Sweethearts Candy Blog's

Cast: Michael Jackson
Director: Kenny Ortega
Rating: ***

This is it. The moment has arrived. For weeks there has been widespread speculation around the actual content of the musical documentary on Michael Jackson.

While director Kenny Ortega had announced that the film would give a sneak peek of Jackson's rehearsals for his concert series by the same name ("This Is It"), naysayers wondered if they would indeed get to see what was promised.

Conspiracy theories about a body double being used to make this film were all around as also that the movie "This Is It" was yet another means to cash in on the popularity of the legend who died June 25.

But this is not the case. The two-hour film features Jackson the way he was and there is no duplicate filling in for him. Yes, the horror of his failing health is pretty much visible in his weak body structure. However, what is certainly not missing is the man's energy, passion, determination and zeal to give it all to his fans.

"Love you all" and "God bless you" are mouthed frequently by the pop star who got his rehearsals captured on camera for his personal library. Now when the man is no more, these videos have been cut and edited to give audiences something to cheer about.

Seeing a parallel global release, the film captures Jackson in perhaps not his full glory since the spunk created in front of live audiences is always different from on-stage rehearsals.

However, what truly shocks is the fact that the man was pretty much alive, kicking and raring to go for his comeback concert. After seeing his moves, it is hard to believe that his health had deteriorated to such an extent that he met with a sudden death soon after.

"This Is It" is surely a treat for Jackson fans. For those who aren't, the film doesn't quite give any insight into the man's life since it is assumed that "This Is It" is mainly for those who were closely following his music and were prepared for the concert. So, if anyone is looking for a documentary on his life per se, then this really isn't it!

However, for those who were looking forward to the concert, this is not really a bad bargain. After all there are hit numbers like "Beat It", "Billie Jean" and many more that find a place in it. This becomes all the more interesting since Jackson comes up with new moves for these songs while making them further contemporary and presenting them to today's audiences.

The only thing that one misses as the film concludes is some more footage around comments from the people associated with the show. There are a few at the beginning but otherwise the film begins and ends like a concert video.

That was the intent of the feature for sure but it would have helped had audiences been given to know a little more about Michael Jackson - the man and not just Michael Jackson - the performer.

Cast: Amitabh Bachchan, Sanjay Dutt, Riteish Deshmukh, Jacqueline Fernandes, Saahil Khan, Ratna Pathak
Director: Sujoy Ghosh
Rating: ***

"I am still a teenager", says Amitabh Bachchan right at the beginning of "Aladin", setting the mood for the film to follow. Young at heart and fresh in treatment, "Aladin" wouldn't have been possible without him.

Playing Genius - The Genie could have gone either way since he is expected to be whacky, quirky, a little eccentric, a bit mad and hugely lovable.

The narrative is clearly divided into two sections. If the first half is more children friendly, the second half has a lot going for teenagers and above.

There is some fun in store for children with a donkey's head replacing Riteish's, his guitar turning into a frog and him being thrown in the air after being turned into a balloon. The funny antics that follow may not have grown ups rolling with laughter, but should surely keep the smiles on.

Amitabh's 'Yo dude' act keeps the fun going. He adopts a completely different body language as the flamboyant genie, who is happy moving on with the times, and could give the younger generation a run for its money.

Meanwhile, Sanjay Dutt's Ringmaster character makes on and off appearances, though one would have expected to see more of him.

The entire past about Aladin and the Genius gets a little confusing.

The real fun begins in the second half with the battle between good versus evil. Sanjay becomes more prominent on screen, the past is unearthed, action and thrills take centrestage and the best of VFX is unveiled.

The visuals belong to the never-seen-before variety, especially the ones where Big B is shown repenting about his misdeeds. The flashback sequence is extremely well done too.

Sujoy Ghosh does well in conjuring the imaginary world of 'Khwaish' that gives the film a visual appeal. This is further enhanced by the presence of newcomer Jacqueline Fernandes.

Riteish is likeable as the young man who gets superpowers towards the film's end, hence keeping an option for a sequel.

Sanjay is good but how one wishes that he had at least a couple of dramatic scenes with Amitabh.

However, the film completely belongs to Amitabh who totally steals the show. Watch him in "Genie Rap" and you'll know why.

The story of "Aladin" is legendary and Genie and Jasmine are known worldwide. This is why it requires courage for a filmmaker to set the film in contemporary times and come up with his own take on a well loved tale.

Ghosh does exactly that as he lets his imagination go wild and spins a tale that ends up relating the past, present and future of these characters. This VFX filled entertainer is just the right recipe if one is looking for a family entertainer.

Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Guzaarish is turning out to be one hot project. After agreeing to sing for the first time on-screen with Aishwarya, Hrithik is all set to lock lips in an intimate scene as well. Alas, the lucky lady will not be the Bachchan bahu but hot bod model Monikangana Dutta who is playing his former love interest.

According to sources, “Although Aishwarya is paired opposite Hrithik, he has intimate scenes with Monikangana. As she plays Hrithik’s former love interest, Bhansali wanted their sizzling chemistry to be quite apparent.

Monikangana has a small but very important role and it was imperative that she has intimate lovemaking scenes with Hrithik.

Being a debutante actress, the model is nervous about her passionate scenes with the actor. The intimate scenes will be shot during the film’s next schedule in January in Goa but Bhansali has already briefed the two.

We hear that the lovemaking scene between Hrithik and Monikangana is far more crucial as Bhansali wants to highlight their love for each other in his film. Apparently, Hrithik’s wife Sussanne is aware about the passionate scenes and has spoken to Monikangana so that she is less nervous while shooting for them.

In Guzaarish, Hrithik plays a paraplegic suffering from impairments of the motor and sensory functions of the lower limbs. Aishwarya Rai plays his nurse in the movie.

Kareena Kapoor seems to be on a patch up spree. Recently, when Kareena was on air for an exclusive interview with a TV channel, she was unperturbed and answered every question related to her past relationship with Shahid.

When asked if they are still in contact, she answered candidly, “No, we are not in touch. Shahid and I shared a wonderful relationship in the past, the least we can do is wish each other well. At least I know I do that from my side.”

But the story doesn't end here. After wishing her ex-flame well, she is now ready to mend ties with Bachchan junior as well.

Buzz is that the two have been signed for Abbas-Mustan’s untitled film, a remake of the Hollywood film, Italian Job. The movie will also star Katrina Kaif and Neil Nitin Mukesh in lead roles.

According to a source the director duo initially approached Saif Ali Khan to star with Bebo for the role but he did not have dates and he was replaced by Abhishek Bachchan.

Both actors made their acting debut together in Refugee and have been in the industry for years but have only starred together in two films till date.

While Kareena’s manager Zahid denies that she has signed the film, a source close to Abbas Mustan says, “The directors always had Kareena in mind and now they have managed to get Katrina on board too. The film will go on the floors in April and like every Abbas Mustan film, this too will also be shot on a lavish budget at international locations. The directors are clear about who they want to cast in the film.”

The Italian Job (2003) rights are with Studio 18. CEO Sandeep Bhargava of Studio 18 says, “We have the rights of Italian Job. Abbas Mustan are working on the script and will also direct the film. The movie will go on the floors sometime next year.”

There’s a chance that Shamita may not be able to attend her sister’s wedding. According to highly- placed sources at Colors there seems to be no provision to get a contestant out of a game show for a wedding.

Hard as it may be to believe, Shilpa Shetty’s kid-sister now locked away in Bigg Boss, is oblivious of the momentous developments in her star-sister’s life.

Says a highly-placed Colors source, “Shamita has not been told anything about Shilpa’s engagement or the marriage in the last week of November. As far Shamita knows the marriage was supposed to happen in December after the show was over.”

Now that Shilpa has approached the channel to evict her sister in time for the wedding—and a meeting between the two parties is on the cards this weekend—the channel bosses are at a loss as to how the rules can be bent to get Shamita out of the Bigg Boss house.

Says the source, “There’s a provision for a house-mate to be brought out in a case of an extreme emergency. It happened with Jade Goody last year.But does a sister’s unscheduled wedding qualify as a family crisis? We’re now wondering if the same rule as Jade can be applied to Shamita’s case.”

The international Big Brother rules are being consulted. If there’s no provision for a contestant to leave the game for a family wedding, them Shamita Shetty may not get the permission to leave Bigg Boss house for the wedding!

This however seems improbable, considering Shilpa’s old relations with the reality show. (She was contestant on Bigg Brother and hosted Bigg Boss 2).

Says the source from Colors, “After meeting Shilpa this weekend we’ll work out a strategy on Shamita’s eviction.”

According to plans if rules apply, Shamita’s eviction will be done live. “If an unexpected turn of events helps us boost our TRPs we’re certainly not shy of putting it on camera. We did with Jade Goody. We’ll do it with Shamita.”

The pop philosopher of the show Amitabh Bachchan is expected to do the needful. He will be breaking the news of Shilpa’s engagement and impending marriage to Shamita.

“The rest is up to Shamita. Once we’re sure she can be evicted whether she decides to come out or stay in the House is entirely her decision, ” ends the channel source.