Movie Review: Airlift..takes off in nearly grand style

Movies like Airlift are not generally made in Bollywood and that?s really a pity. If this is a harbinger of things to come, 2016 couldn?t have started on a better note (let?s just forget about Wazir for the moment). While its not perfect, Airlift sets the bar really high. More so, it pays a grand tribute to an epic story, that most would never have known had it not been made.

There are two main reasons why Airlift succeeds ? one, due to its powerful storyline which is inspired by real events and two, because of the wonderfully understated yet deeply intense performance of Akshay Kumar. In fact, it?s the second of these that will get you to overlook some of the flaws in direction ? the unconvincing transformation of Akshay?s character, the hurried build up to the sequence of events that play out and even the over-dramatization of the hero towards the climax. I wouldn?t be overstating the case to say that this is probably Akshay Kumar?s best performance till date.

Playing his better half is Nimrat Kaur who is surprisingly a bit of a mixed bag. The dolled up look doesn?t suit her and for someone so naturally beautiful it is the second half where she isn?t wearing that much make up that she is much more appealing. Her performance also has a similar trajectory and it is her acidic monologue in the second half that gets you to sit up and take notice. The side act isn?t really for her and she should take more and more central roles ? she seems most comfortable and convincing in those. The side acts are solid as well ? Purab Kohli, Kumud Mishra, Inaamul Haq (a tad unconvincing in comparison to his natural act in Filmistaan previously) and Prakash Belawadi (as the particularly well delivered obnoxious Malyali) all bring credence to the script.

Unlike Baby, which harped too much on the mission and action, Airlift is about human emotions and you can feel for the trials and tribulations of every person you see on the screen. There are other gems as well ? the good production design, wonderful camerawork and mostly tight and deft direction which keeps your interest going in the events of Airlift pretty much throughout its runtime. There are some special touches too ? scenes where no words are spoken and yet everything is said, the aforementioned monologue, Purab Kohli?s understated character and his story arc. I should probably stop here..lest I spoil your fun.

Its not all a smooth ride though. There is the obvious turbulence with completely avoidable songs ? which do nothing to help the tense nature of the plotline and seek to provide unnecessary relief. Thankfully they are cut short and we go back to the events before they can become more tiresome. There is a distinct focus on keeping things real and balanced rather than making them sensational, that is truly the hallmark of the film and takes the script to greater heights. This has been the bane of most Bollywood commercial entertainers and while it almost teeters on the edge, Airlift doesn?t succumb to that trap.

Instead Airlift gives wings to a tight script and makes a near perfect lift off the runway giving us a flight that is truly worthy to remember and a great start to 2016

Movie Review: Room..its confines are its best times

The worst thing you can do before you watch Room is to watch the movie trailer. Even if you watch the first 20 seconds, it?ll give away all that the Room has in store in terms of plotline and plot twists. Then again, it might not be as bad because the Room is really about the presentation and the performances than what happens to its occupants.

Working in the tiny space that the Room offers can be an exhausting and claustrophobic task. However, the director does a brilliant job and coupled with the exquisite camerawork gives us the best moment the movie has to offer, within those confines. Sure, its intense and not at all pretty, still it delivers what it needs to. As the audience, you too begin to feel confined, wonder if the room extends to more than it appears and sympathize with the occupants of the room. This would be roughly the first half stage of the two hour runtime. So far, so very good.

The movie makes references to Alice in Wonderland and the rabbit hole she disappears into. That is an apt frame of reference to wonder at what goes wrong in the second half. Given perhaps a thousand possibilities after the limited arena in the first half, the Room begins to lose its firm structure and foundations. If this is done on purpose by the director, to align with the confusion its central characters feel by the course of events, it would be a masterstroke. Unfortunately, it just feels like the director (or maybe the writer since this is a book adaptation) genuinely got confused with what to do with all the options now available. It is only in its final 20 minutes that that movie truly redeems itself and gives meaningful dialogues and some structure to what it wants to convey ? the ending being particularly noteworthy.

There are gaping plotholes and convenient contrivances in the Room but all that can be ignored and forgotten simply because of the earnest performance of the mother and son at the heart of this unusual tale. An absolutely astounding performance by child actor Jacob Tremblay is more than ably supported by a wonderful performance by Brie Larson. These two are the life of the movie and together deliver its most memorable moments ? though the feather in the Room?s cap is that you view the entire movie from the eyes of the child. In a side act, we also have a short but credible performance from Joan Allen (Pamela Landy from the Bourne series).

Barring the half hour that the Room comes somewhat off its hinges, it offers a deeply stirring peep into a beautiful mother-son relationship and the innocence and simplicity of childhood despite its terrifying situation. I can say this much for sure ? you?ll emerge from the theater with a better appreciation for your life and the world you live in ? for that and the astounding performances its worth glancing through the skylight and looking into the world of the Room

Movie Review: Wazir..check but far from checkmate

Making a movie titled Wazir is a risky move to open with. Having themes of chess introduced into it is riskier still. Why? Because It gets your audience thinking in that vein as well. As the director moves his pieces into place, as the audience you too start trying to guess what he is up to. Unless, he?s got something really unexpected up his sleeve, there?s a good chance you?ll see through his game. And that..in a nutshell is the issue with Wazir.

