, always, get wierd. Abe does. On another note, the movie based on his book, The Woman in the Dunes, is a classic. Hiroshi Teshigahara's movie is weird, absurd, insect related, sweaty, sandy, and provocative, the movie is beautifully filmed and texturally sumptious. Eerie, terrifying, and never to be forgotten, it is one of my very favorite movies and not to be missed! (Taken from the novel by Kobo Abe, director/producer Hiroshi Teshigahara completed this visually stunning feature on a budget of only $100,000. Winning a Special Jury Prize at Cannes in 1964, the poetic Woman in the Dunes would go on to be nominated for two Academy Awards: Best Foreign Film (1964) and Best Director (1965). ~ Kristie Hassen, All Movie Guide, New York Times)

Anjaam (final result)

The most bizarre of the films that I have recently watched with Shahrukh Khan, Anjaam, like Darr is a story of passion and obsession. Unlike Darr, however, the women in this movie are not passive victims to terror, but take a more active role. The real star in this movie is Madhuri Dixit. She plays Vijay's (SRK's) love interest, Shivani. While she achieved critical acclaim for her role as the Courtesan in Devdas with SRK, I think her performance showed more range and acting ability in this film. This is the first film with SRK that I could not find anything to like about the character that he played. Usually there is some redeeming quality that SRK is able to bring out of the character. Vijay is entirely unlikable. He is arrogant, shallow, violent, stubborn, and remorseless. SRK utilizes mannerisms to communicate Vijay's feeling. For example, when Vijay is feeling bothered, he has a right shoulder tic. When he is recovering from paralysis, he uses hand and arm twitches. These are all well and good, but Madhuri's performance provides a strong contrast. Her characterization is more subtle. She doesn't rely on these types of "business" that actors employ, rather her posture, her glance, her timing, her quality of attention to the other characters communicates her motivation and character. Johnny Lever has a gratuitous part in this movie and is very annoying. Every time he came on screen, I found myself having to turn the sound to the lowest setting. In addition, Deepak Tijori plays the murdered romantic lead. He was also the lead in Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa where I commented that SRK was much preferable to him, making the premise of that plot unbelievable. I don't blame either of the SRK characters for wanting to bump this guy off.

This movie is filled with violence and made me feel very edgy. In brief, Vijay "falls in love" with an inaccessible woman, Shivani. She makes it very clear that she is not interested in him, yet he continues to pursue her. Eventually, he ends up killing her husband and accusing her of adultry and attempted murder. He is instrumental in her receiving a three year prison term. For Shivani, the innocent victim of Vijay's manipulations, life goes from bad to worse to ... In the end, it is the final result that matters.

Anjaam is a film worth watching as one of the three "negative" roles that SRK played early in his career. SRK has come a long way. I don't agree with critics that say he only plays one role. I think he plays unique characters, but some of the characters that he's been given to play are very similar to other characters that he's played. I think he's a brave actor. He allows himself to appear ugly, foolish, weak, annoying, conceited, etc. There are many actors that would not take roles that portrayed them in a less than attractive light. I have a lot of admiration for this man and his humility.

Devdas (remake with SRK)

Costly to make, with sumptuous costumes and settings, Devdas is a beloved story that has already had the definitive version made in past years with Dilip Kumar. In spite of this, Devdas, with Shahrukh Khan and Aishwarya Rai is a classic movie. Aishwarya Rai is a delightful and then heartbroken Paro who does her best to make a life for herself after Devdas. Devdas (Shahrukh Khan) is unable to stand up for Paro against his parent's wishes and abandons her for a directionless life of loss and debauchery. In abandoning Paro, Devdas abandons himself. Devdas depicts a man's loss of self, his compromises, and his ineffectuality. Yet, in the end, he makes the grand gesture. The theme is loss and making the best of what we are allotted in our lives. Very sad, very heart-rending, very beautiful.

Guddu

An older SRK movie about the rift between science/technology and faith/religion, Guddu is a love story about two young people who meet, fall in love, and then experience a tragic accident. Guddhu (Sharrukh Khan) ends up taking his parents to court for the right to make a will. Although this movie has a fairly predicatable plot, characterization, climax, and outcome; nonetheless, it is entertaining and moving.

