Rockstar: The story of a narcissistic director

Rockstar is one movie that you really want to like from the onset - even when you haven't watched the trailers. It is difficult to believe that it is made by the same guy who introduced us to the talented Abhay Deol in "Tumsa Nahin Dekha", made us believe that Kareena too can act in "Jab We Met" and made kissing so mainstream in "Love Aaj Kal".  When you see such great directorial talent paired with Ranveer Kapoor - you think what can go wrong! Apparently a lot...

I guess Rockstar may just go down as the movie that introduced us to "Bone Marrow Aplasia".

I would give the movie something like 2 stars. That is similar to what I gave Ra-1.

Let me clarify one thing though. I enjoyed Ra-1 more than Rockstar - but Rockstar has some amazing things going for it that salvage it to those 2 stars.

So -what works?

Ranveer Kapoor

He is outrightly one of the most talented actors in Bollywood right now. Not just that - he is willing to marry that talent with a lot of hard work which sort of seems unweildy for some so called stars. When you see him in Rockstar - you can see the transition from a small town ganwar boy to this quirky star who really doesn't give a damn about anything other than the loves of his life - singing and Heer. You can see that when he is on the screen singing - he is actually giving you the performance that you expect from a Rockstar. The world already knew that Ranveer was a star. But Rockstar will definitely elevate that to an actual "ROCKSTAR". His performance is just awesome - may be one of the best performances of the year. He may even count on this for a Filmfare this year - whatever disappointment the movie might be.

Music in general and Mohit Chauhan in particular

The music is very true to the story of JJ (Ranveer). And it is one of the few things that does not disappoint. One would definitely expect the music to be great given that it is composed by Rahman. But the biggest differentiator is Mohit Chauhan. He has come a long way from "Dooba Dooba" (his Silk Route days) to singing a full-fledged Bollywood album on his own. Prior to Rockstar - he did have a few singles here and there in various movies - some of them also earning him accolades and awards (Masakali from Delhi 6 and Khoon Chala from RDB), but this is his Magnum Opus. No single song might achieve the cult status that "Khoon Chala" has achieved - but as an album, this might just be the best work he ever does. It is doubtful that he will get the opportunity to outshine himself given that we have such amazing male singing talent sitting in Bollywood. And I don't mean that sarcastically - there really is some amazing male singing talent here.

But I guess the "What works" list ends there. And we get to what we are disappointed about.

Story

The story is a breath of fresh air in all the crap that comes along today. It's good to see such original stories - even though I can see why it might not be very popular amongst the masses. When one makes a story about a self-destructive star - it is easier to relate to when it is grounded on reality. If the character is totally fictional, it becomes that much more difficult for the audience to relate to. A real character - however fantastical he / she may be still has the appeal of "No - that really happened" (Raging Bull, Walk the line...). The character of JJ starts as a sweet likeable guy who morphs into this irritating idiot who has no idea what is going on around him. While that may be a possibility for a Rockstar - it becomes slightly difficult to digest.

I would still rate the story pretty high - despite what critique I might have.

Editing

This is by far the third worst thing in the movie (save Nargis and direction). I guess Imtiaz Ali ended up making a 4 hr movie and was stumped on how to convert it to a 150 min version. On more than occasion you end up thinking - what just happened. I really like the idea of a non-linear story - especially when it is well told. I am even a sucker for stories told in parts - but they need to be executed flawlessly (Pulp Fiction, Life in a Metro).  But here, neither the non-linear story, nor the cut and recut editing work for the director.

Nargis Fakhri

Who decided to cast a 32 year has been model as a college girl. I know Bollywood has a problem with miscasting actors in unusually young roles (Aamir Khan in 3 Idiots), but we usually do not do that with actresses. And for heaven's sake, if you want to get a non-actress as your leading lady, make sure the role does not demand acting (that Brazilian model in Love Aaj Kal). This would have been a dream debut for a real actress but Nargis Fakhri just messed it all up so bad.