If you hear absolutely anything about the movie, and there?s a fair share of spoilsports who would like nothing better than to ruin things for you, there?s nothing left to go and watch so, read as few reviews as you can (barring this one, of course)

Wazir starts off strong. While the title credits start with a song, it goes for the jugular right from the first few scenes and has you invested in its characters and context. Unlike chess, however, to which the movie alludes every chance it gets, there are no pieces being laid out, no stage being set to reel you in. Still it all builds up well and you are engaged for majority of the movie. However, the climax squarely falls flat.

Maybe if you can?t figure it all out, you?ll have your moment of shock and awe. Me, I could see where it was all headed at the interval itself. Hardly the thrills one would hope for. Also, the sequences are contrived to the nth degree. Throughout the movie, while you?ll have every urge to do so, avoid questioning ?how? did this happen and just assume that is how it is meant to be. The sad part is, even if you accept the sequence of events as they play out, the finale doesn?t create those moments of disbelief that thrillers are supposed to be all about.

Some of the writing is par excellence. A few lines will get you to have a lump in the throat and could scarcely be presented more simply and effectively. Unfortunately that?s not the case throughout the movie and despite all its ?talk? of shatranj and the ?khel khel mein..? strain, the dialogues are quite straight forward.

The acting is top notch as well and the exchanges between the duo of Amitabh and Farhan (which forms a significant part of the movie itself) being particularly engaging. Some of the high strung scenes have Farhan screeching rather than performing, but he does equally well in the more restrained emotional bits. Aditi Rao Hydari while she has a side role, expresses plenty with her eyes and despite less dialogues makes her presence felt. Amitabh performs flawlessly but then he has far more calibre than what his (finally) simple character demanded.

The songs are the other bane of this a little over 2 hours of drama. While sung by the best crop of singers we have today, none of them are particularly melodious and most of the time they only slow down whatever little pace the movie would?ve developed so far.

Much like the game of chess, the checkmate move is what would?ve made this one stellar ? when one had the sinking feeling that they?ve been outwitted by a mind keener and sharper than their own and the gameplan is truly worthy of applause. Unfortunately, instead you come back with the feeling that you spent the last two hours playing with an amateur who while he had the best pieces and played what he thought was a winning move basically led you to the conclusion that you deserved a more worthy opponent.

Movie Review: Star Wars: The Force Awakens..with renewed vigour

As you sit in the hall watching the beloved spectacle unfold on the screen, you are more and more convinced that this revival was the right thing to do. This franchise has captured the imagination of millions in its glory days and if you can do justice to it ? then moving the franchise forward is simply the right thing to do. The great news is that with JJ Abrams at the helm ? the early indications sure do look promising.

Taking the storyline itself into the future after Return of the Jedi was a bold and very risky move. There is a lot of nostalgia attached with the old characters and this would?ve been a sensitive one to negotiate. However, I think Abrams has done an admirable job of meshing the old and the new. It tugs at the heartstrings for just a bit but keeps the focus firmly on the action. So much so that this movie simply seems a continuation of the franchise. It is refreshing to see that Abrams is not trying to change much which seems to be the trend with all the reboots and story advances the other franchises are having these days.

The art direction and cinematography is excellent. You quickly get immersed in this distinctly different world and with the technological advances over the years, the action looks simply spectacular. Screen transitions are very much like the earlier movies as well. While the 3D is hardly there, you should catch this one in IMAX if you can, simply because the giant screen would make the action much more immersive. I wish though, that the sequels that follow are even shot in an Avatar-esque 3D camera ? that would really be something.

The story has new characters albeit in familiar plotlines. There are references to what has already happened but not to such an extent that you can?t follow the plot without watching or more likely, still remembering the original storyline. There are some pretty large plot gaps and convenient twists that make this new story pretty average. The climax disappoints in terms of content but the visuals look even more spectacular. One does get the distinct feeling however that this movie is packaged to be an opener to a new chapter of the franchise with more explosive and story laden sequels to follow.

The focus of this movie is largely on the action and the visuals so there isn?t much acting to do per se. However, everybody including the newcomers to the franchise, do a decent job. BB8 is probably going to become the next beloved mascot of this new generation of the series.


I think this is a promising start to a new chapter of the franchise. By staying true to its roots, paying homage to its original story and characters, rather than trying to replace them, Abrams has made quite the fanboy movie and given the series the respect it deserves. May the Force be with him as he now takes on the even trickier job of building a complex plotline in the sequels that are bound to follow.

Movie Review: Spectre..casts a terrible shadow on the Bond franchise

Mr Mendes ? let?s just face it. You don?t ?get? Bond. Either that, or the Bond that I?ve been a fan of - especially in the Pierce Brosnan era and post that in Casino Royale ? the one that was like a guilty pleasure that took me on an action packed, escapist adventure albeit with a wafer thin plot ? is more a matter of me not being mature enough and nothing to do with your seeming intent to kill everything that is beloved about this (so far) wonderful franchise. I sincerely doubt that is the case though.

