If you love the music of ABBA you will enjoy Mamma Mia! I grew up listening to ABBA and remember the times when my uncle in Mangalore would pull out his old gramophone records (these was the early 80s people!) and put on some English music for us. It was a big event - he would pull out the gramophone player from under his bed (us kids were not allowed to touch it) and browse through his collection of gramophone records and the anticipation would build while we decided what music to play - the staples were ABBA, Boney M and other awesome 70s music. Now and then I will hear a song which I recognize from my summers in Managalore all those years ago :)
So coming back to the movie - its about a young girl, played by Amanda Seyfried, about to be married, who doesn't know who her father is - there are 3 suspects (Pierce Brosnan - still as hot as ever, Colin Firth - who may be losing his hotness a little bit and Stellan Skarsgard - for me, he's one of those guys you've seen in movies and know his face but not his name - now, thanks to this blog I researched it) and since she doesn't know who it is, she invites all 3 to her wedding. Meryl Streep plays her free-spirited mom - and I must admit, it was kind of strange to see Meryl Streep frolicking on the beach and uncharacteristically (for her at least) singing ABBA songs. Ditto for Pierce Brosnan (I mean, imagine James Bond singing the song SOS - not exactly a perfect fit but that's why it's called acting I suppose - though he did do a decent job with it).
The movie is an out and out musical - which is the whole point of having ABBA peppered throughout the movie (I'm not sure that I have the patience to sit through a musical these days though - so I was glad to have my packing to do while the movie played in the background). The film has a very theatrical feel to it probably since it was conceived as a Broadway play. The locales are gorgeous. Amanda Seyfried has a lovely voice. It's a decent watch if you're a fan of ABBA - if not, consider this fair warning - you will not like this movie.
With that, I am off to put on some ABBA on my ipod and hum along to "There was something in the air that night".
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Saturday, July 18, 2009
100% fun
This morning I caught the Bollywood flick 99 and I must say that it's a must-watch entertainer. After a long time I watched a Hindi comedy that actually has a plot. It's not like one of those so-called Hindi comedies where 10 minutes into the film you wonder why the heck you coughed up the moolah to buy that ticket.
The movie starts off with 2 bumbling small-time technology-savvy thieves (Zaramood played by Cyrus Brocha and Sachin played by Kunal Khemu) who make money by peddling illegal SIM cards. Unfortunately they steal a getaway car (which is ultimately wrecked) from one of Mumbai's shady bookies called AGM (played by Mahesh Manjrekar). They now have to work for him to pay him back for stealing and wrecking his favourite car. They are sent to Delhi to retrieve some money that a compulsive gambler (played by Boman Irani) owes AGM. This takes them to Delhi where they run into Pooja (played by Soha Ali Khan) and Sachin promptly falls for her. The rest of the story is how they manage to get AGM's money back and how Boman's character tries to make arrangements for money that he owes several characters besides AGM while at the same time balancing a wife (played by the lovely Simone Singh) who is super mad at him and his gambling tendencies.
This movie sees the return of several actors who I have not seen in a while. Saw Sudesh Berry (I had a giant crush on him when Kashish was on TV) in a blink and you'll miss it role but I guess I didn't blink :). Vinod Khanna makes a guest appearance in the movie as well. And watching Cyrus was just a treat. While this is not a rip-roaring comedy, it has its moments. I was entertained throughout and was quite engrossed in all the situations the main protagonists find themselves in. Directors Raj Nidimoru and Krishna DK got a lot of things right with this movie - there are no unnecessary songs in the movie, the script is always moving the movie ahead - not too many stalling moments, the dialogues are witty for the most part with apt use of the Mumbaiyya slang in true tapori fashion and the modest budget appears to be well-spent and all the characters do justice to their roles. I am hopeful to see what Kunal Khemu and Soha Ali Khan do next in their careers - I get that they will probably have to do some run-of-the-mill roles but I hope they continue to explore these "zara-hatke" roles as well.
As far as Bollywood capers go, this was a good entertainer (I mean - one of the smaller fish in the goon sea has a 6 ft-tall sidekick named Dimple - ha ha) that I would recommend - 2.5 stars.
