tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2309362817539389132.post8341226478013845888..comments2024-03-24T08:18:33.058-04:00Comments on Conversations Over Chai: Alibaba aur 40 Chor (1980)Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2309362817539389132.post-91998617664570165722014-08-25T17:15:46.872-04:002014-08-25T17:15:46.872-04:00Yes, I did, Shilpi. It was great fun, and it was j...Yes, I did, Shilpi. It was great fun, and it was just what the doctor ordered to destress. You can't help laughing through this film.Anu Warrierhttp://anuradhawarrier.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2309362817539389132.post-16864749049258629742014-08-25T15:17:08.176-04:002014-08-25T15:17:08.176-04:00Movie reviews, I think. Ones that give us enough m...Movie reviews, I think. Ones that give us enough meat for our asides. :) Sent you an email about the time.Anu Warrierhttp://anuradhawarrier.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2309362817539389132.post-887254368521337932014-08-25T15:14:02.938-04:002014-08-25T15:14:02.938-04:00:):)Anu Warrierhttp://anuradhawarrier.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2309362817539389132.post-83444671195439403812014-08-25T15:14:00.943-04:002014-08-25T15:14:00.943-04:00. Same difference, as S likes to say. :). Same difference, as S likes to say. :)Anu Warrierhttp://anuradhawarrier.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2309362817539389132.post-35469781039928771822014-08-25T13:29:38.123-04:002014-08-25T13:29:38.123-04:00Great idea. I need tons of time, too. And yes, re-...Great idea. I need tons of time, too. And yes, re-union should be our theme. Only movie reviews or anything re-union themed?Bollyviewerhttp://bollyviewer-oldisgold.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2309362817539389132.post-72074050246432939832014-08-25T10:52:24.174-04:002014-08-25T10:52:24.174-04:00You enjoyed it? Oh well, I saw it a long time back...You enjoyed it? Oh well, I saw it a long time back on television, as far as I can remember i did not like it but then it could be because I am not much of a Zeenat Aman and Hema Malini fan. But then seeing that your son enjoyed it too, maybe I should give it a second look.Shilpi Bosenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2309362817539389132.post-2725052946965538302014-08-25T09:45:51.552-04:002014-08-25T09:45:51.552-04:00I disagree , I have never seen an Arab wok in Hind...I disagree , I have never seen an Arab wok in Hindi films. They either stand still or get into plush cars or ride. On the other hand our kitchens always have Chinese.....<br />We are very observant of these differences, if you please moddom.SSWnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2309362817539389132.post-1878038556802947872014-08-25T08:58:23.539-04:002014-08-25T08:58:23.539-04:00Yup. Same difference, as S likes to say. :)Yup. Same difference, as S likes to say. :)Anu Warrierhttp://anuradhawarrier.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2309362817539389132.post-71143698943815455292014-08-25T08:57:56.852-04:002014-08-25T08:57:56.852-04:00And so it be writ. :) Two questions - is reunion o...And so it be writ. :) Two questions - is reunion of lost siblings the theme? We're all agreed on that? But I think we have to stick to the really <i>masala</i> plots of that theme to make it really worthwhile. Half the fun for me is in the asides. :) What say you all?<br /><br />Once we agree on the basic conditions, shall we pick sometime in September to give us enough time? Dustedoff, since it was your comment that spared off this brainwave, why don't you pick a date for us to unveil our posts?Anu Warrierhttp://anuradhawarrier.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2309362817539389132.post-23954852175297422092014-08-25T00:48:27.636-04:002014-08-25T00:48:27.636-04:00I see. And yes, what is time in Hindi films? Or th...I see. And yes, what is time in Hindi films? Or the difference between an Arab and a Chinese?dustedoffnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2309362817539389132.post-51142833830037869882014-08-25T00:47:33.809-04:002014-08-25T00:47:33.809-04:00Oh, yes! That would be fun! And appropriate, too, ...Oh, yes! That would be fun! And appropriate, too, considering how the three of us connect. ;-) Let me know when you'd like to publish your posts - I need at least 10 days to find a movie to watch, watch it, and review, so...dustedoffnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2309362817539389132.post-71345170601694567862014-08-24T14:51:15.494-04:002014-08-24T14:51:15.494-04:00Yes please! Lets do a common themed post. How abou...Yes please! Lets do a common themed post. How about re-unions-of-long-lost-sibings <i>masala</i>?Bollyviewerhttp://bollyviewer-oldisgold.