Holi Sense, Or: A Short Story That Encapsulates My Inability To Not Embrace The Indian Experience
As usual we were rushing. We had to catch the Express train from Agra after having spent the morning looking at the Taj Mahal by sunrise.[1] This is too bad because they had a dosa station at the Clark’s Shiraz[2]; they had an omelet bar too but I had never seen a dosa bar before. Just as I had finished having my first omelet Ma came rushing telling us we had to leave in order to catch the Express and make to Delhi in time for Holi.
Yes, it was Holi. My second favorite Indian holiday[3]. I was so looking forward to this because it was going to be the first time I was going to play Holi since I left school. And, oh yeah, The Better Half was with me.[4]
Anyways, we just about made it to Agra Cantt [5] Railway Station with a couple of minutes to spare. I was relieved for those few spare minutes because not only was it Holi, but I wanted to get a magazine to read. And, oh yeah, TBH was ravenously hungry and thirsty.
It was then that Baba noticed we were on Track 4 – all the way on the other side of the station.
Fine, so we get our bags, run up to the crossway and make our way over the tracks, and arrive at the very last one. Since we had bags, it was India in March (which meant already hot for my soft Southern California sensibilities), and I am past my thirtieth birthday, I was dead tired. We decided to sit at a nearby bench.
It was then that my Basu Holi Sense started tingling.[5]
From the corner of my eyes I could see some young ‘uns playing with Holi colors. Back in my day it would have been a bit too early to really start playing Holi, but it was a new day now and these youths were already having a good time, a really good time.
And I was wearing one of my favorite shirts.[6]
I discreetly took TBH by the hand and had her move back slowly. The youths can detect flight and can smell your fear. You have to be cool, man. Real cool.
She began to protest when I silenced her with my intense stare. “Remind me to tell you about Jatin Bobb[7],” I whispered.
And there it was, a shriek and M jumped up from the bench. There was color all over her pants and bag. The youths had stuck, and once again, BHS had come in handy.
Naturally, it was all B’s fault, and M was letting him have it. Suddenly, with very little warning he took off. Now the fight-or-flight instinct clearly tilts towards the latter when it comes to B, but this time he had a perfectly good explanation.
The E had been moved back to its original track, all the way back to the other end of the station.
So, once again it was bags, crosswalk, running, and back at the first track. The E was there, waiting to take off and I panicked. I got all of us on board when I noticed that B had gone off to talk to the Conductor while we waited helplessly in our compartment.
“Doesn’t he know the train’s about to leave?” I asked of no one in particular since both TBH and M were busy organizing our bags and berths.
Presently B showed up with the C who made the berths into beds and put some tea on the boil for us.
I was mad at him. Didn’t he realize that the train was about to leave? It was the E train for God’s sale, there was no messing around. There was so much to do, get our tickets validated, ask the C to move us from the outer berths to the inner berths, we had to call Chhoto and Mathieu to let them know what time we were coming in… I was busy organizing everything and saving us from being doused in color thanks to BHS…and now I was freaking out. Freaking out!
Then the announcement was made that the train was late and there was going to be a shortage of bedding supplies, the supplies that B had arranged for us when he took off while I was freaking out.
And then B turned to me and said simply, “Express means it’s going to be late.”
“But, but…” I whimpered helplessly.
“You’ve been gone too long, you’ve forgotten what it’s like back home.”
With that he turned around and went to sleep on the bedding that was in shortage. And then TBH said those fateful words: “You have some Holi color on your favorite shirt.”
Great, just bl**dy great.
Endnotes
1. The Taj Mahal at sunrise is better than the TM at sunset and by daylight. Presumably it is better than the TM by moonlight, but I wouldn’t know since I never got to see it by moonlight. [1a]
2. The CS is not quite as fancy as the Oberoi Amervilas[2a] but it has a nice retro-once-luxurious feel to it with very friendly and efficient service.
