Band Baaja Baaraat - Review

Over the last few years, Yashraj seems to have lost its sheen and credibility owing to some ridiculously mind-numbing films and this time they try to salvage their position with what they know best, a romantic comedy. Does the pair of newbie Ranveer and Anushka do the trick?
Though predictable, this ones a fresh entertainer recommended to all.

Set in the heart of Delhi, the story revolves around two characters. Bittoo Sharma(Ranveer Singh), a college grad looking to find work so as to avoid going back to the village and working at his fathers farm and Shruti Kakkar(Anushka Sharma) a spunky girl who's dream is to start Shaadi Mubarak and become the best wedding planner in her area. They cross paths and team up to start the business which eventually gains a lot of popularity. What follows is the age-old Yashraj plot of love-fight-split-love-happy ending.

The first half of the film is superb with some sharp writing from Habib Faisal(screenplay). It moves swiftly and keeps you highly entertained. The latter stretches a bit and could easily be trimmed by 15 minutes.
The music by Salim-Sulieman is a winner. A film like this warrants some good music and it doesn't fail.

Of the performances, debutant Ranveer Singh steals the show. Though unconventional looking, he exudes energy and brings life to Bittoo Sharma. Definitely a find.
Anushka Sharma too, delivers her best performance to date and looks fabulous. The chemistry between them is crackling.

First-timer Maneesh Sharma has a winner on his hands, though the film could have been so much more if he hadn't trodden down the moldy Yashraj path in the second half.

To sum it up BBB with its rustic Punjabi flavour is a good watch. Walk in with no expectations and you'll walk out pleasantly surprised. This is one shaadi you should attend.

Rating: 3/5

Phas Gaya Re Obama - Review

In a year filled with smaller films(Peepli Live, Udaan) making a notable presence in the Indian film industry, here comes another unusual fare of an interesting story mashed up with a lot of brilliant actors. Does it pack the right punch?
While it does have quite a few laughs, it isn't a winner all the way.

PGRO tackles the problem of recession in an comical manner. Sanjay Mishra is a village goon who kidnaps people. Sadly, none of them have the money to pay him hence he's left sitting with his gang plotting a big coup. In comes Rajat Kapoor, an NRI who's lost it all in the global meltdown. He's come back to sell his ancestral property to salvage his life, only to get kidnapped by the gang. Then start the crazy shenanigans where Rajat goes from one place to another, encountering man-hating Munni Gangster(Neha Dhupia), corrupt politician Amole Gupte and an Obama loving croonie to keep him company.

The film, while packing in doses of laughter does tend to drag a bit. With clever writing, it does have all the ingredients for a great film but something is missing. A little more spunk coupled with better dialogues would have added superb value to the well written situations.

The film has some superb performances. Sanjay Mishra is astounding as the frustrated gangster with no money. Neha Dhupia is ok. Amole Gupte and Manu Rishi are great. A few smaller cameos are brilliant, especially the english teacher and the policeman. The leading man Rajat Kapoor is good, though he shows no difference in performance to any role played by him till today.

Director Subhash Kapoor has a well written & well executed product which works in many areas. Though the promos didn't quite enthrall movie, the film by itself was much better. Somehow it is a bit stretched and 10-15 min of trimming would have made it a great watch.

To sum it up, Phas Gaya re Obama is your perfect DVD watch. It has sequences that make you hold your stomach and laugh but also got portions where you're left simply bored. I recommend all to watch this, though it can be given a miss in the cinema halls.

Rating: 3/5

Guzaarish - Review

The much anticipated flick from the Sanjay Leela Bhansali stable hits the screens this weekend. With Hrithik-Ash at the helm of affairs, does it make you forget the questionable Saawariya?
While not the best film, its got some beautiful visuals, heart-warming moments and astounding performances.

Ethan Mascarenhas(Hrithik) was a star magician till one day a freak accident confines him to his bed and thus he faces the difficulties of life as a quadriplegic. His caretaker Sofia D'Souza(Aishwariya) has dedicated her life in looking after Ethan and cares deeply for him. Tired with his obscure illness, Ethan files a plea for Euthanasia(mercy killing), as he wants to end his suffering. The film deals with the problems he faces, his approach to life and the eventual outcome of his prayer.

At just about 2 hrs, the film is crisp. Furthermore, it is a visually stunning film, almost like art on a canvas. The cinematography by Sudeep Chatterjee leaves you with a smile on your face.
The area where the film suffers is the rather mediocre screenplay and plot-line that borrows from other films (The Prestige). The music, by SLB himself, is simply ok, leave alone a couple of melodious tracks.

What this film shows us though is the powerhouse that is Hrithik Roshan. He delivers what can arguably be called as one of his finest performances ever. Emotional, witty or downright angry, he displays every emotion that one would imagine. Aishwariya too springs up her most real & believable performance in years. She looks stunning, in character and not plastic. Aditya Roy Kapoor is good, rest satisfactory.

SLB tries but fails on a few counts. The lack of a positive message being one and the extremely dark tone of the film the other. His attempt is genuine but the outcome is half-baked.

At the end of it, Guzaarish truly defines arthouse/alternative cinema and is a far cry from the commercial jungle. A genuine effort with some soul, certain scenes (like the one where water drops on his head, or when hes angry) are just brilliant. Other than that, its a lot of heavy emotion and some exemplary acting. Watch this if you want to sample some Hrithik genius.

Rating: 2.5/5

The Social Network - Review

After garnering rave reviews worldwide, The Social network hits screens this weekend. The true story of the worlds youngest billionaire, does this pack enough punch to be called a winner?
This is one brilliantly written, riveting experience that NO ONE should miss.

Mark Zuckerberg is your stereotypical geek. A Harvard grad who's great with the tech stuff, Mark starts a site facemash which draws everyone's attention. He gets called upon by individuals who want to start as social networking platform but he eventually builds his on. This true story is about the inception of facebook, the legal battle that ensued and the psyche of this prodigy.

The screenplay by veteran Aaron Sorkin is just fabulous. Moving back and forth, it keeps you at the edge of your seat and doesn't loose you for a second. The story is so taut that you don't realize when the 2 hours fly by.

Jesse Eisenberg as the protagonist Mark is stellar. Geeky, possessed and driven, he drinks the character and delivers. Justin Timberlake as the charming Sean Parker is superb as well.

Director David Fincher creates celluloid magic again. Se7en, Fight Club, Benjamin Button, Social Network. His treatment on taking a topic like facebook and making it into an edgy-dark experience is laudable.

So the verdict is out, The Social Network is one of the best films of the year. The biggest networking platform which tears apart the people who create it, this one is unmissable. Run to the theaters now !!!

Rating: 4.5/5

Golmaal 3 - Review

Its Diwali time which means Rohit Shetty and his motley crew are back for some mind-numbing nonsensical humour. After 3 consecutive hits, does the entertainment package deliver?
This is a laugh riot for the brainless.

Few points to note before buying your tickets:
1. Did you enjoy Golmaal, Golmaal 2 - Yes
2. Do you love garish colours and sets that look like a kids party - Yes
3. Do cheesy one-liners do the trick for you - Yes
4. Do you think a movie should have a story - No
If 3 points match, run to the halls now !!

So the Golmaal team returns with some casting changes. Ajay Devgn-Shreyas Talpade are brothers who are mothered by Ratna Pathak. Warsi-Khemu-Tushhar are brothers fathered by Mithun. There is an old romance angle between Ratna-Mithun. The two factions don't get along but once their folks decide to tie the knot, the families have to live with each other and all the mayhem that goes along with it.
Throw in a Don with memory loss(Johnny Lever), his madcap sidekicks and a spit-fire heroine in the form of Kareena Kapoor and you have your ingredients. This is a recipe served specially for the masses, and they will love it.

The film plays out in almost 2.5 hrs and is an endless showreel of gags and hilarious one-lines. There is an absolute disregard for any story or semblance whatsoever. The production designs are loud and colourful, akin to the directors previous work.

The showstealer of this film is Mithunda. He has the most hilarious lines and plays to the gallery in fine fashion. Kareena too is superb as the foul-mouthed Daboo. Devgn is strictly ok, Talpade hams, Lever is funny and Khemu has a great character with rhyming lines.

As a director, this wouldn't classify as Rohit Shetty's best work. Far from the knockout that was Golmaal, this is definitely better than the second installment. He tries to play in some emotions, but one thing is certain, this film works.

All in all, Golmaal-3 is the perfect Diwali film, one that will entertain the masses to the fullest. The theater halls are in raptures as cheesy lines like, "Jiske ghar sheeshay ke hote hai, woh basement mein kapde badalte hai" are belted out. Rohit Shetty knows what the janta likes though I wouldn't suggest this for those looking for a quality experience. The pick of this Diwali, watch it if its your drift.