Veer-Zaara

A favorite love story between a Pakistani and a Hindustani, Veer-Zaara is about star-crossed lovers who are destined to be together. Gender equality, family loyalty, patriotism, and sacrifice are the compelling themes that drive the plot of the movie. With a star-studded cast, including: Preity Sinta, Rani Mukerji, and Amitabh Bachchan, Shahrukh Khan plays Squadron Leader V eer Pratap Singh with pathos and restraint. This is a Yash Chopra movie with great direction, good song and dance sequences, and fine acting. In a court house scene, Veer reads a poem he has written. It is a great moment. This is my second time seeing the film. It was one of the first Indian movies I ever saw and I didn't know SRK at the time. I just thought it was a great plot and movie and it always stayed with me. I wanted to see it again because now I am familiar with the actors and actresses in the movie and I wanted to see if my opinion had changed. With a fresh appreciation, this movie has become one of my favorites.

Darr (fear)

Another great performance by SRK! Darr is a story of obsession. Rahul (Shahrukh Khan) loves Kiran. He has loved her since college, but he has never told her. In fact, the audience later finds out that Rahul was known as a person who had been in love with a woman and no one at the college could ever find out who the woman was. Kiran is engaged to Sunil and she eventually marries him. During the engagement and marriage, Rahul stalks Kiran, annonymously professing his love. Kiran becomes more and more terrorized. Eventually, Rahul intrudes more and more into the lives of Sunil and Kiran until he is ultimately recognized by Sunil as the stalker. There are several climatic scenes wherein the two (Sunil and Rahul) are beating one another so as to win their lady love. Normally, one would think, audience loyalty would go to Sunil, the beloved of Kiran. However, in spite of Rahul's violence, mistakes, obsession, the audience sympathizes with him. When offered this role and told that the lead man would be beating him, Shah Rukh said, "Let him, every time he pastes me, they (the audience) will hate him. And love me" (Mushtaq Shiekh, Still Reading Khan, 434). So True. Go figure! How does Shah Rukh accomplish this? How does he create that sympathy in the audience for a character such as Rahul?

Patsy by calm179

He picked her, not I. Why? She hung about, did not pretend indifference, nor did she hide from a frank gaze. Her possessions were few and well worn: a tattered copy of Thoreau's Walden Pond, a slender paperback, Jonathan Livingston Seagull, and a palm sized ball of glass that reflected light from her window sill.

Simple, quiet, and peaceful in her ways, except when angered; then she would grow trenchant (truculent?) as a horse, restive in the heat of battle and flurry of argument.

She was plain as a Shaker pine box. Nondescript brown her hair, sturdily chunky in figure, and unremarkable in clothing, she was not someone you would look at twice; yet, like the presence of the box would, she grew on you.

Simple in her movements, modest in her glance, comfortable in her body, and in simple, clear conformity with herself, she was beautiful in her way. Though she took no pains and made no effort to enhance her appearance, she was endowed, by nature, with a single charm having twofold expression.

If eyes are the window to the soul, then her soul was the tempestuous riot of the ocean whirl pool and sink hole; a glowing sea green they were. The luminescent aqua shading the depths of the greater turbulence, the clear celadon of a semi-transparent and priceless Ming Dynasty vase, such a color were her eyes that they went lowered before the admiring gaze of those fortunate enough to have been favored with a glimpse.

And her smile confirmed the impression. Though rare in expression, her smile brought light into a room. Hearts were lifted and delight was manifest. Irresistible in combination, her charms were such that her previous "plainness" is now perceived as unfair advantage. As a precious gem is shown to best advantage on a field of black velvet, so too, she.

Without adornment, artifice, or aid, her spirit shone forth with a clarity and forthright character. She was non-pareil, without equal. Of course, he eventually divorced, having lost his eye for seeing, I presume. It was one of those cases where two eyes were not enough. It required three to appreciate her full impact.

She disappeared into the distance. I saw her once. She said that she was visiting, that her window looked out upon a green field and a little hill where a cow picked up grass by the mouthful, complacent in its grazing; a coyote or two sometimes passed to greet the moon or to hail the passing of a friend.

I wondered if she had added to her possessions, if light still sparkled, gathered by a palm-sized globe placed on a sill, by a hill, with a cow grazing complacently. I wonder will it ever end? She causes me to contemplate immortality.

With her smile and eyes and cow and Thoreau.

Pomegranate: the longed for and forbidden fruit by calm179

Laura P__ had a pomegranate tree in her front yard. It grew up agains the low wall dividing her property from the street. Like most of the architecture in La Crescenta, the wall was built of stone or granite, depending.