I was appalled after watching Spectre and I wouldn?t recommend it to anybody ? least of all fans of the action adventure Bond like myself. I had a sneaky suspicion post Skyfall itself ? while the world was marveling at what Mr. Mendes had achieved ? humanizing Bond and all that drivel ? I saw it as a ?wannabe Dark Knight? that didn?t even come close and a homage to HomeAlone in its second half. Still, I wanted to give it the benefit of the doubt. Skyfall had its moments ? maybe Sam Mendes too could do justice to Bond.

After sitting through an agonizing 2 hours 30 minutes of Spectre though, I am firmly convinced -if you want to save the Bond franchise, please hand over the reins to someone who understands him better. We might as well invite Mr Mendes to Bollywood though ? what with true love, heroic rescues and even I love you moments, why he would fit right in.

Spectre doesn?t feel like a Bond movie. The start is promising ? one explosive action sequence makes you sit up and take notice. And then, it all just dies a slow and painful death. Bond is supposed to be about Bond himself, his death defying stunts, his dogged single mindedness on the mission and his outlandish actions to stay on course with one action sequence leading into another ? a web of deceit, espionage, sabotage and master plans galore. Instead Mr. Mendes will have you see the natural beauty, sights and sounds of the various places Bond ends up visiting. There will be slow ?supposedly? meaningful close up shots and as you gear up for something interesting to come, it?ll abruptly cut to the next scene leaving you wondering why was there a close up in the first place. This happens too many times to keep count.

The good and there is very little of it in my view, is the handful of action sequences that are shot well and keep you somewhat interested. There?s a ridiculous one involving a plane ? I don?t allude to that one. In between, it also manages a street car race/chase which could easily have been straight out of the Fast and Furious franchise. Let?s ignore that one as well. The camera angles and cinematography is the other plus.

Daniel Craig is also in sleepwalk mode in his role. Christoph Waltz plays his act well and has commanding screen presence. Ralph Fiennes is a fine actor but he is wasted as the new M and the new Q is too much of a kid. Like so many of the Bollywood remakes of old movies, Mr. Mendes just seems intent on re-modelling Bond to the very opposite of all that it was, even if it shreds the very soul of the franchise in the process.

I guess Spectre is aptly named ? it is truly a sinister apparition that threatens the Bond franchise to have the most painful of last memories. This is not how I want to see the Bond franchise end. He deserves a better farewell than this. There was some talk of Nolan taking over this franchise, before Mr. Mendes unfortunately decided to oblige us one more time. Maybe Nolan can provide some saving grace. Somebody, anybody ? let?s do justice to Bond ? get one more action packed adventure and let him have his moment in the sun one last time before he fades into the sunset.

Movie Review: Bridge of Spies..makes an ethereal connection

This one almost seemed a no brainer.  With Tom Hanks in the lead and the veteran Steven Spielberg directing it was a foregone conclusion that this was going to be good. The only question now was..how good..

However, as the movie began and leaning into the first 40 minutes or so you suddenly weren't so sure.  After the thrilling opening sequence,  the movie slows down to such an extent that one begins to have doubts. In fact, unless you really took a keen interest in the proceedings  you could even be excused of wanting to snooze every now and then. However, you can easily cast aside these concerns.

That's because Bridge of Spies is well and truly a director's movie. He has paced it the way he wants you to experience it.  if you still have  doubts just watch the way a plane crashes and shots are fired to be assured that this director knows what he's doing. I better not say any more at this point.

You can't plan to watch  Bridge of Spies hoping for a thriller - with tense car chases, cross and double cross, espionage, mystery and intrigue  at every turn.Bridge of Spies is none of the above. It has a unique storyline, a context that takes some connecting to and a tone and subtlety that not all will appreciate. Like a mature wine of a particular vintage it takes a true connoisseur to appreciate the richness of its texture.

Tom Hanks pulls off a relatively easier  character, given his acting talent, with a wonderfully restrained performance. A special word of mention to Mark Rylance who makes his presence felt despite the much shorter air time.

Bridge of Spies is not a must watch for all. However for the few who can appreciate it, it will certainly feature very high in that list. Go find out if it manages to make a connect with you.

Movie Review: Killing them softly?fails to hit its mark

Every now and then Hollywood manages to serve up an offering that can be otherwise described as boring and long-winded, yet is technically sound and a treat from a movie making point of view. Killing them softly is precisely such an offering

From a story and plot development point of view, the movie doesn?t even come close. You can be excused for more than a few yawns in the roughly 90 minutes you spend in watching it and you may end up coming out pretty unsatisfied. However, if you look solely at the way its been made - camerawork, editing and direction then you?d realize why this movie would receive high critical acclaim.