3. My first favorite being, naturally, Diwali.[3a]
4. Needless to say, everything in India was the first time for her.
5. The BHS is this innate ability I have that senses even the slightest hint of danger vis-a-vis getting colored dye all over yourself.
6. To be fair Chhoto did tell me I was being an idiot for wearing that shirt.[6a]
7. We were going out for Holi at Doon and Jatin Bobb was supposed to meet his Welhamite girlfriend at Presidents. JB got completely dressed up in a new school blazer, crisp white shirt, and nicely ironed gray wool trousers. Now Doscos this dressed up are prime targets to anyone in Dehra Dun, and this being Holi, we were even more of a target. We finally managed to find a chooch to take us after all the craziness had died down. We were a few yards away from Presidents when the BHS went off like crazy. A scooter carrying those dreaded youths, three of them, made the ultimate rallying cry: “Dekho, Doscos!” I did what any self-respecting young man would do. I ran. And left JB behind. I ran up the first flight of stairs I saw and into an apartment. It was populated by a very kind young family who gave me tea and biscuits while I waited out the youths. I ultimately made my way to Presidents to find JB their with his WGF. The legend of what happened in those intervening moments still stands to this day. JB just stood there when he was accosted by the youths. They showered him with every color imaginable and he just stood his ground. When they left, he took out his handkerchief, blindingly white against his multi-colored body, from his inside breast pocket and used it to wipe the color from around his eyes. He slowly put the handkerchief away, and walked down the middle of the street, head held high, all the way to Presidents. He strode into the restaurant as everyone looked up from their meals, sat down wordlessly across from his WG and confidently ordered the world-famous Butter Chicken and an ice-cold Thums Up. He never spoke about what happened to him, and to this day the halls of The Doon School reverberate with the hushed tones of this story being handed down from one Dosco generation to another. [7a]
Footnotes for the Endnotes
1a. The reason we never got to see it by moonlight was because they changed the rules on us and we were required to register with the Tourism Board the day before to let them know we wanted to do TMBM.
2a. Holy Mother of God! Have you seen the OA? Forget the St. Regis or the Montage in Laguna, this is the real epitome of absolute, soul-sapping, mind-numbing, d**chebag-generating luxury. Dude! Duuude!!
3a. Okay, I know, so being Bengali it’s almost anathema to not pick Durga Puja as my first favorite but I’ve never really been around for DP so I for now it will have to be my third favorite.
6a. My sister is amazed at my lack of Indian street-smarts. “You haven’t been gone that long, stop being such a foreigner,” she is wont to tell me.
7a. This is just one of the many, many stories about JB that I could enthrall you with. The rest will have to wait for another day…
Cheers!
The basu! Guide to the Movies
(The Roger-Federer-Is-King! Edition)
10 – 24 July 2009
The b! List
Ten things that are the best, ever (currently)!
Special Mention: Christopher Nolan. I can’t believe last week I left the great man off the list of stylish directors working in movies today. He’s right up there. My bad!
1. [Tie] Tom Watson. Oh man, so close, so very, very close. What a story that would have been! One of the few times that a defeat can resemble something like victory.
1. [Tie] Andy Roddick. Oh man, so close, so very, very close. What a story that would have been! One of the few times that a defeat can resemble something like victory.
2. Andrew Flintoff (and The English Cricket Team). What a thrilling victory in the Second Test of the Ashes series! He may not be quite Sir Beefy (Ian Botham), but if they pull this off, Freddy Flintoff will be immortalized. Man!
3. Pete Sampras and Marat Safin. I gotta tell ya, ol’ Pistol Pete may be close to 40, but boy was he still cracking those serves and killing those forehands against the crazy, tempestuous, genius, mercurial Russian. What a way to kick off the LA Tennis Open!
4. The Brat Pack Mashup Video of Phoenix’s “Lisztomania”. Sent to me by my old USC colleague Matt “MattHarry” Harry. Greatest fake video, ever!
