By Carol Reeves/KY
http://www.planetsrk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=23575
This is a film in which my heart and head are divided. My head keeps telling me of the problems and how it could have been better if only …. and my heart says it was a great film and don't sweat the small stuff.
Let's get the negatives out of the way. Problems my head has with the film:
The movie is a story of 2 halves, which is often the case with Hindi cinema...but it would have been better if it were a whole, cohesive film. The first half is filled with lovely scenes which reveal the characters, but little to drive the story forward. As a result, everything has to happen in the second half, leaving it too cluttered.
The point of view shifts after Rizvan is detained. The whole movie up to that point has been from the p.o.v. of Rizvan, with a few scenes from Mandira's or Sam's p.o.v. Then suddenly the movie shifts and we're watching people following Rizvan's story. It adds another level of distance from the main characters which decreases the intimacy level between the audience and Rizvan.
There are some scenes which are over the top. I don't mind OTT in some films, but what I didn't like was in a movie which was filled with moments which were ringing true, these came across very false in comparison. The introduction to the people and town of Wilhemina would be one example. The tone of these scenes just didn't mesh well with the rest of the movie—and they so could have, with a different approach. The result is some characters who we should care about, including Mama Jenny, become caricatures instead. They are the only named characters who don't come across like they could be real people living in the same world as us. The intention of the scenes was good, but the execution was lacking. Upon second viewing, the scenes are not as jarring, possibly because I knew they were coming up, but they still don't match the tone of the film as a whole.
I still can't stand the acting done by the kid playing “funny hair Joel”. The kid was downright annoying.
And one minor quibble which probably no one else who has seen this movie has: Bowling Green, KY (the site of Vinay Pathak's motel) is not in the desert. I should know. I was born & raised there. My family still lives there. I go there often. No wide open vistas and no joshua trees. I won't go as far as to say what happened in the scene wouldn't happen there. That can happen anywhere.
Now onto the positive stuff. Problems my heart had with the film: NONE
The film is good. Yes, there are flaws...but I don't mind them so much because the beautiful, intimate, touching moments outshine the missteps. The message is a simple one, but an important one to remember. While it's set in the US, it avoids going into the dangerous territory of becoming anti-American, or anti-Western. Such a move would have diluted the message that the only important difference is between good people and bad people. At the same time it doesn't wimp out and it remains appropriately critical of discriminatory security procedures and the actions of some individuals fueled by hate, ignorance, and fear.
My first viewing was last Sunday, and the theater was about 75-80% full, which is good considering that usually we have only 2 shows of any given movie...one Sunday afternoon and the other that night...approximately 2 weeks into the running of a film. This one opened in a mainstream theater on Friday and had been showing 3 shows per day all weekend. The second show I saw was this Sunday. There were only about 20 people in the theater. Both times the audience was mostly comprised of south Asians, but there were also Caucasian- and African-Americans watching. The comments I heard after the show ended were primarily positive...though there were comments on the runtime.
I will tell you I'm not one of those fans who thinks that there is one magical jodi. I think Shah Rukh makes it work with any leading lady, so the SRK-Kajol back together thing wasn't as big a deal to me. The scenes between them in this movie were lovely. Kajol gave a very strong performance, both in the lighter moments and once the movie turns more serious. However, it's Shah Rukh's performance which makes this movie. I won't trivialize his abilities by saying that this is the best he's ever done, as he's given many outstanding performances. But I will say it's a performance which is certainly worth all the praise it has been receiving, and more.
So final result is that in the end, the heart always wins over the head. Love this movie!
Thursday, March 4, 2010
My journey to watch MNIK
By Shaimaa/ Egypt
http://www.planetsrk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=23520
Hi My name is Shaimaa and I'm not a terrorist. First let me tell u what happened in my journey to watch the movie. I convinced two of my friends to come with me to watch the movie and they agreed because I gave them some movies before for SRK and they already know him.
