These are a few of my favorite films ...

Movie maniacs – that’s what we are!!

My bindaas mom & I were regulars at the matinee shows. I have such fond memories of going straight from school, in my uniform, to meet my mom at the theatre. She would come laden with this little ‘koodai’(basket) with mouth watering tiffin – warm idlis or dosais or pongal & movie classics like ‘the Great Escape’ or ‘Kramer vs. Kramer’ or ‘Tootsie’ - a winning combination! Today, my mother’s a cable TV addict & has stopped going to the theatre. She claims it‘s not the same without me!

Part of the experience – the catcalls, the whistles & the lewd comments, which u enjoyed as much as the film. Don’t remember which movie it was, but it had Pooja Bhatt, all cute and sexy, & her father calls out to her, “yahaan aao, Pooja beti”. In response to this, the Romeo sitting next to me yelped “Nahin, mere paas aao, Pooja beti”!!

Shiksha, Ashok & I need our fix of movies – they are like oxygen to us, & we break out into a cold sweat if denied!! Like eager-beavers, we hit the theatre, are the ‘first day first show’ varieties, & are greeted like family by the ushers there. We actually have our favorite seats in the theatre, & most of our friends know that if we are not at home on a weekend, u can catch us at the cinema hall!!

But that’s the week-ends – what about school nights when we need a movie fix?? So the ‘Chin Chin’, ‘Lynchee’ & ‘Nana’s on speed dial who are regular visitors at home, sip coke & deliver unreleased movies on DVD’s – yes, we are unrepentant criminals!! The ends justify the means and all that!!

Ok, there’s more – we patronize the video/DVD stores as well. The guy in charge panics every time I call to check out if anything new has arrived. He indignantly complained to me that given that we catch movies before they are released & watch them when they officially come out in the theatre, it is very unlikely that there are any left to excite us!! The poor man is challenged by me, and celebrates the rare times he has something that we’ve not seen to offer!

It’s unnerving how a film can affect you – while a great one can uplift you, a terrible one can dampen your spirits. Also, for me, the way I perceive a movie is linked to the company with which I’m watching it, my personal mood, the state of mind I am in ….

So my favorite films, may not be the best that there are, but which made me feel good in whatever way, made an impact in one way or the other, whether thought provoking, providing a good laugh, or which was fun just because I was watching it with someone special or …

*Guess who’s coming for dinner: An all time favorite – with incredible performers like Spencer Tracy, Katherine Hepburn, Sidney Poiter cast in this movie about the touching love story b/w a black guy (is that politically correct?) and a white girl, and how sometimes, however broad-minded we think we are, our beliefs are put to the test.

*The Cider House Rules: This film never fails to bring a lump to my throat. The narrative is simple, and has the feel of a great story book that u don’t want to put down. A heart-warming story woven around an orphanage run by an old doc played superbly by Michael Caine, who performs abortions for the upkeep of the place. Toby McGuire plays his protégé, an orphan himself whom the doc wants to take over the running of the orphanage. The movie is about how Toby breaks free, flees the orphanage to see the real world, finally recognizes his calling, & returns to the orphanage.

*Dirty rotten scoundrels: Steve Martin is the God of funny! Paired with the brilliant Michael Caine who surprises with his flair for comedy, this is a sensational laugh riot about these two con-men who set out to outdo each other. Dilemma posed to the audience is figuring out who is the better comedian – after watching this one a million times, that we now know the scenes by heart, still haven’t cracked that one!

*Pride & Prejudice – the Lana Turner classic: I was so lucky to catch this on TV, and was floored. The book holds a special place in my heart, it was the first classic I read out to Shiksha, and Lana Turner was the perfect, feisty, proud, intelligent Elizabeth. None of the other more recent versions are a patch on this one.

*Jaane Bhi Do Yaaron: What a movie!! For me, the ‘Mahabharath’ will never be the same again – remember Naseerudin Shah as Duryodhan helplessly stuck with the corpse dressed as Draupadi?? Hez being goaded in the famous rape scene, and breezily responds with, “Draupadi jaise sati aurat ko dekh kar maine cheer-haaran kaa idea drop kar diya!!” A dream ensemble : Om Puri as the Punjabi contractor, Satish Shah who immortalized the living corpse, Naseer of course … wow!! No hesitation in rating this one as the funniest hindi film ever!!

