One of my first few reviews
Of moles and midnight escapades
A heap of aromatic jasmine greets us as we make our way hastily to get to the best seats in the hall. Before we settle down and try to understand whats going on stage, shrill bells remind us of the punctual timings maintained by RangaShankara, good for them. Despite the popular voice that the figure on stage was a poster, we see it is not and it is indeed a real man trying hard not to flinch or flex a muscle. Music reminiscent of computer games gone by, TRY to enthrall the audience, but succeeds in preparing a few to take a nap or two.
Rajit Kapur is a good orator and that's that. The script is at its usual brilliance in tune with Karnad's other recent offerings. Interesting metaphors did keep the audience rooted to their seat and so mind boggled were we that it took us a while to realize that the play has ended and the doors are now open to leave and oh yes.. to applaud as well.
FLOWERS offers the viewer a new take on a very old and used theme. A courtesan, A Chieftain, A local Priest in his mid-life crisis and of course not to forget the not so well endowed priest's wife (as said by the playwright not me).
All said and done, the play did have its impact on me: Adorning idols with flowers will never be the same again.
Of Motown blues and ethnic hues
70 Million US $ production Cost
102 Million US $ total gross profit
8 Academy Awards nominations
5 Golden Glode Nominations
3 Golden Globe Wins
2 Academy Awards Wins
16 people in the auditorium (excluding the ushers)
Go Figure !!
Statistics apart, I did like Dreamgirls. Yes, its a musical, Yes, they break out into a song to even cough, Yes, Beyoncé Knowles has really funny eyebrows and YES, at the end of the movie only 13 of the 16 were awake.
Dreamgirls is not a cinematic masterpiece, but it did capture the experience of watching a musical on stage. Jennifer Hudson has done a good job, well worthy of all the accolades she has received, surprizingly she had to gain 20 pounds for the role. Eddie Murphy did liven up the screen with all his gyrations and gut scrunching screeches while Beyoncé Knowles did prove that she CAN act. The director has truly captured the essence of the Motown Experience although a bit more of the Motown Sound would have been appreciated. The cast have put in lot of effort, perfecting their vocals.
Of moles and midnight escapades
A heap of aromatic jasmine greets us as we make our way hastily to get to the best seats in the hall. Before we settle down and try to understand whats going on stage, shrill bells remind us of the punctual timings maintained by RangaShankara, good for them. Despite the popular voice that the figure on stage was a poster, we see it is not and it is indeed a real man trying hard not to flinch or flex a muscle. Music reminiscent of computer games gone by, TRY to enthrall the audience, but succeeds in preparing a few to take a nap or two.
Rajit Kapur is a good orator and that's that. The script is at its usual brilliance in tune with Karnad's other recent offerings. Interesting metaphors did keep the audience rooted to their seat and so mind boggled were we that it took us a while to realize that the play has ended and the doors are now open to leave and oh yes.. to applaud as well.
FLOWERS offers the viewer a new take on a very old and used theme. A courtesan, A Chieftain, A local Priest in his mid-life crisis and of course not to forget the not so well endowed priest's wife (as said by the playwright not me).
All said and done, the play did have its impact on me: Adorning idols with flowers will never be the same again.
Of Motown blues and ethnic hues
70 Million US $ production Cost
102 Million US $ total gross profit
8 Academy Awards nominations
5 Golden Glode Nominations
3 Golden Globe Wins
2 Academy Awards Wins
16 people in the auditorium (excluding the ushers)
Go Figure !!
Statistics apart, I did like Dreamgirls. Yes, its a musical, Yes, they break out into a song to even cough, Yes, Beyoncé Knowles has really funny eyebrows and YES, at the end of the movie only 13 of the 16 were awake.
Dreamgirls is not a cinematic masterpiece, but it did capture the experience of watching a musical on stage. Jennifer Hudson has done a good job, well worthy of all the accolades she has received, surprizingly she had to gain 20 pounds for the role. Eddie Murphy did liven up the screen with all his gyrations and gut scrunching screeches while Beyoncé Knowles did prove that she CAN act. The director has truly captured the essence of the Motown Experience although a bit more of the Motown Sound would have been appreciated. The cast have put in lot of effort, perfecting their vocals.
