Movie Review: Sherlock Holmes–Game of Shadows–is an enthralling affair

No prizes for guessing this one. Probably one of the best Hollywood movies to hit the theatres this season, Game of Shadows should be right up there on your ‘must-watch’ list. Re-inventing one of the most memorable characters of the yore, is no mean feat and if Guy Ritchie had left something to be desired in the debut of this franchise, he more than makes up for it with a thrilling sequel

Borrowing elements from the fine works of Arthur Conan Doyle, the movie builds up beautifully and one is breathless trying to keep pace with the genius of Sherlock right from the word go. Razor sharp editing only adds to the challenge as you try and catch each frame to make sure you can figure out the solution the way Holmes has. Slow motion action is back as it was in the debut but only, its better this time.

While the build up is strong, the overall plot perhaps may seems a bit of a let down considering that this time Holmes is confronted with his greatest enemy of all time, a mind as sharp as his own, if not sharper.

However, the way it is presented and especially the climax are true moments of joy. As for the acting, both Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law are in sparkling form. As for the villain, perhaps they could’ve gone in with somebody that looked a little more menacing, especially given the larger-than-life character he plays, but that’ll be nit-picking. Superlatively written and packed with wit and humour (British humour primarily, so you need to be a fan of that) there is little one can complain of in this enthralling sequel. There is many a masterstroke that Holmes has to offer and I am quite convinced that you won’t be disappointed – assuming of course you are a fan of Sherlock to begin with.

So its elementary, my dear Watson…just go and grab the next tickets

Movie Review: Don 2….twice is not as nice

Okay so maybe that title makes it look really bad which would have probably been apt for most part of the movie. As you exit the hall though, your final notion is..it wasn’t all that bad
So what changes things? I wish I could tell you but then you’ll have absolutely no reason to go and watch this movie in the hall, so I’ll refrain. I wish I could also say that this is one movie where style meets substance but it wouldn’t be the whole truth. The style is definitely there, no doubt about it. Its the substance that we miss, especially given that this comes to us from Farhan Akhtar.
Classy packaging, nice and sometimes riveting action (mostly in the second half) are probably the hallmark of this movie. Beautifully shot, the movie spans a multitude of international locations. The plot isn’t a great one but there could be some minor surprises to keep you interested. However, there is some downright amateurish stuff as well which was a pity since its not expected from Farhan Akhtar. Most of the action though is tightly packaged, save for the unnecessary romantic angles thrown here and there.
No offence to die hard Shahrukh fans but I just don’t see him in the Don character. Probably the same issue one faces in identifying with the ideal James Bond as well. In fact, by giving the original classic the twist that he did, Farhan in one moment, transformed the character of Don into a more complex and extremely strong character. While Khan portrays him quite well, he just doesn’t look the part, at the end of the day. In fact, his characteristic laughter is the only thing that comes close to associating him with such a character. So while the King may be back..I am not sure if he should be looking at a third outing as well
As for the others, well they are all incidental. Priyanka looks lovely, plays her part as expected but her character has become too plain and simple in Don 2. Veteran actor Om Puri is completely wasted in a character that may well have been played by an extra for all the acting talent it required. Lara Dutta has too fleeting an appearance to be of notice. The guest appearance (sorry, can’t say who) though illogical, is a nice addition and adds a new dimension to that particular sequence, also portraying the brilliance of the director to add that part.
One mistake I made is to watch this movie in 3D – bad idea…there is nothing 3D worthy in the movie and there are many instances where you wish you could follow the action better without those infernal glasses on. This one’s a no brainer – don’t watch it in 3D!!
So if you do go to watch this one, go in with ordinary expectations ( not Farhan Akhtar’s best by far) and the master planner’s masterful plan might well catch your fancy

Movie Review: Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol..delivers some thrills

The stakes were pretty high on this one. The Mission Impossible franchise is one that has showed some consistency in maintaining the thrill, the pace, awesome action and amazing stunts in a classy yet enjoyable format. Each instalment thus is confronted with its own impossible mission - to up the ante on the previous one. Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol was no different. Question is, does it deliver?

Well, to be completely honest it certainly delivers some thrills. Just when you start thinking that its all been done before, Ghost Protocol delivers some awe-inspiring action and takes it to the next level. Some of the stunts are to be seen to be believed. They are brilliantly edited and don’t be surprised if you actually hold your breath during some of the action

If I am not sounding completely gaga about the movie, its because I can’t say that the entire movie is great. Upto what can be regarded as the first half, it is exactly that. However, the second half just doesn’t deliver as much. The movie slows down way too much, for a Mission Impossible kind of package, where the hits should just keep on coming and that becomes its undoing. Nothing really tops what you have already seen in the first hour of the movie and thus, the lack of euphoria.

The franchise itself has matured. MI 2 was all about Ethan Hunt and the super agent he was and that nothing was impossible for him. After that the game went beyond just him and that’s how it goes in Ghost Protocol as well. However, the movie has an ordinary and predictable plotline and its obvious that all the thinking and hard work has gone only into the action – that too, the first half

An interesting development is the generous dose of humor that has been added to this instalment. An element generally lacking in the franchise overall. I have mixed feelings about it. While it takes away from the sense of tension and excitement of the mission itself, it definitely adds to the fun in the movie hall, so you’ll have to take your own view on that

As far as the acting goes, Cruise still looks good as Ethan Hunt but age definitely shows on him, in this instalment. The other actors all do a good job and Jeremy Runnels is particularly noteworthy as Brent. Simon Clegg as the tech guy provides most of the humour and plays his part well

Another thing is that I couldn’t watch this movie in 3D and if its anything close to the good stuff we got to watch in Avatar then I’d certainly recommend it. At any rate, watch it in the best quality hall that you can because the panoramic shots and awesome action is really what this movie is all about

As I close this review, I still can’t get over that scene - Ethan Hunt climbing the Burj Khalifa and what follows thereafter..that alone takes your breath away and is worthy of the movie ticket

