Couple Quick Notes

Just a few thoughts...
1) Johnny, dude, you been living at the theater as of late? Still, strong reviews. I think Charlie Wilson's War moved up a little on my order-to-be-seen list.

2) Bree, nice list, and welcome. I do disagree with you and John on a couple, but I have some flicks to see before I put out my list.

3) There was a column today on the NYTimes website about the passing of G.P. Sippy. Now, most Americans and younger Indians have probably never heard of him, but he was the produced/director of a number of Bollywood's great films, and probably it's biggest legend, Sholay. Yes, compared to today's standards, some of these films haven't aged particularly well, but I note this obit for 2 reasons. a) Sippy was definitely a force in Bollywood without whom it would not be where it is today. b) The fact that there is a full obit on a Bollywood producer in the NYTimes shows not only the growing impact of Indian films on the world stage, but the rising expectations of Bollywood films as they gain more importance.

I know, most people think "young couples breaking out into song for no good reason" and "I have to read? That's why I go to movies, so I don't have to read!" Still there are a few really strong Indian movies out there I would recommend (see IMDb for premises):

The Elements Trilogy by Deepa Mehta: Fire, 1947:Earth, and Water. The first and last are in English, though the middle is by far the best of the three, dealing with the issues India really wants to ignore.

Such a Long Journey, a fantastic drama about the roles of children and parents, as we all grow up.

Bombay, a little schmaltzy at the end, but a love story/political piece about the Hindu-Muslim relationship that is India.

Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, a true Bollywood production with high-quality acting and production values.

Lagaan (though I haven't yet seen it, it was well-received)

Monsoon Weddding, mostly English-speaking, but entirely Indian, about those on top and those coming up, those who have gone and those who have returned.