Holy Motors

Holy Motors is your “whatever-that-meant” art movie. It is not recommended for everyone. The abstract concept will be beyond the level of understanding for many.

But in case you do decide to watch this one, then you’ll never know what to expect and after the initial phase of making no sense, the movie will try to form a vague picture and keep maintaining it, till the very end.

By the end, you would have to sit and think about what you’ve seen and comprehend the vague messages that the movie suggests. Just the fact, that the movie leaves you thinking, makes it a successful “art” film.

Personally speaking, it’s an okayish film due to the fact that it’s not entirely abstract, and does give a certain sense of idea regarding its subject which is very unique.

My Rating- 2.5/5

PS- It’s a French movie. So make sure you’ve loaded up your subtitles. 

Argo

I've this phobia of watching movies with political connections, as there’s a lot of parallel thinking to do in order to get the connections of the depictions right. I was a bit hesitant to watch Argo for the same reason but then it got an Oscar and so I couldn't help myself.

And so, I’m blown away. The movie picks up pace from the very beginning. You remain there on the edge, till the very end, when you’re hanging by the very edge of your seat. The screenplay remains highly connected to the plot, there isn't a drag, or any unwanted emotional drama. It’s all right there, fast, cut-to-the chase and thrilling.

I say, commendable work by Ben Affleck as the director and the lead actor. I say, this one’s worth the time, a fast paced thrilling ride.

My Rating- 4/5 

To Rome With Love

To Rome With Love is about a mediocre Woody Allen trying hard to be funny. Well, but you don't complain because he's Woody Allen and even a genius needs rest.

The story is pretty interesting, just like Midnight in Paris however it fails to add an effective addition of humor. Like a dish with all the perfect ingredients but not the right taste.

I'll still am a Woody Allen fan though.

My Rating- 2/5

Jab Tak Hai Jaan

You can definitely call someone the master of an art form, if he truly defines the art he performs. When it comes to film making, a master tells stories that are told in such a way that they substitute reality for some time, for those stories told so beautifully, tend to connect with the hearts of one and all. Stories of those kind, were told by the story teller, the master, Sir Yash Chopra.

This conclusion of the amazing work that he has left behind for generations to come, is very apt as per his standards. Jab Tak Hai Jaan is beautiful in every respect. The writing in terms of the dialogues, the screenplay, the picture-perfect frames and the music which was beautifully complimenting this magical piece of work. In fact, I saw glimpses of many YRF movies in this one movie.

The movie is a little long but I won't say that it drags. The story may seem absurd to some but when you can applaud cars and people flying all over the screen, you surely can respect the depiction of emotions.

Shah Rukh Khan is still what he is. The same guy who has been singing, dancing and charming us with his smile. Truly a star, who still shines. Yes, he does love stories and he does justice to them like nobody can.
Katrina Kaif is noticeable and Anushka Sharma is very natural while executing her role.

Overall, JTHJ wins you over.It tells you that how a good movie is made, how the plot runs in every bit of the screenplay, how powerful writing creates "moments" worth remembering behind the backdrop of breath taking frames, how it all just fits together making so much sense and how a smile reaches your face once the end credits roll. It makes you miss the master, Mr. Chopra.

This is definitely a master stroke by the master himself.

My Rating- 3/5

PS- Those bombs exploding in the trailer weren't a gimmick after all. *giggles*

Luv Shuv Tey Chicken Khurana

Luv Shuv Tey Chicken Khurana, as the title itself suggests, is a comedy movie. But unlike most comedy movies, this one packs up a unique story. The plot is fresh and different, but the movie stumbles due to a not-so-good screenplay.
 
There are laughs centered around a single character in the story however the movie as a whole isn't that laugh-worthy. The screenplay goes totally out of place by the end. Even though the script did have a couple high lights in it. the movie loses itself due to the slow pace of the movie.

If this would've been book, I may have enjoyed it. But as a movie, I can only commend the mere idea and the plot which could've been executed better.

But that's just my opinion.

My rating - 2/5

OMG- Oh My God

Oh My God is a neat movie, that's well written. Even though it's an inspired version of a Pre-existing concept, it manages to reinforce the message and stand out. The movie can be commended for its non-exaggeration, no-nonsense approach in raising some profound questions.

The plot, despite being extremely fictitious is brought to life by the crisp writing. In the end, the movie does enter into the cliche territory, just to make the content acceptable for a country that's very sensitive about matters related to Godliness.

Overall, a good movie. The movie scores in terms of the writing, with dialogues that bring a abstract and ghostly concept to life.

My Rating- 2.75/5

Skyfall

Maybe I'm not a die-hard fan of the Bond franchise. Maybe I expect Bond movies to be extravagant parties full of mind boggling, impossibly real technology and clean action. Maybe Skyfall was too simple and basic for my towering expectations.

 OR

Maybe Skyfall was just another action movie, and not a Bond movie necessarily  Maybe the recession-hit market suggested that the film makers only shot the action scenes to fill the trailer. Maybe Skyfall was a money minting tactic when the world is facing financial crisis. But still the screenplay was pretty neat and the plot was simple.