Laura was in my grade in middle school. Her house was on the way to school. Built of the same stone as the wall, her house was large and impressive. Obviously, her family was more well-to-do than the rest of us.

I never stole those pomegranates, although they hung within reach of the sidewalk. I wanted one, but the maxim, "Do no wrong" was more powerful than my desire.

Her brother, Brett, was tall, attractive, and two or three years older. The years passed and I found myself with Brett in my high school biology class. As a tenth grader taking biology with the seniors, I was a little intimidated. I was also oblivious to the social climate. Brett was my lab partner, so I ended up sitting by him everyday in the high chair at the lab table. He was a senior and very attractive, so, of course, we flirted. It went on for a while. Then, it got wierd, for me, at least.

One day, during class, after whatever verbal foreplay, I must have objected to something in our exchange. He said, "so why don't you slap me?" Being wide-eyed, innocent, and smitten, I did.

Unfortunately, being aware of my own strength was not my strong point. My hand connected, definitely with his cheek. Did you hit him hard enough to leave a mark on his face? you might ask. Well, yes I did. In fact, the outline of my hand seemed permanently printed on this left cheek. Did this become a public spectacle and the talk of the biology class? Well yes, it did.

Oops, I'm sure he was in pain. He turned to me with watering eyes. I'm sure I was blushing beet red in embarrassment. The bell rang.

We left. I don't remember what happened later. I'm sure I was too embarrassed by my lack of social awareness to ever relate to him again.

Kite Song

Like confetti in the sky,
The kites fly, dip, and swirl.
Numerous as stars,
Colorful as saris,
The play of wind and paper
Graces the sky with delight.



-calm179

Don (SRK)

Very slick, modern, gangster movie that is filmed in Paris, Malaysia, and India, Don is a story of the Hindi (can't tell if it's supposed to be a Muslim or Hindu gang...) mafia boss whose slogan is, "Not only is it difficult to catch Don (Shah Rukh Khan), it is impossible." However, in this movie, Don is caught. Vijay (SRK also) is a Don look-alike and the police decide to replace Don with Vijay so as to bring down the crime organization. Vijay steps in...and the plot proceeds apace. After lots of violence, car chases, and intrigue, mistaken identities are revealed (multiple times) and the film ends with an unexpected twist. Quite entertaining - a different role for Shah Rukh. He's good in this, as always. I have not yet found a SRK film that I didn't like for one reason or another. Even though I am (emphatically) not a fan of cop/crime dramas, I enjoyed this one.

Fury by Salman Rushdie

There are many things in the world to be angry about and Salman Rushdie creates a diatribe against them in his novel, Fury (2001). Malik Solanka wanders the streets of New York meditating upon the ills of American consumerist society. He is a man haunted by the Eumenides and has blackouts wherein he doesn't remember where his fury may have taken him. The creator of the immensely popular "Little Brain" doll and franchise, Solanka's creation is out of his control and has taken on a life of her own. Bitter about his loss of creative control, Solanka is also intimately disturbed by his personal life. He has walked out on his wife and toddler son, without a word of explanation and moved from India to New York. He haunts the streets. Looking for answers? Walking off his anger? His answer comes in the form of two women who, in their individual ways, help him to come to grip with the demons that haunt him. ( I think the Neela Mahendra character should be played by Aishwarya Rai...)

Real World by Natsuo Kirino

Author also of Grotesque and Out, Natsuo Kirino likes to explore the psychology of murder. She examines the thinking and feeling of individuals in a marginal state of being. Real World is a story about an adolescent boy who brutally and remorselessly murders his mother, basically because she bugged him. He involves the girl next door by stealing her bike and cell phone. Then he begins to call all of the contacts on her phone and converses at length with her friends. The story is told from the POV of the murderer (Worm) and the four girls with whom he comes into contact. Chilling and disquieting, the novel is a window into the mindset of Japanese high school students. Is this mentality common to high school students the world over? Inquiring minds want to know.

The Tracker Australian Cinema 2002

Starring David Gulpilil (Walkabout, The Last Wave, Rabbit-Proof Fence), The Tracker is a story of humanity, racism, respect, and retribution set in the outback in 1925, or thereabout. A, seemingly, very low budget movie, the soundtrack interprets the action of the story through song in the POV of the tracker. The plot is that a group of three white man accompany an aboriginal tracker for the purpose of tracking an aboriginal who reportedly murdered a white woman. The scenery is limited to the outback, four horses which drop out one by one, a cast of aboriginal people, and three white people who also drop off one by one. In the end, humanity wins out and justice is done. This is a good slow paced movie with some nuanced acting. See this, if you can find the movie. It is rare...