Movie Review: Rockstar..didn’t rock

Well at least it didn’t for me. Going in what can be regarded as late in the week to watch this much-awaited flick, one comes out pretty unsatisfied with what is offered

The movie’s got spirit, I’ll give it that. Some of the music will actually have you rocking and swaying for a while but it doesn’t last for long. The songs are as usual, one too many and it becomes tiring after awhile. Most of the music is good (wouldn’t expect anything less from AR Rahman) but not particularly hummable. The track Saada Haq has the true rockstar feel to it though and will probably stay with you long after the movie is over

Rockstar addresses some issues in a typical Imtiaz Ali’sh no-nonsense, straight talk manner. Jordan (character played by Ranbir) is a terrific character that has been well handled for the most part. However, the love story in the movie doesn’t seem to fit in well and a lot of aspects seem unconvincing or rather, confusing. In fact, one of the major issues is that it almost seems as if the director had two separate scripts in mind - one that dealt with the spirit of the artist and the journey of his life, the other being a true blue love story and he ended up trying to meld the two. One wonders if this would have been a better flick without the love story thrown in altogether, or at least presented in a different manner. As it stands though, the love story is supposed to be at the heart of all that happens and you’ll just have to convince yourself about that

If you watch Rockstar, watch it for Ranbir Kapoor. Rockstar gives him the perfect canvas and he makes the movie his own. If he was impressive in Rajneeti, Ranbir acquires a whole new level with Rockstar and executes a complex character to perfection. Jordan’s anguish, confusion, frustration and anger all come across perfectly well and Ranbir looks the part all through. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said about the female lead, Nargis Fakhri and that becomes a problem in such a movie. The female lead has an important role to play but it becomes too much for Nargis to pull off. Her dialogue delivery is not up there and while she looks pretty all throughout, she isn’t able to do justice to scenes that need her to emote and express herself.

The biggest issue of them all is the runtime. Clocking at 2 hours 50 minutes you reach a stage where you almost grimace seeing Ranbir in a concert, because you believe that this will lead to music, a song, some melody where again time is lost but the plot doesn’t move forward. Editing seems to be a key concern here

One of the highlights is the appearance of the Late Shammi Kapoor and one is reminded of the loss of a true legend. There are some scenes of directorial brilliance especially when Imtiaz lets us peek into Jordan’s true state of mind and shows the invisible bond between the two leads but the movie lacks the tight packaging that say, a Jab we Met had. At the end of the show, while we rejoice at Ranbir’s fabulous performance and the equally spirited music, one doesn’t feel that they’ve been given quite their due – the wait for a good movie continues…

Movie Review: Azaan….na hi aazmaana…

I guess the writing was already on the wall for this one…please don’t ask me why I still decided to check it out..am still trying to provide myself with a reasonable explanation

To be fair though, Azaan does very much give you a glimpse of the standards that Bollywood is beginning to reach – from a cinematography and even action point of view. In fact, the first 10 minutes of the movie, were so impressive, I almost believed I had actually made the right decision by spending that money for the ticket to the movie hall. Watch the first 10 minutes and you can comfortably compare it to Hollywood action flicks (read Vantage Point etc). After that, however, you get introduced to Azaan and that’s where the bubble bursts..at least the first time

The character of Azaan is meant to be that of a (pardon the comparison) James Bond or a Jason Bourne. And when you get Sachiin Joshi to fill those shoes…well let’s just say it doesn’t paint a pretty picture. The first few minutes of close up scenes where Azaan is getting ‘introduced’ extinguish the little interest that the movie generates in the beginning. Add to that some very confusing direction and you’ve got yourself a real mess. A friend of mine while watching the movie commented – it seems as if 2 separate people have directed the movie….I couldn’t have put it better myself. Some scenes are right up there (like the opening scenes of the movie) and some are downright amateurish stuff wherein the audience wonders what message did the director wish to convey with the scene they just saw.

Don’t get taken in with all the talk of Hollywoodish action that you would get to hear from people. Blatantly copying frames from Bourne Ultimatum and the plot from Mission Impossible II is not Hollywoodish action..it just feels sad that they couldn’t come up with their own action/ plot. On the bright side though, the background score is just right for an action movie and Salim Sulaiman have done justice to the requirement – though, it was a little sad to see that some of the background score was remarkably similar to Bourne Ultimatum. This was especially disappointing, given that this is by Salim Sulaiman, a duo that I have immense respect for and are known for very good original background score (read Hamesha, Dhoom etc).

All that apart, the action is pretty impressive and camerawork is simply breath-taking given Bollywood standards. They have clearly lifted the game. As for the acting, well there isn’t any..apart from the support cast that have put in a decent performance. The female lead is more of a guest appearance so I wouldn’t put too much stock on her either. As for her role, amidst all the confusion, there’s also supposed to be a love story of some sort in there..you figure it out if you watch it…I couldn’t

Towards the end you get pretty much tired of all the action and you wish the movie could end somehow..the director obliges with an abrupt ending when you least expect it.

There, I think I’ve given you all the warnings I could…the rest is up to you..

Movie Review: Saheb Biwi aur Gangster…all three keep you interested

While it doesn’t boast any big names, Saheb Biwi aur Gangster does manage to hold your attention pretty much all through out the 2 hour period of its runtime. The start of the movie is particularly impressive and despite the unfamiliar and fairly dated period that the movie seems to be set up in one gets quite interested as the plot begins to build up

You get introduced to the three central characters one after the other and most of your time goes in trying to understand these characters, unravelling their many layers and complexities.

Then, just when things seem to be getting interesting, the thread is broken with a completely unnecessary song. Unfortunately, this happens five times in a two hour movie. I have till date been unable to understand or relate to the need to have songs in a movie that just doesn’t seem to require them. The answers don’t seem to be in the offing any time soon either.

Anyways, in this case it just spoils otherwise decent movie fare and at a time when the plot should actually gather pace, it only slows down further. The movie intervals at the worst possible juncture, leaving the audience bewildered as to whether it got ill-timed altogether and wondering if there’s anything in the movie worth returning to.