Action Replayy - Review

Diwali is here and it brings along with it the first of the big releases of the season, Action Replayy. Akshay Kumar, who's had some disastrous releases in the last 2 years dons a retro avatar in this comic caper which takes us back to the Eastman color days.
Is it any good though?
This Back to the Future meets Hitch can well be reserved for a television watch.

Kishen Chopra(Akshay Kumar) is henpecked. His wife Mala(Aishwariya) bosses over him, much to the ire of their son Bunty(Aditya Roy Kapoor) and hence he devises a master plan of going back in time to play out a better future.
Back in time, the bucktoothed, bellbottomed Kishen is scared and bullied over by all pushing Bunty to take on the responsibility of transforming him into the cool, suave man who women would swoon over.
Throw in a ton of songs, random references to the future, geeky humour & some more songs and you give birth to Action Replayy.

Let us put one thing straight, the main plot of AR is a straight lift of Back to the Future and is followed by a Hitch style turnaorund. The movie tries hard to transport you to the 70's but is half-baked. The clothes, colours and dance steps are perfect but songs are amiss.

The major flaw of the film is the script itself, or the lack of originality in it. Another issue is the excessive screentime of Adity Roy Kapoor, which reaches a point of irritation.

On the plus side, the film has some hilarious sequences that literally have you in splits. Akshay Kumar is stupendous. After long, he leaves you spellbounded with his geeky style and one really wishes he had an even meatier role(Yes, its almost the same as the new kid). Aishwariya Rai.B looks stunning to say the least and plays the glam-role perfectly. Aditya Roy Kapoor is decent, but its disappointing to see him have such a humongous role. Rannvijay is patchy but has a well scripted role.

Director Vipul Shah fails again after London Dreams. Far from his earlier work like Aankhen and Waqt, this one is a mediocre effort. Also, for a film where music is so important, the score by Pritam is a disaster.

In short, Action Replayy is a timepass movie which is your perfect cable tv watch on a Sunday afternoon. As the 16 other people in the theater would agree, it is not worth spending your Diwali weekend on. Watch Golmaal instead as this 70's show is a damp squib.

Rating: 2/5

Robot - Review

Mega Superstar Rajnikanth is back with the most expensive Indian film ever made. Does the hit machine Shankar have a winner again?
This is one colossal Rajni-Sir EXPERIENCE !!!!

When one walks in for a Rajni film, they surrender to the star to take them on an a trip that defies all logic and beliefs....Robot does the same on a scale like never before.

Few of the things that Sir entertains us with in Robot:
1. Runs sideways on a train.
2. 100's of Rajni's combine to form a deadly Snake.
3. Shoots bullets from his fingers.
4. Sir fights with himself.

The story is simple. Prof.Dr.Vasi has spent 10 years in creating a Robot - Chitti. Chitti is an andro-humanoid who can do just about anything from dancing, fighting to operating in a hospital. The one thing he can't do is feel emotions. When Chitti starts interacting with Sana(Aishwaria), Vasi's fiance, the enemy(Danny Denzongpa) turns things for the wrong and Chitti falls in love with her. Thus begins the battle between the Creator and his creation which leads to the eventual showdown.

One thing is certain, the film is on a huge canvas. With CG from the same studio which did Avatar & Matrix, the quality is the best seen in an Indian film.
The only drawback of this film is its length. At 3 hrs long, its heavy and the second half is extremely sluggish.

Robot is Rajni, Rajni and more Rajnikanth. If you are a fan, this is your mecca. At 60, he fights, dances and entertains in his charismatic style. His potrayal of the evil Chitti is stupendous and whistles blow from every corner of the hall.
Aishwariya looks beautiful and fits in perfectly. Danny is apt.

Director Shankar has another winner. His narrative is interesting but one just wishes it was tighter. One cannot deny his eye for scale as he imagines and delivers big. If the film were trimmed by 30 min, it would be epic.

One doesn't know if and when we will ever get to see Rajnikanth in this avatar. Although its not the best film in town, one should go to see the sheer imagination of Shankar and the mesmerizing aura that is Superstar Rajni.

Rating: 3/5

Anjaana Anjaani - Review

The much hyped and awaited AA hits the screens this week. While it looks fresh and exciting, it could be very misleading.
Few points to note before buying your tickets:
1. Are you in love with Ranbir/Priyanka - Yes
2. Do you think fancy locations across America = A movie - Yes
3. Do you think being able to predict every single scene of a film is exciting - Yes
4. Are you in the mood to walk out of a movie feeling like you've been robbed - Yes

If 3 answers match, run to the halls now !!!

When the promos went on air, AA looked like a fresh road trip film across the stunning landscapes of USA, alas...it's essentially the same old wine in the same old bottle.
Akash(Ranbir) and Kiara(Priyanka) want to commit suicide. Plagued by business and relationship issues respectively, they are both set to jump off a bridge when they bychance to meet each other. They decide to enjoy life to the fullest for 20 days and jointly leave this world on new years eve. What follows is how they push themselves to go crazy and live out their wishes.

On the outset, the premise is very interesting as one expects a fun filled adventure across the country but the narrative is rather old fashioned and goes down the emotional path.
The first half has some fun moments but after that the story only goes downhill. Cliched, boring and stretched Anjaana Anjaani offers nothing new.

DOP Ravi.K.Chandran doesn't make most of the scenic locations. Other than the song picturizations, the visuals are average. Songs by Vishal-Shekhar are fantastic. After a while, there is an album that is a complete winner.

Flavour of the season Ranbir Kapoor doesn't impress. Mumbling through many of his scenes he blunders on pronunciations though the whole film. (read: Zich for Zilch). His weakest film to date. Priyanka Chopra is fun to watch but try's to hard. For an ace actor like her, the role doesn't pack enough meat in. Zayed Khan is terrible and emotes like a brick.

Director Siddharth Anand entertained in Salaam Namaste & Bachna ae Hasseno but fails to deliver. Another mediocre script coupled with superb marketing to fool the audience. Excessive melodrama and a drag of a second half ensures you don't walk out with a smile on your face.

To sum it up AA is not worth the effort. A film that carried huge expectations but misses the mark by a long shot. Forget this one, catch Robot or Khichdi instead.

Rating: 2/5

Khichdi - The Movie - Review:

India's first TV show to Movie is here. After developing a cult status few years back,t he hilarious Khichdi family is back to entertain us all. Does it work?
It has some great doses of laughter and is reminiscent of the show.

Few points to note before buying your tickets:
1. Are you a fan of the show Khichdi - Yes
2. Are you a proud Gujarati or one who loves the race - Yes
3. Do you love mindless, stupid, nonsensical humour - Yes
If all 3 match, go for this one. If you don't know the characters, I wouldn't suggest this comic caper.

The plot(if any) is simple. Himanshu(J.D) wants to get married and finds his love in his neighbour Parminder's sister Parminder. The twist is, he doesn't want the simple happy ending, he wants it filmi style. i.e. with song, dance, fights, separation and climax. His dysfunctional family decides to assist him in making this happen, setting the film up for some Hansa(Supriya Pathak), Praful(Rajeev Mehta) & Babuji(Anang Desai) mayhem.

While the story is hardly ever making sense, the film works in its punches. Time and again there are howlarious sequences that will have you in splits. The scene where a condolence meet becomes a song-affair with Paani puri being served is stupendous. The way the characters have been created is praise-worthy.

Though the film stands at only 2 hrs, it does feel a tad bit stretched. The gags do get monotonous sometimes and one feels it could have been much better. The absence of Vandana Pathak as Jayshree is a big downer as well.

Where the film shines is in its performance. Seasoned veterans of the game, each one of them deliver. Supriya Pathak delivers a knockout performance in her vintage style. Rajeev Mehta and Anand Desai are stellar as well. J.D is great while Aatish Kapadia sneaks in a rib-tickling cameo.

Writer-Director Aatish Kapadia deserves credit. His characterization is so strong that one remembers the cast by their screen names. Though the film is good fun, one feels he could have done way better. The plot could have been much stronger and imaginative.

All in all, Khichdi is for those who fancy the show. Visiting the same family is entertaining, albeit a bit disappointing if you expect too much. With lots more to watch this weekend (read: Robot, Anjaana A), this ones your mid-week family watch.

Rating: 3/5

Dabangg - Review

The most eagerly awaited film of the year is finally here - DABANGG
Few points to note before buying your tickets:
1. Will you look for logic - NO
2. Will you love seeing action that will put Rajnikanth to shame - YES
3. Will you whistle when Salman enthralls you with his performance - YES
4. Will you dance to "Munni Badnaam hui" - YES
5. Will you watch this at a multiplex - NO
-if 3 answers match, buy now !!

Salman returns this EID with what can arguably be called his most explosive performance to date. If Wanted was of your taste, Dabangg will be too. If not, do not read further.

