A QUIET PLACE - Quite good

Horror can be a tricky genre to master. We get scores of horror movies each year but remember only a handful by the end.So,it’s refreshing when filmmakers give new twists to the story and keep us as audience engaged and tied to our seats without jump scares or gore but pure inventive storytelling. A QUIET PLACE certainly does that and its one of the best in its genre recently.

John Krisinski and Emily Blunt play a couple who, along with their children,  try to survive in the near future where the world is inhabited by creatures with amplified sense of sound. Their only weakness is that they are blind.  These creatures have already wrecked havoc by the time the film starts and we are thrown right in the middle from the get go which is a smart move as we dont get time to slowly settle into the world. The tension is palpable from the beginning where something tragic happens which really affect the family and their action for the rest of the movie. The film is mostly silent for the majority of its runtime and the first half is paced a bit slow,  but it doesnt take away its edge for a moment.

We are invested in the family and care about them which is rare in horror movies where characters are easily dispensable. All the characters give a stellar performance with Emily Blunt standing out.She has minimal dialouges, but her facial expressions speak for her. Millicet Simmonds as the daughter,  who is deaf in real life too,  gives an awesome performance too. It can be argued that the end is a bit hurried without a full closure,  but I have a feeling this is not the last we have seen of this world and a prequel/sequel may be round the corner. Overall,  don't miss this if you appreciate intelligent inventive horror movies and i am sure you wont be dissapointed. In GET OUT last year and A QUIET PLACE this year,  horror seems to be in good hands again.

MY VERDICT

****

MEDIA OVERLOAD !!!!

At the start of this month, a cinephile friend of mine suggested that I watch the documentary Where To Invade Next by Michael Moore. I had no idea what the documentary was about and i trusted my source and gave it a watch the same day. I must confess that it was one of the best and most informative documentaries I had seen for a while. As I finished my viewing , a thought crossed my mind

"would I derive the same amount of pleasure out of this documentary if i already knew the subject of the same???"

 I am sure that I would have enjoyed the content nonetheless, but the surprise element of the subject  itself drew me on to the piece in its initial moments and there was a sense of anticipation of what to expect next.

In the age of the World wide web, we have data overload and Films are no exception. The medium of Films and the media content surrounding it have increased exponentially over time and we being the slave of the medium try to gobble up as much as we can. During my childhood, we possessed a VCR and that was my introduction to movies and particularly foreign (majorly Hollywood) movies. The guy from the video store would reach our house each Thursday with a suitcase full of the latest Cassettes and he served as our movie guide who recommended the latest blockbusters or a hidden gem which must not be overlooked. We used to put our faith in his words and more often than not we were satisfied. The only other way to know about a movie was through word of mouth from fellow film lovers around us. Then the Cable TV revolution happened and there were a few channels which started to air Hollywood movies. The newspaper carried a list of movies which were to be played each month along with the timings. I used to watch the promo for the films on those channels and decided which one to watch. That started the film buff in me to raise its head and slowly I had been exposed to a library of films from my childhood to understand the basic genres in film making, to have a favorite Hero/heroine/Director/Film (It has changed over time as has the realisation that there can’t be ONE favourite in any form of ART ) and to revel at the storytelling and the magic of presenting it on celluloid. One of the major contributing factors in all of this was that there was very little media or Noise surrounding the movies I watched and I judged them as I saw it. The thrill and excitement of watching a Dinosaur  for the first time in Jurrasic Park or the sheer dread of of watching the climax of Pshyco were genuine emotions which can never be replicated as no media or no reviews prepared me for the same.

The world moved on and the online media started to gain more importance and we were subjected to the INTERNET. Right from the crappy dial up days of internet in our home, I went about reading about movies and expand my horizon. There was so much to choose from. I could easily read multiple reviews for the same movie from different sources online and maybe even coming from different countries. How cool was that???? Then came Youtube. Suddenly everybody and anybody who had a webcam and even a remote interest in movies started to discuss movies online and review them. So there were the professional critics and the enthusiasts who posted their video reviews and we had to judge for ourselves who could be right. Then came the most volatile of media – Social Media – and everyone had an opinion about a certain movie and expressed them in their walls or Tweeted them to the universe. Thus , within a span of less than a decade, I was already having countless opinions and reviews for a particular movie which clogged my head and somehow started to make me biased towards it either in a positive or a negative way even before I had watched the film.

The studios are not far behind in adding to this Media overload either. Films today are an expensive affair and studios pump a lot of money in their films and it is natural to expect them to have a decent return on their investment. The only way – other than merchandising-  to do it is by marketing the film as much as possible. A trailer of a film used to be the first look at a film and it used to help at arriving at the first impressions of a movie. But a trailer took time to make and it required the studio to shoot a reasonable part of the movie to get the trailer form. But we already are an insatiable lot and nothing is enough for us. Thus, the studios came up with the ingenious idea of TEASERS. Just as the name suggests, it teases the audience with just a bare glimpse of the movie to pique the interest of the masses and ensure that the Netizens would do the rest for them. There would be whole 30 min videos on these teasers and what to expect of the film and we would hear them and start building anticipation for the film. Then a few months later, there would be the 1^st trailer and then the 2^nd and then the FINAL and by this time we almost have watched the movie and built up the story a few times in our head before we arrive at the theatre and actually start to watch the opening credits. We are already expecting stuff to happen and feel disappointed if the actual result is not as grand as we built it to be. We are not satisfied even if the movie is not really that bad and even if something grand happens , we are not really as thrilled as we should be as we had already been expecting it after watching the latest Video review on the internet. The charm is all but lost. The charm of really WATCHING a film for what it actually is rather than for what we built it up to be.

As I started to introspect further, I realized that the best movie watching experiences I had in last few years– Inception, Incendies, Ex Machina,Sleep Tight etc were those where I knew practically ZERO before starting to watch it. Thus it begs the question

HOW MUCH MEDIA IS TOO MUCH MEDIA AND ARE WE LOSING THE CHARM OF WATCHING A MOVIE??

FRANCES HA - Delightfully poignant

I remember reading an article during the time the 2014 Oscar nominations were announced which mentioned some under rated movies of that year and should have garnered at least some nominations. FRANCES HA was right up there. It took me another couple of years to experience the incredibly poignant tale of Frances and I am glad for the experience. The indomitable spirit of Frances and her positive cheerful attitude even in face of adversity will stay with me for a long time to come.

