The Pizzazzy

Initially I wasn’t very keen on watching this movie. I wasn’t even waiting for this movie to release although I loved all the songs of this movie especially ‘Dard-e-Disco’ mainly because of my favorite Sa Re Ga Ma contestant, Raja. The first time I heard the song was when Raja performed it in the contest and till date I find that better than the original.

Yesterday we simply had an idea about watching a movie. And to my great surprise I found that Golden Village was showing ‘Om Shanti Om’ so off we went for the afternoon show. All movies release on the Thursday of the week it is releasing in India. And I get to give a review to all my friends and cousins back home.

‘Om Shanti Om’ is like ‘Main Hoon Na’ the earlier venture by Farah Khan, a feel good and happy ending movie. Infact one of the dialogs of the movie also says that ‘if it’s not happy it’s not the end’ Good one I must say.

The other repetitive thing that you would get to hear in the movie is ‘If you really want something very badly, the whole universe conspires to make it possible’. Are you wondering where you heard that before, and then let me tell you this is the very theme of Paulo Coelho’s Alchemist, the best seller novel written in simple English and simple sentences, but giving great meanings and teachings of life.

Then the second half of the movie was quite predictable. Ya, the very twist of the movie was predictable Farah. That’s all about the movie bashing that I can do for ‘Om Shanti Om’. Just like the name of the movie first there is Om and Shanti then again Om. Righto! OM’s reincarnation. No not Shanti. But since we cannot leave our Hindi movie hero without a heroine there’s a look alike of her as Sandy. Howzzat?

On a positive note, the movie is worth-watching-once. All the songs are really good and infact in one song you can see many bollywood actors. It’s a visual treat to see all of them dancing in this one long song ‘Om Shanti Om’. Yes Treat, it is! There are cameo roles by Abhishek, Rani, Pretty, Karan Johar, Farah Khan etc etc…

The story line is same as Karz with some twists. But Deepika Padukone really looks great in both the roles of superstar of 70s and normal girl 30 years later and what more she can act as well. Shahrukh’s six packs look really cool, and the item number with Shahrukh and none other than his six packs is again a visual treat. Ladies watchout. Shreyas Talpade rocks again.

Now the must see in the movie is the rich editing which shows Deepika dancing with Jeetendra, Sunil Dutt and the likes. The yester years looks is portrayed beautifully by the set, clothes, hairstyle and acting. And some intelligent bashing of bollywood stars makes good comic sequence.

Om Shanti Om is really a Diwali treat and tough one for Sawariya. Enjoy the movie with family and friends.

I saw the rushes yesterday, during Harry Potter screening. I can’t wait for this movie and am wondering why it has a release date of 30th August in Singapore.

This movie is a must watch for all food lovers…

Ratatouille, is a traditional French stewed vegetable dish more associated with peasants. The movie is a story of a rat, Remy, who wants to be a chef much to the opposition of his family. Remy becomes a great chef in France by the end of the movie.
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I am a big Harry Potter fan and looking forward eagerly to the 7th book, the deathly hallows. Meanwhile I was also waiting for the movie “the order of the phoenix” to release. It released yesterday in Singapore, so we hit GV, Golden Village to catch the 9 p.m. show.

I will give you the straight poop, good or bad. I prefer the books over the movies. The movie does not detail the plot, logic and events described in the books. If one has read the book it is easier to follow the link. So, my tip read it before you watch it.

The movie begins with Harry and his cousin being attacked by dementors, Harry uses magic to himself and Dudley. He is expelled from Hogwarts, he is then escorted by members of the order of phoenix to the order’s secret headquarters. Harry learns that Voldemort is building an army and is attempting to retrieve a “weapon”. Harry is cleared of all charges at his hearing.

The atmosphere is rife with tension as Harry Potter begins his fifth year at Hogwarts. Voldemort is being strangely quiet, and no one will give Harry a straight answer as to what’s going on. And Dumbledore is avoiding him.

Dolores Umbridge, undersecretary to Ministry of Magic is appointed as High inquirer, as the MOM thinks Dumbledore is building an army to take over the ministry. Since dark arts and other magic lessons are banned, Harry and friends form DA, Dumbledore’s Army to face the real life situation when dark lord would make his move.

Harry keeps getting dreams where he sees Wiesley being attacked, and then his occlumency classes, to block his mind to invasion start. It is derived that Voldemort has figured out the connection between Harry and himself. And taking possession of Harry’s mind.

Much like the book the climax is great, it starts when Harry dreams Sirius being tortured by Voldemort in Ministry of Magic and revealing of the prophecy of the Dark lord and Harry. The climax also icludes Sirius, his Godfather being killed. And Dark lord is defeated by Dumbledore and finally it ends by Harry taking back control of his mind and standing up to Voldemort.

This book I feel is one of the weakest in the Harry Potter series so far. I would have preferred if Sirius didn’t have to die and lived to guide Harry Potter. Somehow I enjoyed the camaraderie between him and Harry, he is the father that Harry never had.

Although the book is much darker than previous volumes, nothing much happens in the first half. The longest in the series so far, it is full of tit-bits though, which I hope J K Rowling plans to use in the final plot.

Although missing out some details, the movie is rich in visual effects and a treat to watch, very entertaining. But one of the important things they missed in the movie was Neville’s role in the climax.

“No - get - off - me Neville - catch it!” Harry flung the prophecy across the floor, Neville span himself around on his back and scooped the ball to his chest.
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“Harry gave another stupendous heave and  Neville’s robes tore all along the left seam the small spun-glass ball dropped from his pocket and, before either of them could catch it” One of Neville’s floundering feet kicked it flew some ten feet to their right and smashed on the step beneath them. As both of them stared at the place where it had broken, appalled at what had happened.”

Unlike quoted here, from the book, in the movie, the prophecy is handed over to Lucius Malfoy simply and it gets broken when Sirius enters the scene. Hmm.. quite a big change. It would have been much impressive if the climax was left untouched. And the visual effects could have would have rendered more entertainment.

But being an avid Harry Potter fan, I must say JKR has quite an imagination and as always Harry and his friends behave quite logically in their magic world in the book and the movie. Although Harry appears more like an angry young man, even his kiss with Cho Chang, Cedric’s girlfriend appeared very grown up. Professor Umbridge looked more girlish in her pink hued dresses rather than a witch. The visuals were really great once again and it does bring out the essence of Harry Potter and his dark world of Wizardry. 

J K Rowling rocks. And like all ardent fans of Harry Potter, I wish Harry does not die in the Deathly Hallows. Are you listening JKR!!!