ENTERTAINMENT : MOVIE REVIEWS

The Kashmir Files by Vivek Agnihotri ( Not a review but a thanks note to those who backed the project )

2022-03-26T12:48:00.001+05:30

What we see from last few days is praise for The Kashmir File, it's director Vivek Agnihotri and Anupam kher for his portrayal of a Kashmiri pandit who goes through a lot for years and yet choose to put his words non-violently.

But here I would like to praise the producers and production house like Zee studios who put their faith and money in risky project like this where there is no glamour, no star power, no foot taping music and just story with a brutal history of human kind which has been neglected and often mislead by many mainstream journalist, authors and politicians of that era.

It takes guts and almost put your life on risk when you attempt to touch these kind of subject. Mr.Agnihotri and Zee studio's bravery is commendable.

Onother thing I noticed is Zee is probably only mainstream studio of Hindi cinema of today who attempts to go for project like this, hats off to management for backing projects like this.

Would like to also mention RSVP for URI like project and again if i remember correctly Zee was someway associated with that also.

#thekashmirfiles #zeestudio #vivekagnihotri #uri

A Thursday - A nail biting thriller (2022)

2022-03-20T14:59:00.001+05:30

A Thursday is out an out Yami Gautam's movie where she has left no stone unturned to portry her character.

Many had in mind that just like a Wednesday there would be some social issue or issue related to national security would be at centre stage but this had something more than a social issue which needed to be addressed and lack of which has turned havoc in society. Nothing more to ad here.

A gripping thriller with excellent top notch performance from Yami Gautam. She has already proved before also that she is not just a pretty actress but can pull an entire story on her shoulder like Vidya Balan. Looking forward for more powerful performance from her in times to come.

Rudra : The edge of darkness ( An Honest unbiased review)

2022-03-18T00:34:00.000+05:30

Rudra The edge of darkness was one of the most anticipated webseries of 2022 because Ajay Devgn was playing key protagonist but but but sorry to say straight that it was not up to mark.

Writting of the series oet it down. a lot of things that was there didn't make sense. It seemed like makers were in hurry to roll it out fast. if writing would have given proper attention then there were lot of characters which could have done well like character of Aliya and Rudra himself but things didn't work out.

I wish makers will improve the writing in next season and improve the direction in which they take the story.

Only for Ajay Devgn and Rashi Khanna's little attempt i would give 4 out of 10 points.

REVIEW: Transformers: Dark of the Moon AKA Transformers 3

2011-07-01T20:33:00.000+05:30

DIRECTED BY: MICHAEL BAY

Its 3^rd part of transformers series directed by Michael Bay and starring Shia LaBeouf as key protagonist with Autobots.

Movie starts with a cybertronian spacecraft ARK crash on moon in 1961 which detected by NASA and some dark secrets behind moon mission of

USA

in 1969.

In present, Autobot have formed a military alliance with US. During a mission at Chernobyl site Optimus Prime discovers a fuel cell of that crashed ship ARK which activates Shockwave-a decepticon. After this Optimus Prime launches a mission to retrieve the pillars-a technology which can recreate and save Cybertron, from ARK and Sentinal Prime who was traveling on ARK. Optimus brings 5 pillars and Sentinal to earth where he re-activates him with the energy matrix. On the other hand defeated decepticon leader Megatron has plans to retrieve those pillars and create Cybertron with it on earth’s resources.

Sam tries helps Autobots and Govt. with likely plans of decepticons but first Govt. didn’t consider him and this leads to great disturbance on earth.

Movie has stunning action sequences (as expected) and if you go for 3D you can have an extra edge. It has more transformers than earlier and bigger scale specifically the climax part. Michael Bay has created it exceptionally well. (In Hindi edition we have Akshay Kumar voicing over for Optimus Prime.)

No need to say its worth watching. Just go and enjoy it.

RATING: 7 OUT OF 10

REVIEW: CARS 2

2011-07-01T20:20:00.002+05:30

Cars-2 is a sequel to 2006 animated movie cars produced by PIXAR. Those who think animation is kido stuff need to watch this and some of the extraordinary animated movies released in past 5 years, they have got superb story with excellent execution on screen with great visuals (and I personally think animation is lot more better medium to showcase emotions on screen).

