Joker

No, the trailers did not lure me into the theatre, it was the lack of any other one and the need to watch a movie.

So, I went in with zero expectations and was out with negative recommendations :)

*Spoiler alert - in case you really think these can spoil the movie experience any further*

The story starts in Paglapur at the time when Britishers ruled India. When a British officer was making his tour to chalk out all the towns in the map, all the mental patients in this town fled from their keeping and threw out everyone sane from there. Fearing his death, the officer didn't make it to the town and hence the town never made its mark on the map. Impressive.

Scene-2 a NASA scientist is developing an instrument to communicate with aliens. Those who have funded him are looking for results which Akshay is unable to produce. Meanwhile his live-in girlfriend Sonakshi receives a call from India and is informed that Akshay's father is terribly ill and breathing his last. Immediately they rush to India, Paglapur

This is where everything really falls apart, what with everyone falling off trees and the scenes looking so artificial. Then on proceeds all the 'maddening' events that proves that the town is rightly called what it is called. Asrani plays his role well as an English teacher with jokes like 'He has come gone' Wo aake gaya and such of the same kind.

Then events so proceed that Akshay has to free the people of his town and make them self dependent. This village does not have the basic infrastructure for electricity, water. He then goes and talks to ministers who are obviously corrupt and not interested in the town since it is not part of anyone's region.

So, to get the public support and to get everyone to know about the town he stages an artificial sighting of a crop circle. Obviously the press comes as soon as they can and then there is drama and some more drama and more artificial aliens and more drama but no acting at all.

Acting-nil
Story-boring
Execution-artificial
Humor-doesn't tickle at all

So, money wasted!

Ek Tha Tiger

A paisa wasool movie (if you think pure entertainment with less stress on the brain for lots of details and nuances is paisa wasool)

The plot revolves around RAW agent Tiger who is known to kill someone or the other on every mission that he is sent on. His sheer skills as an agent is what makes everyone scared as soon as they spot him.

One mission that he is sent on, forces him to take decisions with his heart and that is where the plot twists. The twists are okay, not too great but not too bad too. What I liked about the movie is the direction in general and more specifically of the action scenes. Pretty well done there.
Katrina also has a couple of action scenes which she has performed fairly well.
The comedy quotient is little, the performances good and the songs minimal. And surprisingly like every recent Salman movie, this one does not have a dialogue which he repeats throughout like a tagline.

Anyway, this a nice time pass movie which will not disappoint much if you don;t look for too much brilliance. I'd say its passe.

The Phantom of the Opera

If you are a fan of the opera, then maybe you will find this worthless. But for me it was a different experience. The dialogues are sung out by the actors, yes sung. There is music and the dialogues are lyrics. At first this felt and sounded weird but once you get into the flow you will start enjoying it.

The story is about a young boy who is beaten just because his face is deformed. A young girl rescues him and lets him hide in the opera house. The boy learns and practices the opera and is very well versed. He then teaches a young girl whom he also then starts adoring and plans to wed someday. But he never appears, only his voice can be heard. In the meanwhile this young girl has made it to the lead in the opera and has fallen in love with a Lord.

The story that ensues is a usual clash of emotions and priorities and choices.
The only thing that makes this move worth your time once is the novelty of the way the opera is incorporated throughout the movie. The music effects are worth of a mention, well suited for an opera. The performances are good too, but I hardly concentrated on those because the lyrics and singing were so beautiful.

I'd say, give it a try!

The Terminal

Yes we know that Tom Hanks is a brilliant actor and when put together with Speilberg's creativity, they sure make a lovely movie.
And as for terminal, the sheer ingenuity of the theme is what I loved.

Tom is from an Eastern European country. He arrives at the New York airport but unluckily for him a war broke out in his country after he left. Now since he belongs to a country (or no country) which the US does not recognize he is stranded at the airport.
Tom plays a character who does not understand or speak English very well, so easily that it becomes difficult to believe that he is an American.