There?s no explosive action and yet the movie makes brutal impact in some scenes without making too much noise about it. For the most part there?s a lot of conversation which tells the viewer what?s really happening and since you are meant to understand it all through these scenes alone, amidst all the black humour of the conversation, it means that these scenes are long drawn out. Sure the film takes worthy potshots at the American capitalism system but you are just too wearied to figure it all out

In terms of performances, well, there?s top notch delivery by each and every one of a strong cast of characters with Brad Pitt leading from the front. There?s also a lovely blend-in of various soundtracks featuring a lot of reggae music that are pleasant melodies in unpleasant scenes

For me, though, I was looking for more than just that, so Killing Them Softly failed to make its mark. However, I would still say its all a matter of what kind of movie fare is your cup of tea and if you find such movies fascinating and worth spending time for well, then Killing Them Softly might well manage to hit you hard

Movie Review: Looper..runs too many circles and delivers nothing

 

Hollywood is known for its original premises and smart plots especially in the sci-fi genre. Looper is clearly not one of them. An intriguing setting is put to waste by a nonsensical plot that takes too long getting to a rather underwhelming result. Plain and simple..avoid Looper in this week?s movie watch list. I know its a sci-fi movie and gems like Inception and Minority Report come to mind but put them aside. Looper is not even a patch on them

Looper starts off well. The movie has quite an odd title but you get to understand exactly why its so, quite early in the movie. The rather unique premise is aided by some no-nonsense explaining within the first few scenes of the movie by the protagonist narrating in voice-over. So far..so very good. But that?s just it. That?s where it ends. Its as if after this even the director was scratching his head ? okay so now what. Where do I take it from here..and I doubt he got any good answers

After that, the movie takes you on a roller coaster ride to?nowhere and by the end of it all you are just desperate to see the ending credits. The only somewhat saving grace, comes rather late in the movie and even that is pretty underwhelming, considering what you?ve already endured

As for the performances, well those are pretty decent. Joseph Gordon Levitt looks funny (I guess that?s required for his character) but delivers well. Bruce Willis is in a strange role and doesn?t have much to do. Kids have a lot to do in this movie and one particular kid is rather impressive. Emily Blunt also does justice to her role ? no complaints there

I, for one, am scratching my head on how the established reviewing fraternity have given this movie a generous 4 stars. Perhaps they didn?t understand the plot or maybe they understood it a little too well ? either way I was rather dejected with what was offered. I fail to see how this could be seen as brilliant and thought-provoking. Its original and creative yes but then so were Wanted, Jumper and the like..we all know how those turned out

So don?t get swayed by all the critical acclaim. As I was reading somewhere its been a long time since a good sci-fi movie with a decent plot came out. As soon as they saw Looper they?ve jumped to the conclusion that this is it. Well its not..the wait for that still continues. If you still wanna go for this movie and have your head running around in circles, its entirely your call..I?ve warned you all I could

Movie Review: Bhoot Returns..yawn..really I hadn?t noticed..

 

At the outset, I would like to state that I haven?t seen Bhoot which I?ve heard is a decent watch. In fact, I avoid horror movies altogether as a genre but have been rather intrigued by it off late. So when ?Bhoot? decided to make a ?return? I thought I?d check it out. 90 minutes later it was pretty obvious I had made the wrong choice

Remember Aahat? That TV series that was a standout on Indian television for so many years and provided some real spooks? Well, even though I haven?t seen much of it, I can still safely say that even Aahat was much better than the rubbish you get with Bhoot Returns and even that?s putting it lightly.

Most of the first half of the movie is spent in..yawning. I think they shot about 3 scenes and then decided to run them at a quarter of the normal speed. So in extra slow motion you?ll have characters ascending and descending stairs, over and over again. And then there are the regular clich?s ? the creaking doors, the clock ticking (boy that clock ticks and ticks like there?s no tomorrow) and the jarring sounds that are supposed to shock and awe. Well they don?t ? all they do is hurt the eardrums and jolt you just as you were planning to get into peaceful slumber

Worse is, the second half doesn?t make up for it either, going into a tangent of unnecessary humour and bizarre action with a pathetic climax. There are pretty much only one or two sequences which you are willing to admit are nicely pulled off..but that too would be on a relative scale

When the movie is this bad, the performances generally make it watchable. Well sadly that?s not the case here..there?s pretty much amateur acting by everybody and the panic and shrieking is rather forced than genuinely felt by the characters. The 3D effects will make your eyes hurt and there is a huge amount of blurring of images across scenes- lot of catching up to do in that department as well

All in all, Bhoot Returns offers you very little by way of a spooky experience and with the ear splitting background effects you can?t even plan to take a nap in the theatre as well ? I can?t think of any reason you should catch this. Bhoot was better off lone and distant ? this is an unnecessary comeback

Movie Review: Argo..Just Go!!!

After long last I can describe what has been a near-perfect movie viewing experience watching the masterfully directed Argo. Oh! What a relief.

Based on a true story, Argo has a rather ordinary plotline for a movie. Even if I shared it with you, you?ll probably say..are you sure this?ll be worth a watch? I mean, it sounds rather like a documentary considering the situation it is set in?and I couldn?t blame you. But wait till you enter the theatres and the siege begins. You?ll feel like you are in it, part of the mayhem..maybe even one of the six..ah, but I get ahead of myself.