5. Hung [HBO, Sunday, 10/9c]. Just when you thought HBO was out, they pull you back in with another great show (even if The Better Half is not a fan).
6. “Orange Shirt” by Discovery. The perfect summer song from the new Rostam Batmanglij (TBH’s favorite member of Vampire Weekend) side-project.
7. Civilized by stellastarr*. The most awesome band is finally back, and better than ever! Can’t wait to see them at the Troubadour, again!
8. Three Sheets [FLN, Monday, 10/9c]. TBH’s favorite show has been saved from near-oblivion and brought back to glorious life. Sometimes I wish I was Zane Lamprey…sigh!
9. Marion Cotillard in Public Enemies. The great French actress provided the much-needed heart in an otherwise cold (if brilliantly directed) movie. Man is she good! I dare you to not cry at the end of the film...dare you!
10. Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father. Oh…my…God! I cannot in all good conscience recommend that you actually watch this horrifying, gripping, incredible documentary. My old pal “Krazy” Krish Prabhakar told me about it, but he never warned me about it! Man, I couldn’t sleep for a week…and it’s a documentary! Holy Mother of God!
One(s) to Watch: Great Documentaries!
The Beaches of Agnes
Directed by: Agnes Varda
Starring: Agnes Varda, and Many, Many Artistes Like Jacques Demy, and Jean-Luc Goddard, and Chris Marker, and Alain Rena’s, and etc. etc. etc.
Plot: The renowned French New Wave filmmaker recounts her wonderful life. Sigh-this-is-why-documentaries-are-so-great type complications ensue.
The basu! Buzz: Like a wonderful Summer evening spent with your adorable aunt…who just happens to be one of the greatest filmmakers of all time. This little trip down memory lane is so full of life, and charm, and warmth, that you just feel like snuggling up in a blanket with someone you love, with a nice cuppa tea in your hands, and just let it wash all over you. Varda could easily have settled into a mundane, run-of-the-mill life; instead she quietly fought to carve out this incredibly creative existence, and she is more than willing to share her gift with the world. If you ever feel like you are wasting your life away doing something you feel no passion for, then you must watch this movie for that bolt of inspiration that will make you take the leaps of faith she did. C’est Magnifique!
Bottom Line: Those Lucky Few in Manhattan and Los Angeles: Theatres – First Week; Other, Less Geographically Fortunate Souls: DVD
Other Movies to Check Out (as well): Cleo from 5 to 7; Vagabond; The Gleaners and I; Kung-Fu Master; A Pregnant Woman’s Notebook; Uncle Yanco; La Pointe Courte; Jacquot de Nantes; Daguerreotypes; One Sings, the Other Doesn’t
Soul Power
Directed by: Jeffrey Levy-Hinte
Starring: The Great Miriam Makeba, James Brown, Celia Cruz, B. B. King, Bill Withers
Plot: An epic concert takes place in Zaire before the (in)famous Rumble in the Jungle. Get-ready-for-a-foot-tapping-great-time type complications ensue.
The basu! Buzz: This was just barely hinted at in the great When We Were Kings: The musical extravaganza that was part of that whole Rumble in the Jungle deal. You saw a few snippets in that remarkable film, and boy am I glad they made a full-length feature out of it.
Bottom Line: Those Fortunate Few in Manhattan and Los Angeles: Theatres – Eventually; Other, Less Fortunate Souls: DVD
Other Movies to Check Out (as well): When We Were Kings; Wattstax; Standing in the Shadows of Motown; Amandla! A Revolution in Four Part Harmony; Buena Vista Social Club
Afghan Star
Directed by: Havana Marking
Starring: Daoud Sediqi, Setara Hussainzada, Lima Sahar, Hameed Sakhizada, Rafi Naabzada
Plot: Contestants brave death threats to take part in Afghanistan’s version of American Idol. Something-tells-me-they-have-more-at-stake-here-than-Simon-Cowell’s-approval type complications ensue.
