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 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!

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!

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!

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!

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!

X-Men First class

The movie posters had all new faces and that made me tell myself, this movie is going to be a disaster. But the reviews and good vibes I was getting from all around, made me reconsider my decision.

The movie is a prequel to all the X-Men movies. It is the prequel to Wolverine too.

The movie has an amazing story line and is pretty fast paced. You hardly get a breather between all the events that take place. You remain glued to your seat right from the start till the end.

The era depicted in the movie is one in which not all were aware of the existence of mutants. The mutants knew they were different and tried their best to fit into the life of normal people.


A rogue mutant (Sebastian) has set out to free the earth from the burden of normal, weak humans. A CIA agent unknowingly sees someone disappear in thin air and comes to think that mutants might exist. When she hears about Professor Xavier's thesis on mutation, she catches up with him to discuss the possibility. These two then join forces to protect the very existence of humans against Sebastian's army. The story just sprints from here picking up more characters on the way.

The performances by each and everyone are great. The direction worth a mention.The action is absorbing, the effects interesting and the story..well as I keep saying is very well knit. Wolverine also shows up in his usual fould mood, for a miniscule moment much to the joy of everyone in the audience.
This movie has made me want to watch all the X-Men movies again and I'd like to coax you to go and watch it if you already haven't. Enjoy!

--
Zaru

Pyar ka punchnama

Its a guys movie. Gals can watch it if they don't mind getting a little offended and finding out some extremist behavior traits in their species! (There I said it. Its true..about the characters in the movie. But, not all girls are the extreme characters portrayed in the movie)

The movie starts off with the routine lives of three IT professionals. One who is always complaining about his current job, whereas the other two don't really care about  the kind of work their doing. They are room-mates, stay, eat, drink and have fun together. Their lives are pretty usual, until they meet their girls. The movie then proceeds as to how these girls interfere in everything they do, use them and then throw them away like the wrappers of a chocolate and basically make their life hell!

The three girls in the movie are:
Neha : The control freak
Charu : The long distance chick
Riya : The can't say NO gal

The movie is well directed. The story is well told. The acting is good, could have been better. The guys are way better than the girls though. The end is a bit melodramatic and stretched. But overall a movie you must surely go and watch to have a good laugh.
The reason why this is movie is so enjoyable is, even though this is reality, it doesn't want you to weep (like some KJo movies try and try to make you want to weep). It brings out the truth and emotions all too effortlessly.

The best part of the movie : do not miss the awesome dialogue that two guys share when one is telling the other the problems he is facing with his girlfriend. Hilarious! (note : this can give ur bfs many more dialogues to use when you act stupid :p)

--
Zaru

Rio

This is a movie that people of all ages are bound to enjoy. Its the story of Blue and his journey through life to find his purpose.

Blue is a macaw who has been domesticated since before he even learnt to fight for his own sustenance. And so he does not live in the wild, nor has he ever used his God given(okay..not given to him, but rather something that has evolved) gift of flight. Blue is a nerd who lives in Minnesotta. His life takes a complete u-turn when he meets Jewel who lives in the wild. Enjoys her gift of flight and freedom to the hilt. The turn of events after they meet is rather like a typical bollywood movie, but nevertheless very well done. The animation needs a special mention. Very real like display of emotions..very well done!


Each time you watch the movie, you are bound to find something worth a mention. Be it the colors, the animation, the screenplay, the songs, the background score...everything is wonderful! The end is very emotional when the point driven home is that love gives you wings. It gives you confidence to do what you never dreamt you could even attempt! Nice!


One sequence that I particularly enjoyed is when Blue calculates all that he needs to fly..like a typical nerd. Hilarious!


All i'd say is..go watch this movie. Its worth a watch on the big screen!


--
Zaru

Khelein hum jee jaan se

An Ashutosh Gowariker movie. And what a gem. The only debacle in his movies till now was What's your raashee. (But this movie is one of importance for me..and will always remain..for personal reasons ofcourse :)
So, back to the movie.
Its based on the Chittagong conspiracy and built from excerpts narrated by those who participated in the uprising.I must the say, the movie is well researched. The cast was chosen due to their facial resemblance to the real heroes.

