I'll update this post as I remember but for now, these are the movies that have a rewatch value for me. Basically, I've seen all these movies more than once.
Dil Chahta Hai. Bromance between three friends and their romantic stories. We have an arranged marriage, an older woman-younger man story and the third is the typical young love story.
Main Hoon Na. Action. Romance. Comedy.
Kuch Kuch Hota Hai. Friends turned lovers.
Kal Ho Naa Ho. Friends turned lovers and a 'Taming of the shrew' type story.
Hum Tum. It borrows a little from When Harry Met Sally but not too much. One of my favorites. It's follows a couple as their relationship evolves over a number of years.
Saathiya. About the ups and downs of young love.
Lagaan. Extremely long but I thought it was worth it. About imperialism and of course, has a romance.
Mr & Mrs Iyer. This is not a Bollywood movie per se since it's in English but a pretty great film. The first 30 minutes are really hard to get through but most end the movie feeling that the pleasure is worth a little pain. A story of a couple that meets on a fateful bus ride.
Socha Na Tha. Arranged married turned to love. My description sucks but I really liked this movie.
Jab We Met. About a couple that meets on a fateful train ride.
Rules: Pyaar ka Superhit formula. A girl follows her grandma's advice to nab her dream man. Sounds kinda dumb but I found it really cute
Monsoon Wedding is also not a Bollywood film as it's in English but I think a good movie for someone trying to test the waters. It's set around a girl's arranged marriage.
Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam. I really liked the second half but it's about the story of a girl who falls in love, loses her love and chases after that love but through this journey, discovers what real love is.
For something a little grittier
Company about gangsters and stuff. lol... I saw this movie a long time ago so I can't even describe it in detail but I remember loving it.
Salaam Bombay is a less romanticized Slumdog Millionaire.
1947 Earth is about Partition.
Kannathil Muthamittal is in Tamil and deal with issues of political unrest in Sri Lanka and also adoption.
These are just a few that I particularly enjoyed but there are many more that are worth one watch. I might update this list at a later date.
Saturday, October 9, 2010
3 Idiots
3 Idiots is a Bromantic comedy that was released on Christmas day, 2009. The movie was both a commercial and critical hit so early this year, I was all set out to watch it. But the DVD took ages to be released so in the end, I lost interest.
Anyway, since I was in a Bollywood kind of mood today, I decided to finally give it a try. 3 Idiots is about three roommates at the top (fictional) engineering college in India. Raju is from a poor family with a sick father and other than his interest in engineering, also chose the field to get a good paying job so as to shoulder his family's financial burden. Farhan is an amateur photographer from a middle class family whose profession was decided for him at birth. So he attends ICE because it's what he was told to do. Rancho is from a rich family and lives and breathes science. He attends ICE because he wants to learn. He is the central character who challenges people out of their comfort zones and urges them to follow their hearts and not society or a system. The movie starts off 10 years after their freshman year with the two friends (and their nemesis) searching for Rancho, whom they haven't seen since graduation. So the story floats between the present and the past.
I think a lot of people from all over the world can relate to this movie because it challenges the educational system of cramming and competing just to get good grades so that you can get a good paying job. Not that there's anything wrong with working hard for good grades but it critiques the practice of cramming and studying just to pass exams, and not to learn. And picking fields like medicine and engineering, for example, not because one has an interest in them, but because the jobs pay well. The moral of this movie is to follow your passion and success will follow.
When I saw the first half of the movie, I thought it was pretty damn good. I love bromance so it was right up my alley. The comedy worked on both an emotional and a cerebral level. However, in the second half, when it started getting melodramatic with the plot going to Crazy-land, I began to give the movie the side eye. But it ended nicely and overall, was entertaining.
The chemistry between the three men was great, even though I don't get how 40+ Aamir Khan still gets to play a college student. The movie had only one romantic side story between Rancho and Pia and they also had nice chemistry. I liked that theirs was just a cute story with no over the top cheesiness.
I'm not sure that I'll watch 3 Idiots again in its entirety, but like I do with most enjoyable films, I'll probably rewatch a few hilarious parts... and the cute ending.
Watch here.
Kuch Kuch Hota Hai
So seeing the cut Segway scene got me all riled up about Coffee House once again and that led me into thinking about Kuch Kuch Hota Hai which I think I'm going to watch for the umpteenth time today. Okay, not the entire story but my favorite parts.
KKHH is the story of Rahul and Anjali who are college best friends who miss their chance but get another one many years later. We have college best friends. Girl realizes she's in love with Guy when he starts to fall for another girl. Girl leaves town. Guy marries other girl. Other girl dies at childbirth. Years later, Guy and Girl meet again. Girl is engaged to another man. You can guess the rest.