Set in Uttar Pradesh, the film revolves around the life of Chulbul Pandey(Salman.K) a fearless cop with an attitude. He pummels people with ease, makes away with the loot and mouths one-liners with panache. He doesn't get along with his step father(Vinod Khanna) and wasted-unemployed brother Makhi(Arbaaz) but loves his mother(Dimple) dearly. Set almost in a Sholay-like village setup, the goons fear Chulbul and their leader Cheddi Singh(Sonu Sood), a young politico wants to have him dead. There's also his love interest, the reticent Rajo(Sonakshi).

Though there's no compelling plot here, its just the way all these characters play off each other that's a joy to watch. The film starts off with a bang, drawing you into the story in minutes. The only negative is that it dips sharply before the interval but makes up in the second half. At just 2hrs 5min, its crisp.

The action sequences by Vijayan are stupendous and are sure to send the crowd hollering. Most songs are average but Munni Badnaam Hui is definitely the highlight of the film.

But what is Dabangg? Its Salman Khan. He looks outstanding, into the character and plays Chulbul Pandey with flamboyance. His screen presence is towering and he tears apart this tailor made role. People might question his acting prowess, but none would argue that he roars through Dabangg, in every single frame.
Sonakshi Sinha has an earthy, old-school sex appeal and looks beautiful. Her acting mettle doesn't appear tested as you can count the number of dialogues she has.
The supporting cast has noteworthy performances from Mahesh Manjrekar, Dimple and Sonu Sood.

Debutant Abhinav Kashyap delivers. While the direction might not be the best, his dialogues are brilliant. He has an interesting style, reminiscent of the films from the 70's.

To sum it up, Dabangg doesn't pretend. Don't look for whys and hows, just take it all in. Soak in the unreal action, over-the-top dialogues and a Salman Khan experience that won't long be forgotten. At the box office, this one should be huge.

Raing: 4/5

P.S - If you don't like Salman, do not watch Dabangg.

We are Family - Review

"yeh mere maa ke kangan hai"
If after 2 hours this line works for you, this is your film.
When you walk into a Dharma Productions film, you know its all about the gloss, glamour and overdose of emotions; but when you walk out of We are Family, its only going to be about anger, frustration and bewilderment. Kajol, Kareena and Rampal come to you in this Stepmom remake, one which requires a lot of patience to sit through.

Story is simple. Maya-Aman(Kajol-Rampal) are divorced. They have 3 "o-so-cute kids" who live with their mom. Aman and Shreya(Kareena) are in love. An attempt to make Shreya interact with the kids doesn't quite work out. Aman tries hard but in vain only to one day learn that Maya is terminally ill and needs someone to take care of the children. Then on begins the transitioning of Shreya into a motherly position with all its hiccups and tomfoolery.

As this is a remake, most of the story holds true from the original; what gets added is the unnecessary masala, illogical lies and sappy dialogues. The first half is quite tolerable with some fun scenes here and there, but its the second half thats the true culprit. The narrative drags to a point of attempted murder.Sure, the film has some brilliant moments, but they are few and hard to come by.

There are a few things that truly stand out in this film. Kajols restrained performance as the broding mother is fantastic. It's pure joy watching her in a role which she nails perfectly. Kareena looks stunning in every frame and plays her role beautifully. It is great seeing her supporting Kajol rather than overpower her. Child actor Diya Sonecha too is fabulous.

Director Siddharth Malhotra disappoints. Just because you take a presumably successful formula with two leading ladies doesn't make it a good film. It lacks soul doesn't maintain the connect.

To end this, i'll just say that We are Family is not a good product. Yes, it will make most women above the age of 15 cry, but chances are it will make anyone who paid for the ticket cry as well. Let this one slip, all eyes on Dabangg for next Friday.

Rating: 2/5

Lafangey Parindey - Review:

So the Yashraj camp hasn't quite impressed us in the last few years with some very questionable films leave aside the odd one. Their new outing, with a hit-miss director Pradeep Sarkar is a love story of a blind girl and a rouge fighter. Does he get it right the 3rd time?
Despite its drawbacks, Lafangey Parindey is an honest film with a lot of heart.

The story is simple. Rouge figther one-shot-Nandu(Neil Nitin.M) is the toast of his basti. He fights blindfolded and takes people down with a single blow. A tapori of sorts, he works for the wrong people with clean intentions.
Also in the same basti lives Pinky(Deepika P), a superb dancer with big aspirations. A freak accident renders her blind and from there begins the journey of this film. Nandu will teach her to see, Pinky will teach him to dance. A simple tale of romance with added elements of masala make this an extremely predictable yet likable watch.

What works for this film is that it is believable. Unlike the fodder Yashraj has always fed its audience, this one is far from exotic locales and sari clad beauties. A De-glam look for the actors coupled with some great dialogues does the trick.

Surprisingly, it is Deepika Padukone who takes the honours in the acting department. Her best performance to date, this is the first time she has shown that she can truly act. Affable and subtle, she strikes all the right chords.
Neil Nitin Mukesh too, delivers a brilliant performance, only to be pulled back by his non-tapori looks. The chemistry between them is outstanding and some scenes like the one in the movie-hall or when she is teaching him to dance just bring a smile to your face. Piyush Mishra is a natural.

Director Pradeep Sarkar, who tortured audiences with Laaga chunri mein Daag redeems himself. Clocking in at 2 hours, the film is perfectly timed. The music too is great with Man Lafanga being the pick. Where this film falters is its not so innovative storyline. There is nothing here you haven't seen before.

All in all, Lafangey Parindey is a film with soul, one which is definitely worth a weekend watch. Go in without expectations and come out pleasantly surprised.

Rating: 3/5

Peepli Live - Review

When the promos of Peepli Live hit the screens, they failed to really impress, but with Aamir Khan's association, the project ends up burdening a lot of expectations. A motley crew of relatively unknown actors with a greenhorn director, does this one deserve a watch?
Definitely, this is one beautifully crafted satire.

Two poor farmer brothers, Natha(Omkar Das) and Budhia(Raghuvir Yadav) have a debt on their heads. They face loosing their land to the banks and go to the local leader for help. He suggests that one of them commit suicide so as to avail the governments Rs.1 Lac compensation for the family. Natha decides to bear the sacrifice and soon the media catches wind of the news. What then transpires is the classic overplay of the media coupled with political vendettas & games. Does Natha die? You have to watch the film to find out.

The splendor of Peepli Live lies in its light approach to such a heavy topic. While it touches all bases, it does not get preachy. Very well written and handled, it has doses of laughter and entertains. The film has an earthy flavour with its fair share of expletives and is well captured by lensman Shanker Raman.

The starcast, mostly unknown is stellar. There is not one name we can single out. Main protagonists Raghuvir Yadav and Omkar Das are great, Farrukh Jaffar as Amma is outstanding and has some hilarious scenes which leave a mark. Malaika Shenoy and Vishal Sharma as journalists are exceptional.

First timer writer-director Anusha Rizvi scores a winner on many fronts. Not only does this film entertain but it passes on a subtle message of farmer suicides without annoying you. Crisp and to the point, it works.

To sum it up, Aamir Khan shines as a producer yet again, picking an art-house apple and packaging it for the commercial market. He can do no wrong can he?
I strongly recommend this tragicomedy for an engaging weekend watch.

Rating: 3.5/5

Dinner for Schmucks - Review

A remake of the french film "The Dinner Game" and our very own version "Bheja Fry", classic comedians Steve Carell and Paul Rudd come together in this mad comic caper.
Does director Jay Roach of spin the same madness as the Austin Powers/Meet the parents series?
Sadly, the film starts off on the right note but eventually looses steam.

For those who haven't seen the classic Bheja fry, this is the story.
Tim(Paul Rudd) has some brilliant ideas at work and needs to impress his boss. He gets invited to a private monthly dinner at the boss's house which has a theme, "dinner for idiots". The person who is accompanied by the biggest schmuck is the toast of the dinner. A driving accident helps Tim finds Barry(Carell), a lonesome IRS official who has a weird hobby of taxiderming mice, making them wear tiny costumes and creating a rodent world in shoeboxes. After inviting Barry for the dinner, Tim realizes that he is probably going to end up regretting this decision. What follows is a night of mayhem which involves crazy characters such as Darla the stalker, Kieran the self-obsessed painter & Therman the mind-control freak amongst others.

The first half of the film is a scene-by-scene take from Bheja Fry, which in turn was a straight lift of the French original. It is hilarious and keeps you engrossed. The addition is the second half, where the film takes on its own path. Had it been trimmed by 25 min, it would be a riot.

The performances are superb. Steve Carell is simply a joy to watch, emoting beautifully, The Office star is in full form. Paul Rudd is restrained and does justice. The smaller characters are well etched, especially Zach Galifianakis of Hangover fame and Jemaine Clement as Kieran.