*Cactus Flower: Goldie Hawn’s debut film with Walter Mathau & the inimitable Ingrid Bergman – a delicious, sweet, romantic comedy! Sheer movie magic!

*Gone With the Wind: This was an awesome experience, & for once, the movie matched the book in its brilliance. Vivien Leigh – how could she portray Scarlet, one of the most fascinating & self-centered characters ever, so perfectly?! I’ll take a moment to drool before mentioning Clark Gable, the oh so suave & smooth Rhett Butler. The closing lines – “Tomorrow’s another day” – perfect!!

*Swades: I know most people prefer ‘Lagaan’ which was undeniably one of the finest Indian films. But to me ‘Swades’ represented hope, aroused in me a deep sense of patriotism, and as someone put it, while I may not like Ashutosh Gowarikar’s hero, give it all up to answer my country’s calling, it at least makes me want to be a little like him, which itself is a lot! AR Rehman’s music – beautiful & inspiring!

*Naayakan: This was Mani Ratnam at his best, and Kamlahasan’s performance I would rate as one of the finest in Indian films. Nayakan was our desi “Godfather” and by God, a great movie experience!

*Kandukondein Kandukondein: I have a weakness for movies adapted from books, and this one was a movie saga by Rajiv Menon, based on “Sense and Sensibility”. An absolute visual treat, the only movie where for me, Aishwariya Rai delivered, both performance & looks wise! Personally, this was the first time my hip daughter watched a Tamizh movie, fell in love with the magic of AR Rehman & started singing Tamizh songs.

*Bridges of Madison County: Clint Eastwood as director and leading man of this beautiful adaptation, was a revelation. The movie featured an intense, clandestine, dignified & brief romance with the stunning Meryl Streep – my mushy heart overflowed with joy!

*To kill a mockingbird: Gregory Peck at his best as ‘Atticus Finch’. As for ‘Scout’, u just loved this feisty lil gal. Almost named my daughter after her. Engrossing, heart-wrenching, memorable, unforgettable …

*Monsoon Wedding: celebrated the genius of Naseerudin Shah – Mira Nair and her tale of the big fat Indian shaadi brought out the best in him. The angle of the uncle molesting the child was handled with such sensitivity that I actually made my daughter watch the movie to be aware of the existence of such monsters. Thank-u Mira!

*You’ve got mail: I’m an absolute sucker for syrupy romances – loved the ambience, the couple who hate each other in real life, but bond on the net, the little book store which Meg Ryan owns, Tom Hanks and his dysfunctional family, the movie ending with ‘somewhere over the rainbow’ …

*Jo jeeta wohi sikandar/Sarfarosh/Rang-de-Basanti/Rangeela:As u can see, a big Aamir Khan fan, because most of his movies are so credible, so enjoyable, & sincere – as the honest ACP Rathore in Sarfarosh, the tapori in Rangeela, the wastrel turned hero in jo jeeta, DJ the stud, in Rang-de, all must watches in my list!

*Dor: I know this one’s a remake of a Malyalam movie which was awesome, but not having seen it, I was very happy with this offering of Nagesh Kukunoor. The story, the two strong women played brilliantly by Gul Panag & Ayesha Takia, stunning locales, beautiful music, optimistic ending … all added up to a great movie for me.

*Maqbool: I am so excited about the existence of such a mine of talent called Vishal Bharadwaj! His ability to adapt Shakespeare & customize it for an Indian audience & yet make it so believable, amazing! Irfan Khan (one of the finest actors going), Tabu as the manipulative Lady Macbeth, Pankaj Kapur, all are fantastic. “Omkara”, again inspired by the bard, & a worthy successor to Maqbool.

*Roman Holiday: Audrey Hepburn as the princess turned commoner, Gregory Peck, the reporter out for a scoop who falls in love with his “scoop”, the romance, the comic moments … this was celluloid poetry!

*As Good as it gets: Last, but certainly not the least, Jack Nicholson’s mind-blowing, spot-on portrayal of the uncompromising, anti-social recluse, whose life is turned upside down by the advent of a waitress, a dog and a gay neighbor into his life. The Oscar that he got for this one, really well deserved!

For crying out aloud, this has turned out to be one helluva long list!! Movies do that to you – they excite you, arouse your passions, & a good one just puts you on top of the world!

I could go on, but decided to restrict myself to movies that were top of my mind - sure there were many more great films, but these were special. Look forward to hearing from you too about flicks which clicked with you, & which made your dil go hmmm .....