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2309362817539389132.post-79640108073536352112014-08-24T14:48:43.693-04:002014-08-24T14:48:43.693-04:00I love this film - confused costumes, twisted tale...I love this film - confused costumes, twisted tales and all. And hey, what is a fillum that does not exercise your suspension-of-disbelief muscles? Just went back to check on my review of this film and it is amazing how A, you, and I <a href="http://bollyviewer-oldisgold.blogspot.in/2009/03/alibaba-aur-40-chor-or-fantasy.html" rel="nofollow">noted so many of the same things</a>. We <i>do</i> share the same DNA - there isn't even any need for a DNA analysis to prove it! :-)Bollyviewerhttp://bollyviewer-oldisgold.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2309362817539389132.post-14716654254442874702014-08-24T12:44:48.224-04:002014-08-24T12:44:48.224-04:00All of this is to tell A that electricity was ther...All of this is to tell A that electricity was there in those days with all these tubelights floating around.SSWnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2309362817539389132.post-84633609421188612082014-08-24T12:34:00.187-04:002014-08-24T12:34:00.187-04:00So in summary from the review I gather
Ali is a ...So in summary from the review I gather<br /><br />Ali is a tubelight but a fighter and damn good builder<br />Shamsher is a tubelight and a true lover who appreciates cabaret.<br />The cobra is a tubelight but a good biter<br />Fatima is a tubelight and also a hairy quadruped with long ears who can kick<br />Youssef is a tubelight and needed a good GPS .<br />Abu Hassan is a tubelight and does not heed a gin's tonic for good living.<br />Marjina is a tubelight in search of a good choke.<br />The King is a tubelight and playing chess is injurious to health.<br /><br />The homing pigeon is not a tubelight as it returned home in its 15th year. Assuming it was born and left home at six months was away for 14 years and had 6 months more to live , it got home. This is A BIRD. No wonder the French gave Cher Ami the Croix de guerre.<br /><br />Did I miss anybody?SSWnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2309362817539389132.post-63618987490769579082014-08-24T00:14:23.155-04:002014-08-24T00:14:23.155-04:00Ah, according to Wikipedia, gunpowder landed in th...Ah, according to Wikipedia, gunpowder landed in the Arab world sometime between the mid and late 13th century. No worries, only a century later. *grin* What is time, after all, in a Hindi <i>fillum</i>?Anu Warrierhttp://anuradhawarrier.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2309362817539389132.post-45615870952388377392014-08-24T00:06:59.961-04:002014-08-24T00:06:59.961-04:00All I remember was that I was pretty disappointed ...<i>All I remember was that I was pretty disappointed that Zeenat Aman's <br />gorgeous and feisty character didn't end up with a love interest.</i><br /><br />I <i>know!</i> Thank heavens they didn't have her falling in love with Ali. (Of course, they did have her dying to save him, but as you say, what a waste!) <br /><br />A's point was that the Arabs didn't have gunpowder then. He knows his geography. (It will be interesting to trace the history of gunpowder and see just when it travelled outside China. I should give it to him as a research project.)<br /><br /><i>So you and Bollyviewer decided to do an Arabian Nights double bill?</i><br /><br />We didn't actually! I was re-reading my final draft when her post update popped up on my sidebar. You could have knocked me over with a feather. We actually posted within two hours of each other. I suppose I shouldn't be surprised. We were the original masala sisters. :) <br /><br /><i>You should've given me a shout-out too</i><br />Now you have given me an idea. Perhaps some time we three should think about doing a linked feature - same genre, or different films of the same director, or a common theme or something like that.Anu Warrierhttp://anuradhawarrier.