Transformers and Lal Salaam

I watched these 2 drastically different movies recently, Transformers (English, 2007) and Lal Salaam (Hindi, 2002). I don't want to reveal the plots but just want to summarize what I thought.

Transformers started out really well - I enjoyed the first 45 min like anything. But then it dragged on a bit and came down to just the robots fighting each other, with metal pieces flying all over, which is where I somewhat lost interest. There are instances in the movie that are really funny. Like the dialogues of the car dealer who sells bumblebee to Sam '..then we are practically family..' etc. and the constant mention of ebay and paypal throughout the movie were just hilarious. And not to mention the really annoying parents of Sam - I liked his father's character though. On the other hand I was surprised to see that there were obvious details totally missing in an 'english movie' direction. For eg, these huge robots are outside Sam's house and his parents don't know about it and neither do the neighbours! I mean this was worst than the worst of scenes in hindi movies (this goes straight to hindi movie critics he he). Also, the robots switched from alien speaking to english speaking and vice versa whenever convenient. It was just odd. Overall, the movie is ok if you like robots and action but fails to retain any interest specially in the end.

If you want to watch a good yet emotionally charged movie, don't miss Lal Salaam. This is a very well made movie. And whoa, the story is powerful, good direction, makes you think, a little depressing, and consists of good actors. I am always impressed by these lesser known movies that are actually so much fun to watch. An eg. is 'Us paar'. That one has to be one of my favorites - despite poor production quality its simply outstanding! Or the Japanese movie, 'After Life', really good one. There are so many like that, eg Delhiites, Flavors, Rahna hai tere dil main, Prateeksha, among recent ones - I think its time I compiled a list!

In and Out of Jail Sanjay D

Sanjay Dutt is back in jail.

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What does that mean? Nothing. He may be out of jail to spend Diwali at home. He may apply for bail in Supreme court again, and will that bail be forever or interim? Who knows? I don't really understand all matters and facts of this case but seeing him in and out of jain for the past several years is kind of irritating. I am pretty sure, they use this dhara and that dhara of the law (and the lawyers and judges) to get out but there is something that keeps pushing him back in jail. Why has he been given so many liberties? Are others that are accused also in and out? If yes, then thats enough time for them to give and take orders from the 'higher ups' in their gang....this is bad. They should either be totally in or totally out.

With due respect to law that protects us citizens everywhere in the world, I have to say that it is not uniform, and at times unfair. In Sanjay Dutt's case, for eg, if it has been proved that the rifle he possessed was not related to the blasts then he should perhaps be given a less severe punishment - 2 yrs instead of 6 or something like that. In the US, for eg, if someone is caught with drugs or another drug-related minor offense, they are sent straight for 25 yrs in jail. That is a bit too much - you take the whole life of a person away. It does'nt make any sense.

Meanwhile, Sanjay D (and his team) does a good job of staying in limelight and getting public sympathy. He will probably continue to be in and out until he is finally out (not in), which will be sad. And because he is doing it, a lot of the other more seriously accused, like the Memon family and others will be doing the same thing. And that will be really disastrous.

The job of nabbing terrorists and those involved in Mumbai ('06), Hyderabad, Ajmer blasts must be a BIG one - partly because the laws are not that straightforward. Those people are the 'real threats' to the country in my opinion and should be caught and punished severely. Of course, by being consistently behind Sanjay D and other popular figures (Salman, Aamir etc.) it does send a strong message to the public that everybody should respect the LAW.