The story moves after four year winning streak of Lightning McQueen and he decides to take some break but in a live interview of Italian formula race car Francesco Bernoulli, his best friend Mater intervenes which leads McQueen to take part in world grand prix organized by a green activist and oil tycoon. So McQueen and his team head to Japan and Europe. But wait there is another side of this story where an international group of terrorists are involved behind a master plan which will change the scenario of green fuels.

One thing I am sure is that this has no less thrills as we see in BOND movies. Its thrilling, action packed and comical (where MATER turns out to be superb character). Not only kids but this has something for everyone.

Its worth of time and money we spend. Go watch it.

RATING: 7.2 Out of 10.

REVIEW:GREEN LANTERN (2011)-A new breed of superhero is here.

2011-06-22T23:59:00.000+05:30

Directed By:Martin Campbell

Starring: Ryan Reynolds AS Green Lantern.

This is the comic adaptation from DC comics’ character of same name called Green Lantern. First thing first, I went to see this with minimum expectations but it turned out to be super impressive (I liked the whole concept and character even better than Spider-man).

Millions of years ago a group called guardians of universe created Green Lantern corps with the help of green force of willpower. Each green lantern protects each sector of universe which is divided in 3600 sectors. In present time a fear essence-Parallax whom Abin Sur-one of the green lantern imprisoned, escapes from prison and after killing four lanterns attacks Abin Sur and wounds him. abin sur escapes to nearest planet (earth),and releases his ring to find suitable person to be green lantern in his place. The ring chooses Hal Jordan- an aircraft pilot. From here the whole adventure of finding himself and being a true Green Lantern for Jordan starts and ultimately finds why he was the chosen one.

Plot may be familiar like saving universe from an evil and all but there is something in this character which differentiates him from other super hero and impress also. He was not looser kid like spider-man or not a born superhero from different planet like superman, here was a man who was fighting with his inner strengths and weaknesses which gave this an extra edge over others.

Action sequences are always life of superhero movies and this movie gets full marks on that ground. Ryan Reynolds as Green Lantern is impressive (especially after watched him playing soft loving characters in past-except in X-men:volverine).

It’s worth watching and paisa vasool entertainer specially for those who is tired of watching slapstick hindi movies.

RATINGS: 7 OUT OF 10

Review: THOR (2011)

2011-05-09T20:55:00.001+05:30

Directed By: Kenneth Branagh

Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, Anthony Hopkins, Tom Hiddlestone

THOR-the god of thunder is based on a superhero character from MARVEL comics of the same name. It is meant to be summer blockbuster and so far has been successful. (Before anyone watches this movie, it is needed to have basic idea of the character and world around it)

It starts with Odin-King of Asgard(Hopkins) defeating Frost Giants of Jotunheim from conquering the Nine Realms including earth in 965AD. In present when son of Odin-THOR was about to be king of Asgard, the Frost Giants tries to get back the Casket of ancient winter which was ceased by Odin back when he defeated frost Giants. This leads to THOR overpowering his father’s order and he goes to Jotunheim with his brother Loki and his warrior friends. Odin interrupts the fight and ceases all powers of THOR for his insane and exiles him to earth with his hammer-Mjolnir protected by spell that a worthy person will be able to handle and use it.

On the other hand Loki finds that he is actually son of Leufi-leader of frost giants. He gives Frost giants chance to kill Odin but THOR’s worrier friends finds it and goes to earth to get Thor back. Thor also discovers what his father wanted to teach and get his hammer and power back and at the end defeating Frost Giants.

As it a superhero movie it is meant to be full of action and superhero stuffs. So it is there in it with superb visuals. The actor portraying THOR,Chris Hemsworth is visually perfect and portrays well. Hopkins, Portman and Tom have also done well with their respective characters. Kenneth Branagh as we know is very good actor-director, has justified with the movie.

All in all it’s worth watching and I think specially kids will love it.

RATINGS: 6.75 OUT OF 10.

