I started keeping track of the movies that I watch. I began the list on the second of March of 2009 and tried to remember all of the movies that I had seen since December of 2008.
The list is getting a bit ridiculous.
However, somewhere around May, I met a woman who is just getting into many of the Indian movies that I watch like they are necessary for me to continue to exist. Because they are. I told her that I would send her the list of movies that I've seen and maybe make some recommendations.
It is now almost July. I have decided to do things this way. There will be more lists, as I watch about 2 movies a week. I am slowing down for need of other ways to spend my time, but still find film captivating.
I was going to link these, but imdb has crap for information and I just dislike linking wikipedia, even though there is far more info there. Or netflix. Probably Blockbuster as well. And some of them have myspace pages.
Jodhaa Akbar - historically flexible account of the Mughal Emperor Akbar who was Mulsim and Jodhaa, his Hindu princess wife. It is a stunning film, with that enveloping music that only AR Rahman can make.
Om Shanti Om - Shahrukh Khan in a reincarnation movie! With abs! The director, Farah Khan has this wonderful way with making homage to the movies of the '60s and '70s and poking an amount of fun at movies of the 90's and aughts. Colorful and fun and the music is wonderful.
Parineeta - I have seen both the 2005 and 1953 film adaptations of this 1914 novel. The story is lovely: childhood friends who become sweethearts just as the world begins to collapse around them. Ashok Kumar is a less smoldering Shekar than Saif Ali Khan, but he gets more romantic lines. Meena Kumari and Vidya Balan share something like luminescence, and you wonder how any man could fail to notice. I enjoyed both of these movies, and try to take time to watch the 2005 version at least once every few months. Speaking of...
Captain Blood - Errol Flynn & Olivia de Havilland in a movie that has a story and adventure and twists and strange Irish accents and palm trees and is generally wonderful. What I love, almost more than the sword fights and Basil Rathbone, is that this was the first film for both of the leads.
Red vs Blue seasons 1,2 and 3 - wrong. just wrong. animated web-isode show based on Halo. who knew? It is brilliant. and wrong.
Kal Ho Na Ho / Kuch Kuch Hota Hai - I mention these movies to introduce something that we like to call The Bad. Adored and respected actors in movies that are made of *headsmack* or "wtf?" moments. That is all.
Omkara - This movie is an adaptation of Othello. Omkara (the Othello character) could totally take Othello. (not Laurence Fishburne, mind (no one can take him)) Visually it is very deliberate and evocative. The acting is wonderful. The adaptation of the story is completely spot-on. I am fully convinced that this in one of the most perfect movies I have ever seen.
Paheli - Much color. Much big Rahman music. Much Shahrukh Khan and Rani Mukerji. It tells a kind of odd story about a ghost who falls in love with a woman and takes the place of her husband. It's totally worth it.
Dil Chahta Hai - Aamir Khan, Saif Ali Khan and Akshaye Khanna look fabulous and have wonderful moments in what is essentially a coming-of-age movie about three friends navigating through the world. Lovely shots of Goa. Fun music. There is some strange dancing,(we call this one Wiggly Arms) and a soul patch, but otherwise, a very good time.
Amar Akbar Anthony - If you only ever see one Amitabh Bachchan movie you are an idiot and need to re-evaluate your life's priorities. This is movie about three brothers who get separated when they are very very young, and taken in by three different foster fathers, one Catholic, one Hindu and one Muslim. It is delightful and enjoyable and if you can watch it with someone who can get through translating the opening song (which didn't have subtitles) you will thank me forever.
The Holiday - This movie is cute. It could have been better. It should have been better. Kate Winslet and Jack Black? That really could have worked more and better and funnier. I totally watched the making of featurette.
Serenity - um. I think I heard somewhere that there's a Commentary: The Musical because of people like Joss Whedon who are all brilliant and gen x and who read stuff. If you haven't seen it: Firefly and Serenity are brilliant. I love this movie so much it is not a topic for public discussion.
Rang de Basanti - watch this movie. invite me over. i will watch it with you. just have faith.
Jab We Met - This falls under the label OMG This is the Cutest Movie Ever! There are about 13 titles on the list right now. Boy is angsty and silent. Girl is chatty and bubbly. They meet on a train. Things go from there. It is not completely predictable. It is completely lovely and sweet.
You know who you are - hope this gives you a good start!
