KBL-review
rating: 4/5
Genre: Romance/Drama
Type: Straight
Banner: Sri Venkateswara Creations
Cast: Varun Sandesh, Sweta Basu Prasad, Prakash Raj, Jayasudha, Ahuti Prasad, Brahmanandam, Rao Ramesh
Music: Micky J Meyer
Cinematography: Chota K Naidu
Art: AS Prakash
Choreography: Sobhi Paulraj, Pradeep Antony, Baba Bhaskar
Lyrics: Sirivennela Seetarama Sastry, Anant Sriram, Srikanth Addala
Fights: Sayeed
Editing: Marthand K. Venkatesh
Story - Screenplay - Dialogues - Producer: Srikanth Addala
Producer: Dil Raju
Release date: 9 October 2008
Review
Story
Balu (Varun Sandesh) is son of lovable middleclass couple (Prakash Raj & Jayasudha). Swapna (Sweta Basu Prasad) is the daughter of a strict and rich father. Both of them study in a residential college located at a small town of Godavari district. Balu and Swapna fall in love. Swapna is withdrawn from the residential school because her father comes to know about her love. The rest of the story is all about how Balu and Swapna try to get back to each other.
Artists Performance
Main leads: Varun Sandesh shows improvement in this film compared to his debut in Happy Days. He suited the character of the film very well and he needs to work strongly on getting diction right. His boyish charm wins you over. Sweta Basu Prasad (award winning child actress from Iqbal film) is very good and she perfects her role with her childlike innocent look. However, there is a bit of inconsistency in the dubbing in the initial part of the film.
Other actors: Jayasudha and Prakash Raj play a perfect couple like they did in Bommarillu film. However, Jayasudha's role is more meaningful and vital in this film. Ahuti Prasad is good as the father of heroine. Rao Ramesh who impressed everybody in his radical portrayal in Gamyam did the key character of a lecturer in the film. He is very good though he appears to have gone little over board in the class room scenes. This film has lots of fresh faces as friends of hero and heroine. And all of them are natural and add some value to the film. Brahmanandam character offers variety.
Genre: Romance/Drama
Type: Straight
Banner: Sri Venkateswara Creations
Cast: Varun Sandesh, Sweta Basu Prasad, Prakash Raj, Jayasudha, Ahuti Prasad, Brahmanandam, Rao Ramesh
Music: Micky J Meyer
Cinematography: Chota K Naidu
Art: AS Prakash
Choreography: Sobhi Paulraj, Pradeep Antony, Baba Bhaskar
Lyrics: Sirivennela Seetarama Sastry, Anant Sriram, Srikanth Addala
Fights: Sayeed
Editing: Marthand K. Venkatesh
Story - Screenplay - Dialogues - Producer: Srikanth Addala
Producer: Dil Raju
Release date: 9 October 2008
Review
Story
Balu (Varun Sandesh) is son of lovable middleclass couple (Prakash Raj & Jayasudha). Swapna (Sweta Basu Prasad) is the daughter of a strict and rich father. Both of them study in a residential college located at a small town of Godavari district. Balu and Swapna fall in love. Swapna is withdrawn from the residential school because her father comes to know about her love. The rest of the story is all about how Balu and Swapna try to get back to each other.
Artists Performance
Main leads: Varun Sandesh shows improvement in this film compared to his debut in Happy Days. He suited the character of the film very well and he needs to work strongly on getting diction right. His boyish charm wins you over. Sweta Basu Prasad (award winning child actress from Iqbal film) is very good and she perfects her role with her childlike innocent look. However, there is a bit of inconsistency in the dubbing in the initial part of the film.
Other actors: Jayasudha and Prakash Raj play a perfect couple like they did in Bommarillu film. However, Jayasudha's role is more meaningful and vital in this film. Ahuti Prasad is good as the father of heroine. Rao Ramesh who impressed everybody in his radical portrayal in Gamyam did the key character of a lecturer in the film. He is very good though he appears to have gone little over board in the class room scenes. This film has lots of fresh faces as friends of hero and heroine. And all of them are natural and add some value to the film. Brahmanandam character offers variety.
kidnap-review
October 1st, 2008
Movie: Kidnap; Star Cast: Sanjay Dutt, Imran Khan, Minissha Lamba, Vidya Malvade, Rahul Dev and Reema Lagoo; Director: Sanjay Gadhvi; Rating: *1/2
The movie starts in a different manner unlike others, which depicts the suffering of the hero in his jail tenure in forms of sketches. By seeing that one comes to know how much the poor chap had suffered and is filled with utmost hatred with the person who had put him behind the bars.