The Quiet American

This movie is based on a Graham Greene novel of the same name. Set in Viet Nam in 1952, it is the story of a British reporter who befriends an American member of the Red Cross. Alden Pyle (Brandon Fraser) in addition to being an aid worker also seems to be wrapped up in the CIA and the third party coming to power in Viet Nam. In addition, he is in love with Thomas Fowler's (Michael Caine's) love interest. Through adventures and intrigue, these two come to know more than they want to about one another. The scenery is gorgeous. This is an interesting movie about the time period prior to American involvement in the war. This is the time period when American is beginning to get its feet wet and it's not a flattering sight. Slow moving, almost lyrical, but also violent and disturbing, The Quiet American is worth seeing, if only to get a picture of American involvement in the 50's.

King of Bollywood: Shah Rukh Khan by Anupama Chopra

Just finished this very interesting book. Anupama Chopra traces Shah Rukh's childhood roots and then follows his development into a world famous a-list superstar - King Khan. Besides being a fairly comprehensive biography and commentary on the films that Shah Rukh has made, the book also explains some history of the Bollywood industry and gives profiles of actors and directors within the context of Shah Rukh's history and story. (Shah Rukh was educated by the Christian Brothers- interesting connection to SMC, even if obliquely.) The writing style is very accessible, I didn't want to put it down and was sorry when it came to an end. Interesting fact, "From 1990 to 2005, India was the second-fastest-growing country in the world after China. The economy averaged a 6 percent growth, accelerating to 7.5 in 2005"(213).

Shah Rukh began acting in movies in 1992 and continues to the present. He has become the poster boy for this age of economic growth in India. It is said of him that, "Shah Rukh Khan is the face of a glittering new India. He is a modern-day god. On streets in India, his posters are sold alongside those of religious deities. Shrines have been erected in his name. For Indians and the varied non-Indian lovers of popular Hindi cinema, Shah Rukh is bigger than Tom Curise and Brad Pitt combined. Over fifteen years and fifty films, he has straddled Bollywood like a colussus. In the paan-stained studios of Mumbai, Shah Rukh's story, how a middle-class Muslim boy from Delhi became one of the biggest movie stars in the film industry in the world, is legend...The media, in tones that aren't ironical or mocking, refer to him as King Khan" (11).

"But Shah Rukh's life is more than just a dramatic show-biz success story. He is a Muslim superstar in a Hindu-majority country and his life reflects the fundamental paradoxes of a post-liberalization nation attempting to thrive in a globalized world" (11). Finally, "Shah Rukh personified the new millennium Indian who combines a global perspective with local values and is at home in the world" (14).

Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter...and Spring

A Korean film, written and directed by Kim Ki-duk, Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter...and Spring, is a delight for the eye and a meditation on the phases of life. This is a movie of little dialogue. It is filmed in a single location - a lake and a temple in the middle of the lake. A row boat decorated with Buddhist imagery, a temple gate, and a lovely clean, fast flowing stream/creek make up 95 % of the scenery. It's a story about nature, attachment/detachment, suffering/acceptance, health/illness. But that doesn't begin to capture the central unity of the film. In Korean, Gong-seong, or sunyata is as close as what I could say the content is. But I can be so wrong...

I Served the King of England Czech Cinema

For once! Someone finally got a movie adaptation of a book right! I Served the King of England was written by Bohumil Hrabal and translated to English in 1989. It's a unique/interesting novel and a fine movie. The story is about a boy who makes his living at hotels and restaurants. His ambition is to own a fine hotel. The story takes place in the years prior to and following World War II. We view this war through the eyes of our picaresque hero. Like any adolescent lad, our hero has, basically, one thing on the mind. Well, that and comestibles. The movie does a great job of presenting the eroticism, food service industry, and the world of Eastern Europe. One particulary rich scene stands out. The Emperor of Ethiopia comes to stay at a hotel where Ditie (our hero) works. The Emperor orders that his national delicacy be prepared to share with the guests. This just happens to be stuffed camel. The description of the preparation of this astonishing meal is hugely entertaining. The visuals in the movie are great. For a different point of view and a Kafkaesque/Chaplinesque sort of experience, this is a movie that is definitely worth seeing.

phir bhi Dil Hai Hindustani

This was the first movie produced by Shah Rukh Khan's newly formed production studio, Dreamz Unlimited, and it was a huge, disappointing, flop. I'd seen Dil Hai Hindustani about three months ago and I didn't remember it as horrible. Accordingly, I thought I'd watch it again this early evening for the second time.

