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carla
Geek. Dilettante. Over-analyzer of Hindi movies. World music addict & DJ. Anthropologist of enthusiasms. Other stuff.
Interests: At the moment: India and Hindi films, languages and linguistics, world music, world history, health and fitness
Recent Activity
Thanks! I appreciate this comment. Every time I see a new comment has come up on this post I brace myself for a comment like the one immediately above yours. ЁЯШВ I generally like Mani Ratnam very much (with a few notable exceptions, like Yuva) and I'll be interested to see the film you suggest.
Toggle Commented Sep 17, 2017 on Anand (1971) at Filmi Geek
Hey Shiv, thanks for the note. I'm sorry I've been AWOL for so long. I got caught up in another project and my brain just doesn't have the bandwidth for two obsessions at once. So I haven't written about Indian movies in a long while. I did watch Dangal (though not Bahubali 2). I'm sure I'll be back eventually, but I cannot promise it will be any time soon. Take care!
Toggle Commented Sep 17, 2017 on Dear Zindagi (2016) at Filmi Geek
Aw, I'm afraid I don't know off the top of my head, but I'm pretty sure there's information about the animals in the opening credits of the movie, isn't there?
Toggle Commented Mar 20, 2017 on Haathi mere saathi (1971) at Filmi Geek
I'm afraid at this point (all of three months later, but I'm old) I don't remember enough specifics now to tell you what was said or when. All I have now is a general recollection of some heavy-handed, story-interrupting preaching. Sorry.
Toggle Commented Mar 20, 2017 on Kahaani 2 (2016) at Filmi Geek
Thanks very much. In fact, the comment you're replying to is 4 years old, and I have since listened to an audiobook of Life of Pi! It was probably not that long after posting that comment, now that I think about it. That statement, "I read a lot less than I would like" includes audiobooks - which I listen to more than almost anyone I know. It's always nice to find someone else who enjoys them too. :)
Toggle Commented Mar 20, 2017 on Life of Pi (2012) at Filmi Geek
Thanks so much for this great comment. I love your analysis and agree that Billy Wilder would have enjoyed the film. And you have me interested in tracking down Bundal Baaz. :-) I hope you'll stick around and comment more!
Toggle Commented Dec 15, 2016 on Manoranjan (1974) at Filmi Geek
I agree. I think it's an underappreciated movie.
Toggle Commented Dec 13, 2016 on Shanghai (2012) at Filmi Geek
Pooja, you said it much more concisely than I did!
Toggle Commented Dec 13, 2016 on Mohenjo Daro (2016) at Filmi Geek
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Dir. Gauri Shinde Dear Zindagi's central social theme is fine. It's an important idea - that regular people can benefit from psychotherapy for regular-people problems - and maybe there is an audience for the film who is not already comfortable... Continue reading
Posted Dec 12, 2016 at Filmi Geek
Do you think Arjun Rampal's acting is particularly good? I find him serviceable at best but not especially engaging. I do think Vidya did a good job with her unusual character (as I wrote about in the post).
Toggle Commented Dec 6, 2016 on Kahaani 2 (2016) at Filmi Geek
Oh of course, yes, I read about Love Affair around the same time. I'd bet it was even a hoary device in the 30s. I think you are fine to wait on Kahaani 2. One thought that occurred to me as I was writing, is that though it was enjoyable, I don't think I'd ever really need to see it again. Whereas Kahaani I enjoy rewatching, even though I know what's coming.
Toggle Commented Dec 6, 2016 on Kahaani 2 (2016) at Filmi Geek
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Dir. Sujoy Ghosh For Sujoy Ghosh to call this film Kahaani 2 inevitably sets certain expectations, and Kahaani 2 inevitably fails to meet them. It is a competent and entertaining thriller in its own right, but it lacks the freshness... Continue reading
Posted Dec 5, 2016 at Filmi Geek
Thanks for the thoughtful comment, Maggie - I very much appreciate your reading and adding to the discussion. You make a great point about Gandhi-style resistance and sacrifice, but I have to say I have a very different reaction to Raj Kapoor than you do. I find nearly all his films self-indulgent and whiny, and his characters do little more than lament how tragic their lives are when really all they are doing is imposing their oversized egos on everyone else. Shree 420 being the only, and a very delightful, exception.
