The Weekual Thursday PP: It's time for muscles and gangsters

Did anyone read an absolutely positive review on Mausam yet? It ran at the Hamburg cinema this monday, but I a) didn't have the money to go that far and b) wasn't very convinced about the film yet.

I'm sorry to tell you that I'm not able to watch the trailers of this week's releases - I'm sitting at the library right now -, I hope you don't mind.
Releasing this week, we have:

Chargesheet
Director: Dev Anand (Love at Times Square, Mr Prime Minister)

I... also wasn't able to include a picture, because there are none on google... Doesn't look to good, this one. Never knew that Dev Anand directed films, too, and a look at his directography made me realize I'd never heard of any of those films either. Well, well. Not even a wikipedia-article?

That's it, then.

Hum Tum Shabana
Director: Sagar Ballary (Bheja Fry)

THEATRICAL TRAILER

Bheja Fry was amusing, but not comletely thought-through, also reminding of "Dinner for Schmocks" very much.
This one reminds me of "Dostana"... they're not acting gay, all right, but still... "Two guys, one girl... fighting over her"?

Yeah, I've never heard that before.

I like the idea of the poster, however, it's a bit too colourful, cheap somehow.

Verdict: Dunno.

The Weekual Thursday PP: Biggie, maybe, nay

Hello my fellow bloggers and readers,
I'd like to have some more films to put on the list of what I've seen this month, but times are stressful. Well, they're quite good however, and I'm having a lot of fun at the time. Whatever.
Tonight I'll be watching The Infidel (2010) at the indie cinema, I'm a little excited... It doesn't sound like the best film ever, but it still might be a lot of fun.

New Hindi releases of the week:

Mausam
Director: Pankaj Kapoor (debuting as director)

THEATRICAL TRAILER

This is the second time I watched the trailer, and I must say I'm not as impressed as the first time.
It's just this feeling, you know, as if the trailer is supposed to blow us away, and like, really impress us.

Reminds of the times I watched the Avatar trailer (which was every time I went to the cinemas half a year before the release) - I hated the trailer. It was so in love with itself, do you know what I mean?
Well, I still like Avatar (though not as much as those people who watch nothing else but big blockbuster), so yes, I think I'll like Mausam, too.
It's also cool that the girl is a ballet dancer, though on the other hand, I hope they made something new out of it, and don't just copy The Curious Case of Benjamin Button or maybe parts of Black Swan.

Verdict: No one should miss this - but make sure not to have too high expectations.

The Weekual Thursday PP: Meh

A quick post before my guests are arriving.
Btw, the reviews on MBKD are rather optimistic, it sounds like a lot of fun.

This week's Hindi releases:

Jaana Pehchana
Director: Sachin Pilgaonkar (actor who also directed some rather unknown films)

NO TRAILER FOUND


Poster looks cheesy and reminds me of a telenovela. That woman has a lot of bad make-up on her, and both she and the guy are awfully photoshopped.

Also, I don't understand the title. "To go, to discover"?

Verdict: Looks boring

The Weekual Thursday PP: Monopoly

Most of my week has gone by fast as the wind, but I'm happy I still found time to update you (and me) on the latest Bollywood releases.

Not that there's a lot going on, with only one single film releasing.

Mere Brother Ki Dulhan
Director: Ali Abbas Zafar (debuting)

THEATRICAL TRAILER

I'm starting to like this film. After hearing the name, reading the story, even seeing the first pictures - believe me, I had some serious issues with this film.

The release-timing is obviously perfect - starting a weekend without competition? That's the good old Yash Raj monopoly. Doesn't mean I'll watch the film without being a little critic, but I do sense some masala fun in the way I like it (much more attractive than Bodyguard, this one).

And if it turns out Katrina's acting skills haven't improved? - We always have Imran and Ali!

Verdict: Kinda do-watch 


Official Site - Mere Brother Ki Dulhan








At the end of this post, I'd like to ask you if you're still interested in this feature - always like to hear some good or bad criticism.

(If there's no response, I'll take that as a yes, hehe).

The Weekual Thursday PP: "Bol"ing about yellow Doc Martens plus the usual trash

This week's Indian releases are a little different "unusual", as 4 films are set to release on a wednesday (that's today), and only one of them on friday. Makes me wonder... but they must have their reasons. We all know that Indian release dates can be weird. Or postponed.