Jay Roach doesn't quite create the magic of his earlier films. While Austin Powers was completely over-the-top and mindless, it was thoroughly enjoyable. Meet the Parents/Fockers too had its own flavour which Schmucks doesn't quite capture.

For a weekend which carries the much-awaited action film "The Expendables" and Aamir Khan's "Peepli Live", this one might be forgotten. While its a light hearted entertainer, one can safely relegate this to a DVD watch.

Rating: 3/5

Once upon a time in Mumbaai - Review

Every once in a while comes a film which lacks complete sense of good filmmaking but still entertains you for the reasons its not meant to. OUATIM is right there. Punchlines, randomness and some more punchlines is all that this film offers.
A masala fare this one, is it worth your weekend watch?
Not for the intelligent watcher, score one for the mindless...

Set in the 70's, the film deals with the formative years of the Mumbai underworld, loosely based on the lives of Haji Mastan and Dawood Ibrahim. After fate brings him to the city of dreams, Sultan(Ajay Devgn) grows up to become an ace smuggler albeit one with a heart of gold. He helps the needy and doesn't believe in violence. Enter his protégé Shoaib(Emraan Hashmi), son of a cop whose only goal is to effect complete control of the city. Following on Sultans footsteps, he eventually realises that their two ideologies cannot survive together, hence one must go.(How fresh?)
Also thrown in for the commercial angle are their love interests, starlet Rehana(Kangna Ranaut)for Sultan & girl next door Mumtaz(Prachi Desai)for Shoaib.

The film begins on a firm footing and has an impactful start, but as we move on, the film starts loosing its bearing as the narrative slowly slips away into sleep mode. The love angle is overstretched and filmi one-liners dominate the order of play.
It soon takes the mould of countless other Bollywood-gangster films with excess attitude and no soul.

The background score is an interesting lift of Rock-n-rolla and is heard every 3 min. Even then, it suits the tone of the film.
Rajat Aroraa is the man behind the words and writes some corny dialogues like, "Is sheher ko chalane ke liye do log chahiye, baki sab pandu vanvaas jayenge".
The films shoddy screenplay reminds you of Kanti Shah's cult classic Gunda. Scene to scene only by way of one-liners makes it a hilarious watch.

From the cast, Ajay Devgn is top notch as the restrained and mature smuggler. He plays the role perfectly and Emraan Hashmi pales in comparison. He hams his way through the film making Randeep Hooda's below par performance look good.

Director Milan Luthria fails yet again, though this movie might have a large audience. Amongst the masses, one expects whistles galore on the masala overdose and mediocre music.

To sum it up, OATIM is a film right out of the 70's(literally and figuratively). One could have expected this one to do a silver jubilee back in the day but unfortunately, it doesn't matc1h up to the quality of cinema available today. Watch it if you must, or enjoy yourself making fun of it, its a JOY !!!

Rating: 2.5/5

Udaan - Review

After generating excitement on its entry into Cannes, Udaan quietly hits the screens this week with hardly any fanfare. Being co-produced by Anurag Kashyap, one surely expects a lot. Does it deliver?
Absolutely. This one is bang on target.

Udaan takes you into the life of Rohan(Rajat Barmecha), a boarding school student who hasn't met his authoritarian father Bhairav(Ronit Roy) in 8 years. He gets expelled for watching a B-Grade flick "Kanti Shah ke Angoor" and returns to the small town of Jamshedpur only to find himself a step-brother he was unaware of. The film deals with the father-son conflict as Rohan is an aspiring writer while Bhairav wants him to join the business. Bhairav is a no-nonsense individual devoid of emotions. Also in the fray is Rohan's caring uncle Jimmy(Ram Kapoor) whose ideologies greatly differ from his brother's. How the relations play out and change their lives is what the story is all about

The film is a beautiful concoction of emotions as you laugh in one frame and are moved in the other. Full credit for this goes to the writers Anurag Kashyap-Vikramaditya Motwane. Whether the funny college scenes or angry confrontations, each scene is etched beautifully. A little trimming and this could be a masterpiece.
The music by Amit Trivedi is stellar, lending a great vibe to the film, adding depth to the overall experience. After Dev.D he delivers another winner.

The performances too are terrific thanks to the clear-cut characters. Standing tall to take the honours is Ronit Roy. A complete knockout performance by him leaves you astounded. Rajat the lead also gives a sincere & restrained debut performance. Child actor Aayan Boradia leaves you speechless by the way he emotes.
But my favourite, and I am sure most would agree, is Manjot Singh(last seen as the young sikh in Oye lucky lucky Oye). In a small role, he leaves a lasting impression and makes you laugh in every frame he is in. A fine actor, one wishes he had more screen-time.

Debutant director Vikramaditya.M trumps an ace. Poignant and genuine, he weaves the story intricately, throwing in various characters that remain with you well after you leave the theater. One waits for more work from him.

At the end, Udaan is a sensitive ride that all must experience. A tad bit heavy on emotions, it will not disappoint you. Tough competition from Lamhaa/Inception might hamper the box office efforts of this work of art.

Rating: 4/5

Lamhaa - Review

National award winner Rahul Dholakia (read:Parzania) returns for his second venture with an ensemble cast boasting of Sanjay Dutt, Anupam Kher and Bipasha Basu. Does this film do more than umpteen other Kashmir-Terrorism related projects?
While the premise might sound similar, this one is a Gritty, Hard-hitting, non-gloss affair.

After the Islamic Terrorists drove out the Hindu pandits from the Kashmir valley in 1988-89, there had been unrest there for 20 years owing to the lack of safety of the locals. The military intelligence got a whiff of a huge operation in the planning, one that would shake the country to its roots. They send in Vikram(Sanjay Dutt) under a secret alias to investigate the matter. He encounters Haji(Anupam Kher) a top separatist leader, his firebrand protege Aziza(Bipasha)and a young leader Aatif(Kunaal Kapoor)who wants to go against all odds to have an election in the valley.
The story deals with how Vikram tracks down the operation and with the help of Aziza, tries to avert a disaster.

From the onset, the film has a strikingly dark,eerie feel to it, which goes very well with the theme. Being extensively shot in Kashmir, it also lends a level of authenticity.
The first half of the film is a bit patchy. While it starts off on a perfect note, the narrative slows down considerably, but the second half is power packed and keeps you gripped.

The camerawork by James Fowlds is simply brilliant. Fresh & into-the-action, it gives a very Bourne like feel and is a joy to experience. The music too is superb, albeit a little forced into the narrative. Production designer Wasiq Khan & background score by Sanjoy Chowdhury also deserve a mention.

Of the performances, Bipasha Basu springs a surprise in a portrayal which could easily be classified as her career best. She emotes magically and her low-makeup look is perfect. Sanjay Dutt has a tremendous screen presence and lends his vintage panache to the character. Anupam Kher is spot on as always. Mahesh Manjerekar impresses in a fleeting cameo.

Director Rahul Dholakia serves a decent dish. He executes an age old idea with style and realism. Tightening the script a bit more would do wonders.

All in all, Lamhaa is an endearing watch that might not work for all. It is not your run-of-the-mill Sanju baba film, but a serious political-thriller that has its moments. Definitely a one time watch.

Rating: 3.5/5

Inception - Review

Not that this film needs an introduction, but for those unaware:
Memento, The Prestige, The Dark Knight, INCEPTION.
Master craftsman Chirstopher Nolan wields his baton with a captivating plot starring Leonardo DiCaprio. Touted to be one of the biggest releases this year, does this live up to Nolan's past work?
Convoluted, Intelligent and Intriguing, this one will literally blow your mind away...

Ace thief Dom Cobb(Leonardo DiCaprio) has a rare skill. He steals secrets from deep within the subconscious whilst one is dreaming, when the mind is at its most susceptible. Running from the law for this illicit skill, he gets one last chance at redemption when Saito(Ken Watanabe) offers him all he needs in favour of one last Corporate espionage mission in the form of Inception. The opposite of stealing a secret, Cobb & his team have to plant one. This fascinating task sets the story up for a thrilling ride which at the end, leaves you finding your own answers.

As the film begins, it leaves you a little fazed in the first 10-15 minutes, but as the story unfurls, things start falling into place. One thing is certain, one has to pay attention to every scene hence missing even a minute of the film hampers the experience.
The star as well as the villian of the film is the story. While an interesting concept,(borrowing some inspiration from the Matrix) the story increases in complexity trying to make you think and untangle the web. Even though it is extremely intelligent, it has its fair share of flaws, sometimes becoming overtly compound for its own good. I would not give away details, but this film will definitely fuel many a dinner discussion.