Toggle Commented Oct 2, 2016 on Mother India (1957) at Filmi Geek
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Dir. Ashutosh Gowariker First, a disclaimer: I only lasted about an hour and fifteen minutes, roughly halfway, into Ashutosh Gowariker's new film before I just couldn't take another minute. I walked out. So I can't really call what follows a... Continue reading
Posted Aug 14, 2016 at Filmi Geek
I rather agree with you about Bauji's selfishness. I'm not sure I'm ready to read the end as literally as you do, though. I do appreciate your comments on Seema Pahwa's character. I think (though it's been a while now since I've seen the film) my issue was one of tone, rather than content, of her bitter comments. She became so shrill and loud as to be irritating to listen to. Realistically so? Perhaps, but this is a film, not reality; not irritating your audience is an important par tof storytelling, especially when you want the character to be sympathetic. I will watch Masaan and Titli both, eventually. Very pressed for time these days and finding it very difficult to write, even when I get a chance to watch things. I'm not in a productive phase just now, it seems. :/
Toggle Commented Jun 5, 2016 on Ankhon Dekhi (2013) at Filmi Geek
That's so funny - I guess Bhansali and his choreographer have a better bead on what young people will like than I do! I have found the movie gets even better with repeat viewings, but of course, different strokes etc. What were the mixed feelings?
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рдЧреЛрд▓рд┐рдпреЛрдВ рдХреА рд░рд╛рд╕рд▓реАрд▓рд╛ рд░рд╛рдо-рд▓реАрд▓рд╛ Dir. Sanjay Leela Bhansali Bhansali films have been a mixed bag for me. For instance, while I am very fond of Khamoshi and Bajirao-Mastani, Saawariya hits some terribly wrong notes, and my seething hatred of Devdas... Continue reading
Posted Jun 4, 2016 at Filmi Geek
Always good to meet another true believer ;)
Toggle Commented May 25, 2016 on OK Kanmani (2015) at Filmi Geek
Thanks so much for the additions. I have seen some of these but not yet written about them - including Do Bigha Zameen, Devi, and Alaipayuthey. I'd like to write about them. Another trade-off for me - rewatch something I've seen before and write about it, or watch something new and expand my knowledge? If only I had three more hours in each day. :D
Toggle Commented May 25, 2016 on OK Kanmani (2015) at Filmi Geek
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Dir. Dibakar Banerjee The events of Shanghai unfold in the fictional city of Bharatnagar, India City, a city that is any city in India, a microcosm of India. In Bharatnagar, political rallies halt traffic daily, working people's homes are bulldozed... Continue reading
Posted May 22, 2016 at Filmi Geek
Hello Ashish, thank you for the kind comment. :) Funny thing about that picture - I wrote this review when the film was just out, and I had trouble finding a still I liked. I found the one you see above, but I had wondered whether it was actually from the film, or maybe from a scene that didn't make the final cut. At any rate I used it, and you have caught me out. ;) Now that DVDs of this film are available I will watch it again someday and then replace the screenshot! I would love to see all the films you mention. It is not as easy to find Malayalam films with English subtitles as it is Hindi films (much less to find the time to watch any films at all) but I so much appreciate your recommendations and have added them to a spreadsheet I keep of non-Hindi Indian films that have been recommended to me.
Toggle Commented May 22, 2016 on OK Kanmani (2015) at Filmi Geek
In case you missed them, here are my last few columns at Outlook. Quirky Parsis and Drunk Christians - despite the title that my editor gave this piece, it is actually about movies that go beyond these stereotypes when depicting... Continue reading
Posted May 22, 2016 at Filmi Geek
Thanks! I found the film on YouTube with subtitles and will definitely give it a look.
Toggle Commented Apr 12, 2016 on Mere Apne (1971) at Filmi Geek
Arvind, do you think Gulzar is better as a lyricist than a filmmaker? I always enjoy his films. There is a delicacy to the way he tells stories. Mausam is a great example - it's a very filmi story, but he tells it with a deft touch. Aandhi of course is one of my all-time favorites. I picked up a copy of Achanak on the recommendation of several commenters here - I haven't watched it yet but I think I will in the not-too-distant future.
Toggle Commented Apr 10, 2016 on Mere Apne (1971) at Filmi Geek
Thanks Sumeet :) If my knowledge is encyclopedic it is missing quite a few volumes! I answered your question over on Facebook. Hope to see you soon!
Toggle Commented Apr 8, 2016 on Mere Apne (1971) at Filmi Geek