Review: SOURCE CODE (2011). . . .Decoded

2011-05-06T07:40:00.000+05:30

Directed By: Duncan Jones

Starring: Jack Gyllenhaal , Vera Farminga , Michelle Monaghan

Source Code is Sci-fi action thriller. Capt. Stevens (Jack) is isolated inside a chamber of a program called Source Code which allows him to take someone’s body in to his life’s last 8 minutes. Capt. Stevens was sent on a mission to find the bomb and bomber which exploded a train headed towards Chicago for that he has been transmitted to someone’s body for eight minutes before the explosion happened. It was suspected that the bomber who has exploded the train has planned another blast by nuclear bomb which can destroy the whole Chicago city. So he has to find the bomber and help the program authority to stop next explosion.

What I really like is of course concept of the movie but the climax; it was quick but superb like if you don’t pay attention, you may totally miss what it wanted to convey. Overall a good sci-fi movie for sci-fi fans (which resembles little bit with Minority Report-that is what I think). It would have been great if the story would have elaborated little bit more but no complain from my side.

Jack Gyllenhaal and Vera Farmingo were superb and so was Michelle Monaghan. Its worth a viewers money.

RATING: 7 OUT OF 10

REVIEW: DUM MAARO DUM

2011-04-25T00:50:00.000+05:30

Directed By: Rohan Sippy

Goa, as we hear the word, Sun-Sand and Sea with tempted beauty comes in to mind but there is one more thing behind, which is more darker reality of this heaven on earth, Drugs and Mafia running it all over. The movie moves around all these and at the end showcases how it is spread and hard to stop.

Abhishek Bachchan(ACP Kamath) is sent on task to clean-up goa from Drugs. He chooses his own way to do this. Prateik a young kid who wants to fly New York for studies has no money but got easily got trapped by local drug dealer to carry drug fro him for money he offered fro his study. Rana is a musician who lost his love to the drug mafia and when he saw Prateik movie fro same wants to stop and save him. Aditya Pancholi is a local business man and man behind all these drug mafia. Govind Namdev a police man in Kamath’s team for this drug mission. These guys moves story quite well.

Rohan Sippy has made movie quite stylish and tried hard to engage viewer for whole run and he succeeds in this. His execution is very good except a few thing which he needed to workout before but that doesn’t matter here as overall things move smoothly. Music is also good. Dialogues were good specially those of Abhishek.

Talking about performance two performances standout one from Abhishek Bachchan (when ever he plays cop its superb) he plays ACP Kamath with full conviction, job well done after last few bizarre and one from Govind Namdev as Rane. Rana and Prateik were good for their characters but nothing special. Sadly, Bipasha had nothing much to do but she was also ok. Aditya Pancholi made his mark and do satisfy with his performance.

Overall a good movie and worth watching (especially some scenes of police interrogation of abhichek were brilliant).

RATING: 7 OUT OF 10.

REVIEW: SUCKER PUNCH (2011)

2011-03-27T23:45:00.002+05:30

DIRECTED BY: ZACK SNYDER

The movie is an Action-Fantasy directed by Zack Snyder (who earlier made '300' and 'WATCHMEN') and consists Female Star cast in lead.

its about a girl who is sent to mental asylum by her stepfather after her mother's death where she will undergo lobotomy in 5days. so she plans to runaway in next 5 days from mental asylum. here she travels in to an imaginary world where she is a dancer of a club and she gets help of fellow dancer girls to escape from the place and for that she and other girls has to perform certain tasks.(Don't get confused with girl's parallel imaginary worlds,just enjoy)

Its a mixture of Dark world with imaginary world around 50's time. the movie is A VISUAL EXTRAVAGANZA with spectacular action sequences with some very good background music. those who liked 300 and watchmen will sure love it. its a worth watch for those fantastic visuals and beautiful star cast.

RATING: 6.5 OUT OF 10.

