My horror mini-reviews

Since I haven’t really been “reviewing” and more fantasy casting for Bunny-Cherry remakes wish, I thought I would blog about the four horror films I saw a few weeks ago.

For those who know me, I’m a huuuuuge horror fan. I love it. I don’t get scared easily. Maybe because I’ve watched so many that I could predict the storyline and/or what is coming up. I watch a lot of Asian (Thai, Hong Kong, Japanese, Korean, Filipino) horrors.

The horror genre is not popular in Indian cinema. There have been a few films released throughout the years but many fail at the box office.

The following are the few that I've watched

Bhool Bhulaiyaa
(Hindi)



Rumors of an ancestral palace located in a small village that is believed to be haunted by a ghost. Original storyline is from the Malayalam film, Manichitrathazhu. It has also been remade in Tamil as Chandramukhi. Bhool Bhulaiyaa is just the Hindi version. I haven’t seen either prior versions before, but overall, I did enjoy it. However, I did have one minor problem. Since Bhool Bhulaiyaa is a horror film, I didn’t like the comedy parts thrown in. I know I like masala films but not in horror films! Take Raaz for instance, the film had gorgeous songs but didn’t shift away from the feel of the film. I felt it lacked in that department. The acting was great from everyone. The costumes and cinematography are breath-taking.

The famous "Hare Ram Hare Ram " which is actually a copy of the famous Korean group JTL song, "My Leon"
 


Click
(Hindi)



Click is the Bollywood version of the famous Thai horror, Shutter. Besides a Hindi remake, there has been several remakes - Shutter (Hollywood), Photo (Telugu), & Sivi (Tamil). It's about seeing a certain ghost in photographs that you take. What does this ghost want? Shreyas Talpade is the reason for me wanting to watch this film. Then I found out that that Sada who I adore was in the film. Honestly, Sneha Ullal is too pretty to be a ghost. I'm a fan of the original and was a bit iffy about watching. However, I finally did. It's okay. Not a bad adaptation BUT....the forgiveness and pace in Click was too melodramatic for a horror film. Why, Bollywood?

The theatrical trailer for Click



Mantra
(Telugu) 



A haunted farmhouse with previous owners and mysterious deaths. No one wants buy it but it must sell! Film started off right with haunting moments. However, it fell through in the middle. Instead of it being focused on Charmi, it switched direction to Sivaji. I like Charmi a lot. However, she looked awful in the film. She is a volumptous, beautiful woman who wore unflattering outfits. The stylist should be fired! And WTF with that "My Humps" by Black Eyed Peas? It came out of no where. I was highly disappointed in the film cause it had so much potential..

Check the "My Humps" Mantra style



Shaapit
(Hindi)




A girl is in love and wants to marry her love. However, she can not because she is cursed. She may never marry or death will come. Her lover wants to end this curse and will find a way to be with her. I love the Bhatt’s. It is done the way right with melancholy music that flows with the film. My only problem with the film is the poor lighting on the flashbacks. You could tell there were beautiful costumes but it wasn’t shown with the best lens. A special shoutout to Aditya! He is just too adorable on screen. He reminds me so much of a Filipino actor. For those who may not know, he is the son of the veteran singer, Udit Narayan!

Check out this beautiful song, "Shaapit Hua," sung by the one and only, Aditya Narayan. Not only did he act in this film, he has sung this song and also written and composed it, as well

Nicki's wish - another one of my remake idea with BunnyCherry

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My last blog post was my remake wish Bunny-Cherry. Since I had another one in mind, I thought I would share another one of my remake wish ideas again.

Just like my last remake wish, I am going to use a Korean drama. This time, it is my all-time favorite Korean drama, Iris.



General synopsis for Iris on Amazon

Two elite National Security System (NSS) agents, Hyeong-Jun (Lee Byung-Hun) and Sa-Woo (Jeong Jun-Ho), who were sworn blood brothers, both fall for fellow agent Seung-Hee (Kim Tae-Hee). Sa-Woo attempts to suppress his feelings for Seung-Hee and wishes the couple the best.