Thankfully, there is and in spite of the songs, the second half keeps you engaged. As the action heats up towards what might be presumed to be a predictable climax, little twists keep you guessing. The writing and dialogues are also better than average and lend a distinct sheen to the movie. Overall the package offered is quite satisfactory and you come out of the hall, satisfied, though wishing that it could have been even better. There are shades of Omkara to this movie, what with a similar setting and very distinct characters. However, don’t even think of comparing this to that masterpiece of a movie…it would just be unfair

No complaints in terms of acting and all three leads have put in a commendable performance. Though Mahie Gill is unconvincing in some scenes, she’s equally overwhelming in others so that balances out. Jimmy Shergill could’ve probably done more since his character has perhaps the maximum airtime but its not a bad performance per se. That said, one wonders what the real stalwarts could’ve done with a movie like this (I am thinking, Irrfan Khan, Saif in a Landa Tyagi kind of avatar etc.)

Still, as it stands Saheb Biwi aur Gangster is definitely watchable movie fare…now if only you can figure out a way to fast forward songs in a movie theater…

Movie Review: Warrior..almost kicks ass

This is probably amongst the strangest titles I would’ve given a review post in a long time. I would’ve loved to say that the movie truly kicks ass but that would be over-stating the case. To be fair, the movie does try very hard though

Watch the first half and you feel you are in for a real treat. The build up is so wonderful, the pacing so correct, that you gear up for an enthralling second half. So many conflicts, simmering emotions ever so restrained, a moving storyline in the making - the concoction is served just right. The only hitch is..it doesn’t deliver as much. The climax is probably the most disappointing amidst it all and this, when its not a bad climax per se. In fact, I think the movie falls prey to its own expectations.

There are two things that would have made this movie an absolute knock out..a bit more of the story telling and a better climax. I don’t know who slipped up – the director or the editor but someone definitely did, in this otherwise masterfully presented flick

Other than that, you get treated to some of the best acting from all the leads, that you would have seen in some time now, very good fight scenes, exquisitely shot and presented..it sets the adrenalin flowing, the blood rushing and you don’t want to budge from your seat till the fight is over. The background score also does justice and blends in well with the action.

All in all, Warrior qualifies as a must-watch in this movie season but don’t be surprised if you feel a trifle disappointed by the time the credits roll in. Definitely not cheated…but maybe just a trifle disappointed

So go get a piece of the action and judge for yourself.

Movie Review: Contagion…best not to come in contact with it

Its been a long hiatus from the halls and I was hoping that once it was finally over, the movie I’d have watched would have been worth the wait. Alas, I can’t say that for Contagion, not in the least.

If you are really curious, watch the trailer and leave it at that. When I saw the trailer this one was instantly notched up as one of the ‘must-watch’ movies this season. I wish I could sound less disappointed than I do, because the plot definitely had potential. It could’ve been so much more, with such a ‘killer’ (quite literally) concept and storyline. In fact, it ought to be so compelling that your first instinct, once you come home ought to be that you wash your hands. But, it isn’t..far from it.

I wish I could go, scene by scene on where all it went wrong, but that would give the story away so I'll have to with a generic description: Where there ought to have been a journey from the origin of the ‘problem’ to its rampant spread like wildfire, the slowly increasing tension, the smooth pacing culminating in widespread panic, frenetic public, absolute mayhem etc., what you get is a near-documentary, which just seems dull and tired. Only in the second half do things look more like the grim, desolate and desperate canvas the movie ought to be painted on but by then, you’ve already lost interest and are just waiting for the credits to roll in. The background score is such a misfit that you could be watching another movie altogether for all you know. Don’t go by the impressive cast of characters either. Each and every one of them is thoroughly wasted in the movie, save for maybe Lawrence Fishburne and Jude Law. For the record though, it also has Matt Damon, Kate Winslet, Marion Cotillard and Gwyneth Paltrow..go figure!!

I wish there was something I could praise about the movie (other than the concept) because I am quite a fan of the Ocean series, brought to us by the same director. But a movie like Contagion just doesn’t seem up his alley. I’d rather this kind of a movie was directed by the kinds of Roland Emmerich who may over-use CGI but at least is able to give a good pacing and direction to such epic disaster movies

So, the drought continues…With movies like Bodyguard, Mere Brother Ki Dulhan being the current offerings…its going to be a long wait to watch a worthwhile movie this season…though I’ve heard good things about Devil’s Double and Bol is seen to have potential. Still, its a poor season for the average cinegoer..

Movie Review: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 –A fitting finale

The wait is over and its finally here. After keeping the audience impatient for more than a year, part 2 of the final instalment is finally out. Part I had played out near perfectly, raising expectations for the next one. After all, this is the one with most of the action, the grandiose scale at which events occur and hence, where the maximum opportunity lies. Question is, does it deliver?

Early on in the movie, one begins to feel that something seems to have gone off track. The events are happening faster than normal, the movie seems rushed and the familiar flow is missing. Significant departures from and new additions to what the book offers, further throws you off course.

However, as we move towards the second half the pace begins to even out, the connect with the characters and the situation, re-develops and the climax is enthralling as it ought to be. Looking back one can say that the first 40 minutes of the movie could’ve probably been given more attention, but the rest of the movie more than makes up for its flaws.

Snape’s memories (and those who have read the book know exactly where this comes in) and onwards is beautifully re-created and the flow of events is just right – probably just as you would imagine it while reading the book.

Disappointingly though, while you get the chance to ‘complete the journey in 3D’, its hardly ever there. There are probably one or two scenes in the whole movie where the 3D effect is truly felt. And this, when there was immense potential. What could have been a perilous and adventurous journey through the eyes of Harry Potter and his friends, continues to be in a third person format, as if you viewed from a distance – which is a let down

Other than that and the shaky first half, there are few complaints. The actors are all now top of their form and do justice to their roles. The special effects are right up there and the quality of presentation has just gotten better with every instalment.

