The Hunger Games review
A poor coal mining district.
I can’t tell which era the people live in. From their clothes they look dated. But the guards’ uniforms look modern. So are the projector screens in the village. Children and teenagers line up in fear. One by one, they come forward to rows of makeshift counters mended by stern looking women, who pricked their little fingers and dripped their blood onto dockets bearing their information. They are then gathered in front of a town hall – girls and boys separated. A woman with eccentric fashion taste addresses them. She talks gleefully about the annual Hunger Games where one boy and one girl will be picked randomly (like a lucky dip) to compete in a life-and-death fight. “This is ridiculous!” I told my best friend. Then there was another uncomfortable part... Read on
I can’t tell which era the people live in. From their clothes they look dated. But the guards’ uniforms look modern. So are the projector screens in the village. Children and teenagers line up in fear. One by one, they come forward to rows of makeshift counters mended by stern looking women, who pricked their little fingers and dripped their blood onto dockets bearing their information. They are then gathered in front of a town hall – girls and boys separated. A woman with eccentric fashion taste addresses them. She talks gleefully about the annual Hunger Games where one boy and one girl will be picked randomly (like a lucky dip) to compete in a life-and-death fight. “This is ridiculous!” I told my best friend. Then there was another uncomfortable part... Read on
My Bollywood film DVD reviews are published online in San Francisco for the Asian-American readers. They are written in a witty and sensual way for the broad-minded. If you're curious to read them, contact me.
Tribute to Shahid Kapoor's Filmogrpahy - Chance Pe Dance
Shahid plays Sameer Behl, an aspiring actor who moves from Delhi to Mumbai to pursue his dream. But four years have passed and he’s still juggling between his courier job and auditions. His only so-called big break is a forgettable TV commercial; it helps him to pay for a second-hand car but the exposure did not get him anywhere. When a famous director promises him to be the hero of his next film, Sameer did not expect that chance to slip away too – just like all his other auditions. It is another big blow to him after losing both his job and accommodation. Despondent but not giving up, he joins the Star of India contest with encouragement from his choreographer girlfriend, Tina (Genelia D’Souza). Again, bad luck follows him like his shadow: a nationwide crisis in Delhi forces him to return home and separates him from Tina and his dream.
Ranbir Kapoor - Wake Up Sid
Sidharth Mehra (Ranbir Kapoor) or Sid as he’s known to his friends is born into a wealthy family that runs a bathroom furnishing business. Sid is your typical spoiled brat; he has everything that his peers envy but does nothing to deserve them. He messes things up but his servant tidies them. He’s unappreciative of learning (both his own and others); he mocks at his mum’s English whenever she tries to practice with him. In Sid’s world it’s all about fun and no responsibility. He leads a smooth sailing life until he fails his college exam, quarrels with his dad and leaves his home. Helpless and lost, he seeks refuge with Aisha (Konkona Sen Sharma), a 27-year old aspiring writer from Kolkata whom he has befriended before his troubles. Besides taking him in, Aisha also gets him a job as a photographer at the magazine she works for. When Sid gradually becomes independent, his life takes on a different meaning. And that includes falling in love.
Tribute to John Abraham's Flimography- Dostana
The story is set in Miami. Fashion photographer, Kunal (John Abraham) and male nurse, Sam (Abhishek Bachan) are strangers who become friends and more when they’ve set their eyes on the same apartment that belongs to the drop-dead gorgeous, Neha (Priyanka Chopra). The problem is Neha’s auntie, who is her only kin after her parent’s death, disapproves of men staying with her niece. Mesmerized by Neha’s beauty, both are determined to rent the apartment. To allay her aunt’s fear, they come out with a ‘G’ plan – faking as a gay couple. Their lie becomes harder to bear when both have fallen in love with Neha, while Neha’s boss also competes for her affection.
Tribute to John Abraham's Filmography - New York
You could tell where this movie is leading audience to from the opening scene: FBI helicopters hover above the skyline of NYC and NYPD patrol cars race the streets – only to apprehend an Indian cabby with ammunition in his taxi. The taxi owner is traced to Omar (Neil Nitin Mukesh), another Indian with a name bad enough for the FBI to associate him as a potential terrorist. He’s arrested, interrogated by FBI agent, Roshan (Irrfan) and forced to act as an undercover for FBI to spy on his dearest friend, Sam (John Abraham). To prove both their innocence, Omar takes on the mission. His new identity brings him back into Sam’s life who’s married Maya (Katrina Kaif). The three of them are best friends at university and Omar is secretly in love with Maya. He leaves without a word when Maya confesses her love for Sam. Their lives change after the reunion 7 years later. Sam, Omar and Maya each have a secret that they don’t reveal till the very end.