The basu! Buzz: You know that whole is-he-or-isn’t-he? stuff that went around with Adam Lambert on American Idol this year? That is nothing compared to the real life consequences the contestants have to deal with on the Afghani version of the show. I mean, I know that Simon Cowell’s withering criticism can be crushing to one’s hopes and dreams; but it certainly isn’t as bad as putting one’s life in danger, right?
Bottom Line: Those Lucky Few in Manhattan and Los Angeles: Theatres – Eventually; Other, Less Fortunate Souls: DVD
Other Movies to Check Out (as well): Taxi to the Dark Side; No End in Sight; Why We Fight; Control Room; Gunner Palace
The English Surgeon
Directed by: Geoffrey Smith
Starring: Dr. Henry Marsh, Dr. Igor Kurilets
Plot: A highly regarded British neurosurgeon travels afar to administer to the needy. Well-he’s-clearly-not-an-American -surgeon type complications ensue.
The basu! Buzz: C’mon man, a life-affirming documentary about a doctor saving the lives of those much less fortunate than ourselves that gets a 90 on RottenTomatoes? You know you’re gonna have to watch it…on DVD (it won’t stay in theatres long enough – which is always too bad).
Bottom Line: Those Lucky Few in Manhattan: Theatres – First Week [Otherwise It’ll Be Gone]; Other, Less Fortunate Souls: DVD
Other Movies to Check Out (as well): Young @ Heart; The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill; Paper Clips; Lost Boys of Sudan; The Garden
One to Watch: The Birth of the Indie Hipster Rom-Com
(500) Days of Summer
Directed by: Marc Webb
Starring: Zooey Deschanel, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Clark Gregg
Plot: A quirky, introverted young man falls into an ill-fated love affair with a doe-eyed ingenue. What-is-it-about-Zooey-Deschanel-and-these-kinds-of-guys? type complications ensue.
The basu! Buzz: Ah, Deschanel. I’ m a big fan, so naturally I want to see this movie. Especially since it got all those great reviews at Sundance, and especially because I’m somewhat of a fan of Gordon-Levitt post-Brick. Also, I really am getting too old to watch these indie-hipster-youth romantic comedies, so I might as well do it while I still can.
Bottom Line: All Those Indie-Hipsters Populating Williamsburg (Brooklyn) and Silver Lake (Los Feliz-Adjacent): Theatres – First Week; Me, and Other Fans of Zooey Deschanel: Theatres – Eventually; Other, More Measured Souls: DVD
Other Movies to Check Out (as well): Elf; The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy; All the Real Girls; Gigantic; Winter Passing
One to Watch: The Birth of the Brom-Com
Humpday
Directed by: Lynn Shelton
Starring: Mark Duplass, Alycia Delmore, Joshua Leonard, Lynn Shelton, Trina Willard
Plot: Two straight male friends decide to take their heteros*xual male love to the next level. And-there-we-have-it-the-brom-com type complications ensue.
The basu! Buzz: Oh man! You know all those movies and TV shows out there? All those “buddy” movies from Lethal Weapon to TV shows like House and The OC? You know how we always said that the heart of these movies and shows was the platonic love between the two male lead characters. Now what if the love wasn’t so platonic after all? Dude…dude! Sounds pretty out there, no? The film killed at Sundance, and man, am I stoked to check it out…not that, of course, there is anything wrong with that.
Bottom Line: Theatres – Eventually
Other Movies to Check Out (as well): Sholay; Tango & Cash; Lethal Weapon; 48 Hrs.; Trading Places; The Odd Couple; Planes, Trains and Automobiles; Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid; Thelma & Louise; The Caddy; Rush Hour 2; Road to Morocco; Some Like It Hot; Friday; Gunfight at the O.K. Corral; Up in Smoke; See No Evil, Hear No Evil; Bad Boys; Midnight Run; The Defiant Ones; Stakeout; Wayne’s World; The X Files [1998]; The Blues Brothers; Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure; Turner & Hooch; Running Scared [1986]; Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle; and the greatest bro-mantic comedy of all time: Top Gun
One to Watch: Oooh, Political Satire
In the Loop
Directed by: Armando Iannucci
Starring: James Gandolfini, Steve Coogan, David Rasche, Anna Chlumsky, Peter Capaldi
Plot: Two Western Superpowers are intent on starting a war, under any circumstances. Sometimes-satire-can-be-too-close-to-the-truth type complications ensue.