Review: 7 Khoon Maaf (Directed By Vishal Bhardvaj)

2011-02-20T22:03:00.000+05:30

Directed By: Vishal Bhardvaj

Starring: Priyanka Chopra

It has been always great to experience Vishal Bhardvaj’s cinema and I honestly see him as India’s own Quantine Tarentino. He always brings something new on screen (which most of the filmmaker will avoid to even touch) with excellence. His latest offering 7 Khoon Maaf also follows the path which he started with Makadee. Its based on Ruskin Bond’s short story “SUSSANA’s 7 HUSBANDS”.

The story spans 3 decades from 80’s to present day. A story of Susanna who has lost her parents in her early life and being brought up by her servants and marries to six men who dies one after another. She has 3 honest servants who stays through her for whole life and a boy-Arun( Vivan Shah) of whom she becomes care taker. How these different men comes in to her life, marries her and what makes them being killed is centre idea of the movie.

The subject itself is quite sensitive and was needed to be written and executed perfectly on screen which Vishal Bhardvaj did excellently. Narration through Arun’s(Vivan Shah) character is one of the plus points of movie. Dialogues, especially for narration are very good with blend of poetry. Priyanka Chopra is a scene stealer and gives her best by far. Supportive Cast has done good job specially the Person who plays role of her butler. Vivan Shah as Arun has made a mark successfully on screen. Real surprise was Annu Kapoor (Susanna’s 5^th husband) was superb. Apart from these all the actors who played her husband had very small screen time and where reasonably good. The Climax is quite surprising one (I don’t know how many will digest it) and positive as well.

All in all the hates off to Vishal Bhardvaj and Priyanka Chopra and their efforts. The movie does not appeal to all kinds of audience but its worth watching.

RATINGS: 7 OUT OF 10.

REVIEW: (500)DAYS OF SUMMER

2011-02-14T23:16:00.001+05:30

Well this one was surprising for me at least. It’s a romantic movie with a difference. It starts of with an interesting narration about two leading characters ‘the boy and the girl’ and then showcases their 500 days long relationship where the boy who falls for the girl from the day he seen her and she gets in relationship with him casually like ‘no label’ on their relationship. They had everything in relationship as a normal couple has. They enjoyed being together but suddenly she tells him that they should stop seeing each other and the boy couldn’t understand it. Things gets normal with the boy by the end he meets a new boy meets a new girl.

The story looks simple but the narration is different and was told keeping male character on centre stage which makes movie enjoyable. It’s worth watching.

Nominees for the 83rd Academy Awards | Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences

2011-01-27T10:18:00.000+05:30

Nominees for the 83rd Academy Awards | Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences

review: PHAS GAYE RE OBAMA

2010-12-05T02:14:00.001+05:30

DIRECTED BY: Subhash Kapoor

This week we have a ‘hatke’ movie and seriously if u ask me this is hatke in many ways, the screenplay, the execution and performances all makes it worth watching.

PHAS GAYE RE OBAMA is a story of an NRI (Rajat Kapoor) who is heavily indebted in USA and comes to India to sell his ancestral property to resolve his financial problems but got kidnapped by local small-time kidnappers. Now the smell of the kidnapping reaches to another kidnapper so he forces first one to handover NRI to him and take a lump some amount. As the guy is NRI every one was expecting him to be rich and will get them big ransom but here things are different. Now this NRI who needs money helps these kidnappers and plans a ‘strange con’ where every one gets benefited at the end.

It’s not a regular con which we have seen many a times in movies. Its unique in many ways like the whole script is interwoven around ‘economic turbulence and financial recession’ where from small kidnappers of village to the whole world is facing ‘MANDI’(recession). Kidnappers are not getting full ransom because of ‘mandi’. People are bargaining for ransom because of ‘mandi’ and all this creates strange situations for all characters ,which ultimately creates laughter for us.

Performance wise Rajat kapoor is superb from start to finish. Sanjay Mishra as Bhai-saab and Manu Rishi as Anni were excellent, they boosts movie with their performances. Amol gupte and neha dhupia had small but effective roles which they justified superbly. Director has done great job with story and narration.

All in all a ‘paisa vasool’ light hearted movie. watch it.