She is not made for acting. She is a pathetic actress. And she is not even a great dancer - ordinary at best. And she is not pretty enough for us to overlook all her flaws.

Seriously - how bad an actor does one have to be before the director says that's it- you’re done? Or how pretty does one have to be that the director says - I can even overlook all that? In either case, the verdict is simple. Fire her!!!

Imtiaz Ali - I think it's all your fault even though I keep on blaming Miss Fakhri.

Now for the worst - Direction

Such talent - put to such pathetic use. I guess Imtiaz Ali was suffering from a disease - which I like to call "Subhash Ghai syndrome”. This is close to what happened to Mr. Ghai during the making of Taal. Directors think they are totally in tune with the audience - and that is when they loose the grasp. This has happened to others in the past - most notably Sanjay Leela Bhansali (when he made the Blue Film - Sawaria) and less notably with Anurag Kashyap (when he made No Smoking). It is not so much as the director looses the grip on the audience, but the fact that there are multiple things that would tell him during making / editing / viewing / reviewing that something is terribly wrong. But the arrogance just refuses to accept. I am a visionary guy making my VISION. I like to call this part "I think I am Stanley Kubrick syndrome”.

Rockstar on some level -is a very narcissistic movie where Imtiaz Ali is so convinced that this is absolutely the right thing to do - that he refuses to believe otherwise. The result is an amazing performance by Ranveer Kapoor, amazing singing by Mohit Chauhan in an otherwise doomed film.

I sincerely hope that the next venture of Imtiaz Ali is more rooted in reality and is made up of slightly more believable characters, and has a good actress - you know the kind that can act!

The future of Blackberry

There was some recent news on RIM getting heavier into corporate services and starting to provide security solutions for Android / Iphone.

http://www.businessweek.com/news/2011-11-30/blackberry-maker-rim-plans-iphone-android-service-support.html

I read a few different notes on how this might go for RIM – some liking it and some hating it.

I had a different take – a purely hypothetical scenario that I wanted to share here.

As a caveat – please do not take anything I mention here as any type of investment advice. This is just some thoughts that are coming out of my head.

Who benefits most from this?

I think the biggest beneficiaries from this would be IPhone and Android manufacturers – and not RIM. Over the last few years, RIMs customer base in the developed world has been shrunk to just the corporate customers. There might be some here and there – but basically those are few and far between. Also – an exceedingly large number of those people who are forced to carry a company Blackberry have started carrying 2 phones now – one BB and one IPhone / Android phone. Once BB offers a solid security solution for IPhone / Android, which basically means that firms that oly offer BB to their employees no longer have to do that.

So – in the first round, all the folks who carry 2 phones drop their BBs. In the 2^nd round – all the folks who only have BB drop their BB when their contract expires.  Within 2 years of BB launching this service, the total number of BB phones on the market can go down drastically.

On the other hand, as firms move to a device independent security platform, employee choice rules and the biggest beneficiaries from that are Apple / HTC / Samsung / Google (Motorola).

What happens to RIM then?

Well – that is the big question. Why will RIM launch a service that bleeds them to death – as if they are not bleeding enough? I think this launch marks a very important inflection point in the history of RIM – if they survive the next few years.

This will be the pivotal service that transforms their business model from a device manufacturer to a service provider. Over the period of next few years – you may see that RIM’s doings have significantly reduced the device driven revenue but may end up increasing services driven revenue. Now – that may look like a bad thing. Instead of a $500 phone, you end up selling some service. There is no way you can end up charging 500 over a period of 2 years as the service that RIM intends to provide. It turns out to approx $21 per month.

Then – why would they do that. One thing to note is that the margins on such services may end up being twice that of device margins (save Apple of course). Also – the universe that they target now expands significantly. More and more companies have started moving to device independent strategies already. If RIM can offer them a solution to get back to the same or higher level of security, they might just come back to RIM.

And all said and done – do they have another option???