The cinematography + CG is brilliant with alluring shots of the cityscape being mind-controlled. The background score too lends a beautiful feel to the film.
The performances are top notch with Leo Dicaprio leading the way with great support from Ken Watanabe, Ellen Page and Marion Cotillard.

Director-Writer Christopher Nolan shines. To weave and portray such an intricate plot with panache deserves an applause. His storytelling keeps you gripped and builds up the film beautifully only to leave you a tad disappointed with the finale. While on par with his other work, this film is definitely his most ambitious project as he deals with multiple realms seamlessly.

To sum it up, Inception works on more than one level. This psychological thriller isn't for those looking for your average popcorn fare. Leave aside some minor flaws, I still recommend this film for all cinema lovers and Nolan fans alike.

Rating: 4/5

P.S - Being an IMAX ready film I suggest you watch this on IMAX for the immersive experience.

Housefull - Review

De dana Dan,Blue,CC2China,Tasveer,Kambhaktt Ishq. Akshay Kumar's recent report card looks worse than Tushaar Kapoors & this week he returns for the big ticket release of this summer - Housefull. With Sajid Khan claiming that he's going to surpass MNIKhan, does this comic caper pack in a punch.
Sadly, this is yet another patchy entertainer where the only comic relief is the end credits rolling down.

So we all know that one has to put aside logic while watching a film of this kind, but to just take the audience for granted & go on with stupid shenanigans in the name of humour is just plain criminal.

Arush(Akshay K) is a man out on his luck. Wherever he goes, chaos follows. Nothing works for him so he packs his bag & goes from Macau to London to spend time with childhood buddy Bob(Ritiesh). On landing he turns Bobs life upside down too, much to the ire of his wife Hetal(Lara) who's father(Boman I) has disowned her. So Arush gets married to Devika(Jiah K) only for a whole new world of tragedy to unfold. As the story moves on Sandy(Deepika) comes into his life & the story takes predictable twists & turns, coming to a rather woeful end. Also throw in angry brother(A.Rampal) & Italian resort owner Aakhri Pasta(Chunky Pandey) for the odd laugh.

The problem of this film rests in the writing. Sajid Khan, who prides himself in his witty humour goes for more tasteless, crass & corny this time. While it may work for the larger audienece, in comparison with films like No Entry, Masti, etc, this feels amateur.

The locations are beautiful but cinematography leaves much to be desired. The screenplay is agonizingly long & the end is never near.
Of the actors, Akshay Kumar & Ritesh Deshmukh stand out. Both have superb timing & chemistry. The women titillate to their best, with Lara pitching in with a good job. Boman Irani makes for a few laughs while Arjum Rampal as the bossy brother irritates more than acts.

Sajid Khan fails as a director. He doesn't provide a well-made product & takes inspiration from many a Hollywood film.
I won't lie, there are sequences which will have you in splits, but they are hard to come by.

To sum it up, Housefull is a film which regardless of whether you laugh, is going to laugh all the way to the bank. With packed houses already, this ones looks big.
Take your kids, they will love it...you might not. If crass humour is your taste, run to the halls, or else run far away.

Rating: 2/5

P.S- Sajid Khan's claim that this is his homage to the Manmohan Desai & Hrishiksh Mukherjee school of filmmaking should be punishable. These masters weaved magic on celluloid, true genuine entertainers.

The Hurt Locker - Review

The David(fellow who took down Goliath) of this years Oscar's finally hits the screens this week. Taking down strong contender Avatar, Katheryn Bigelows Hurt Locker has garnered immense critical appeal, the question however is, was it Oscar worthy?
While that may be debatable, the film is absolutely brilliant.

Iraq war films may be done to death, but as the cliche goes....this one is different.
Set in Baghdad, The Hurt Locker is about relationships between 3 soldiers who work in the Bravo Bomb Squad. With just over a month of duty remaining, Sergeant Sanborn(Anthony Mackie) & Specialist Eldridge(Brian Geraghty) are assigned a new leader in SFC Will James(Jeremy Renner). A man who stares death in the face & loves the thrill of his job, James changes the rules of the game & the way Bravo is used to functioning. While the other two only want to get done with their period in war-stricken Iraq, James is reckless and indifferent to the peril to his life.

The beauty of this film lies in the stark differences in the 3 and the relationship they share. While James is one for the excitement and danger, Sanborn plays by the book, not wanting to risk any lives and is ruffled by the ways of his leader. Eldridge on the other hand is an anxious individual who is afraid that a mistake on his part might cost someone their life.

The film starts slowly but soon gathers momentum, eventually leading up to a fantastic finale. The interesting thing about the movie is the attention to detail. The streets, the clothes, the equipment, everything little thing is paid attention to. The Art director David Bryan definitely deserves an applaud.

All performances are great but Jeremy Renner towers above the rest. At times quirky, at times intense, he makes you like the character of SFC Will James & puts up an Oscar worthy show.

Director Katheryn Bigelow does a fine job with an interesting story. For a female director to take up such a script deserves a lot of credit. Hard-hitting and absorbing, she creates a great product.
While as a film Hurt Locker is surely better than Avatar, the directorial baton of James Cameron probably deserved the Oscar more than Bigelow.

All in all, The Hurt Locker is a must-watch. Not just because it won the Oscar, but because it is cinematic excellence. If you like an interesting story with superb performances & stunning visuals, this ones your game.

Rating: 4/5

Green Zone - Review

The Bourne team of Matt Damon-Paul Greengrass is back, this time in war plagued Iraq. With slick promos & an interesting plot, does this political thriller manage to keep you engaged?
Yes it definitely does.

Based on a book by Rajiv Chandrasekaran, Green Zone takes us to the US invasion of Iraq where American troupes are deployed to find the WMD(Weapons of Mass Destruction). Working on intel from the CIA & an insider in Baghdad, Chief Warrant Officer Roy Miller(Matt Damon) comes up empty handed wherever he searches. During a crackdown, he narrowly misses General Al Rawi, Saddam's close aide & uncovers some hidden secrets of this operation, that involve the top officials at the CIA, their man in Iraq Poundstone(Greg Kinnear) & President Bush.
What follows, is a wild chase by Miller to unearth the truth behind the political strategy and an eye-opener to what the true intentions of the US government are.

Akin to the Bourne series, the visuals through the film are shaky & mainly handheld. The cinematography by Barry Ackroyd is meant to provide the "in the midst of the action" feel, which sometimes goes too far, making it a jarring experience for a few sequences.
The background score is superb & absorbs you into the story, right through the chases & action scenes.

Matt Damon does a brilliant job as the frustrated Officer Miller who wants to do the right thing & solve the puzzle. Another superb performance is by Greg Kinnear as the wily CIA man in the war-field.
Director Paul Greengrass does not outdo the Bourne Ultimatum but yet delivers a fine product. The screenplay is taut & the film does not have too many low points.


Films like Green Zone make us realize how the USA have made a mockery out of world peace talks & have their ulterior motives under the facade of democracy. The problem is that we realize too late & by that time, another Iraq has taken place.

To sum it up, Green Zone is a fast paced political-action thriller which keeps you engrossed. A thoroughly entertaining fare, this is not your average joe war flick & is definitely worth a watch.

Rating: 3.5/5

Love, Sex aur Dhoka - Review

Khosla ka Ghosla
Oye lucky lucky Oye
LSD
Every once in a while comes a film, which changes the rules of the game. Sometimes it is about the story, sometimes about the acting but in this case, it is all about the filmmaking.
Dibakar Banerjee is back with India's first ever digital film. Touted to be one of the boldest, most hard-hitting films in recent times, does this film live up to the curiosity value it has generated. Absolutely.

The movie is split into 3 stories, thematically Love, Sex & Dhoka.

LSD starts with a bang. The first story involves a student filmmaker Rahul, an Adi Chopra devotee who is making a film on the lines of DDLJ. He is smitten by the actress Shruti and falls in love with her. This story deals with how he elopes with her and the madness that follows.

The second story deals with a debt ridden man Adarsh who plans to make a sex-video at a local store by using the hidden security cams & roping in sales girl Rashmi in his trap.

The last one deals with a news reporter Prabhat & his tryst with the Sting operations. He hatches a plan with dancer Naina to catch pop-star Loki Local in the act.

All the 3 stories are inter-linked and have a message. The first one is hilarious & keeps you entertained . The second story is the weak link as the film drastically slows down & is stretched a bit. The film again gains momentum as the last one too, keeps your attention.

The beauty of this film is the earthy, authentic feel that Dibakar manages so beautifully. Each character is well etched & you will remember them even after you are out of the theater. There is unique North-Indian flavour in all his films and LSD is no exception.
There are certain scenes & dialogues that will have you in splits, and also moments in the film where you will get a little bored.

The cinematography by Nikos Andritsakis is interesting. While there are portions that get a little jarring, the digital format makes an interesting watch. One can expect many more such films to roll out in the future.
Both the casting and performances are superb. Notable mentions are Shruti's father in the first story, the watchman in the second & The reporter in the third.