RATING: 7.5 OUT OF 10

REVIEW: HARRY POTTER and THE DEATHLY HALLOWS – Part 1

2010-11-23T20:14:00.002+05:30

Directed by: David Yates

STARRING: Daniel Radcliffe
Rupert Grint
Emma Watson

Last week the much awaited 1st part of the 7th book in Harry Potter series released claiming ‘the beginning of the END’. It certainly has got matured, not only the lead cast has grown up from 12year old kids to youngsters but the whole franchise in all senses.

Movie starts with tense build around Harry, his friends and the order of phoenix. As Dumbledore told harry to kill Voldemot, he has to find 7 Horcruxes and destroy them; out of which harry destroyed 2. So the order of phoenix takes responsibility to safely move harry to Weasley’s home. During the fight with death eaters Mad-eye and harry’ owl gets killed.

After this Harry, Ron and Hermione starts searching for remaining Horcruxes which leads them to one of the Horcrux which was in the possession of Umbridge and then they successfully gets that from her but could not destroy it as the only way to destroy it was by the sword of Gryffindor which was missing. Harry and Ron find the sword and destroy that Horcrux. On their way they gets to know about the Deathly Hallows ( an Elder wand, a resurrecting stone and an invinsible cloak). Together all these makes some one master of the death. On the other hand Voldemot is gets to know that Dumbledore is the master of that Elder wand and is with him in his tomb. So Voldemot gets that wand from Dumbledore’s tomb and the first part ends here.

During the whole quest you find a lot of ups and downs happening in the movie. Bonding of Harry, Ron and Hermoine gets disturbed at one point of time, death of Harry’s owl and other friends and so much. Movie creates base line for the Finale with ease and we will see the final outcome in later part.

Visuals were spectacular and the whole setup is getting darker. Story moves with ease and been told effectively specially the tale of deathly hallows which told in animated form.

On the whole good performances and worth watch. (And if have not watched earlier movies of the series please watch those first before watching this one other wise you will not get the idea of happenings.)

RATINGS: 7 OUT OF 10

REVIEW: THE SOCIAL NETWORK 2010 (all u want to know about the‘FACEBOOK’)

2010-11-13T00:24:00.004+05:30

DIRECTED BY: DAVID FINCHER

STARRING: Jesse Eisenberg as Mark Zuckerberg (founder of FACEBOOK)

The Social Network is Directed by David Fincher who has made some of the very well known and successful movies in past (like the curious case of Benjamin button, the zodiac and my favorite Fight Club). It’s about social networking website FACEBOOK and its founder mark Zuckerberg .A high voltage drama consisting great narration and performances from young cast.

Story starts with Mark creating a website called FACEMASH in one night about attractiveness of female students of Harvard after breaking up with his girlfriend. He was given six month’s academic probation for violation of rules and bringing down Harvard’s network. This attracts the eyes of winklevoss brothers and narendra and offers him to work with him on the website harwardconnect. But mark had some other plans in his mind so he works on another website with his friend Eduardo called thefacebook exclusively for harward students and soon site gains popularity among the students. When Winkelvoss brothers and narendra learns about this, they thinks that he stole their idea and wanted to sue him.

Meanwhile Sean Parker (founder of ‘Napster’) comes to know about this website and in a meeting with mark and Eduardo he tells how to move forward with their website and gets in to the team of facebook when mark bring company to Palo Alto as suggested by parker. From here game of money and betrayal gets deeper which creates so many problems for them.

The beauty of the movie is the way it’s been narrated, the whole story is told in between discussions of the 2 law suits faced by Mark, one from his friend Eduardo and another from Winklevoss brothers and narendra. David Fincher did great job and made it superbly entertaining from start to the end. Jesse Eisenberg played Mark Zuckerberg’s character with utmost sincerity.

All in all full of entertainment and superb drama. Watch it for sure.

RATING: 7.5 FROM 10.

REVIEW: ACTION REPLAYY 2010

2010-11-07T13:38:00.000+05:30

Starring: AKSHAY KUMAR, AISHWARYA RAI BACHCHAN,

ADITYA ROY KAPOOR

This week’s release ACTION REPLAYY directed by Vipul Shah was promoted as fun film in retro style and director got succeeded in looks of the movie. Ass it was Akshay Kumar movie I went with ‘least’ amount of expectation and even though it was diwali releasse I didn’t expected any fire-crackers from it and I was right.