In short. Skyfall is just another action movie. The good. The bad and the games just remain in the fighting ring, without exploding out the barriers. A strictly "good" movie, that can be watched with the popcorn-munching.

OR

Maybe I was just drunk.

My rating- 3/5 [3 for the simplistic execution, as I've a bias towards simplicity in story-telling]

Gangs of Wesseypur

Welcome to Wesseypur. The land of power, politics and murders. The movie is a no-sugar-coated take on the brutal reality that revolves around small-town politics, where important decisions are just a gun shot away and the male centered society prefers to reach important decisions through mass murdering and shoot-outs.

Wesseypur as a story is pretty interesting, nicely written. Wesseypur as a movie, is a good watch. Certainly something that's very different as compared to the usual "Bollywood" standards.

The movie's motive is to depict small-town politics. It's gripping, but the movie is long and the story takes leaps and jumps in between. The violence and the rawness is pretty evident but somewhere the story loses the track by just an inch. It's like stories that encircle each other in a very redundant pattern, in such a way that you may get lost. GOW, to me was good. Strictly good. Different. Brutal. But, strictly good. I may differ from the popular opinion which acclaims this movie, because most people like movies that grip their imaginations and keep their brains ticking through a twisted plot-within-a-plot format. But yes, I'm different in ways that don't really match the ways of the world.

Next up, GOW 2.

My Rating- 2/5

The Dictator

Just like other Sasha Baron Cohen movies, this one is mad too. Like really mad. But gone are the days when you could easily laugh at stupidity and filth. It only gets as good as Borat for me.

The Dictator is just mildly amusing, assured to give you a few giggles. But nothing more. But the good part is, the movie does tell you a story. The gags are mindless. Spare this one for a day when you're too lazy to watch a movie and don't mind watching just about anything.

My rating- 2/5

English Vinglish

I’m loving 2012, it’s treating Bollywood well. Movies are actually trying to tell stories. Stories that are actually the crux of this art called “Movie making”. After Barfi! , the pleasant surprise was English Vinglish. 

Anyone who knows this movie by its trailers knows the plot. The plot is right there, very minimal and simplistic. But what makes the movie stand out is the way in which it is conceived. The screen-play connects and an otherwise ordinary plot ends up telling you a heart-warming story. Giving a subliminal message of courage and resonating a simple virtue that the first and last love affair happens with the self.

When a movie is honestly made, you don’t mind swaying away with its ultra-emotional moments.

In short, English Vinglish is just another story that’s told in such a way that it creates a remembrance for itself. Moreover in an age which suffers from the dearth of original ideas, it must be our duty to respect the few original ideas which end up telling stories that are unique, stories that are a fodder for life, stories making our redundant lives beautiful.

My Rating- 3/5

Barfi !

We’ve reached a place in time, when innocence is questioned for it does not appear to be genuine. This notion is even reflected in the movies that are made. The innocence that was prevalent in the Black & White era had completely drained off by the time we were out of the 90s. Barfi brings back that long lost innocence.

It is like watching a black & white movie in full color, experiencing beauty that’s so pristine that it’s beyond words. Beauty in every respect, cinematography wise, screen play wise, music wise or even in the way such a touching tale has been told in a strictly simplistic manner. Priyanka Chopra has made me proud as a fan for you cannot help falling in love with her; I can already picture her receiving the best actress award. Ranbir Kapoor has talent running in his veins, which he proves yet again. Both actors create an impact, that too with roles that are dialogue-less.

Barfi is like a hand-picked dream, that’s so beautiful, so believable that when the end credits roll, you don’t want to go home. You want “reality” to wait outside the cinema hall so that you can dive into this dream once again.

My Rating- 4/5


PS- If at all I marry, my wife should look like this : 

The Dark Knight Rises

The Dark Knight Rises is a master piece just like any other Nolan movie, and just like any Nolan movie, it cleverly builds up the plot with many sub stories continually progressing towards the conclusion. Nolan’s habit of ending movies in his own special style is like his signature at the end of his movies, movies that stand out and are looked upon as standards that truly exemplify cinematic brilliance.

With TDKR Nolan is again in total control of every aspect of the movie, the direction, the story, and the dialogues. Despite not being a Nolan fan I’ve always respected his style of cinema. Even in this new installment he hasn’t tried to experiment with a different approach but has continued with his signature methodology of film-making that is intelligent and makes an impact by leaving you in contemplation even after the movie has ended.

In my personal opinion, creating a follow up movie to a mammoth of a movie like “The Dark Knight” is definitely not an easy thing to do. But Nolan has perfectly complimented the previous movie and concluded the franchise in a way that you won’t hesitate to regard as “Perfect”.

It’s very disheartening to know that this is the last movie of The Batman franchise. But I’m sure the world will wait with a tad bit of hope, to see the man in the black cape on screen again, cruising his way on the dark streets of Gotham, with a rhythmic sound of a heavy drum echoing in the background.  For this man isn’t merely a superhero who’s an outcome of fantasy, but a character that has been molded to reflect life’s harsh realities.