 Its difficult to give a synopsis for this movie other than its a portrayal of the life of Frances who lives in her own world and dreams even if she is not realizing any of them presently. Frances lives in New York, but she doesn't really have an apartment. Frances is an apprentice for a dance company, but she's not really a dancer. Frances has a best friend named Sophie, but they aren't really speaking anymore. Frances throws herself headlong into her dreams, even as their possible reality dwindles. Frances wants so much more than she has but lives her life with unaccountable joy and lightness. its her struggle which we watch but she never seems too bothered about it and continues in her merry ways. Its a joy to watch her braving all the odds , but you cant help but feel sad for her as nothing goes her way for the most part. There will also be a bit of frustration and you may want like shouting at her to act a little more maturely - she is 27- but this is sort of a coming of age story and it is Frances after all .

This movie is shot in brilliant Black and white reminiscent of Woody Allen's "Manhattan" which really sets the mood of this heart rending story. Frances Ha has no narrative development in the customary sense. It's a succession of well played out scenes, simultaneously funny and embarrassing, that illustrate her life,Frances Ha does a lot in eighty-six minutes.It detail loneliness and friendships, impending adulthood, and dependence all the more.

the character of Frances is played by Greta Gerwig  who had earlier appeared in the film Greenberg by the same director which really made me notice  her. She gives one of the most energetic and realistic performances I have seen for a while. She may not be the best role model for a girl, but certainly is a realistic portrayal of many. She is in every scene - literally- and she may annoy you, but you cant get over her. You would certainly root for her. All the supporting actors play their part with Michael Zegen as Benji standing out from the pack.

I urge everyone to experience the life of Frances at the earliest as I am sure you would not be disappointed.You would go on a journey where you know you would feel dejected at times, but the experience will make you richer. Lets raise a toast for Frances and her spirit.

P.S. - Frances, dont ever say you are "undateable".......you are just being you.

WORTHY MENTION



Frances' parents are played by Greta Gerwig's real-life parents.
Greta Gerwig is in every scene of the movie.


MY VERDICT

**** - Touchingly irritating

FURIOUS 7 - Another superhero movie

For some odd reason, I never followed the FAF franchise since its inception in 2001. I loved action movies and fast cars, but these films flew under my radar. It was in 2013 that I was coaxed by my friends to go for the 6th movie of the franchise. I did not have anything better to do and decided to do the same. What I saw was probably one of the best action movies in the last few years. I was an instant fan boy. I finished the rest in the same week, and though some were better than the rest, all the movies except the 2nd one were a fun ride and they really elevated the standards from the 5th one. So, naturally I had high expectations for the latest one. But BOY!!! How wrong I was.

The FAF films really don't care about stories, but this time they decide to go for some emotion as a constant reminder that this one is the last movie starring the late PAUL WALKER. Dominic Torretto and his crew thought they left the criminal mercenary life behind. They defeated an international terrorist named Owen Shaw and went their seperate ways. But now, Shaw's brother, Deckard Shaw is out killing the crew one by one for revenge. Worse, a Somalian terrorist called Jakarde, and a shady government official called "Mr. Nobody" are both competing to steal a computer terrorism program called God's Eye, that can turn any technological device into a weapon. Torretto must reconvene with his team to stop Shaw and retrieve the God's Eye program while caught in a power struggle between terrorist and the United States government.Seems complicated enough, but is it only me who thinks the whole point of using the God's Eye to find Deckard Shaw is ridiculous as he is the one who is hunting down the team anyways and knows their every move.

It is more or less an established fact that this series decided to abandon all laws of physics and gravity somewhere during the 4th film. Accordingly, I was prepared to enjoy some over the top action set pieces, and the trailer also warmed me up to it. But instead , what I got was less of a FAST AND FURIOUS movie and more of the SUPERHERO MARVEL movies we get every alternate month nowadays. It was like watching HULK and CAPTAIN AMERICA were driving the mean cars in the streets of LA and various other locations. Seriously.But the sad thing is this is not a Superhero movie, and so we crave a certain level of realism and practicality. Not one preposterous stunt after the other. This is where this film disappoint big time. 

The film had so much going for it. Jason Statham in a film with cars. One of the most talented young directors around- James Wan - at its helm and not to mention the Brand name of a FAF movie. But, the only thing that stays with you after the entire movie is the last bit where they pay tribute to PAUL WALKER. Its really done well and the closing scene moves the heart. Thus, it is fair to say that it is not good when the thing that really sticks with you after a FAST AND FURIOUS movie is the poignant bits and not the action. Frankly, after the first Set piece, I stopped to care. 

The acting is exactly what you expect from a movie in this franchise. Nothing great but done with a lot of attitude. Jason Statham feels wasted and the new addition to the team, Nathalie Emmanuel has nothing worthy to do in the entire movie. Even the comic relief provided by Tyrese Gibson falls flat for the most part. The only shining light is Kurt Russel as "Mr.Nobody". He is charming and cartoony in every frame he is in. Good to see him after so long.

Overall, this movie had so much potential that it will leave you disgusted at the wasted opportunity. I am sure there would be a 8th one in a few years time, and I can only hope it can learn from its mistakes and make us believe this one was just an outlier. Else, this franchise would turn into something similar to the TRANSFORMER series. Fingers crossed.

MY VERDICT

**1/2 - Furiously OTT

TOP 10 MOVIES OF 2014 - BOLLYWOOD

We are nearing the end of yet another year, and as is the norm at this time of the year, its the time to pen down the list of the BESTS and WORSTS of the year. So, why would Bollywood be left behind???? Below are my choices for the TOP 10 BOLLYWOOD films for the year. 

But, before jumping into the list, I must say this has been a really difficult list to come up with. No, Its not because I had the problem of plenty. In fact, the reason is that it has been an abysmal year for Bollywood. There has been only a handful of films which would be etched in the memory of the viewers by the end of the year, and maybe only a couple which would be remembered even 5 years down the line. The gap between ECONOMICS and CREATIVITY kept on increasing as was the case last year. Many of the highly anticipated films were utter disappointment (BANG BANG being a major culprit) , and the 200 Crore club kept on growing (Though the lukewarm response to JAI HO and ACTION JACKSON was a welcome relief, if only temporary).