The story proceeds showing how the security in-charge at the airport starts disliking Tom for his patience and at how he starts making the airport his home. Tom in the meantime makes many friends and well wishers at the airport. The movie is a bit stretched towards the end, but

I will not describe the entire plot and the climax, but it is a movie worth watching for
1. The uniqueness of the plot
2. Tom Hanks' flawless performance
3. The story telling

Go enjoy the show!

P.S. I must thank Nazneen, for recommending this movie. Thanks Nazneen :)

Housefull 2

Yes, its by the same director. The director who made Housefull and the same writer too!

No don't lower your expectations right now, else you might end up liking the coup that housefull 2 is.

It is a wee bit better than Housefull because it has a few "genuine" moments of laughter, but as expected, fails to be a comic ride.

The story, being not worth mentioning, I'd just state that it is a copy of a Marathi movie (I can't remember the name right away, but the story is about a rich son who wants marry the girl of his choice but is afraid of his father and hence brings her in as his friend's wife and so on and so on which finally results in a lot of confusion)

Anyhow, so there were very few "nice" laughter moments some being the crocodile and snake episode, only in the beginning. They were stretched too long.
And as for more moments, I seriously cannot remember any. But ask the other people in the theatre that time, who were laughing their guts out at every statement and they will tell you what a lovely time they had, because they probably left their logical thinking at home.

So I would say, don't bother.

Paan Singh Tomar

Of course till now you've heard that the movie is based on the life of an Indian athlete - Paan Singh Tomar

Tigmanshu Dhulia's direction is outstanding. It remains focussed on the central character and the central theme throughout the movie.
Irfan as always, never disappoints. Playing a character who is so intense, is cake walk for him. He does it very effortlessly. He first plays the innocent Paan Singh who
is from a small village famous for its dacoits. He however, does not want to end up as one of his own and joins the Indian army. Here the officers dicsover his athletic abilities and thus Paan goes on to become a national steeplechase champion. Here too, he plays a passionate sportsman with ease. Some problems back home force him to retire and he follows the ethical way to straighten things up. He goes to the local police who do not help. He tries his references back in the army but even they are not helpful. When things go out of control he is left with no option but to answer the goons by being a goon. This is when he sets out and forms a group of dacoits.
Truly Irfan's performance is commendable. Mahie Gill hardly has any role worth mentioning. And the director has done a good job of staying focussed on Paan throughout. The dialogues are well written and well delivered by Irfan. The cinematography, background score and editing have also greatly contributed to the effect the movie has on you.

The difficulties Paan goes through and how he is forced to live a life of crime will definitely touch your heart. This movie is rightly dedicated to sports heroes of India who died amidst a lot of difficulties just because their sport did not attract rich investors like did cricket.

A must must watch!

The Woman in Black

Looking for an eerie movie, which will haunt you at night? Then this movie is worth some of your time.

The plot goes as, there is a lady who appears in a black veil. Whenever there is a sighting of this lady, there have been deaths, deaths of children.

So, Radcliffe is a widower. He is a father of a son. Does he even look the age of such a character? Anyhow, he has been sent to a remote place to settle the estate of a deceased lady. He faces a lot of opposition from the villagers but finally reaches the house. The house is on an island, an island in high tide and connected to the town during low tide. The house is haunted by the spirit of the owner of the house, the woman in black. She is avenging the death of her son.

The plot is not really great though, and not even Radcliffe's trial at playing the role of a grown up. But what makes the movie worth watching is the direction, cinematography and sound effects. It does give you some shrieks, increased heart beat rate and visions that will haunt you for a few moments at least.

The movie starts of very slow and picks up towards the end. And by picks up what I mean is it gives you some shrieks and goose bump moments.

So watch it, only if you like these kind of thrills. Else, avoid!

The artist

It is a must watch, not because it won the oscar, but because it is worth your appreciation.
A silent movie, when sound is all we hear. Effects and three dimensional and the theatre experience essentially cashes on the sound.
Silent movies were there back then when you and me were not born yet. But I believe that was the true test of an artist. Expressing yourself without words and voice. One's expressions speak tons and acting in that, a tough job.

