Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic - a little bit of cuteness & fun

Finally, here are my thoughts about Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic. Many people did not like this film but I adored it! I have to admit that I have a soft spot for kiddie movies. Could be because I have kids of my own. Regardless, I was impress with how much I enjoyed watching it. Having colorful picturizations, cute kids, a dog, a hamster, bubbly Rani, airhead Amisha, and lonely Saif in one film sure can bring some smiles!

Throughout his life, everyone he's ever loved has left the lonely, successful business man, Ranbeer (Saif Ali Khan) . On a unclear, thoughtless situation, he ends up killing a couple in a car accident. In a debatable dilemna, the judge assigns him to take care of four orphans. However, these orphans hate him and want seek to take revenge on him. With the help from God (Rishi Kapoor) and guidance from a very special angel, Geeta (Rani Mukherji), will the household finally be united?

My heart goes out to the young Ranbeer. So much was shown in just one song. Everyone close in his life has left him. But no matter what, he was still ambitious and achieve all the materialistic things in life. Adult Ranbeer is more nonchalant, not showing much emotions. Just do the job and get it done! Saif was wonderful. It wasn't too much of a stretch in the acting department since he's shown his skills. Whether the film is a Being Cyrus, Omkara, or a Race, Saif is definitely an A-lister star!

God's favorite angel Geeta is sent to bring some happiness into Ranbeer's challenging situation. Lighting up the household and earning the kids' love and trust, she is on a mission to make sure Ranbeer and the kids one happy family. It's Rani's film all the way!!! She was so bubbly and fun to watch. Please let her play in more roles where she's this happy-go-lucky than the emotional, crying girl!

God. Any other words? Well, I was glad that Rishi Kapoor played God. Thank goodness Amitabh Bachchan was not God. I like Big B but he's everywhere. He was recently seen as God in God Tussi Great Ho, as well. Yah for Rishi Kapoor. Short appearance but a pleasure to see him since he was in a lot of my childhood Bollywood films I grew up with watching.

Airhead, bimboo, Barbie-doll Malaika. So annoying, yet Amisha was so good at this role! Don't let her character on screen get you now. She did a great job. I have to add she looked really good too!

9-years-old Vashisht, the angrier one of the orphans and oldest. Akshat Chopra did such a great job. Actually the kids did but love his emotional-teary moment.

7-years-old Aditi, the oldest daughter. Looking up Shriya Sharma, she has acted in the tv series, Kausutii Zindagii Kay. Future Bollywood actress?

7-years-old Iqbal is no twin to Aditi. He's actually been adopted into the lovely family. Rachit Sidana is too adorable. I love his man-to-man talk with Ranbeer. So heart-warming.

5-years-old Avantika. Since she's the youngest of the siblings, she often complains about none of her siblings listening to her. Ayushi Berman is so adorable and sweet.

Song #1 - "Pyaar Ke Liye"

Watch Ranbeer grow up.

Song #2 - "Bulbula"

The angel Geeta

Song #3 - "Beetay Kal Se"
Kids learn history, Geeta-style.

Song #4 - "Lazy Lamhe"
Malaika's birthday bash but the kids trash it

Song #5 - "Nihaal Ho Gayi"

Finally a happy family? hanging out at Universal Studios

I really like this scene. Geeta advises Ranbeer to get to know the children. Then Ranbeer reminisces about his childhood into each kid.

I just thought the following pic was sooo cute.

This may not be 2008s best films of the year but it is worth watching. Just don't expect too much. Most of the time, you will end up disappointed.

Tashan - Saifeena or Sakshay?

Tashan is about a full-time call center guy Jimmy (Saif Ali Khan) who also teachs English part-time. Unlucky in love until one day he sees the beautiful Pooja (Kareena Kapoor) who asks him to teach Bhaiyyaji (Anil Kapoor) English to advance his business. Things get chaotic. Jimmy thinks he's in love. Pooja deceives Jimmy and Bhaiyyaji. The wannabe gangster Bachchan (Akshay Kumar) joins in with Jimmy to find the missing money for Bhaiyyaji. Not knowing who to trust, each have to trust someone in order to survive.

