Late Summer Viewing

First Time Viewing:
Jhoom Barabar Jhoom (2007)  3/5 stars
Parts of it were unappealing,  but it has two excellent songs and great performances by Priety Zinta and Abhishek Bachchan.  

Janatha Garage  (2016)  4/5 stars

Mainly a predictable vehicle for Jr. NTR, but enjoyable nonetheless, and with a strong performance by Nithya Menen.

Delhi 6  (2009)  3/5 stars
Started off really good, but by the end I was rather puzzled.  Abhishek Bachchan gave a good performance, but Sonam Kapoor was unimpressive.

Dhoom 2  (2006)  3/5 stars
Action packed and fun, except for Aishwarya Rai's performance --she was so unsuited to the character that it was painful to watch.

Rewatched:
Raavan (2010)  5/5 stars (my review here)
My husband watched it with me this time, and he felt pretty much the same as I did.

Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna (2006)  5/5 stars (my review here)
This was my third viewing and, if anything, I cried even harder.

While You Were Sleeping  (1995)  5/5 stars
I first watched this in the theater, and I can't tell you how many times after that.  This was the first time in a decade or so, though, and it stands the test of time.  It's a fantastic movie.

Funny Face  (1957)  3/5 stars
I loved this as a teen, but wasn't as impressed this time around.  The plot was thin, Astaire and Hepburn seemed mismatched, and her singing was weak.  Costumes were fantastic, though, and Kay Thompson gave a stellar performance.

Veer Zaara  (2004)  5/5 stars  (my review here)
I cried so hard this second viewing that I gave myself not only a headache, but a stomach ache as well.

Kiss Me Kate

Kiss Me Kate
1953
4/5 stars


Divorced theater actors Fred (Howard Keel) and Lilli (Kathryn Grayson) team up again to play a musical version of Shakespeare's the Taming of the Shrew, igniting a full range of emotions between the two. The situation is not helped by Fred's flirtation with another actress, Lois (Ann Miller), and finally Lilli quits in mid play. In the meantime, Lois's boyfriend Bill (Tommy Rall) runs up a debt with gangsters, but signs Fred's name. Things grow more complicated when the gangsters (played by James Whitmore and Keenan Wynn) arrive to collect the money, and refuse to let Lilli leave. All the while, the play within a play is on-going as well, adding a further dimension to plot.

It may sound complicated, but the beauty of Dorothy Kingsley's screenplay (which was nominated for a Writers Guild of America Award) is how well it flows, weaving all the subplots in and out, and finally tying them together.  Keel and Grayson are excellently matched, with both having superb singing voices.  Miller, as always, steals the spotlight with her vivacity and dancing skill--helped, of course, by Hermes Pan's excellent choreography.  Costumes and sets are cheerful and colorful and look great all around.  The star of the show, however, is Cole Porter: his clever lyrics and lovely music are the groundwork that the builds this fine film.

Ann Miller

What I dislike about this movie is that it highlights the Taming of the Shrew (a horrible play) in a positive, even idolizing, light.  The modern part of the plot follows the Taming some, showing male dominance and female subservience as the expected outcome between a man and a woman.  I realize the movie is only showing the societal norm for the 1950s, and as such can enjoy the rest of the film without being affected.

The bottom line is that Kiss Me Kate is a fun, lively movie, with a few flaws, but still good enough for a universal recommendation.

Grayson, Keel

Marigold

Marigold
2007
3/5 stars

In this Hollywood/Bollywood "crossover" film, Marigold (Ali Larter), a vain and spoiled American actress arrives in India to star in a film.  When it is cancelled, she has the good luck to make a friend and find another movie.  On the set, she meets Prem (Salman Khan), whose gentleness and kindness help her to change, and they fall in love.  Prem has a secret, however, that will prevent their happiness.

The cute plot is typical Bollywood, with both romance and drama.  Songs were average, but did nothing to advance the plot; the choreography was generally good, though.  The costumes, particularly Marigold's, were gorgeous.  Khan's role was stereotypical and two dimensional, giving him little scope for acting.  Larter did a good job being unlikable, but did it so well that it was hard to warm to Marigold even after her personal transformation.  Sadly,  Khan and Larter did not have good chemistry.

Other problems I had include finding the personality change to be too abrupt and not credible, and disbelieving that Prem could fall for Marigold before this change.  By suspending belief on those points, I was able to enjoy most of the film, but it's not one I would universally recommend.

Special appearance by Helen.

Cactus Flower

Cactus Flower
1969
5/5 stars

Womanizing Dr. Julian Winston (Walter Matthau) has told his new girlfriend, Toni (Goldie Hawn) that he is married, to prevent the relationship from getting serious.  He decides he does want to marry Toni, and tells her that he will get a divorce, but she insists on meeting his wife first.  He persuades his longtime nurse Stephanie (Ingrid Bergman) to pretend to be his wife.  Stephanie and Toni meet, but things don't turn out just the way Julian had expected.

This romantic comedy is pure fun, with great lines and perfect delivery from the two veteran actors.  Goldie Hawn's Oscar winning debut performance is a true delight.  The sets and costumes looked wonderful, and the supporting cast of Jack Weston, Rick Lenz, Vito Scotti, and Irene Hervey added greatly to the overall experience.  This is a film well worth watching.

This movie is available to rent on Amazon.