The American – Americano!!!

Just don’t miss the first 5 minutes of this intensely boring film it’s the most dramatic, for the rest, carry your own pillow and blanket. Documentaries on snails will be more interesting that seeing Clooney (Character names: Jack/Edward) drive around suspiciously through the first hour of this colourless film. I have not endured a more painful 2 hours and 15 minutes other than at my dentist’s office.



The Chase...

Director Anton Corbjin totally, completely and entirely manages to get a weekend enthused theatre audience to snooze off into a deep slumber. Rowan Joffe’s script from Martin Booth’s novel ‘A Very Private Gentleman’ unveils the story of the life of a secretive assassin who seeks a private setting in a rundown Italian village to carry on his next project. Wintry greys, pebbled blocks, and depressive emotions portray the grim reality of this profession. The pros are, Clooney in his expressionless yet handsome face of his with salt pepper hair sporting, dark coats, his brown Omega (ever so classy) and tanned trousers.



The beautiful Clara (Violante) plays a prostitute who falls in love with our Americano and adds a little positivity to the script, with her low neck lacy satin dresses and floral shrugs. She glides through the frames like a dew drop before daylight. The slight element of interest is as Clooney does his push ups sporting his tattoos (he is simply allergic to aging) and fiddling around assembling a certain type of gun he’s busy crafting. The detailing goes right down to weapon speed, recoil and shot bursts.

Close Encounters

The quaint elements also are the 2-3 cafe’s as grim as the film Cafe Tucci, Rome Patisseries’ and the only spark of colour is  Clara’s blood red lipstick shade, she carries off beautifully with her Caucasian look.

My Rating: 0.5/5

By: Lily Shroff

Robot – Machines make Love!

‘ Mirror mirror on the wall who’s the fairest (umm.. change to most famous) of them all ! Rajnikanth, with his latest blockbuster hit Robot crossing 22.5 million dollars is a true reflection of narcissism taken to great lengths, thus showcased in an enjoyable and definitely profitable way.



Afro Ash and Robotic Rajni...



   A gripping storyline, with excellent effects from the Rajni anaconda to the Rajni avalanche and finally to the Rajni explosive time-bomb and machine guns...a technical marvel. (Inception makers, watch out! we aren’t far behind) .The Asian companies that pulled off these effects-bravo! Aishwariya Rai Bachchan looked stunning, though not your typical prettily plumpish South Indian leading lady but so very stylish and soothing to watch on the big screen, she delivers aptly to her girly character of Sana.

   Another thing to watch out for is the excellent technical head gear she sports throughout, with vibrant saris and dresses designed by our very own  Manish Malhotra, coupled with sequins, feathers , beads, gold chunky bracelets and semi precious stones they work to create an ethereal and majestic feel. The film is extravagantly stylish is an understatement indeed. Imagine a cross between a theme party of Red Indians, Egyptians and the cast of Star wars, then  invite the Terminators and Transformers 1, 2, and 3  and you have the design wardrobe of Robot.

Ebay, the Head gear's totally worth it!!!

   But while one takes in the millennium metal belts, patent leatherish minis, flower pins and enormously funky accessories, (I so want causeway to come out with them soon) let’s not forget the star’s futuristic style quotient - Rajnikanth in his dual avatar as Dr. Vasi the scientist, with his yeti sort of appearance portrayed by stylist Aalim to Chitti his creation, a human android robot (also his look alike) with long side locks , metallic extensions and dark shades. The script portrays a robot created who then develops human feelings and falls in love with his master’s girlfriend (Sana) and thus wants her for himself. From a good robot hero who fights goons and mosquitoes about to capture our damsel in distress , to cooking a 7 course meal, to cleaning up the house, being a driver, a calculator, a friend  to a jealous villain with  bullets shooting out of his manicured fingertips this 3 hour film will keep adults and kids enthralled.   ‘ Kilimanjaro..iska roop nikharo...Mohenjodaro isko dil main utaro..aaha ahaaha’ (Mount Kilimanjaro Oh thee mighty one...compliment my beloved’s. form. Oh excavated city of Mohenjodaro take her into your heart..aaaha aaaha)...barring these lyrics, maestro Rajnikanth and director Shankar’s  Robot has sweeped me into entertainment heaven  off my feet.

My Rating: 4.5/5

By : Lily Shroff

Khichdi- A bland comedy with a twist!

Popular sitcom hit screens this week through Khichdi-The Movie, with bling and dandiya outfits galore. Gujarati pronunciations and their cute demeanour take the world by storm and fond recognition. With the gang of Praful in colourful kurtas, Babuji with his grey safari suits, Himanshu with well... let’s just say prints don’t go with stripes and patch work sweaters (fashion dies a quiet death in this film). 

 The icing on the cake is however cute Hansaben, the mirror image of the strutting bahu of the household. Done up with gajras (flowers) in her well set bun to bandhni saris all the way with at least 18 bangles on each hand along with layers of chunky American diamond necklaces she is the only one managing a smile through the plot of this film. Even though today’s youth may laugh at the attire for a simple Sunday afternoon you can’t help but smile at the eagerness of her innocently and adorably dumb character portrait of the oblivious housewife and her struggle with a western accent through her ‘What is?’ dialogue (Interpretation of What’s the matter or What is it?) that she so confidently greets the audience in.

As for the entertainment value this film fails to deliver sufficient storylines focusing on how Himanshu the eligible Gujju bachelor wants his love story with Parminder (the pretty heroine in colourful patialias and parandas) to be legendary and therefore goes about spoiling the well set match to add a little spice and make it into the love struggle and triumphant story. With a murder and a slapstick courtroom scene roped in, you can just leave your brains at home and smile ever so often at the unity in dumbness this family portrays through the film. Loud and bright orange with a sprinkle of stripped purple sweaters would be the best way to describe the essence of Khichdi.