We even get an epic train scene in this movie. Starts around the 5:50 mark.
Rahul (Guy) confesses his love for Tina (other girl) to Anjali (Girl). Finding this too difficult to deal with, Anjali decides to leave school (although she claimed to have other reasons but still...). So this is the scene where Rahul runs to the station to stop Anjali. from leaving. What I love most about this scene is that while Rahul doesn't quite realize that he's in love with Anjali, it's pretty clear to any bystander, including Tina.
Another favorite scene of mine is the bench scene. It's so very simple and clean, yet crackling with chemistry. It starts around the 2:35 mark.
This is the day of the Anjali-Rahul reunion. They are both much older with different interests and priorities from what they had that day at the train station and even though Rahul had thought of Anjali over the years (it didn't help that his wife had named their daughter after her), I think perhaps this is when Rahul realizes that he just might be in love with her. I love the awkwardness, shyness and sincerity of their interaction.
Then of course, there's the famous gazebo scene. Anjali and Rahul are caught in the rain and well, this is what happens. Starts around the 0:15 mark.
This is their "sexy" scene. Considering this is a Bollywood movie, and a family one at that, they couldn't exactly start making out but I think this worked well in showing the mutual attraction between the characters.
I loved Kuch Kuch Hota Hai in its entirety the first time I saw it although on subsequent viewings, I got tired of all the "fun" college scenes and what not. Plus it has the annoying crap of grooms being so generous of heart that they give their brides to someone else. But nonetheless, I can't help but love this simple yet touching story of finding a once lost love.
KKHH is the story of Rahul and Anjali who are college best friends who miss their chance but get another one many years later. We have college best friends. Girl realizes she's in love with Guy when he starts to fall for another girl. Girl leaves town. Guy marries other girl. Other girl dies at childbirth. Years later, Guy and Girl meet again. Girl is engaged to another man. You can guess the rest.
We even get an epic train scene in this movie. Starts around the 5:50 mark.
Rahul (Guy) confesses his love for Tina (other girl) to Anjali (Girl). Finding this too difficult to deal with, Anjali decides to leave school (although she claimed to have other reasons but still...). So this is the scene where Rahul runs to the station to stop Anjali. from leaving. What I love most about this scene is that while Rahul doesn't quite realize that he's in love with Anjali, it's pretty clear to any bystander, including Tina.
Another favorite scene of mine is the bench scene. It's so very simple and clean, yet crackling with chemistry. It starts around the 2:35 mark.
This is the day of the Anjali-Rahul reunion. They are both much older with different interests and priorities from what they had that day at the train station and even though Rahul had thought of Anjali over the years (it didn't help that his wife had named their daughter after her), I think perhaps this is when Rahul realizes that he just might be in love with her. I love the awkwardness, shyness and sincerity of their interaction.
Then of course, there's the famous gazebo scene. Anjali and Rahul are caught in the rain and well, this is what happens. Starts around the 0:15 mark.
This is their "sexy" scene. Considering this is a Bollywood movie, and a family one at that, they couldn't exactly start making out but I think this worked well in showing the mutual attraction between the characters.
I loved Kuch Kuch Hota Hai in its entirety the first time I saw it although on subsequent viewings, I got tired of all the "fun" college scenes and what not. Plus it has the annoying crap of grooms being so generous of heart that they give their brides to someone else. But nonetheless, I can't help but love this simple yet touching story of finding a once lost love.
Coffee House rumored Segway scene
So, unless this is some amazing photoshopping, this looks like a picture of the rumored Segway Scene. And Jin Soo is wearing the clothes in the cut scene that mirrored their sitting positions in episode three (can't find the pic but whatever). So what made them remove all these happy scenes and replace them with Angst Central? How I wish I could get a copy of all the scripts ever written for this drama.
Credit.
ETA:
Found the pic and they are both wearing the same clothes. What gives, y'all? I need the footage from that day.
Credit.
ETA:
Found the pic and they are both wearing the same clothes. What gives, y'all? I need the footage from that day.
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Dr. Champ episodes 3 & 4
So... it looks like I might have been wrong about the second lead, Hee Young. From the way she was introduced in the earlier episodes, I'd assumed that she was a typical second lead who tossed the lead away in the past but would want him when he began to develop an interest in another woman.