We met last night and booked train tickets at 7:15 a.m train to cairo. I tried to sleep but I couldn't .....I swear may be I slept only half an hour from last night. I woke up at 5:50 and got dressed and on my toes I ate two pieces of biscuits and sneaked out of my house before my parents wake up and interrogate me
I met my two friends on the train, it was supposed to arrive at 8:30 so we will have time to take a bus to the theater to catch 10:00 a.m show. But strangely it arrived at 9:00 a.m.....I was
not to catch the show on time. We took a bus and reached the street at 9:35 ......we had to go on foot to the building so we ran actually 
and finally got to the place at 9:50.....the theater was at the last floor so we had to literally run over the electronic stairs........ they were already going up but we couldn't waste a second......we reached the place and booked three tickets. I wanted to be in front seats but my friends didn't.....any way there were no one else in the huge hall we entered .....so they chose another seats and I sat in the front lines 
Other ppl came but just a few....then the movie began and I saw Rizwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaan
......It was just him and me......no one besides me or in front of me so I felt it was a private show for me.
Everything was quiet....just me and him. Strangely and sorry to disappoint many of you I didn't like the movie at all........it was the worst movie I see in my life.
LIAR
LIAR LIAR
OKAY you caught me ...
....It was the BEST movie I watched in my life.......the least thing I can say about it is that it is PERFECT.......really no mistake in this movie......the dialogue is perfect......SRK and Kajol are perfect......KARAN is sooooooo perfect.......and the songs and background music 
OMGGGGGGGGGGGGGG were more than perfect even the special effects are Perfect.
We all heard the songs before but in the movie they are different, especially (Allah Rahim)
But the strangest thing really is that my two friends cried tons..... but I didn't even shed one single tear......isn't that strange?
I felt the sadness of every word, every look but deep in my heart ....may be that's why I couldn't cry.....all I felt was me shaking from inside out......don't know how to explain that actually but I felt that it's my heart which sheds tears not my eyes......I couldn't cry also because I concentrated on how shahrukh played Rizwan so may be that's another reason. or may be I am autistic too who can't shed tears
I was wearing my SRK t-shirt and I really enjoyed every scene in MNIK......
The movie then was over and I wanted to see it again but my friends said they will travel back and I'll have to go back alone.....I decided to stay and watch it again no matter what happens later. I went to the hall again but this time there were so many young ppl.....so I could hear their laughing......sighs...
Even when Kajol first appeared two guys whistled
It was the same fun may be more even though I couldn't have a break between the two shows
The man who was responsible and who offered us before to watch a movie for free .....he met me outside and asked "how was it?"
And of course you all know what I must have said.....I also added "You really must see it"
so he said "okay.....I'll call my wife and watch the show at night"
The only thing that was inside my head after the movie finished and still invading my head nonstop is the song at the church "hum honge kamyab....ek din"
I need help to GET it out of my head......I really can't.
May be because it's my first time to hear it ..I loved it soooooooo much that now I want to change my cell ring tone from "Noor-e-khuda" to "hum honge kamyab...ek din"
I really was amazed by Shah rukh acting, I felt pain for him just looking at his blank eyes......also felt so much pain in my heart for Mandira.
This part has no spoilers but the next sure will have some......Get ready. ___
http://www.planetsrk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=23520
Hi My name is Shaimaa and I'm not a terrorist. First let me tell u what happened in my journey to watch the movie. I convinced two of my friends to come with me to watch the movie and they agreed because I gave them some movies before for SRK and they already know him.
We met last night and booked train tickets at 7:15 a.m train to cairo. I tried to sleep but I couldn't .....I swear may be I slept only half an hour from last night. I woke up at 5:50 and got dressed and on my toes I ate two pieces of biscuits and sneaked out of my house before my parents wake up and interrogate me
I met my two friends on the train, it was supposed to arrive at 8:30 so we will have time to take a bus to the theater to catch 10:00 a.m show. But strangely it arrived at 9:00 a.m.....I was
not to catch the show on time. We took a bus and reached the street at 9:35 ......we had to go on foot to the building so we ran actually and finally got to the place at 9:50.....the theater was at the last floor so we had to literally run over the electronic stairs........ they were already going up but we couldn't waste a second......we reached the place and booked three tickets. I wanted to be in front seats but my friends didn't.....any way there were no one else in the huge hall we entered .....so they chose another seats and I sat in the front lines Other ppl came but just a few....then the movie began and I saw Rizwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaan
......It was just him and me......no one besides me or in front of me so I felt it was a private show for me.Everything was quiet....just me and him. Strangely and sorry to disappoint many of you I didn't like the movie at all........it was the worst movie I see in my life.