So, the movie is about an actor, George Valentin who is very famous and well known. He acts in silent movies. He meets a girl, Peppy Miller who aspires to be an actress one day. He helps her out initially granting her an entrance in the film industry. She moves on from being one of the dancers to small roles to supporting roles to being an actress. All this while George Valentin has been moving out of the industry as he is against making a movie with sound, speech.
Peppy pulls one successful movie after another while George loses one friend after another and is then left no option but to sell all that he owns to buy drinks and food.

But more then the story, I think you would concentrate on the performances delivered by both the actors. Superbly splendid and effortless. The movie has the complete feel of a silent movie, black and white, no noise, what has to be conveyed by words is printed on the screen on a black backdrop (Reminds me of Charlie Chaplin). Ohh and the puppy is adorable. His expressions and emotions are also so well enacted, and I'm sure anyone who watches the movie is bound to fall in love with that dog!

The end is highly dramatic and thus ends the movie on a high note.

This one is a definite must watch, not as much for the story but for the creativity and performances!

The Holiday

Its a romantic mushy-mushy story. So if you don't like such movies, I'd bet you skip the movie and the review.

So, the story is about four people. Kate is in love with one of her bosses and is very confused about their relationship. She can see that he does not acknowledge her in public but keeps telling herself that it is ok. The whole bubble of hope breaks when he announces his engagement to another girl, his real girlfriend.
Cameron on the other hand, catches her boyfriend cheating on her. She ends the relationship but isn't a bit remorseful. A successful "movie tralier" maker, she wants to go on a vacation to beat the stress and spend some time with herself. While surfing to find a nice holiday home, she chances upon Kate's antique house far away from NY. Kate's home is available for "home exchange" and thus Kate ends up for her vacation in NY, at Cameron's house and vice versa.

Kate here meets Jack, who is in a relationship with a budding actress. His girl rarely notices him and acknowledges him. He starts spending time with Kate and they start getting to know each other. They finally realise that the ones they are brooding over are not worth their time.
Cameron on the other hand meets Jude (Kate's brother) and instantly falls in love with him. Later she realises that he is a widower and has two kids, two beautiful girls. She tries to keep herself objective stating that NY and her career are very far from his place and their relationship will never work out.
At the end however, love triumphs and both the couples live a happy life together!

The performances nice. The atmosphere created by the characters and screenplay was not as great as could have been. But, its a romantic movie for those days when you are feeling low or missing your loved ones!

Ek main aur ek tu

This is a cute story about two people, who have been brought up very differently, leading very different lives and who bump into each other unfortunately, or fortunately.
Yes, the story does not really sound very interesting or different, but still the movie is worth a watch.

So, Imran is born and brought u in a filthy rich family whose only aim in life is to keep their status intact. They want their son to be the best and always decide what he should do, how he should do it, whom to date (yes, seriously!) and etc etc. They do not really give him a chance to think or act as he feels. And the worse part is that he does not really know what he wants and does not have the courage to do what he feels like.

Kareena is a free spirited lady, living each moment to its fullest. Se has been brought up in an open-minded family that teaches its children to grow and learn and fend and think for themselves.

The movie is not a love story. Its a story of friendship, of one's outlook towards life, of a family's upbringing. It really only tells you "Live each moment. You never know what's in store for you next. SO stop brooding over the past, or the future. Enjoy the present".

The performances are good. Kareena plays the same character she played in Jab We Met. Imran is not so bad, but its Kareena who hogs the limelight. The soundtrack is enjoyable. The movie is 2 hours long and does not feel over-stretched even when emotions come into play.

I'd say, go enjoy this movie. Its not too hard on the brain or heart. A light hearted movie to watch when you're really low!

Agneepath (2012)

A remake of the 1990 film agneepath, starring Amitabh Bachchan (you certainly remember tha name - Vijay Dinanath Chauhan)
The story is the same, Kancha frames Dinanath Chauhan and kills him. Dinanath's son Vijay decides to avenge his father's death. He grows up to become a gangster and climbs ladders to reach the motive of his life, Kancha.