A note of thanks to my dear 2007 Nissan Maxima

I recently completed 100k miles on my dear Maxima and thought that it’s a good time to thank it for its service. It was sort of love at first drive. We have had quite a many great rides together and this car has stuck by me through thick and thin over the last 4 years.
For a review of 2007 car, this probably would not make much sense. So – instead of talking about my model, I would just talk about the car that Maxima is and how it has served me over 100k miles.

Chapter 1: How I got to buying it
It was late Aug / early Sep 2007. I was in the mood to buy a new car. With Manjari and I both working, it had become difficult to manage with just the Accord. The Accord had been a dependable car until then it seems logical to go for another Honda. It also made sense to go for an AWD given New Jersey and all…
So, the first car I test drove was the CRV. For an SUV looking vehicle – it was a complete disappointment. No acceleration, no 6 cylinder variant, no fun in driving. It felt like a Civic engine had been fitted inside the cloak of a crossover / SUV. So – that was a no-no.
Since I was at Honda – why not test drive an Accord too? Sadly – the new Accord LX drove just like my 10 year old Accord. You can say that’s great on the part of Honda that my 10 year old car drove so fantastically – but then that was a sign to move away from Honda as well.
Upon further research – I concluded that even a car without AWD can do well in NJ weather. With traction control and all you know. Also – the records for last few years had fooled me into believing that it really does not snow that much here (see, I am still in 2007). So – decision of AWD change. Let’s go back to sedans.
Next choice – Altima.
I was in full mood to buy an Altima – as it was by far the sexiest vehicle in the mid-size lineup (still is – I think). So – off to Nissan for a test drive. And the drive was great. Much more fun that Accord. And then I thought why not test drive the Maxima too. I am not going to drive it anyways – and won’t probably get a chance to drive it in the near future either.
And… it was love at first drive….
The punch that car had, the luxury it exuded, the way it felt to step on the gas, the way it accelerated (Maxima’s CVT is awesome) – I was sold. And then – there was the keyless entry.
So – I left home to buy a 20k car, came back with a 30k one….

Chapter 2: The drive, the looks…
It is inherently a sports sedan. In fact – starting 2009, they marketed as a 4 door sports car. The soul of the car is pure fun. It is not the most practical vehicle as it costs nearly as much as some of the entry level luxury vehicles but sports a Nissan label. It has a huge trunk. Utilize it fully in the long trips to Florida / Ohio / Maine or wherever.
However – it has the heart and soul to beat all those luxury label cars in a whiff. You can feel the acceleration during the pickup but when you are merging on a highway and some jerk is not letting you in – that is when you really appreciate what this car can do for you. No longer do you need to be at the mercy of people letting you in – make you own space.
Although – you might get carried away by the punch– as I have on occasion (a few tickets to prove that).
AND – in its segment, it is by far the best looking car. I was actually so in love with my 2007 car that I even mentioned to some people that it was not possible for Nissan to improve upon the looks in the next revision. I really thought that the 2009 version was a downgrade in some regards (less space and all) but then it is a sports car.

Chapter 3: It’s really not that expensive to drive
Well, for a 10k uptick over mid-size cars – you might end up thinking that it will cost a lot more to drive as well. I didn’t find that to be the case. With reasonable driving, you can a combined mileage of 23 or so. The car literally has not maintenance costs – except for scheduled maintenance.
Over my 100k miles, I had only had the following things done on the car:
- Liquids change (oil, coolant etc.), filter etc.
- Brakes change (once)
- Tire change (once)
- Tire rotation etc.
- Minor body work (accident and all)
- Remote key battery change (once)
I haven’t even had to do an electrical bulb change. So – on the whole, for the fun that you get, it’s not all that expensive. That said – I still have to go for the 105k mile service $$$.