Movie is story of a boy(Aditya Roy Kapoor ) and his parents(akshay & aishwarya). Boy is terrified by his parent’s marriage life and wants to change their past so he goes to 70’s era with a time machine made by his girlfriend’s grandfather. Here starts retro style drama of converting looser akshay in to smart one and converting tomboy aishwarya in to sweet & lovable girl. So many hurdles the boy and these two face but at the end everything turns positive and boy comes back in the present time where things are changed due to his efforts in past. A happy ending.

First thing first movie is made for mindless entertainment and nothing else, don’t expect any intelligence from it. It is little bit stretched so one can find it boring in some places. No great performance but aditya roy kapoor made a mark with his performance. Aishwarya looks beautiful on screen. Akshay is better than BLUE and CC2C. Two songs were good ‘zor ka zatka’ and ‘bekhabar’.

If you don’t have any option left for time pass then one can choose to watch this one. Overall an average movie.

RATING: 5.5 OUT OF 10.

(Review) WALL STREET: MONEY NEVER SLEEPS -2010

2010-11-04T00:22:00.000+05:30

DIRECTED BY: OLIVER STONE

STARRING: MICHAEL DOUGLAS, SHIA LaBeouf

Wall Street-money never sleeps is a sequel to 1987 movie Wall Street directed by Oliver Stone. It brings back the famous character of Gordon Gekko(Michael Douglas) back on the screen where he comes out of jail after 8 years. Gekko’s daughter lives with his boyfriend Jacob (Shia LaBeouf) who is working for Keller Zabel-an investment bank.

It’s the story of an old Dog (Mr.Gekko) who wants to be back on the street but there is no direct way for him to enter and fortunately his daughter’s boyfriend (Jacob) comes to him as he needed to find who destroyed Keller Zabel and in return he promises Gekko that he will reunite him with his daughter, but Mr.gekko has some other plans. He had $100million in his daughter’s name in Switzerland’s bank which he gets by stealing from his daughter’s bank a/c and starts a financial company in London. Jacob feels betrayed and approaches Gekko but nothing turns positive for him. Jacob writes full story of how Churchill Schwartz destroyed Keller Zebel and at the end everything turns positive ,gekko returns to his daughter and asks for apology and Jacob also gets reunited will her.

This movie frankly has nothing special. A sequel which came after 22 years has nothing to offer-a total disappointment. Seems like Oliver Stone wanted to cash out the brand name of original movie but he failed. Story has more of family drama than hard core Wall Street drama which we experienced in original one. Nothing great about direction of oliver ,just average. Mr.Gekko (Douglas) didn’t shine like the original one which won him Oscar for that role. Shia was also average. All in all an average movie, instead I would like to recommend watching the 1987 wall street but not this.

RATING: 5 OUT OF 10

INSOMNIA (2002) Directed By: Christopher Nolan

2010-10-09T23:49:00.001+05:30

Directed By: CHRISTOPHER NOLAN

Insomnia is a Thriller starring two superb actors AL PACINO and ROBIN WILLIAMS in lead and also stars Hillary Swank.

Movie starts with two LAPD detectives are sent to Nightmute, Alaska to assist local police in a murder case of 17 year old girl. At the same time in LA an investigation is about to put Dormar(Al Pacino) under scanner for placing false evidence in a case and his partner is offered by Internal Affairs to give testimony. Now when they were investigating the NIghtmute case Dormer comes up to trap the murderer(Robin Williams) and partially gets succeeds but due to fog and improper light he accidentally shoots his partner instead of the criminal. Here starts the real game of mind for Dormer as he hides the truth of how his partner died and tries to refocus to case but to his surprise the murderer of girl knows the truth and he tries to disturb Dormer’s mind and makes him feel guilty and which turned him to the position where he is unable to sleep and becomes insomniac. Now both plays mind games with each other up to climax.