But all is not lost. There is always a silver lining and there were things to cheer about as well. The greatest among them being probably the rise of Alia Bhatt. She completely turned around her image- from a Dumb Plastic girl to a woman with elegance and maturity. It was shockingly pleasant. She gave 3 of the greatest leading performances of this year and a YOUTUBE VIDEO which was the ultimate icing on the cake. Other than that, some smaller films prevailed among the numerous big budget mess which were offered to us week after week. And right at the end of the year, Anurag Kashyap proved to us once again why he is regarded so highly by fans like us. So, let me dive into the list without further delay......

10. FILMISTAAN

Majority of this vast country called India is united by two things - Cricket and Cinema . Many of us call ourselves film buffs, but have we really infected our heart and soul with the film bug? Filmistaan is the story of one such guy - Sharib Hashmi as Sunny. His only lifeline at the face of a major adversity is his love for movies and his friendship with a salesman of Pirated DVDs .At its core, Filmistaan is a heartwarming story of how films bind two warring nations India & Pakistan. It has some funny as well as heartwarming moments which explore the sentiments of the people of both the nations well. There are numerous well acted and genuinely hilarious moments and Sharib Hashmi gives a stellar and utterly grounded performance. Go and watch this movie before it is forgotten with time.

9. MARDAANI

It is always good to see one of your favorite actors to come back after a while, and it is even more satisfying if the comeback film is a good one. I have been a fan of  Rani Mukherjee , and to see her give a strong and raw performance as inspector Shivani Shivaji Rao in Mardaani was welcome relief . It was special on two counts - one being the thought that AIYAA was really an aberration and secondly that she has still got the acting chops to carry out a very different role than what she has usually been portrayed on screen. The film itself was a gritty one handling the topic of girl trafficking via a well scripted screenplay which played out as an edge of the seat thriller. A special must be made for the chief antagonist - Tahir Raj Bhasin - who did a wonderful job.

8. MARY KOM

After the success of BHAG MILKHA BHAG  last year, we were presented with yet another biopic this year. This time it was the turn of the story of the famous puglist Mary Kom to grace the silver screen. There was a lot of Buzz about Priyanka Chopra playing the titular character and the hard work she has put in for the role. At the end of the day, it must be said that she did justice to the character and gave a strong performance. As for the film, its nothing spectacular, but certainly motivating and better edited than its counterpart last year. The songs are good and one of the few films this year which sort of lived up its hype preceding its release.

7. 2 STATES

We all appreciate what Chetan Bhagat has done in the literary world of Indian fiction. It can be argued that his stories are rather a hit or a miss nowadays, but there is no denying the fact that 2 States is one of his finest novels and it was semi autobiographical too. So, it was natural that sooner rather than later, this would be made into a movie. The result is the wonderful film which truly keeps true to the book and is helped with fine acting from all involved and specially Alia Bhatt who had already proved her talent by then with HIGHWAY. This  is a complete masala movie with wonderful light hearted moments and touching bits all aided by some wonderful songs and the narrative style of the movie. 

6. HUMPTY SHARMA KI DULHANIYA

This one was a surprise for me. The trailer of this movie was not too exciting and I was still reeling from the acting of Varun Dhawan in MAIN TERA HERO. To top it all, it was projected as a new take on DDLJ which was sort of blasphemous in its own way. But, it turned out to be fun. The story was DDLJ , but there was so much more to it. Varun Dhawn proved that he can be great comedic actor if given a right script. And we got to see Ashutosh Rana after a long time giving a stellar performance. He could have been the only one to step into the shoes of Amrish Puri, it seems. I know many of you reading this would not agree with this choice, but this movie was a fun ride which I was glad I took.

5. UGLY

There is a reason some of us wait eagerly for the next film by Anurag Kashyap. He is a master of the dark tales. He makes us realize that there are two sides of every human being and it is important to showcase the Black and the Grey shades of our species. The result when put to film may not be pleasant viewing, but is necessary nevertheless. The plot of Ugly is very run of the mill to start with. A young girl goes missing and we are left guessing who is the culprit. But this is a study in human psychology and deceit. it is about how far can our ego take us - for better or for worse. It comes to a point where the missing girl is just a background for all the shockingly ugly characters to show their true color. This is not a film for everyone, but true film lovers would find the gem in this piece. 

4. QUEEN

Another one of the surprise hits of the year. Who would have thought that a film with Kangana Ranaut as the main lead would garner such critical and box office success. We knew she could act, but she went a step further with Queen. Her portrayal of the simple Punjabi girl Rani would strike a chord in the viewers heart right from the start. It is wonderful how we discover things we can achieve when placed in an alien situation.This is a story of self discovery and realization of dreams. Its fun to go on a journey with Rani where we don't know what would she do next We all cheer at her triumphs and feel sad at her loss. Wonderfully simple tale told in a superb way. And if you are not yet satisfied, it helps that it also has the amazingly hot Lisa Haydon appearing in a sizzling cameo

3. HAIDER

Vishal Bhardwaj can do no wrong when adapting the work of the Bard. This time he has taken on Hamlet, and his choice of Kashmir as the backdrop was a stroke of pure genius. While not as fast paced as his other adaptations Maqbool or Omkara, this one is probably his most nuanced film which tries to study the multi dimensional and unpredictable character of Hamlet through the portrayal of the titular character played by Shahid Kapoor who gives a restrained performance.Haider not only serves as a decent adaptation of Hamlet, but it also proves to be a powerful socio-political commentary on Kashmir of the 1990s. Also, it was great to see Tabu in a role tailor made for her and her awesome acting which was certainly one of the high points of this film.

2. HIGHWAY

Not many of us knew what Stockholm Syndrome was before this film. Not many of us knew Alia Bhatt would turn around her career with such elan with this film. Not many of us knew that our country can look so beautiful in film.Kudos to Imtiaz Ali for bringing us this tale of love and self discovery as experienced by Veera and Mahabir played by Alia Bhatt and Randeep Hooda respectively. These two find love in the most unlikeliest of places and most unexpected situation. Imtiaz Ali once again excels in his knack of presenting us with a different kind of love story and this film has been one of the standout movie of the year based purely on its script. It was so rewarding to take the journey on this Highway. 