A very anticipated film of 2008 - Tashan! Why? Is it because of Saifeena or Sakshay? With Saifeena, the audience get to see the two love birds in a movie together! Finally! They were briefly in LOC Kargill together but didn't have enough screen time. You have to admit, Saif and Kareena look hot together. Or was it Sakshay? (Thanks to Sanni AKA veracious for the term - see her blog). They were were a hit duo since Main Khiladi Tu Anari. Can't we have Sakshay back together with a more modern action movie? Khiladi Akki is one of the best action heroes! It's been a while since he has been with the Yash Raj banner too. In Yeh Dillagi, the Sakshay duo were together but not in an action flick. Since the Yash Raj banner have been trying to be trendy with the action genre - Dhoom, Dhoom 2, Race. Why not continue? Then there is Tashan.

Saif. As an actor, again, more props to him for being where he is now. Acting for 10+ years and getting notice. Kudos! The past few years were rough for him but I like him more and more as an actor now. Although I still don't find him sexy like many fan girls do, I think he's attractive - just not my type. However, that moustache in Tashan has got to go Saif! Yuck. Reminded me of Aamir's ugly moustache in Mangal Pandey. Towards the end of the movie, the moustache finally didn't look to bad because Saif had stubs on top of it too. The role of Jimmy was nothing to brag about. However, Saif did what he does best at what his given to him.

Kareena. First of all, I want to say Kareena is not anorexic looking! I think her body and her long slim legs are rocking. Sure I saw her ribs in a couple of scenes but she still great overall. Some critics are coming down on her too hard for looking really skinny. Why not? If that’s what she wants, let her. In her defense, she was criticized before for being too "fat." No wonder she's all confused! Bebo is one of the best actress in the millenium. Although I'm not a fan of her off screen, I love her on screen.

Akki. On my shallow side, he's getting hotter every time I see him! Thank goodness for the waxed chest too! He already had a body to match it with maritial arts skills. I'm a sucker for a guy who knows martial arts. Instead of being known as a khiladi star, we should see him as Akshay Kumar - the actor. Always the underrated underdog, he proves yet again he is star material. Tashan belonged to Akki. His facial expressions and sexy voice were great. Move over Saif - it should be Aksaif instead.

Anil. Thank goodness he isn't romancing a young heroine anymore. I know I've said it before. Thanks Anil for that. Let your beautiful daughter Sonam act in romantic films now, not you. Since the 80s, Anil has always been one of the better actors. Seeing him in a movie with Madhuri or Sridevi was always a treat. He's looking ageless in Tashan. After Akki, Anil was the next best thing in the movie. His comic timing was right.

Storyline wise. Very interesting. The writers for Dhoom & Dhoom 2 directs Tashan? Will we get a Dhoom 3 lookalike? Not at all! Okay, okay. The only similiarity will be the 'Chaliya Chaliya' song where you see Kareena in a bikini (and in blue outfit with half of it showing her stomach similar to Aishwarya's in Dhoom 2). Not too many twists and turns, the movie flowed greatly. Although it was great to see Kareena kick some butt in the movie, I'm slightly disappointed in it. Maybe I'm watching too many maritial arts where the girl does more butt kicking, but I wanted to see more! Kareena's butt kick was definitely better than Shilpa's in Dus. That kick was so overrated!

Definitely worth a watch. It flopped but how many flop films you know actually flopped because it was bad? Only flopped because the staff put in a lot of money to make the film.

Race - of a lifetime? Who's life?

The suspense entertainer Race focuses on two rival brothers Ranvir (Saif Ali Khan) and Rajeev (Akshay Khanna). Older brother Ranvir is rich and owns the successful farm called the Stallions. Younger brother Rajeev is carefree and jealous of his older brother. He is in a relationship with Sonia (Bipasha Basu), a successful model. Despite the relationship with Rajeev, Sonia is in love with Ranvir as well. While Sophia, Ranvir's secretary is in love with Ravir. A tragic accident occurred and Robert D'Costa (Anil Kapoor) with assistant Mini (Sameera Reddy) investigates the case.

Race is second biggest hits of 2008, after Jodha Akbar. I've read mix reviews about Race. Some loved it because it's so different with lots of action. Move over Dhoom & Dhoom 2, Race is here. While the others absolutely hated it. Glamorous ladies. Good actors who fell flat. So what is my verdict?

I saw Race a few weeks ago. When I hear mix reviews, I watch the movie with zero expectations. I don't want others' opinionx of the film to influence mine. For example, when someone praises a film so much; you go in the movie expecting it to be really great but then you may find some flaws in the movie and not enjoy it as much. Or it could go the other way, so many people hated a film but then you ended up liking it. Sometimes it's best just to watch the movie without reading postive or negative feedback.

