Usually, multiplexes have dominated the Indian cinema scene, but one of the theatres close to my home was Ega Theatre, a single-screen theatre (actually a double screen now, but it was a stand-alone theatre). It was a huge auditorium, with about 1000 seats, unlike a multiplex which would have about 200-300 perhaps. Sitting in the theatre made me nostalgic, because all the movies I saw in the past were in theatres like this, with a balcony on top and the stalls below.

When I sat to watch the movie, the sound was really excellent. And the movie would best be experienced in a full-house. Sadly, the theatre was largely empty.

But it was nice to enter a movie theatre and exit a movie theatre after the movie was done, without the whole distraction of the mall.

The tickets were also cheaper than at the multiplex.

Plus, the parking was only Rs. 20. Whereas in a multiplex in Chennai, you could pay 40-50 rupees (this is for a 2-wheeler).

I really enjoyed the experience at Ega. And wished I had more opportunities to watch movies in theatres like this.

Toy Story 3 was excellent.
Salt was also excellent.

Enjoyed Expendables. Even revisted Rocky Balboa (Rocky 6) and enjoyed that too.

Karate Kid, quite nice. Made me want to see the original and enjoyed that as well.

Date Night was nice.
Iron Man 2… not as good as Iron Man 1.
The Last Airbender… not as bad as expected.

Prince of Persia was ok. Passable.
Robin Hood, disappointing, even boring.
Clash of the Titans… disappointing. Percy Jackson is more fun. (and again, that isn’t saying much).
Twilight 3 – ho, hum.
Shrek Forever After… better than Shrek 3… but that isn’t saying much.

Knight and Day… too loud, and not too funny.

Looking at this list… it’s been a really sad here, it look like. Maybe the remainder of the year will have some good stuff.

Haven’t seen Inception yet. Don’t want to be disappointed.

I can only say some of the movies I saw and found ok…
like How to Train a Dragon, Clash of the Titans, Kick Ass, Losers… these were all time-pass movies that I didn’t mind watching, had some good elements, but were, well… ok.

I guess the only real good movie I recently saw and loved was interestingly a low-budget Christian film called Flywheel. I had seen Facing the Giants and Fireproof before, and liked them. And so, as a Christian watcher, I guess people would not be surprised that I like Flywheel too. However, I must admit, I really liked the movie. It was poorly produced in that it clearly looks like a video film, but it involved me, moved me, and even inspired me.

In fact, I must admit I am waiting eagerly for the release of the next Christian movie (from the production house) on Fatherhood. Hopefully that will not disappoint as well.

In Hindi movies, I re-saw Rocketsingh, and it was really good. The other hindi movies, like Pyaar Impossible or Teen Patti, were forgettable.

I haven’t seen Iron Man 2 yet, looking forward to that. Also wanting to see Toy Story 3. But I think of the summer I am also looking forward to Karate Kid, and Knight and Day.

1. Many scenes feels forced and unnecessary. For instance, what’s the point of having a father not be your real father. What’s the real problem/dilemma in that?Also, the fight scene with that card guy is totally unnecessary. In fact that card-guy is totally unnecessary.

2. The action scenes are few and far between. There is neither adequate plot development nor is there an overdose of action… just a sort of inbetween phase.

3. It is too sanitized. Wolverine rarely gets dirty… looks well-trimmed and proper… even in all action scenes.

4. The love interest comes too late… and then concludes extremely abruptly.Also, the ‘wolverine’ name story is really cheesy and out of place.

5. The memory loss scene in the end leaves the audience hanging in the wrong way… nothing like a fitting climax or catch phrase or memorable event that would make us connect to the future movies or understand the past.

6. The x-men mutants are poorly developed… not enough time is spent on seeing mutants and their powers. Especially the children mutants are left too vague. Couldn’t even tell them apart.

7. The final battle is against a miniature version of Frankenstein. If it was intentional… it’s all the more pathetic. They messed up that mutant entirely.

8. The brother-brother scenes are not moving in conflict or resolve. We don’t feel the connection between the two… it’s more of a cliche.