1. PK

As I stated earlier, this list was hard to compile due to the poor qualities of film churned out this year. Thus, it is a no brainer that PK is the number one film of the year. But having said that, I can not honestly say that this was a great movie. Aamir Khan was outstanding in the film and his depiction of PK was nothing short of brilliant. It further re - iterated\the thought in my mind that he signed Dhoom 3 in a state of intoxication and it was just a small blot in his CV. But the movie had very less to offer other than him. Surely it is a fun watch, but we kind of expect so much more from the collaboration of Aamir khan and Raj Kumar Hirani. It did not help that we had already watched and enjoyed OMG last year which tackled the same theme and in a much smarter way. So while PK is surely head and shoulders above the films released this year, it just about sums up the tragedy that was 2014 for Bollywood.

SLEEP TIGHT - A Shocking Nightmare

What is the first thing that strikes your mind when someone says "HORROR FILMS"??? I am sure that for most of us it is a simple answer - GHOSTS. But, there are certain films in this genre which are terrifying and disturbing even without the presence of the paranormal. In fact, these films are more horrific as they tell stories of real persons and certain situations which may occur in real life, as opposed to the ghosts which are a thing of debates. SLEEP TIGHT by Jaume Balagueró  is one such film which is more nightmare-ish than many of the ghost stories out there.

César (Luis Tosar) is the superintendent in charge of a block of Barcelonan flats.He has a sick mother, an angry boss and a particular fondness for the lovely Clara (Marta Etura), one of those pleasant ladies who is always smiling at the world.Without giving too much more away, let’s just say César has motives so ulterior you simply won’t believe the lengths he goes to.The idea of someone seeing who we are when we think we’re alone is already a deeply disturbing one, and while Balagueró’s sunny visuals and swing soundtrack keep things deceptively peppy, Tosar quietly creates one of the screen’s creepiest, most shocking stalker.

The main character's motive, or lack of motive, in this movie is what gives it such a chilling effect. Being incapable of happiness himself he only feels content when he can secretly destroy the happiness of those around him while outwardly appearing concerned and helpful. He has no connection to his victims and is not seeking revenge or retribution. He's not interested in killing them either because physical destruction is not his goal. He seeks total mental and emotional destruction resulting in a broken life, prolonging the person's suffering and unhappiness.Both the atmosphere and acting creates a feeling of total violation. Luis Tomar is as creepy as they come and he must be applauded for his performance in this edgy flick.

It is truly amazing how the movie manages to evoke such a feeling of suspense and awkwardness  from the audience.I am sure Hitchcock would have been proud of this film as this is one Rear Window  meets Funny Games kind of movie but is really so much more. Its creepy and suspenseful. It has wonderful twists and the chilling atmosphere makes it that much more unbearable. One of the top class Spanish films I have ever watched, and I hope more people watch this masterpiece and appreciate it. 

I have tried to give away as little away as possible about the plot, and I would recommend everyone to watch this film without reading anything about it beforehand as that would make the film all the more special.

MY VERDICT

**** - Beautifully creepy

THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL - Grand but a little bland

Wes Anderson has a very specific type of movie making style. It seems more of a theater show rather than a feature film, and the cinematography is quiet different. Its more like reading one of those pop -up-books we read in our childhood. His latest offering-TGBH -is no different and its not a bad film by any means, but not grand.

GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL recounts the adventures of Gustave H, a legendary concierge at a famous European hotel between the wars, and Zero Moustafa, the lobby boy who becomes his most trusted friend. The story involves the theft and recovery of a priceless Renaissance painting and the battle for an enormous family fortune -- all against the back-drop of a suddenly and dramatically changing Continent. Its part comedy and part mystery thriller at the same time, but it never takes itself too seriously. It also manages to subtly reference issues such as racial stereotyping, effect of war, religion, but never scratches beyond the surface as everything is part of  a fast paced lighthearted journey. There is theft, murder, imprisonment, thrilling chases, and absurd jailbreaks in this layered story, and the list of actors who participate in this tomfoolery reads like a who's-who of Hollywood- with some of the directors favorite actors. Bill Murray, Jude Law, Owen Wilson(in a blink- and-you-miss-role) and Jason Schwartzman all show up for small parts and cameos, but it's Ralph Fiennes who steals the show as Gustave H with a superb, delicious performance that taps into his underutilized comic skills.

He carries the weight of the film on his strong shoulders from the moment he is introduced in the story. He has a penchant for poetry, the elder residents in his hotel and a particular brand of perfume.He is so energetic the whole while and the best part is he never loses hope and is supremely confident even in adverse situations. He has to be one of the greatest British actor I have ever seen. Tony Revelori as Zero does a good job, but his role is simply as the narrator and the voice of the journey he once took with his mentor. The conversations and interactions between Zero and Gustave provides this film with a nice emotional core and it has a bit of warmth.

Now, let us discuss the issue which plagues most of Anderson's films. He has often been accused of putting style before substance, and this film is no exception. There is no denying that the film is done with an aesthetic panache  which few directors in our time would be able to succeed in doing. The world he creates for this tale is like a fairy tale which transports us to Europe in the 1930s and it was so different with the war looming. But, this film was supposed to be a comedy. I was not looking forward to laugh out loud moments in this film , but even subtle comedy was missing. There were some funny interactions, but they were few and far between. The film is certainly light hearted, but not a comedy. The characters provide screwball moments of fun , but it cant be called comedy. Another aspect of the movie was being a murder mystery. Lets just say this mystery could have been solved by a seventh grader.

So, this is one of the films which looks beautiful but it flatters to deceive. I like this film, but if I have to be critical, I cant shy away from the shortcomings. Its a shame because the film really transported me to a wonderland of the Grand Budapest and I really enjoyed the ride with Zero and Gustav, but at the end of the day all these fall flat somewhere due to the lack of a solid script. This is a must see for Wes Anderson fans, at least  a one time watch for the rest. You will certainly love the world of THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL.

WORTHY MENTIONS

Look out for the confession scene between Gustav and Serge X.
Johnny Depp was Wes Anderson's initial choice for the role of M. Gustave.

MY VERDICT

***1/2 - Visual treat

PIZZA - Surprisingly not as bad as you think

  

 

Recently, I am going through that phase where every Friday brings with it an urge to visit the theaters to catch the latest offerings cinema has to offer. But sadly good films are a rarity and its really the choice between the better of the half- decent films based on my gut feeling and early reviews. This week, I decided to watch PIZZA after reading the reviews and based on the fact that the original was a surprise hit down south and received much word-of-mouth publicity. The film as a whole is nothing path breaking in its genre, but it sure has its moments.

