prateekarora Reviews

Van Wilder: Freshman Year (2009 Video)

Hoped it was more WILDER

[10/10 · 11 July 2009]

If you are one of those who complains that this movie like other Van Wilder or American Pie movies don't have any story then I am sorry the joke is on you for expecting them to have one in the first place. As long as they have some coherent plot and can keep my interest till the end I am fine. This movie just did that. I am one of those who watches such movies for its slapstick sex comedy and this movie is full of it. Surprisingly there is NOT allot of nudity, however, the movie basically tells you how Van Wilder started his journey at Coolidge.

Let me also make it clear that this movie is NOT even remotely close to Ryan Reynolds's Van Wilder (2002) although the girl (Kristin Cavallari) in this movie is hot. But of course Tara Reid and Amy Smart (Road Trip) are different leagues.

Hope to see more of her (Kristin Cavallari) in the series, if you know what I mean.

The makers of this series have to work way harder than this if they want to be successful.

Waiting for Van Wilder: Sophomore Year....hopefully it will be much more WILDER than this. Here is a 10 just for encouragement.

Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay (2008)

Beware! Its a comedy roller coaster

[10/10 · 29 April 2008]

Oh my god, I still don't know what hit me. I have been a big fan of the first part but this one is a different league guys. Not a single boring moment, very nice editing. And our favorite characters have done it again. They didn't leave a single stereotype and ignorance untouched in the movie.

Trust me it will not be fair to compare the White Castle part with this one, as this is just a different experience no less than a roller coaster ride of genuine comedy. This movie has taken what it did in the first one, to the next but different level. To point out, as pretty clear from the uncensored trailers, it was awesome to see NPH and G "Dubya" Bush. Cho and Penn are just non-stop fun and have some really hot girl friends. From Ta-Ta's of girls to bottom less parties, nothing felt out of place. We also get to know allot about H&K's past.

It deserves a standing ovation and that's what it got from the audience in the theater. Oh man, I am so getting this on DVD when the extended unrated version comes out.

Jodhaa Akbar (2008)

It was just what I expected... long and boring

[3/10 · 15 February 2008]

Ever since I came to know that a movie is coming out on Akbar, one of the Mughal ruler, I had decided to boycott it by not watching it. As I do not want to watch and be part of a film glorifying and celebrating any Mughal ruler who looted, mass murdered, and converted by force (to Islam) hundreds and thousands of innocent Hindustani (Indian) people. Even after when I came to know that Ashutosh Gowarikar is directing this movie, one who gave us amazing experience in "Lagaan" and "Swades", I was still skeptical to watch it.

But as a movie critic when I got an invitation to watch first day first show with a guest, my mother convinced me to go and take her too. The movie was just what I expected, twisted history, glorifying the Mughals who looted, raped, destroyed Mandir (temples), mass converted, and openly carried out pogroms. The movie was long, boring, and repetitive. For the whole 3.5 hrs I could not figure out where is the story heading and what is the director trying to convey. I can't believe it is from Mr. Gowarikar who gave us "Lagaan" and brewed the love story between Bhuvan-Gauri-Elizabeth so beautifully even when the plot was about getting rid of the lagaan (tax).

But in Jodhaa Akbar I was cringing in my seat thinking when the movie will end and what the end would be as the story was not developing any climax. It was so twisted, sometimes Sujamal is with Akbar, sometimes he is not, sometimes Maham Anga is nice, sometimes she is not, hey Ram (oh God), so confusing. The love story (if there was any) between Jodhaa and Akbar was like making a mountain out of mole. The war scenes were average. There were few good comic one liners from the eunuch. Only the acting of Sonu Sood, Rajesh Vivek, and Ila Arun stood out. The director was unnecessarily bent about showing Hritik Roshan's muscles and Aishwarya Rai's pretty curvature. And yeah, do take a Urdu to Hindi dictionary, because most of the dialogs were just going over most of the audiences head as everyone was asking each other to decode what the actors just said. At least they could have put some Hindi subtitles for the complex Urdu words they were throwing here and there.

Overall under-average one time watch movie. Be ready to spare 3.5 hrs as it is a very very long movie. Even after the movie finishes it is hard to decide if the movie is about Akbar's war with Rajput clan or a so called love story between Jodhaa and Akbar. I am tired and bored, I need some refreshments.

Halla Bol (2008)

One time watch movie

[5/10 · 14 January 2008]

Every time Pankaj Kapur's movie comes out, I eagerly wait to watch it. So I went to watch Halla Bol, but for the first half hour I could not decide if I am watching Halla Bol or Madhur Bhandharkar's "Page 3" or Jessica Lal murder case on some news channel. Its the same old plot, same old story. But as always Pankaj Kapur stands out. What an actor! Maqbool, Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro, Chameli Ki Shaadi, etc., awesome movies. Hope he gets more movies, and film industry does justice to his talent.

This movie is not up to the standard of what we expect from Raj Kumar Santoshi. The person gave us awesome movies like Damini, etc. but this movie is not like those movies. As for Vidya Balan, I don't understand how is she managing to get movies. She is not a good actor, and does over acting most of the time. Looks can only take you so far, but she doesn't have talent. She has this patent face expression in most of her movies. But anyways, do watch the movie, it is a one time watch.

Om Shanti Om (2007)

Really need Shanti after watching this

[2/10 · 23 November 2007]

So finally it is Diwali time, and other than anxiously waiting to celebrate one of my favorite festival and do pooja, I was eagerly waiting for this movie. I had high expectations, and I would not create any suspense for you guys. But this movie was not at all what I expected. What a rip-off from Rishi Kapoor starer Karz. I don't know why people are calling this movie a laughter riot, it was so boring. I actually slept during few scenes. It was such a drag. The only reason I am even giving this movie a 2 on 10 is because of the awesome cameo by Akshay Kumar and to see Mithun Da, Dharmendr, and ever hot Rekha do some jiggy and their patent dance movements. Oh man, nothing can beat the oldies.

It is no way closer to the cult comedy movies like Jaane Bhi Do Yaron, Andaz Apna Apna, and Hera Pheri. Its a one time visit, see it and forget it movie. You do not take anything from it when you leave the theater. Not even a single quote or dialog to remember from the movie. Other than the fact that they made fun of all time superstar, hall of fame, Mr. Rajesh Khanna and couple of other oldies, they broke all the records of being a illogical roller coaster movie. At least old Karz was believable but this one is just a headache. And the ending was even more mythical than existence of Godzilla.

Well, I would suggest you to still go watch it, but I regret spending my $12 on this movie. Could have had cheap Taco Bell 10 times rather than spending that money on movie like this. Its not worth spending that much money on this movie. Damn, should have waited for it to come on DVD.

Saw III (2006)

Unbelievable

[3/10 · 15 September 2007]

I have been watching saw series from the start. The first time when I saw "Saw I", I was its immediate fan. What a story, what a drama, and above all what a suspense. Here is a story which was for most part of it confided to this one room with three people in it. It was so awesome that I was literally on the edge of my seat till the end. And the ending just threw me off. Amazing experience. But here is the third installment of the movie and no fizz. I mean the guy who is going through the test is actually feeling no pain. It is not because there is no gore in the movie, in fact this movie has more gore than any of the previous ones. It is not because the games are not good. It is because the actors are so bad. It is like they are right out of school of something. The guy Jeff is expression less. John is talking about the guys vengeance and this guy is so chilled. Really bad acting by everyone other than John.

And secondly, the games. You want me to believe that a guy who is dying with brain tumor with an apprentice Amanda who is so weak, have actually made these machines like the arm twister, etc. together. Really! I mean these are industrial size heavy machine which will require so much hard work & man hours, and this guy on the death bed actually made these. I mean where are they getting all the money and food from. At one minute he is dying, the other minute he is planting game equipment. At least make it believable. I mean there was not even a single moment of suspense and thrill. It is like you are making a movie just for the sake of it. After watching such shoddy story, acting, production, and direction, I want my money back.

Khosla Ka Ghosla! (2006)

Awesome......a must watch after Hera Pheri

[10/10 · 20 November 2006]

This is the best comedy movie I have seen after Hera Pheri. Very few comedy movies make it to my list of all time favorite which include stellar classic comedy movies like Jane Bhi Do Yaroon, Andaz Apna Apna, and Hera Pheri. And this movie deserve to be on the list. Pure clean comedy movie. Not a single dull boring moment. Such a movie which every Dilliwala (Delhi-ite) can relate to one way or the other.

And the best part is authentic Dilli ki (Delhi's) language and amazing comic timing of each and every character. As always Ranveer Shori and Vinay Pathak are at their best. From that Haryanvi jaat to locales of Dilli to the wearing off paint of houses to police's attitude. Every thing is so real. I have no words to describe but to say thanks to the director, cast and crew for an amazing work they have done.