The basu! Buzz: Another movie that got some buzz at Sundance. And you know what, there really is no satire like political satire. And there is no political satire like British political satire (the few things they do better than the French). Something tells me that this little movie is going to make its way to HBO in short order, so if you’re not careful, it’ll be gone before you know it.
Bottom Line: Those Lucky Few in Manhattan: Theatres – Eventually; Other, Less Fortunate Souls: DVD
Other Movies to Check Out (as well): Wag the Dog; Dick; Fahrenheit 9/11; Bulworth; Election
One(s) to Consider: Once-Great Actors Playing Out the String
Shrink
Directed by: Jonas Pate
Starring: Kevin Spacey, Robin Williams, Saffron Burrows, Dallas Roberts, Robert Loggia
Plot: A well-known Hollywood psychiatrist is beginning to lose faith in his life. Talk-about-job-security-in-this-economy type complications ensue.
The basu! Buzz: Man, seriously, whatever happened to Spacey? A Sundance movie (another one?) with Spacey as a burnt-out cynic looking for some meaning in his life populated with name-stars? A few years ago, this would have been all over the place. Now, it’s getting dumped by Lionsgate in just a few theatres before it makes it to DVD in short order. Poor chap, I bet he never thought he would be getting dumped by Lionsgate (seriously, very few mini-majors are worse than ol’ LG…maybe Summit, but very few are actually worse) back when he was winning his second Oscar for American Beauty.
Bottom Line: Me, and Other Fans of Kevin Spacey In His Wheelhouse: Theatres – Eventually; Other, More Measured Souls: DVD
Other Movies to Check Out (as well): L.A. Confidential; The Usual Suspects; Glengarry Glen Ross; The Ref; Swimming with Sharks; Se7en; The Negotiator; Recount [TV]
The Answer Man
Directed by: John Hindman
Starring: Jeff Daniels, Nora Dunn, Lauren Graham, Olivia Thirlby, Kat Dennings
Plot: A reclusive author might find true love when he bumps into a lovely stranger. Stop-me-if-you’ve-heard-this-one-before type complications ensue.
The basu! Buzz: I’ve always liked Daniels. The other day my ol’ pal Ben Lauter was telling me about this awesome movie called Something Wild directed by Jonathan Demme and starring Daniels (and a little someone I like to call Ray Liotta). I thought for sure that with The Squid and the Whale Daniels would see a nice little late-career rebirth (which I thought would happen for Liotta with Narc). Unfortunately, it never happened, so I guess we’ll have to make do with films like this (hopefully there’ll be one for Liotta coming along soon, too).
Bottom Line: Me, and Other Fans of Jeff Daniels (and Ray Liotta): Theatres – Eventually; Other, Less Nostalgic Souls: DVD
Other Movies to Check Out (as well): Something Wild; Terms of Endearment; The Purple Rose of Cairo; Arachnophobia; The Squid and the Whale
Movies
Bruno
Directed by: Larry Charles
Starring: Sacha Baron Cohen
Plot: A German TV host comes to America to become famous but is forced to deal with homophobia. So-disappointing type complications ensue.
The basu! Buzz: Right off the bat let me just say that I cannot say for certain if the movie bashed homophobia, or just advanced it. I am not the one to make the judgment whether it skewered hateful stereotypes, or just promoted them. I won’t even say if it was unfair of the film to go after the easiest of targets, baiting them into exposing the very worst of themselves (who is to say any of us would have acted any differently in the same circumstances?). I won’t even comment on the social experiment of watching the movie in different neighborhoods and guessing whether the people walking out of the theatre are offended by their perception of the film’s homophobia or homos*xuality. What I can unequivocally say is that the movie is not, in fact, funny. It isn’t. And that, my friend, may be the saddest thing of all.