Let's see, if this week is having some better things ready for us than last time:

Bas Ek Tamanna
Director: Rahul Kapoor (debuting with a whole bunch of films this year)

That's odd... there's nothing I can find about this film except for the poster and cast/crew.

Really: nada, niente.

The Weekual Thursday PP: One out of Five

I'm pretty stressed out at the moment because of various... things... but that's not what I wanted to tell you. There it is: this week is what I (very creatively) call the "how-i-met-your-mother-week", so I haven't watched anything but HIMYM. The new season will be released on September 19 and I need to have finished watching the last two seasons until then. I can already tell you: it's fun! It's fun to watch a series all day long (except when you're stressed out there is no "all day long", but...). You don't have to think a lot (doesn't mean HIMYM isn't intelligent, though), you can just relax and be... be a series-fanatic instead of a film-fanatic.
However, I'll be making an exception today and go watch The Tree of Life in the theatre, one of my most anticipated films this year.

Speaking of theatre - what's coming up in India for tomorrow?

Chitkabrey - Shades of Grey
Director: Suneet Arora (debuting - though he looks rather old!)

THEATRICAL TRAILER

Never heard of this film before? Me neither.

Muhahahha... what's going here?
Are they even allowed to call that a film and not a over-lenghth soap-opera episode?

The actors are the worst I've ever seen, the effects, editing and direction (of the trailer) is the worst I've ever seen... and the story? A very bad copy of Saw, I believe.

Also looks a bit like Game, just with a strong note of B-film.

Even the poster looks embarrassing. Ugh.

Verdict: Rather-do-not watch (but then again... it might be fun)

The Weekual Thursday PP is back

I know that it's Saturday, but this first week of school was quite stressful, so I had no time at all to write this.

There was also some complication with my DVD-order, so I don't have any 2011-Bollywood-DVDs yet, and I also don't have any money (almost). It's just enough to go to the indie-cinema about once a week for 3€, which means I'll be watching "The Tree of Life" next week, but I'll still have to wait for "Super 8" and "Planet of The Apes". Anyways, I have a lot of other DVDs to watch.

It's nice to really be back again, I always love writing this feature.

Not A Love Story

Director: Ram Gopal Varma (Rann, Rakht Charitra)

THEATRICAL TRAILER

Ram Gopal Varma is Bollywoods go-to man if you want to chock the whole industry/ country. He has his very own film-making style, and he has both failed greatly and succeeded greatly with his films. 

I dare say we can expect something new and chocking from his latest film.

Mahie Gill has already left a quite good impression on me in "Dev.D", and I'm eager to see, whether she can live up to the expectations I have.

The male lead is a newcomer, and I'm also interested in watching how good he is, but it's also important that this is a female-centered film. At least I hope so.

"Not A Love Story" is one of the films to keep an eye on...

Verdict: Do-watch

The Weekual Thursday PP: Summer Break Edition

THE 9TH WEEKUAL THURSDAY PP

Lime Reviews will have a summer break from next week on (I'll write more on that later - there'll be a bye-post, too), so of course, I won't be able to keep this feature during the next 8 weeks.

Therefore, I decided to create a summer break edition, where I'll present to you the films releasing until third week in August (at least the ones that are announced until now).

Something I also wanted to mention: I'm not trying to decide what you should watch and what not, I'm just giving my personal advice - so you can follow it or not, that's all up to you.

However, we'll skip the "first introduction posters", how I like to call them, the pictures or posters I usually post at the start of each post.

17. June

Always Kabhi Kabhi

Director: Roshan Abbas (debuting)

THEATRICAL TRAILER

Let's start with some things I hate about the film until now:

- the voice of the first girl we see in the trailer

- Shahrukh using his commercial voice, as if he was selling a car or something... no emotions...

- the song at the end of the trailer

- the first look poster - everyone's looking very wax statue-y

We all know, that this isn't the next 3 Idiots or Main Hoon Na.

But. The film does have potential. To  entertain us, at least.

I hope that it's not all as bad as it looks like, even though I doubt that Shahrukh is more than an ambassador for this film.

Verdict: Maybe-watch

Bheja Fry 2

Director: Sagar Ballary (Bheja Fry)

THEATRICAL TRAILER

If Vinay Pathak as Bharat Bhushan is some kind of Indian counterpart of Zach Galfianakis as Alan in Hangover, then one could say that Bheja Fry 2 is some kind of Indian  counterpart of Hangover 2. I myself am a big fan of the Hangover-films, and also liked the second film, and I really liked Bheja Fry as well (read my mini review here). 