9. The idea of ‘choice’ (for Wolverine) is not fully or even interestingly explored.

10. The best liners only generate a smirk or a chuckle. (“do something for your country” “No, I’m canadian” etc.).

Sitting currently in a western world (Montreal) and lapping up any Hindi movie that is released in the only theatre that shows Hindi movies, I realise that the “image” of India being portrayed is already gross/uncreative/garish/insensitive/poverty-hating/celebrity(glamour)-striken/pseudo-religious/womanising/violence-glorifying/non-sensical and insensible.

This is true even for our CURRENT hits like Rab ne bana di jodi, or Gajini, or even Luck by chance, (considered good/positive examples of recent Hindi films).

I invited a ‘western’ (Indian-exposed – he’s lived in Nepal for a while) friend to watch Billu Barbar with me, and he said that he didn’t want to watch without reading the review because he’s been “burned” by Hindi films too often. In contrast, I watched Luck by chance, by another western friend of mine (he was french) and he said that it was the best movie he’s seen in recent times…

Both reactions, are understandable.

Personally, I found that compared to these two friends, I looked a Hindi movie completely differently, identified with different things, and found completely different things enjoyable… or different things critique-worthy. I did not look for sense, but I did look for sensibility.

I was not too enamoured by the colour and dance, but I noted the way it moved or did not move me.

…now all this to say… and yes, I am getting to Slumdog… I entered the screening of Slumdog Millionare… foolishly expecting (because I hadn’t read any review)… that it was a comedy!!! And in a sense I entered the theatre thinking I was going to have a Hindi movie experience.

How rudely my pre-concieved notions were shaken! And I suddenly became an outsider… seeing India (my India… because Mumbai is very close to my heart and context)… being represented by an outsider… in a medium (western cinema) that was also alien.

While watching I suddenly had to shift gears… and watch differently, and suddenly I felt I was watching a poor movie… because it seemed so FAKE because they missed so much of the real-sensibility of India (I mean who the heck can get close to Bachchan in real life!!! Do these film-makers even know who Bachchan really is??? and what’s with Anil Kapoor ‘english’ accent!!! or even Police interrogation using electricity for television “fraud”… please!!!… such a pseudo attempt at unique narrative)

And at the same time I was reminded of the terrible REALITY that I had/have witnessed in real India. Despite the medium and presentation I was emotionally struck by the plight of the children/context, I felt I had left behind… (Salaam Bombay is another movie that comes to mind, that achieves a similar remembrance)… I was reminded of the pain of India that I cared deeply about but felt so incapable of doing anything about it…

In each scene, whether communal riots, or forced poverty… I had a real story to remember, a real experience to share (within)… and a real-connection.

And instead of allowing me to dwell on any of this reality… I was taken from scene to scene towards a fake (aka Mahesh Bhatt) climax and happy ending.

The final song at the station was the bitter-icing on a terrible cake. I was left with a feeling that a westerner had made a fake movie about reality (and perhaps that’s what outsiders think about hindi movies).

Anyway… I realised that the portrayal of India… as poor… was a natural (western) vision… I mean what else can they see here expect gods, dirt, crowds, and poverty?

But I was left offended by how poverty, violence, were used for a forced narrative that I never could accept as authentic. The ending was not happy, and the movie left me feeling angry and sad.

While I do regret the portrayal of India as negative, I think our own movies do a pretty good job in portraying India negatively (especially when seen outside the context of regular Hindi movie culture). So I don’t begrudge Danny Boyle for making a poverty-movie of India. Because our stereotypes (in popular cinema) are not much better.

But I am surprised by how people are affected by the movie in a limited sense. They are able to feel the pain, and yet move on quite quickly, to become insensitive to the pain.

It is perhaps not surprising in view of the movie’s episodic engagement with the suffering of people, that people are able to TALK about the issues, and give the movie that encourages such talk ACCOLADES and even LOCALISE the problem of how 3 children are treated (after the movie)… while missing the entire pathos that merits the situation at all.

Conclusion? The movie is not so bad, but I hated watching it.

And both were good. Ghajini was too violent though. And had many many weak points. Especially some of the support cast. But on the whole, the effect of the movie was good.

Seven Pounds was good too… and good of Will Smith to take on a less traditional project… though I have a feeling that the filmmakers wanted to make a lot of money with the movie and were disappointed that it didn’t. Still… the multi-narrative vantage point is not that confusing as it seems… and actually the story is quite straight-forward… if not a little creepy!