Despite having a pretty good hunch on how it?ll turn out well ahead, you still can?t be too sure?that?s the kind of underlying tension Argo creates. Most scenes are close up shots and camerawork as well as editing is superlative. The movie may tend to slow down but its just the right pacing for the narrative to be told and once it picks up you?ll probably feel the adrenalin rush. There are practically no explosions or death defying action stunts, yet the movie sends your pulse racing and a plane taking off may never have mattered more

Despite not looking it, Argo is a sure thrill ride. This is achieved through brilliant direction, excellent use of background sounds, great camerawork and slick editing ? there?s little one can complain about. The performances are great as well especially from Affleck and Bryan Cranston (from Breaking Bad fame). John Goodman and Alan Arkin provide the satirical humour and most of their lines will make you chuckle
Oh! and be sure to stay back for the credits where you can witness the level of detailing and research that was put in to make this movie what it is or you?ll really miss something

On a side note, What does Argo mean? Well ?I am tempted to respond to that but then I?d probably have to use an expletive in this post (something, I try and avoid as a rule)?so go ?find out for yourself?

Movie Review: Cloud Atlas..doesn?t scale much heights

There is an interesting TV series these days, called The Touch..which covers how we are all connected in ways we can?t imagine and while its nothing out of the ordinary it beautifully creates all the links to put across a coherent story at the end of 45 minutes. Cloud Atlas..is the exact opposite to that

What Cloud Atlas delivers is a journey that transcends multiple lives across centuries and then keeps flitting back and forth between them enough to make your head spin. When you tell such a complex tale you need to help the audience connect the dots and follow the plot in wondrous fascination (read movies like Crash and Inception) but Cloud Atlas is merciless in that department. After spending an agonizing 164 minutes, you are still as clueless as ever and wondering what to connect with what. In fact, you would be forgiven to believe that if you took any 6 random lives and drew them up together like this you?ll probably see this much connect anyways

The real hero of this terribly long tale is the, often ignored, make-up department. Most of the time your favourite activity while watching the movie is figuring out who amongst Tom Hanks, Hugh Grant, Halle Berry and the others are you really watching right now. So marvelous is the make up and presentation, that it takes a while to realize that the punk writer you are watching is really Hanks or that the savage you see on screen now is really Hugh Grant under awesome make up and prosthetics. Two thumbs up for that

With such a stellar cast the performances are bound to be good and they are. The entire cast play their multiple complex roles to perfection, no exceptions. The music and background score which ideally should have played a more integral role given the context of the movie is beautiful but limited.

At the end of it all, Cloud Atlas may be a wonderful story penned by British author David Mitchell(in all fairness, I haven?t read it yet). But the lack of connect and the rather ambitious attempt of telling too much of this tale all at once, makes this movie a rather tedious and unsatisfying watch. Other than the make-up, Cloud Atlas didn?t scale much heights for me..whether this journey is still worth your while is up to you

Movie Review: Chakravyuh?is not worth a view

Chakravyuh deals with a sensitive topic that should be thought provoking and a major cause of concern in today?s context. However, while watching this movie in the hall, there was only one ?concern??how much longer would this predictable, over-the-top, pretentious drama still continue!!

The trouble with Chakravyuh is that despite the context in which it is set, its treatment is completely commercial and unnecessarily sensational. What worked wonders in a movie like Rajneeti, is unconvincing and plain irritating, in this different avatar which required considerable research and a well thought out plot. In fact, as a friend of mine remarked, it is such movies that make you realize and admire the level of detailing and in-depth research that a movie like Gangs of Wasseypur had. This, however, is the same old wine in a new bottle and it just doesn?t work

In fact, the last line of the movie that comes in voice-over is probably what the movie should have started with and then told a different tale altogether. Chakravyuh chooses, instead, to just highlight the problem and then makes it a mere background for a clich?d story that has been told many times over. The one saving grace this movie could have had despite its ordinary plot and presentation, unnecessary item numbers and ill placed songs was to have convincing performances from the lead cast

However, when that brigade is led by Arjun Rampal you are heading for failure. Arjun Rampal looks the part sure enough..its the acting that?s the problem. Supporting roles and cameos suit him just fine but when he has to emote through clenched teeth dialogue delivery..well that?s probably expecting too much from him. The usually dependable Abhay Deol is also a touch out of place, especially in the latter half of the movie when his character and his voice lack a certain edge. Top that up with Esha Gupta?s amateurish dialogue delivery and the circle is complete. The only respite is the decent performance of Manoj Bajpai and the surprise package of Anjali Patel who also gives a credible performance

As per its name, Chakravyuh ought to have denoted a conundrum - a puzzling web with no straight answers. With what it delivers though, the answer is simple..Chakravyuh is not worth a hall visit

Movie Review: Skyfall..is Bond Shaken And Stirred!!

What I thought would be an easy verdict is probably one of the toughest to call. Skyfall is Bond as you would have never seen it before?but is it the best? is it the worst? Well that?s where it gets difficult

Skyfall is not the adventure popcorn action you and I have come to associate with Bond over recent years. It does not rely on adrenalin pumping action or fancy gadgets. Come to think of it, it doesn?t even have a very convoluted plot. By all these counts, this movie should be a no-go for all Bond fans..but it isn?t.