Dil Hai Hindustani is a story about a conceited ace television reporter and his female competition. The film starts out with the theme song playing during the credits and the second song in is SRK singing "I'm the Best!" In Bollywood films, the songs are not always translated to English. This film does not provide sub-titles for the songs. So...I don't know what the lyrics are getting up to. All I know is the music is upbeat and catchy in this film. Upon hearing it the second time I remembered enjoying it the first time and I still found it memorable and engaging. That being said, I can imagine the audience being annoyed at Ajay's ( Shah Rukh Khan's) antics and conceit. He plays over the top for the first third of the film. My bet is that many viewers were lost at this point and simply stopped paying attention or tuned out or left.

It isn't until the second part of the film that Shah Ruhk Khan does what he does best; he plays the man with the heart of gold in a serious fashion. Ajay and Ria (Juhi Chawla) find themselves harboring a terrorist who is not really a terrorist. They record his story and drop their glamorous personas in solidarity with the human pathos of the story. Both Ajay and Ria work together to bring the truth out across a media that is increasingly controlled by the government, mafia, and commercial interests. In the end, Ajay, at great personal risk, rallies the people of India to march on the jail in an effort to stop the hanging of the supposed terrorist.

Some critics say it was a movie ahead of its time and that's why it didn't sell. I think the first half was too over-the-top and the second half was like Swades (which I really liked). Perhaps the disparate tones of the two parts of the movie was just too much for viewers to accept. Also, there was a kind of racist part when Ajay and Rai pretended to be Chinese reporters. The portrayal was very stereotypical and maybe not the most sensitive choice. However, I like it when SRK is exaggerating and I like it even better when he plays a serious part. So, for me, I liked this movie. I liked the music, the direction, the acting, the message, and the implicit social commentary. I also, surprisingly, like Johnny Lever's role in this film. He played the son of a Don and didn't camp it up too much. I thought his acting was restrained and appropriate. All in all, maybe this movie should be re-released to a broader audience, including America. American viewers can definitely relate.

Baazigar (winning in spite of losing)

Now this is an exciting movie and it was a big risk for Shah Rukh Khan to take as an actor; it was also his first role as a solo leading man. Baazigar is a tale of revenge and murder. The movie starts off with the back story during the credits (as I find is a common technique in Bollywood that, I think, is very effective) which reveals a family tragedy as a result of an uncle's betrayal of trust. Ajay (SRK's younger self) is left alone to find his way. His father and new born sister have died and his mother suffered such trauma that she is unable to speak, much less take care of the 10 year old boy. The story proper begins ten years later. Ajay (Shah Rukh Khan) is on his way to Bombay (Mumbai) to meet "success." For Ajay, success is revenge upon his uncle and his family.

Ajay proceeds to accomplish his design. He insinuates himself into his uncle's family. He secretly courts the eldest daughter. So far, so good. At this point in the movie, things change up a bit. The camera work becomes more edgey and there is some work with odd camera angles and different colored lenses. All this contributes to a feeling of edginess in the audience. The Uncle arranges a marriage for Seema (the elder daughter). She is very upset and goes to Ajay looking for solutions. Ajay proposes that she marry the fellow, she say's "What else can I do?" He explains there is one more way out, they could commit suicide together. She agrees and they write suicide notes. Then, Ajay laughs, rips his up and tells her that he was just testing her. He takes her note and proposes a trip to the court house to get married the next day. When they arrive at 1pm as arranged, the court is closed for lunch. Ajay proposed they wait on the roof. While on the roof, Ajay sets Preema on the ledge and proceeds to admire her feet. Then he pushes her off. Shocking. What happens from there is Doestoyevskian or like something from Hitchcock. Apart from the fact that the audience has been prepped by other audience goers to expect this episode, the murder was entirely unexpected and what happens after, even more so. This point is about 2/5 of the way into the movie. The rest is enthralling.