LIAR
LIAR LIAR OKAY you caught me ...
....It was the BEST movie I watched in my life.......the least thing I can say about it is that it is PERFECT.......really no mistake in this movie......the dialogue is perfect......SRK and Kajol are perfect......KARAN is sooooooo perfect.......and the songs and background music OMGGGGGGGGGGGGGG were more than perfect even the special effects are Perfect.We all heard the songs before but in the movie they are different, especially (Allah Rahim)
But the strangest thing really is that my two friends cried tons.....
but I didn't even shed one single tear......isn't that strange?I felt the sadness of every word, every look but deep in my heart ....may be that's why I couldn't cry.....all I felt was me shaking from inside out......don't know how to explain that actually but I felt that it's my heart which sheds tears not my eyes......I couldn't cry also because I concentrated on how shahrukh played Rizwan so may be that's another reason. or may be I am autistic too who can't shed tears
I was wearing my SRK t-shirt and I really enjoyed every scene in MNIK......
The movie then was over and I wanted to see it again but my friends said they will travel back and I'll have to go back alone.....I decided to stay and watch it again no matter what happens later. I went to the hall again but this time there were so many young ppl.....so I could hear their laughing......sighs...
Even when Kajol first appeared two guys whistled
It was the same fun may be more even though I couldn't have a break between the two shows
The man who was responsible and who offered us before to watch a movie for free .....he met me outside and asked "how was it?"
And of course you all know what I must have said.....I also added "You really must see it"
so he said "okay.....I'll call my wife and watch the show at night"
The only thing that was inside my head after the movie finished and still invading my head nonstop is the song at the church "hum honge kamyab....ek din"
I need help to GET it out of my head......I really can't.May be because it's my first time to hear it ..I loved it soooooooo much that now I want to change my cell ring tone from "Noor-e-khuda" to "hum honge kamyab...ek din"
I really was amazed by Shah rukh acting, I felt pain for him just looking at his blank eyes......also felt so much pain in my heart for Mandira.
This part has no spoilers but the next sure will have some......Get ready. ___
Thank You Allah
By Rumana/Ca
http://www.planetsrk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=23553
Hi everyone!
Almost all of you are well aware of the problems I have been facing since quite a while now. After 1 week, I am able to watch MNIK.
Just 2 hours back, I returned back from the theater with Rizvan deeply touching my heart, mind, soul, everything!
This film is just outstanding, too good! Even words fall short of describing this movie. Here's my journey:
The whole day, I spent humming "hum hogay kamyab" because I watched that scene on yt yesterday and fell in love with it. It got me through the day and came the night. Everyone agreed to watch the movie tonight, boy, I was so happy!
We were supposed to watch the 9:30 show but instead we watched the 11:00 pm show which was not that great, it was digital but the transition was not good like reel. Anyway, I seriously loved seeing Fox logos with MNIK
Then the movie started...don't want to mention anything about it. I loved the whole movie soooo much! I did not notice Shahrukh's acting, all I saw was Rizvan's love which has deeply left a huge affect on my mind today. I cried since the beginning of the movie and on and on. My mother noticed me but did not stop me from letting my tears flow.
But thanks to my tears, I missed a few small parts of the movie. But I will be watching this movie again in the coming days.
I just want to mention one little thing:
I forgot that this movie was directed by Karan actually until the end when his name is shown.