The movie starts off with 2 bumbling small-time technology-savvy thieves (Zaramood played by Cyrus Brocha and Sachin played by Kunal Khemu) who make money by peddling illegal SIM cards. Unfortunately they steal a getaway car (which is ultimately wrecked) from one of Mumbai's shady bookies called AGM (played by Mahesh Manjrekar). They now have to work for him to pay him back for stealing and wrecking his favourite car. They are sent to Delhi to retrieve some money that a compulsive gambler (played by Boman Irani) owes AGM. This takes them to Delhi where they run into Pooja (played by Soha Ali Khan) and Sachin promptly falls for her. The rest of the story is how they manage to get AGM's money back and how Boman's character tries to make arrangements for money that he owes several characters besides AGM while at the same time balancing a wife (played by the lovely Simone Singh) who is super mad at him and his gambling tendencies.
This movie sees the return of several actors who I have not seen in a while. Saw Sudesh Berry (I had a giant crush on him when Kashish was on TV) in a blink and you'll miss it role but I guess I didn't blink :). Vinod Khanna makes a guest appearance in the movie as well. And watching Cyrus was just a treat. While this is not a rip-roaring comedy, it has its moments. I was entertained throughout and was quite engrossed in all the situations the main protagonists find themselves in. Directors Raj Nidimoru and Krishna DK got a lot of things right with this movie - there are no unnecessary songs in the movie, the script is always moving the movie ahead - not too many stalling moments, the dialogues are witty for the most part with apt use of the Mumbaiyya slang in true tapori fashion and the modest budget appears to be well-spent and all the characters do justice to their roles. I am hopeful to see what Kunal Khemu and Soha Ali Khan do next in their careers - I get that they will probably have to do some run-of-the-mill roles but I hope they continue to explore these "zara-hatke" roles as well.
As far as Bollywood capers go, this was a good entertainer (I mean - one of the smaller fish in the goon sea has a 6 ft-tall sidekick named Dimple - ha ha) that I would recommend - 2.5 stars.
Friday, July 17, 2009
The Boys are back!!
One of my favourite HBO shows is back - Entourage - and I'm loving it. Vinny Chase and his friends are back to make my Sunday evening blues go away. The show is about young actor Vincent Chase (played by Adrien Grenier) and his 3 best friends including his half brother Johnny aka Drama (played by Kevin Dillon), best friend E (Kevin Connolly)- also his manager and Turtle (Jerry Ferrara).
Entourage, produced by Mark Wahlberg, gives us an insight into the fickle world of Hollywood. In essence it's all about the ups and downs in movie star Vincent Chase's career and consequently that of his friends with whom he has the strongest of bonds. I love the show because each of the main characters essay their roles very well. Casting is excellent. I love love love Jeremy Piven's Ari Gold, the ultra-wily Hollywood agent and his sidekick Lloyd (played by Rex Lee). It's as close a look at Hollywood as us commoners will ever get. The power plays and politics are portrayed well. More than that, it's about this awesome friendship these laidback guys share with each other and Vinny's agent Ari set against the glamour and glitz of Hollywood.
The season premiere saw Vincent Chase finally getting his driver's license and a spot on Leno, Lloyd sticking up for himself and demanding a promotion from Ari and the boys (up until now, they've always lived together making their abode more like a "frat house" in the words of Sloane, E's sometimes on-sometimes off gal pal) actually contemplating their own ways as far as their paths in Hollywood are concerned. Even though this may be the beginning of a new era, I look forward to what crazy situations the boys are going to get into (who can forget the episode where Drama is contemplating calf implants because his legs don't measure up to the rest of him, and Drama again who has to agree to let himself be Gary Busey's live canvas because they want to get this antique desk that Busey owns, as a gift for E) and see the new dynamics in their relationship as they make their forays into the world while still maintaining their bond with each other.
Quotable quotes from the show:
Ari to Shauna: Hey I'm still at 6% bodyfat okay
Shauna: Yeah and still like 94% full of shit
Turtle (in the tub with his real-life girlfriend who also portrays his reel-life gal, Jaime Siegler, after she pushes him underwater): "You know what, just for that I'm going to pee in the tub"
Some other quotes I found funny are probably too risque for this blog ;) So sit back, relax and enjoy the rest of the summer because the boys are back!!!!!!
