15. 1920 (Adah Sharma, Rajneesh Duggal)What sets this horror film apart from other "demon posesses girl" horror films is its execution and its performances. The movie is absolutely terrifying but what makes it worthwhile is its question of faith versus science. This is a thought-provoking movie with some satisfying thrills. Adah Sharma, an atypically beautiful woman, throws in a strong, chilling, confident debut.
You'll be surprised by: the pre-intermission scene--it's one of the scariest scenes ever.
Why not to watch: Rakhi Sawant's cameo brings everything down. The hero didn't even enjoy it.
14. Tashan (Akshay Kumar, Saif Ali Khan, Kareena Kapoor, Anil Kapoor)What makes this movie so great is that it is generally hated by India. No, no, they didn't understand the tongue-in-cheek tone and the comic book style violence. But those two things are the soul of this film. And you have the hilarious trio and a quirky Anil Kapoor. Plus the songs are just so hummable.
You'll be surprised by: just how original this script is.
Why not to watch: If you're a Kareena hater, you're going to hate this movie since she is its best performer.
13. De Taali (Ayesha Takia, Ritesh Deshmukh, Rimi Sen, Aftab Shivdasani)What is a movie with this cast doing on my list of the best of 2008? This is a small, quirky and charming romantic-comedy. It is funny, unnecessary and borderline ridiculous but that is the whole point. Throw in a bouncy soundtrack, strong acting jobs and you have a Saturday afternoon well-spent.
You'll be surprised by: how much you're going to like Ritesh Deshmukh in this film
Why not to watch: You don't have a heart or a sense of humor
12. Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye! (Abhay Deol, Paresh Rawal, Neetu Chandra, Archana Puran Singh)What with Rediff critic Raja Sen's endless praise for this film, I expected to hate it. But this crime comedy stole my heart. It starts off extremely well, but the second half kind of trips over itself. The film is an enjoyable watch and it is highly original. Abhay Deol is turning out to be a strong actor.
You'll be surprised by: how quickly the title song takes over your life. ABCD chaida mainu, vaadi biddi chaida mainu...
Why not to watch: Paresh Rawal does three roles in the film.
11. Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi (Shah Rukh Khan, Anusha Sharma, Vinay Pathak)What is unfortunate about this film is that Ms. Sharma is good in her part. She's too good in her part as a village belle and she will fall victim to the same handicap that stopped Gracy Singh, Mahima Chaudhary and others from having the career they deserved. But why worry about that? This small-scale love story is dangerously charming. No matter how much you want to hate it, you just end up falling in love with it Raj&Simran-style. And SRK finally makes fun of himself in a role that parodies the same role we all couldn't live without in the 90s.
You'll be surprised by: how the plot takes on a Shakespearean tone with disguises and mistaken identities.
Why not to watch: If you don't know Shakespeare, this will seem like every other SRK movie.
10. Fashion (Priyanka Chopra, Kangana Raunat, Mughda Godse, Arbaaz Khan)Whatever mistakes Priyanka made in the first four of her six releases this year are quickly wiped out with this hurricane of talent. Priyanka, though helped by a strong supporting cast, rests this film on her shoulders and she proves to be a stellar Atlas. The costumes are expectedly gorgeous. Just a good watch in all.
You'll be surprised by: Kangana Raunat's inability to speak credibly.
Why not to watch: Your local Indian store doesn't have it yet to purchase/rent.
9. Thoda Pyaar, Thoda Magic (Rani Mukherji, Saif Ali Khan, Rishji Kapoor)What other critics didn't like in this film, I will never understand. You have a hilarious, charming and sometimes heart-breaking Mukherji, a sensible Khan, 4 delightfully un-precocious children and a bouncy and imaginative execution. Take the best parts of The Sound of Music and Mary Poppins and throw in some good-natured Desi-ness and you have TPTM.
You'll be surprised by: a hilarious Amisha Patel in an extended cameo.
Why not to watch: Amisha Patel has an extended cameo.
8. Bachna Ae Haseeno (Ranbir Kapoor, Minissha Lamba, Bipasha Basu, Deepika Padukone)What everyone needs to cheer up is this fresh romantic-dramedy about the growing up a man has to do. Ranbir Kapoor is a natural, relatable leading man and his three heroines are really good in their short parts. Kunal Kapoor shows up for a brilliantly done guest appearance. And I still listen to "Khuda Jaane" and "Aashista, Aahista."
You'll be surprised by: which girl gets the meatiest part (though I ruined that spoiler in my review)
Why not to watch: The actor playing Ranbir's friend is one big eye-roll.
7. Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Na (Imran Khan, Genelia D'Souza, Ratna Pathak Shah, Manjari)What's that phrase...old wine, new bottle? Well, JTYJN is the opposite: new wine, old bottle. Like 2007's Jab We Met, Jaane Tu takes a story as old as the hills (friends who don't know they're in love) and gives it a fresh spin. Imran Khan, unconventionally sexy, gives an impressively strong debut. But Genelia D'Souza is the real star. Her performance is ferocious, sensitive and hilarious. The supporting cast is also very good.
You'll be surprised by: Manjari's heartbreaking performance as the self-blinding Meghna.
Why not to watch: The film glorifies the masculinity=violence idealogy and that leaves a sour taste.