Hyeon-Jun is then sent off on a solo mission to Hungary. In Hungary, Hyeon-jun accomplishes his mission and while in escape mode becomes wounded. Shortly later, Hyeon-jun finds out that he was betrayed by fellow agent Sa-woo. Seung-Hee attempts to help Hyeon-Jun escape, but a car explosion separates the two and both are misled to believe that the other person are dead. Hyeon-Jun is then saved by an unknown voice and learns of the secret society "IRIS".

One year later, Hyeon-Jun returns to Korea to seek revenge. During this time, the two Koreas are set to reunify, while the group "IRIS" are intent on stopping the reunification.



Iris consists of 20 episodes.

For me, I would focus more on the middle towards the end of the drama (around episodes 8 - 14) and change it up a bit for to satisfy the South Indian audience. For example, the first few episodes of Iris is about a friendship bond with Hyun Jun and Sa Woo. And about the both of them falling in love with the same girl and end up working for the NSS.

Allu Arjun as Kim Hyun Jun (Lee Byung Hun)



It's no secret that I adore Bunny. He will be the man, with negative shades. Turning to the "dark" side only to prove his innocence and survival. A guy who doesn't remember much of his past, holds to key to solve the puzzle, and two girls falling for him!

PS- if you're wondering where you've seen Korean hottie, Lee Byung Bun before, he's in the Hollywood big budget movie, GI Joe.

Sada as Choi Seung Hee (Kim Tae Hee)



Two guys will fall for her but she will have her heart for one only. Her heart for him is true because she is set to believe that her lover is dead. I adore Sada and want to watch more of her films. She is cute, can act, and has that confident screen presence. Besides, I would love to see her opposite Bunny.

Rana Daggubati as Jin Sa Woo (Jung Joo Hoo)



He is the guy who was always second best to Bunny. He will have to betray Bunny, love the same girl as Bunny, and never quite as good as Bunny. With his good looks and acting after Leader, I would like to see Rana in the same film with Bunny-Cherry. Yes!

Why not cast Cherry as Sa Woo? This is why....

Fast forward towards the middle episodes of Iris, focus on Sa Woo betraying Hyun Jun. Because everyone thinks Hyun Jun is dead, even his beau, Seung Hee. Cheol Young has been chasing Hyun Jun. In order to gain Cheol Young's trust, Hyun Jun puts his life in danger to prove to everyone that he has been blackmailed and teams up to help Cheol Young and opens his eyes to let him realize who the real enemy is. So in other words, Bunny teaming up with Cherry.

Ram Charan Tej as Park Cheol Young (Kim Seung Woo)



When I first thought about Iris, I did think cast Cherry as Sa Woo. After much consideration, this is how I would change it up a bit. I want Cherry to be the agent cop who chases Bunny. Not the disloyal brother/friend.

Priyamani as Kim So Yeon (Kim Sun Hwa)



Cherry and Priyamani are partners in crime. One of her jobs is to capture Bunny and eventually falls for him. Once she captures him, she learns about him and learns that both come from broken homes and have no one to turn to.

Daniel Balaji as Vick (T.O.P.)



I watched Iris mainly for T.O.P. because he's from the Korean boy band, Big Bang, which was his acting debut. Vick is a silent, ruthless villian who is paid to kill. So because of this trait, who else to do this role? I absolutely looove Daniel from Vettaiyaadu Vilaiyaadu because he was scared me to death. He would be perfect to play a cold-blooded killer.

Prakash Raj as
Baek San (Kim Young Chul)



Why not Prakash Raj? That man could play any role cause he is that good. He will be the man in charge of the NSS, the Deputy Director.



Just another fun fantasy casting of mine.

Special Nicki's wish announcement - film remake recommendations for the two heart throbs of AP

Allu Arjun & Ram Charan in a film together??? Say it isn't so.

Prathna tweeted this -
rumour: Arjun & Charan doin a movie 2gether...r they tryin 2 put the entire female population of AP & fangirls all arnd into cardiac arrest!

Heck yeah! Two hotties in one film. I can relate to what she's saying :)



Now, it’s confirmed. While the Allu’s are vacationing in the USA -- I’m here but on the other side of the country! :’( -- so many people questioned if it was really true.

Allu Sirish tweeted this -
Dint know thrs so much buzz on "Charan Arjun" bk in AP. Just registered the title, no project or story in place. Its no Karan Arjun remake!