National award winner Dibakar Banerjee impresses again. He makes a film in a modest budget & shows that with a good story & concept, you can still make a movie. One sees many more non-star-script-oriented films in the future.

To conclude, LSD is unique, unlike movies we are used to seeing. One must applaud this effort for the sheer concept. Even though its not the best film, it holds you for most of it. Do catch this one as it is a breath of fresh air, one that opens new doors for Indian cinema.

Rating: 3.5/5

Right ya Wrong - Review

Yes, I did actually see this film.
Yes, It does have a Sunny Deol dance number.
Yes, I will review it.
No, you will NOT watch it !!!!
Right ya Wrong is a movie meant for those searching for a mind-numbing experience.

Lets roll back to the 90's:
Villain has 5 looser goons with him. He's got a moll on one arm. He's gonna get thrashed by the good guys. That's how the film begins, with cops Ajay Singh(Sunny) & Vinay Pathak(Irrfan) leading the way to capture our bad man(Aryan Vaid). They succeed, but in the bargain Ajay gets a shot to the spine & gets paralyzed the waist below.
His Mrs(Isha Kopikkar) is meanwhile having a steamy affair with his own cousin. Frustrated with his life, Ajay tells his wife and bro to put him out of his misery. He also has a 5Cr insurance(yeah hes a cop + he lives in a sprawling mansion). After setting it all up, they shoot him but surprise surprise. When the cops arrive, the Mrs & the brother are dead & Ajay alive !!!
Vinay smells foul play, wondering Who did it? Why? and How?
These questions are answered in the 2.5 hr fiasco.

Lets get to the juicy bit, the classic moments of the film:
1. Sunny Deol screaming WHYYYYYY, 6 times, in an intense scene.
2. Sunny's no-gooder bro, who doesn't do any work, telling Isha.K, "babes, wait till you see my Manhattan apartment"
3. A courtroom where knives are allowed as bookmarks !!!

To be fair, the story is interesting. A lot could have been done with the plot, which has an intelligent element to it. Alas, this one doesn't do justice. The background score too, by Monty is good. The music though, a downer.
The camera has a life of it's own. Ravi Walias cinematography does too much for it to be an enjoyable experience.

The performances. Irrfan Khan is clearly the pick of the lot. He is effortless & a natural. The movie doesn't do justice to his talent. Sunny Deol moves between acting and hamming in parts. Isha Kopikkar, looking sexy, displays her worst acting skills to date. One wonders why Konkana would do such a role as hers. Govind Namdeo is at his dramatic best. The actor playing Sunnys brother cracks you up with every line he speaks.(He is not supposed to be funny).

Director Neeraj Pathak pens a good plot but a shoddy screenplay. The film itself is not exciting enough, except for certain parts.

To sum it up, this movie is meant for those who have won free tickets. Go inside, laugh at the madness and you would enjoy it. At he box office, I see no activity.

For those who read this review not knowing what this film is, Thanks. Its more fun than the film itself.

Rating: 1.5/5

Road, Movie - Review

After creating quite some magic on the festival circuit, Dev Bengal's much awaited Road, Movie finally hits the screens. With Abhay Deol in the driving seat, does this one live up to the expectations?
This is one film meant for those with a penchant for strikingly diverse cinema. If you are going for a paisa-vasool entertainer, DON'T read this review.

The story deals withe life of Vishnu(Abhay Deol) who does not want to enter his fathers hair-oil business. He decides to do a favour to his uncle by transporting his film projector installed antique truck to the required destination.
Vishus journey takes him across the desert along with various other characters, such as a boy working at tea stall(Mohammed Faisal), an animated old mechanic Om(Satish Kaushik) & even a banjaran(Tannishtha Chatterjee) for the latter half of his journey.
The movie also deals with the issue of the water mafia that plagues the villages.

Clocking in at just over 90 minutes, the film is short & to the point. The screenplay is a little loose & the script doesn't hold too strong. The film does slow down drastically at times & leaves you wandering away.
Sometimes, the movie is more of a visual treat than anything else. The locations are stunning & the movie has a beautiful feel to it.

The cinematography by Michel Amathieu is exusisite, as he covers the vast landscapes with great style. Whether is is the sand, or the silhouettes of the villagers, every frame is beautiful.
A special mention for the background score by Micheal Brook.

Of the actors, Satish Kaushik leads the pack. He efforlessly plays the lazy, grungy mechanic & does a brilliant job. Child actor Mohammed Faisal too, pitches in with a thumping performance, as he steals the show from the other actors.
This wouldn't classify as one of Abhay Deol's best acts. He does good but nowhere near Dev.D.

Director Dev Bengal has truly gone & made different cinema. His direction is very interesting & there is unique style to the film. Working in parts & failing it parts, it is an interesting concoction.

At the end of it, Road Movie is a weird yet interesting film. I repeat again that is meant for those with an appetite for the atypical, not all the so-called "Multiplex Janta". At the box office, one doesn't see it working any magic.
So watch it at your own risk, as this abstract adventure might just work for you. It does for me.

Rating: 3/5

Teen Patti - Review

Amitabh Bachchan
Sir Ben Kingsley
The game of probability
Teen Patti arrives amongst much publicity taking on the popular vice of gambling. Is this a wager worth betting on?
Sadly not.

NOTE: This review is for the English-Hindi version of the film which shall hit only 10% of the screens. Most cinema halls shall be screening the Hindi version.


The film works on the basic premise of the Hollywood flick "21" & adds a bit of desi tadka to it. Mathematical genius Venkat Subramaniam(Amitabh.B) is an Einstein like professor who formulates a new theory. He devises a way to use math to beat the game of Teen Patti. To prove his work, he uses the idea of co-professor Shantanu(Madhavan) & they rope in a few students to go beat the game in the underground gambling dens of Mumbai.
What follows is a ride of greed,power,betrayal & suspense, as one of them is a backstabber. The film also has Sir Ben Kingsley cast as Perci Trachtenberg, the math wizard, whom the story is being told to.

The first half of the film plays out very well, as it has its elements of fun, feel of local dens & the build-up of a good story. Unfortunately, the film completely falls apart in the second half. The movie is derailed as the script looses its sense. Logic goes for a toss & so does the audience.

The music by Salim-Sulieman is peppy & songs are well woven into the film. The cinematography Aseem Bajaj is very interesting in parts & good in general.

No guesses in the performances. Amitabh Bachchan towers above all as the quirky, math-obsessed intellect. Ben Kingsley too does a great job in his brief role. His scenes with AB are really good. Madhavan does justice to his role as well. The film marks the debut for 4 new actors. Dhruv Ganesh is superb and definitely one to watch out for. Shraddha Kapoor looks sweet but has a long way to go in the acting dept. Siddharth Kher & Vaibhav Talwar are good.
The film has a string of cameos including Jackie Shroff, Ajay Devgn amongst others.

Director Leena Yadav's second outing doesn't deliver. After starting off on the right foot, she strays too far. The film needed to be more concise & to the point.

To sum it up, Teen Patti is an average film. With a few good performances, the film doesn't create any magic. Good start, bad finish.
At the box office, one doesn't see it going too far either.
In the words of the film itself, I say PACK.

Rating: 2.5/5

Karthik calling Karthik - Review

The much awaited Farhan Akthar-Deepika Padukone thriller Karthik calling Karthik finally hits the screens. Does this one go all the way in providing some edgy celluloid excitement?
Almost there, but not the whole hog.

The movie begins with some of the regular cliches. An under-confident man Karthik(Farhan Akhtar), his rude boss Mr.Kamath(Ram Kapoor), his pestering landlord & a girl he is enamored with Shonali(Deepika.P). Frustrated with his life, he locks himself up at home with plans to kill himself, when he gets a call.....from himself.
The movie now sees a new, confident and improved Karthik, who takes all the right moves. His life changes & everything seems to be going great, when one wrong decision changes his fate forever.
While the movie looks at the romance angle in the promos, it is more fitting of the thriller genre.

The first half of the film is pleasant, with a couple of good songs & lightly humourous sequences while in the second half, the film plays on the suspense angle. 20 minutes into the second half & one is totally gripped waiting for the story to unfold. The issue arises in the last 20. While the film clocks in at just about 2 hours, it would do wonders if it were a taut 1hr 40min experience. For the latter portion of the film, it stretches a bit & you wonder when the credits would roll.

The music of the film by Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy is great & already topping the charts. A special mention for good background score by Midival Punditz-Karsh Kale.

Of the performances, all pitch in well. Farhan Akhtar does a great job as the sometimes scared-sometimes suave Karthik. He does his job convincingly. Deepika Padukone looks stunning & does much better than her previous work, giving a spirited performance.
Ram Kapoor surprises with an outstanding portrayal of the angry boss. Shefali Shah is apt in her small bit.