Kunal (Akshay Oberoi) is a pizza delivery boy who does not believe in spirits but has a wife (Parvathy Omanakuttan) who writes horror stories and is a believer. At one of his delivery points, Kunal encounter something that not only changes his beliefs but also his life.Yes, the premise is predictable for a horror film, but if you have not seen or read about the original, there are enough twists in this horror-cum-thriller to keep the audiences guessing.

The film has its genuine scary moments which are sharp and short and never stretches on.The 3D is used to good effect to explore the depth in scary parts.The thing about good horror films is that they retort to genuine creepy atmospheric elements rather than relying on gore or a disfigured caricature. This is where first time director Akshay Akkineni has to be applauded. He has used the spooky atmosphere of the big house to good effect with everything from the living room to the long corridor playing its part to add to the creepiness. For those of us who has seen it all in the horror genre, there is nothing new on offer with scenes being reminiscent of THE SHINING, SIXTH SENSE,etc , but it is far better than what BOLLYWOOD serves us these days in the name of horror.

That being said, there are elements of the films which really could have been handled better. Firstly, and most strikingly, the film takes its own sweet time to get on track and actually start the story. The pacing of the film is certainly not helped by the stiff acting of the leads and their almost robotic dialogue delivery.The side cast is good but their intentions are not clear. Overall, the audience will have to be patient with this PIZZA , because once it reaches its climax is the time it really delivers. The sting in the tail is the USP of this film and it certainly delivers in that as it will wow the audience.

Akshay Akkinen

Yes, it's a predictable enough premise for a horror film. But, provided you haven't seen or read about the original, there are enough surprises in the horror-meets-psychological thriller story to keep things interesting. - See more at: http://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/reviews/movie-review-pizza-3d-outdoes-most-bollywood-horror-flicks/article1-1241813.aspx?hts0021#sthash.7fX3HmJR.dpuf

Yes, it's a predictable enough premise for a horror film. But, provided you haven't seen or read about the original, there are enough surprises in the horror-meets-psychological thriller story to keep things interesting. - See more at: http://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/reviews/movie-review-pizza-3d-outdoes-most-bollywood-horror-flicks/article1-1241813.aspx?hts0021#sthash.7fX3HmJR.dpuf

PIZZA will not go down as one of the best horror movies in Bollywood, but it certainly is a unique offering which should be watched at least once before it surely takes backseat to the potential mega blockbuster KICK which would hit the screens next week.Try this PIZZA.

MY VERDICT

*** - Try It

THE BREAKFAST CLUB - A Delicious offering

There are certain movies which you hear of while growing up but somehow forget about or take a long time to finally watch it. And after you finish watching it, the first reaction is " How the hell did I miss this movie all these years......its damn gooooddddddd". Well, The Breakfast Club is one such movie for me. For years, I had been hearing the name of this movie being mentioned on and off, but it wasn't until last year that I actually gave it a shot and I am sure the experience of watching it will stay with me for years to come.

For those reading who honestly haven’t seen it , The Breakfast Club is the story of five high schoolers who are forced to serve detention on a Saturday. The five are seated in the school library and watched over by their angry principal, Richard Vernon (played by Paul Gleason). Vernon assigns them an essay to write, then heads back to his office, occasionally spot-checking back in on them but otherwise leaving the teens to themselves. The teens begin the day with nothing in common, as each of them come from distinctly different places and different strata of society. But the five bicker, banter, battle and bond and before the day is out, friendships and romances have formed. For a movie that is essentially five actors on a single set with no action and no clear antagonist, this film does an incredible job of engrossing the viewer.The Breakfast Club no-doubt presents stereotypical characters, and every member represents countless real-life examples. But what makes it so enjoyable is that applies a variety of themes to its context: prejudice/discrimination, acceptance/tolerance, diversity, class/status differences, family matters, group dynamics, etc. It also encourages us to look at others and ourselves beyond surface-level appearances. As the day progresses, the interchanges between them force reconsideration of their positions. Eventually, once the barriers have been broken and the teens have accepted that they can relate to each other after all, the common struggle that they’ve shared to arrive at that point leaves them with a strong bond. They wind up sharing amongst each other in an open and honest environment, revealing feelings and fears that they obviously would have never shared otherwise.

 As mentioned by someone, this movie has a universal appeal and is timeless - probably with the exception of the fashion sense. It doesn't matter if you have completed your high school 20 years ago or 2 years ago, these are issues that existed then, exist now, and will probably exist forever.Watching the kids slowly open their hearts out to each other and, the occasional song and dance thrown in makes this a pleasure to watch. Though the majority of the credit for this movie is often given to the director John Hughes, the 5 actors were just as brilliant.

Its really a shame that none of the actors, save Molly Ringwald, never went on to make it big. Judd Nelson as Bender was the Criminal whom everyone hates and he looks just like young Al Pacino and gives a nice performance. I thought the best of the pack was Emilio Estevez as Andrew Clark the Athelete who was intense to start with but really transforms to the most funny guy by the end of the movie. Ally Sheedy as the Basketcase was the cutest and the most unpredictable who brought a completely different dynamic in the group. Anthony Michael Hall as the Brain and Molly Ringwald as the princess are as different to each other as it can be possible, but by the end of their time serving detention, they too find a common ground. Every single actor gives in a commendable performance and it can be safely assumed that this was their finest performance in each of their career.

In the end, the writing, the acting and the exploration of universal themes make this movie a movie for the ages.  We have all encountered  the Brain, the Athlete, the Basket Case, the Princess, and the Criminal, but never had a chance to form the breakfast club. Lets just say this movie is a reflection of that wish within us and we would preserve it all our life.

WORTHY MENTIONS

John Hughes wrote the screenplay to this movie in just two days (4 and 5 July 1982). 

Molly Ringwald was originally asked to play Allison but wanted to play Claire, she eventually convinced John Hughes and the studio and was given the part. 