Chapter 4: How it saved my life…
Ok – so saving my life might be an exaggeration but it did save me from a big accident. I was on the turnpike, traveling at 65 MPH. My tires (factory fitted) had deteriorated quite a bit and were due for a change. I planned to get that done over the weekend – but that was still a couple days away.
Tire pressure light comes up.
Ok – I am on my way to the office. I will get the air checked while returning. Should be ok.
And then I hear “Splat”. The car seems to shake a bit. Seems to be on an incline – but I am on a plain road. That’s when I realize that the tire has burst.
The car drove steady on 3 tires until I put on the blinkers, pulled over and get it fixed.
I had only seen stuff in movies where if the tire bursts while driving, the car spins out of control before crashing into another car and both are set on fire.
Well – this was uneventful. And Thankfully so…

Chapter 5: What can be better.
There are 3 things I want from the next gen Maxima:
1. A smaller turning radius: There is no excuse for a radius as big as this car has. I have seem bigger SUVs have a smaller turning radius (Lexus RX350). Parking it in tight spots is a nightmare
2. All Wheel Drive: Well – at least come up with an option. No – I do not want to buy Infinite G37x. I want a Maxima AWD
3. Something so that there is a lesser loss of power after 75k miles. I get the feeling that some of punch has gone (understandably). But – it feels like the power output might be down by 20% or so. May be things get better after changing spark plugs

Chapter 6: What next for me?
In the next 1 year, I might be looking for a new car. I have 3 totally different things in mind at this moment – one of them being hypothetical. Let me know what you would recommend.
And yes – if you are putting in a recommendation (as in a comment), please do not say if you want this, then get this car. I know that already…
1. Range Rover Evoque – by far the sexiest car in the market today
2. Chevy Volt: I would have also considered a leaf, but Volt is just so practical
3. Maxima AWD – assuming they come out with one

So – which one would you pick?

Ra-one: so much promise, so much disappointment

One has reasonably high expectations when going to watch the most expensive movie of Bollywood! And one is disappointed…

The problem with Ra-one is not that the Indian’s cannot match up to the hi-tech special effects any more. The problem is that once we solve one problem, we create a new one for ourselves. There are many things that go wrong with the movie – and I mention a few of them here. (However – not all is bad. I will probably mention some of the good points later as well).

First – for the shortfalls:

Dumbness of the screenplay:

I don’t think I can explain the dumbness better than this guy:

http://www.thevigilidiot.com/2011/10/28/ra-one/

But I will try…

-          How does a South Indian guy called Krishnamurthy get a Christian funeral?

-          Why do people in England talk in Hindi – even in international conferences?

-          How does the vandalism of an entire office go unreported for an entire day – when a key employee of the company is missing?

-          Why is Kareena Kapoor always decked up in the house – as if she is just going to office (this I think is a Kareena problem that runs across all her movies)?

-          What happens of both Ra-1 and G-1 miss their one-shot with “Anti-HART gun”? Do they both become “Amar”?

And I am just scratching the surface…

The premise of the film assumes the audience to be intelligent enough to fathom that artificial intelligence can cause a video game character to come into real life (hell, if we can believe Terminator and what not – this is no big deal). However, with an audience that will play ball on the above concept, you cannot commit all these crappy mistakes

Is it a kid’s movie or an adult movie?

Ok – it is not an “A” rated movie. But who do you think you are making it for? If you want parents to go watch it for the kids –why the hell are you putting “Kondom” jokes and why is SRK fondling Kareena’s breasts? And why is Kareena inventing “Teri baap ki chuchara”.

If it is for a grown up audience – why is “Chitti” coming and giving his intro “Speed 1 Terahertz, memory 1 Zetabytes”.

Oh… it’s an adult movie for Rajni fans.

Anubhav Sinha – what were you smoking?

I think the guy has real problem. When I saw Tum Bin – I was thoroughly impressed and thought that he had so much promise. But he keeps on getting sucked in the vortex of Karan Johar, Subhash Ghai, Kuku Kohli. A brilliant idea when mixed with masala leads to mediocrity. And that has what he has turned a great idea into.