This modern portrayal of Agneepath, is nice. Just because of the sound effects, the cinematography, the colors and the direction. Hrithik I believe, was overshadowed by Sanjay Dutt.
The first 30 minutes, when Sanjay Dutt enters, just grabs your attention. I could not think of anything else in those 30 minutes, but Kancha and his terror. Sanjay has played a larger than life villain who is like one of those enemies anyone would be afraid of having. His body, tattoos, piercing just adds to his terror and strength. His maniac smile, his evil laughter are good enough to scare you at night too, especially the scene when he's being hanged!
Rishi Kapoor as Rauf Lala has done a good job. The child Vijay is good, especially his eyes which are very expressive. Hrithik on the other hand, has done well in some scenes, specially the one where he gets to meet his sister after 15 odd years. Everywhere else, his performance is passe. Priyanka, is there just for the sake of some actress and some love angle. She hardly has any role to play or any high energy/performance scene that she can boast of.

The movie was a bit overstretched (2 hours and 45 minutes!). Seriously it didn't need that much length. Few of the songs were not needed at all (but maybe put in there just to please Priyanka)

SO, if you want to feel the terror of Kancha, I'd say do go watch it on the big screen. For everything else, passe.

Sherlock Holmes A game of shadows

You've read Sherlock Holmes? If yes, You are bound to find differences in the characters described in the book and portrayed in the movie.
You enjoyed the first movie? Yes, then this one is one hell of a ride.
Even if you haven't watched the first and haven't heard about the character "Sherlock Holmes" even then, this movie is a rollercoaster ride.

Sherlock is a detective, a very famous one at that. He has a doctor friend Dr. Watson who assists him in his cases and bears the brunt of his tantrums. Sherlock also has a brother Mycroft who is placed well among the upper class. There is an additional character, Dr. Moriarty who is a famous and notorious scientist. He has a flare for using his brains and his powers to rule the world. He is often confronted by Sherlock Holmes and often he loses to Holmes' intelligence.

So, the script is unbeatable. They have adapted parts of the novel but it is otherwise truly an original. The twists and turns are wonderful, you need to hold on to your seat belt! The performances are amazing, specially Robert Downe Jr. He quite resembled the way Sherlock Holmes would have been if he were not just a fictional character. Jude Law has performed very well too, you wouldn't want to call him a supporting actor, he keeps your attention on him throughout the movie.
The music was nice and catchy. The action scenes were done differently, a little sprinkle of slow motion to highlight the minute details.

Verdict : Go watch the movie on the big screen!

Don 2

The movie is full of flaws, I mean we could overlook them only if Don by Farhan Akhtar hadn't raised our expectations so much.

First, the 3D part. Why was this movie released in 3D? Was there any part that had 3D effects?
Second, the script. Too many obvious flaws which can be noticed by a kid too.
Third, agreed that it was Shahrukh's movie. Then why was Priyanka Chopra there? All she says in the movie is "what" or "damnit". Infact the other day, 2 months after watching Don 2, while we were talking about Priyanka Chopra and the roles she is currently playing I happened to mention Don 2 and my friend, he could not remember her in the movie. He could remember Lara Dutta (who had even lesser role and dialogue) but not Priyanka Chopra. So much for Piggy Chops!
If you want details on the storyline and flaws, here it is.

So, don't bother!

Sleepless in Seattle

Its a mushy, romantic, emotional drama. If this repels you, then this is not a movie you will enjoy, since there is nothing more to this movie than a fairy tale romance.

The story starts out with the death of Tom Hank's wife. He has a son. Its been a year but Hanks is still living with the loss of his wife. He is always sad, lost and aloof. He avoids social contact and does not want to date again because he still loves his wife.