But like I’ve always maintained, its the story that’s the real hero of this series. One still marvels at the incredible journey that a single mind has created and salutes the sheer depths of creativity and imagination that are the soul of this saga.

However, as the train leaves King’s Cross Station for one final time and the credits roll in, it is a sad reminder that all good things must come to an end and the saga, however great it was, is now finally over

Movie Review: Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara–Go Reclaim Your Life!!

At the minor risk of being sued or at least frowned upon by Mahindra & Mahindra (for having used the tagline of their Mahindra Scorpio car, in the title of my blog), I still continue to keep it there because nothing else is a better descriptor

A fresh and light presentation, with decent humour, just the right amount of emotion and good performances makes Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara a definite watch in this week’s line up. What may seem as a run-of-the-mill and predictable plot is very well woven, expertly paced and presented.

The movie is a celebration of life, what it stands for or rather what it ought to stand for. It is also a wonderful celebration of true friendship, what it means in the true sense of the word. In fact, if its possible try to take your best chums along to see this one

The humor is good and clean (proof that you don’t always need toilet humour – read Delhi Belly, to make the audience laugh). The writing is brilliant, some of the dialogues stand out and especially the voice over poetry one gets to listen to at different points in the movie is simply sublime

The movie is also perhaps the perfect advertisement for Spanish tourism. Don’t be surprised if after watching this movie you end up choosing your next holiday destination to be Spain. Spectacular landscapes and natural beauty are exquisitely shot and displayed.

One may complain of the predictability of the plot – so much so that you can almost predict the next scene accurately in most cases. However, doing it any other way would not have worked as well, and I have no complaints.

In terms of performances, Hritik puts in a sincere but stereotypical performance for a character that he doesn’t look the part one bit. Abhay Deol’s dialogue delivery is noticeable for the wrong reasons, though other than that he gives a credible performance. But Farhan Akhtar easily steals the show in this one and seems to only get better with every movie. His acting is near-perfect and he seems completely at ease portraying his character as well as doing complete justice to some emotional scenes. Katrina looks lovely throughout the movie and that’s probably all that matters from that standpoint. Kalki on other hand does not, and neither is her performance too great.

The title track is melodious but the other songs, not so much. The movie could have easily done with one song lesser but the good news is that for a change, it doesn’t drag or bore you. In fact, the feel-good factor is pretty strong in this movie and you tend to come out of the theater quite refreshed and rejuvenated.

So without further ado, you’ve lost on enough time already, go book your tickets and reclaim your life!!

Movie Review: Delhi Belly–hate it or love it?

This one’s hard. Its a decent movie, but its definitely not what all the hype is making it out to be. Yes, it is outrageous. Yes, it is ground-breaking and outrightly bold. Yes, it seems more like Hollywood than Bollywood. But is it that much fun? Well, yes and no…maybe in parts.

The movie is a good situational comedy, a dark comic caper but its not your rib-tickling stuff. The movie, interestingly, shows some shades of Kaminey (and before you get excited, only some shades…), but lacks the directorial brilliance and tight plot that Kaminey had. Rather, it relies on language that today’s youth uses and a dose, rather over-dose, of potty humor to woo its audience which succeeds to some extent. In terms of boldness, some of the scenes even seem to be purposefully put, some dialogues deliberately written – to justify the ‘A’ certificate this movie has, as well as generate the current hype. To the plot, script etc. they add absolutely nothing and could have been easily omitted. So is the case with the absolutely useless last number with ‘Aamir Khan’ as ‘Disco Fighter’!! Aamir can pull off practically anything, any role..but I think we just figured what he ‘shouldn’t’ attempt

However, on the bright side the movie has an original script, is well presented. There are a few hilarious scenes (mostly because of the acting) and some really good one-liners which won’t be forgotten easily. Imran, Vir Das and Kunal Roy Kapoor all do a good job though the best act is by Vijay Raaz. While the character of the villain himself is not that well etched out, Raaz delivers it to a T. The plot build up is good and there is a definite flow to the movie right up to the climax, along with the racy soundtrack running in the background.

All that said, once you’ve seen Delhi Belly, I’ve got a feeling that you’ll not be able to hate it or love it, but rather something in the middle. Something just seems amiss from making it a must-watch and I can’t really pinpoint what it is…

So go watch and find out for yourself. A word to the wise, though – this movie has been released in both Hinglish and Hindi. Please catch the Hinglish version – the Hindi version is a dubbed one and most of the offensive language has been translated quite faithfully, making for a rather crude viewing, am told. So make sure you book the right tickets!

That’ s the verdict then – Delhi Belly, in Hinglish..bhaag..dk bose bhaag!!

Movie Review: X-Men First Class…is truly First Class!!

I think I ‘ve practically given it away in the title itself this time…go book your tickets right now. To be frank, I wasn’t overly optimistic. Though a big fan of the franchise I wasn’t sure if there was much ‘meat’ to pull off the sequel. Plus a look at the poster made me even less hopeful..they look like little kids wearing their superhero costumes…but all doubts were expelled and out the window once I emerged from the theater a full 2 hours 20 minutes only wishing that there was even more

With Kung Fu Panda II and now X-Men First Class, I am beginning to appreciate even more what ‘a complete package’ can deliver. That’s exactly what X-Men First Class is…decent plot…excellent build up…awesome special effects coupled with an inspired background score..there isn’t too much more you could ask for. Top that up with commendable performances from all, especially the leads James McAvoy (Charles) and Michael Fassbender (Eric) and you have a truly First Class package.

Though the base storyline is fairly average, the way it is delivered, each character is carved out and the pieces put together is really a class act. Great direction from Matthew Vaughn (who hasn’t made any of the X-Men movies incidentally) It is evident that time and effort has been put into defining each scene in the movie. What’s more one gets the impression that the storyteller is one who has deep understanding and love for each of the X-Men Characters and the franchise. One always was intrigued about the history between Charles and Eric and their curious relationship...and it couldn't have been portrayed better.