If you want to make a slick sci fi action flick, go ahead and make a slick sci fi action flick. Don’t make kuch kuch hota hai (and that too between a robot and the forever ready for office – Kareena).

If you want to show people living in Mumbai – take a house that is in Mumbai. Don’t show a villa that could only belong to real life SRK.

If you want to show clean special effects, make then relevant to the film. Don’t make the movie an advertisement for the SFX firm you employed. There are far too many, too inconsequential sequences where one thinks – why are they fighting really?

And yes – spaghetti with curd!!! Really…

 

Arjun Rampal – seriously…

Why the hell is he even there? I personally think that the animated Ra-1 or Jackie Chan would have done a better job. Wouldn’t  blast him more as he hardly had 10 min in the movie.

Now for some of the good (average) stuff:

SFX

Even though they are not relevant to the movie all the time, the effects are good. Some places – really good. Looks like the producer spent a lot of money. Although they should have had a director and an action director who knew what to do with those effects and it could have been more innovative.

Nevertheless –a good start.

SRK

I know, I know – don’t kill me for this. I think he worked a bit for the movie (which is more than he has done in the last 5 YSR /  KJo movies combined). He learnt to speak a few sentences in Tamil. His wig does not look like a wig. And he worked out. As Ra-1, you can see some muscle on the movie. And he got a super amount of Botox as Ra-1 – which makes him look incredibly plastic and young. He suited the role pretty well – except when he was making a joker of himself in front of his son or romancing with Kareena.

Overall – I would give the movie 2 stars just for the effort. I desperately want Bollywood to come out with real good sci fi flicks and SFX films. May be this can set a trend – atleast to spend the money to get the efforts. I would just hope they stick to the soul of the script instead of putting masala and item songs in every damn thing they think of. 

Review of Zarkana

Overall rating: 2.5 stars

Summary: A little disappointing.

When you go to a Cirque show, you have grander expectations. Zarkana just did not match up to expectations. If you have seen any other Cirque show, you should avoid this as you will be disappointed. For people who have never seen a Cirque show, you might like it as this would be your baseline....

Overall feel:The show was not very cohesive. IT seemed like a bunch of tricks and acts you have seen on TV in different forms. It was supposed to be tied together by the concept of magician and had some Broadway-esque elements. However, that was not what I expected from Zarkana. Singing and lyrics are good to have, but they cannot replace the soul of a Cirque show. There were clowns who would come to the stage more often than you desired. Sometimes they were funny, sometimes they were not. In the end, it seemed like a congregation of 10 "as-seen-on-TV" tricks with some songs in between.

Performance quality:Acts were in general of a high quality as expected - but there were a few misses too. Actually - there were at least 5 goof ups that I noticed in the act:
The juggler dropped balls twice (something I have never seen on stage in any live show).
There was a guy hopping on the balloon and the balloon burst.
When the rope-walkers were performing, the chair fell off the rope.
A trapeze artist missed a swing and fell on the net.
Some of the acts were great in concept though. Even though the juggler dropped twice, it was the most novel act of juggling I have seen.
The Russian balancing board act was fantastic as well.

Music, Video and Lights:The music for the act was good. In some cases it was too loud though.
Lighting was excellent as expected.
Video was exceptional. I have never seen an act where video is so tightly integrated into the performance. It definitely covered for some of the mediocrity of the act - but then could not compensate for all of it.
Radio City Music Hall is excellent - one of the best in NYC. The hall is huge. You are ok with Orchestra seats towards the end as well (saves a few dollars). If you want to spend the extra Benjamin to get the best seats in house - believe me, it's not worth it.

Getting over inertia…

I guess Newton and Galileo were right. It has taken quite a while for me to get over my inertia of blogging rest to come online and start writing something.

I just hope they were right about inertia of motion too and I hope that I continue to be in blog-motion (at least for a little while).

Thanks M for breaking this inertia and setting the ball in motion…