MoviemagiK: May 2008

CHOKE

cast: Sam Rockwell, Anjelica Houston, Kelly McDonald

directed by Clark Gregg

Actor-turned-director Clark Gregg shows he is as adept behind the camera as he is in front of it with CHOKE, a wickedly colorful dark comedy about mothers and sons, sexual compulsion, and the sordid underbelly of Colonial theme parks.

Victor Mancini (Rockwell), a sex-addicted med-school dropout, who keeps his increasingly deranged mother, Ida (Huston), in an expensive private medical hospital by working days as a historical re-enactor at a Colonial Williamsburg theme park. At night Victor runs a scam by deliberately choking in upscale restaurants to form parasitic relationships with the wealthy patrons who "save" him. When, in a rare lucid movement, Ida reveals that she has withheld the shocking truth of his father's identity, Victor enlists the aid of his best friend, Denny (Henke) and his mother's beautiful attending physician, Dr. Paige Marshall (Macdonald), to solve the mystery before the truth of his possibly divine parentage is lost forever.

THE STRANGERS

cast: Liv Tyler and Scott Speedman

directed by Bryan Bertino

So here's the deal....it is summer time and usually the kids and the big folks all are just keen to have a good time at the movies. That is why summer is known for the popcorn variety of flicks. So what is a horror flick doing in here amidst the superhero flicks...

Yes, it could be in the wrong zone but the trailer, gotta admit, does give the creeps. And actually I am ready for a good spook thriller, even if it is the wrong time of the year. Because frankly, I haven't seen a good one in a long time. So that might work in this one's favour.

Lock the doors. Assume you're safe.

The horrifying events that took place in the Hoyt family's vacation home at 1801 Clark Road on February 11, 2005, are still not entirely known.

Champagne. Rose petals. Candlelight. It was supposed to be a night of celebration for Kristen McKay (Liv Tyler) and James Hoyt (Scott Speedman). But after leaving a friend's wedding reception and returning to the house, everything had collapsed for the happy couple.

Then came a 4 a.m. knock on the door and a haunting voice.

Is Tamara here?

Writer/director Bryan Bertino explores our most universal fears in The Strangers, a terrifying suspense thriller about a couple whose remote getaway becomes a place of terror when masked strangers invade. The confrontation forces Kristen and James to go far beyond what they thought themselves capable of if they hope to survive.
Liv Tyler and Scott Speedman) in a remote suburban house who are targeted by three dangerous masked strangers. The resulting clashes force the couple to go well beyond what they thought themselves capable of in order to survive.

Hmm, on second thoughts, Liv Tyler is in here. Maybe just looking at her, we might for a moment, really buy her fears.

THE PANEL ROOM

The Strangers is not a perfect motion picture, but it's one of the horror genre's rare recent standouts. REELVIEWS 3/4

The movie is nothing more than a grisly, morally disreputable cat-and-mouse exercise that has no point beyond viscerally implicating viewers in the same sadistic game played by the villains. ONE GUYS OPINION D

SEX AND THE CITY

cast: Sarah Jessica Parker, Kim Cattrall, Kristin Davis, Cynthia Nixon, Jennifer Hudson, Candice Bergen, Chistopher Noth

directed by Michael Patrick King

Carrie Bradshaw (Sarah Jessica Parker), successful author and everyone's favorite fashion icon-next-door, is back, her famously sardonic wit intact and sharper than ever, as she continues to narrate her own story about sex, love and the fashion-obsessed single woman in New York City.

Sex and the City finds Carrie, Samantha (Kim Cattrall), Charlotte (Kristin Davis) and Miranda (Cynthia Nixon) four years after the hit HBO series ended, as our favorite femmes fashionables continue to juggle jobs, friendships and relationships while they start to navigate motherhood, marriage and Manhattan real estate... some of them may even -- brace yourself -- brave other boroughs outside Manhattan.

For all those who loved and digged the 'voice of the modern women' series, this is a big leap. These are the characters that the target audience loved, and missed over the recent years. Yes, they do have the desperate housewives to fill the gap, but lets admit it, this series has a certain more wit and class, that did win its audiences. And long time writer King comes here to give these characters one more shot...and that too in a more lavish platform.

While the non believers can wail and nag about how this 'chick flick' is a product of some sorry state of mental affairs, it is surely gender chatter. For there are fans out there, who think this is Star Wars for them. So let the force be with them!

While for the guys, there is enough and more going on with Indiana Jones and Iron Man calling the shots at the moment. And even if not, there is even a Speed Racer for the child within ya...so steer away from this one. And yes, good luck trying to avoid the calls of the 'gal gang' who wants to drag you down to the cinema hall nearby to show you why they did this!

THE PANEL ROOM

The niche audience will applaud it; everyone else will either ignore it (the wisest choice) or fall asleep if ambushed into seeing it. REELVIEWS 2/4

The movie is part fashion show, part vacuous soap opera, and part cheesy comedy...a hundred-proof chick flick. ONE GUYS OPINION C-

Fans of the HBO series are sure to enjoy the reunion of the fab four in Sex and the City, who remain glamorous and guy-obsessed. USATODAY 3/4

You wouldn’t spend valuable real-life time hanging out with self-absorbed idiots like this, so why on Earth would you watch a TV show (or a movie) about them? FILMTHREAT 2/5

Hot Pix: JAANE TU YA JAANE NA

CLICK HERE FOR MORE STILLS

Tales from the Counter: Indiana Jones raids BO!