Nolan got his command on the story which we see throughout the movie and he has got his own style of narration which we saw his later movies up to last INCEPTION. As usual Al Pacino is superb. Williams had different character than we see him usually and he played it excellently. Hillary swank was also good in her supportive role. I recommend to watch this for its narration.

Review: RAIN MAN (1988)

2010-10-09T23:46:00.001+05:30

DIRECTED BY: Barry Levinson

RAIN MAN is 1988 movie starring Dustin Hoffman and Tom Cruise. Its story of Charlie (Cruise) who finds after his estranged father’s death that his father has left all his 3 million dollar property to his other son Raymond (Hoffman) whose existence he was not aware of. Raymond is an autistic person and living in a mental institute. Charlie initially for his selfish motive tries to get the possession of his brother but by the end they find a beautiful bonding between each other.

Hoffman was simply superb and deserved the Oscar which he was awarded for this movie. He portrayed Raymond with utmost sincerity. Cruise as his younger was also good and looks fit for the character of Charlie. The movie has its own moments to enjoy and to feel good. Beautiful narration of story by director Barry Levinson. Watch it especially for Hoffman.

REVIEW: Zodiac (2007) starring: Robert Downey Jr. & jack Gyllenhaal

2010-10-04T18:03:00.003+05:30

Based on true events, this is the story of a serial killer who calls himself zodiac. After committing the crimes, he sends letters to press informing them about the killings and throwing in some puzzles to solve. The events take place in late sixties and seventies.

Here enter our main protagonists, a cartoonist (Jake Gyllenhaal), a crime scribe (Robert Downey Jr) & a Fed (Mark Ruffalo) who try to get this serial killer. The movie revolves around various situations that the killer throws open and how no one is really able to gauge the complete picture.

Performance wise, all the actors have been optimum. The obsession of Jake Gyllenhaal to catch this killer, the humorous as well as adamant attitude of Robert Downey Jr. and the detective skills of Mark Ruffalo entertain you.

Directorial skills of David Fincher can also be seen as in his earlier thrillers such as Fight Club, Seven, Panic Room, etc. The dark feel of the movie scare you but i guess this is what David Fincher does best.

The murder case is still open in United States with no conclusion even after 5 decades. Thus, the movie tries to show the complications and limitations of people and it does succeed in that. A nicely made movie providing valued entertainment.

Review: 3:10 To Yuma (2007) RUSSELL CROW & CHRISTIAN BALE

2010-09-28T11:33:00.005+05:30

A power packed cast in Russell Crowe, Christian Bale & Ben Foster to pull off the movie. Director, James Mangold does a pretty decent job. Since the film is based back in time, you see actors donning cowboy costumes, peppy background score, horse rides and a vast desert.

The movie is about a criminal, Ben Wade played by Russell Crowe, who is wanted by Govt Marshals. Ben gets caught and is to be put up on a train to Yuma at 3:10. However, the task is not easy as notorious gang member Charlie played by Ben Foster is trying to rescue Wade. Joining hands with the marshals is Dan, played by Christian Bale. Dan has a grudge against Wade as his barn was destroyed by him. He also wishes to be a hero in his son's eyes thus joins this dangerous mission. In the middle of their trip, Dan's son, William also joins the troupe.

During the trip you come to know that Wade has a human side too. He and Dan get closer as they spend time together. In the end, Wade tries to help Dan and reach the train station while they are targeted by Charlie and his gang. Dan dies at the hands of Charlie and Wade kills Charlie and gets into the train. A nice end to a nice drama.

The movie gives you something different apart from regular stuff ad it is this quality that makes it enjoyable.

Review: Dog Day Afternoon (1975) AL PACHINO

2010-09-28T11:04:00.005+05:30

You see the genius of Sidney Lumet here again. Like many other of his films, this too is very real and original. The film is based on a true story of Chase Manhattan bank robbery in New York city. Al Pacino and John Cazale play the part of bank robbers, Sonny and Sal. Supporting roles of FBI agent and Sonny's gay partner, Leon have been played beautifully too.

