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Total Siyapaa (2014)
Total Siyapaa indeed
Loosely based on the Spanish rom-com 'Seres Queridos' ('Only Human') in which a Palestinian boy meets his Jewish girlfriend's family, Total Siyapaa explores the India-Pakistan cultural divide through the relationship of Aman (Ali Zafar) and Asha (Yami Gautam), set in London. Everything in their relationship is picture perfect, till Asha invites Aman to meet her family over dinner. Asha's family goes crazy when they come to know that Aman is a Pakistani. The chaos begins and Aman finds himself in nightmare, which just doesn't seem to be ending!
The first half of the movie is a breezy comedy of errors, with some sharp dialogues and funny situations. But second half goes on an entirely different tangent that doesn't tie in with the first half. After a while, the screenplay seems super stretched, with too many pointless sub-plots. Even when the movie is less than two hours one wishes that at least 15 minutes more were edited. Also other than a few dialogues that evoke a hearty laugh rest just fail to make any impact.
Performance wise, Kiron Kher steals the show, playing the loud Punjabi paranoid mother with perfect comic timing, barring a few scenes where she overacts
Ali Zafar plays himself, a musician from Pakistan, offering nothing new in his poker face type of performance. He still has the natural charm and is likable as the confused, ill-fated Pakistani boyfriend stuck in a crazy situation.
Yami Gautam's character, as the Indian Hindu love interest, was poorly written and she did not have much scope to perform. Also, there was no chemistry between Ali and Yami. On the other hand, watching the interactions between Zafar (the damaad) and Kher (the mother-in-law-to- be) together on screen were an absolute delight.
Anupam Kher is completely wasted and it is sad to see an actor of his talent play a silly, cameo- ish role in Total Siyapaa. New-find Sara Khan comes across seductive. Other actors were plain and bland.
Anupam Kher and his real life wife Kiron Kher play the on screen couple for the first time and their chemistry and pairing has not been properly exploited in the movie.
Total Siyapaa has a very telefilm or theatric look and feel and director Eeshwar Nivas has made the entire flick in essentially three sets and the entire cast has donned one outfit throughout. Outcome of a low budget more then the script's demand, because the artists are also badly styled.
Music is strictly average and not very memorable - although 'Palat meri jaan' is enjoyable and compliments the plot.
Total Siyapaa is really a major chaos. Overall, the best moments from Total Siyapaa were already shown in the snappy promos and a very interesting concept is churned out as strictly average movie lacking charm, spark and humor.
La migliore offerta (2013)
A piece of art
Once in a while do we come across movies that just completely bowl you over by the sheer brilliance of a performance. Geoffrey Rush in "The Best Offer" does that and with just style and class that one is left completely in awe of this powerhouse actor ... !!
From the 1st scene in the auction house to the last moment, the movie is ALL him ... and not for a moment does he let's his audience down ... you are glued to the ongoings ... you feel him open up, and fall in love with this mysterious girl, you feel his love for art and his passion for his profession, and you also understand the shrewd businessman!!
Award worthy performance ... all the way...!!
Dhoom:3 (2013)
Mindless Entertainment
Let me just begin this by saying that I am an Aamir Khan fan girl ... like a BIG one ... and it is very rarely that his choice on movies disappoint me or let me down. Dhoom 3 has disappointed me - but having said that I can understand why Aamir would pick the movie. Off the 180 minute long show - he runs the show for almost 150 of those .. and for him it is a stellar chance to perform and show us how versatile an actor he is ... Mr. Perfection is perfect once again ... !!
What is a let down ... is virtually everything else, over the top and weak script, mindless action, horrible acting from the supporting cast and just no soul to the movie itself ... Not that previous Dhoom outings have been full of heart and soul ... I mean it is no Shakespeare one is going to see ... but still expected better ... !!
Maybe ... just maybe my expectations were too high ...!!
Nonetheless, did learn something from Dhoom 3 ... and here are the 10 things I learned outline for everyone else to enjoy: http://samramuslim.com/10-things-dhoom-3-taught-me/
A Common Man (2013)
Poor Remake of A Wednesday
I have seen the Bollywood original with Naseeruddin Shah and Anupum Kher at least a dozen times - and loved it every time I saw it.