6. Rock On!! (Farhan Akhtar, Arjun Rampal, PRACHI DESAI, Luke Penny, Purab Kohli)What did we do before Prachi Desai? This woman gives a confident debut considering she started in the worst place possible: Indian soaps. Farhan Akhtar emerges as a better actor than director and Arjun Rampal shows us that he isn't just a poster boy. Penny and Kohli provide good support. "Yeh, Tumhaari-Meri Baatein" deserves to be an award-winning number.
You'll be surprised by: how this movie stayes with you long after the credits roll.
Why not to watch: You still haven't forgiven Akhtar for Don: The Chase Begins Again.
5. Singh is Kinng (Akshay Kumar, Katrina Kaif, Neha Dhupia, Kirron Kher, Om Puri)What Akshay Kumar should be known for long after he is retired is his endless quest to make us laugh. The man is a comedic genius with a black belt and I respect his work in this film. He becomes Happy which makes us, well, happy. Katrina Kaif provides good support both as a heroine and in the fighting scenes. The other cast members are great in this feel-good film.
You'll be surprised by: just how FUNNY Neha Dhupia is. I'm so glad she's becoming a legitimate actress.
Why not to watch: If you didn't like Welcome, this is cut from the same thread.
4. Dostana (Abhishek Bachchan, John Abraham, Priyanka Chopra, Bobby Deol, Kirron Kher, Boman Irani)What this movie is, besides too hot to handle and too sexy to survive, is perfect. I can't think of a single flaw to attribute to this hilarious sex-comedy. I mean, sure, you have your logisitical problems, but without them there would be no film. John and Abhishek prove to be a good comedic pair and then you add a superb Priyanka and you have a strong, united cast. Irani and Kher give lots of laughs with their over-the-top caricatures. Bobby Deol adds some wholesome charm to the proceedings. Plus, there's the nonstop hit machine soundtrack and the beautiful Miami.
You'll be surprised by: how much John shows some almost-nudity. Will India ever get over that ridiculous taboo?
Why not to watch: You hate laughing.
3. Ghajini (Aamir Khan, Asin, Pradeep Rawat, Jiah Khan)What this movie has ie everything: action, romance, suspense, comedy and Jiah Khan. Aamir Khan plays his most complex and demanding role yet. His nearly animalistic cruelty of the present scenes is nicely balanced with romantic hero of the flashback scenes. Tamil actress Asin gives the first half its comedy with some Frasier-style farce. But she also delivers in the second half in one of the most thrilling and scariest scenes in Bollywood. Rawat provides a good villain and Jiah Khan is surprisingly good. Golden Globe-winning A.R. Rahman provides his most complete soundtracks ever and every song is a hit.
You'll be surprised by: how quickly you become a slave to the song "Aye Bachchu." Also, Shreya Goshal's rendition of "Latoo, Latoo" is revolutionary.
Why not to watch: If you still think that this movie is a direct copy of Memento, you don't deserve to see it.
2. Jodhaa Akbar (Hrithik Roshan, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Sonu Sood, Ila Arun)What this movie means to me is almost too hard to explain. I remember very clearly going to see it and being completely moved by the gentle courtship of Jalaluddin and Jodhaa. The political drama is also very complelling. Golden Globe-winning A.R. Rahman gives some very radical musical pieces like the earth-shattering "Azeem O Shaan Shahenshah" and the simply complex "Khwaja Mere Khwaja." And don't even get me started on the glorious performances by the two leads. Fantastic.
You'll be surprised by: the intense sexual tension between Jalal and Jodhaa.
Why not to watch: Unfortunately, the battle scenes leave a lot to be desired.
And the winner for the best film of 2008 goes to...
1. Race (Saif Ali Khan, Bipasha Basu, Akshaye Khanna, Katrina Kaif, Anil Kapoor, Sameera Reddy)What other movie stood the test of time like this one did? 9 months after its release, this movie is still "on the mind" of many a viewer. Sometimes funny, sometimes suspensful but always surprising, this movie actually ended up on Rediff critic Raja Sen's "worst films" list specifically for the same reason why it's number 1 here: it keeps you guessing. And it's very glamorous. The costumes, sets, action sequences--everything is on a bigger scale. The 6 give good performances and the music is chart-busting. What else can you ask for in a thriller?
You'll be surprised by: Katrina's big jaw-dropper ("Boss? Woh mere boss nahin the...woh mere husband the!") Sorry. I just wanted to throw my favorite line in there.
Why not to watch: Sameera Reddy's part could have been written and acted better.
And there you have it, the 15 must-see movies of 2008.
Here are some superlatives of the year:
Hit Jodi: Abhishek Bachchan and John Abraham
Worst Film: Drona
Best Choreography: Khwab Dekhe (Race), Jee Karda (Singh is Kinng) and Aye Bachchu (Ghajini)
Most Awaited Films Releasing in the Next Month: Luck By Chance, Dev D and Chandni Chowk To China
Best Song: Tu Muskura (Yuvvraaj)
Star of the Year: Priyanka Chopra
Nightingale Award: Dominique Cerejo for "Yeh, Tumhaari-Meri Baatein" (Rock On!!)
I'm Excited for the Career of: Adah Sharma and Prachi Desai
Hope you enjoyed it!