The movie has the same old stuffs with the same old storyline. There is nothing new or interesting in Kidnap to watch. It has the same zest as we saw in the movie 'Zinda'. It has the same old revenge seeking formula. One does something wrong in childhood and repents for it later in his adulthood. The tag line, "Bachpan ki karne, aur Jawani mein bharni" surely goes the way.
The theme of the movie is clearly understood by its name; 'Kidnap'. The plot revolves around a girl named Sonia (Minissha Lamba) who lives with her mother, Mallika (Vidya Malvade) because when she was ten years old her parents got divorced. Few days prior to her birthday, she gets kidnapped by Kabir Sharma (Imran Khan).
The kidnapper is interested in talking only to her father, Vikrant Raina (Sanjay Dutt) who is filthy rich, with whom the kidnapper has to settle some old dues.
Vikrant has to follow a particular set of rules laid by the kidnapper in order to free his daughter. The twist is that the kidnapper gives Vikrant clues in will help him get closer to his daughter.
The movie kick-starts with a song which dares to bare Minissha in bikinis and two pieces. All throughout the movie one gets to see for the first time — Minissha Lamba in her sexy and seductive avatar. The clues which are given by Imran are good and is obediently followed by Sanjay Dutt. Though one finds some mistakes in it too. Sanjay owns cash worth $51 Billion. Imran tells Sanjay to reach Panvel station at a given time to find the clue to which Sanjay says it is not possible in such a peak time. Imran then tells him to fly and come but Sanjay (please note again: $51 billion owner) cannot afford a helicopter (it seems) and instead robs other people's cars and bikes to reach his destination.
We get to see some very some very strange bonding and emotional conversations between the Minissha and Sanjay when they get to see each other (both handcuffed)It seems that Minissha had been offered the role in this movie only to expose (which she did a little too much). The interesting part is that one gets to see Minissha in all the more revealing clothes after she is been kidnapped (who on Earth will do that); and that did attract Imran towards her.
The movie did have some good camera work. The sequence shot in the jail was worth praise.
Talking about the characters in the movie; Sanjay was impressive. Imran played his character well and fitted into the role. He did prove he is a typical 'Khan' and has a long way to go. Vidya too was worth a watch. Minissha gave a direct message to actresses who have revealed and gained praises that she is no less and as surely joined the queue.The music of the film is strictly ok, apart from a few songs like Mit Jaaye, Hey Ya, Mausam. The action sequence is good specially Imran jumping phenomenon.
Sanjay Gadhvi has not at all done justice to his work and small mistakes are in plenty. We expected more of quality work from him.
First half of the movie is tolerable but the second half irritates you to the core. It can be clearly felt that the movie is being dragged without a point. All in the entire movie fails to grab an attention and has in no sense done justice to the hypes created.
A Big Disappointment, Indeed.
drona -review
Goldie Behl who last directed Abhishek Bachchan in the box-office dud Bas Itna Sa Khwab Hai is back with a superhero movie titled Drona. Abhishek Bachchan portrays the title superhero role with Priyanka Chopra as his bodyguard. Kay Kay Menon is Ritz Raizada, the main villian. The buzz was that about 22 crores was spent solely on Kay Kay’s character in a film which was made at a budget of 90 crores (according to Yahoo) and insured for 50 crores!
Drona is about an orphan Aditya (Abhishek Bachchan), who has never experienced or felt love. The only thing that gives Aditya comfort is a magical blue rose petal that comes wafting into his room, making him smile through his tears. One fine day, the blue petal leads him to a beautiful Kada (a thick bangle like bracelet), which he starts wearing around his wrist. The Evil Riz Raizada (Kay Kay Menon) a descendant of the Asuras (Demons) has become by now desperate in his quest for the special ‘Amrith’, the only missing link in his grand plan of taking over the world. To get to the Amrith, he knows he will have to defeat Drona. But Riz is unaware of who and where Drona is!
