Song of this Summer, 2011

Beera Beera

by

Vijay Prakash, Kuotane (additional vocals by Keerthi Sargathia & A. R. Rahman)

Soundtrack of "Raavan" (2010)

Of course, music needs to be listened to before one may couch it:

Click me to listen

or

Click me to listen

Beware, this song is addictive. Big time. It's one of the best songs that have ever sprung from Rahman's magic fingers or brain, or whatever makes him do what he does. 

The duration of about 3 minutes has been described as "tantalizingly short", and I though I have never heard that word before (looked it up in a dictionary), I know that it's true. The song isn't exactly short, actually, about the length of a typical western pop song, but you never want it to stop, you want those holy tunes to go on and on and on. 

Many of Rahman's best songs commence in a quite "strange" sounding way, which in my eyes is a clever step, as the brilliancy of the song shows off even more in that contrast. A rough voice sings "Aankhon mein jaan... oooo..." ("In his eyes his beloved", I believe), quickly followed by some "jungle tunes", as I call them - evoking pictures of a jungle and its strange residents in your mind. 

And now comes my favorite, favorite part... I am mad about this part. After I went crazy about this song, I kept hearing this part all the time, wherever I went, just - always. It doesn't even have any lyrics. Basically, and objectively, it's Rahman (the God!), singing "e-e-e-o, e-e-e-o-o, o-o-o-o-o...". Twice... oh, I must keep listening to it! It is... pure, pure magic, pure inspiration - pure music.

Then it's over, and the song begins for sure.

This is probably the addictive part for most of the people who love this song, and it is addictive, though not as much as my favorite part. Eh bien, qu'est-ce que c'est? Le refrain, évidemment. Basically consisting of... one word. A name. Ah, names with power - one word, one name is enough to awaken your senses... Better than "Main Hoon Don", way better, much more simple, just "Beera". 

"Beera ke das maathe, Beera ke sau naam,

chede jo Beera ko... dhamadhamdhamdham"

("Beera has ten heads, a hundred names - if someone taunts at Beera... dhamadhamdhamdham!")

He doesn't even have the coolest name on earth, he is also a God (like Rahman), immortal probably - and don't'u dare touch'm.  Ah, let's praise him even more by singing his name. (Vijay Prakash is a rrrrockstar, by the way).

I really like how they bring in the "jungle tunes" as the song goes by. You feel like you're standing in the middle of a jungle, and all those natives are dancing around you singing weird songs and playing weird instruments. In the middle of them Vijay Prakash, praising "Beera", the man who kidnapped you. Sorry, not the man - the God, who is frightening, brutal and above all that, well, plain awesome.

"Arey Beera udhti aandhi, Beera ek toofan,

saans mein uble agni - Beera jalti jaan, jaalti jaan..."

("Beera is a rising storm, Beera is a tornado, in his breath the fire is burning - Beera burning lives...")

I told you, he's awesome. I mean, he's kind of a human dragon, too, as we just found out. "Beera burning lives, burning lives, burning lives... Beera...".

"Janam naa poocho, jaat naa poocho,

poocho jo pehchan - Beera ka abhimaan hai, abhimaan hai..."

("Don't ask about his birth, don't ask about his caste, 'cause if you do ask, you'll realize - Beera's got ego...")

Maybe he doesn't wear suits, isn't well-groomed and he doesn't have a smoky voice - but Beera is a strict business person. He doesn't talk privacy with anyone, he's the Godfather of the jungle... 

I actually also love those verses... This song is just rock around the... ah, not clock... jungle. I think we should invent a new genre, "Jungle Rock". I mean, what else would "Beera Beera" be? Okay, "Rahman", most certainly, a genre that already contains many other Rahman songs unable to be put into the cupboard of genres... Most likely his best ones...

The rest of the song is not new in terms of lyrics. There's a repetition of the first verse and a lot of singing "Beera". Addictive, by the way. 

And then, it's over. It's just over. And you want to cry, cry your heart out, because this wasn't supposed to end - this was heaven! Heaven!

Hm... wait a minute... I once heard of the so-called "re-play" button... 

Oh, thank God! Thank you, Rahman and Beera (well, I called them "God", so...)! Oh, there it is again...

"Aankhon mein jaan... ooo..."

And again. And again. And again. And again. And again. And a...

gain.

----------------------------

Thank you for reading,

Mette M. K.

Longing for Bollywood, reading blogs and enjoying the holidays

This is the first true random-thoughts-post I'm doing on this blog...

First of all, I wanted to tell you that I really enjoy reading all your posts from when I was in Greenland.
I don't have the opportunity to watch any Bollywood films at the time, because I'm in Denmark, but I will be back on Wednesday.

I also discovered some new blogs, that I'll add to my surf board very soon, and one of them wrote the most beautiful review on my all-time-super-duper-favorite Dil Se. Read it here.