Why I say “filmy relationship” is that the characters portrayed are somewhat stereotypical… we’ve seen them before (and yes, Shah Rukh Khan plays it down, but he can’t escape being Shah Rukh Khan). And yet, we’re still in for a movie-treat. Director Aditya Chopra does a good job in transcending expectations and literally does “something different”. I must say that I was surprised at certain times and also cared about the way the movie would end. And yes, I was happy with how it ended.

I best liked the fact that most of the movie was earthy and simple. Of course the Haveli in which Shah Rukh can lives is so obviously a film set, (it even resembles the out-of-character house in Swades). But regardless, the streets, the mood, are pretty level-headed (and not too glossy). Of course the dance class scenes have their loud and over-done nature, but what to do… the film is not perfect.

I also liked the new girl… what’shername?… (off to wikipedia… ah yes, Anushka Sharma)… who was portrayed realistically… and not too ‘beautifully’ (ie. there were not too many closeups and slowmotions). Again, very nicely portrayed. For instance, she has a very clear “Indian” accent while speaking English. Refreshing!

It was also nice to see that there were not too many characters. Ie. no kiron kher, anupam kher… no parents, no crazy aunt/uncle, no relatives, no cute yet irritating children (except in a song) this is really a biggie for Indian cinema… a big step up.

And finally the plot is really there. While there are moments (like the unnecessary Dhoom scene) where the plot is given less importance to the visual effect… still the overall story is told with determination. Not too much here or there. I even liked the final “message” of the film (the moral, if you will). Though the idea of loving a person more than God is a theme that doesn’t really fit my “theology” (but who cares, right?)

So yes, I liked the movie. Really liked it. And would recommend it. Even if you’re not a Shah Rukh Khan fan!

CRICKET

Lagaan
Now I know it is in Hindi and I know that it’s not perfect (the “foreign” love element eeks), but as a sports film I must say that this is by far the most enjoyable sports film I have ever watched. Plus, it deals with my favourite sport… so all the better.

ATHLETICS

Chariots of Fire
A heart-warmer and more… this classic redefines athletics and makes you want to run… and believe!

Cool Runnings
OK, call me shallow, but this comedy is sensational. Does it make me think? No. But laugh, yes, oh yes!

BASKETBALL

Coach Carter
Recent favourite… love the school-teacher sports genre mix.

The Air Up There
Old, campy, and memorable

White Men Can’t Jump
Where is Wesley Snipes these days?

AMERICAN FOOTBALL

Remember the Titans
Denzel Washington, in racial times

Jerry McGuire
Tom Cruise in not so racial times… actually this movie was quite slow and yet engaging as well… I love the (spoiler) positive ending though (end of spoiler)

HOCKEY

Miracle
Ice Hockey, actually

Chak De India
Unlike Lagaan, this movie about not-ice-hockey is supposedly more high-tech and yet features terrible sporting action. Nevertheless, it keeps the emotions running high, till the last shot.

BOXING

Rocky 5
I would say that Rocky 5 is the best of the Rocky’s; it’s the one the real pathos is captured.

Rocky
Well, this is a classic.

Rocky 4
I must say that this is like Return of the Jedi… plain old bash-em-up fun.

BASEBALL

For the Love of the Game
What’s with Kevin Costner and sports movies. He’s probably done the most of them (not counting Stallone’s Rocky’s). But I think this movie was better than Field of Dreams… in terms of being more fun. I enjoyed the narrative technique, too.

The Rookie
A little slow, but still engaging (it’s pace feels like Field of Dreams). Yet I liked this better than Field of Dreams because Field of Dreams glorifies baseball, while this movie focuses on the person.  I don’t particularly care for Baseball, but I can sure identify with the themes in the Rookie.

SOCCER

Shaolin Soccer
In comparison to Stephen Chow’s Kung Fu Hustle, Shaolin Soccer is pedestrian and even cheap. Yet, as a sports movie, what better combination than Kung Fu with Soccer!!!

Goal!
It’s low budget, but it’s not that bad. (at least the first one. The second one is not that great, hopefully the third will be ok).

The Cup
A simple story about Buddhist monks who want to watch the Soccer World Cup

MISCELLANEOUS

Seabiscuit
Horse Racing

Tin Cup/Happy Gilmore
Two different genres, yet both on Golf

Wimbeldon
On… well… yes… The Wimbeldon

Nacho Libre
Wrestling… with Jack Black… enough said.