Soon at the Riz magic show, Aditya and Riz come face to face. Riz sees the kada around Aditya’s hand, and recognises him as Drona. Aditya is now running for his life. Just as he is about to be captured by Riz, Sonia (Priyanka Chopra) comes to his rescue. She reveals her own identity i.e Drona’s bodyguard and Aditya’s real identity to him but he refuses to believe he is Drona, the savior of the world. Drona is in real the son of Queen Jayati Devi (Jaya Bachchan)!
The fight now is between the good and the evil. Its Drona versus Riz Raizada! Drona has to succeed to save his mother and the world!
Drona Review
On asked what the audience should expect from Drona, Abhishek said “I want them to expect a lot. I never say this, but I want them (the audience) to expect the world. Goldie proved that my expectations weren’t high enough. So I want them to expect a lot more.” Woah, not bad I thought! Yet, not trusting Abhishek as I read something similar from him about Jhoom Barabar Jhoom, I went in with low expectations.
And yet I was heavily disappointed. Disappointed to see Abhishek being part of such a poorly directed low quality movie. Disappointed for the fact that a huge amount of money was wasted on great special effects in a horribly illogical film!
Gustaki Maaf are Kay Kay’s two most favorite words in the movie. Gustaki Maaf Goldie Behl saab, but seriously what were you thinking? Even a 12 year old school kid could have scripted a better superhero story for his school project! Its hard to believe I just saw a movie as bad as Drona. Try figuring this out..
Drona and his bodyguard Sonia are in the middle of a vast desert and out of nowhere, Sonia is pulled into a huge sea! Sea in a desert? Update: Such a location where the Desert meets the sea does exist! Director Goldie Behl says “We got exactly that place it was “Desert meets the Ocean”. After seeing this Abhishek was stunned to see such a fantastic location.”
Which century or era does this movie belong to? We start off with a modern town with all the high funda cars, cut to the next scene we have a palace in a desert that looks dated, back to the early regime of kings!
Drona is warned, open the door, you’ll meet death. He opens and voila out comes a ferocious and filthy looking monster. One punch from our absolutely unfit-for-a-superhero-role Abhishek, down goes the monster!
Jaya Bachchan (Drona’s mother) is mummified, yet tears trickle from her eyes!
If Love Story 2050 had the butterfly which magically assisted Harman Baweja to find a way when in trouble. Drona has a blue flower petal!
Mind you these are just a few of the numerous senseless scenes that Goldie and his Drona team treat us with. Can be forgiven in the name of Fantasy, but then there is hardly a connection between any two scenes.
The characters are poorly written. Kay Kay’s character is more clownish than devilish. The extent of his evil powers and its repercussions if he succeeds is not clear. Same goes with the main character of Drona. His strengths and power are not dealt with in detail which is so very important for a superhero flick.
For all Goldie Behl had to tell, he could have easily reduced the runtime to about 1 and a half hours instead of its actual 2 hours 15 mins runtime. Would have reduced the cost of making and the viewers pain. Though, thankfully it wasn’t longer.
Coming to the songs, which have no significance in the movie, are unbearable. The only thing that stands out in Drona is the brilliant special effects, which are way ahead of Bollywood standards.
Performances are poor. Abhishek Bachchan is no Hrithik Roshan or Akshay Kumar, although he tries hard in the action sequences, his body language or physique just doesn’t suit the role of a superhero with unprecedented physical power. His excess flab around the tummy area is quite clearly seen in the Drona costume. Priyanka Chopra is at her sexiest best! She oozes sensuality and performs the action scenes remarkably well.
Now the much hyped role of Kay Kay Menon, its such a dud. This has to be one of his worst roles ever. A great actor degraded by a stupid role. Jaya Bachchan has a very small role.
Overall, Drona could easily be placed a notch or two below some of the worst movies I have seen. Also, hardly have I witnessed an audience so restless during a movie. Goldie’s childhood promise to Abhishek could turn out to be his worst nightmare ever! At the box-office, Kidnap as a rival will severely make a dent in Drona’s collections. Weekend should be decent, but Monday onwards the fall could well be inevitable.