My only regret, if any, was that this movie was not made in 3D. Given the astounding special effects, this would have been a larger than life spectacle, worth watching many times over

As it stands though, X-Men: First Class delivers well and truly and must be at the top of your ‘must-watch’ list this weekend.

Mutant...and proud :)

Movie Review: Hangover II: The same stuff all over again..

I know what you are thinking! If its the same stuff it should be great, right? I mean, looking at how awesome Hangover was, this should be a sure winner. Well, not exactly…

One of the major reasons the first instalment was that great, was that the audience, at the time, did not know what to expect. We were just eager to watch on how much messier it got, before it all came right. Plus we had no idea who Phil, Stu and Alan were, so getting to know their quirky characters was fun. As Hangover II, that becomes the base expectation. So when that’s all you get served, the second time round, it isn’t that great.

What would have done it for Hangover II would have been some freshness..a new wacky way to get Phil, Stu and Alan in a whole new mess, with probably another new way more wackier character thrown in!! But no, there is nothing new!! The picturization, presentation, characters, everything is the same, apart from the background music which is actually more eerie and doesn’t sound much better

But then, am not saying that its bad a movie either. If you haven't seen the first one (though chances are remote), then you should love it...If you have seen the first part, you'll still have fun - the characters are all top of their form, the dialogues are good, some situations are the typical laugh out loud types and you’ll definitely enjoy the show, just don’t watch it with too many expectations.

Movie Review: Kung Fu Panda 2–Not twice, but plenty of awesomeness!!

Most sequels tend to fail and I think a key factor is that not enough thought goes into making the next one..the first one does so brilliantly well that the second one wants to just ride that wave..and that’s where a promising series is dealt a deathblow

Kung Fu Panda 2 does not fall into that category

Yes, Ladies and Gentlemen, your favourite Dragon Warrior is back and even if he isn’t as awesome as his debut, his awesomeness is not the only reason that you should be rushing to the theaters to catch this one

Awesome 3D!! That’s the first thought that strikes you once you are leaving the hall…Kung Fu Panda 2 comes to life, especially during the action sequences which are aplenty. Probably the best 3D effects I have ever seen in an animation film, this one wouldn’t be half the film it is without the 3D glasses. 15 minutes into the movie and you can see how the makers have spent time and effort thinking of everything that was lovable and enjoyable in the first one and given a whole new dimension to it

And that’s a real savior, especially since the plot line itself is wafer thin, While there was a lot more depth and interest in the unfolding of the plot, in Kung Fu Panda (part I), there is precious little to expect from a story point of view. However, its the whole package, the fight sequences, the 3D, the equally appropriate background score and of course, the familiar old characters, that make part 2 of this series worth a watch

The Furious 5 are back, as is Master Shifu and though they individually have even lesser air-time than last time (a pity though, would’ve liked a little more of them) they still make their presence felt. Po is now the Dragon Warrior but that doesn’t stop him from being Po, if you know what I mean..and hence, all the laughs.

The animation, well the animation keeps getting better with every movie and this one is no different

But now..I think it is time to tell you what I should have told you a looong time ago….

Naah! Am not giving it away..just go watch the movie!!

Movie Review: Pirates of the Carribean: On Stranger Tides– Stranger No More..

Well, if the title doesn’t give you clear direction, let me make it simple – Captain Jack Sparrow is Back!!! And while he doesn’t get any better than the first edition of this roller coaster of a series (which has been on the down-turn for its last two installments), he does get as close as he can

The real dilemma for you, my good people, is not whether to watch it or not but more so that you should watch this movie in 3D or not…let me explain: Most of the movie is better enjoyed without those troublesome and heavy plastic glasses weighing down your nose..however, there are some spectacular sequences close to the interval and the climax that would be best enjoyed if those creatures were to jump out of the screen and hit you in the face than just be pasted on the screen…and really, I have no clear answers.

I myself saw it in 3D and if you were to take my opinion alone, I’d say you’re better off going in for the 2D version, the action sequences aren’t gonna get better than what you saw in Avatar, anyway. But, let’s get back to the movie, itself.

The movie is an honest attempt to recreate the magic of the 1st edition and you have to laud the effort. The story is simpler, much less convoluted, more focus on the dialogues and taking the plot in the right direction, all the good elements. As for the changes in the star cast, Cruz is a welcome addition to the crew and her character itself, presents exciting possibilities..These are yet to be explored in their fullest, and one would hope that happens in the next editions that are to follow. As for the missing people (Knightley and Bloom), you do miss them in parts, but all the others (Barbossa, Mr. Gibbs) are there so you get used to it

Captain Jack Sparrow, is back and he is in fine form…Even though we are familiar with his ways, he still manages to keep you interested in what he is up to, throughout the movie and Johnny Depp is truly in his element, portraying Sparrow. The character is legendary, and reason alone for this series to have another episode

To cut a rather long story short, the gist is that this movie is a resurrection-of-sorts of a promising series that had lost its way in the middle. With Stranger Tides, Pirates..has moved back to its more ‘familiar’ ways and is a ‘stranger’ no more

Now, bring me that horizon…and catch that movie yo ho!

Movie Review: Shor in the city…makes itself heard

While originally not on my ‘watch-list’ (what with Tusshar, as he is now called. in the lead and it being an Ekta Kapoor production..can you really blame me?)..but the touted dark horse this weekend seemed worth checking out.

The first and perhaps the only mistake I made before entering the hall, was to assume this would be a comedy..albeit a dark comedy but one with laugh out loud moments and amazing comic situations. Nothing of the sort….don’t assume you are watching a comedy and you 'll be fine.

Watch ‘Shor in the City’ for what it really is..a fairly hard hitting, yet subtle flick with loads of irony in every sequence. The first line of the movie says ‘The city is just an excuse for people to be good or bad, especially bad’…hats off to the person who thought of this line since it very succintly describes exactly what this movie is all about.