Writer-Director debutant Vijay Lalwani scripts a decent tale & entertains. One feels that with this same story he could have done wonders, had he given it a darker, grittier feel with a more crisp ending.

All in all, KCK is an enjoyable film which does not disappoint. Although not the most terrific, this film shall cater to those looking for a respectable thriller. At the box office, the movie should fare well as it has generated quite some buzz.
Definitely a one-time watch.

Rating: 3/5

(No more critical & commercial-Only Critical).

My name is Khan - Review

Isn't the name enough?
Arguably the biggest release of the year, SRK-Kajol return in this Karan Johar directorial venture which has been backed by Fox. With the biggest worldwide release for an Indian film ever, does MNIK live up to the obscene amount of publicity & headlines(thanks to S.Sena) it has grabbed?
Lets just say, this is Shah Rukh Khan as you have never seen him before.

At the outset, let us clear one misconception. This is not just another New York/Kurbaan. While it does use the WTC attacks as a backdrop, it is truly the story of a man, who despite all the challenges, just wants to do good and live a happy life. It tells us the age old tale of Islamic terrorism through the innocent eyes of Rizwan.

The movie begins with Rizwan Khan(SRK) being interrogated at the airport for suspicious behaviour as he says he wants to meet the President of the USA. The film then moves into flashback & delves into the life of Rizwan, who suffers from the Asperger's syndrome. He faces great difficulties as a child & is guided by his mother(Zarina Wahab). His younger brother(Jimmy Shergill) moves to USA & eventually takes him along, where he by-chances to meet Mandira(Kajol). He understands her, falls in love & eventually the story deals with the twist their lives take due to 9/11.

The first half is superb, as the film builds Rizwan's character. One understands him, his thought process and his issues. The second half on the other hand is a little more dramatic. Many sequences are avoidable & add unnecessary masala to an otherwise heart-warming tale.

The screenplay of the film is good & dialogues apt. Visually, the film is brilliant. While it maintains the sheen of a Karan Johar film, it replaces the gloss with simplicity. Ravi.K.Chandran captures America beautifully & deserves a mention.
The music by Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy grows on you & fits well in the film. But this movie stands on it's performances, with one in particular.

Shah Rukh Khan. With a career spanning almost two decades, this has to be SRK's finest performance to date. Underplayed, believable, exceptional. Even for non-SRK fans, this one cannot be missed, you just can't not like him. He steals the show completely & if it wasn't for him, this would be a very ordinary fare. He breathes Rizwan & makes you forget the candy-floss SRK.
Kajol too, supports him brilliantly. She looks gorgeous & displays her acting prowess with ease. Their on-screen pairing is superb & unmatched.
Of the supporting cast, Zarina Wahab is great, Tanmay as the child Rizwan is exemplary, Jimmy Shergill passable, Navneet Nishan slightly obnoxious & Sonia Jehan surprisingly first-rate.

Karan Johar delivers again, but this time all credit to SRK. While the film is great, it is not because of the story or treatment but only the performances. As a director, this is not his best work, as a film it might be.

At the box office, the cash registers will be ringing all the way, as SRK garners the support of the country. Whether or not the fiasco was a marketing gimmick, we shall never know.
To sum it up, MNIK works. Even with some unneeded sequences in the second half, the film has soul and character. So damn the Sena and catch this movie as SRK is back with a bang. With a spate of forgettable films last year, MNIK will show you why he is indeed, a Superstar.

Critical: 4/5
Commercial: 4.5/5

Ishqiya - Review

Fantastic promos, great music, all the hype a film would want. From the stables of Vishal Bhardwaj, the much awaited Ishqiya finally hits the screens today......does it live up to the expectations?
Absolutely, this one's a winner !!

Set in the rustic interiors of India, the film deals with two thieves, Khalujaan(Nasserudin Shah) and Babban(Arshad Warsi) who are on the run after stealing money from their boss. They take refuge at the house of widowed Krishna(Vidya Balan), whose husband died under mysterious circumstances.
As their boss traces them down, the money disappears and they are given a few days to return the loot or go six feet under. The 3 then devise a plan to extort good money and get rid of their woes once and for all.
Although this is the plot of the film, the real joy is in the journey, dialogues, little jokes and the overall experience that has been crafted. Each character has their distinct flavour which add greatly to the tale.

The first half of the film goes past with the blink of an eye, while the second half is a bit more meaty. While the story has nothing special or new, it is the treatment that is noteworthy.
Full marks to Vishal Bhardwaj for firstly, some brilliant dialogues, secondly for a well written screenplay & lastly, for the beautiful music, which adds great value to the film. The picturisation of "Dil to Baccha Hai" is particularly splendid.

First time director Abhishek Chaubey gets two thumbs up. He has arrived with a bang and deserves full credit for this effort. Whether the love triangle or the madness between the two thieves, he showcases it with a unique zest. One shall wait for his next film.

The performances too, leave no room for errors. Veteran actor Naseerudin Shah does a stellar job as the old romantic. He speaks through expressions and shows why he is considered one of the best.
Arshad Warsi too does a great job as the quirky thief. Post Munnabhai, this is his best effort to date. Vidya Balan springs another surprise post Paa. She looks ravishing and teases with her eyes. The chemistry between her and the other two actors is superb.
A mention also for the child actor who interacts with Arshad Warsi. The unmissable boy is fabulous.

At the box office, one sees word-of-mouth strongly helping the film. For all of you reading this, watch this film today.
Take a bow Abhishek Chaubey, this ones a home-run.

Critical: 4/5
Commercial: 3.5/5

Rann - Review

Ram Gopal Verma is back, this time with a hard-hitting exposé on the news channel wars. With a huge ensemble cast and a serious issue at hand, does he create celluloid magic?
One can safely say, this ones no candyfloss entertainer, its gritty with some great content & soul.

Vijay Harshwardhan Malik(Amitabh B) is an experienced player in the industry. He refuses to play the game and is one to abide by ethics and morality owing to which his channel has gone down. His son Jai(Sudeep) wishes to bring about change but his plans are foiled as a competitor channel owned by ex-employee Amrish Kakkar(Monish Behl) steals their ideas.
Irked by this move, Sudip takes the help of his businessman bro-in-law Navin(Rajat Kapoor) and corrupt politician Mohan Pandey(Paresh Rawal) to win the TRP battle. The story deals with how news is created and fed to the public to make money.

Along the way, the film has many characters such as Vijay's loyal fan turned employee Purab(Riteish D), over-the-top news anchor Anand Prakash(Rajpal Yadav)and sweet yet bitchy Chief Nalini(Suchitra Krishnamoorti).

The story of this film by Rohit.B is crisp with a taut narrative. The film doesn't tend to drag and remains to the point.
A special mention has to be made for the cinematography which is brilliant. Amit Roy gives the film a fresh, new feel with some innovative shots.
A big disappointment is the music score, with has a host of composers. Though in the background, few tracks spoil your viewing experience.

RGV generally casts his motley crew, but this time he goes a different way.
Amitabh simply towers above all in his intense & honest portrayal of the channel head. His monologue in the end is definitely the highlight of the film. Sadly, one does feel that he should have had meatier role.
Paresh Rawal too, delivers an ace performance and makes you love his evil persona.
South import Sudip does a dismal job. Being given the plum role of the film, he does no justice to it, bringing down the overall quality of the film. Monish Behl puts on a fine act and returns to the silver screen in great fashion.
Riteish D does his best job to date and Rajpal Yadav is entertaining in every frame.
Of the others, Rajat Kapoor does another Corporate, Suchitra K is top notch, Gul Panag-sweet and Neetu Chandra downright hilarious(she's not supposed to be).

Cult-filmmaker RGV's treatment of the film works. He provides a well finished product which is different from the rest. Not his best, yet great.

All in all, Rann not your average-Joe Friday flick. This movie doesn't only entertain, it wants you to think. Don't go in expecting Madhur Bhandarkar style glamorized truth. It is grim, it is powerful and it is definitely worth a watch.

Critcal: 3.5/5
Commercial: 3/5

Veer - Review

Warrior Salman is back as part of the Pindari clan, in an eagerly awaited, heavily budgeted film Veer. The epic war tale also marks his debut as a writer & serves as the launchpad for FATrina Kaif, oops Zarine Khan. Does it deliver?
Not quite....

Set in the late 1800's, the film deals with the warrior tribe, The Pindaris who are back-stabbed by the King of Madavgarh (Jackie Shroff) who forms an allegiance to the British. Their leader Prithvi Singh (Mithun Charaborthy) vows to avenge their loss & raises his son Veer (Salman Khan) to become an ace fighter.
The story then suddenly shifts to Britain where Veer & his brother Punya (Sohail Khan) go to learn the ways of their enemies. Here Veer falls in love with princess Yashodhara (Zarine), as you might have guessed, the daughter of Jackie Shroff. Then on, the film deals with Veer being torn between his love & his people.

