December 2, 2008
I sometimes have very vivid and detailed but thoroughly crazy dreams; I wake up and think: “What on earth?” and worry for a minute that there’s something wrong with me, then go about my day and forget about it. Now I know that Manmohan Desai had those kinds of dreams too, except that in the case of at least one of them, he woke up and thought: “That should be a movie!” And so he made Mard.
It’s a trip through a demented sort of Disneyland, populated with characters from about a hundred different movie genres and policed by animals who are smarter than all the people around them combined. If you surrender yourself to the journey (and the film demands that you do) there’s a kind of lyricism and rhythm about it that’s hypnotic: it’s impossible to look away, but there’s an emotional detachment about it as well. You are just a spectator—so no worries!—but kya baat hai.
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Posted in Hindi movies |
53 Comments »
November 8, 2008
I have to admit that I didn’t expect much from this movie, although I wanted to see it for Helen, Laxmi Chhaya and Madhumati dancing, and Mumtaz as the heroine opposite Dara Singh. Also: KN Singh! and lots of men in tights (as per usual for a Dara Singh starrer). However, it turned out to be an excellent fairy tale of a film, with a coherent plot, a truly detestable villain, and even a semi-bearable comic side plot thanks to Mohan Choti and Tun Tun. The dances did not disappoint either; the music by Hansraj Behl is lovely and Laxmi Chhaya’s number in particular is now one of my all-time favorites.
Oodles of fun!
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Posted in Hindi movies |
19 Comments »
November 1, 2008
Movie-watcher and critic extraordinaire Todd over at Diedangerdiediekill spotted my favorite band Ted Lyons & His Cubs in the 1965 film Boxer, starring Dara Singh and Mumtaz. *So excited!* I don’t know why, but I love these guys. I wonder how many films they actually did? I’m at four and counting!
He was kind enough to send me some screen shots.
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Posted in Hindi movies |
6 Comments »
July 25, 2008
Although this movie was made in 1964, it very well could have been made in 1954 or even 1944 given the quality of its special effects. They are so very special! In addition, the heroine of the film is none other than the ever-fabulous Helen, opposite wrestler Dara Singh. Aaya Toofan was the source for this trivia post, and for my avatar as well. This is not to say that it’s a good film; it most emphatically is not. It’s really bad. Silly story, bad acting, the whole nine yards. But it’s B-movie fun for those who enjoy such things (I do! I do!), and of course there is Helen. And wrestlers. Lots and lots of wrestlers.
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Posted in Excellent Use of Helen, Hindi movies |
25 Comments »
July 20, 2008
Of course she is, and it’s been universally noted that she is especially winsome in this film too! Yes, I have finally seen Jab We Met and like everyone else I enjoyed it very much. I don’t usually review films that have already been reviewed to death, and of course nobody needs a synopsis by now, but I feel compelled to share the things that really caught my eye. Although possibly it will only illustrate how easily distracted I am from the actual important stuff, like plot and theme.
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Posted in Hindi movies |
29 Comments »
September 28, 2007
Here is one for the weekend. It’s quite hard—another obscure film which I got because it starred one of my favorites (not telling which though). I often use this as my avatar because it makes me laugh every time I look at it. What film did I capture it from? Hint: this creature kidnaps the heroine:
(It also will definitely get its own post one of these days for its cheesy special effects alone.)
The film is Aaya Toofan (1964), starring Helen and Dara Singh (the wrestling champion). I am probably the only person who has ever seen it. VERY low-budget! It is beyond bad, but the “special” effects are good for many many laughs. Also Helen had oodles of songs and dances, always a big plus for me.
Posted in Hindi movies, Trivia time |
4 Comments »
MemsaabStory 