Don’t expect it to be a classic…its not even close. The last offering by this stable was LSD and we all know what LSD was like. This one is closer to that. But while LSD was too slow and a little too subtle for my liking Shor in the city does just enough to make itself noticed. It leaves plenty for the audience to think of, once the movie is over but doesn’t really force them to do so either. You can come out of the hall and be indifferent to what you saw or you can ponder over the irony shown in the film..its that kind of a movie

While I wouldn’t qualify it as a must-watch, I’d still encourage you to watch it for the fresh offering that it is, a rare instance in Bollywood

Movie Review: Source Code…enthralls yet disappoints

It is so gripping you wouldn’t want to move from your seat, even blink an eye, lest you miss the critical element the protagonist is looking for in the 8 minute bracket he has, to save…

Almost gave away the plot there, but when I saw this trailer about a month and a half ago, its been a near desperate wait for this one to finally reach the big screen.

Till the first half broke, Source Code seemed as if it had been well worth the wait. And then such promise, such potential was frittered away quite casually in what can only be described as a lukewarm second half and an even quieter climax. Coming from Hollywood, this is highly disappointing…

If I were to draw parallels I would say Source Code starts off as a ‘Paycheck’, gripping from the word ‘go’, new things coming to light every 8 minutes (You’ll find out why), with a background score that is also very similar to Paycheck. In fact, the concept itself is so fascinating, the possibilities so immense that you brace yourself for an explosive second half.

But alas…that never happens. Perhaps the director ran out of ideas..maybe he wanted to send out a social message..whatever the context, the end of the movie is disappointing as in the case of Vantage Point, another movie that had shown a lot of promise.

While Jake Gyllenhaal puts in a convincing act, that still isn’t enough to get over the disappointment while exiting the movie hall. However, purely for its ‘unputdownable’ (an expression normally reserved for a great book) first half, you can try cracking this code this weekend

Movie Review: Chalo Dilli….jaana zaroori nahi hai

Its okay..

That’s distinctly the feeling you have,once you emerge from the cinema hall after watching Chalo Dilli. The trouble with this movie is that it tries too hard. Time and again there are some great opportunities to make the audience laugh but the over-attempt results in over-kill

Blame it on the script…blame it on the cast..blame it on whatever. But Chalo Dilli doesn’t do enough to make you want to undertake this journey more than once.

One look at Vinay Pathak in the first few scenes and you rejoiced that Bharat Bhushan (Bheja Fry) was back for another round. But in his new avatar, Pathak manages only a few laughs. As for Lara Dutta – the story has been told time and again – she looks ravishing but acts..well, she can’t act…let’s just leave it at that.

And that, is a critical aspect especially since she’s supposed to be the leading lady in this comic flick

One thing to appreciate though, is the rather insightful act you get to watch, most of the characters and their actions can be related to somebody you might know, or at least have observed. However, whenever you see potential for some interesting situations to develop, the movie shifts to a different track, leaving you wondering what was the point of showing those scenes in the first place..

The issue with the second half and especially the end is that it gets too preachy and has too much in-your-face messaging. Would rather have appreciated a more subtle message where the audience also had some food for thought

As for the songs – thankfully, I counted only 3. It is appalling to note this new unfavorable trend of lifting old classical hits and making sad, or rather pathetic ‘new’ music out of it. The song ‘Laila main Laila’ falls under the same category. The only relief is that it is nowhere close to the sorry excuse for a song that was made in DMD. (am talking about Mit Jaaye Gham…kaash yeh gaana hi mit jaata…)

All in all, its a fairly timepass watch…and if you have nothing better to pass the time this weekend, you may venture a watch

Movie Review: Dum Maro Dum…packs a punch!!

The Bollywood hit of the season is here!! It has been a long while that I have had the good fortune to watch a decent Bollywood action flick (last one that comes to mind is Khakee) and that is exactly what Rohan Sippy delivers with Dum Maro Dum
What does it for DMD, more than anything else is a decent plot and build up. Right from the start, the movie builds up really well. The main characters are well drawn up, their back stories very well explained and you are only hoping that the momentum of the first half will pass on to the next. For a change, you are not disappointed. Further, snazzy camera effects, great editing and brilliant use of the tune of Dum Maro Dum as background score at various stages only add to the punch of the movie
Interestingly, the poster for this movie is also really apt, though you will realize that only once you've seen the first half.
Now, this movie has two villains. One is, of course, Aditya Pancholi. The other, while he doesn’t even show his face in the film, is Pritam. Yes, Pritam – the music director. He, not only piles you on with umpteen number of songs; to make matters worse, none of them are good!! What ultimately brings down DMD at least one notch lower is the ‘at least’ 3 songs extra it has. For once, you have a movie with decent plot and build-up. Why pack it with so many songs and why Pritam as Music Director?? That and the fact that they could’ve probably gone for a better villain than Aditya Pancholi are the real lows of the film
In the acting department, well nobody really stands out. Abhishek Bachan acts his part and puts in a good performance. Prateik Babbar though, stands out for all the wrong reasons, and his squeaky dialogue delivery can get really irritating at times. The newbie Rana, delivers a sincere performance and gets noticed. Bipasha looks good but her character is hardly challenging. Deepika, while not a central character, in the movie sets the screen on fire with her scorching moves in the track Dum Maro Dum, though there’s a lot more they could’ve done with the song, especially given the time it enters the movie. The song itself, is a shameful rip of the iconic Zeenat Aman Dum Maro Dum..how I wish that memory had not been tarnished by such pathetic music (really Pritam, you’ve done your best to spoil this one)
The movie has some tender moments too, but they do not slow down the action or pace of the movie. While the 2nd half zips past and especially towards the climax seems rather hurried, the overall package packs quite a punch and should definitely be your first choice for the movies this weekend

Movie Review: Rio..celebrates the spirit of the Carnival!!