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2309362817539389132.post-14928131002745172992014-08-23T23:30:35.692-04:002014-08-23T23:30:35.692-04:00Hehe! I loved your review, Anu, especially all tho...Hehe! I <i>loved</i> your review, Anu, especially all those brilliant asides. :-D I remember watching this film years ago (not when it was released, but sometime in the 90s, I think, when it was shown on Doordarshan). All I remember was that I was pretty disappointed that Zeenat Aman's gorgeous and feisty character didn't end up with a love interest. Back then, I'd thought that was a real waste of her. But still, total <i>paisa vasool</i> movie, even if it defies all logic. <br /><br />P.S. Gunpowder could have been invented by then - it dates back to the 9th century (and Islam to the 7th), so not totally impossible. Only, I don't see Fatima's dad as Chinese, so that's a hitch. <br /><br />P.P.S. So you and Bollyviewer decided to do an Arabian Nights double bill? You should've given me a shout-out too: would've reviewed the Shakila-Mahipal <i>Ali Baba Chaalees Chor</i>. :-Ddustedoffnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2309362817539389132.post-63605341899778986942014-08-23T22:42:39.234-04:002014-08-23T22:42:39.234-04:00Well, if they can put Shammi in college, I don'...Well, if they can put Shammi in college, I don't see why they can't put palm trees in Kashmir. Silly Lalitha. :)Anu Warrierhttp://anuradhawarrier.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2309362817539389132.post-8001725428666577702014-08-23T22:39:25.028-04:002014-08-23T22:39:25.028-04:00Thanks for your review, Anu! I was watching this ...Thanks for your review, Anu! I was watching this movie recently, and I had one question - how did they find palm trees in Kashmir for the tennis match? I know, I know, I am a nit picky person! But it was lovely to watch Shammi in action and listen to the songs!Lalithanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2309362817539389132.post-14564839497950708862014-08-23T22:39:13.562-04:002014-08-23T22:39:13.562-04:00Ha! Fat chance. :) Ali is definitely not the poetr...Ha! Fat chance. :) Ali is definitely not the poetry-quoting sensitive new-age kind of hero. He is testesterone-driven, all-male. One doesn't even see him as having very many brain cells.Anu Warrierhttp://anuradhawarrier.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2309362817539389132.post-38499965512132951602014-08-23T22:35:40.698-04:002014-08-23T22:35:40.698-04:00I guess there is no chance of listening to poetry ...I guess there is no chance of listening to poetry of any kind in Alibaba aur 40 chor!Lalithanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2309362817539389132.post-13356509237949574902014-08-23T22:07:33.252-04:002014-08-23T22:07:33.252-04:00No, seriously, this film would have been right up ...No, seriously, this film would have been right up my alley when I was a pre-teen. :) But an Amitabh film trumped all others, so I must have gone off to see one. <br /><br />Good to know that publicity stills believed in Mark Twain's dictum of never letting facts get in the way of a good story. I suppose they felt that no one who knew about the 1957 film would really care to watch this one, so they could rely on being rather safe in that pronouncement. <br /><br />Yes, the cave opening and closing were rather jazzy, I thought. The rest of it was Hindi film kitsch. But they did get that djinn to look rather opaque. It was a fun ride. So I have no complaints.Anu Warrierhttp://anuradhawarrier.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2309362817539389132.post-5624571718331718582014-08-23T21:54:47.782-04:002014-08-23T21:54:47.782-04:00Oh my gosh, I love this one :) And I'm amused ...Oh my gosh, I love this one :) And I'm amused by your Amitabh same-weekend release theory...<br />I think I liked the songs more than you, but I concede that they are, indeed trashy. [Trashy, but kinda fun if you're in the mood for knife dances, murder dances, magic dances, disco cave dances, and women dancing on tables in seedy taverns with* cringe* hanging meat everywhere...fake arguments about who the most beautiful women in the shehr is, etc.] <br /><br /><br />Dharmendra and Hema are a nice draw for this film, since they're really best in action/deception plots with a bit of glamour involved. But Zeenat is probably my favorite part of the film--she just looks the most badass and has the most interesting (if a little unfair) arc. <br /><br /><br />The nice thing about the Soviet influence is really inclusion of horse stuntwork, explosives, and some of the special effects (like the open sesame cave). The latter was far more in the Soviet's oeuvre ... but Bollywood really knew how to do song sequences. Pretty sweet deal, if you can live with the dubbing. Btw: This isn't the only Indo-Soviet production [silly poster makers...]--there was also Pardesi/Journey Beyond Three Seas with Padmini in 1957.Filmi~Contrasthttp://filmi-contrast.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2309362817539389132.post-74113671107795158802014-08-23T21:12:20.987-04:002014-08-23T21:12:20.987-04:00By the way, just for your info, I watched Janwar o...By the way, just for your info, I watched Janwar on Wednesday night at the hospital, and it made sleeping on the hard couch a little bearable, thanks to Shammi and some decent songs.Lalithanoreply@blogger.com