Positives : Special effects and Priyanka Chopra.Negatives : Almost everything else. Poor direction, bad story, below average performances.. to name a few.
Strictly avoid!
Rating: Half star for Drona.
Drona is about an orphan Aditya (Abhishek Bachchan), who has never experienced or felt love. The only thing that gives Aditya comfort is a magical blue rose petal that comes wafting into his room, making him smile through his tears. One fine day, the blue petal leads him to a beautiful Kada (a thick bangle like bracelet), which he starts wearing around his wrist. The Evil Riz Raizada (Kay Kay Menon) a descendant of the Asuras (Demons) has become by now desperate in his quest for the special ‘Amrith’, the only missing link in his grand plan of taking over the world. To get to the Amrith, he knows he will have to defeat Drona. But Riz is unaware of who and where Drona is!
Soon at the Riz magic show, Aditya and Riz come face to face. Riz sees the kada around Aditya’s hand, and recognises him as Drona. Aditya is now running for his life. Just as he is about to be captured by Riz, Sonia (Priyanka Chopra) comes to his rescue. She reveals her own identity i.e Drona’s bodyguard and Aditya’s real identity to him but he refuses to believe he is Drona, the savior of the world. Drona is in real the son of Queen Jayati Devi (Jaya Bachchan)!
The fight now is between the good and the evil. Its Drona versus Riz Raizada! Drona has to succeed to save his mother and the world!
Drona Review
On asked what the audience should expect from Drona, Abhishek said “I want them to expect a lot. I never say this, but I want them (the audience) to expect the world. Goldie proved that my expectations weren’t high enough. So I want them to expect a lot more.” Woah, not bad I thought! Yet, not trusting Abhishek as I read something similar from him about Jhoom Barabar Jhoom, I went in with low expectations.
And yet I was heavily disappointed. Disappointed to see Abhishek being part of such a poorly directed low quality movie. Disappointed for the fact that a huge amount of money was wasted on great special effects in a horribly illogical film!
Gustaki Maaf are Kay Kay’s two most favorite words in the movie. Gustaki Maaf Goldie Behl saab, but seriously what were you thinking? Even a 12 year old school kid could have scripted a better superhero story for his school project! Its hard to believe I just saw a movie as bad as Drona. Try figuring this out..
Drona and his bodyguard Sonia are in the middle of a vast desert and out of nowhere, Sonia is pulled into a huge sea! Sea in a desert? Update: Such a location where the Desert meets the sea does exist! Director Goldie Behl says “We got exactly that place it was “Desert meets the Ocean”. After seeing this Abhishek was stunned to see such a fantastic location.”
Which century or era does this movie belong to? We start off with a modern town with all the high funda cars, cut to the next scene we have a palace in a desert that looks dated, back to the early regime of kings!
Drona is warned, open the door, you’ll meet death. He opens and voila out comes a ferocious and filthy looking monster. One punch from our absolutely unfit-for-a-superhero-role Abhishek, down goes the monster!
Jaya Bachchan (Drona’s mother) is mummified, yet tears trickle from her eyes!
If Love Story 2050 had the butterfly which magically assisted Harman Baweja to find a way when in trouble. Drona has a blue flower petal!
Mind you these are just a few of the numerous senseless scenes that Goldie and his Drona team treat us with. Can be forgiven in the name of Fantasy, but then there is hardly a connection between any two scenes.
The characters are poorly written. Kay Kay’s character is more clownish than devilish. The extent of his evil powers and its repercussions if he succeeds is not clear. Same goes with the main character of Drona. His strengths and power are not dealt with in detail which is so very important for a superhero flick.
For all Goldie Behl had to tell, he could have easily reduced the runtime to about 1 and a half hours instead of its actual 2 hours 15 mins runtime. Would have reduced the cost of making and the viewers pain. Though, thankfully it wasn’t longer.
Coming to the songs, which have no significance in the movie, are unbearable. The only thing that stands out in Drona is the brilliant special effects, which are way ahead of Bollywood standards.
Performances are poor. Abhishek Bachchan is no Hrithik Roshan or Akshay Kumar, although he tries hard in the action sequences, his body language or physique just doesn’t suit the role of a superhero with unprecedented physical power. His excess flab around the tummy area is quite clearly seen in the Drona costume. Priyanka Chopra is at her sexiest best! She oozes sensuality and performs the action scenes remarkably well.