Truthfully, I am attracted to angsty couples - the kind that hurts each other all the time but can't be apart. Do Wook in his jealousy keeps mentioning Hee Young's husband to piss her off, and in turn she tosses him back in his face. But it was revealed that she's in fact divorced. So why doesn't she come clean? It think it's because she'd lose the upper hand and in addition, might end up opening a door she wishes to remain shut. It'll be interesting to see how Do Wook will act towards her now that he knows the truth. Being the kind of childish man he is when it comes to their relationship, I won't be surprised if he starts to test her in some form. But one thing is clear (well, seems clear) - they are still hung up on each other.
In addition to liking angsty couples, I also love flawed ones and these two also fit the bill. I'm really looking forward to watching this relationship develop and I hope the writers give us some good stuff. The joke she made about being pretty to her athlete, Yoo Ri, also showed a cute side to Hee Young. I hope she turns out to be a great character.
We also saw some kind of development in the Ji Heon/Yeon Woo relationship. Truthfully, I don't like the idealistic types and both of this characters have that element to them. However, even though Ji Heon can be very childish and act happy-go-lucky, we also know that there's some sadness in his life with the untold story of his brother's death and all the drama with his sister-in-law. I also don't like characters who wear their hearts on their sleeves like Ji Heon does but I guess he's still okay. Or maybe I'm just blinded by his hot bod! I can see how Yeon Woo might need someone like him in her life because she does seem to be a tad too serious about things so it's all good. We've started to see some jealousy on Ji Heon's part as he notices Yeon Woo's interest in her director, but on the other hand, we can see that Yeon Woo has become a lot more comfortable with him and that she notices he's a man (with the whole noodle thing).
I'm still not really shipping any couples per se, but I definitely wouldn't mind if these are the two love stories developed in this drama. I'm kind of sick of the usual kdrama love quadrangle so I'm more than happy to see one where the four leads = two couples.
In addition to the romance, they also delved into some "human interest" plots with the sick boxer. And it looks like Yeon Woo has landed herself into some hot soup with her callous actions regarding a prescription she made to an athlete. It's all good and I'm looking forward to next week's episodes. Fighting!
*Screen caps were taken from soompi.
Truthfully, I am attracted to angsty couples - the kind that hurts each other all the time but can't be apart. Do Wook in his jealousy keeps mentioning Hee Young's husband to piss her off, and in turn she tosses him back in his face. But it was revealed that she's in fact divorced. So why doesn't she come clean? It think it's because she'd lose the upper hand and in addition, might end up opening a door she wishes to remain shut. It'll be interesting to see how Do Wook will act towards her now that he knows the truth. Being the kind of childish man he is when it comes to their relationship, I won't be surprised if he starts to test her in some form. But one thing is clear (well, seems clear) - they are still hung up on each other.
In addition to liking angsty couples, I also love flawed ones and these two also fit the bill. I'm really looking forward to watching this relationship develop and I hope the writers give us some good stuff. The joke she made about being pretty to her athlete, Yoo Ri, also showed a cute side to Hee Young. I hope she turns out to be a great character.
We also saw some kind of development in the Ji Heon/Yeon Woo relationship. Truthfully, I don't like the idealistic types and both of this characters have that element to them. However, even though Ji Heon can be very childish and act happy-go-lucky, we also know that there's some sadness in his life with the untold story of his brother's death and all the drama with his sister-in-law. I also don't like characters who wear their hearts on their sleeves like Ji Heon does but I guess he's still okay. Or maybe I'm just blinded by his hot bod! I can see how Yeon Woo might need someone like him in her life because she does seem to be a tad too serious about things so it's all good. We've started to see some jealousy on Ji Heon's part as he notices Yeon Woo's interest in her director, but on the other hand, we can see that Yeon Woo has become a lot more comfortable with him and that she notices he's a man (with the whole noodle thing).
I'm still not really shipping any couples per se, but I definitely wouldn't mind if these are the two love stories developed in this drama. I'm kind of sick of the usual kdrama love quadrangle so I'm more than happy to see one where the four leads = two couples.
In addition to the romance, they also delved into some "human interest" plots with the sick boxer. And it looks like Yeon Woo has landed herself into some hot soup with her callous actions regarding a prescription she made to an athlete. It's all good and I'm looking forward to next week's episodes. Fighting!
*Screen caps were taken from soompi.
Monday, October 4, 2010
Melt Away
This is off her Daydream album.
I don't know... Mariah is one of those people that can do no wrong in my eyes. I don't care if she's melting down on television or wearing way too tight clothing - Mariah is Mariah and she gets my support. I think I have all but one or two or her albums. I've never seen her in concert but her albums are definitely some of the most played ones in my collection. And Melt Away is one that's always on repeat.
I'm about to work on the latest chapter of The Honeymoon and needed to clear my head a bit so of course, I'm listening to some Mariah.