A few years ago an animated movie came out by the name of ‘Happy Feet’ about a penguin who could dance. While it received a lot of critical acclaim and kudos…personally it wasn’t that impressive..and I didn’t really feel like dancing to the penguin’s tune. I felt it was a ‘little all over the place’ and the message it presented was kinda forced on the audience.

Rio has nothing to do with a bird who can dance/ not dance..yet you are bound to sway to its beats, enjoy its highs and lows and come out of the hall in high spirits!

A perfect setup for a 3D movie, Rio celebrates Rio (the place) its spirit and the all-important carnival. In fact, so much so that the main storyline itself becomes secondary in the process. That said, this is one animation whose plotline moves at a breakneck speed so put on your crash helmets from the first scenes itself. Don’t be fooled by the rather quiet start (which itself is unique for animation movie). Before halftime, you would have already been in & out of cages, travelled halfway around the world and be struggling to keep pace with the trials and tribulations of Blu (our protagonist Macaw)

Yet, like most animation flicks the plotline is fairly predictable yet keeps you clued in. Each character, not just the main ones, are well drawn out and have a distinct personality. The humor levels are just about right, though more could be expected from an animation movie. Jesse Eisenberg is near-perfect as Blu, and suits the nerdy yet lovable character of Blu to the T (especially after Social Network) while Anne Hathaway is simply adorable as the love interest. The villain of the tale (I shall not name who) is also particularly noteworthy and the audience is sure to find him a despicable and disgusting character.

The animation is good as ever and the 3D is quite noticeable, especially in scenes of flight and travel. What this movie somewhat misses is an extra character like the Penguins in Madagascar or a Scrat (especially since this one is from the makers of Ice Age).

One good thing though is that it doesn’t try to preach and spread a social message of any kind. The message is subtle, maybe even cliched but that’s what suits the tone of the movie

If one were to be particularly critical of such movies, one can say that there is nothing ‘new’ coming from their makers and each character can be somewhat related to some or the other character in some past animation film. But an animation flick is something meant for all ages. It needn’t be cross examined and critically analyzed. The best way is to sit back, relax and let the child in you enjoy the show

Movie Review: Just Go With It…is worth going for

At the outset, I would like to make it clear – this is a typical DVD watch. While its worth going for, purely from a good watch standpoint..its not your not-to-miss flick of the week and doesn’t necessarily need an outing to the theaters.

What makes this one worth a watch though is the gentle and easy flow of the movie especially in the first half and how the title to this movie is really apt…from the beginning we all ‘just go with it’ – the characters in the movie, the audience that watches them…its not your movie to sit and analyze and debate over. Its one of those flicks you are supposed to just sit back, relax and enjoy

That said, it isn’t really mindless either. A fair bit of humour with some absolutely laugh out loud instances, Just Go With It makes for decent movie fare. Especially the first half, is particularly encouraging..in fact, the movie reminds you a lot of ‘No Entry (the lone Bazmee comedy that was actually pretty decent) in how it shapes up and the way the plot moves forward

What is a bit of a let-down is the more typical rom-com second half. The movie just gets a little too much on the love angle, the gags become lesser and it kinda feels disconnected. Its all very sweetly done but it misses that X-factor. The end itself is particularly tame.

Adam Sandler puts in his customary decent performance playing a character he is all too familiar with by now. Jennifer Anniston plays her part well too though age is beginning to tell on her and I think she should graduate to more ‘motherly’ roles rather than play the love interest now. Nicole Kidman is thoroughly under-utilized in the character she plays. A special word for Nick Swardson who puts in a particularly note worthy performance as do the kids in the movie.

Oh! and absolutely stunningly gorgeous is Brooklyn Decker; in fact, she may be one reason you might actually wanna catch this one on the big screen ;)

So there you have it..that’s my take on the flick..whether its worth your ticket at the movie hall is something you’ll have to let your heart decide..and ‘just go with it’

Movie Review: The Lincoln Lawyer..is a case worth investigating

Now I know that this review comes in over a week late..call it a case of oversight..but I overlooked The Lincoln Lawyer last week so thought I’d remedy that.

Playing out practically like a John Grisham novel (it is a screen adaptation of a novel by Micheal Connelly actually), the Lincoln Lawyer catches your interest from the very start and manages to keep you intrigued, practically throughout.

While the narrative does get a little slow in between, still the movie covers adequate ground in the first half and breaks for interval by revealing quite an interesting quandary our protagonist faces

A coming of age performance from Matthew McConaughey (for the uninitiated he’s the guy from those rom coms – How to lose a guy in 10 days, Failure to Launch etc), McConaughey is in his element as the smart and slick lawyer and really manages to get under the skin of his character. Especially, the transformation of his character as the movie gathers pace and the story moves ahead is particularly impressive. Ryan Phillippe also does justice to his character as the ‘client’ of Matthew McConaughey.

The movie is also smartly written with some genuinely intelligent quips and remarks from our lead character (McConaughey). However, where the movie disappoints (at least it did so for me) was the way the plot situation is handled in the second half. Maybe the director ran out of ideas, maybe he showed something I didn’t see…whatever be the case, the finale of the movie isn’t as thrilling as one would expect it to be. You keep waiting for McConaughey to pull a rabbit out of a hat only to find out he really didn’t need one..go figure that one out.

The issue about reviewing a movie that revolves around a lawyer’s case is that there is practically nothing you can talk of, without giving something about the movie away and that would indeed, be a shame

So suffice it to say that if great acting, a decent plot and a fairly engaging time is what you are looking for ‘The Lincoln Lawyer’ may be right up your alley.

------Case Closed-------

P.S. As for the releases this week, well I have no plans of watching ‘Thank You’ (No thank you to that one and with this I think I can effectively strike off Mr. Bazmee from my list), the Game is practically 'over' (on all counts) and I'd be damned if I 'Accepted' a rip off like Faltu :)

Movie Review: 7 Khoon Maaf is too long to be pardoned

Based on Ruskin Bond’s short story Suzanna’s Seven Husbands, Vishal Bhardwaj’s 7 Khoon Maaf is a demented, psychotic, dark tale for the search for true love – gruesome and relentless in its presentation. From the first frame itself there is a sense of foreboding in the air and one gears up for a thrilling and enthralling movie. But alas!