Tribute to Shahid Kapoor's Flimography - Dil Bole Hadippa!
Try saying “haddipa” aloud and you’ll feel the gusto rising from your diaphragm. The Bhagra word means “bravo.” Although Dil Bole Hadippa! is a Shahid-centric film, it is in fact Rani Mukerji, the lead actress that brings out the haddipa spirit. She played both Veera Kaur and Veer Pratap Singh; both are the same person except that the latter fakes a full beard and dons a turban to qualify to play in an all men cricket team where ladies are barred from joining. Veera is a bubbly Punjabi village girl who worships crickets and dreams of winning the Aman Cup to do her village proud. She plays like a professional; all she needs is a chance to get into the field. And the only way is to cross-dress as a man. Shahid played her coach, Captain Rohan Singh from England. He falls in love with Veera whose English amuses him and patriotism attracts him. Their relationship is challenged, sort of, when Rohan discovers on the field that his so-called love adviser, Veer is actually Veera in disguise.
Salman Khan - London Dreams
The dream of Arjun (Ajay Devgan) to be a pop star grows roots in India but bears fruit in London. His classmates mock his aspiration; his father abhors music. Desperate to fulfill his dream, he prays for the obstacles to be removed. Indirectly his prayer causes his father’s death. His uncle becomes his guardian and takes him to London. But Arjun sees no future with his uncle who detests music as much as his father because it caused the death of his musician father and the downfall of the family. He runs away at the airport upon his arrival in London. Years later, he forms a fledging band with two brothers, Zoheb and Wasim, who leave Pakistan for greener musical pasture and Priya, (Asin Thottumkal), a modern dance enthusiast from a conservative South Indian family. Under the wing of a music mogul, their band, London Dreams becomes a smash hit in London and across Europe. With their success Arjun invites his best friend, Mannu (Salman Khan) from his village to join his band. Unlike Arjun, Mannu had an environment conducive to learning music, but he didn’t take it seriously. He ends up being the happy-go-lucky performer in a wedding band. He’s contented to stay that way but for Arjun’s sake he’s agreed to his idea. To everyone’s surprise, Mannu’s talent outshines Arjun’s. The audience loves Mannu. Envy and jealousy consume Arjun when he loses his popularity and his girl, Priya to Mannu. His London’s dream to perform at Wembley Stadium becomes a nightmare.
Disney film review - Jonas Brothers: The Concert Experience
Three gushes of confetti-like stuff landed on a sea of sweaty hair. Instead of growling, they screamed and cried. Such was the emotion of teenage fans at the concert of the Jonas Brother in the movie, Jonas Brothers The Concert Experience.
I missed the 3D version of the movie when it was screened in the cinemas in Singapore. When I saw an advertisement on the coming release of the movie DVD, I marked the date – 7 July on my calendar and bought it right away on that day. Yes, I’m a JB fan.
And if I were to tell that to my peers, they probably would assume that I meant Johor Bahru, our love-hate neighbor across the causeway where locals enjoy shopping for cheap groceries. After all, who would’ve thought that a 36-year old guy would be interested in some pubescent pop stars?
Well, my interest in the Jonas Brothers sort of evolved as I was writing for a local teen magazine (I’ll call it an occupational hazard) upon my return from Sydney. I bought their hardcover pictorial book, Jonas Brothers: Hello Beautiful (Orion Books, UK). The free bedroom poster that came with it was too hard to resist.
Before reading the book, I barely knew about them. Now, I could easily pass an A-Z test on everything about the brothers. I thought this JB thingy would go away but it didn’t: I went on to buy magazines with them on the covers – including Seventeen, which otherwise has no relevant content to me. I haven’t acted this way in years since New Kids on the Blocks made their debut more than two decades ago.
The 89-minute movie, the JB’s so-called first motion picture is not exactly a movie; otherwise, considering the other film credits of Director, Bruce Hendricks it’d be disappointing. He has been a filmmaker for 25 years and the President of Physical Production for Walt Disney Studio since 1992. Before directing teen flicks like this movie and Hannah Montana & Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert, Hendricks was the Executive Producer of the Pirates of the Caribbean Trilogy.
Honestly, I was not paying much attention when the boys were singing in the movie – except towards the end when they sang my favorite song SOS. I was reading the Rolling Stone magazine (Adam Lambert on the cover) most of the time. I only paused to look at the TV when the Jonas Brothers started talking. I was hoping for a storyline but there was none. It was more like a reality show about their music and fame.
Even if you have not heard of the Jonas Brothers (God forbid), you’d have guessed how ‘big’ they are judging from the size of their hotel room. In the movie, they stayed at the Donald Trump hotel and they each had their own bedroom - each equivalent to the size of a normal hotel room. They also had a maid bring them the specific foods they wanted
The only parts of the show that really made it movie-like are the scenes that followed after the Jonas Brothers were caught in a traffic jam and mobbed by fans who identified them. Instead of remaining in their car, they climbed out through the top and jumped from car to car to escape their fans – like a police-thief chase.
