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?