The movie is painstakingly slow!!…by the time we were rounding the first half, having done with 3 husbands and I read ‘4 more to go’ in the interval, I had almost made up my mind to walk out in sheer disappointment. If one were really looking for a parallel, one can probably call this a kind of ‘slowed down’ version of Kill Bill 2..but since that movie was regarded to be slow in itself..well, you can get the picture..The fact that there are many random ordinary songs in the first half as well didn’t help matters either. After the fast paced and absolutely thrilling Kaminey, this kind of a serving from a stalwart like Vishal Bhardawaj was quite unexpected and deeply disappointing.

However, the second half and really the last 40 minutes somewhat make up for the slack pace of the first one and a half hours, so much so that by the time you come out of the hall you are willing to say the movie was quite watchable. You get treated to the catchy tones of the delectable ‘Darrling’, the plot picks up pace and the narration becomes more engaging. Especially towards the end, some scenes are particularly powerful and somewhat justify the money spent on the movie ticket

In the acting department, Priyanka Chopra is at centerstage in this kind of a movie and she is certainly equal to the task. She is able to pull off a complex character like Suzanna and does justice to each of her ‘avatars’, though some are more convincing than the others. Vivaan Shah (Naseeruddin Shah’s son, for the uninitiated) is impressive for a rookie, as the narrator and one of the characters of this dark tale. The sidekicks to Suzanna also put in a noteworthy performance despite their small role.

The writing (surprisingly) is not as crisp, and some Bollywoodish dialogues just make you cringe and grind your teeth. There is nothing Bollywoodish about this movie otherwise, and they seem bizarrely out-of-place. One of the masterstrokes is really, the last dialogue of the movie though, where you get a glimpse of the class of Vishal Bhardwaj but that’s it

After a stunner like Kaminey it would not be far from the mark to say that 7 Khoon Maaf disappoints. As I said, on the whole the movie may be regarded as watchable but I have to say, given that this is Vishal Bhardwaj…I had hoped for more.

Movie Review: Yeh Saali Zindagi..is worth a shot…

Racy, pacy and action packed and extremely convoluted – the surprise hit of this week is worth giving a shot. Is it worthy of all the hooplah and kudos its received so far? Well, not exactly..but its still worth checking out

Yeh Saali Zindagi, a noir somewhat comic film (one can compare to Waisa Bhi Hota Hai Part 2, as a reference point) is a refreshing change from your run of the mill predictable plotlines. Unfolding with a whole host of characters introduced every now and then, through the course of the movie, it is a very fresh approach to cinema, specially considering this is Bollywood we talking about

With an over complex and constantly convoluting plot, told with ‘in a jiffy’ back stories and a lot of confusion thrown in, the movie surely grabs your attention right from the first frame itself. In fact, at the time of the interval, one is almost breathless with all the chasing around and catching up one has to do. However, its the 2nd half that doesn’t live up to the expectations. Especially, at the juncture that the movie breaks at the intermission, expectations are built up well and high but the 2nd half doesn’t deliver as much.

Some scenes slow down way too much and given the situation in the movie, it doesn’t seem apt. Add to that one too many songs and that’s where the movie lets itself down. (though, the title track is melodious and lovely).

Extremely unapologetic and downright audacious in its presentation, the movie is rife with abuses and very ‘desi’ language used all throughout (an increasingly popular trend in movies these days). With smartly written dialogues and a decent script, it surely produces a lot of chuckles and the occasional burst of laughter but doesn’t manage to create that magic to make for a second viewing.

The actors (humungous in number though they are) all do justice to their roles. Chitrangda Singh looks gorgeous throughout the movie while Irrfan manages to leave a lasting impression (Despite not having too much air time). The much publicized 22 kisses (not from Chitrangda though..pity) are very much all there but I guess they get a bit too much for the context they are shown in

All in all, its one surprise hit for sure. I for one had never thought of this flick as first on my list but I guess it all aptly fits the lyrics of the title song:

‘Zindagi pe tera mera kisi ka na zor hai
Hum sochte hai kuch wo saali sochti kuch aur hai
Ye zindagi ye saali zindagi…’

Movie Review: Dhobi Ghat: Mumbai Diaries - Painstakingly slow...

Eagerly awaited but pretty much disappointed, is probably the best way to sum up Dhobi Ghat: Mumbai Diaries. Given all the mystique and curiosity generated through the promos that gave away precious little, expectations had risen to quite an extent even before walking into the movie hall. Little did one know that the reason the promos were like that is that there is actually precious little that the movie has to offer

Half an hour into the movie and you still wait for it to pick up pace but alas! that wait is to continue forever...or at least till the last 15 mins which are really the most engaging part of the movie. Just when you begin to feel that things are finally getting a move along, you see the ending credits roll in and shock and disbelief abound.

Don't get me wrong. There is some depth to the scenes and characters in the movie and some very subtle messages..perhaps even too subtle. However, the painful pace of the movie drives away any interest you may have towards analyzing the movie or the message it wants to convey. Frankly, Dhobi Ghat comes across more as a well narrated book than a movie altogether. The actors all do justice to their characters despite a few newbies in the picture. Aamir Khan's character doesn't demand much from him given the repertoire of skills he has to offer and delivers his role with finesse. Especially, the last 15 minutes when he has a horrific realization, you get to see vintage Aamir, but other than, there's not much that causes him to put in an effort.

Interestingly, despite its slow pace and your constant frustration while watching the frames move at a painstaking rate, you still would have a tendency to think about the movie and what it tries to portray as you come out of the movie hall. At least while watching, one wouldn't expect that to happen

For those who like slow, art movies this may be acceptable movie fare but if you are looking for something that truly has a knockout punch? - Well, I guess you'll have to wait a little longer