Django Unchained

Making it short. This movie is three things: Bad ass, Quentin Tarantino and Christoph Waltz. Watch it like an action movie, and you won't be disappointed.

My rating- 3/5

Misery

What can you say about movies that are based on novels by Stephen King (Who happens to be a God who writes, for me). King’s movies have plots that are so intriguing that you tend to ignore all other aspects of the movie, you just want to know the tale from beginning to end.

Misery is again, about an intriguing plot. The screenplay is very detailed, not much happens in terms of the setting of the story but since the plot is just too interesting, one just can’t help the curiosity which keeps you glued to the movie. Big ups to Kathy Bates for her role which also won her an Academy Award.

Watch this one, and be in awe at the immensely simplistic yet intriguing writing that this genius of a man Stephen King comes out with.

My Rating- 3/5

Zero Dark Thirty

Zero Dark Thirty, is fast, gripping and makes an impact in a very subtle way.Despite having a subject which deals with one of the most controversial criminals of modern times, the movie does not ride on his prominence at all. 

In fact the movie is about everything else around him and not just him.Shot in titled sequences. The fast paced story progression keeps you on the edge of your seat.I

f you're a little slow like me, you may get a bit mixed up in the twists and turns that come up every now and then. But, you'll end up having fun.

My rating- 3/5

Whatever Works

I’ve come to realize that there are comedy movies and then there’s a Woody Allen movie. Yes.

Whatever Works has that signature Woody Allen way of tickling your funny bone (A previous example being “Annie Hall”)

Another interesting way with which the movie stands out is Allen’s interesting way of storytelling. He keeps his movies as real as possible and comes out with such comical moments that you’ll have to pause the movie and finish your laugh first.

Even the story telling is different, the screen play isn’t conventional and the story never loses its pace.

Whatever Works is a comedy that you can watch any time you really want to laugh those laughs out without forcing them out.

Whatever Works works for me.

My Rating- 3/5

PS- Watch this even for Larry Davis. He totally nails the role.

"whatever love you can get and give, whatever happiness you can filch or provide, every temporary measure of grace, whatever works. "

If Only

If Only qualifies to be a chick flick but I won’t let the movie down because of this. Some Chick Flicks are honest as they even depict the masculine side of the story. I can call If Only a chick flick for the man too.

Technically, the screen play is very neat. Even in a short duration the movie tends to give you some very beautiful moments. The movie does not go the cliché-overly-unrealistic way like PS I Love You but ends up being a love story that is lovable.

So yeah, If Only- A chick flick, even for the man.

My Rating- 3/5

Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola

Hello Sire Vishal Bhardwaj,
Thanks for giving us a comedy movie with has some sense in its non-sense.



That's exactly what I wanted to say after watching Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola. To be frank I'm not a fan of the new age of comedy cinema that comes out of Bollywood. Mainly because it's like a feast that only serves desserts with out the "main-course" of a story and that's very sickening.

Here comes a movie that tickles your funny bone, very subtly. You may not laugh every time, but whenever you will, you will laugh wholeheartedly.

With a plot that's very different. We have a story that entertains, makes you laugh and grin. The screenplay dips a little because there was a story to balance with the comedy that was shown. Mr. VB added his flavor even to this different attempt. He passes on a subtle hint of satire too.

A suggestion would've been about the plot being a little more complex even though you can't predict anything due to the smart and non-cliche execution of the movie. But due to a minimal plot more than the story the characters end up entertaining you.

Apart from everything. Watch this for Pankaj Kapur. He's worth every penny you paid on that ticket counter.

My Rating- 3/5

PS- First movie of 2013. It starts off well. Phew.
Bollywood, may the force be with you.

That Girl in Yellow Boots

I liked this movie. Mainly because of the way it has been written. Simple yet smart.

The movie could've been shorter, after a time the story drags and tends to lose momentum. Overall the movie is not disappointing  Because a well written movie will always end up clicking, and this movie clicks, because of it's writing, the very foundation that makes or breaks any movie.

My Rating- 3/5

Pulp Fiction

Starting the year with a cult movie. Hopefully I get to watch more classics this year. Getting on with the review...

Pulp Fiction, is a neat flick. Neat in the sense, it's stylish, funny and cut-to-the-chase even with a non-linear narration. The screenplay despite being non-linear does not confuse, the movie has attained a cult because it was way ahead of its time. The humor is very funny, aided by situations that tickle your funny bone.

Overall, Pulp Fiction is a movie that will forever remain fresh, a movie that's justifies its cult status and can be watched any number of times.

My Rating-3/5

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*

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]

The Namesake

The Namesake, a novel adaptation. A peculiar story beautifully executed. Drags a little, takes a little long to build up, but when it does, it ends beautifully. Irrfan Khan and Tabu at their best. A good movie, overall.

Got no major complaints about this one. Watch this one to unwind, and you won't be disappointed.