Well, I'll spend the rest of my time here watching some mediocre Hollywood films, chilling with my Danish guest family, reading and swimming, if the weather is good.

That's all...

Mission "AFAD" - June 2011 (Yeah, I'm Back)

So, did you miss your favorite blog a lot?
(*Coughing*)...

Oh my God, it's so great to be back, I was so depressed without...

Dear Readers,
Lime Reviews is back after a terrific adventure in the arctic. I've had a wonderful time, but I've also missed blogging and especially watching movies like a mad one. Well, I did watch five films up in Kalaalit Nunaat (is that the way it's spelt?). But you'll have to wait for more about that until July edition.
I didn't want to publish the June edition of Mission AFAD before leaving, because I thought I might watch some films on the hotel in CPH or something (and yes, it turned out I did).

I coincidentally published the (yet blank) July edition, and The Bolly Hood asked me, what AFAD was, so if you are new here, you can either click on the button to your right, or just on this link.

Voilá:

20 - veinte (my Spanish is getting better and better)

The Devil Wears Prada (2006) David Frankel
USA, English
This one and the next two films are the remains of our DVD night in May (take a look at the May edition to know more).
Maybe you know, maybe you don't, but I've been a real fashion freak once, and I'm still quite into it. Not in a fanatic kind of way, but I do spend a lot on clothes, and I read a lot of fashion magazines. There are a lot of bad fashion flicks around in the filmic universe, but The Devil Wears Prada is actually one of the good ones, in my opinon. Even though I hate the end. Meryl Streep rules the film as a fictive version of Anna Wintour (chief-editor of US Vogue), and Anne Hathaway is also nice (though really a supporting actress here). Believe it or not: this was the "serious" film at our DVD-night.

American Pie (1999) Paul Weitz
USA, English - second view
Maybe you believe it now. It might be a rescue though, that this was only my second time to watch American Pie (okay, I've seen the 2nd part more often). But to be honest, I actually think that American Pie belongs to the better teenage-sex-comedies. It doesn't really take itself to serious. Somehow. Ah, let's not write more about it.

Sex and the City 2 (2010) Michael Patrick King
USA, English - second view
... You must believe it now (if you still now, what I'm talking about). But hey, come on, it is a little entertaining. If you're a female person. Even though it was the only film where I fell asleep a little. Because it's also boring.

The Hangover 2 (2011) Todd Phillips
USA, English - first view (cinema)
One of the best cinema-experiences I've had in the last few months. The largest of the cinema halls of our cinema was filled up (and it's really big) - I love that! I went to watch it with a couple of friends and my sister, and we had so much fun. It's so great when the whole audience is laughing and everything. No, it's not as good as the first part, but it does come near it... The wolfpack is back!

Die Wilden Kerle (= "The Wild Boys") (2003) Joachim Masannek
Germany, German
These films were so cool when I was like 9 years old! They are about a couple of boys (and one girl) who play football together, and they're like so cool and wild. I watched them a thousand times with my little sister and her best friend. So, we decided to rewatch them - and oh my gosh, how cute are they! If you like child films, you might check them out, at least the first two.

Fiza (2000) Khalid Mohamed
India, Urdu - first view
I had watched the beginning a couple of weeks ago (yes, on the internet, I admit *shamonme*), but I then decided to buy the DVD to watch the whole film. It's much better than I though to begin with. It was the first time I was actually impressed by Karishma Kapoor. Jaya Bachchan is wonderful as well, and Hrithik is... lala. Recommmendable, especially if you're interested in Indian terrrorism-films.
And by the way, it convinced me to take up my arabic-learning again (don't ask me, why, though). Shukran.

Gundaraj (1995) Guddu Dhanoa
India, Hindi - first view
Oh, I've almost forgotten what this film is about. I remember that Ajay looked rather handsome though, and Kajol was terrific even though the role was horrible. The whole film has a tendency to the horrible side (can you say that?). Some songs were okay, but that's all. Watch it if you love Kajol.

Karthik Calling Karthik (2010) Vijay Lalwani
India, Hindi - first view
I only got interested in this one after reading some very positive reviews on the internet, and it was  much better than expected. Farhan once mores prooves he's as talented an actor as a director, and Deepika surprised me by not being quite fake. Who knows, maybe there's hope for her?
The film works well as a thriller, there's a lot of tension and you're never bored.
(PS: I was thinking of getting Karthik's telephone-"tune"... hehe).

How I Met Your Mother - Season 3 (2005- ) Carter Bays, Craig Thomas
USA, English - first view
I. Love. HIMYM.

Phas Gaye Re Obama (2010) Subhash Kapoor
India, Hindi - first view
Funny new addition to "actually-funny-Indian-comedies", though not overwhelming. I was maybe expecting a second "Tere Bin Laden". But I can recommend this one, too.

