Yesterday I went and saw a movie called Rang De Basanti. It's Hindi, and in case you didn't know, I can't speak or understand Hindi. But I took it as an advantage in watching the movie because I was still able to understand it, and I focused on the other factors I tend to watch in movies- acting, directing, cinematography, music, etc.

You have to see this movie.

It's beautifully acted by a great ensemble cast, led by Amir Khan, who was in the Academy Award nominated Foreign Film Lagaan. Ironically, he's partially ineffective at times when he's goofy because it seems like he's trying too hard at points. However, during the drama, YOU CAN'T take your eyes off of him. There's so much charisma with him at these points that it's unflappable. But the same goes for the rest of the cast as well-- very natural and intense at the same time. There are a couple of times when the sound gets a little melodramatic, but for the most part, the director does a great job of keeping it natural and the story flowing.

Plus, I HATE the whole dance routine thing where people start singing out of nowhere, and that's not to be found in this movie. If there is some dancing, it's in context- they're partying, at a club, whatever. Normal.

Anyway, it's one of my recent faves and I highly recommend it.

Now to end on a joke. In India, there are sardar jokes. Sardar is another word for Sikh; Indians who follow Sikhism, and who traditionally wear a turban and don't shave their beards. Around here for whatever reason they have the same connotation as the Polish jokes in America. You know, they're conidered dumb. I don't know if there's any truth to it, but it's funny anyway. So here's the joke:

A sardar goes to his daughter's room and finds cigarettes..."Oh my God! She smokes!" ...He finds a bottle of rum..."Oh my God! She drinks!"...He finds condoms.."Oh my God! She has a penis!"

Peas.