I did not see Shahrukh today, I saw Rizvan! Kajol was very nice as Mandira, it's my first time I saw SRK-Kajol on the big screen. The rest of the cast was awesome! I loved them all though many of the faces were a bit unfamiliar to me but they were awesome.
I thank Allah for giving me the opportunity to watch MNIK. The film has taught me many valuable lessons which I will cherish and use in my life forever.
Ratings...gazillion out a gazillion stars.
http://www.planetsrk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=23553
Hi everyone!
Almost all of you are well aware of the problems I have been facing since quite a while now. After 1 week, I am able to watch MNIK.
Just 2 hours back, I returned back from the theater with Rizvan deeply touching my heart, mind, soul, everything!
This film is just outstanding, too good! Even words fall short of describing this movie. Here's my journey:
The whole day, I spent humming "hum hogay kamyab" because I watched that scene on yt yesterday and fell in love with it. It got me through the day and came the night. Everyone agreed to watch the movie tonight, boy, I was so happy!
We were supposed to watch the 9:30 show but instead we watched the 11:00 pm show which was not that great, it was digital but the transition was not good like reel. Anyway, I seriously loved seeing Fox logos with MNIK
Then the movie started...don't want to mention anything about it. I loved the whole movie soooo much! I did not notice Shahrukh's acting, all I saw was Rizvan's love which has deeply left a huge affect on my mind today. I cried since the beginning of the movie and on and on. My mother noticed me but did not stop me from letting my tears flow.
But thanks to my tears, I missed a few small parts of the movie. But I will be watching this movie again in the coming days.
I just want to mention one little thing:
Spoiler:
I forgot that this movie was directed by Karan actually
until the end when his name is shown.I did not see Shahrukh today, I saw Rizvan! Kajol was very nice as Mandira, it's my first time I saw SRK-Kajol on the big screen. The rest of the cast was awesome! I loved them all though many of the faces were a bit unfamiliar to me but they were awesome.
I thank Allah for giving me the opportunity to watch MNIK. The film has taught me many valuable lessons which I will cherish and use in my life forever.
Ratings...gazillion out a gazillion stars.
My Name Is Rugaya and i am not a terrorist.
By Rugaya/Kuwait
http://www.planetsrk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=23531
RIZWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANNNNNNNNN!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Alsalam Alikom..
the movie started at 5 PM, and i was ready from 4 pm with my cousin who came straight from her school my sis said wake me up at 4 pm and i did but she wasnt replying so i figured she was sleeping.. so what did we do? WE WALKED TO HER APARTMENT! it was like a 5 minutes walk but it was amazing never did that before but i had to! it was getting late.. and so we were late! it was 5:15.. missed 15 minutes of the movie.. but once we were seated.. the 15 girls [thought we were 16 but we were only 15 really.. i booked one extra ] were seated.. i looked at the big screen and i only can hear SRK's voice and my friend was like "can we see the man with that voice please?"
he played the syndrome damn good i thought he does really have Asperger syndrome! it was just toooo damn good..
the movie really touched me deep so deep.. it was talking about my religion mainly.. and with every single Islamic scene
we all had goosebumps and tears.. i felt proud.. i know the message of the movie is that there are good people and there are bad people.. but as complicated the world has become.. Muslims were looked at as bad people.. but Rizwan Khan.. My Name Is Khan showed them that hey, just like every religion has bad and good followers, Islam has the same as well..
the scenes with Kajol are really great too.. hated her
the movie was in a really big hall.. whatever you call it but it was damn FULL! everyone was laughing, everyone was crying.. and clapping.. we were the loudest
but this is just.. a powerful movie.. that leaves you with smiles and tears that yeah, good people always win no matter what religion they follow
Khuda Hafiz
*more reviews to come as EnshAllah i will watch it again and again and again.. etc
http://www.planetsrk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=23531
RIZWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANNNNNNNNN!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Alsalam Alikom..