Now the much hyped role of Kay Kay Menon, its such a dud. This has to be one of his worst roles ever. A great actor degraded by a stupid role. Jaya Bachchan has a very small role.
Overall, Drona could easily be placed a notch or two below some of the worst movies I have seen. Also, hardly have I witnessed an audience so restless during a movie. Goldie’s childhood promise to Abhishek could turn out to be his worst nightmare ever! At the box-office, Kidnap as a rival will severely make a dent in Drona’s collections. Weekend should be decent, but Monday onwards the fall could well be inevitable.
Positives : Special effects and Priyanka Chopra.Negatives : Almost everything else. Poor direction, bad story, below average performances.. to name a few.
Strictly avoid!
Rating: Half star for Drona.
SING IS KINNG -REVIEW
Akshay Kumar, the superstar, is the biggest reason for all the hype surrounding the movie. Akshay’s fan following has increased tremendously in the past 2 years. Also his pairing with co-star Katrina Kaif has created box-office magic in the past.
The movie is directed by Anees Bazmee whose last two movies, No Entry and Welcome, were box office Blockbusters.
Producer Vipul Amruthlal Shah has left no stone unturned in promoting the movie. More than 5 crores has been spent just on promotion.
Is Singh Is Kinng worth all the hype it has generated over the past few weeks? Well to a certain extent, Yes.
First the story. Singh is Kinng is about Happy Singh (Akshay Kumar) a simpleton, from a village in Punjab, with a heart of gold. He always tries to do good, but exactly the opposite happens. He tries to help a villager and ends up ruining the whole village. Frustrated the villagers decide to send him far away to Australia, to bring back Lakhan Singh a.k.a Lucky, an underworld don in Australia.
But as always when Happy Singh sets out to do good, he does the opposite. Happy accompanied by his friend Tony land in Egypt instead of Australia. Here Happy meets Sonia (Katrina Kaif) and falls head over heels in love, at first sight.
Happy then makes his way to Australia. Without any money, Happy and Tony starve for days until Happy bumps into Rose Lady (Kirron Kher) who gives him a place to stay and food to eat. Happy then meets King Lucky, but due to an attack on the gang, Lucky is hurt and now cannot speak a word. After a lot of confusion, Happy is crowned the King (don) of the dangerous underworld gang. After a series of comical errors and misadventures, Sonia turns out to be Rose Lady’s daughter who returns to Australia with her boyfriend (Ranvir Shorey).
Does Happy end up with Sonia or does she marry her boyfriend? Does Happy succeed in taking Lucky back to his village in Punjab? Forms the rest of the hilarious tale.
Singh Is King Review
Singh is King is a perfect example of a great first half ruined by an average second. The pre-interval portions of the movie are filled with hilarious scenes.
Happy chasing a chicken only to end up ruining the whole village is side-splitting.
The scenes between Tony and Happy in Egypt and Australia. The dialogues are rib tickling, especially a few by Tony (Om Puri).
The way Singh (Happy) becomes King is brilliantly written, enacted and executed.
After the extremely entertaining first half, you expect an even better second. Unfortunately, it pales in comparison. The song picturised on Javeed Jaffrey was unnecessary. Also the lack of scenes between Tony and Happy is a negative as their chemistry was brilliant. The climax seemed to be hurried up and before you realise the movie comes to an abrupt end.
Another aspect that could go against the movie is, at times it’s hard to understand the Punjabi dialogues. Also at times in the first half, the voice is not in sync with the lip movement. Wonder why such minor flaws are overlooked in an A grade bollywood movie.
The music is above average. Few songs like ‘Teri Ore’ and ‘Singh is King’ title track standout.
Singh Is King Performances
Akshay Kumar is a great entertainer, he puts his heart and soul into the character of Happy. His comic timing is as good as ever. Katrina Kaif does exactly what’s required of her; she manages to look great in every scene. Must say, her smile has a very pleasing effect on the viewer. She’s also looking better with each passing film. Om Puri is brilliant and his chemistry with Akshay Kumar is one of the reasons to watch the movie. Sonu Sood has improved a lot acting wise since his debut in B grade flicks. Neha Dhupia looks hot, does a decent job. Javeed Jaffrey is funny. The rest of the character actors are good.
