In a state of MUBI panic, I opened a Letterboxd account.
Okay, I did more than just try it out. I spent a few couple of hours coordinating my rating from both IMDb and MUBI, and I’m pretty much done with anything that’s not between 2000-2009. With top ratings from 2010-2012 and all ratings from 2013.
I still miss Favorite Cast Members and Directors and lists from MUBI. Also a “favorite” seems to be quite different to “a like” in my lexicon.
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I kinda welcome this (though brief) change. This is the first time I’ve seen all of them all together not showing one inch of leg. I barely recognize any of the members this way, though.
Gulaab Gang is set to open next week (and I’m jealous of you), so they’re heavy on their online promotion. I don’t know how heavy the promotion in India (posters, billboards, tv ads, etc) actually is, but I supposed the production is hoping for a decent opening overseas in the limited regions (I suppose).
Besides the Koffee with Karan epi [1] — from which I ended up reading a bit more on Juhi — Madhuri Dixit has turned up in this YouTuber’s channel- known as Superwoman — in an episode titled What Bollywood Has Taught Me. It’s funny business if you know all the references, of course.
They’ve also been posting Behind the Scenes clips [1], as well as the mandatory Jukebox [1]. And of course, I just spoiled myself with the Juhi clip. It’s sorta been my way of watching Indian films, just go blind and be surprised. That’s one of the reasons I didn’t like Mr. India because I was all spoiled with the best bits featuring Sridevi.
Anyway, the clip made me wonder about the perception of anti-heroes and ‘bad guys’ on India films, and how that may have affected Juhi’s decision to play a negative role. I’ve also watched Kareena Kapoor’s Heroine which made me shrug at how sucky it is to be a heroine (anywhere in the world). In terms of acting, it feels like the filmmakers had a bit more confidence in Juhi’s abilities and charisma to play a bad guy. In the end, she seemed to have had fun.
I hope the film is good business.
Normally… normally I wouldn’t turn down the opportunity to watch Vidya Balan and Tabu (together!) on a film, which is the case with Urumi (English complete title~ Urumi: The Warriors Who Wanted to Kill Vasco da Gama), but I just can’t shake the feeling that it’s gonna be more than two hours of cringe-worthy cartoon ‘demon-white’ colonialist with random musical numbers. I could maybe take it for two hours sans musical numbers and loads of pumping action fight sequences.
You can try it out even without subs.
Plus, it’s a Malayaman film, so I bet they’ve got their voices dubbed. As an alternative, I found their item songs. Though I’m unsure if Vidya has a more extensive role in the film, Tabu’s credit on IMDb lists it as a special appearance.
The original track song is called Aaranne Aaranne [clip], but the Telugu dub upload is much better for obvious quality reasons.
Vidya’s number after the break~
I’ve been so disconnected from Shakira for so long. I still listen to her old albums, but that fandom fijacion that would have been is not there- that means I literally don’t know what’s new with Shakira. After the birth of her son, she’s making a comeback. The last single I sort of knew was Loba or She Wolf, so apparently it’s been less time since her last album.
Not a fan of Can’t Remember to Forget You, but her latest single Empire brought back all those Piez Descalzos and Donde Estan Los Ladrones vibes and feelings. Lyrics-wise still not there, but it’s okay.
All of a sudden interested on what’s coming up with her new album.
I gotta admit that I haven’t watched many of Juhi’s films yet. She’s certainly popped up quite a number of times in supporting roles here and there, but in terms of fandoms, Madhuri’s filmography has taken the lead. Having said that, I was taken by how candid and honest Juhi was with her answers.
While Madhuri is strictly diplomatic with her answers, revealing enough but not too much; Juhi’s relationship with her rise to fame and her mistakes through the course of her career seemed… refreshing. I’ve barely seen her, but it feels like I got a small window to get to know her. That’s an interesting quality in movie stars nowadays.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5bWZtqQ4eQ4
But seriously- THE moment of the day is Ranveer Singh’s tribute to the both of them. How could anyone be sexy, sweet, cute, funny, dorky and such a good actor.
— EDIT Nov 7, 2914 —
For some reason, StarTV has made the clips private, but you can still watch the episodes on their website.
BiBi placed last this episode. WHATEVER. I’ve already explained my opinion on people’s voting and how faulty the democratic system can be (specially on reality television and competitions). All that matters is that BiBi sang a GREAT arrangement of David Tao’s Black Tangerine (黑色柳丁).
It was around 9 years ago when my friend introduced me to David Tao via Ghost (鬼) and Black Tangerine, and I’ve never regretted it since. Then I discovered BiBi via the Beijing Olympics, learned about the Chinese music scene and the rest has been history. My relationship to Black Tangerine is a very strong one, and I’m usually not one for covers of great songs, but that was a great fresh arrangement. It was the song and it wasn’t — both at the same time. It was like listening to it once again and discovering it all over again.
That’s a great feeling to have.
It doesn’t matter if you placed last in this show, BiBi. You can very well go home knowing you did an amazing arrangement of a great song.
I haven’t done a fake Criterion fanart in a long time — possibly in over 4 years [1] — but after seeing M.F. Husain’s films, I couldn’t resist. Besides Madhuri Dixit- DUDE! Tabu as Meenaxi. I can’t possibly resist.
I do believe that Tabu acted miles around the material that Madhuri Dixit got, and that M.F. Husain should’ve used a lot more of Madhuri’s dancing skills and charisma to get his muse concept across. Especially considering how she was his muse and all.
What’s more awesome than just animation? And origami? How about origami-animation? Japanese tissue manufacturer Nepia has a short commercial/PSA/short showcasing origami animals and some stop-motion.
Creative director: Jin Sato (佐藤仁)
Copyrighter: Ochi Kazuyoshi (越智一仁)
Producer: Takuo Ozawa (小澤卓男), Yasuhiro Kawasaki (川崎泰広)
Director: Arai Fuyu (新井風愉)
Production manager: Takasugi Makoto (高杉誠)
Stop-motion animation: Ohno Motoki (おーのもとき)
Camera: Chiyoe Sugita (杉田知洋江)
Camera assistant: Mahiro Shintani (新谷真博)
Lights: HIGASIX
Lights assistant: Tomoya Yoshimura (吉村知弥)
Art: Kiyomi Tokita (鴇田清美), Takanori Saito (斉藤貴教), Shizuka Masaki (正木静香)
Editor: Maho Inamoto (稲本真帆)
Music: Mituru Samejima (鮫島充)
Sound effects: Yoshiaki Tokunaga (徳永義明)