But will a second part work? It is, of course, without Rajat Kapoor (my love), but Kay Kay Menon is a good compensation. However, it will probably be quite senseless - but Hangover is not better regarding this factor.

Setting the story on a cruise, and later on an island, is a good idea though, as the film probably won't grow boring because of that.

Hm, my mind is split about this one, I don't really know what to think of it.

Verdict: Maybe-watch

Bhindi Baazaar Inc

Director: Ankush Bhatt (debuting)

THEATRICAL TRAILER

Warning: The theatrical trailer is longer than 4 minutes, but you can watch half of it only, if you want to. I only watched half of it - I'm always scared to get to know more about a film, than I want to.

That aside, Bhindi Baazaar Inc looks really good. They've made a lot of posters, by the way... 

I just read an interview with Shilpa Shukla in the latest edition of ISHQ (a great Bollywood mag), and it was very interesting. I hope she'll be recognized more after this one.

I also already mentioned Kay Kay Menon, who will be playing a major role in BBI, and I'm excited for that, too.

In a whole, the film looks pretty interesting.

Verdict: Do-watch

Bin Bulaye Baarati

Director: Chandrakant Singh (Rama Rama Kya Hai Dramaaa)

THEATRICAL TRAILER

Ugh... eye cancer. 

(...)

Even more after watching the trailer!

If you want bad comedy, discrimination of homosexuals, nonsense, eye cancer and an item number by Mallika Sherawat in one film - watch Bin Bulaye Baraati.

If you don't want any of these, then don't watch it.

Verdict: Rather-do-not-watch

My Husband's Wife/ Mere Pati Ki Patni

Director: Vinod Chhabra (Mysteries - Shaque (???))

THEATRICAL TRAILER

Even more eye cancer... What, are we back in the 90s? No, this is even worse.

A mixture of soft porn, soap opera and... well, the worst 90s' Bollywood films, and a trailer seeming to be made on Windows Movie Maker.

And the poster...

Verdict: Rather-do-not-watch












24. June


Double Dhamaal
Director: Indra Kumar (Dil/ Mann/ Masti/ Pyare Mohan)

THEATRICAL TRAILER

Indian slapstick... Always an issue. Sometimes, when in the right mood, I'm able to actually enjoy a film like this, but mostly I don't.

No Entry and Bhagam Bhag were two films like this, for instance, that I was able to enjoy.

Double Dhamaal doesn't look like the worst thing I've ever seen, nor the worst film Arshad ever wasted his talent in, so it might get a chance to convince me.

Verdict: Maybe-watch

1. July


Bbuddah... Hoga Terra Baap
Director: Poori Jagannath (Shart, Pokiri)

TEASER 1

I don't know if either Double Dhamaal or Bbuddah will be successful, or even both (neither being successful is not to be suspected), but I do know for sure, that big can't-see-through sun glasses in neon colours will be THE new accessory amongst Bollywood-lers.

I might buy some myself... That'd be fun. I could do a post on them...

Oh, sorry, I was just rambling... Well, you can look through all the teasers, I didn't want to do that myself, but I'm more optimistic concerning Bbuddah, than DD.

One explanation might be Amitabh, who is able to act in the worst films (*cough aag*), but still never looses his dignity, somehow... Another one might be that poster and trailer are more cool. Whatever.

Verdict: Do-watch




Delhi Belly
Director: Abhinay Deo (Game)

THEATRICAL TRAILER

Wauw! I didn't know it was looking this good, as I've only seen the very first teaser some months ago...

I didn't even know Imran was in it. He finally gets the opportunity to show a new side of himself - the new styling is also very helpful. I am so seeing the JTYJN-talent back again (ok, I haven't seen any other Imran-film, but I've heard about them).

Did I ever mention I love Aamir Khan (which includes his company Aamir Khan Productions)? I think so. He is incredible. Everything he touches turns to gold (and I know you've heard that before, but it is true, d.i.!).

Sooooooooooooooooooo excited!
(By the way: when - is - Dhobi Ghat - releasing - on - DVD????)

Verdict: Watch, watch, watch it!!! (And feel pity for me for one second).