Meg Ryan is a reporter and she is engaged to her love Will. She believes in signs but does not know herself. She hears Hanks on a radio station and falls in love with him. She decides to meet him just to find out whether they have a future. She fights with herself, does not tell her fiancee and sets out to meet Hanks. When she finally does see Hanks, he is with a young lady. She looks at Hanks, standing in the middle of a busy road and Hanks sees her too. That's it. She flies back home and Hanks is with his young lady. However, before flying to see Hanks, Ryan had written to him and asked him to meet her at the top of the Empire State Building on the 14th of Feb. Hanks' son is very impressed by her letter and feels she could be his new mom.
Ryan then finally knows that she does not love her fiancee and Hanks' son gets his father to the Empire State Building where the two protagonists meet and the story ends.

Nothing new, right? Performances were good yes, but the story is predictable. All the events of the movie, are basically from some or the other romantic movie. So I'd say the movie is passe!

Ladies vs Ricky Bahl

A con movie. Ranveer Singh, Anushka Sharma and Yash Raj, but not impressive. The movie is not impressive.
The story, Ranveer is a con. He only cons women. He does not take undue advantage of them, its just the money he's after. Everything is going fine until he cons  business woman Dipannita Sharma. She is then contacted by two of his earlier con-successes, one a punjabi kudi (Parineeta Chopra) and another shy, sophisticated, innocent Lucknow girl (Aditi Sharma). These three set out to con their con-star and retrieve the money they lost to him. For this purpose they hire sales girl Anushka Sharma, who cons her customers everyday by getting them to buy lots of stuff they don't even need. She agrees to do the job. And hence begins the love story between Anushka and Ranveer who both fall helplessly in love with each other. What follows is a small melodrama where each wants to reveal their true selves and live happily with each other. (Yes, happy ending here)

So, nothing much about the story that makes you sit out there for two hours. Anushka and Ranveer show off their bodies and chemistry. Dipannita Sharma and Aditi Sharma have performed well, but the star of the movie is Parineeta. She has done a wonderful job as a flamboyant, rich, over-confident punjabi kudi and makes you want to laugh at all she says and does. She definitely has a great career ahead of her.
The songs are bad, the words make no sense (which is true for many bollywood songs), but the music is also not catchy. The background score is not much too. The story is simple but predictive. The direction and cinematography are good. All in all a not-so-new story with okay performances and mediocre story telling and body show by Anushka and Ranveer. A time pass movie if you have nothing better to do.

Rockstar

A new age movie? Yes, I agree with the attitude depicted.
But does the new age lack common sense?

First let me talk about the pros of the movie, since all the reviews I read uptil now just bash the movie without talking about what's worth.

The songs and the background score. They won't let you forget the movie, not for another year or so.
Ranbir's performance is what holds the movie for 2:45 hours! No kidding, its just Ranbir's earnest and flawless performance that even lets you forgive Nargis for her "ohh-so-kiddish" dialogue delivery and expressions that would make you want to turn away!
The story-telling is nice and it keeps to the "I don't care" attitude of the current age!

But, the curve drops. Why? The story. It is cliche`d, yes but who says usual "hardships in a love story", "an undecided lady, who cannot decide whether she wants to get married, or stay faithful or have an affair" does not work? But obvious mistakes? I mean, one could tell that something was just not finished. Out of the blue someone just says "I am a junglee jawani kind of a person", to a stranger? There were many other mistakes, I won't mention all of them. Here's the link for the mistakes.

But, all said and done, the movie is worth your time once for the performances (ofcourse excluding Nargis) and the background score and the music and the overall feel that the movie gives you. Go watch it!

404

Lately, have you seen a bollywood movie with a well-written script and creative direction? And a movie which is so "out of the box" for bollywood standards? (Please don't say yes, delhi belly was the one. Since that is nowhere close to the skill and potential this movie displays. Dhobi Ghat came close..but still lacked a strong storyline.)

Anyhow, lets come back to 404 error not ..it's all in the mind.

What does this movie boast of?
1. A well-written, crisp script. No obvious loopholes
2. A different,well-executed story-telling which makes nice use of the light.
3. Brilliant cinematography
4. Strong performances

The movie starts out at a college dorm, the usual ragging tactics which go terribly wrong.
Somewhere in between you actually start believing that the paranormal exists. You are fighting with yourself to disprove the possibility, you try looking for different angles but fail. Its the last 15 minutes that turn things around and your mind starts putting everything together. The last scene..gives you goosebumps. The acting in that last scene is mind blowing!