Bottom Line: Those with Fond Memories of Borat: DVD; Other, More Enlightened Souls: Pass
Other Movies to Check Out (instead): Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan; Ali G Indahouse; Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
Directed by: David Yates
Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, and Many Great British Actors Looking For a Paycheck Like Michael Gambon, Jim Broadbent, Helena Bonham Carter, Robbie Coltrane, Alan Rickman, Timothy Spall, David Thewlis, Julie Walters, the Perennially Amazing Ralph Fiennes, and the Great Dame Maggie Smith
Plot: A young wizard must embrace his destiny and battle the evil villain who killed his parents. How-many-movies-will-this-battle-take? type complications ensue.
The basu! Buzz: I used to work with these two kids Rich Chen and Chris McCarley. Man, did they love these Harry Potter books. They also love the movies. Personally, I don’t want to tell them that I once gave up Premiere tickets to Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets because I wanted to catch a free early screening of The Recruit. Man, they would just die!
Bottom Line: Rich Chen, Chris McCarley, and Other “Dedicated” Fans of Harry Potter: IMAX – Opening Night; Other, More Measures Souls: Theatres – Eventually
Other Movies to Check Out (as well): Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban; Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire; Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix; Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets; Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
The Ugly Truth
Directed by: Robert Luketic
Starring: Katherine Heigl, Gerard Butler, Kevin Connolly, Cheryl Hines, and the great John Michael Higgins
Plot: A single TV producer finds herself unwittingly falling for her boorish new show host. Let-me-guess-we’re-in-for-a-battle-of-the-s*xes type complications ensue.
The basu! Buzz: You know, I’m so glad that Butler is going to get his Man-Card back with Gamer…I really can’t take more of these crappy rom-coms he’s been in. I mean, fine, he’s gotta earn a living and he probably needs to extend his range, but if you’re gonna do rom-coms at least do some decent ones.
Bottom Line: Me, and Other Fans of Gerard Butler: Pass! [And Rent 300 Instead]; Those Just Looking for Something to Pass the Time: DVD
Other Movies to Check Out (as well): Four Weddings and a Funeral; His Girl Friday; When Harry Met Sally...; Annie Hall; Two Weeks Notice
Orphan
Directed by: Jaume Collet-Serra
Starring: Peter Sarsgaard, Vera Farmiga, C C H Pounder, Margo Martindale, Isabelle Fuhrman
Plot: A couple adopts a young girl only to discover something might be terribly wrong with her. Whoops-there-go-those-national-adoption-rates type complications ensue.
The basu! Buzz: I bet when Farmiga finally got her big breakthrough with The Departed (after toiling for years as a critically-beloved actress in critically-beloved little movies like Down to the Bone) she never thought she would make not one but two Bad Seed rip-offs!
Bottom Line: Those Brave Souls Not Afraid of Scary Movies Theatres – First Week [Otherwise Someone Will Give Away the Twist Ending]; Me, and Other Cowardly Sorts: DVD [And Then Sleep with All the Lights On]; Other People with Some Semblance of Taste: Pass
Other Movies to Check Out (instead): The Omen [1976]; The Bad Seed; Child's Play
G-Force
Directed by: Hoyt H. Yeatman Jr.
Starring: Nicolas Cage, Sam Rockwell, Jon Favreau, Penelope Cruz, Steve Buscemi, Tracy Morgan, Bill Nighy, Will Arnett, Zach Galifianakis, Loudon Wainwright III
Plot: The fate of the world lies in the hands of guinea pigs. And-you-thought-they-were-just-cute type complications ensue.
The basu! Buzz: This is why my parents want me to have kids so bad? So I can look forward to a life filled with 3-D movies about rodents? Really?