8. July


A Classic Story
Director: Pankaj Yadav (debuting)

So, it's hard to find anything about this one, other than the crew, which is unknown to me, so here are some links that might help the research-loving reader:

Pankaj Yadav's IMDB page  (the film doesn't have one yet)


Cast & Crew on indiafm


Saadat Hasan Manto on wikipedia (the one whose "Jaanki" the film is based on)

Verdict: Do-watch, because I'm curious








Chillar Party
Directors: Vikas Bahl (debuting as a dir.) & Nitesh Tiwari (debuting)

THEATRICAL TRAILER

Okay, if you make a film, you seem to be having the option to give it a stupid name, create a couple of stereotype characters (here children) and invent a stupid plot that's even stupider than the things I mentioned before.

Then you have a film.

A good one? No. Can you know that without having seen the film? Yes.

Verdict: Rather-do-not-watch












Murder 2
Director: Mohit Suri (Zeher/ Kalyug/ Raaz 2)

THEATRICAL TRAILER

I know that the Bhatt films are very sex-sells and like to "borrow" ideas from other film industries. I also know that Murder was very sex-sells and the idea was "borrowed".
But nevertheless, I like most of the Bhatt films, and there are many reasons for that (not only the fabulous soundtracks) - and Murder is one of the very best Bhatt films I know.

However, Murder 2 seems to be having more than one little flaw - here's a list of some things I'm not looking forward in it:
- Emraan's ugly hair style
- "Jaqueline Fernandez" (never heard of) instead of Mallika...
- the posters (ew...)
- No good songs until now (at least in the trailer)
- No chemistry, no good plot, no originality, no entertainment...
But: It's Murder 2. And it's the Bhatts. So who knows...

Verdict: Maybe-watch






15. July


Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara
Director: Zoya Akhtar (Luck By Chance) - FEMALE DIRECTOR!!!

THEATRICAL TRAILER

I love Zoya Akhtar. Not only because she's one of the few Indian female directors, but also because her films are wonderful.
Well... at least the only one she's made until now. Already one of my favorites.

The trailer of this one certainly also looks great (didn't watch it another time now, but I remember it) - three hotties, Europe, summer, sun... Perfect.
There can only be one big summer hit a year, and I think I can already tell for sure, that This Is It.
Yes, it's inspired by The Hangover. So what? It certainly looks better than Bheja Fry 2. And I love The Hangover. And I love Zoya, Abhay, Hrithik, Farhan... even Kalki.
Ok, some plot lines are a bit annoying (having fun before marriage - after that life's "over" (though I don't intend on marrying myself) and the annoying dominating female fiancé), but otherwise: Sooooooo excited!

Verdict: Do-watch






22. July


Singham
Director: Rohit Shetty (Golmaal-series/ Sunday/ All the Best)

THEATRICAL TRAILER

Oops... I think I'm having a déja-Dabangg right now. Or is it a Dabangg-vu? Hm....

No, honestly. He's been training. There's a small love story, but he almost immediately gets the girl. He's corrupt. And: I almost forgot, he's a police officer. In a small village.

Yawn... I think I'll re-watch Dabangg instead.

... Or the Lion King hahaha....

Verdict: Rather-do-not-watch










29. July 


Khap
Director: Ajai Sinha


I don't think I want to say anything about a film that doesn't even have a poster yet.

5. August


Chala Mussaddi - Office Office
Director: Rajiv Mehra (Ek Jaan Hai Hum/ Chamatkar / Ram Jaane (...you're kidding?!))

... ... Sorry... ... Oh my gosh, this is really the guy who directed Ram Jaane (bursting with laughter)... I can't believe it! I have to watch this film!
Ram Jaane! "Pump up da bhangra"... Hehe.
He directed his first film in 1983! And the last one in 1995! ... I was born in that year.

Verdict: Do-watch


Chitkabrey - The Shades of Grey
Director: Suneet Arora (debuting - but check out his IMDB, there are pictures (!))

"The relationships of seven couples are put to a stress test. Whether they break or get stronger?".


That's all I can find about this film - but I'm not going to be mad, I mean, were out in the late releases now.








12. August


Aarakshan
Director: Prakash Jha (Mrityudand / Apaharan/ Raajneeti)

THEATRICAL TRAILER


Wow, I'm surprised there's already a trailer and everything...
I'm really looking forward to this one, and there are various reasons for that (yeah, list):


- Prakash Jha is a great director, and one of the best to make films about Indian politics - Raajneeti was superb
- We have a ensemble cast of good, but very different actors (yes, I'm starting to like Deepika even...)
- The trailer and first look seem promising


The film doesn't look as spectacular as my other favorite-releases, but I like that... It looks very Prakash Jha.