Entourage, produced by Mark Wahlberg, gives us an insight into the fickle world of Hollywood. In essence it's all about the ups and downs in movie star Vincent Chase's career and consequently that of his friends with whom he has the strongest of bonds. I love the show because each of the main characters essay their roles very well. Casting is excellent. I love love love Jeremy Piven's Ari Gold, the ultra-wily Hollywood agent and his sidekick Lloyd (played by Rex Lee). It's as close a look at Hollywood as us commoners will ever get. The power plays and politics are portrayed well. More than that, it's about this awesome friendship these laidback guys share with each other and Vinny's agent Ari set against the glamour and glitz of Hollywood.
The season premiere saw Vincent Chase finally getting his driver's license and a spot on Leno, Lloyd sticking up for himself and demanding a promotion from Ari and the boys (up until now, they've always lived together making their abode more like a "frat house" in the words of Sloane, E's sometimes on-sometimes off gal pal) actually contemplating their own ways as far as their paths in Hollywood are concerned. Even though this may be the beginning of a new era, I look forward to what crazy situations the boys are going to get into (who can forget the episode where Drama is contemplating calf implants because his legs don't measure up to the rest of him, and Drama again who has to agree to let himself be Gary Busey's live canvas because they want to get this antique desk that Busey owns, as a gift for E) and see the new dynamics in their relationship as they make their forays into the world while still maintaining their bond with each other.
Quotable quotes from the show:
Ari to Shauna: Hey I'm still at 6% bodyfat okay
Shauna: Yeah and still like 94% full of shit
Turtle (in the tub with his real-life girlfriend who also portrays his reel-life gal, Jaime Siegler, after she pushes him underwater): "You know what, just for that I'm going to pee in the tub"
Some other quotes I found funny are probably too risque for this blog ;) So sit back, relax and enjoy the rest of the summer because the boys are back!!!!!!
Saturday, July 11, 2009
The Holiday
Maybe its because I am off for a holiday of my own in 2 weeks, but when I saw the movie playing on TV, I set my DVR to record it (have I ever mentioned how much I love my DVR? It's fabulous - a TV lover like me cannot imagine life without it - never ever miss your fave programs again). Got back from a day spent running errands and made myself a hot cup of coffee and plonked myself in front of my TV and started the movie.
In a nutshell, the movie is about 2 women who've reached dead ends in their personal lives and impulsively decide to swap homes for 2 weeks - one lives in England (Iris, played by Kate Winslet) and the other in LA (Amanda, played by Cameron Diaz). Iris is unable to get over her unrequited love for a co-worker who seems to take full advantage of it. Amanda makes trailers for movies for a living and has just kicked out her boyfriend who was cheating on her. Needless to say, both women are disappointed with the men in their lives. The movie is about what happens in the following 2 weeks that the women explore new surroundings and meet new people. Iris befriends an old Hollywood screenwriter and ends up falling in love with a composer Miles who's been through some love disappointment of his own. Amanda meets Graham, Iris's brother and falls in love with him.
The main reason I love watching this movie (did I mention that this is probably the 3rd time I am watching this film?) is because it is so hopeful. The inherent message of the movie is that anything can happen - give life a chance. 2 women with seemingly unhappy lives find happy endings of their own. Some lines I absolutely love in this movie:
Arthur Abbott: Iris, in the movies we have leading ladies and we have the best friend. You, I can tell, are a leading lady, but for some reason you are behaving like the best friend.
Iris: You're so right. You're supposed to be the leading lady of your own life, for god's sake! Arthur, I've been going to a therapist for three years, and she's never explained things to me that well. That was brilliant. Brutal, but brilliant.
(I found this line brilliant myself.)
Miles (reaching over Iris to grab something off a restaurant counter): That was accidental. Accidental boob graze. I'm sorry.
Iris: Changing subject
Miles: You with me, Simpkins?
Iris: Miles. You really are an incredibly decent man.
Miles: I know. It's always been my problem.
Kate Winslet essays her role really well as usual. Cam does a good job. Jack Black, for once, is seen in a normal role - not one that requires comic timing. So if you get a chance, do watch it!! 2 thumbs up :)
In a nutshell, the movie is about 2 women who've reached dead ends in their personal lives and impulsively decide to swap homes for 2 weeks - one lives in England (Iris, played by Kate Winslet) and the other in LA (Amanda, played by Cameron Diaz). Iris is unable to get over her unrequited love for a co-worker who seems to take full advantage of it. Amanda makes trailers for movies for a living and has just kicked out her boyfriend who was cheating on her. Needless to say, both women are disappointed with the men in their lives. The movie is about what happens in the following 2 weeks that the women explore new surroundings and meet new people. Iris befriends an old Hollywood screenwriter and ends up falling in love with a composer Miles who's been through some love disappointment of his own. Amanda meets Graham, Iris's brother and falls in love with him.
The main reason I love watching this movie (did I mention that this is probably the 3rd time I am watching this film?) is because it is so hopeful. The inherent message of the movie is that anything can happen - give life a chance. 2 women with seemingly unhappy lives find happy endings of their own. Some lines I absolutely love in this movie:
Arthur Abbott: Iris, in the movies we have leading ladies and we have the best friend. You, I can tell, are a leading lady, but for some reason you are behaving like the best friend.
Iris: You're so right. You're supposed to be the leading lady of your own life, for god's sake! Arthur, I've been going to a therapist for three years, and she's never explained things to me that well. That was brilliant. Brutal, but brilliant.
(I found this line brilliant myself.)
Miles (reaching over Iris to grab something off a restaurant counter): That was accidental. Accidental boob graze. I'm sorry.
Iris: Changing subject
Miles: You with me, Simpkins?
Iris: Miles. You really are an incredibly decent man.
Miles: I know. It's always been my problem.
Kate Winslet essays her role really well as usual. Cam does a good job. Jack Black, for once, is seen in a normal role - not one that requires comic timing. So if you get a chance, do watch it!! 2 thumbs up :)
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Mia Michaels is a genius
So I wasn't going to blog about today's So you think you can dance episode but this dance routine choreographed by Mia Michaels was simply fabulous and I had to comment.
This week's episode began with Melissa and Ade dancing the disco - now this is one couple that I have always liked - they've done a great job so far but today's disco left me feeling a bit blah! Not that they weren't good but they were not great! This boy can move!!
The second routine by the afore-mentioned Mia Michaels left me speechless (but thankfully not wordless because I am still writing - okay poor attempt at a joke - ha ha). The dancers did a great job portraying Addiction which was the theme of the piece. Now I am not a fan of Mia Michaels, the person (she is always so high-handed and bitchy while giving her feedback) but have always been a fan of Mia, the choreographer (viewers of the show cannot forget the routine she put together last season with Twitch and Kherington and a bed - yes you read right - a bed - you can watch it here)
The third couple, Caitlin (my nickname for her is Britney Spears because I swear she looks like the songstress with certain camera angles) and Jason were doing the fox-trot. These guys have consistently been in the bottom 3 for a few episodes now - I actually like their dancing usually. Today was no different but I am not sure that they will be safe.
Jeanine and Phillip are also doing good in this competition this far - they performed a Russian folk dance. I wasn't quite sure if they'd be able to pull it off but I was pleasantly surprised. Their costumes were cute and the dancing lively. Boo to Nigel - he gave them some not so good reviews but he agreed that it wasn't the dancers' fault but the choreography.
Randi and Evan had Tabitha and Napolean who choreographed a hip-hop routine for them. T&N are consistently good - I usually like everything they do. Once again it was good - I was not disappointed. This routine reminded me of a dance performance by Allison and Ivan (video quality is not too good but it was the only one I found)- it was hip-hop with an umbrella for a prop.
Brandon and Jeanette did the Argentine tango - Brandon didn't have much to do but provided good support - Jeanette was awesome. They got a standing ovation from the judges. Excellent footwork!!
At the end of Round 1, I must say that Kayla and Koppono with the Mia routine are at the top of my list followed by the Argentine Tango. Noone was bad but unfortunately tomorrow, 2 dancers will have to leave.
Round 2 (I am limiting this to highlights else this post is going to be really really long):
Melissa & Ade - loved loved loved the waltz.
