HORROR DVD/BLU-RAY REVIEWS

Gandu (Hindi for "asshole") spends most of his time hanging out with Ricksha, a Rickshaw driver who loves Bruce Lee. Gandu wishes he was a hip-hop star, and will do almost anything to achieve that dream, including stealing cash from his Mom's rich adulterous lover while they're nailing. Enter into a world of drugs, rap and weird sex in this bizarre anti-Bollywood movie.

Gandu (Hindi for "asshole") spends most of his time hanging out with Ricksha, a Rickshaw driver who loves Bruce Lee. Gandu wishes he was a hip-hop star, and will do almost anything to achieve that dream, including stealing cash from his Mom's rich adulterous lover while they're nailing. Enter into a world of drugs, rap and weird sex in this bizarre anti-Bollywood movie.

I can flat out easily say that Gandu is not a typical movie for typical horror fans, and as such I had a pretty tough time watching it. Not because I consider myself to be nothing but a "typical fan", but because I just don't often go out for "powerful" "surrealistic" "art house" films. If I can't really make out what's going on because It's just supposed to be up to me to figure things out, chances are the film isn't for me. Gandu is dangerously close being that kind of movie, to say the least.

I'll give credit where credit is due though. I did somewhat understand the characters who were relatively well written and layered. Gandu himself is a somewhat endearing person who by the end of the film manages to be someone you might like to spend time with. Played with ferocity and intensity by Anubrata Basu, the performance is impressive. The whole film is shot in an informal style with no written dialogue whatsoever- almost everything was off the cuff. If you're into black and white, this one is loaded with tons of B/W style, with color being used very rarely, besides a sex scene.

Oh yeah, there's a super-graphic sex scene in this movie. The breaking point when Gandu and Ricksha break away from reality to blur the lines with drugs and indulgence includes real, straightforward sex that is not simulated whatsoever. It's real sex! When it happens, the movie "restarts" in a way, giving even a second set of opening credits to demonstrate the rebirth.

Anyway, besides being pretty weird and often depressing at times, Gandu isn't even close to being a horror movie of any sort. If anything, it was banned in India for showing graphic sex and just breaking the generally family-friendly tones of Bollywood cinema (of which I haven't seen much). If you love foreign angry rap music and hip hop, there's tons of it to be found here- it literally fills the film up and keeps it moving, right down to the lyrics being presented in the center of the screen.

If you're looking for something original and loaded with style, you might enjoy Gandu. As for me, it just wasn't really up my alley and I'm quite certain I wouldn't watch it again. If you're feeling daring and love international films, Gandu's for you.

Video is presented in 2.35.1 anamorphic widescreen and looks sharp, keeping up with the frenetic visual style of this film.

Audio comes in Bengali Dolby Digital 2.0 and forces English subtitles. It sounds just fine, too bad it wasn't in surround though.

There's a Making of Featurette that runs about a half hour long, and is actually really cool, keeping up with the insanity of the film and being shot in the same style. It doesn't have a ton of cool information, but it's a neat companion piece.

You get a music video from the film, and a few bits about Gandu Circus (the band): a little documentary piece, a performance/video and a little promo piece.

Finally, you get a trailer for the film and a 5 minute blurb about the film landing in Berlin.

There's lots to see if you slide Gandu into your player, with plenty of style over substance. If you're into wacky, crazy foreign rap movie-musicals, this one is likely up your alley.