Verdict: Do-watch
















Mujhse Fraaandship Karoge
Director: Nupur Ashtana (debuting in dir.)

Ugh, I'm breaking out in a rash when hearing that title... Much worse than Luv Ka the End.
Otherwise, I like the idea of Yash Raj's new banner, Y-films, but... Hm. Would I be able to like a film with that title?


Verdict: Maybe-watch










Phhir 
Director: Girish Dhamija (Yakeen, and also releasing this year Dial M for Marriage (hehe))

So, it's a thriller, and I also read the plot.


However, it's hard to say anything without having seen the trailer or something... The poster looks kind of trashy, though. And I heard that Yakeen is terrible. 


Oh, and Dial M for Marriage? Honestly?


Verdict: Maybe-watch






























Soundtrack
Director: Neerav Ghosh (debuting)

Wooooow, I like that poster!


Okay, the "What the F!" might be a little over-the-top... but maybe it isn't... I don't know.


Judging from the poster, this film is good.


Yeah, I think it'll be good. I know for sure.


Verdict: Do-watch

Sorry for the weird formation of the last films - blogger fail...

Thank you for reading,

Mette M. K.

The Weekual Thursday PP: Debut-time!

THE 8TH WEEKUAL THURSDAY PP

I just ordered three 2011 Bollywood DVDs two days ago, and it's the first time that I've:

- ordered more than 1 Bollywood DVD on the internet (excluding German releases from amazon.de)
- ordered Bollywood DVDs from outside Germany (this time India), excluding Salaam Namaste and KANK, which I ordered from Yash Raj (not at the same time)
- been patient enough to buy new releases on the internet, and not bought them at the local (ahem... is Hamburg local?) Indian store, where you can never be sure, if it's an original

I'm so excited. I just hope they'll be here in time. How long do DVDs ship from India to Germany?

And if you wondered, which DVDs I've ordered:
Tanu Weds Manu - heard it's okay/ good (and Madhavan is in it)
Yeh Saali Zindagi - I need to build my own opinion, everyone thinks so differently about it
Dum Maaro Dum - I - am - so - eager - to - see - myself (if it's crap or "crackatastic")

Sadly, just the other day some other DVDs were released, but well... I think I can wait (or buy at the local... ar... no... I  wouldn't do that).

Achcha, this week we have four new releases (don't believe in indiafm - never heard of our first release?!):

"Cycle Kick"... well, something with bicycles and Subhash Ghai...

Could be an un-witty comedy... or a good one

"Shaitan" - do I have to say more?

"West is West"... sounds okay... No, I haven't seen "East is East"

Cycle Kick
Director: Shashi Silgudia (debuting)

Believe me, there is almost zero percent information to find about this film on the internet.

I've searched (almost) everywhere, and all I could find was this poster, some stills and a list of the cast.

The cast is completely unknown to me, except for producer Subhash Ghai, who... well, who hasn't been too successful for the past years...

So, just guessing without any information, I think this could be a sports film... also about friendship... and believing in yourself.

With a... big soul, you know? Like, a really good Subhash Ghai flick. There might also be music in it... And... it might flop.









Love Express
Director: Sunny Bhambani (debuting)

THEATRICAL TRAILER

This one looks even worse than "Cycle Kick", because it has a theatrical trailer. A bad one.

It looks so cheap and wanna-be, that... I want to puke. Okay, that's a bit exaggerated, but hello "they want to make it"? "FUN"? "Friends, family, songs, dance, masti, romance, fun and tears"?

And Subhash Ghai you little bastard, two films from debuting directors, both produced by you, releasing at the same date?

... That's all.











Shaitan
Director: Bijoy Nambiar (debuting but was Line Producer for Raavan)

THEATRICAL TRAILER

Watching the trailer a second time, some doubts are popping up, but I still haven't lost my belief in "Shaitan" being a good film.

I really, really hope that it's not just a "we-want-to-shock-the-audience-of-India" film (like "Love Sex aur Dhokha" was at times), even thought that can also be fun.

I just want it to be outstanding, brilliant, new. "Dev D"-like. I mean, Anurag Kashyap is one of the producers. Has he ever done anything wrong? (Rhetorical question).