The story telling is poerful, the direction superb. Every character is etched out before we are taken to the finale. The background score adds to the emotion being portrayed very well.
All the actors, the ones who lead the uprising, the teenagers, have acted exceptionally well. You can feel the pain when they are hurt and you can feel the immense patriotism when they decide to do or die for the freedom of the country. Deepika, I felt was a bit too stiff. Yes, she was a teeny weeny bit better than herself in her previous movies, but all her efforts fell flat considering the other power packed performances by the kids.
The movie bring tears in your eyes, brings fear, brings an immense pride for your motherland, makes you feel like doing something great of your life, because so many have fallen to make the country independent. After the movie was over, I was frozen in my seat for almost 2-3 minutes. I didn't feel like rushing out, but just sat there reading the names of all the heroes who started the new wave that ultimately won us freedom.
This movie should be shown to all our current politicians. Let them know what went in getting us freedom and if the current state is anywhere near what we call an independent country!
Hats off to Gowariker. A very nice movie indeed. I would like to applaud him for his efforts.
It is a serious movie, but very well made. All the youngsters out there, go give it a watch. It is sure to trigger a feeling of "so or die" in you. Vande Mataram!

Robot

Don't tell me you haven't watched this movie? You have to give it a watch. Watch it in hindi. Its a fun ride throughout (if you can somehow ignore Aishwarya)

The plot is very much bollywood, the sets and action scenes creative. Yes, I know its a copy+paste from various movies but then, putting copied ideas together well is also creativity :)

The plot is : Vasikaran (Rajnikant) makes a humanoid (Chitti). He wants this robot of his to be used by the Indian army in wars, to avoid loss of humans. The panel which decides the fate of the robot also includes Vasikaran's teacher Danny, who is jealous since he hasn't been able to make a robot himself, for a couple of years now. He proves to the panel that Chitti is not worth the army. He also somehow convinces Vasikaran that if Chitti had feelings, he could be useful. So now Vasikaran is on a new mission - he installs software emotions in Chitti :D And now is where the plot is typical bollywood. A love triangle.
The last part, where Chitti and his self created army fights against the Indian army is worth a watch. The graphics are good and worth your time.
The comedy part in the movie is also wonderful. What comedy? The songs. What sets..what words...what movements..and Aishwarya...Ohh God..someone forgot to tell her that she wasn't walking the ramp..it was a movie set!
Yes, so as I said earlier, if you can somehow ignore the actress, you have a laugh ride. Its a fun movie for a huge group. Go enjoy!

Khichdi - The movie

For all those Khichdi fans out there, this movie is a must watch!
It has the innocent Praful and his always decked up wife Hansa.

Praful what is? decked up matlab?
Hansa..Hansa...decked up.....
you remember those numerous english words that Praful has screwed up :)

There is babuji too, the always irritable babuji. Jayshree is there too, though the original character is not in the movie, but Nimisha Vakharia has played her part really well to keep up the good old, always conspiring against babuji, Jayshree. Himanshu, kisi ko pata nai chale, is as always ... always cooking :)
Jacky and Chakki are not the original characters and do not really mix up really well with the others, but they are hardly there throughout the movie.
So, Jacky and Chakki are out on a summer camp where everyone is narrating stories. These two kids start talking about their mad family, the Parekhs. The movie revolves around the story "How Himanshu gets married to Parminder". The story is pretty straight forward, but Himanshu wants a love story that is a legend. So the Parekhs put forces together, to make Himanshu's love story a one that will be talked about by everyone for a long time. You can imagine what all the Parekhs together can do :D

I won't reveal all the funny and senseless twists and turns in the movie as its worth riding the madcap boat with all its surprises and giggles.
All those who have enjoyed the series Khichdi on TV, go enjoy the movie. You will not be disappointed.

Hotel Rwanda

This is a movie that released in 2004 that won many accolades internationally. I happened to find the name a little hatke and so decided to give it a watch. And believe me, you will not be disappointed.

In Africa, there were mainly two tribes the Hutus and the Tutsis. The Hutus believe they are supreme and the Tutsis are cockroaches and need to be eradicated. There is a radio station that keeps broadcasting how the Hutus should join forces and clean the earth of these cockroaches. It is in this state that there arises a civil war, with the Hutu army coming out on streets killing Tutsis..mainly the children so that they can finish off ther next generation and thus prevent any more from stemming. The hutu army called the militia killed mercilessly any Tutsi they saw.

Here we have Paul Russesebagina who strives in difficult situations to keep his family alive. It is a true story about Paul Rusesebagina, a Hutu and his wife Tatiana a Tutsi, and how he strives to save his family and also helps others in need against all odds.