Kayla & Kopono's Broadway - okay for me.
Caitlin & Jason - Their performance BLEW ME AWAY. They've climbed to the top of my list with this routine. Mandy Moore is someone to watch out for - she is consistently excellent in her choreography. I completely disagree with Mary Murphy - there was magic tonight.
Jeanine & Phillip - They're growing on me. Jeanine is the hubby's favourite.
Randi & Evan - Saw the return of Pasha and Anya as choreographers - the dance number itself was HOT but not Randi and Evan's forte unfortunately.
Jeanette & Brandon - a Wade Robson routine - fabulous way to end the night.
The End - Phew!!!!
This week's episode began with Melissa and Ade dancing the disco - now this is one couple that I have always liked - they've done a great job so far but today's disco left me feeling a bit blah! Not that they weren't good but they were not great! This boy can move!!
The second routine by the afore-mentioned Mia Michaels left me speechless (but thankfully not wordless because I am still writing - okay poor attempt at a joke - ha ha). The dancers did a great job portraying Addiction which was the theme of the piece. Now I am not a fan of Mia Michaels, the person (she is always so high-handed and bitchy while giving her feedback) but have always been a fan of Mia, the choreographer (viewers of the show cannot forget the routine she put together last season with Twitch and Kherington and a bed - yes you read right - a bed - you can watch it here)
The third couple, Caitlin (my nickname for her is Britney Spears because I swear she looks like the songstress with certain camera angles) and Jason were doing the fox-trot. These guys have consistently been in the bottom 3 for a few episodes now - I actually like their dancing usually. Today was no different but I am not sure that they will be safe.
Jeanine and Phillip are also doing good in this competition this far - they performed a Russian folk dance. I wasn't quite sure if they'd be able to pull it off but I was pleasantly surprised. Their costumes were cute and the dancing lively. Boo to Nigel - he gave them some not so good reviews but he agreed that it wasn't the dancers' fault but the choreography.
Randi and Evan had Tabitha and Napolean who choreographed a hip-hop routine for them. T&N are consistently good - I usually like everything they do. Once again it was good - I was not disappointed. This routine reminded me of a dance performance by Allison and Ivan (video quality is not too good but it was the only one I found)- it was hip-hop with an umbrella for a prop.
Brandon and Jeanette did the Argentine tango - Brandon didn't have much to do but provided good support - Jeanette was awesome. They got a standing ovation from the judges. Excellent footwork!!
At the end of Round 1, I must say that Kayla and Koppono with the Mia routine are at the top of my list followed by the Argentine Tango. Noone was bad but unfortunately tomorrow, 2 dancers will have to leave.
Round 2 (I am limiting this to highlights else this post is going to be really really long):
Melissa & Ade - loved loved loved the waltz.
Kayla & Kopono's Broadway - okay for me.
Caitlin & Jason - Their performance BLEW ME AWAY. They've climbed to the top of my list with this routine. Mandy Moore is someone to watch out for - she is consistently excellent in her choreography. I completely disagree with Mary Murphy - there was magic tonight.
Jeanine & Phillip - They're growing on me. Jeanine is the hubby's favourite.
Randi & Evan - Saw the return of Pasha and Anya as choreographers - the dance number itself was HOT but not Randi and Evan's forte unfortunately.
Jeanette & Brandon - a Wade Robson routine - fabulous way to end the night.
The End - Phew!!!!
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
The Hangover - Must watch or a pass over?
Happy 4th of July everyone - sorry for the short break but was quite busy this past weekend with not too much time for tv (I know - blasphemy!!) but the hubby and I still managed to sneak in a movie Friday night - that's right - The Hangover.
At first I thought this would be a guys' movie with not much in it for me - but I was pleasantly surprised. I thoroughly enjoyed myself and highly recommend it to both guys and gals - though of course, be prepared for some crude language and nudity!! As the title suggests, this movie is about 3 guys who have accompanied their soon-to-be married friend for a Bachelor party and wake up the next morning with a massive hangover - they have no recollection of the night before or how they wound up with a tiger in their room and a missing groom. The rest of the movie deals with them piecing back the night together. I don't want to give the movie away but these friends land in implausible situations with impossible results - downright hilarious!!