---
Hahaha... this was my Lee Jin Soo theme song for episodes 9-10 of Coffee House. Truthfully, there's a Mariah song for every single romantic situation out there.
I don't know... Mariah is one of those people that can do no wrong in my eyes. I don't care if she's melting down on television or wearing way too tight clothing - Mariah is Mariah and she gets my support. I think I have all but one or two or her albums. I've never seen her in concert but her albums are definitely some of the most played ones in my collection. And Melt Away is one that's always on repeat.
I'm about to work on the latest chapter of The Honeymoon and needed to clear my head a bit so of course, I'm listening to some Mariah.
---
Hahaha... this was my Lee Jin Soo theme song for episodes 9-10 of Coffee House. Truthfully, there's a Mariah song for every single romantic situation out there.
Playful Kiss 9 & 10
I finally saw episodes 9 & 10 of Playful Kiss. While it's not a bad drama, I think I've finally put my finger on what is lacking in it for me - an emotional connection with the characters.
I don't know if it's because I've previously seen ISWAK, but when watching the show, I don't feel like I am watching people - merely actors playing a role. So it's impossible for me to be drawn into their story. Even though Seung Jo has supposedly fallen for Ha Ni, truthfully, I don't see it at all. It's like their chemistry slowly diminished as time went by.
And speaking of the episodes in particular, I liked the moment when Seung Jo was leaving and even though he wanted to say goodbye to Ha Ni, being the person he is, he couldn't. So he kept his eyes on her while speaking to his brother. Essentially, he called out his brother's name but he was really talking to Ha Ni. Maybe that's what's missing with them - I don't see the emotion in their eyes.
Ha Ni, for her part, was very annoying in episode 10 with all the stalking and stuff. ARGH. And when I compare the bed scene in Playful Kiss versus the one in ISWAK, I must say there's no competition. In ISWAK, I could feel the sexual chemistry and could understand why Ariel's character was nervous about sleeping on the same bed as him. In Playful Kiss, it was almost like, "Girl, why's your mind going there? He won't do anything to you, anyway."
I can already guess that the kiss in the rain (if it's here) will be nowhere as epic as the one in ISWAK.
On another note, the old dude playing the Tennis club leader must be having a blast with this role.
I don't know if it's because I've previously seen ISWAK, but when watching the show, I don't feel like I am watching people - merely actors playing a role. So it's impossible for me to be drawn into their story. Even though Seung Jo has supposedly fallen for Ha Ni, truthfully, I don't see it at all. It's like their chemistry slowly diminished as time went by.
And speaking of the episodes in particular, I liked the moment when Seung Jo was leaving and even though he wanted to say goodbye to Ha Ni, being the person he is, he couldn't. So he kept his eyes on her while speaking to his brother. Essentially, he called out his brother's name but he was really talking to Ha Ni. Maybe that's what's missing with them - I don't see the emotion in their eyes.
Ha Ni, for her part, was very annoying in episode 10 with all the stalking and stuff. ARGH. And when I compare the bed scene in Playful Kiss versus the one in ISWAK, I must say there's no competition. In ISWAK, I could feel the sexual chemistry and could understand why Ariel's character was nervous about sleeping on the same bed as him. In Playful Kiss, it was almost like, "Girl, why's your mind going there? He won't do anything to you, anyway."
I can already guess that the kiss in the rain (if it's here) will be nowhere as epic as the one in ISWAK.
On another note, the old dude playing the Tennis club leader must be having a blast with this role.
Sunday, October 3, 2010
TV
So yeah... I'm officially on the Outsourced train. The second episode was so much better than the pilot and had some laughs. It pokes fun at both American and Indian cultures and does have some heart. So I'll keep watching. Episode 2 was about needing to fire someone so they focused on the superflirt who spent a lot of phone time chatting up women and also the annoying talkative guy with low self esteem.
I am currently one foot off the Cougar Town train. This episode was better than last week's but still boring. lol. So yeah. I think I preferred it when there was romantic tension between her and the dude that she's dating. But since everything is all good, it's kinda dry.
Undercovers also had a better week than the pilot's, however, it's definitely underperforming ratings-wise so it sounds like there's a good chance it's getting canceled. Oh well.
I'm also officially on the Nikita Train. I've pretty much liked the last few episodes and even didn't mind this past week's one even though they decided to show us some Nikita/Michael sexual tension. Shane West's breathy voice is really annoying. Is that how he sounded on A Walk To Remember? The episode was pretty good with the double agent although I suspected something like that because that actor is a little bit too recognizable for a such a bit role. So I did expect to see him in some capacity even after he supposedly died.