The only reason this makes sense is Hendrick’s plan to exaggerate the JB’s fanaticism. The teenage girls ran amok on the street of New York and overcame all sorts of hurdles in their pursuit of their idols. So who do you think ran faster – the Jonas Brothers or the girls? The answer is… in the movie! Ha!
Despite the lack of a storyline, the movie is a treat for all JB’s fans. The guys perform hit after hit in their concert scenes. Gosh, they are full of energy: they ran around the stage, did a few acrobatic stunts and still didn’t sound like they were breathless when they sang. Being young and famous must have felt damn good. Kevin, the eldest was the most energetic on the stage; Joe the lead singer was the most tantalizing; Nick was the coolest.
The guys were joined by Demi Lovato and Taylor Swift and their co-performances were synergized. JB fans will be drooling at the backstage scene where the guys change their clothes between sets. Now we know who has the fittest body.
The DVD extended movie version includes songs not seen in the theaters, 2 bonus songs and clips documenting the lives of the Jonas Brothers on Tour. If you’re at the basic level of Jonaslism, this DVD will let you graduate with flying colors. And who’s my favorite Jonas? Care to guess?
And if I were to tell that to my peers, they probably would assume that I meant Johor Bahru, our love-hate neighbor across the causeway where locals enjoy shopping for cheap groceries. After all, who would’ve thought that a 36-year old guy would be interested in some pubescent pop stars?
Well, my interest in the Jonas Brothers sort of evolved as I was writing for a local teen magazine (I’ll call it an occupational hazard) upon my return from Sydney. I bought their hardcover pictorial book, Jonas Brothers: Hello Beautiful (Orion Books, UK). The free bedroom poster that came with it was too hard to resist.
Before reading the book, I barely knew about them. Now, I could easily pass an A-Z test on everything about the brothers. I thought this JB thingy would go away but it didn’t: I went on to buy magazines with them on the covers – including Seventeen, which otherwise has no relevant content to me. I haven’t acted this way in years since New Kids on the Blocks made their debut more than two decades ago.
The 89-minute movie, the JB’s so-called first motion picture is not exactly a movie; otherwise, considering the other film credits of Director, Bruce Hendricks it’d be disappointing. He has been a filmmaker for 25 years and the President of Physical Production for Walt Disney Studio since 1992. Before directing teen flicks like this movie and Hannah Montana & Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert, Hendricks was the Executive Producer of the Pirates of the Caribbean Trilogy.
Honestly, I was not paying much attention when the boys were singing in the movie – except towards the end when they sang my favorite song SOS. I was reading the Rolling Stone magazine (Adam Lambert on the cover) most of the time. I only paused to look at the TV when the Jonas Brothers started talking. I was hoping for a storyline but there was none. It was more like a reality show about their music and fame.
Even if you have not heard of the Jonas Brothers (God forbid), you’d have guessed how ‘big’ they are judging from the size of their hotel room. In the movie, they stayed at the Donald Trump hotel and they each had their own bedroom - each equivalent to the size of a normal hotel room. They also had a maid bring them the specific foods they wanted
The only parts of the show that really made it movie-like are the scenes that followed after the Jonas Brothers were caught in a traffic jam and mobbed by fans who identified them. Instead of remaining in their car, they climbed out through the top and jumped from car to car to escape their fans – like a police-thief chase.
The only reason this makes sense is Hendrick’s plan to exaggerate the JB’s fanaticism. The teenage girls ran amok on the street of New York and overcame all sorts of hurdles in their pursuit of their idols. So who do you think ran faster – the Jonas Brothers or the girls? The answer is… in the movie! Ha!
Despite the lack of a storyline, the movie is a treat for all JB’s fans. The guys perform hit after hit in their concert scenes. Gosh, they are full of energy: they ran around the stage, did a few acrobatic stunts and still didn’t sound like they were breathless when they sang. Being young and famous must have felt damn good. Kevin, the eldest was the most energetic on the stage; Joe the lead singer was the most tantalizing; Nick was the coolest.
The guys were joined by Demi Lovato and Taylor Swift and their co-performances were synergized. JB fans will be drooling at the backstage scene where the guys change their clothes between sets. Now we know who has the fittest body.
The DVD extended movie version includes songs not seen in the theaters, 2 bonus songs and clips documenting the lives of the Jonas Brothers on Tour. If you’re at the basic level of Jonaslism, this DVD will let you graduate with flying colors. And who’s my favorite Jonas? Care to guess?