Bottom Line: Those with Young Kids in Need of Some Babysitting Help: Theatres – Eventually [In 3-D]; Other, Less Harried Souls: Pass
Other Movies to Check Out (instead): Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey; Howard the Duck; Doctor Dolittle [1967]
I Love You, Beth Cooper
Directed by: Chris Columbus
Starring: Hayden Panettiere, Paul Rust, Jack Carpenter
Plot: A nerdy valedictorian shakes things up during his graduation speech when he unexpectedly professes his love for the popular cheerleader. Probably-not-what-his-parents-wanted type complications ensue.
The basu! Buzz: Once Columbus (no relation to the man who discovered America) was directing such box-office smashes like the Home Alone and Harry Potter franchises; and star vehicles for Julia Roberts (Stepmom), Robin Williams (Mrs. Doubtfire), and Hugh Grant (Nine Months). Now he’s making movies headlining the cheerleader from Heroes. It all goes so quickly doesn’t it? In my own little way, I can relate.
Bottom Line: Pass
Other Movies to Check Out (instead): Ferris Bueller's Day Off; The Breakfast Club; Sixteen Candles; Pretty in Pink; Some Kind of Wonderful
I Hate Valentine's Day
Directed by: Nia Vardalos
Starring: Nia Vardalos, John Corbett, Mike Starr, Judah Friedlander, Rachel Dratch
Plot: A cynical New York woman is forced to reconsider her view on love after suddenly falling for a stranger. Enjoy-those-My-Big-Fat-Greek-Wedding -residuals-while-you-still-can type complications ensue.
The basu! Buzz: Really? We all thought that the Summer of 2009 would be the Summer of Nia? Really? Not one, but two lightweight rom-coms with her in the lead going after impossible-to-believe men? Really?
Bottom Line: Those Who Want Some Light Summer Rom-Com Fun: Watch The Proposal Instead; Other, More Embittered Souls Like Me: Pass
Other Movies to Check Out (instead): My Big Fat Greek Wedding; Four Weddings and a Funeral; A Wedding; Monsoon Wedding; Wedding Crashers; My Best Friend’s Wedding
The Top Movie of 2008 That I Saw in 2009
Gomorrah
The Top 10 Movies of 2009
Goodbye Solo [tie]
The Hurt Locker [tie]
Up [tie]
The Beaches of Agnes (new entry)
Public Enemies (new entry)
The Hangover
Star Trek
The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3 (new entry)
Drag Me To H*ll
Coraline
Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs (new entry)
Tyson
Top 10 Films Out Right Now That I Positively Have to See
(500) Days of Summer
Humpday
In the Loop
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
Year One
Food, Inc.
Whatever Works
Afghan Star
Soul Power
The Proposal
The basu! Guide to the Oscars Early Wishful Picks
Best Use of Subtlety and Nuance: Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen
Best Picture: Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen; Goodbye Solo; The Hurt Locker; Up; The Beaches of Agnes; The Hangover; Star Trek; Public Enemies; The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3; Drag Me To H*ll; Coraline; Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs; Tyson
Best Director: Kathryn Bigelow (The Hurt Locker); Michael Mann (Public Enemies); Michael Bay (Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen)
Best Actor: Souleymane Sy Savane (Goodbye Solo); Shia LaBeouf (Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen)
Best Actress: Marion Cotillard (Public Enemies); Julia Roberts (Duplicity); Megan Fox (Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen)
Best Supporting Actor: Red West (Goodbye Solo); Optimus Prime (Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen)
Best Supporting Actress: Lorna Raver (Drag Me To H*ll); Isabel Lucas (Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen)
Best Screenplay: Ramin Bahrani and Bahareh Azimi (Goodbye Solo); Ehren Kruger, Roberto Orci, and Alex Kurtzman (Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen)
Best Adapted Screenplay: Henry Selick and Neil Gaiman (Coraline)
Best Cinematography: Barry Ackroyd (The Hurt Locker); Ben Seresin (Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen)