FILMS, VIDEOS, DVDs and TV

[booktalker]

Dear All

Here is the films etc. list - very basic now but hopefully you will all post your comments and suggestions....

Enjoy!

B

TV, FILMS, VIDEOS AND DVDs

‘Anita and Me’ – (ANITA & ME is a charming, comic look back at the 1970s based on the autobiographical novel by Meera Syal, who also stars in the film as her own aunt. Set in 1972, Meena is a twelve year old girl born to Indian parents whose life is turned upside down when she befriends an outrageous fourteen year old, Anita. Soon the bookish Meena is introduced to a world of fun and music whilst struggling with the problems of adolescence, racism and the culture clash she encounters with members of her own family. As with EAST IS EAST and Zadie Smith's WHITE TEETH, ANITA & ME avoids an earnest approach in favour of presenting a personal dimension to the development of a multicultural society in post-War Britain.)

‘Bend It Like Beckham’ - (Combining good-natured humour with football, drama, and romance, Gurinder Chadha's BEND IT LIKE BECKHAM is a winning comedy with heart.)

‘Bhaji on the Beach’ – (Three generations of Indian women take a day trip from London to the seaside town of Blackpool. Amidst the discovery of accidental pregnancies, young girls out for young boys and charges of spousal abuse, the women share their concerns for modern living and discover an unexpected bond. A cross-cultural comedy co-written by Gurinder Chadha (BEND IT LIKE BECKHAM) and Meera Syal.)

‘Brick Lane’ - (Brick Lane, adapted from Monica Ali’s much-lauded novel, is the compelling and thought-provoking story of a Bangladeshi woman, Nazneen Ahmed, who is forced into an arranged marriage as a teenager.)

‘Bride and Prejudice’ – (The exotic sounds, vibrant colours, and ecstatic dancing of Bollywood collide with the cunning storytelling of Jane Austen in Bride & Prejudice (from the writer/director of previous East/West hybrid Bend It Like Beckham). For Western audiences unfamiliar with the freewheeling exuberance of Indian movies--wild musical numbers can break out at almost any moment--Bride & Prejudice offers an engaging taste of this fantastic cinematic style.)

‘Britz’ – (The film explores Muslim life in Britain through the eyes of a brother and sister on opposite sides of the same coin: Sohail wants nothing more than to fit in with British society, while his sister Nasima finds herself increasingly alienated and victimised by the Government. Sohail's eagerness to assimilate sees him recruited by MI5 to investigate his family and friends--putting the siblings on a head-on collision course.)

‘Caramel’ – (“Set in Lebanon …perfect blend of comedy and sweetness and sad and heartwarming. The story follows a group of women who either work in or around a beauty salon and everyone has their secrets. Its a funny, sweet, uplifting, heartwarming romantic comedy that just so happens to have subtitles!”).
‘East is East’ - (Manchester in 1971 is not the ideal time and place to raise a proper Pakistani family. But George Khan (Om Puri), father of seven unruly moppets and husband to a wilful British wife (Linda Bassett), is determined to wield his influence over his clan. Sympathies toward the characters shift throughout the film, highlighting the superb acting of the entire cast. Ultimately, though, humour wins out, making East Is East a tremendously fun film.)

‘Love and Hate’ – (From backgrounds that are literally worlds apart, Naseema and Adam find themselves working at the same DIY store. Naseema is a strict Muslim. Adam, his family and friends are small-minded bigots. This contemporary ROMEO AND JULIET is brought up to date and is a tale of love and the obstacles that can destroy it.)

‘Monsoon Wedding’ – (Mira Nair's Monsoon Wedding is a return to the form of Salaam Bombay!, her 1988 feature. Nair's gift for observation of the everyday and love for her characters makes for a delightful film, with the whole web of family relationships that knit and break during a wedding being spun at a perfect pace.)
‘The Mistress of Spices’ – (Indian woman, Tilo runs a spice store in San Francisco and has the ability to see into customers' lives and desires. When handsome American Doug - an enigmatic man with a secret past - enters her store, Tilo's own desires for love and affection are awoken. The Mistress of Spices is a story about immigration and assimilation told in the style of magic realism…the film focuses on how much immigrants should try to assimilate into a new country and how much of their traditions they should keep.  It is a charming romantic drama that carries a complex underlying message.)

‘Yasmin’ – (“Yasmin, the daughter of a Pakistani family living in northern England attempts to please both her family and still enjoy a western way of life. But she finds herself agreeing to marry a cousin to please her father. With her life changed forever Yasmin becomes even more isolated when the September 11th tragedy brings new anti-terrorism laws.”)

[chweetgurl]

Hi Book talker thank you for the list of movies

The ones i havent watched is Britz,Caramel,Love and hate,Yasmin

Remaining the ones i have watched are all brialliant movies..Good recommendations 

[SDerby]

My Big Fat Greek Wedding? I think they do the mixed relationship and wedding in a really funny way.

[booktalker]

Good one!

[chweetgurl]

Yea i remember that movie...very funny 

[Spidax]

OK - So i am wanting to watch more Hindi / bollywood/ indian movies and I can get them from the wonderous Love Film.com

I have seen a few that a friend of mine suggested.
so far i have seen

Rang de basanti - which i loved
Saawariya - which was good
Jodhaa Ahkbar - long but good too
Ajab prem ki Ghazab Kahani - hmmm
Karthik calling karthik - which is my fave so far
Dhoom and Dhoom 2! lol

i have of course seen, bride and prejudice, bend it like beckham, east is east,  slum dog etc but i actually like the more traditional style films than the british/ americanised ones.
I especially like a good / exciting love story and action plus a nice bit of singing and dance thrown in...

All suggestions will be watched!!

Thanks

Spida x

[saffron]

Mother India is my favourite film...speaks of women in India...Ill try and think of others..

[Bobby Smith]

Something New is a great film as well. Although generally light hearted it offers a sometimes serious take on black female/white male relationships. 

[chweetgurl]

Spida, It nice to see a choice of movies and feedback coming from an non asian
the only movie i didnt watch so far from your list is Karthik calling Karthik may i know your review on that

My favourite movie is Dil Chahta hai, Kabhi Kushi Kabhi Gham which involves a intercaste wedding and disownment.

[Spidax]

Karthik calling karthik which I watched with the bf again this eve. it is different it's a love story but it's also a psychological thriller. Good story with a twist. It was only out this yr maybe it went straight to DVD but I thought it was Brillo. 
I also added ur suggestions to my DVD list so I look forward to their arrival!

[Kitush]

3 Idiots!

[saffron]

Kit Am I allowed to ask what the film is about in more detail!

[chweetgurl]

Wonder if anyone got to watch' Kites' of Hrithik Roshan and an spanish actress.
Kindly share your review ...

[Spidax]

Last night i had a had a well needed night in with my duvet and a dvd and i watched Kabhi Kushi Kabhi Gham - OMG i absolutely loved it! love Shahrukh Khan neway. i have to admit i couldnt help but cry at the end, but even though it was long it was brilliant the whole way through. Such a moving story -  i loved the family closeness and the dynamic of all the characters. i remember Chweetgurl u liked this one so i put it on the top of my to watch list

[Dev1975]

I watched "Bride And Prejudice" and "It's A Wonderful Afterlife", both of which I found quite entertaining.  Need to get around to watching some of the other films on the list.