West is West 
Director: Andy De Emmony (various TV-series and TV-movies (non-Indian))

TRAILER

I don't like it when films are praised too much on the first look posters, but this film actually looks good. Judging from the trailer - I (almost) never watch more than the theatrical trailer before watching a film. So many films are being spoilt already in the first trailers, so I'm afraid of knowing too much before watching the film.

The director of this film is British (I guess), which might be complicated (crossover films, ya know... Shahrukh talked about it lately), but I'm definitely getting the appeal for this film...

I think I'll watch "East is East" soon, to fill out to emptiness between now and the-time-I'll-watch-all-those-films-I-want-to-watch.

By the way, is 2011 the year of debuting directors in Mumbai?

And even more by the way: why haven't there been no debuting female directors yet?

Thank you for reading,

Mette M. K.

The Weekual Thursday PP: Are you Ready to Rambo?

THE 7TH WEEKUAL THURSDAY PP

It's June? Can you believe it?

... "Summer time is finally here..."...

As you can see, I changed the whole layout to celebrate the arrival of summer.

Moving on to the releases:

Oh - my -gosh... This is not looking good...

And I'm sure all of you know about it... The next demonstration of Salman's... ahm... talent.

A Strange Love Story 
Director: Tarique Khan (Ek Se Bure Do (???)) & Sahil Seth (debuting)

THEATRICAL TRAILER

What's that ^ for?

Ah, whatever, I am so not impressed.
The trailer tried hard, the posters try hard, and the director(s) didn't try hard enough to get their film released on a better date. Never heard of Salman Khan?

Well, his latest film is releasing this Friday, so you better beat it (I didn't say that, it's just you know, common sense).

There is really no way I'm ever going to watch this film. I'd not even watch it on a date.








Ready
Director: Anees Bazmee (No Problem / Thank You)

THEATRICAL TRAILER

Of course I watched the trailer several weeks ago, like millions of other people did...

... Already then, I was so not impressed.

Dabangg was fun, but if something is fun (and successful), that doesn't give you the license to do the same thing once more. And that being said, Ready is not only a copy of Dabangg but also an official remake of some South Indian film.

Yes, I will watch Ready. But only because of Asin.

I hope she's not completely wasted in it.

The Weekual Thursday PP: Luv, Luv - and even more Luv!

THE 6TH WEEKUAL THURSDAY PP

This week's news feature has been pre-dated to today, because I don't have any time at all tomorrow and on Friday. And posting it on Saturday would be pretty lame, I thought.

By the way, I watched a very interesting, good film in class today: "The Graduate" from 1967. Simon and Garfunkel are great - how could I not realize that before? Aw, I love classics... I should watch more of them.

Oh, and someone voted for me at the LAMMYs for Best Design and Best New LAMB. But I didn't expect more votes - after all, this is more of a "niche blog". And in the end, it's all about the fun in blogging.

Now, a look on this weeks releases... Oh, only one? 

Well, that doesn't matter, unless... 

Its title is misspelled.
But then again, Rahul Bose is in it - an excuse?

KUCCH LUV JAISAA

Director: Barnali Ray Shukla (debuting but wrote story for... Thodi Life Thoda Magic ???)

THEATRICAL TRAILER

My impression, after watching the trailer, is that KLJ will be a rather mainstream entertaining film, but one that I'd be more likely to see than "I Hate Luv Storys" or "Luv Ka the End". Why? Because of Rahul Bose.

Apart from the misspelling, three things are annoying me: 

1) The black-white shots in between (= stylish? Naaa...)

2) The scheme-like characters (house wife, boring husband and secret, but tender in the core love interest)

and 3) Story seems weird, somehow.

I wouldn't necessarily watch it, but it might be fun.

A little. In the Sex and the City 2 kind of way.

And just like some other blogger (I think it was that girl from Cinema Paradox), I should be practicing for my math test... But I don't feel like. Just feel like sitting in front of the laptop and practicing some Swedish and Spanish... But I think I should do math now.

Thank you for reading,

Mette M. K.

The Weekual Thursday PP: Sorry for my lack of posts/ reviews

THE 5TH WEEKUAL THURSDAY PP

A guilty conscience is piercing needles into my brain, because I've been really bad at writing reviews or other interesting posts this month. This week, my weekly post is even the only post I'm writing.

Hopefully, you don't get bored and tired of visiting my blog, though - I promise you, there will be something different coming up on Sunday.

And now to the releasing films of Friday - that I haven't heard about before, for a change:

It says "thriller" on indiafm... = ?