Awesome, officially confirmed...and asking for remake suggestion?
I feel a stylish good cop, bad copy thriller will make a good Charan-Bunny starrer. Any remake suggestions? Will ppl see Bunny in -ve role?

Well, if you've been following my blog, you know I've done posts on my dream cast Bollywood remakes - Sisterhood of Traveling Pants, Peach Girl, 27 Dresses, & So Close.



I haven't taken a stab at a Telugu film remake yet. Mainly because I grew up with Bollywood and have seen hundreds more Hindi films.

Going by what Sirish has already asked and with the two hotties of Tollywood, I will try to make this remake wish work :)

For me, it does not matter if a film is remake or not. Just as long as the sources are given. When a film is remade, it has been revised with a different vision with borrowed ideas.

Bollywood has already remade a couple of Korean movies - Oldboy as Zinda, A Bittersweet Life as Awarapan,  My Sassy Girl as Ugly Aur Pagli, Jo Sok as Teree Sang. Let's not get into them remaking their music.



I'm going to take it to another level and wish for a remake of a Korean drama. Dramas in Korea are equivalent to tv shows/soaps but actually do end and do not go on for a second season or so -- if they do, it would a part 2 but usually with different cast members but same title and theme.

There are actually two Korean dramas that I would like to see with Bunny & Charan. However, I am only going to talk about one of them now.


Time Between Dog and Wolf
Synopsis taken from koreanmovie.com

Lee Soo Hyun belongs to a special international narcotic drug crime investigation unit. He witnessed the murder of his mother at the hands of a gangster as a child. Suh Ji Woo is the first love from Soo Hyun's childhood with whom he was seperated from. Soo Hyun is adopted into Kang Min Ki's family and both grew up to become NIS agents. Ji Woo and Soo Hyun are accidentally reunited when the beautiful Ji Woo caught the attention of playboy Kang Min Ki. She and Soo Hyun are seperated once again because of Soo Hyun's vengence against his parent's enemies.



Time Between Dog and Wolf has 16 episodes. But turning it into one movie is do-able. If the Bollywood film, Khoon Bhari Maang, is a remake of an Austrailian tv show, Return to Eden. Why not remake a Korean drama?



When I first saw Time Between Dog and Wolf several years ago, I enjoyed it. Most dramas I've seen are slow, sappy, and more of a romance type of film. Not with this drama.  Since it's more than one dvd, I skimmed through all the disks to bring back memories and take several screen caps.

Most Korean dramas/movies (that I've seen) start off with an action-packed, thrilling scene or an intense moment, then the drama will take you back with flashbacks to make you seen what got you to that point.



Allu Arjun as Lee Soo Hyun (Lee Jun Ki)



I think Bunny is great as he is. But after Arya 2, I want to see him in more diverse roles. He is already up there for my type of perfection :)

In Time Between Dog and Wolf, Lee Jun Ki doesn't have a straight-out negative role but has a sentimental, role-changing character.



For the first 12 years of Soo Hyun's life, he grew up in Thailand and met his childhood sweetheart, Ji Woo.




Then one unexpected, dreadful evening, his mother gets killed right in front of his eyes! He has no idea of who the killer is because all he could remember is the mask and tattoo on the arm.




Since then, he re-located in Korea with a family who took him in. He hated the idea at first but slowly accepted that his new home is with them. He becomes BFF with his adopted brother, Mun Ki.



As an adult, he joined the NIS agency with his adopted father and brother.




Ram Charan as Kang Min Ki (Jung Kyung Ho)



His family took in Soo Hyun. Mun Ki loves him as a blood brother. He is the silly one of the two who falls in love with girls at first sight.



Min Ki ends up falling for Ji Woo (Nam Sang Mi), an artist.



Ji Woo happens to be Soo Hyun's childhood love from Thailand.




Honestly, I don't have a preference who plays Ji Woo. Just having a rich, beautiful girl who is in love with the main character is good enough for me. Ileana D'Cruz, anyone?



In order to stage a new identity to capture the Triad boss, Miao; Soo Hyun's death was staged. Therefore, he went undercover as Kay to join Miao's gang. With only two people -- his adoptive father & boss -- knowing about his identity only to discover that Miao is the same person who killed his mother!