MY VERDICT

**** 1/2 - Ageless Movie

BEFORE MIDNIGHT - I wished the night never ended

For some of us, the on screen romance that has slowly played out between Julie Delpy and Ethan Hawke over the course of two decades – and now three spectacular movies – is part of the fabric of our cinematic lives. We have sort of grown with them and feel the same feelings they felt at different junctures in their lives. Richard Linklater is probably the greatest storyteller of our generation who conceived this wonderful yet simple trilogy.

In Before Sunrise, the actors - whose improvisations and revisions added much to an original script by Richard Linklater- played two young travelers whose lives cross during a talk-filled night in Vienna. Nine years later, Delpy and Hawke were sharing screenwriting credits- and an Oscar nomination- for Before Sunset, wherein the couple meet for only the second time, their respective lives having moved on, but the brief encounter spark between them still clearly very much alive. That film ended on an ambiguous note – a teasing spine-tingler that left the audience to decide whether Jesse catches the plane back to his old American life, or stays in Paris for something more...

 Before Midnight takes place nine years after the events of Sunset. Jesse and Céline are still together and have managed to have twin girls, Nina and Ella, and are living in Europe. The film takes place at the tail end of a six-week vacation in Greece where Jesse has just dropped off his thirteen-year-old son Hank, from his previous marriage, at the airport for his return back to Chicago. Realizing that he's missing the formative years of Hank's teenage life, Jesse and Céline explore the option of possibly making a move to America, leaving opportunities and a life in Europe behind. Obviously there's no big fantasy battle or a near death experience for the meaning of life to be physically explained but in the power of words, and words alone, Before Midnight manages to become the benchmark for screen writing and brilliant storytelling for years to come. There are long takes for the viewer to be present whether it's in an airport conversation between Jesse and Hank or at a lunch with in the beautiful valleys of Greece or even in a hotel room where a man and a woman share intimacy like older lovers typically do.The whole film basically consists of these three scenes but if you are a follower of the series, you would know it would not feel boring for one single moment.

This film  is a lot more melancholic in tone than the previous two installments, but life is not all about the sparky romances and the excitement of impulsive decisions, is it???? Once life settles in, there are responsibilities and decisions are to be made which much thought behind them, and as Jesse and Celine finds out, it is often a case of conflicting choices and making compromises. Before Midnight portrays the not so romantic but practical side of a couples life after having kids and settling after marriage.Time was when they mesmerised one another with their ramblings about life and art; now, it's a disillusioned account of what they've done to one another. Is it fair for Jesse to ask Celine to move to Chicago with him? Is it justified for Celine to blame Jesse for her lack of development in her musical career?? Who has made the more compromises and sacrifices??? These are questions which are to be decided by the audience but somewhere some of these questions haunts the life of couples at one point or the other, and the two lead actors, as usual, has given a near realistic depiction of the situation. I was particularly impressed with Julie Delpy, who has given her best performance so far in the series. Her portrayal of  a bimbo and the Woody Allenesque one liners were just brilliant.

 What the film conveys so impressively is the scene-by-scene, almost moment-by-moment uncertainty of what will happen to the couple next. Theirs has always seemed a passionate but fragile bond, and the way they stare at a slow-sinking sun towards the end casts an ambiguous haze over what their future holds. Will they get over their differences or the tension is too much?? I am not sure if there will be a fourth installment , but if there is not, some viewers may complain that the ending was not they expected . But life is not always as we want them to be, isn't it????

WORTHY MENTIONS

This movie was shot in 15 days.

Dedicated to the memory of Amy, the woman who was the inspiration for Before Sunrise (1995). Richard Linklater had spent a night walking and talking around Philadelphia with her, but eventually they lost contact. Some time between Before Sunset (2004) and Before Midnight (2013), he finally learned that Amy had died many years before in a traffic accident, so he dedicated the movie to her.

MY VERDICT

**** - Don't miss this if you are a fan of the series.

ANNIE HALL - A comedy classic

Woody Allen probably has the longest lead time for a director between my having heard of him and my having seen one of the films he directed. I’m fairly sure I first heard of him when I was a kid, seeing his name come up on occasion in the Academy Awards (why I was watching the Oscars when I was too young to understand any of the films is a question I cannot answer.) Yet the first time I watched a film he directed was maybe early 2005, with Match Point.  Of course, I knew something of what to expect from Annie Hall, about which I heard some rave reviews. I knew it was a romantic comedy, and by reputation an unorthodox one. And I knew Woody Allen would be playing a neurotic New Yorker, because Woody Allen is pretty much impossible to picture as anything else. What I wasn’t sure on was how well I would appreciate the humor. 

New York certainly has a strong presence in Annie Hall, but the humor is framed in a way that makes it more relatable. It’s a love story. A broken, fragmented love story about a relationship that we’re told right from the beginning has already fallen apart. Everybody’s had some form of relationship, doomed or not, and usually a fair mix of each. Not everybody has the same neuroses that Alvy (Woody Allen) or Annie (Diane Keaton) have, but we’ve all probably had some neurotic moments in a relationship. Allen shows these moments in multiple different ways during the film, from subtitling it with the characters’ thoughts, to having Alvy “interview” random passers-by to get their thoughts on his relationship with Annie. It’s as if each anecdote of their lives is a different experimental film. And though the story is told in bits and pieces and out of order — like a man’s rambling memories — we see the whole thing unfold, from their awkwardly cute meeting to the relationship’s eventual self-destruction as Alvy’s efforts to get Annie to grow into him cause her to grow away from him. Yet even most of the sadder moments involve some humor.

 

And along the way, it casually introduces New York City itself as a character - just like Tokyo in Lost In Translation. Not a major one. Just a minor but recognizable side character.  And as Annie spreads her wings to pursue a career in Beverly Hills, that city reflects hers. But it’s also more relaxed and more willing to embrace new things. By Alvy’s own admission, New York is stagnant. It’s shown a lot more briefly, but one gets the feeling that the Beverly Hills shown in Annie Hall is more pleasant than New York. But New York is a lot more Alvy, and one suspects more Woody Allen. There’s an autobiographical feel to the character of Alvy, which is seemingly confirmed when Alvy writes his first play — an idealized version of his relationship with Annie. The characters in the play get the typical romantic happy ending, but as Alvy says in the opening, he and Annie broke up a year before.