Now coming to the performances - I was never a fan of Bradley Cooper in his earlier roles on Alias and He's just not that into you (am not a fan of his weak chin - don't ask me why but I just don't find him handsome although I've heard him described as such) - that changed with this movie. I loved his role in this movie. He pulled off his 'cool as a cucumber in most situations' character really well. Another person showing tremendous potential is Andy from the TV show The Office (don't know his real name but am sure you can look it up). I love watching his character on The Office and he too did a good job here. I like Heather Graham but she doesn't have much to do in this movie. Loved the crazy Asian guy - he is NUTS!! All in all a fun watch.
I don't want to hype up this movie too much but I definitely recommend it for a summer leave your brains home comedy!!
At first I thought this would be a guys' movie with not much in it for me - but I was pleasantly surprised. I thoroughly enjoyed myself and highly recommend it to both guys and gals - though of course, be prepared for some crude language and nudity!! As the title suggests, this movie is about 3 guys who have accompanied their soon-to-be married friend for a Bachelor party and wake up the next morning with a massive hangover - they have no recollection of the night before or how they wound up with a tiger in their room and a missing groom. The rest of the movie deals with them piecing back the night together. I don't want to give the movie away but these friends land in implausible situations with impossible results - downright hilarious!!
Now coming to the performances - I was never a fan of Bradley Cooper in his earlier roles on Alias and He's just not that into you (am not a fan of his weak chin - don't ask me why but I just don't find him handsome although I've heard him described as such) - that changed with this movie. I loved his role in this movie. He pulled off his 'cool as a cucumber in most situations' character really well. Another person showing tremendous potential is Andy from the TV show The Office (don't know his real name but am sure you can look it up). I love watching his character on The Office and he too did a good job here. I like Heather Graham but she doesn't have much to do in this movie. Loved the crazy Asian guy - he is NUTS!! All in all a fun watch.
I don't want to hype up this movie too much but I definitely recommend it for a summer leave your brains home comedy!!
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Ah the romance!!
Pretty woman playing on TV - loved the movie and the memories it brought back. My really really good friend and I watched this when we were in the 9th Standard with her neighbour who was in college at the time.
We had an idea of what this movie was and knew it wasn't something our parents would gladly allow us to watch :) - (Can't believe I am blogging about this but..) we snuck out one summer afternoon and rented it from one of the two video shops in Chembur - watched it at my friend's place because her parents would be at work. Boy was the movie good - we were not disappointed!!! It was everything fairy tales are made of - poor girl meets rich boy; rich boy falls for her and they fall in love and a few misunderstandings later, live happily ever after. Besides the romance (which I am a big sucker for), I loved the witty dialogues, the acting, loved loved loved the 2 leads and Hector Elizondo and the outfits (who can forget JR in the gorgeous red gown ready for the opera). This movie was the movie that put Julia Roberts on the map - she had done a few good movies by then - Mystic Pizza, and Steel Magnolias to name a couple but with this movie there was no denying her "superstardom".
Truth be told, the plot of the movie may be a bit far fetched but I highly recommend this to anyone that loves a good romantic flick. And if you've already watched it, well... watch it again I say :)
We had an idea of what this movie was and knew it wasn't something our parents would gladly allow us to watch :) - (Can't believe I am blogging about this but..) we snuck out one summer afternoon and rented it from one of the two video shops in Chembur - watched it at my friend's place because her parents would be at work. Boy was the movie good - we were not disappointed!!! It was everything fairy tales are made of - poor girl meets rich boy; rich boy falls for her and they fall in love and a few misunderstandings later, live happily ever after. Besides the romance (which I am a big sucker for), I loved the witty dialogues, the acting, loved loved loved the 2 leads and Hector Elizondo and the outfits (who can forget JR in the gorgeous red gown ready for the opera). This movie was the movie that put Julia Roberts on the map - she had done a few good movies by then - Mystic Pizza, and Steel Magnolias to name a couple but with this movie there was no denying her "superstardom".
Truth be told, the plot of the movie may be a bit far fetched but I highly recommend this to anyone that loves a good romantic flick. And if you've already watched it, well... watch it again I say :)
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