Shah Rukh took a risk in making this movie. Killing one's girlfriend on screen can do a number to one's career; however, SRK was so good in this role that it made him an even bigger star. In this movie SRK is goofy, serious, charming, heroic, tender, scary, deranged, loving, vulnerable, and charming. Wow!!! He makes it work, too. As the movie progresses, the rest of the back story is filled in and the audience grows in sympathy for Ajay. Briefly, Ajay (disguised as Vicky Malhotra) comforts the younger sister, Priya, after Preema's death. They become affianced and the Uncle opens his home and business to "Vicky." While "Vicky" accomplishes the destruction he intends, it all comes tumbling down. The suspense is very good; it does, however, become very gory with glass shards predominating. There is a tragic feel to this movie and even his fiance, inspite of her loss and heartbreak, comes to sympathize with Ajay. It's easy to hate a murderer; much more difficult to love one. SRK pulls off the feat. [One jarring note, there is a character in the movie put in for comic relief, I suppose, played by Johnny Lever. I think this man is a beloved comedian, but I don't like the humor. He's in a lot of movies and I could do without him.]

See this movie! It's not only well acted, but the direction and production is very good as well.

Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa

Reportedly considered to be Shah Rukh Khan's best acted role, Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa is a story of unrequited love. The protagonist, Sunil (played by a young Shah Rukh Khan), is a horn player in a band. Music is his passion as much as passing his academic finals is definitely not. He's failed twice and will end up failing a third time. His dad has washed his hands of Sunil and his fellow band members are also tired of his antics. Sunil is obsessed with Anna who is also loved by another member of the band. SRK displays a round of emotions and dance moves and ends up losing the girl. Honestly, I can't figure out why this one was such a big hit. Perhaps because it was one of his very first and his was a fresh face on screen and he was doing something very different from the rest of the actors in Bollywood. He does stand out from the rest of the actors on stage; he has more charisma and vulnerability. I think his vulnerability makes him very enchanting to people. These qualities (plus his dimples) give him such charm. This movie is a must see if only to understand his progression in his craft and to see his appeal in the historical context at the time the movie was made. By the way, the premise is a little difficult to believe because he is a much more attractive person and character than the leading man. Why would the heroine go for the leading man? The only thing I can suppose is because Sunil looks like he might be younger than the two...

The King of Masks Hong Kong cinema

A lovely story about gender, age, and tradition, The King of Masks is a story about a solitary man seeking a disciple to whom to pass on his legacy. What he finds instead is a friend and intimate. An interesting tale about a traveling entertainer, the audience is afforded a look at village life, gender relations, and Chinese style penal authority. The cinematography is awesome - a picture tells a thousand words, as we all know. The child actor is very good. This movie could generate some interesting class discussions.

Siddhartha

Loosely based on Herman Hesse's novel of the same name, I first saw Siddhartha while in my senior year of high school. At the time I was a Herman Hesse fan and was easily impressed. My enduring impression of the movie was of the beauty and (shock) undressedness of Kamala, the courtesan. After seeing the movie again, I was surprised that it was not the same story as I remember about Siddhartha. Some elements were the same; I remember Govinda, his friend, and his sojourn with the boatman. But what I most enjoyed, this time around, was the scenery and cinematography. The plot was really very simple. Boy leaves to find enlightenment, finds girl, gets distracted, returns to the path, finds enlightenment. Enlightenment and/or acceptance of pain, suffering, maya, karma, dharma, love, and all the rest?

Billu

Billu is a recent Shah Rukh Khan movie; but, he is not the hero in this. Rather, Billu, the barber (Irrfan Khan?) takes the leading role. Billu lives in a little village with his wife and two children. He runs a barber shop, the walls of which are filled with posters of a superstar (Shah Rukh Khan) whom he claims to have known as a youth. When the superstar comes to the village to film, the villagers urge Billu to reconnect. Billu, however, is hesitant to disturb his childhood friend and shyly avoids contact. The movie is about the villagers response to Billu's recalcitrance (which they perceive as mendaciousness) and the superstar's character. Both exhibit a profound humility and humanity. This is a fine story about the endurance of friendship.

Offside foreign film - Persian/Farsi

Offside is a fascinating film about a handful of women who are determined to view a world cup soccer game in Tehran. We learn the stories of the women who are caught and detained by soldiers while trying to sneak in to see the game. The women are collected in a roped off area on the second floor of the landing outside the stadium proper. People who are walking to their seats occasionally stop to speak with the soldiers or the women. The women do everything in their power to try to see the game, follow a play by play account, or attempt subterfuge to escape the confines of their pen. Just before the game is over, they are escorted and loaded on to a bus on their way to confinement in the city jail. The story is fascinating because we, as humans, are and aren't alike. Whether we like it or not, all of us are more and more affected and changed by our interactions with others in this world. We reflect the Spirit of our time which has become increasingly global.