A Comman Man lacks everything the original had working for it except of the gripping plot - which is still the same!! This one simply lacks the energy, the mystery, the great performances, the excellent story-telling on screen and the finesse of film making!! It is just a poor version that fails to connect with you at any level ...
The Sri Lankan actors cannot communicate the emotional range needed for this movie and the film maker could not get the under current, tension and passion that were integral for the story to connect with the audience.
At the end of the movie - on is just left feeling flat and bored!!
Waar (2013)
Most Awaited Pakistani Movie!
Waar clearly has been the most anticipated movie to be releasing in Pakistan this year for the below reasons alone: * It is Bilal Lashari's first movie and whatever of his work we have seen so far has been top-notch * Pakistan's superstar Shaan Shahid is back on the big screen with another great venture after Khuda Kay Liye (his gujjar outings in between don't count!) * The pretty gripping trailers of the movie have been making rounds for some time now! * The movie promises to finally show Pakistan's take on war on terror and we have had enough of the world portraying us as the bad guys in their movies!! It is even based on true events
* Waar has been slated for release since 2011 and the only reason for delay has been Lashari perfecting it further!! * As per media reports, even the music album of the movie has taken 2 years to be ready and background score another 7 months. Verdict: In a nutshell, Waar is a classic case of "clothes don't make a man" where wrapped up in the sheath of sleek and stylish production is a movie with no soul or story.
Phata Poster Nikhla Hero (2013)
Great fun ride!!
Was pleasantly surprised as to how enjoyable the movie really was!! Total paisa vasool, fun and wholesome Bollywood flick after a long time. It is not sleazy like Grand Masti or mindless like Chenni Express!!
Raj Kumar Santoshi has given us another timeless classic comedy after my favorite 'Andaz Apna Apna!!
Leads are good - I mean Shahid annoys and Ilena looks pretty!
Songs are fun, especially the Atif Aslam track and the 'aghal bhaghal' number.
Dialogues and scenes LOL - without being cheap! Perfect night out movie without your thinking hats on!!
Zinda Bhaag (2013)
Zindi Bhaag is Punjabi movie - not Urdu
Zinda Bhaag is for sure one of the best efforts from Pakistan in 2013 ... but with 4-5 mainstream movies getting made in a year - not much to compare it against!!
In a nutshell, Zinda Bhaag talks of the "Pakistani Dream" of an average Pakistani youth – the one where he is willing to take any route to migrate from Pakistan – be it to Doobai, Amereeka, Europe or Englaand!! – where all his life's problems will get solved, because that's where his Pot of Gold is waiting.
Zinda Bhaag is not your mainstream masala entertainment – it is a film with a message.Go prepared with your thinking hats on and if you don't know Punjabi, with someone who can translate the dialogues for you
(because the movie is 80% in Punjabi)
Identity Thief (2013)
Fun time pass
A pretty sweet and fun movie to watch! Nothing hardcore, no thinking required type of movie - and sometimes that's just the type of movie one needs to watch: mindless entertainment!!
In this digital age with information so easily accessible to anyone and everyone a pretty serious subject (Identity Theft & Financial Fraud) is presented in a light hearted manner in the movie...! Maybe just what we need for the masses to get the message and be cautious
Melissa McCarthy owns each and every scene she is in - a total firecracker of a performer!! Love her ..!
Read my other reviews on: www.samramuslim.com
Main Hoon Shahid Afridi (2013)
Watch it to support Pakistan!
People who have seen Main Hoon Shahid Afridi have simply loved the movie and my social media feed has been swamped with raving reviews of the flick since its Aug 23rd release across Pakistan.
So went to the cinema with high expectations and an open mind (trust me!!)
All in all, Main Hoon Shahid Afridi, despite its weaknesses, is a film that has its heart in the right place – it looks good, rouses your patriotism, keeps you hooked on, lets you unwind with thrills, laughter and most of all, pride! Read my full review here:
http://samramuslim.com/movie-review-main-hoon-shahid-afridi/