My Rating: 1/5

            By: Lily Shroff

Going the Distance- When it’s worth the wait!

Drew Barrymore and Justin Long star in this cute flick about long distance relationships aptly titled ‘Going the Distance’.

Set in New York and San Francisco this one delves into the difficulties and hassles of surviving a long distance relationship. With off shoulder tees for Drew and Justin sporting the chequered shirt rolled up sleeve- slightly geeky look, the chemistry in the film between our stars is just about okay.

With subtle uncomfortable moments and a little tacky dialogue the film fails to entertain let alone humour the audiences. However the supporting cast with Christina Applegate (the overprotective sister) and Rhode Island cutie Charlie Day (Justin’s roommate) manage to give the flick some volume with their extreme characterizations. Spotted cleaning her dining table after her sister has had her fun; Christina beautifully layers her neuroticism and perfection through her pencil length skirt attires and tightly pulled up hair in a neat ponytail. As for Charlie with his daffy look and background score he inappropriately provides as the couple make out, are among the few instances that make the film scrape through the 2 hours. 



Love conquers all

Over all not a very stylish film, just about so-so with the attire, though I did like the choker Drew sports in the last scene.

My Rating: 1.5/5

By: Lily Shroff

Anjaana Anjaani- Fate will Find You!

‘I met a boy and his name is Anjaana....Anjaani rahon main ek humsafar mili’ (through life’s uncertain ways I met a life partner) the title track lyrics pretty much sum up the plot of director Siddharth Anand’s new film Anjaana Anjaani starring the charming and notorious Ranbir Kapoor and piggy chop lips- Priyanka Chopra.

Cool & Chic

 It’s an okay watch nothing fantastic, but what is interesting is the styling by Mamta Bhatia Anand who is also the director’s wife. The pretty locations shot in Vegas, San Francisco and New York are another reason to watch this film on the big screen.  One tends to make mental shopping list pointers on Priyanka’s cool purple head muffs along with matching lavender scarves and Ranbir’s trendy brown jackets.

Wow Winter Wear

A chic and youthful look portrayed throughout the film, cool swade boots, and lovely options of a winter wear collection catches the eye.  Whites and denims linger on for the western desert feel through a significant portion of the movie. The fashion radar is on a high with even the car which is a convertible in red named Blush... decorated with retro pink ribbon on the steering wheel and an Indian feather keychain on the rear view mirror, and leather  seats, the automobile is also is a personal reflection of the youthful character of Kiara (Priyanka) in the film.

On the whole maybe ok for a light watch or you could wait for it to come on the tele but outfits uber cool.

My Rating: 2.5/5

By: Lily Shroff

Wall Street- Money Never Sleeps – Conspiracies and Currency!

A dark stock exchange drama, titled ‘Wall Street: Money never sleeps’ is the latest feather in Michael Douglas’s cinematic hat. When I say dark, I mean dark cinematography, dark grey suits, single malt scotch, Cuban cigars and formal attire all the way. The leading men mean business in this intensely heavy film which unfurls a money minded saga with Gordon Gekko, Michael’s character returning to play ‘the game’ he once lost.

Smokin Hot Even Now!!!

 Also playing the morally correct and hopelessly in love boyfriend is Shia LaBeouf (character name Jacob) strutting about with his principles and desperate attempts in providing finance to a project he believes will change the future of the world via alternative sources of energy.

Money Never Sleeps!

Since money equals serious business the attire in this flick rarely deviates from the formal shirts and trousers to anything else.  The leading lady played by Vogue’s latest cover girl Carey Mulligan  is the daffy simple chic clad in maroon mufflers, sporting a bob look sort of like Demi Moore in Ghost. Her wardrobe also complements the mood of the film which is pretty depressing and serious with dark long trench coats yet with an air of elegance. Watch out for the Bulgari rock she sports and the vintage Oscar de la Renta gown, which definitely worked for me!

My Rating: 3/5

By: Lily Shroff

Dabaang – The Return of the Alpha Male!

Chulbul Pandey, the lead character's name in Salman Khan’s latest blockbuster hit Dabangg simply spells the return of the alpha male!  Ladies beware as the men are back, No we are not talking about geeky spectacles or pot bellied strutting men in hipsters and tees.

 

Subtle Saris and Crisp Shirts

 

From a fashion perspective, Dabaang's  costume designer, Alvira Khan showcases the return of crisp white shirts tucked over broad shoulders, a formal look so to speak but ever so attractive. Silky trousers and flashy aviator Ray bans top it up with an attitude to kill and you have yourself a smart completely irresistible hunk. But  where Sallu sports the confidant  undercover police man look with his alias name Robin Hood Pandey,  debutant Sonakshi Sinha  in contrast portrays a light and quiet Indian touch with saris and lehengas reflecting a demure bhartiya (Indian) nari (lady) in true essence.   



Shirtless tans, coloured stoles, kundan jhumkas, dramatic kajal and stylish branded eye-ware carefully compliment the storyboard of this flick, set in the state of UP where attitude meets the law and society. Also making waves is Malaika Arora Khan through the classic Munni Badnam Hui item number in the film. With scintillating cholis, bright ghagras and enormously fun moves , this one will be the hit of the wedding cocktails and bachelor parties.

Munni aka Zandu Balm

What’s interesting to note is with a little length of cholis, maybe Vikram Phadnis with his new collection of bridal couture can transform the item wear portrayed in the track to a classy ethnic outfits using the sprinkle of  vibrant colours, sequinned prints and voila you have the Munni collection,  Now that’s an idea to explore!

My Rating: 4.5/5

By: Lily Shroff