Hindi/ Bengali period drama based on Tagore-novel directed by Rituparno Ghosh... YES!!!

Fun or embarrassment, that is the question.

404

Director: Prawaal Raman (Darna Mana/ Zaroori Hai)

THEATRICAL TRAILER

So, my first impression of the poster didn't prove wrong: The trailer is everything but scary. It looks like something my friends and I would do for a school project.

I wonder why there are so many horror releases in Mumbai right now... Is this the typical horror season, or what? Help me out, because I haven't been as into following the latest releases as I am now.

There's not even a real story... It seems to be the old "forbidden, haunted chamber"-thing, which has already been used in the Disney Channel kids series "Hotel Zack & Cody". 

I don't think this film will be able to convince me at all.

Kashmakash

Director: Rituparno Ghosh (Chokher Bali/ Raincoat/ The Last Year)

THEATRICAL TRAILER

He's not everyone's synonym for entertaining cinema, many find his works boring and long-drawn - but to me, Rituparno Ghosh is a favorite, whose films I truly enjoy. Especially the adaptions of Rabindranath Tagore's novels.

I like the simplicity and calmness of his directing, his selection of actors, and the way he tells those stories.

You must now, that I'm very in to history, especially Middle Age, Rococo, the Romantic Era and the 1910s - 1970s. So, naturally, this also applies to my filmic taste.

However, it doesn't mean I like period films, only because they're "period". 

But I don't think I'll ever be disappointed by Rituparno Ghosh.

He also never uses good-looking actors, so the focus is really on the film itself (which is not a frequent phenomena)...

Pyaar Ka Punchnama

Director: Luv Ranjan (debuting)

THEATRICAL TRAILER

Can you believe this? The guy is called "Luv"! (Taking a deep breath)... I'd say this is a hint to "embarrassing", but all right, it might not be his fault (if that's his real name).

Surprisingly, the trailer doesn't look that bad... The boy with the glasses is a bit overdone, and annoying, but especially the girls are fun.

A hint towards "fun"? I can only guess, but: I hope so.

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And as a little candy on the side, I've made this list of films discussed previously in this feature, showing how well my predictions were (until now - most films are still running):

Dum Maaro Dum (2011)

"I'm scared it might be stylish only."

Boxofficeindia.com says: Flop

IMDB says: 6.9

I've heard that: It's entertaining, but very overstyled.

Zokkomon (2011)

"Please, dear God, let this not be as horrible as it looks like in my first impression."

Boxofficeindia.com says: Nothing = probably a disaster

IMDB says: 1.7

I've heard that: I've heard nothing. Which means no one saw the film.
PS: The film is already out on DVD - I just found out!

Shor In The City (2011) 

"...my curiosity was awakened - and still is, off course."

Boxofficeindia.com says: Flop

IMDB says: 7.4

I've heard that: it's really good.

Chalo Dilli  (2011)

"...smells like fun and entertainment all the way to little Denmark."

Boxofficeindia.com says: Below Average

IMDB says: 6.7/10

I've heard: nothing yet.

I Am (2010/11)

"I'm even more excited for "I Am", than for "Dhobi Ghat" "

Boxofficeindia.com says: Nothing

IMDB says: 6.4/ 10

I've heard that: it's impressive and really good.

Men Will Be Men (2011)

"I can't find more words for this soon-releasing-box-office-desaster."

Boxofficeindia.com says: Nothing

IMDB says: Nothing

This means that: NO ONE saw the film.

Naughty @ 40 (2011)

"This is one of the rare films, where I'd say "no, thanks" to someone offering me a free ticket for it."

Boxofficeindia.com says: Nothing

IMDB says: 5.1/ 10

I've heard that: some people were actually excited for this one.

Haunted 3D (2011) 

"Haunted, honestly, looks like some very bad collage of the "best" scenes from Hollywood Horror hits..."

Boxofficeindia.com says: Semi Hit (what the... ?)

IMDB says: 7.0 /10

My new verdict: want-to-watch to make own opinion

Luv Ka the End (2011)

 "It doesn't look genuine, but more like some very through-thought commercial teeny production, that is supposed to make YR films look younger and more successful."

Boxofficeindia.com says: Too new to have verdict yet

IMDB says: 4.5/ 10

I've heard that: people have very different opinions on this one

I won't write about last week's releases yet

Thank you for reading

Mette M. K.