My Rating- 3/5

Spirited Away

Spirited Away. What a movie. A proof describing how beautiful an outcome of a wild imagination can be. Certainly one of the best animation movies I've seen and after Grave of the Fireflies and now Spirited away, it's time I start wearing the "Studio-Ghibli-Fan" badge. Yes.

I think in terms of stories, Japanese Anime has always been breaking the barriers. Even in Spirited Away, the story is what lends the movie its beauty. How every detail is imagined and brought to life. It's all bound to leave you in awe. Certain sequences are so picture perfect. The only thing is, the movie is a little long. But then again, the story steals the show.

They didn't waste that Oscar on this movie. The movie totally deserved it.

My Rating- 3/5

Swades

I had to watch this movie, couldn't call myself a SRK fan without watching it and I'm glad I did. There's a reason that I am a SRK fan and will always be.

Swades is a simplistic story, that tries to communicate a lot of thoughts as it progresses.. It does it in a very simple and direct way. SRK is really at his best in this one. I wouldn't call the movie his best but yes, it definitely is one of his very special performances.

The only flaw is that the movie is too long. At 3 hour 15 minutes, you might give up waiting for the end. The story is good but every story should make an impact early or else it begins to drag and isn't as impactful as it should be.

All in all. SRK shines yet again and despite being a lengthy movie, Swades is a memorable movie that shall linger in your memory as a simplistic tale with a message to give.

My rating- 3/5

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

Bullhead

Bullhead is the first Belgian movie I've watched and what a way to be introduced to Belgian cinema!

Bullhead is a movie that hits you very hard. The movie is backed by a very different and powerful script. The plot of the movie is pretty complex for a person like me who's not into thrillers but the entire focus of the story is simply very emotional.

By the end, you're blown away as the movie takes you for a ride and shakes you from the inside. Don't be surprised if you see a moist eyed man after watching a movie like this.

My Rating- 3/5

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

Batman Begins

I remember watching Batman Begins in high school. I actually watched
it like a regular super hero movie. Since the release of The Dark
Knight Rises is nearing, I thought I might just revisit this widely
respected franchise. I also thought of inculcating some admiration for
Nolan, because I am one of those very few (hated) people who do not
appreciate the Godly presence of Nolan.

I discovered a new found respect for Nolan after rewatching this first
installment of the franchise. The way how Nolan has gone ahead and
portrayed Batman is what makes him special. More than being a super
hero, Batman is more about the dark shade of life. How you magnify the
after effects of misfortune and create a super human.

Batman begins progresses irregularly. The story set up is very
different, but what matters is how this legend called Batman is shaped
by Nolan.

It's hard to believe that this is just a beginning. Because a
beginning like this means, that something legendary is in the making,
for cinema to remember till the end of time.

My rating - 3/5

A Love to Hide

A Love to Hide (French title: Un amour à taire) is a french movie made for television which was aired in 2005. The movie revolves around the very depressing and horrifying Nazi war. 

The movie does not depict gore or violence like any other movie talking about the same subject. It shakes you from an emotional front. The story progresses in such a way that the war ends up being a very minuscule element, serving just a back drop to the movie.


The screen play of the movie is very gripping. Therefore, there isn't a lag in the story progression. The actors are pretty convincing in their roles, therefore even though you're dependent on the sub titles while watching the movie, you don't feel any kind of a disconnect with the movie. 


The movie describes the catastrophic effects of war on a complex relationship and how it effects a family as a whole. The movie also raises a questions on religion-based bias and how an entire world blinded by war, fails to understand that love is beyond every man-made segregation of religion, race and country.

Considering that the movie is a war-based one, it selectively picks up a smaller story in a larger scenario. However, the story that's told is commendable as it's unique and does make a connect at an emotional level. A serious movie watch-er won't be disappointed after watching this one. 

My rating- 3/5

The Magdalene Sisters

The Magdalene Sisters is a very intense movie, that picks up a very sensitive subject and presents it in such a manner that it may disturb you to a certain extent. The entire placement of the plot is such that it's hard not to let out those sighs of shock.

The movie is tightly scripted with a screenplay that maintains the intensity of the movie all through the progression of the story. Every actor in the movie, has done justice to every character.

Overall, the movie is a decent example of serious cinema that manages to leave you with some impact.

My rating - 3/5

PS- For some reason the movie reminded me of another movie, "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" . Yep.

My Little Bride

This is the first Korean movie, I've ever seen. But even though I was constantly dependent on the subtitles   rolling below the screen, this movie didn't fail to make a connect with me. I can easily call this one of those genuinely cute movies I've ever seen.

The movie is a Romantic comedy in which there is a right proportion of both the elements. But most of all the movie, captures the beauty of innocence and that is what wins the heart.

Take a risk. Experiment. Watch this one, it's a downright lovely movie.

My rating -3/5