One thing is certain, this movie is outright filmy making it funny at times. Whether it is random Matrix style jumps, songs out of nowhere, unreal heroism or just plain disregard for any form of logic, it has it all. There's even a song with Bharat Dabolkar coming out of a drum of water & Neena Gupta gyrating with Mithun.
The film starts of well, but slows down once the story shifts to Britain. The story by Salman just doesn't have enough meat. The film salvages some pride in the final action sequences with Veer going all-out.

The music of the film by Sajid-Wajid is a complete letdown & the songs irritate. They come way to often & do nothing for the narrative.

If there is one thing that works for this film, it is Salman Khan. Star power, scren presence, call it what you may, it works. Another knockout performance by him ensures you are still there. His histrionics are a joy to watch & its less style, more acting for a change. Mithun too is good in a meaty role. Jackie Shroff is fine.
Newcomer Zarine Khan is strictly OK. One wishes she & Salman had shared the gym equipment.
Sohail Khan is annoying. Aryan Vaid in a mute role is stone-faced.

Director Anil Sharma fails. He shows absolute disregard for continuity (long hair, short hair, long hair, Salman does as he pleases). Though makes a brave attempt, he doesn't repeat a Gadar.

At the box office, single-screens should do well, but owing to the budget, one doesn't see a hit on our hands.
I suggest all Salman fans to watch this film. Only for HIM, not the cinematic debacle. For all the others, skip it, wait for Rann, this one's no classic.

Zombieland - Review

This week, we bring you the rare concoction of humour & blood-thirsty zombies, as they come together in Ruben Fleischer's Zombieland.
While the movie hasn't created any marketing buzz, this ones definitely a surprise package. While it does not scare, it does Entertain.

Narrated by Columbus (Jesse Eisenberg), Zombieland is the story of how a virus outbreak leads to the USA being attacked & taken over by flesh-eating zombies. He is trying to make his way to Ohio, to see if his parents are safe.
Only a handful of humans remain, including a redneck Z-killer Tallahassee (Woody Harrelson) who is trying to get to Florida and kill as many zombies as he can on the way. He agrees to give Columbus a ride & the two form an alliance. Along the way, they meet two girls, Wichita (Emma Stone) and her younger sister, Little Rock (Abigail Breslin), both of whom have trust issues.
As they progress, they encounter situations & circumstances that are filled with comical elements interspersed with fun action sequences.
The story deals with how these 4 people trust each other, double cross each other & eventually kick some zombie derriere.
The climax is good & the action sequence in the end is fun to watch.

The film begins so repugnantly, that one feels queasy in the stomach, but 5 minutes into the journey & it becomes funnier rather than gruesome.
The product is also extremely slick, stylish & has great humorous undertones; especially a set of rules which Columbus has devised to stay safe, such as:
Do Cardio or Fasten your seatbelt. They are well woven into the film & shown in an interesting manner.
Another great aspect is the films runtime. At just under 90 min, this film manages to entertain you & at the same time, not stretch.

The performances are great, especially Woody Harrelson, who is in top form. He is quirky, crazy & even has a soft side to his character. Emma Stone too, mixes sexy & bitchy to give a memorable performance.

Director Ruben Fleischer is definitely one to watch out for, as he carves a good product from a mediocre script. His story-telling fashion is unique & enjoyable.

In a nutshell, Zombieland is a fun adventure which one should catch. While its not your run-of-the-mill comedy, laud it for it's novelty value & dose of entertainment.

Rating: 3/5

Did You Hear About the Morgans?

Hugh Grant returns after a two year hiatus coupled with Sex & the City star Sarah Jessica Parker to bring to us a light-hearted romantic comedy. Is it enticing enough to run to the cinema halls this weekend?
Sadly, not so.

The film delves into the lives of successful New York Realtor Meryl(Sarah Jessica Parker) & her equally flourishing lawyer husband Paul(Hugh Grant). Though the Morgan's are now separated, Paul is desperately trying to salvage the marriage after he erred by having an affair.
The two meet for a meal & accidentally witness a cold-blooded murder in the process. For their safety, they are whisked away to Ray Wyoming, under the witness protection program. The story takes us through their journey in a small town, away from work,phones & Internet and how they find love in each other again.

The story of the film is extremely predictable & one would have to be a non-movie watcher to be surprised by the amateurish screenplay. It is a formula film with doses of humour, romance, good wins over evil & big town girl in small city. But alas, it doesn't work.
One doesn't feel the romance at all but the movie does give you the luxury of the odd smile here & there. While the first half starts well, the movie slows down as it moves on & crawls to a finish.
The editing of the film is very patchy with abrupt cuts between few shots.
Director Marke Lawrence has done better work in his previous two films & this is a very mediocre product at best. If one sees the trailer, they can more or less cover the best moments of the film.

Of the performances, Hugh Grant fails to impress & his chemistry with Sarah J Parker just doesn't work. Sarah on the other hand gives a good performance, but not one that would take the film to a higher level.
The supporting cast are excellent, with Elisabeth Moss delivering a brilliant performance as Sarah's quirky assistant. Sam Elliot too, beautifully underplays his role as the calm protector of the Morgans.

At the end of it, one knows what is going to happen & it is not worth the effort. For a weekend which has many other releases to sample, one need not venture into this territory.
You Need not hear about the Morgans.....for your good.

Rating: 2/5

Paranormal Activity - Review

After creating a stir worldwide, 15000$ creation Paranormal Activity finally hits the Indian screens. After grossing 100 million plus worldwide, does this film live up to the hype?
NO

Following the footsteps of The Blair witch project, PA is a film shot completely on the handycam. It deals with the life of a young couple, Micah & Katie and the mysterious happenings faced by them. They believe there is a ghost in the house & the story takes us through three horrific weeks of their lives.
The film is completely shot in the house itself & almost no background sound.

Let's get one fact straight. The movie does not Thrill or spook. There are exactly 5 minutes of scenes that classify as unnerving. 75% of the film is extremely boring & nothing really happens till the last 15 minutes.

Of the actors Katie Featherson is great in her role as the freaked out girlfriend. Micah Sloat as the boyfriend is strictly ok & the psychiatrist is just comical, especially in the the scene where the he goes away because he is scared of angering the "ghost".

The director Oren Peli attempts something interesting but fails miserably. There are parts of the film that build up the anxiety but just fall flat at the end of it. The screenplay is weak & parts of the first half are redundant.
The question is as to how this film has generated such revenues. Marketing pundits are calling it the most profitable film ever made....I call it marketing genius.

I would request you not to watch this mockery of a film. I went to the theater with the intention to get petrified, but came out making elaborate plans to shoot the makers. If films like The Exorcist, The Ring or even RGV's Bhoot worked for you, this won't.
Though, you will be truly horrified when you realize that your hard earned money has vanished, never to return again.

Note: This film has 3 different versions, but the one playing in cinemas across India is worthy of the review above.

Rating: 1/5

Sherlock Holmes - Review

Arthur Conan Doyle’s detective is back, in a revamped new avatar, courtesy Guy Ritchie. Known for his slick movie-making efforts, does this film create the magic of Snatch & Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels?

Let’s say Ritchie delivers a decorously interesting fare to savour.

Set in the late 1800’s, Ace detective Sherlock Holmes (Robert Downey Jr) & his partner Dr.Watson (Jude Law) have just solved a case involving black magic practitioner Lord Blackwood (Mark Strong). After sentencing him to his grave, they are taken by surprise when he comes back, with sinister plans of ruling the world. A series of deaths follow & the detective duo end up unravelling this mystery with the help of Sherlock’s old muse, Irene Adler (Rachel Adams).

One thing is certain, Guy Ritchie has definitely changed ones perception of Sherlock Holmes. He has taken the classic hat wearing, pipe smoking detective & turned him into a goofy, alcohol drinking, bare-knuckle brawler.

The first half of the film is interesting, especially two action sequences, right out of the directors unique action style. Towards the second half, the movie gets a tad bit boring, but picks up pace towards the end, closing the loose ends.

Of the performances, Robert Downey Jr is fantastic. The movie is all about him & he pulls of this brawny Sherlock with panache. He is well supported by an underplayed Jude Law & sexy yet mysterious Rachel Adams. The repartee between Robert & Jude is brilliant & fun to watch. Mark Strong has a small yet impactful role.

All in all, even though it’s not the best film out there, it’s definitely worth a watch. If you like Robert Downey Jr or Guy Ritchie cinema, this one’s a good watch. Don’t expect too much & be entertained by this comical action film.



P.S - The film looks all set for a sequel with its open ended finish.

Rating: 3/5