What needs to be kept in mind while watching Skyfall is that this is a franchise that has completed 50 years and this movie is meant to be a tribute to that franchise. The popcorn adventure could?ve been and has been played out many times over..Skyfall chooses to go deeper and take a real, hard look at Bond, M and the entire franchise itself. I won?t say anything further than that

In the hands of Sam Mendes, a director not really known for action adventure movies, Bond and Skyfall receive completely different treatment and in its own way it works. Landscape shots and focus on expressions replace gunfire and explosions. I won?t say its all great ? there are times where you wish there were more incidents, more mayhem, more action sequences, more of the Bond you were attuned to but once you are willing to slow down, you begin to appreciate what?s there. Like Casino Royale was different and took some time to digest..Skyfall again makes you swallow a bitter pill and it takes some time to appreciate the sweetness within

As for the performances, Daniel Craig is just okay as Bond, Dame Judi Dench is in vintage touch as M and the villain of the tale is convincing but isn?t given enough air-time. With a little more work this villain could have established himself on a far greater plane but for some strange reason the film doesn?t go for that

I won?t say I am completely sold to the film. I would?ve liked some things to be different and there are other scenes that tempt, tease but don?t deliver. However, whatever is delivered is in a class of its own and seen at  its own merit, Skyfall takes the Bond legacy to new heights

Movie Review: Luv Shuv Tey Chicken Khurana..is a completely ordinary recipe

This is one recipe you don?t want to try. I know variety is the spice of life but this is taking things a bit far. Despite a decent premise, Luv Shuv.. completely fails to bring home the gravy. Instead what you get served is rather raw and unappetizing

Firstly, its not as funny as it should be. In fact, the only laughs that are to be had are provided by the character Titu Mama, played to perfection by Rajesh Sharma and that?s about the only reason you manage to sit through the movie. For the rest, well, it all stands out for the wrong reasons. The plot, if you can call it that, is abysmal and its almost as if the director was thinking on the fly while shooting the scenes, for all the thought that?s gone into it. I don?t know in what addled state this movie was put together but it simply doesn?t make sense

In fact, given the recent success of simple movies that focused on a particular culture and brought out the laughs from therein, Luv Shuv had all its ingredients laid out. However, its not the stuff you use but the way you mix it together that prepares the meal and that spells indigestion for this particular movie. While it intermissions with some promise, the second half starts oblivious to the little that has already been told. Most of your time gets spent in watching how a meal is made, a meal which by now you would happily avoid

Finally, after considerable agony, the movie crawls towards what can be called the climax or maybe the anti-climax ? one can?t be too sure. In terms of acting, there is further misery as no one other than Rajesh Sharma really stand out. Huma Qureshi looks pretty as ever and puts in a decent performance for the limited scope her character gave her. Kunal Kapoor was given more scope to perform but he is still not ready to take on a mainstream character and fails to emote convincingly when it matters most

As per its ingredients Luv Shuv..could?ve been told simply, with a little more sanity with maybe a decent and clear message. By not doing all that and making a pot pourri of events, this dish is best avoided

Movie Review: Jab Tak Hai Jaan..doesn?t take your breath away

Jab Tak Hai Jaan is not your timeless classic of a tale well told and a story unfolding in a manner that would make for repeat viewings. It is your formula Bollywood movie, a formula that has been perfected over time by a master storyteller..well, at least on some counts. On others, its best if you go prepared to make certain concessions.

If you are willing to give up on logic/ believability of certain scenes, go mentally prepared that the movie would seem endless and runtime would be excruciatingly long, there?ll be plenty of unnecessary song and dance that could easily have been avoided ? if you are willing to overlook all that well, then Jab Tak..provides another story of eternal love made quite watchable by the veteran himself. If not, then its best strike to this one off your list at this stage itself

The first half of the movie plays like a musical. With three songs and a long dance sequence crammed in, there?s little room for anything else. There is precisely one moment in the entire first half that would cause some stir and that?s where the master wields his magic wand. Other than that, its pretty much all about the song and dance. While the music itself is decent, one still expects more from A R Rahman, and considering it does nothing to progress the story line, it becomes frustrating

The second half provides more of the story though the twists and turns (if you could call them that) are less palatable. Each new sequence is less convincing then the earlier one and the movie lurches towards a rather delayed climax. Somehow, somewhere things happen and by the end of it all, Yash Chopra manages to convince you that this is yet another story of eternal, never-ending love, but only just, this time round

As for the performances, Shahrukh is predictable as ever and one really can?t see him for the character he portrays. While the same could be said for Katrina, given her historical record, this is probably one of her better performances. The real star of the movie though is Anushka Sharma who brings a natural ease to her character and a lot of freshness to the proceedings. That and the wonderful cinematography of exquisitely shot landscapes are some of the best reasons to watch this movie

So what?s the verdict? Well, Jab Tak Hai Jaan certainly doesn?t take your breath away but despite its flaws its a decent one-time watch especially considering this was Yash Chopra?s swan song and this is a man who has literally immortalised love on the bollywood mantelpiece ? its worth a watch if only to honour his memory

Movie Review: Ironman 3..the thrusters work well, but run out of steam

The highly anticipated blockbuster of the summer, Ironman 3 starts off exactly as you want it to. The machinery seems perfectly in order, the script seems to have been given due thought, the pacing is just right. At a perfect, unexpected moment the thrusters kick in and the bird is in motion with some jaw dropping action. Brilliant, this is exactly what you came to see ? you settle in deeper in your chair for more of the same and a thrilling Avengers-esque experience yet again. Only..that doesn?t happen (and hence the title ? the thrusters run out)

Ironman 3 has a lot to offer. Excellent visuals, typical Tony Stark humor an over-abundance of action, very good special effects and cinematography. The performances are also pretty good with Robert Downey Jr. donning the Ironman suit with consummate ease and Gwyneth Paltrow doing a good job with Pepper Potts, who has a meatier role this time round.