My chance came when I had the opportunity to go to Montreal for a while; and learned about the ‘cheap’ dollar cinema at Namur. I was delighted considering the huge cost of movie tickets here. I was more thrilled when I learned the Wall-e was running and I took to chance to watch Wall-e as soon as I could.

(How to get to Namur Dollar Cinema): The Namur Dollar Cinema (Theatre) is close to the Namur Metro station. And basically one needs to walk towards Wallmart, but not ‘to’ wallmart. Instead, take the Decarie underpass, which is basically the big highway and after crossing to the WallMart side, walk down along the highway. The next ‘right’ is a Mall which has a Winners etc. And that’s where the Dollar Cinema is (first floor).

Anyway, I reached in time for the 12:00pm show, only to realise to my horror that Wall-e had shifted to the 1:30pm show (and I didn’t know about it). So rather than head back, I decided to walk Igor, just before the Wall-e screening, and then watch Wall-e.

I paid two dollars per movie, ie. 2 dollars for Igor and 2 dollars for Wall-e (that’s the cost for the movie). I don’t know if it is allowed to watch back-to-back movies in the same theatre for the price of one movie ticket (I know it’s done), but I didn’t feel it was ethical so I paid for both. I also bought the one dollar popcorn, which was not bad.

One thing, they only take cash, and I forgot to withdraw cash from the ATM earlier. And so I was trading with my last coins. Later I had to go to the nearby ATM and shell out two dollars withdrawal charge for the ATM!!! So much for cheap cinema.

Anyway, back to the movie.

The Igor screening was terrible. The projection quality and sound quality was so poor that even though I was in the first few rows (out of choice) I couldn’t make out clearly what was being said. The seats were comfortable enough, but the quality of screening seemed pathetic. Then, the screen was really dirty. I could see patches of stains on it… that disturbed vision, especially when seeing from so close. Plus, the movie Igor was poor enough to be seen directly on DVD or TV. Didn’t seem worth watching it on big-screen. I already started regretting coming here… but secretly hoped that the Wall-e experience would be better.

Interestingly, after the movie, the projectionist cut off the credits and turned on the lights. I hate it when they do that… isn’t it illegal??? Is should be.

Anyway… soon enough it was time for the Wall-e screening… and the projection and sound quality improved. Perhaps they were using a better print. But I was relieved. The patch on the screen bothered me more now because it was disturbing me from seeing clearly the spectacular animation of Wall-e… which brings me to Wall-e.

Wow, it is an amazing movie. when I saw the bootleg copy, I liked it… but didn’t think it was thaaaat great. But seeing it in the big screen made me change my mind. I still don’t think it is the best thing Pixar has produced. I’m still a big fan of the Incredibles, and I think that while the animation of Finding Nemo was not as spectacular, it was a better story. And Monsters Inc was just so much fun… so I put Wall-e as the fourth best animation of Pixar (and it will be reflected in my best of 3D animation list).

The movie is truly a delight for the eyes… a beautifully crafted masterpiece. The scenes are wonderful, and the emotions expressed are great. But the entry of the humans and the Axiom was just too ‘noisy’ and jarring… while fun for a while, I certainly couldn’t handle too many repeat screenings of that. In that sense, even Finding Nemo had the irritating Fish Tank scenes, but they were not continuous. The Wall-e Axiom scenes, are loud and surprisingly shallow… too many stereotypes being introduced in a world that was earlier defined without stereotypes. So the movie jars… but still works as an amazing visual treat.

It is the best movie of the year? Apart from the traditional art-house movies that are screened to limited audiences and usually attract the Oscar crowd… I thought out of the entire range of popular movies Wall-e was the best. Except… when I saw Batman and Wall-e… I was a little confused and feel that Batman is a much better movie than Wall-e. Wall-e must win the best animation movie of the year, hands down. But can it win best picture? I doubt it. Should it be nominated? Definitely.

So, back to the Namur movie theatre… I reconciled myself to the Namur theatre and decided that I would only see the good movies again in the theatre… but what it did remind me was of the joy of seeing a movie in the theatre and I will find more budget screenings (like Tuesdays) to see some big movies on screen. It’s back to the cinemas for me.