the movie started at 5 PM, and i was ready from 4 pm with my cousin who came straight from her school
my sis said wake me up at 4 pm and i did but she wasnt replying so i figured she was sleeping.. so what did we do? WE WALKED TO HER APARTMENT! it was like a 5 minutes walk but it was amazing never did that before but i had to! it was getting late.. and so we were late! it was 5:15.. missed 15 minutes of the movie.. but once we were seated.. the 15 girls [thought we were 16 but we were only 15 really.. i booked one extra ] were seated.. i looked at the big screen and i only can hear SRK's voice and my friend was like "can we see the man with that voice please?" Spoiler:
the movie really touched me deep so deep.. it was talking about my religion mainly.. and with every single Islamic scene
Spoiler:
Spoiler:
the scenes with Kajol are really great too.. hated her
Spoiler:
Spoiler:
amazing!! the movie was in a really big hall.. whatever you call it
but it was damn FULL! everyone was laughing, everyone was crying.. and clapping.. we were the loudest but this is just.. a powerful movie.. that leaves you with smiles and tears that yeah, good people always win no matter what religion they follow
Khuda Hafiz
*more reviews to come as EnshAllah i will watch it again and again and again.. etc
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
My journey to watch MNIK
http://www.planetsrk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=23520
By Shaimaa/Egypt
Hi My name is Shaimaa and I'm not a terrorist. First let me tell u what happened in my journey to watch the movie. I convinced two of my friends to come with me to watch the movie and they agreed because I gave them some movies before for SRK and they already know him.
We met last night and booked train tickets at 7:15 a.m train to cairo. I tried to sleep but I couldn't .....I swear may be I slept only half an hour from last night. I woke up at 5:50 and got dressed and on my toes I ate two pieces of biscuits and sneaked out of my house before my parents wake up and interrogate me
I met my two friends on the train, it was supposed to arrive at 8:30 so we will have time to take a bus to the theater to catch 10:00 a.m show. But strangely it arrived at 9:00 a.m.....I was not to catch the show on time. We took a bus and reached the street at 9:35 ......we had to go on foot to the building so we ran actually and finally got to the place at 9:50.....the theater was at the last floor so we had to literally run over the electronic stairs........ they were already going up but we couldn't waste a second......we reached the place and booked three tickets. I wanted to be in front seats but my friends didn't.....any way there were no one else in the huge hall we entered .....so they chose another seats and I sat in the front lines
Other ppl came but just a few....then the movie began and I saw Rizwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaan......It was just him and me......no one besides me or in front of me so I felt it was a private show for me.
Everything was quiet....just me and him. Strangely and sorry to disappoint many of you I didn't like the movie at all........it was the worst movie I see in my life.
LIAR LIAR LIAR
OKAY you caught me .......It was the BEST movie I watched in my life.......the least thing I can say about it is that it is PERFECT.......really no mistake in this movie......the dialogue is perfect......SRK and Kajol are perfect......KARAN is sooooooo perfect.......and the songs and background music OMGGGGGGGGGGGGGG were more than perfect even the special effects are Perfect.
We all heard the songs before but in the movie they are different, especially (Allah Rahim)
But the strangest thing really is that my two friends cried tons..... but I didn't even shed one single tear......isn't that strange?
I felt the sadness of every word, every look but deep in my heart ....may be that's why I couldn't cry.....all I felt was me shaking from inside out......don't know how to explain that actually but I felt that it's my heart which sheds tears not my eyes......I couldn't cry also because I concentrated on how shahrukh played Rizwan so may be that's another reason. or may be I am autistic too who can't shed tears
I was wearing my SRK t-shirt and I really enjoyed every scene in MNIK......
The movie then was over and I wanted to see it again but my friends said they will travel back and I'll have to go back alone.....I decided to stay and watch it again no matter what happens later. I went to the hall again but this time there were so many young ppl.....so I could hear their laughing......sighs...
Even when Kajol first appeared two guys whistled
It was the same fun may be more even though I couldn't have a break between the two shows
The man who was responsible and who offered us before to watch a movie for free .....he met me outside and asked "how was it?"
