Savitri

Savitri
2016
4/5 stars

Savitri (Nanditha) was born during a wedding, and that shapes her life in that all she wants groiwng up is to be a bride.  When her family finally set up a wedding for her, she is overjoyed, and takes a trip to ask a blessing for her marriage.  On that trip, Savitri meets Rishi (Nara Rohit), who falls in love with her instantly, shaking up both of their marriage plans.

This cute Telugu romance is laugh-out-loud funny in places, reminding me of a 1940's Hollywood screwball comedy.  Unfortunately, as a lot of the humor was spoken in quick deliveries, it was hard to keep up while reading subtitles.   In addition, there was a subplot that didn't make complete sense, nor particularly add to the plot.  Rohit was excellent, easily pulling the audience to his side, and his action scenes were great fun.  Nanditha's part was such that the viewer has to warm to her, and she played it well.  The pair had good chemistry together.  Overall, though silly in parts, it was an enjoyable film.

Note: This movie is free on Amazon with Amazon Prime.

Veer

Veer
2010
4/5 stars

Pindari warrior, Prithvi Singh (Mithun Chakraborty) spent his younger days fighting against the British Rule.  When his sons, Veer (Salman Khan) and Punya (Sohail Khan), come of age, he sends them to England to learn the ways of the British so as to fight them better.  While there, Veer falls in love with an Indian princess, played by Zareen Khan.  He returns to India determined not only to win her, but to overthrow her British-supported evil father (Jackie Shroff) as well.

This action drama is an enjoyable one from start to finish.  The plot is convoluted enough to be interesting, without being overly political.  Most of the costumes, the Pindari in particular, look great, but the dresses of the British women always looked too flimsy and somehow inappropriate.  The musical numbers were generally good, one tune particularly haunting, despite the fact that not all the songs or dances fit the time period.  The action and fighting, with one exception, looked real and natural  Chakraborty and Shroff were great in their supporting roles.  Whether the fault of the actor or the script, Sohail Khan's role was too full of slap-stick comedy.  Salman Khan played the hard warrior very well.  Zareena Khan's role was minimal and somewhat two dimensional, but she certainly was lovely.  Overall, it was an exciting and fun film and well worth watching.

Yuvvraaj

Yuvvraaj
2008
3/5 stars


Deven Yuvvraaj (Salman Khan) is in love with Anushka (Katrina Kaif), but her father (Boman Irani) refuses to allow the match.  When Deven's estranged father dies leaving a fortune, Deven is sure that he will inherit and be able to marry Anushka.  However, his father disinherits both Deven and his younger brother Danny (Zayed Khan), in favor of their mentally challenged elder brother Gyanesh (Anil Kapoor).  Deven and Danny then become tentative partners in a game to scam Gyanesh out of the money.

In this family drama, the plot is mostly good, with uneven bits.  Both Khan's give credible, if not exceptional, performances.  Kapoor's performance is hindered by his part; his character is depicted as only very little resembling the autistic savant he is supposed to be, seeming at times to be fully functioning and at other times as challenged.  This really lessened Kapoor's sometimes strong performance, as well as the movie in general.  The songs are generally lovely, and the costumes--particularly in the musical numbers--are extravagant and impressive.  Overall, it's a visually pleasing film with a positive message, but only mediocre otherwise.

Baazigar

Baazigar
(translates as "gambler")
1993
4/5 stars

The less known about the plot, the better the viewing experience for this drama.  Briefly, Shah Rukh Khan plays a man who is courting two sisters (played by Shilpa Shetty and Kajol) under two different personas.  He has pressing reasons, which the viewer learns through well-told back story as the film progresses.

This often tense film delivers an impressive surprise early on, and keeps the viewer on edge through out.  Khan delivers an excellent performance, and Kajol and Shetty do well, also.  The music and choreography are only average, keeping the movie from a full five stars.  Otherwise, this is an impressive, suspenseful, and emotional film (reminiscent of Hitchcock) that is well worth watching.

Cast also includes: Master Sumeet, Johnny Lever, and Dalip Tahil.

Baghban

Baghban

(translates as "gardener")

2003

4/5 stars

Raj Malhotra (Amitabh Bachchan) and his beloved wife of 40 years, Pooja (Hema Malini), have given all they have emotionally and monetarily to their five sons, four natural and one adopted (played by Salman Khan).  When Raj retires, he has no money set aside and assumes that his children will help him as he has helped them.  Instead, his four natural sons resent his request and split up the loving couple with plans to rotate their parents between homes.  Raj and Pooja are heartbroken without each other, but have no way to change their circumstances until chance helps them out.

This sometimes overly sentimental movie is a sweet love story of a long-married couple.  It's also a discussion of respect and what is owed to one's parents.  Bachchan is a wonderful actor, as is Malini.  Their chemistry was excellent.  There are some truly beautiful songs, but little in the way of choreography.  Overall, it's film that requires some understanding of Indian culture to appreciate, but if one does, it makes for good viewing.

Emma

Emma
4 part mini-series
2009
5/5 stars

Based on Jane Austen's novel, this mini-series focuses on Emma Woodhouse (Romola Garai), vain, spoiled, and the belle of her small town, as she tries her hand at matchmaking with disastrous results.  As with the novel, this Emma is almost unlikable, and yet. . . there is still a goodness about her that Mr. Knightly(Jonny Lee Miller) and the reader/viewer are able to see.

This is one of my favorite Austen novels for it's wit and perspicacity.  I was delighted with how closely the series followed the book, deviating only in minor matters.  The producers also kept a good feel of Regency times; I had issues, again, with only minor matters.  Costumes, hairstyles, locations, and sets were all fantastic. The actors were well cast, and they all did a fine job.  Tamsin Greig was particularly good as Miss Bates, as was Michael Gambon's portrayal of Mr. Woodhouse. I truly enjoyed this mini-series and would recommend it for both fans of the book, and those unfamiliar with the novel.

This movie is available with Amazon Prime.

Namastey London

Namastey London
2007
3/5 stars

Jasmeet (Katrina Kaif) was raised in London and has turned into a wild young woman, rejecting her Indian roots and going by the appropriate name of "Jazz".  Her father (Rishi Kapoor) takes her on a trip through India, ending in his hometown in Punjab.  While there, he marries her (not willingly) to his best friend's son, Arjun (Ashkay Kumar).  When the couple returns to London, Jazz announces that she doesn't recognize the Indian marriage, and proceeds with her plans of becoming the fourth wife of her boss (Clive Standen).  Arjun, must either give in gracefully and lose his wife, or find a way to fight for his marriage by showing Jazz that true love can win.

The plot is cute and fun, and I enjoyed it. Kumar is a good actor and played both comedy and serious well.  I'm not fond of Kaif, and don't feel that she is a particularly good actress, but she was well suited for this role.  The supporting cast (especially Nina Wadia) are excellent.  The locations and cinematography were great.  However, I actively disliked the club music/dancing, and for me that lowered the movie from four stars to three.

This movie is available on Amazon Prime.