It’s not a typical romantic comedy. It’s not a typical anything. It’s more wistful than hopeful, more apt to go for the smile than the laugh (though it does score a few of those.). It’s purposefully disjointed in its storytelling, giving the impression of somebody very meticulously pounding puzzle pieces into the wrong spaces. And somehow, it all works to create an enjoyable film, one that probably requires more than one viewing to fully appreciate, but which is certainly appreciable on the first outing.

 

WORTHY MENTIONS

 

In winning the BEST PICTURE award in 1977 it edged out "Star Wars," an outcome unthinkable today. 

Diane Keaton's real name is Diane Hall and her nickname is Annie.

 

MY VERDICT

**** 1/2 - A Classic not to be missed

TOP 10 MOVIES OF BOLLYWOOD 2013

This is that time of the year where we start to look back at the best and the worst in the year gone by. We look back at everything from events in our own life as well as events in other fields as well. So why should films be left behind????

This year we celebrated 100 years of Bollywood and it is a really big milestone and a proud one for us Indians. But sadly the quality of films churned out this year ranged from obnoxious to downright dumb. Bollywood seems to be divided into two distinct parts - The one which counts Quantity and the other which counts Quality - and the sad part is that there is hardly any movie merging both together. 100 Crore seems things of the past and the new benchmark is 200- 300 Crores as set by some of the Blockbusters this year.But are the makers of these films really caring that films are a medium of art is a matter of huge debate. Can we judge the quality of the general audience based on these hits??? I don't know but I know this that unless this is a fad, it does not augur well for film lovers like us and the industry as a whole.

Anyway, this post is about the 10 best films Bollywood produced this year according to me. I guess I have watched more or less all the worthy films to be in contention - barring SHIP OF THESEUS and RAMLEELA - and this is my humble POV. This list may not contain the so called Blockbusters of the year, but films which made me sit up and pay notice. So here goes the list..............

10. D Day

 There was a time in his prime when Rishi Kapoor was frustrated with playing the same romantic hero in each of his movies. That was then, but during the past couple of years he has truly experimented with characters of the darker shade. AGNEEPATH showed that he can carry out the negative character with ease and in D Day he has again showed what a great actor he is. His portrayal of Dawood seemed as close to reality as it can get. Combine this with a brilliant ensamble cast including the brilliant Irrfan Khan and you have one of the better films of the year. The songs are good and the action sequences shot well. Its more than your one-time-watch caper.

9. Bhaag Milkha Bhaag

This movie is the biopic of sprinter Milkha Singh and his journey from a child in the refugee camps after partition to becoming one of the most famous sportsman of this country. If there was one movie this year which was  a one man show, this has to be it. Take a bow Farhan Akhtar for portraying the role to perfection and his dedication for the role can be made out as soon as you watch the film. Be it  his awesome change in physique or his seamless change of character from a shy romantic to a fierce competitor, he deserves a pat on his back for this role.The only reason this film finds itself in the lower half of the list is its length and lack of anything else to mention other than Farhan.

8. Jolly LLB

Films like Jolly LLB proves time and again that a smart script with competent actors is all we need sometime to produce a wonderful film. I did not have much expectations from this film, but oh boy I had a smile on my face as I left the theater. The trio of Boman Irani, Arshad Warsi and specially Saurabh Shukla are brilliant and this is probably the first time we see in a bollywood movie what a real courtroom looks like. The story was in sync with our current issues and problems in our judicial system where the big fish often escapes, and the editing was well done. This one was a surprise package of the year.

7. Bombay Talkies

Being the 100th year of Bollywood,how come a film celebrating the milestone be too far in this list. BOMBAY TALKIES is a Omnibus of 4 films directed by 4 celebrated directors of Bollywood in recent times. Each of the films show different aspects of our lives and how each of the characters deals with them. Each of the segments are beautifully directed and the acting in each of them is brilliant - specially the segment featuring Nawazuddin. Overall, this was one film which may not get popular success but was a good effort and a nice collaboration.

6. Lootera

The thing with Romantic tragedies is that if executed properly, they stay with you for a long time. Yes we knew what was going to happen in the movie once it was revealed what was its source of inspiration, but still LOOTERA is a very well made film. The beauty of the film is its simplicity and the wonderful romance between Ranveer and Sonakshi who both does an excellent job in bringing their roles alive. Add to that some beautiful cinematography which transports us to the Bengal of the past and some really melodious songs, and we have a simple yet lovely film which should not be missed.

5. The Lunchbox

This was a year of some really innovative stories being tried on the big screen. Some failed to capture our imagination but some really hit the right notes. THE LUNCHBOX  was a delicious offering which was really out of the box. The story of friendship between two diametrically different human beings where food acts as the catalyst really is presented beautifully. We have a smile on our face as we become privy to their conversations, but at the same time can feel the void in their respective lives. Films like these are rare in Bollywood and the acclaim this movie received brings hope that all is not bad with the industry. But this film could have done with a lil more pace as it feels repetative at some point.

4. Kai Po Che

You can never be sure how a movie adaptation of a Chetan Bhagat book turns out. While I found his book THE THREE MISTAKES OF MY LIFE as his worst book, I was sure it was the one which could be made into a great Bollywood masala film. But the big screen adaptation really left me surprised. It was great alright, but it was far from the melodramatic masala it could have been. It is narrated in a such a manner it touches your heart and you begin to feel for each of the characters. It helped that the ending was tweaked for the movie which made it more hard hitting. Bollywood may have unearthed a future star in Sushant Singh Rajput and Raj Kumar Yadav is brilliant as usual. The music and songs are awesome too. Overall a surprise package which surpassed my expectation.

3. Madras Cafe

You may wonder how does a film starring John Abraham and Nargis Fakhri - admittedly not the best of actors - be so high in this list. But make no mistake this is one of the best and slick thrillers ever seen in Bollywood. It is a Political thriller based on the assassination of former Prime minister Mr. Rajeev Gandhi as told from the POV of the character of John. This must be the best shot film of Bollywood in recent times, if not the best ever. The pace is taut and acting brilliant. Be pleasantly surprised with the performance of Siddartha Basu who makes his debut.

2. Special 26

Its always a treat when a con movie gets it right, but more often than not the big twist or revelation is the major letdown. But this wonderful movie manages to carry the story beautifully with the right twists at the right time. The movie is certainly helped by great acting from brilliant actors and none more than Akshay Kunar. He shows us yet again what is he capable of, but sadly we see this side of him rarely these days.A wonderful tale told in the backdrop of Delhi and Bombay from years gone by, this one is indeed Special.