However, it pains me to say this but what could have been an explosive and emotionally packed superhero movie or just good old plain action masterfully presented..ends up being neither of the two resulting in almost average fare as the credits roll in. Its not a bad watch per se, don?t get me wrong, but by the end of it all it comes closer to becoming Ironman 2 rather than the origin movie, which I would still rate as the best movie of the franchise yet

What?s worse is that this didn?t necessarily need to be the case especially since the first half of Ironman 3 is wonderfully done. Picking up after the events of Avengers rather than the Ironman movies was a smart move and there is an instant connect. The build up is near perfect and the glimpses of the nemesis are exactly how they ought to be. In fact, Ironman 3 almost offers one of most menacing villains in recent times (and I don?t consider the Joker recent any more so don?t start comparing) . I say almost for a reason; it was a smart ploy but it kinda fell flat for reasons I can?t explain just yet, you?ll figure out when you watch it. As for the 3D of the movie ? well, its strictly okay. Ironman 3 could comfortably be seen in 2D though some of wide angle sequences could be considered worthy of the IMAX experience

In a nutshell, this installment of Ironman had the potential to be the best. But by going the tried and tested action explosion route in the second half, it ends up being just another Ironman movie. Whether that does enough for you is your call

Movie Review: Bombay Talkies..tells pretty average stories

Anurag Kashyap, Dibakar Banerjee, Zoya Akhtar and Karan Johar ? each of those names alone set expectations of high quality cinema. Now when those names come together in a singular presentation which is a supposed tribute to 100 years of Indian cinema, that?s epic stuff right? Almost, like a tale of The Avengers, of sorts, coming together to be greater than the sum of their parts and blowing the audience away with heart wrenching and heart warming plots. Well, not quite?.

The truth of the matter is that there?s no tribute. The only ?tribute? you will find in this movie is the start and the end of the film (so don?t leave the hall after the ?the end? message). Other than that, I think its just a coincidence and the tribute angle almost seems forced.  What you really get to see is the off-beat indulgences of 4 really talented directors, that you won?t necessarily connect with. Some of it does shine out but as an overall package, it definitely lacks lustre

I don?t really want to give away who does what so I am gonna be a little cryptic now ? one of them takes a known issue and gives it familiar treatment that was pretty disappointing (clearly expected more from that one), another takes a decent topic and develops it well till he/she falls back on the stereotypical stuff to tell an ordinary story, the third takes the simplest of settings to give a subtle message in a beautiful manner, while the fourth tells an interesting story but misses the moral (in my opinion). For your benefit I have changed the order of the stories as well)

As you can see, not too many shining stars in that description. Its not really bad though but its nothing of the ?blow you away? variety which you would be forgiven to expect in such a scenario. Writing is also strictly okay which is surprising given who all was in the ranks. The little music there is, is fairly tolerable; of course one never tires of the old bollywood classics that play in some of the sequences. In terms of acting, it?s a solid cast of characters and it mostly delivers ? Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Vineet Kumar Singh, Saqib Saleem and young Naman Jain particularly stand out

There you have it ? think of it as Dus Kahaaniyan brought down to 4 off beat stories without looking for meaning or message and forget that it?s a tribute of any kind and Bombay Talkies ends up being a decent, normal watch ? don?t go with high expectations

Movie Review: Mud?leaves its imprint

Mud has routinely been described as a ?coming of age? movie ? I could scarcely put it better myself. It is a coming of age story about a boy who realizes the complexity of relationships and emotions; there are hardly any bangs and explosions ? yet Mud leaves quite a mark as it draws to a close

Mud takes its time. You start off bleary eyed almost snoozing every now and then and the plot takes its time to develop. By the second half though, you are emotionally invested and wide awake, sometimes even holding your breath in anticipation

Not everything is explained, yet since you get emotionally invested, you get what is implied. There is an underlying layer to it all that you might have to be ponder a bit to get, but its worth it. One of the reasons I really like movies like The Social Network and The Descendants so much is because they present people as people intact with all their shades of grey. Without giving anything away, Mud accomplishes this as well, leading to an enjoyable cinematic experience.

The cinematography is breath-taking. No slick shots ? just some beautiful pictures ? any frame of the movie would do well as a picture postcard with perfect lighting and camera angles.