Paul is a hotel manager of an international Hotel Mille Collines. He shelters almost more than a thousand Tutsis and takes them to security. We also see how corrupt the militia are and bow down if given booze and money. Also the UN who is supposed to intervene and help these people only makes arrangements to evacuate the whiltes from the province. They very easily turn their back on the others since they are black, they are Africans!

The movie is very well made. The best scene is where Paul is going to get supplies for the hotel and his car keeps hitting roadblocks and the expression on his face when he sees why. After he comes back to the hotel all his composure is lost. He knows he cannot tell his wife the truth for it will be too much for her to take. It gives you goosebumps. The performances of all the actors is so real that for the whole movie you feel it is you who is being tortured, who is fighting for life, who is striving to keep people safe.

I'd say do watch this movie when you can. Its an awesome movie and it makes me wonder...the same thing might have happened in Kashmir...but the Bollywood movies we make on such subjects never have such an effect on you. We should learn to keep serious movies serious and not add songs and love scenes to spice it up where not needed. 

Anyway, kudos to this director for such a fine piece of direction. Thanks!

Toy Story 3

This is a movie, you should really really not miss! It has been released in 3d too, but you could skip the third dimension. The 3d effects are clean just like in Alice in Wonderland, but not necessarily needed.

The movie starts with, sorry I cannot miss the part before the movie. There is an animation about day and night which is in no way connected to the movie. But it has been put there for your entertainment and your awe. It is very creative and only so, has made its way to Pixar. Do no miss that part (This is for all those like me, who generally miss the beginning of movies :P).

Now, the movie. It starts with a flashback, the kid playing with his toys. That part is particularly funny and cute and imaginative. Ever considered a death option like 'death by monkeys' :D Then reality dawns on Andy's toys. Andy has grown up and is moving out to go to college. He will no more play with his childhood favorites Woody and Buzz Lightyear. One statement that touched me was, one of the toys said "Yay, he touched me...he touched me". This was when Andy touched a toy to pick it up and place it in the storage trunk, where all his childhood toys now lied. All the toys like to be played with. But here they were feeling abandoned. Woody tries to keep all the toys together by explaining to them that even if Andy does not play with us anymore, he will not abandon us. He will keep us safe in his attic.
But then, as fate would have it, all the toys accidentally reach a day care center where there are lots of kids and toys they play with. All the toys are delighted that they would be played with after all, that is what they are made for. But woody is firm on his decision and feels that Andy needs them. He leaves the group and makes his way towards Andy. On the way he faces some difficulties and meets a small cute kid named (I don't remember her name) who takes very good care of her toys. And that's where he learns that the day care center is a nightmare for the toys. There is an evil bear who runs the place and the only way toys can leave that place is after they are dead i..e broken. Then starts the great escape and realization that Andy in fact meant to keep them in the attic and not abandon them.
The movie is very well made. The creativity and the thought behind each character is amazing. Even a toy's life is not as easy as it seems :).
What this movie did for me was, bring back all my childhood memories and transported me into a world where I had my Barbie dolls and Lego houses and all the dreams we then had as kids.
So, don't miss this movie. It is a must watch!

Raajneeti

This movie, a Prakash Jha film made waves early on since it seemed Katrina was portraying Sonia Gandhi. However false that part was, it sure made everyone want to see the movie. Yes, you do go with lots of expectations and you will not be disappointed.

There are plenty of characters in the movie and they are well woven into the story. You will not feel that any character is un-needed. The plot is good and it seems a little exaggerated with the violence, but I've heard its true in some places of India. The storytelling keeps you want to keep watching. The screenplay is nicely done.The background score compliments the ongoing sentiment in the movie. The best scene I'd say, is the blast when Arjun Rampal is trying hard to save Sarah Thompson. I actually had goosebumps.

Lets move towards cast and their acting skills now. Manoj Bajpai was too natural. Nana Patekar has done a different role where he has to keep calm and keep all the characters calm too.he has done it rather well. Arjun Rampal can act well and he has proven his acting skills. Ranbir always does act well and he does not disappoint you. Katrina does not look as bad as I had expected her to be. She has tried her best to do justice to the character, only her accent gives her away in the scene where she has to give a speech. Rest she does not have much of a role. Ajay Devgan, I didn't really appreciate his acting. I have seen him do better in Gangajal, Yuva. Here he just looks rather out of place as far as acting skills are concerned. Possibly because he was always in the same frame as Manoj Bajpai, and his acting is way too superior.