Of course many know I watched Race mainly because of my fave gal - Bipasha Basu. She is not the best actress or the most beautiful but I simply love and adore her! She, as a whole, with her gorgeous looks, humble personality, rocking body, and adventurous style makes me her number one fan. I feel that she has done better as an actress. However, to give her some credit besides looking stunning. If she does a Madhoshi or a Corporate, the audience still labels her as a sex icon. I think she's at a point in her career in which she doesn't care about looking for quality roles because of that reason. No matter what she decides I wish her the best and hope she does prove me wrong. Race isn't a movie to watch her in the acting area but it did add another super hit on her resume. Not to mention adding on to her hotness and sexy factor.

Saif Ali Khan - I'm not a huge fan of his but I do like him as an actor. I never realized I've seen so many of his movies. Saif fan girls - don't kill me but I don't find him sexy or hot. He is decent looking but that's about it. His acting has improved over the years; I give him props for that but other than that, he's good at what he does. Although Race doesn't add to the list of Saif's great acting abilities, it may be his biggest hit yet.

Akshaye Khanna - I don't run and watch any Akshu movies. He's a good actor, but I'm not a fan. I do think he's adorable. Most people have probably seen him as Sid in Dil Chahta Hai. Akshu looks a bit chubby in the film and he just looks bored in the movie.

Katrina Kaif - beautiful lady. However, more famous for being Salman Khan's girlfriend than her acting. She has a string of hits but none that really portrayed her great acting. I loved her in Namastey London and thought this girl isn't bad. In Race, she just needs to be replaced. Then again, almost anyone could've played her role. Casting a wonderful actress like Rani or Preity wouldn't matter, but actually hurt their career but then again, it could add on to their career just like Race did for Katrina. Kudos to Kat for being in hit movies even if they don't require her to really do anything.

Sameera Reddy - I like her. Most people don't because she hasn't been in any worthy films to remember her by. I love her look and think she's gorgeous. I haven't seen her Bengali film, Kalpurush but heard she was wonderful. I wish Bollywood would give her a chance to act instead of looking glamorous. A lot of people didn't like her bimboo character but I thought she did justice to her role. Don't hate on Sameera, hate her character Mini.

Anil Kapoor - awesome actor. Most people won't go rush and watch his films. I happen to be one of them but I do think he's a great actor. I've seen him mostly in a supporting cast lately. I'm glad! Better to see him in those roles than romancing an 18 year old heroine. Surprising Anil's acting was the best of the bunch from Race. Maybe because it was his funny character or his taste for fruits in the movie? Nevertheless, he was funny and worth a watch.

The music soundtrack is good. The only sad part is knowing two of the songs were "inspired" by other music. Nothing wrong with inspiration but give credit! The beautiful song 'Pehli Nazaar' is inspired by Korean song - 'Sarang hae yo' by Kim Hyung Sub. The catchy song 'Zara Zara Touch Me' is inspired by Chinese song - 'Deep within the Bamboo grove' (Zhu Lin Shen Chu) by Lee Hom Wang . ' Dekho Nashe Mein' makes you want to do dance. My only complaint is why all the goris in the background? The skimpy outfits don't bother me.

Bips looks great in the movie. Very sexy and lovely. However, her outfit for the wedding was soooo ugly!

So the following is the scene that got people starting rumors about John and Bips breaking up. During that time, Saif wasn't dating Kareena yet. I'm sure Saif was just a shoulder to lean on and people misinterpret everything. Was the scene hot? It was hot but not all that. Saif and Bips rolling in the hay, looking naked for several minutes with no kissing scenes. They remind me of wild animals fondling each other.

Anil and his famous fruits.

Overall I did enjoy the film despite negative comments I've been making. It wasn't that bad. I thought it was a lot of subplots but still found it entertaining and modern. At times, I was confused but the film was a good time pass. No master piece but it's okay, not all films can be Oscar worthy.

So why was this movie called Race? Well, there are horse racing and car racing. Or it could refer to the race of your life?

Regardless, worth a watch for even the negative comments people have been making. Is this a new genre in Bollywood after Dhoom and Dhoom 2? We'll just have to wait and see.