My rating- 3/5

The Avengers

Finally got a chance to watch this much hyped super hero movie. I'm actually not too fond of sci-fi movies with the super hero element. Blame the declining Spider man franchise or the over dose of watching the special effects domain grow over the years.

The Avengers employs multiple super hero characters just like the X-men franchise. But the movie scores when it comes to the 3D visualizations. I can easily proclaim The Avengers to be the best 3D movie I've seen till date. Despite having a regular story the movie has been executed very well. The special effects, gripping action sequences and a light humor which runs parallel to the movie act like supporting pillars to make its ordinary story stand out.

The movie tends to lag a little in between but gets back on track and saves itself. Overall, very good.

My Rating - 3.5/5

London Paris New York

A sad sad chick flick, although the story is pretty decent but it's imposingly presented and thereby looks very fake and unbelievable  . And you can't force the romance in a romantic movie, it should have a certain amount of realism before you progress to the dreamy level of clicheness and then show anything.

It's like the movie makers just wanted to show a couple kissing behind the backdrop of exotic locations. The purpose is served however the romance and the feel has been compromised. The cinematographer hasn't made use of the full potential, of the locations those grand places in the movie title offer.

Overall, the movie does make an attempt to create the magic. And despite the failure, I always value a trial.

My Rating- 2/5

Vicky Donor

The Comedy genre in Bollywood never dares to venture into satire. Our comedy movies just focus on humor that is largely dependent on situational humor, punch lines and the only progress we're making here is only in terms of the level of explicitness.

Vicky donor is a bold attempt since it picks an off beat subject. Now going by the industry standards, a different concept is good enough to sell a movie to the audience, since it generates curiosity and hype. That's how most movies are sold today, by marketing the hype only and compromising with the content. Vicky Donor does not do that, the off beat subject and the humorous punch lines just support a movie that is strictly good.

The plot tries to shape the entire movie into a meaningful story and not just a mindless comedy. The screenplay could've been better which is one drawback. Another thing is that, the movie just misses a much needed satirical tone that would've concluded this movie in a very good way.

Ayushmann Khurana overacts but it somehow suits his character.Yami Gautam can do better but Ayushmann saves the show for her. Annu Kapoor delivers as always. There are certain surprise characters in the movie that     just add to the laughs.

I would say Vicky Donor is a good movie as it tries to deliver something with an off beat subject.

My rating- 2.75/5

Houseful 2

This movie belongs to the usual commercial class of Akshay Kumar comedies. The only relief is that it packs up a plot, puts in a lot of twists though. Due to the twists the movie tends to become a thriller. The consolation prizes are few laughable moments, a John Abraham who will succeed in cracking you up and an Akshay Kumar who makes his character stand out.

It's real tough to make a good comedy movie, this fact still continues to be true.

Houseful 2 is passable, unless you have insane proportions of curiosity and tolerance.

Rating-2/5

The Artist

The only time I might've watched a silent film was in my childhood. I've got a vague remembrance of a Charlie Chaplin movie. There was also "Three Stoogies" , the TV show. After ages it's a walk down that forgotten road.

The Artist may be a silent movie but it paints a beautiful picture in motion. Every scene is talking through the depiction. You're in no way cut out by the silence, the movie makes a connection emotionally. Jean Dujardin is expressive, the silence does not limit his skill at all.

The story just adds up to the sweet portrayal of the black and white era. The movie lags a little later on, but then again I keep realistic expectations from a silent movie so I won't complain.

Overall, a sweet movie, the romance is clean, cute and makes you fall in love, just like it was in those good old days of black and white.

Go on, be brave and experiment with this one. You won't be disappointed.

My rating - 3.5/5

Kahaani

Vidya Balan is here again, to falsify the stereotypes according to which the only things a female actress is supposed to do in a Bollywood movie are singing, dancing and catalyzing the climax of the movie by shedding some tears. The lady proves it, that a good actress can independently drive a story without resorting to anything else and leave the people in awe.

Kahaani will grip even those who're not fond of thrillers, those like me who shut their minds while watching their movies.

Previously, Vidya succeeded in leaving a mark with the Dirty Picture where her character was the highlight. But in Kahaani, it's the story and the way it has been executed. Vidya fits in perfectly and walaaa, we have a good movie.

Highly recommended for people who've still not watched it, for it's a fine example of good cinema comprising of a gripping story, dynamic screen play and a fine actress like Miss Balan who pulls it all off with sheer excellence.

Also, a very notable aspect of the movie is the background score by Clinton Cerajo.

Amen to good cinema and Amen to this movie.

My rating- 4/5

Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu [2012]

This surely is such a beautiful example that Bollywood is evolving. A movie that incorporates a fresh new narrative approach, and presents an obvious concept in a very unobvious way, that's not only new, but also very sweet.

Certain frames in the movie are so cute that they will make you "Awwwww". The songs just add to the beauty that is depicted in such a simple yet cute manner. The movie tends to get a little slow in between but immediately re-gathers momentum and saves itself.

Long live this new-age bollywood. Our children and grand-children still have some hope when it comes to quality cinema. Amen.

My rating-3.5/5