Bodyguard

Would you like to watch a movie which demands you keep your "brain" aside? Would you like to watch a movie which feels like some old-age bollywood movie, where the credits come before the movie starts (on a screen with a color) and songs pop in anywhere (without context)? Would you like to watch a movie that has all the masala...a love story, a one-sided love story, a prem kahani, tears and emotions and villains and heroes? Yes? Then this is a movie for you. Add-on is Salman's humor and Kareena who is looking stunning these days. Yes her outfits are worth looking at. Salman..he's as usual (won't comment).

So, story..love story with a twist. Screenplay nothing new. Music not so great. Comedy..forced. Performance..the script did not demand any. Script? It didn't need one. Cinematography..you don't want to talk about it.

But even then, its a timepass movie. Not too hard on emotions and grey cells. If you are looking for a light hearted movie and you can bear Salman Khan, then go for it. I'd say its passe!

Mausam..it can kill

It is a Pankaj Kapur movie and I had expected some sense from the movie. It is a total disappointment.
The movie starts with the introduction of Harry (Shahid Kapur) who is a mischievous, notorious young boy. He meets Aayat (Sonam Kapoor) who is a newcomer to the village. He falls head over heels in love with her. Ok, agreed, she looks like an innocent doll. But then why so much overacting to portray the innocence of love, the moments when two lovers steal some time to catch a glimpse of the other. Understood, we do not need so much overkill with dialogues. Then Aayat moves out from the village without informing anyone, during the Ayodhya riots. Riots and someone moves to Mumbai? Okay! Then when they bump into each other in Scotland after 7 years, all she can say for not informing him was "sorry" really? Where's the melodrama now?
Then, this time Harry has to report immediately as the squadron leader who leads the mission to win over Tiger hill in the Kargil war. Nothing about the war is shown, just that Harry's plane catches fire. Ok. But no melodrama, he lands successfully on an authorised runway, but in the next scene, the doctor declares that his left hand is paralysed? Where's the explanation now?
Then again they don't meet..for whatever reasons..but they meet during the Gujarat riots in 2002 where Harry very heroically saves Aayat at the last minute. They save a horse and a small girl (during which Harry's paralysed hand heals!). So now they form a family and live happily ever after. But is the audience happy? No, they are dead...bored to death!
So in summary, story..you just read the trimmed down version (your lucky). Performances..over done. The only one that deserves mention is that of Supriya Pathak. Songs..okish. Background score..okish. Direction not good and editing is horrible (its a 3 hour movie??)
Please don't bother!

Mausam

There is an answer to Mausam. Twitter. The whole movie revolves around failing to update one's status (and stretches to centuries..but is luckily 3 hours). But with the advent of modern communication systems, such problems (one hopes) are now behind us.
--
Mohsin

That girl in yellow boots

This is an Anurag Kashyap movie and its worth his name. The story is by Kalki Koechlin and Anurag Kashyap.
The story revolves around Kalki, who is a Britisher who has come to India to look for her father. She was very young when her father abandoned them and settled in India.

Kalki does not have a work visa in India but for a living she works in a spa. While massaging she also earns some extra bucks with a happy ending.

She meets many characters during her stay and finally when she finds her father, he is someone she would have been happier if she hadn't met.

The story may be a little trivial but what is striking is the story telling, the cinematography and the direction. It is very different from regular bollywood movies. And the performances..powerful. All the characters have given their bit, but Kalki's performance is overpowering. You wouldn't notice anyone else but her. Her character is a difficult one to play. Why? The character has white and gray shades all at once. Her thoughts and needs and beliefs are complicated. She is a young white woman living all alone in Mumbai, where no one really cares about anyone else.

A movie you must watch for the creativity put in the making and the stunning performance by Kalki. Give it a watch!

How to train your dragon

This is an animated movie and no its not only for kids. Its an adorable movie. Simple story, featuring dragons though. But all the characters are endearing especially the lead dragon :)
Toothless is what the lead dragon is called. He is a sweetheart. Just look at his expressions and all you would say is "awww". He is very cute.

Ok, and apart from the dragon's cuteness there is a story :)
The characters in the movie live in an age when dragons were in abundance. Their town was in danger of the dragons, as they attacked at night to steal food. They damaged houses and killed villagers in the attempt. Thus the skill people developed in that town over time is fighting the dragons. Killing the dragon was considered as an achievement of the highest degree. The leader of the army had a son named Hiccup who was could never kill dragons. No one ever imagined he would be an heir to the leader of the army. As the story unfolds Hiccup meets Toothless who cannot fly as he has a broken tail. The relationship between Hiccup and Toothless is what the movie is all about. Even though Toothless is a dangerous fire throwing dragon he has a heart of gold and takes Hiccup as his master and pledges to protect him from all forms of danger.

The story line is not really new, but is done well. It is definitely worth a watch once. A very sweet and cute movie. 

Marley and Me

Ever had a pet dog? or wanted to have a pet dog? Then this movie is for you. Its a movie that travels less on the relationship between husband and wife but more on the relationship the dog shares with every member of the family.

This movie is based on a true story. It starts out with the relationship between Owen Wilson(John) and Jennifer Aniston (Jennifer). A sweet relationship but where Jennifer has planned out the steps of her life. John is worried that after a marriage and job Jennifer might have planned a kid. Since John was not ready for one, his friend advises him to buy a puppy who will keep Jennifer company. That is how John decides to get a pet. This pup they adopt is one hell of a mischievous fellow. He eats anything from a phone to an answering machine and is always jumping around. The way John and Jennifer handle him and train him is the best part of the movie. The fun they have together, the michief, the troubled times they pass through..everything is very memorable and well projected. And all this while John, who is a reporter writes a column which portrays all his experiences with his dog Marley. All these columns were later published as a book after they lose Marley. The burial ceremony they have for Marley was very touching.

All in all the movie is very heart touching and the performances are real like. Marley is the start with all his unpredictable mischief. Enjoy the ups and downs of the life of a dog. A must watch! Recommended!