The movie grips you throughout while you keep trying to find loopholes. I haven't been able to find any. I would be happy if you could. Go enjoy the mystery!

Soundtrack

I'm sure most of you didn't know that there was a movie named "soundtrack". Yes ok, we saw it. Why? Because that was the only movie a lousy multiplex near work was screening at the said time. So yes, whatever.
Back to the movie.
Rounak is hear! Yes, that's something we all joked about after watching this movie. Actually not only that, the clown; who was in the movie for some undecipherable reason and who had  very "undecipherable" makeup on too :p ; then there was the mother of the troubled (going..gone deaf son) who was not even a trifle troubled by the knowledge of her son losing his hearing ability? Its such a commonplace occurrence right?
Ohh and the "born deaf gal" who has learnt to speak and lisps and her action for "try again" is similar to revving up a bike. Is that the usual sign used by the deaf and dumb? That seemed weird though.

So, the story. Rounak (Rajeev) who has brilliant ears for music is a spoilt brat. All creatives are into drugs and uncontrolled parties it seems? He then slowly starts losing his hearing ability and that's when the joker starts appearing. (What for??) He then tries medication but eventually he turns deaf. He loses control goes into sanyas and then returns to the city. He meets Soha (forgot her character's name) who is the "born-deaf-gal" who runs an institute to teach the deaf to hear n speak. Hear by looking at the other person's lip movements. Then the love story ensues and inspiring story - Rounak composes music by feeling the vibrations on the speaker! Yes his friend (who has so much money even after he's lost his reputation and is bankrupt) organises a concert for Rounak where the ever so demanding press are (ofcourse) present and demand to know if this is all a farce! Ok, movie ends here as Rounak vanishes and keeps sending his friend music composed by him, to sell and earn.
Ok, movie ends!

The concept wasn't that bad actually, but the script and the direction and the performances (excluding Rajeev) were horrendous! Music is nice, not great but nice. Its foot-tapping and I especially liked the instrumental with all usual noises playing in a rhythm.

Verdict, not worth the effort!

Meet Joe Black

Released in 1998. A different plot definitely and a great star cast. Brad Pitt, Anthony Hopkins and Claire Forlani.

Joe Black (Brad Pitt) mysteriously enters the life of Anthony Hopkins and begins to stay with him always, at work at home, everywhere. His mannerisms are a little weird for a human since it seems everything that is normal for humans is something new for him. At first all the family members find it difficult to see him around, but as time passes he becomes as close as a family member and also helps Anthony sort out his troubles and losses in business.

Towards the end it is someone dies, someone gets back and Joe vanishes. I won;t reveal who Joe is because that is something you better find out yourself :)

The story is novel. But it proceeds too slowly. The performances are no doubt brilliant. Brad Pitt does his job well for one to act surprised at everything that is really normal for a human :) Claire Forlani's performance was so very real. All her emotions, trials, tribulations all very well portrayed.

A nice movie to watch, had it been a little more fast paced.

Force

This movie was rather force'd'. Yes, the agenda of the movie was only showing off what's in the poster here. Yes!
Story - inspired (taken) from a south Indian movie (I'm sorry I'm not sure it was tamil or telugu :) ) is rather trivial.
Performances - John okish. Genelia was overacting. And what I don't get is why do all these love stories always depict girls as always blabbering about something orthe other? How can someone just go on talking non-stop? And why is it always the girl? Anyway, that's a discussion for a diff forum :)

Screenplay - good.
Action - mediocre
The only thing I liked about this movie was one song "khwabon khwabon" which is ruined by John's (lack) of expressions. Yea but it only ruins the video, the song and its mucis is appealing.
So, you got the point. Don't go to the movie with great expectations. It a run of the mill movies, usual story, usual love story, usual villains, usual endings. Its a time pass(kill) watch if you have nothing better to do.

I'd say passe!