All in all, I'd say its a superb movie that deserves a watch! enjoy!

City of Gold

Mahesh Manjrekar is all out making movies on true stories and the mood is rebellious.
This movie is a hindi-remake of the film Lal baug paral. You could watch the marathi original too for better dialogues (So I've heard)

This movie is based in Mumbai. It is a story about the mill workers and their plight when mills close down because of the owner's greed. The owner's close down mills to sell the land to builders making commercial buildings and multiplexes etc. The workers are not paid their wages and not even their pension. The movie delves into details of one such mill and the chawl the workers lived in.
Their lives, their joys, their desperate moves for money to save their loved ones is all depicted very well in this movie. It is the reality..the harsh reality which makes you want to go out and scream and think...that all the hardships we face today are not as big as what people faced earlier and even face today in small villages in our very own country India.

The movie is very well directed and the story telling is brilliant. All the actors have done a good job.
All in all the movie is a serious flick and is a must watch.

The blind side

The name of the movie doesn't really tell you much about the movie. The beginning itself explains what the term 'the blind side' means. Its a term used in the game of rugby here in this movie, which means a move, or a side that was left uncovered and hence lead to the team's loss. However, the movie is not entirely about the game and its intricacies.
This movie is about a poor black who resides in USofA and whose athletic ability would have gone unnoticed or unused, or worse his life would have ended in some gang war, if he hadn't met a kind soul Leigh Anne (Sandra Bullock) at the right time. Leigh Anne, is a well to do mother of two and living a happily married life with her husband and kids. She is often involved in charity work and thinks it is each one's duty as a Christian. When she sees Michael (Quinton Aaron) in the same set of clothes day in and day out, picking up leftover popcorn at the stadium for food she knows that he needs help. She helps him and he is now part of their family. A black among the whites (cat among the pigeons?)
The story thus moves on, Leigh Anne boosting Michael's long lost confidence and thus evolves a beautiful story of emotions and relations.
The actors have done a brilliant job. I specially liked Sandra Bullocks acting, all her expressions were very natural. Quinton Aaron has also done a brilliant job.
The story is simple, the direction good and the story telling makes you want to watch it.

I'd say its a must watch!

LSD

Its a movie made very differently for bollywood standards. Its three stories, connected in some way, all shot by a camera which unfold backwards. The stars of the movie, all of them newbies have played their roles well.
The three stories are each about love, sex and dhokha.
I won't write much about it, just say that its worth a watch, just for the different and fresh feel and the way the story tells itself.

Go watch it!

Well done Abba...well done Shyam Benegal

Its a nice, light, jovial movie that portrays the serious not so good problem of corruption. I won't let out the plot just so that you get over your inertia and go and watch the movie. However, I'll say just this...the story is the usual one but the portrayal, the way the story unfolds is refreshing.

The overall look of the movie is a simple village in Hyderabad. The actors Boman Irani, Minissha Lamba, Ila Arun all have done a brilliant job with their Hyderabadi accents and pronunciations. The performances are great. Boman Irani's dialogue delivery and his timing is just incomparable. The dialogues are very witty and delivered flawlessly by the actors. There are no unnecessary songs and you never need to ask "ye movie kab khatam hogi?". The only part that was not needed at all was Sonali Kulkarni's role. I wonder how she agreed to play the part of a wife to a husband obsessed with the idea of sex. All the so-called steamy scenes are pushed in for no rhyme or reason.The movie could have surely done without her role. Ravi Kissen her husband in the movie, obviously plays his natural.

The last part(I won't give details) , the award ceremony is just hilarious. Go have a good laugh and enjoy the movie! I'd say "A must watch"!

Harsihchandrachi Factory

Its a true story about the first Indian motion film made ever. It was Phalke who fought the odds and the crude mentality of Indians at that time and setup this film making industry in India that today earns has shown its presence all over the world.

Back then, this industry was new and no one knew how it worked. Working in a film was also considered a madness and was looked down upon as a profession. However with the never ending support of his wife and kids as well as some of his well wishers his quest for a new business setup and his journey till success is what the story revolves around.

A brilliantly made film with no unnecessary filmy masala proceeding in the right direction and never letting you get bored. This film keeps you glued to your seat while you enjoy some funny lines and more importantly the perseverance of the man in question.

I'd say its a must watch!