1. Raanjhanaa

At the start of this year, If someone told me that I would rate RAANJHANAA as the best film of 2013 come December when I sit down to make this list, I would have just laughed away and think he must be out of his mind. This film stars Sonam kapoor who has as many expressions as there are dinosaurs inhabiting our earth, and opposite him we have Dhanush of Kolaveri Di fame who is by no means the ideal choice for a bollywood hero.The question was how good can it be. Believe me when I say that you have to watch this film to know just how good it is. There is still the same number of expressions on Sonam Kapoor's face, but Dhanus will steal your heart and make it ache for him.He gives the best performance of this year and the transformations in his character over his journey to find love and do everything to fulfill his side of unconditional love is just amazing. The score by the mozart of Madras adds an extra dimension to the movie. I was blown away by the film and this, for me, is the best film of 2013.

So these were the films I felt deserved to find a mention as the best of 2013. I know its not the most conventional list as this list features almost none of the top grosser of the year, but as I said earlier, this was a year where either you side with quantity or quality. Overall a very mediocre year in terms of quality but huge on quantity........

A SINGLE MAN - A Wonderful Tale

Tom Ford’s A Single Man is swimming with emotion and heartbreak. The wonderful performances, combined with a striking depth of character, brings a sense of joy and heartbreak in the heart of the viewer. The beautiful cinematography adds a charm to the film which is perfectly contrasted by the woe and tragedy of the story and the life of the lead character. As we journey with George through his daily life we become engulfed with him, in his tragedy. After losing his partner in an accident, George’s life has become monotonous, meaningless and painful. As we join him in his morning routines in the first few minutes of the film, we are instantly drawn to his suffering. Colin Firth is at his best ever in A Single Man.Firth gives a performance so raw and so fascinating that it is impossible not to feel the sorrow and solitude that consumes him.

Julianne Moore is dazzling in her role as George’s one true friend, Charley (She always is). Her empty marriage and the lack of real love in her life are replaced with the material. As George’s comfort, Moore gives a delicious performance that highlights her ability as an actress, to truly understand a character and deliver the inner workings of a woman on to the silver screen. Nicholas Hoult also compliments Firth brilliantly as the new love interest and the lingering reminder of freedom and youth.I came across this guy recently in Warm Bodies and I wish he delivers more in the coming years.It is the combination of these performances, along with Ford’s exquisite direction, that makes A Single Man such as striking piece of work.

A Single Man is wonderful without trying to be. It is cool, collective and chaotic all at once. This film succeeds in the wonderful art of making you care about characters that aren’t necessarily very likeable individuals. George is matter of fact, slightly arrogant and closed off. Charley is shallow and selfish and yet our hearts break as we watch them try to cope with losing true love and the heart wrenching agony of never being able to say goodbye. A Single Man combines a masterful script with detailed characters and performances that do such characters justice. It is the use of visual colour that adds a perspective to the suffering in this story that only cinema could do. This is undoubtedly one of my favourite films of the last ten years, A Single Man will draw you in, consume you and leave you feeling both empty and elated.

WORTHY MENTIONS

The film was shot in just 21 days. 

Tom Ford financed the film himself and this was his directorial debut.

MY VERDICT

**** - Sublime

INSIDIOUS - Scaryyyyyy with a Wildddd theory

I have been watching a lot of horror movies lately which I may have missed lately. Insidious was the one I started out with.I had heard a lot about this film but the storyline never tempted me enough.But I must admit its damn scary in parts but with a predictable storyline.The film mainly tries to build on the jump scare moments, but boy they succeed in doing so in some of the scenes.

The Lambert’s have just moved into a new house. Renai (Rose Byrne) quit her job to focus on music and raise the kids, but the latter is proving to be more time-consuming than expected. There’s boxes to unpack, a baby who won’t stop crying and a husband (Patrick Wilson) who’s becoming increasingly distant. Josh assures her nothing’s wrong, but something feels off. She knows it. She just can’t put her finger on what. Unfortunately, that proof comes by way of a terrible accident. Oldest son Dalton (Ty Simpkins) goes exploring in the attic and lands on his head. Apart from a few bumps and bruises, he initially seems fine but fails to wake up the following morning. He’s rushed to the hospital where the puzzled doctors can’t figure out what’s wrong. He’s not in a coma. He just won’t wake up. onths later, the family has gotten somewhat used to their comatose son, but the weird occurrences have continued, getting more and more menacing to the point of them actually seeing frightening beings wandering around their house. Changing houses doesn't rid them of the problem, and by the time they call in a paranormal investigator with her crew, the situation has put you well on edge, not knowing what exactly is going on or what will happen next. 

The best thing about the movie is that the above events constitute two-thirds of the movie and the audience still  has no clue of what is going on. And this answer is the key to the movie.Its as wild an explanation as I have ever come across. Either it would go down well or it would spoil the whole experience.I somehow accepted it as it was sort of interesting.

A key component to any of it working as well as it does is the perfect casting of Patrick Wilson and Rose Byrne, two terrific actors who have proven they can do anything. They're incredibly believable as a married couple and they really pull you into the lives of the characters just as it's disrupted by them being pulled into the unknown.Although Wan and Whannell are working in a genre that's been done to death, they're able to keep things from getting too predictable due to their quirky sensibilities, ably avoiding the clichés despite the obvious influences. Sure, there are a few jump scares but they're never done in a cheap way. In fact, most of the scariest moments take place during the most innocuous dialogue sequences, just as you're relaxing from the last one, which just makes the whole freakier, since you never know exactly what might happen next.

Insidious is  one of the scariest and creepiest movies in some time - Wan does one better in his latest -and the odd sense of humor that permeates the film's darker moments just makes it that much more enjoyable.Recommended for all horror fans.Films like these proves that a film can be scary sans the blood and gore.My only complain - THE DEMON COULD HAVE BEEN MADE TO LOOK SCARIER.

 

WORTHY MENTIONS

 

Screenwriter Leigh Whannell gets into the act, showing up as one of the paranormal investigators named "Specs" (yes, he wears glasses), and it's infinitely entertaining to watch him and his partner Tucker (Angus Sampson) pulling out an odd array of gadgets to investigate the paranormal activities. 

 

MY VERDICT

 

***1/2 - Nice gem from Wan