Sidney Lumet is a master of one location filming. Most of the movie is shot in the bank premises and you wonder how the Director is able to hold your attention. The movie starts with Sonny, Sal and one more friend enter a bank to rob. However, the third friend develops cold feet and leaves immediately. Sonny and Sal go ahead with the plan only to find out that there is very little cash in the bank. Soon after, police surround them and the only way out for the robbers is to take the bank employees hostage. Sonny tries to deal with FBI agent and asks for a jet so that they can fly out of the country.

Many a drama unfolds during this period when you see bank employees getting along with the robbers, Sonny (a bisexual) talking to his wife and gay partner, Sal getting nervous, Sonny & Sal becoming media stars and Sonny dealing with the FBI agent. The movie moves at a brisk pace keeping you engaged throughout. Al Pacino and John Cazale put up stellar performances.

The film looks so real that you can actually imagine the whole incident that happened. It also helps that the film was released in 1975, just three years after the incident in 1972.

LAWRENCE OF ARABIA (1962) ..... A VISUAL TREAT

2010-09-23T01:25:00.001+05:30

Directed by: David Lean

LAWRENCE OF ARABIA is 1962 British EPIC movie based on the life of T.A.LAWRENCE and his experiences in Arabia during 1^st world war. Movie is directed by David Lean and it stars Peter O’Toole in title role of T.A.LAWRENCE. The film has other leading stars like Anthony Quinn, Omar Sharif, Alec Jiuness and Anthony Quayle.

Lawrence who is a British army lieutenant is posted in Cairo during 1^st world war, he is only known for his unorthodox behavior and his knowledge. He is sent to find the prince faisal and analyze the situation of revolt against Turks. It moves on with how he gets the people of different communities in Arabia to get together and fight for their land. He does some of the unbelievable tasks which were looked impossible. His struggle with his own identity is also important aspect in the movie.

One word to describe this movie “HUGE”, yes to make this scale of movie is no child’s play. This is made on bigger scale real locations (almost 60% movie is shot in desert) so many long shots covering many people and camels. It has running time of almost 215 minutes (generally movies don’t have running time like this) and it was shot with advanced technology of coming age. If this would have been made today it surely would have been biggest budget movie by far.

Movie is visually superb. Excellent camera work. And background music is excellent and has been used effectively. All the actors did very well especially Peter O’Toole and Omar Sharif.

A good option to watch at home on weekend this classic.

MAR ADENTRO (The Sea Inside)

2010-09-20T23:24:00.001+05:30

Language: Spanish

Directed by: Alejandro Amenábar

The movie is based on true life story of Ramon Sampedro who got paralyzed by his both arms and both legs after a diving accident. He fights for 28 years for his right to end his life but could not get the court judgment in his favor.

Story is told from the point of view of Ramon Sampedro (Javier Bardem) who is paralyzed by his both arms and legs. He decides to end his life because he believes that living life without dignity is worthless. In the due course of movie he tells how he was before accident a person with full of energy who went to explore the world in the age of only 19. Even after he got paralyzed he writes beautiful poems with the help of his mouth. His family members are against of his decision of ending life but he has kind of personality which moves the thinking of others like lawyer who herself is also suffering from a strange disease, his family members and his friends who wants him to live, but he conveniences them why he wants to die.

The movie is very touching and some of the scenes are performed so well and helps in building story strongly. Like one where his lawyer asks him that why he wants to die?, he explains that different between your hand an my hand is merely 2 feet but that 2feet is like dream for me to cover on my own. (He put this way his point of living life without dignity). His character is not the usual characters we see who are paralyzed and feeling sad and laying on bad, he is ever smiling and confident about his state of mind. He is having great sense of humor.

Performances are excellent. Javier Bardem portrayed Ramon Sampedro with utmost perfection. Belen Rueda as Julia (lawyer) and Lola Duenas as Rosa were superb as leading ladies. Alejandro Amenabar’s direction is outstanding and narrated the story very well. He has woven Ramon’s character perfectly.

A heart touching tale of person with superb performances. A worth watching Academy award winning movie. ( A 2004 Oscar winner for best foreign language film)