On the Asian drama front... I got reminded once again why I need to dust off that Rosetta Stone dvd and start learning!
Natsu-Niji... the drama ended like a month ago but no subs means I can't finish it. I'm currently stuck with two episodes to go.
Runaway started this week. Licensing stuff means I'm not going to see it till it's been resolved.
Sungkyunkwan Scandal is a drama I tried yesterday. I guess it's a good thing I decided to wait before trying it otherwise, I'd be in pain like all the others desperate for a fix. Even though the subs were halted on viikii, the folks over there were nice enough to provide softsubs but as these things always happen, someone hardsubbed the vids and now we're all out of luck. So that's on hold till the situation is sorted.
So which of my dramas did I get to see? None to be honest. Because even though Playful Kiss is available, I've chosen to wait for the full length HD versions of episodes 9 & 10. Since I just watch the drama to kill time, I can wait.
I decided not to bother with Eternal Love since it seemed that episode 6 was just a rehash of the previous episodes. I plan to just skip to ep 7.
I did, however, manage to watch a one episode drama special called The Great Gye Choon Bin.
It's a rom com about an art psychologist (uses art to read people) and a kindergarten teacher with a crush on him. I understand that there are limitations as they have to tell an entire story in like an hour but there are drama specials like Kanojo to no Tadashii Asobikata or Drama City's Fog Street that manage to hit that romantic spot despite the time constraint. I think there was too much going on with his married ex, little girl's issues, his issues, the person who kept defacing the signs etc etc for any real proper development of their relationship. So it didn't really work for me. I can understand why one might find this adorable but I need to see chemistry and want the couple to be together - not because the drama says so, but because I can feel it. And this special lacked it.
Anyway, this week, Dae Mul starring Kwon Sang Woo begins. I'm looking forward to it since it's a story about a gigolo and a president. lol. I've never seen a KSW drama before since it appears he likes doing all these sad ones and I avoid those so I hope I end up liking this one.
I am currently one foot off the Cougar Town train. This episode was better than last week's but still boring. lol. So yeah. I think I preferred it when there was romantic tension between her and the dude that she's dating. But since everything is all good, it's kinda dry.
Undercovers also had a better week than the pilot's, however, it's definitely underperforming ratings-wise so it sounds like there's a good chance it's getting canceled. Oh well.
I'm also officially on the Nikita Train. I've pretty much liked the last few episodes and even didn't mind this past week's one even though they decided to show us some Nikita/Michael sexual tension. Shane West's breathy voice is really annoying. Is that how he sounded on A Walk To Remember? The episode was pretty good with the double agent although I suspected something like that because that actor is a little bit too recognizable for a such a bit role. So I did expect to see him in some capacity even after he supposedly died.
On the Asian drama front... I got reminded once again why I need to dust off that Rosetta Stone dvd and start learning!
Natsu-Niji... the drama ended like a month ago but no subs means I can't finish it. I'm currently stuck with two episodes to go.
Runaway started this week. Licensing stuff means I'm not going to see it till it's been resolved.
Sungkyunkwan Scandal is a drama I tried yesterday. I guess it's a good thing I decided to wait before trying it otherwise, I'd be in pain like all the others desperate for a fix. Even though the subs were halted on viikii, the folks over there were nice enough to provide softsubs but as these things always happen, someone hardsubbed the vids and now we're all out of luck. So that's on hold till the situation is sorted.
So which of my dramas did I get to see? None to be honest. Because even though Playful Kiss is available, I've chosen to wait for the full length HD versions of episodes 9 & 10. Since I just watch the drama to kill time, I can wait.
I decided not to bother with Eternal Love since it seemed that episode 6 was just a rehash of the previous episodes. I plan to just skip to ep 7.
I did, however, manage to watch a one episode drama special called The Great Gye Choon Bin.
It's a rom com about an art psychologist (uses art to read people) and a kindergarten teacher with a crush on him. I understand that there are limitations as they have to tell an entire story in like an hour but there are drama specials like Kanojo to no Tadashii Asobikata or Drama City's Fog Street that manage to hit that romantic spot despite the time constraint. I think there was too much going on with his married ex, little girl's issues, his issues, the person who kept defacing the signs etc etc for any real proper development of their relationship. So it didn't really work for me. I can understand why one might find this adorable but I need to see chemistry and want the couple to be together - not because the drama says so, but because I can feel it. And this special lacked it.
Anyway, this week, Dae Mul starring Kwon Sang Woo begins. I'm looking forward to it since it's a story about a gigolo and a president. lol. I've never seen a KSW drama before since it appears he likes doing all these sad ones and I avoid those so I hope I end up liking this one.
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