While he can be mistaken to be the hero (judging by the poster), Matthew McConaughey isn?t really the protagonist, though he does a great job of his character. That role belongs to the highly impressive Tye Sheridan who as Ellis dominates most of the screen time and does complete justice to it as well. Ellis is a pretty complex yet restrained character and Tye Sheridan does a wonderful job. All the others do a good supporting act as well. The only nagging issue is that they all have some kind of accent which gets you to miss some of the good dialogues. (PVR seems to always get it wrong as to which movies they should have subtitles and which they shouldn?t)

Mud, then, leaves its imprint. If you do end up watching it this weekend, I am pretty sure its not one of those that?ll wash off so easily. Whether such movies are your type, is another matter altogether

Movie Review: Star Trek: Into Darkness..lights up the franchise

I just love it when a movie goes beyond the plot and understands its characters and what they stand for. I love it when a sequel in a franchise looks to be more than just a money spinner; when plot matters and plot development even more so; when the audience is kept guessing and interested till the very end. The good news is that all these boxes are checked in this sequel in the ever popular Star Trek franchise so go book your tickets right away

While the original movie itself was highly acclaimed and lauded ? I wasn?t so impressed by it. I thought it slowed down at precisely the wrong moments and there were plenty of dull moments as Captain Kirk came of age. The sequel, in my opinion, goes one better - it stays true to the franchise ? in rich exploration of the central characters, the relationship between Spock and Kirk and yet, spins a tale that keeps you interested all through. Add to that brilliant visual effects and great action and you have almost the total package.

Almost, I say, because the unnecessary post production 3D ruins what is a perfectly enjoyable 2D experience, without adding anything of value, save one or two brief frames. That and the predictable dialogues ? some pretty much the cheesy ones you have come to expect in such movies ? cast a minor shadow

More than performances, its really the characters that stand out. Kirk and Spock are all of legendary status already but John Harrison is perhaps the most intriguing to watch ? Benedict Cumberbatch completely nails it and you quickly forget Sherlock (he plays Sherlock Holmes in one of the best TV series today). You could hardly ask for a better Spock than Zachary Quinto (in this day and age) though the same cannot be said of Chris Pine (Kirk). As the protagonist of the film, let?s just say Chris Pine is only convincing in parts ? in some scenes he?s in his element and in others he looks completely off.

However, this movie really belongs to its director, J J Abrams. As someone, who clearly understands Star Trek and its characters, Abrams gets it bang on target (Pay particular attention to the voiceover at the end if you are a Star Trek fan). In one sequence, while I felt, he had gone a bit too far, he quickly inserts one dialogue that explains why that scene was so necessary. That said, there was still potential for this movie to be a tad shorter though Abrams does a fine job of it as it is.

So, if you haven?t beamed yourself into the theater already, you better get there at warp speed to see a promising sequel live up to its expectations ? for a change

Movie Review: Raanjhanaa..surprisingly loved it!!

I know what you are thinking..this movie has Sonam Kapoor and Dhanush as its leads. It sounds like the typical boy girl romance love story. There hasn?t even been much noise about its release either. I don?t blame you. These were the thoughts even I had when I hesitatingly entered the movie hall. As I exited it however, there were no misgivings..except perhaps that it still had Sonam Kapoor..as the female lead. Raanjhanaa..contrary to expectation is quite a gem

The movie starts off confirming all your worst fears. The plot context and build up is predictable and stereotypical. Dhanush doesn?t impress on first look. For the first half he looks like a bad version of Vivek Oberoi who has issues with dialogue delivery in Hindi. Sonam Kapoor picks up from where she left off, screeching and screaming and you never stop wishing this movie had another female lead. What is fresh even in this is the writing and the humor. While some might find some of the lines crude, I thought they fit the context well and brought some genuine laughs.

However, as the movie gathers momentum the criticisms dry up. Plot twists happen and connect to the characters builds so rapidly that you have little time for other frivolities. Dhanush introduces you to the range of emotions he can portray despite the restrained performance the script required, pulling off a complex character with finesse. Sonam Kapoor?s expressive face begins to convey far more, though her dialogues continue to jar. Its in the quieter moments that she is far more bearable. Abhay Deol is his trademark dependable self handling a fairly simple character. The side actors, Swara Bhaskar and Mohammad Zeeshan Ayyub deserve more than a special mention. Swara plays her role with such a natural ease that one wonders if she could have done a better job of the lead character than Sonam and Ayyub?s has the most comedic lines delivered with just the right timing

The movie puts you through quite an emotional wringer and some might even find themselves shedding a tear or two or at the very least feel a lump in the throat. While some plot development may seem contrived, I guess it was essential to tell a good story. The writing is top notch and especially Dhanush?s lines seem to have been given a lot of thought. The song and dance routine is smartly done and though there are plenty of songs, most form a backdrop to the progressing narrative so it doesn?t slow down.

Aanand Rai, the name brings painful memories of Tanu Weds Manu (which I am told was a hit with the masses; wonders will never cease..) but don?t let that mislead you into not watching this one. With Raanjhanaa Aanand Rai, hits it out of the park with subtle scenes that convey intense meaning eg.  Dhanush running, but there?s more to it than that..I?ve forgotten that he even made Tanu Weds Manu

Raanjhanaa then is one of the better movies this season. Even if this review doesn?t convince you as much, do give it a shot and you might just fall in love with what you watch