Bonnie & Clyde (1967) Arthur Penn
USA, English - first view
The monthly classic... I know I'm not watching many classics, but I'm trying. Bonnie & Clyde may not seem to be more than just a funny, entertaining action-flick, but if you know the background of it, it's extremely interesting. How it changed the American film industry and allowed more violence and realism on screen. Definitely a must watch.

Raavan (2010) Mani Ratnam
India, Hindi - first view
Well, just read my review.

Hanna (2011) Joe Wright
USA/ UK/ Germany, mostly English - first view (cinema)
How I just hate to get a head ache in cinema. I can feel well for months, and then just on that day, my body decides it doesn't feel well. Watching "Hanna" in cinema was worth the pain though - I loved it. Saoirse Ronan is my favorite teen actress, also because she's very down-to-earth and natural, and plays the best roles in some of the best films. "Hanna" is better than every party I've been to (no, I'm not a big party-goer), the electric beats to the tough teenage girl fighting all those muscle-men - vavavoom! One of the best 2011-ers yet.

Australia (2008) Baz Luhrmann
Australia, English - second view
The last weeks of school are such a waste. You mostly have vicars and you watch a lot of movies. I had seen "Australia" before, and yes, I liked it. Baz Luhrmann is a very dramatic director, but I like dramatism - not to be confused with kitsch or soap-opera. I also like Nicole Kidman. And which Bollywood-fan doesn't like Hugh Jackman?

Iqbal (2005) Nagesh Kukunoor
India, Hindi - first view
What a cute film. Bollywood isn't major in doing sports films (no, I haven't seen "Lagaan" yet), so this is one of the better ones. I didn't know it was such a simple, low-budget production before, as it earned a lot of awards (and yes, that was and is still, rather unusual for low-budget) - j'adore.
We need to see more of Shreyas Talpade! Shreyas, don't waste your talent on average roles.
And Nagesh Kukunoor: get back to your "Iqbal"-roots, I'll forget everything about "Aashayein".

Dhobi Ghat [Mumbai Diaries] (2011) Kiran Rao
India, Hindi/ English - first view
See here. (You don't want to know, what happens, if you don't. And WATCH the film, if you haven't yet, for heavens sake).

Chalo Dilli (2011) Shashant Shah
India, Hindi - first view
It won't be the end of the world, if you miss this one, though. It is very cute. And it has an important female main character. But it drags along at times. Especially the end is like... is it over now? Is it over now? Not over yet? Akshay was also annoying. But otherwise, you can have some laughs, and fun...

Ragini MMS (2011) Pawan Kripalani
India, Hindi - first view
The worst thing about this one is, that even though there's tension, the potential is never fully used. What is supposed to be the "really scary part", matlab where we see where the danger comes from, is rather laughable, even though I watched the film in complete darkness. I'd rather recommend to watch last year's "LSD".

The Invention of Lying (2009) Ricky Gervais, Matthew Robinson
USA, English - first view
If you need a light, but still funny and not bland, romantic comedy, do check out this one. The idea is good, and the makers manage to keep a balance between fun and... well, philosophy. Kinda.

It's a Wonderful Afterlife (2010) Gurinder Chadha
UK, English/ Hindi - first view
Admittably, Gurinder Chadha has made better films (ah, Aaron Johnson), but this one is... okay.
I mean, you never get bored. Sometimes you think "this is just ridiculous", but you're never really able to turn off the telly.
Buuut... it's nothing you need to watch.

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Thank you for reading,

Mette M. K.

When You're Speechless

Speechless-review:

Dhobi Ghat [Mumbai Diaries] (2011)

directed by Kiran Rao

Watch. This. Movie.

NOW.

Summer Hiatus

Yes, Lime Reviews will be on summer hiatus until middle of August.

I'm going to Greenland on wednesday for 3,5 weeks, after that I'll spend some time in Denmark, and finally I'll be in Hamburg for one week. 

The last week I'll spend with my friends.

I've never been to Greenland before, and I am INCREDIBLY excited.

I probably won't be watching any movies though, in these 3,5 weeks, which is going to be weird. Very weird. The worst thing is, that I'll be missing the preview of Harry Potter 7.2!!! The last HP!

But no, I wont complain, because bla, bla, I'm so happy to have this opportunity, not exploring the country the way a "normal" tourist usually does, because I'll be living with native people, and my Danish "guest mother" (Ever told you about my guest family? It's more like a real family, where I often spend my holidays.) is originally from Greenland.

 I won't even be thinking of the midnight release of Harry Potter, where all Harry Potter buffs meet for the last time to get their next dose of the awesomest drug ever invented (thank you J. K. Rowling!!!), because... I'll be looking at the wonderful nature, you know ice bears and ice and... water... and... blue whales... air temperature: 5-7° C...

STOP!

I'm being very unthankful. 

(...)

*washing-brain-with-best-soap-I-could-find*

(...)

Whooooooooyyyaaaaaa..... GREENLAND!!! <3