And of course you all know what I must have said.....I also added "You really must see it"
so he said "okay.....I'll call my wife and watch the show at night"
The only thing that was inside my head after the movie finished and still invading my head nonstop is the song at the church "hum honge kamyab....ek din"
I need help to GET it out of my head......I really can't.
May be because it's my first time to hear it ..I loved it soooooooo much that now I want to change my cell ring tone from "Noor-e-khuda" to "hum honge kamyab...ek din"
I really was amazed by Shah rukh acting, I felt pain for him just looking at his blank eyes......also felt so much pain in my heart for Mandira.
This part has no spoilers but the next sure will have some......Get ready.
By Shaimaa/Egypt
Hi My name is Shaimaa and I'm not a terrorist. First let me tell u what happened in my journey to watch the movie. I convinced two of my friends to come with me to watch the movie and they agreed because I gave them some movies before for SRK and they already know him.
We met last night and booked train tickets at 7:15 a.m train to cairo. I tried to sleep but I couldn't .....I swear may be I slept only half an hour from last night. I woke up at 5:50 and got dressed and on my toes I ate two pieces of biscuits and sneaked out of my house before my parents wake up and interrogate me
I met my two friends on the train, it was supposed to arrive at 8:30 so we will have time to take a bus to the theater to catch 10:00 a.m show. But strangely it arrived at 9:00 a.m.....I was
not to catch the show on time. We took a bus and reached the street at 9:35 ......we had to go on foot to the building so we ran actually and finally got to the place at 9:50.....the theater was at the last floor so we had to literally run over the electronic stairs........ they were already going up but we couldn't waste a second......we reached the place and booked three tickets. I wanted to be in front seats but my friends didn't.....any way there were no one else in the huge hall we entered .....so they chose another seats and I sat in the front lines Other ppl came but just a few....then the movie began and I saw Rizwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaan
......It was just him and me......no one besides me or in front of me so I felt it was a private show for me.Everything was quiet....just me and him. Strangely and sorry to disappoint many of you I didn't like the movie at all........it was the worst movie I see in my life.
LIAR
LIAR LIAR OKAY you caught me ...
....It was the BEST movie I watched in my life.......the least thing I can say about it is that it is PERFECT.......really no mistake in this movie......the dialogue is perfect......SRK and Kajol are perfect......KARAN is sooooooo perfect.......and the songs and background music OMGGGGGGGGGGGGGG were more than perfect even the special effects are Perfect.We all heard the songs before but in the movie they are different, especially (Allah Rahim)
But the strangest thing really is that my two friends cried tons.....
but I didn't even shed one single tear......isn't that strange?I felt the sadness of every word, every look but deep in my heart ....may be that's why I couldn't cry.....all I felt was me shaking from inside out......don't know how to explain that actually but I felt that it's my heart which sheds tears not my eyes......I couldn't cry also because I concentrated on how shahrukh played Rizwan so may be that's another reason. or may be I am autistic too who can't shed tears
I was wearing my SRK t-shirt and I really enjoyed every scene in MNIK......
The movie then was over and I wanted to see it again but my friends said they will travel back and I'll have to go back alone.....I decided to stay and watch it again no matter what happens later. I went to the hall again but this time there were so many young ppl.....so I could hear their laughing......sighs...
Even when Kajol first appeared two guys whistled
It was the same fun may be more even though I couldn't have a break between the two shows
The man who was responsible and who offered us before to watch a movie for free .....he met me outside and asked "how was it?"
And of course you all know what I must have said.....I also added "You really must see it"
so he said "okay.....I'll call my wife and watch the show at night"
The only thing that was inside my head after the movie finished and still invading my head nonstop is the song at the church "hum honge kamyab....ek din"
I need help to GET it out of my head......I really can't.May be because it's my first time to hear it ..I loved it soooooooo much that now I want to change my cell ring tone from "Noor-e-khuda" to "hum honge kamyab...ek din"
I really was amazed by Shah rukh acting, I felt pain for him just looking at his blank eyes......also felt so much pain in my heart for Mandira.
This part has no spoilers but the next sure will have some......Get ready.
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