Singh Is King Verdict
Overall Singh is King is a typical Akshay Kumar mindless entertainer which has a great first half, beautifully picturised songs and a gorgeous Katrina Kaif. But what makes Singh is King more worthwhile is Akshay Kumar, who holds the movie together, well supported by Om Puri.
If your are a die hard Akshay fan and enjoyed his movies like Welcome, Heyy Babyy last year, dont think twice.. Just go for it! Others can wait for the DVD.
Ill go with 3 on 5 for the most hyped movie of the year!
Happy chasing a chicken only to end up ruining the whole village is side-splitting.
The scenes between Tony and Happy in Egypt and Australia. The dialogues are rib tickling, especially a few by Tony (Om Puri).
The way Singh (Happy) becomes King is brilliantly written, enacted and executed.
After the extremely entertaining first half, you expect an even better second. Unfortunately, it pales in comparison. The song picturised on Javeed Jaffrey was unnecessary. Also the lack of scenes between Tony and Happy is a negative as their chemistry was brilliant. The climax seemed to be hurried up and before you realise the movie comes to an abrupt end.
Another aspect that could go against the movie is, at times it’s hard to understand the Punjabi dialogues. Also at times in the first half, the voice is not in sync with the lip movement. Wonder why such minor flaws are overlooked in an A grade bollywood movie.
The music is above average. Few songs like ‘Teri Ore’ and ‘Singh is King’ title track standout.
Singh Is King Performances
Akshay Kumar is a great entertainer, he puts his heart and soul into the character of Happy. His comic timing is as good as ever. Katrina Kaif does exactly what’s required of her; she manages to look great in every scene. Must say, her smile has a very pleasing effect on the viewer. She’s also looking better with each passing film. Om Puri is brilliant and his chemistry with Akshay Kumar is one of the reasons to watch the movie. Sonu Sood has improved a lot acting wise since his debut in B grade flicks. Neha Dhupia looks hot, does a decent job. Javeed Jaffrey is funny. The rest of the character actors are good.
Singh Is King Verdict
Overall Singh is King is a typical Akshay Kumar mindless entertainer which has a great first half, beautifully picturised songs and a gorgeous Katrina Kaif. But what makes Singh is King more worthwhile is Akshay Kumar, who holds the movie together, well supported by Om Puri.
If your are a die hard Akshay fan and enjoyed his movies like Welcome, Heyy Babyy last year, dont think twice.. Just go for it! Others can wait for the DVD.
Ill go with 3 on 5 for the most hyped movie of the year!
Rating: 3/5
Boost Mobile Nightshift - Nashville
Nashville was hot, but the models were hotter, making the first HIN in Tennessee a good one. Nightshift Nashville had a lot to offer. NOS Energy Drinks Drifting, XDL street bike stunts, Boost Mobile Freestyle Moto-X, a live concert by Delbert McClinton and, of course, the car show and models to top it all off. After driving eight hours and making my way 500 miles to get there, it was more than I expected. The turnout was great with thousands of people making their way to the Music City Motorplex. There were also hundreds of cars featured in the show ranging from Corvette powered Hondas (you read that right!) to supercharged Mustangs. Valvoline even brought their mobile Dyno out to the show. With numbers like 718 hp from a Toyota Supra and 550 hp from a Honda Civic, just to name a few, this event definitely wasn't all show.The FMX bike jumpers and XDL stunt bikers put on a great show too. Between the Freestyle Moto-x and the insane wheelies by the XDL riders, the crowd was pleased. However, the drifting is really what got the crowd on their feet for the motorsports part of the show. The drivers really pushed their cars to the limits coming only inches away from the walls. Unfortunately, things did not go to well for one of the drivers who hit a wall on track during practice runs at close to 90 mph, really tearing up his car and sending him to the Emergency Room with a fractured arm. Nevertheless, like a true sportsman, he returned before the end to hang out and enjoy the rest of the show. The models also got the crowd excited though, for obvious reasons. The beauty of these girls did not disappoint. They were available all night to take photos and sign autographs with fans and they finished off the night with the Search for Miss HIN 2009 contest