Prakash Raj as Miao??



Will Soo Hyun manage to work undercover? Or will his emotional feelings get in the way? What happens when he comes face-to-face with Mun Ki & Ji Woo as Kay, a gang member?



I tried my best to describe what Time Between Dog and Wolf is all about, without giving away too many spoilers.



If the Bunny-Cherry film doesn't get remake with my wish, it's okay. It's already great to know that both of them will be in *one* film together. Besides, I have more ideas/suggestions for a remake :)

Raqeeb - Khanna.O.Rama part deux with Rahul Khanna

Not many people really paid much attention to my favorite Khanna until the Twitter world. He makes cute, witty tweets that makes you just wanna fall in love him even more :)

Before sources were available on the Internet and even online streaming, I used to have my Desi dose every Saturday mornings watching AVS TV.

That's when and how I discovered the adorable, cutie Rahul Khanna so many years ago.

A lot of people knew about his famous father, Vinod, and younger brother, Akshaye, due to their activeness in films.

I absolutely adore Rahul Khanna since back in the days. Even when he's in supporting roles like Love Aaj Kaal and Wake Up Sid, he still has a special place in my dil :)



Picking out a film for Rahul to start with was a bit difficult for me. Although Rahul is too irresitible in Love Aaj Kaal and Wake Up Sid, I didn't want to choose them because I wanted people to see his other films too. Therefore, I chose Raqeeb and plan to review Bollywood/Hollywood too.



Raqeeb is an Urdu word for "Rival."

The film is about three guys who are in love with one woman.



Meet Bachelor #1 - Remo
He is a rich businessman and is the owner of a security software company who is too busy for a love life



Rahul Khanna - I couldn't resist getting caps of Rahul smiling. I love his smile!!!



Meet Bachelor #2 - Siddharth
He works with Remo and is his sidekick. Why is he only second best?



Sharman Joshi - underrated actor who should be cast more in films! A few films which I loved him in - Golmaal, Life in a Metro, Rang De Basanti...
He looks so much like Saif Ali Khan, to me.



Meet Bachelor #3 - Sunny
He is a struggling actor trying to get a gig.



Jimmy Shergill - another underrated actor who should be cast more in films too! A few films which I loved him in - Maachis, Munna Bhai M.B.B.S., Strangers...



Meet the apple of the three guys' eyes, Sophie.
She is gorgeous and make the mean weak.



Tanushree Dutta - the former Miss India Universe contestant was good in Chocolate and Aashiq Banaya Apne

Even the makeup coming from the water was a bit much, nothing subtle like Bips from Jism.



Overall, the OST is not that great. The song, "Jaane Kaise" is my favorite to listen and watch (hello, Rahul!)




Song #1 - "Dushmana Rehnuma"
Opening credits





Song #2 - "Jaane Kaise"
Remo & Sophie?




Song #3 - "Anwara Manzar"
Sunny & Sophie?




Song #4 - "Ishq Daga Hai"
Sherlyn Chopra in an item number




Song #5 - "Tumse Hi Chalti Hai"
Siddharth & Sophie?





Part of Raqeeb was filmed in Pucket, Thailand. Check out the background dancers to the above song, "Tumse Hi Chalti Hai" and the following still



I just thought the guys (particularly Rahul) looked cute in the ending credits






Tanushree's makeup really bothered me. She is a beautiful woman but was caked on with tons and tons of eyeliner, eyeshadow, mascara, lipstick, blush, you name it



Remo had a couple of flipping action scenes, I had a hard time capturing one of them and could only get one still



Because it's Khanna-O-Rama week, more caps of the the adorable Khanna







The film starts off slowly but quickly turned out to be a thriller. Because it's a thriller, what does that mean? Someone is going to die? Someone is plotting against someone else? Watch it!

Overall, Raqeeb is not a must-watch film, but it's worth watching at least once. I love thrillers and enjoyed it for the second half.



Rahul is the main reason for the film to work for his natural acting. Sharman was a pleasure to see but was overshadowed by Rahul. Jimmy is a good actor but don't get enough props and was kinda wasted in this film. Tanushree has the looks and does decent in her part.