Deewana

Deewana was Shah Rukh Khan's first released motion picture. He had been in two or three television series, and two other movies that were not released. Shar Rukh does not appear until after the intermission in this movie. The movie begins with Ravi, a popular singing idol, falling for Kajol, a country lass groupie. They finally marry and begin to enjoy marital bliss when an evil uncle hunts them down, kills Ravi, tries to kill Kajol and Ravi's mother, and attempts to inherit the substantial fortune that would be left behind. Kajol, after witnessing Ravi's death, finds her way back to her mother-in-law and they both relocate to escape the uncle's plans.

Time passes. Kajol is disconsolate and then Shah Rukh Khan's character runs them down in the street with his motorcycle. He is smitten with one look at Kajol and begins to follow her around like a lost puppy. He carves her name in his arm with a knife. With persistance and sound reasoning, he persuades the mother-in-law to give him Kajol's hand in marriage. She is unwilling, but acceeds to her mother's wishes. The rest of the story shows (Shah Rukh) Deewana's courtship of Kajol and her eventual response to his character. There is an unexpected twist at the end. This movie, reportedly, put Shah Rukh on the road to stardom. The initial audiences vociferously and enthusiastically loved him in this movie.

Zamaana Deewana

Zeemaana Deewana has elements of Romeo and Juliet, the Pink Panther, and West Side Story all rolled in to one potentially ridiculous package. The plot is about the son and daughter of two enemies who are shooting up Mumbai over their rivalry. The police force is concerned with the violence and hire a specialist to figure out a way to stop it. The bumbling over-acted inspector comes up with an idea to make the two youngsters fall in love, thus healing the rift between the two families. This was more easily imagined than done. What starts out with some over the top acting ends up being a heart-warming and memorable story about friendship, the price of greed, and police intelligence. One grows to enjoy the bumbling inspector and to sympathize with him.

Raju ban gaya gentleman

Faju ban gaya gentleman is one of Shah Rukh Khan's first movies. Directed by Vijay Sippy, Shah Rukh plays Raj, a young man relocating to the city to make it big in engineering. On the way he meets a friend who helps him find a place to stay and a lovely girl who becomes his love interest. After an initial period of unemployment, Raj finds a job, gets promoted due to (it seems) his indomitable spirit, rises fast in the business world only to fall harder due to the machinations of jealous colleagues. I base this on body language as the movie was in Hindi with no sub-titles. Usually, I would turn a movie off if I couldn't understand it, but it was so interesting watching Shah Rukh Khan that I watched until the end. Anupama Chopra, his biographer, states that his co-star didn't want to work with him on this movie. She didn't think he was leading man material....(King of Bollywood, 97). His style has become more nuanced and less flamboyant as the years have gone on.

My Life in France, by Julia Child

With the buzz about the movie Julia and Julie, I thought I'd review my used copy of Mastering the Art of French Cooking by Julia Child, et. al., and then I saw this book and just had to read it. It turns out that Julia Child grew up in Pasadena, right next door to La Crescenta, where I grew up. She was a 6'2" Smith girl who married later in life to a man ten years her senior. He was posted with the US diplomatic service to Paris, France. Julia was introduced by her husband to some great restaurants, great food, and great wine. She decides to take classes at the Cordon Bleu cooking school. The rest is history.

The book was an easy and interesting read. It definitely made me hungry. Julia Child had a unique perspective on life and lots of verve. Julia's humor is quirky, matter of fact, and scattered, all at once. She comes across as very feminine and very competent-what a combination! This was enjoyable reading.

Shame, by Salman Rushdie

Shame is a book about choices, gender, power, and the feelings attendant upon these things. Shifting between settings in Pakistan and India, Rushdie examines the governement and the choices of those in power. What are the consequences of the exercise or non-exercise of power and how do people experience and cope with shame? The story is stylized as a fairy tale, not meant to be a chronicle of India/Pakistan relations. The characters are interesting, odd enough to be memorable, and richly detailed. The story begins with three sisters in a huge house deciding to create a son between them. To accomplish their plan, they throw a huge party and invite mainly the British from the cantonment, thus creating a major rift in feeling between themselves and their fellow villagers. They do, infact, conceive a son. The book follows his life story and the people he meets along the way. His three mothers send him on his way with the advice, "Feel no shame."

Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham

Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham is a Yash Johar film with Karan Johar writing and directing. This team puts out a very thoughtful, polished, cinematographically sound product. Plus, with Shah Rukh Khan's talent contributing to the acting, it's hard to fault it. This movie explores family relationships, traditions, and expectations. A stellar cast, including: Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bachchan, Hrithik Roshan, Kajol, Kareena Kapoor, and Rani Makherji, explores the dynamics of what happens when one loses the favor of beloved parents. Rahul (Shah Rukh Khan) is attracted to the mischievous Anjali (Kajol). When her father dies, Rahul marries Anjali and welcomes her younger sister, Pooja (Kareena Kapoor) to live with them. Unfortunately, Rahul's father (Amitabh Bachchan) had made arrangements for him to marry Naina (Rani Makherji). The father disowns Rahul, leaving the family in ruins. 10 years later, little brother Rohan (Hrithik Roshan) takes it upon himself to bring a smile back to his mother's lips. His attempt to reunite his family is the subject of the movie. Very well acted and moving, this is a must see.

Monsoon Wedding

I know this film is popular, but it's not one of my favorites. I had never seen it and I'd heard that it was a good movie, so when my friend lent it to me, I watched it right away. I was disappointed. While well acted and interesting, with some good dramatic moments, it didn't move me in the way that many of the other movies (that I've reviewed here) have. The movie is basically about the preparations and ceremonies involved in a traditional wedding. The marriage was arranged; the bride and groom have differences that they work out before their wedding. This generates the plot. In addition, we have a sub plot revolving around the sister of the bride, and another sub plot involving the wedding planner. The final ceremony is a wet one (hence the title) but all end up happy. Monsoon Wedding is worth seeing.

Lagaan: Once upon a time in India

Lagaan is a story about bravery and hope in the face of adversity. This is not a bollywood movie, although there are a few songs with dances. A small village is undergoing a drought and the people are unable to pay their lagaan (taxes levied by the British government to pay for the presence of the army). Because they were forgiven the lagaan the previous year, the captain of the British cantonment expects double lagaan to be paid. Bhuvan (Aamir Khan), a village farmer, is trapped into a bet wherein the stakes are too high to lose. The bet is placed on the outcome of a cricket game, to be played in three months. If the villagers win, the lagaan will be forgiven and will not be levied for the next two or three years to follow. However, if the villagers lose to the British team, then they will be forced to pay triple the lagaan. Seems straightforward, but there is a twist. The villagers have never played cricket before and are very angry that Bhuvan took it upon himself to make the bet. The movie is about Bhuvan winning over the villagers to participate in the game and then the game itself. If you have no idea how to play cricket and the enthusiasm that the game generates in British influenced countries, then this is an interesting movie. The acting is also good and the contrast between British and Indian culture telling. By the way, this film was first offered to Shah Rukh Khan, but the producers couldn't get the financing together, so SRH ended up turning it down. Lagaan did very well in the box office and was the third Hindi film ever to receive an Oscar nomination for Best Foreign Film.

Dil to Pagal Hai

Dil to Pagal Hai is a wonderful bollywood musical about love and finding one's soul mate. Another love triangle with Shar Rukh Khan in between two lovely ladies. Rahul (Shah Rukh Khan) is a director of plays. He imagines a dream girl, Maya, and wants to produce a play about her. The plot of the movie and the plot of the play are entwined. There is a wonderful dance number where Rahul is playing drums in his studio and hears the tinkling bells of a woman's bangles and anklets dancing in a studio next door. They play off of each other's sound elements, creating a wonderful dance. With this pretext, Rahul meets his Maya in the form of Pooja. Pooja is cast as Maya and we watch the transformation of Pooja and Rahul as they continue to cross paths until their destined road is found. A great story about kismet, chance, and attraction, this is another entertaining Shar Rukh Khan vehicle.

Kal Ho Naa Ho

I like Yash Raj films; I think they are well done. This film is set in New York and starts out kind of campy. There is a street song and dance done to the tune of Pretty Woman with Hindi verses. Shah Rukh Khan shares the stage with Saif Ali Khan who is also another big star. Both are in love with Naina (Preity Zinta). The movie begins with a set up of a typical love triangle, but then the twist occurs and all of a sudden the movie becomes something else entirely. Kal Ho Naa Ho is a love story full of pathos, sacrifice, and charitas. The music and dancing is secondary to a great job of acting and good writing.