The return of one of the all time screen icons, Indiana Jones have been received with open arms not just in the US alone, but right across the globe. And the proof of that fact is the $ 311 million that the latest flick, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crytal Skull has grabbed so far in the opening weekend.

The film that opened to late thursday screenings, since then have ammassed 150 million in US alone. However Indy 4 failed to break the Memorial day weekend records which is still held by Pirates of the Carribean:At Worlds' End.

In US, the Chronicles of Narnia dropped in a big way from last week to end up with a total of 97 million in ten days.

Meanwhile IRON MAN still held on strong for another 25 million making its tally rise to a whopping USD 257 million.

So now it is Paramount that is having the early laugh distributing both Iron Man and Indiana Jones , the two big winners so far.

Check out the detailed BO chart

ORBITUARY: SYDNEY POLLACK (1934-2008)

Acclaimed director Sydney Pollock passed away on May 26, 2008. He died of cancer at the age of 73.

Pollock has been a prominent director whose notable work includes Tootsie, They Shoot Horses Dont They, Out of Africa, The Firm. He also produced a large number of works including the recent Michael Clayton and Leatherheads.

HASTEY HASTEY (Hindi, 2008): This Friday!!!

cast: Jimmy Shergil, Nisha Rawal, Monishkaa, Rajpal Yadav
Directed by Tony / Ramanajit Juneja

Music by Anu Malik

Here is a film that is on its way scheduled to hit the screens on May 30th. No big names except for a Jimmy Shergil who is still struggling to make a name for himself. Right now the real USP of the film seems to be Rajpal Yadav who gets to have a ball, playing three different characters.

Also introduced into the mix is newcomers Nisha Rawal and Monishkaa. And the first time producer Sivaram Kumar too does not want to be left behind, and goes on board to play an important character in the film.

But then frankly, this one looks to be set for the doomsday with nothing really grand to draw in the crowds.

Neel (Jimmy Sheirgill), a brilliant student at Columbia University and the pretty Maya (Nisha Rawal) the love of his life, are on the verge of starting a new life together in New York. Sunny Malhotra (Rajpal Yadav) is Neel's roommate, teammate and conscience. Academically challenged and a compulsive flirt, he gets involved in a series of hilarious situations with his American love interest Tina (Sarah Thomas).

Just when life seems perfect, Neel accepts a career opportunity that requires him to go to India to set up a call centre business. Much against Maya's wishes Neel travels to India with Sunny. Tanvi (Monishka) is a young executive who goes out of her way to help Neel and his team in India. Attractive & aggressive she is instantly attracted to Neel and tries her best to win his heart. Neel being deeply in love with Maya rejects Tanvi. Now seeking revenge, Tanvi creates a trap which leads Neel in to deep trouble professionally and personally.

Will Tanvi succeed in her plans? Will Neel win Maya's heart again? Will Neel succeed in clearing his name from all the accusations? Hastey Hastey is a youthful, musical, romantic comedy with a twist in the tale.

HAAL E DIL (hindi,2008) : A preview

cast: Amitha Pathak, Nakuul Mehta, Adhyayan Suman

Directed by Anil Devgan

Music: Vishal Bharadwaj, Anand Raaj Anand, Raghav sachar

release date:JUNE 2008

A family affair over here, i must say. Producer Kumar Mangat launches his daughter Amita with this production and hopes this one does the trick for him. And leaving no stones unturned, he has gone ahead and roped in Anil Devgan to direct the movie for him. Though Anil Devgan might not have tasted much success with his earlier ventures like RAJU CHACHA, everyone hopes to have a different run of luck with this one.

And while papa dearest have all the attention focused on his little one, the one that is grabbing the eyes seem to be the cute Nakul Mehta and Adhyayan Suman. Adhyayan, son of Shekar Sumar, would be really keen to leave a mark and jumpstart his career.

And producer daddy is not trying anything off beat and shall use the romantic template to launch these kids into the big leaugue.

So what the film is all about?

Haal-e-Dil is about the same neurotic madness that one suffers from when stuck in the maze called love. It's a young love story of people who'd go any lengths to loose themselves as smoke loses itself to the sky. They'd go any lengths to fuse that they'd not know where one ended and another began.

It's the story of Sanjana for whom love is chaste and sacred. For her love is not part of life but life itself. It's the story of Shekhar who keeps tripping for every second girl and loves to be in the perennial state of love not realizing that soon he is going to meet a girl who'll change his existence. It's the story of Rohit who would fall so deep in love that resurfacing would be not possible and he will stop at no barrier and boundary from achieving the love of his life

Sanjana suddenly discovers herself in the crossroad of life where she has to choose between her perfect love and a perfect stranger. What will you do when you find yourself falling for a man who is completely wrong for you and what if you are already in love with someone else?

Haal-e-Dil is about ordinary people about to do extraordinary deeds in the name of love.

Producer Mangat knows that these days selling a star studded movie is a hard job. So that is probably why he has roped in Kajol to put in a cameo in the hopes that it might manage to get the people talking atleast.

But for now it is the music that seems to be the real USP of the movie!

TERMINATOR SALVATION

Production has kicked off on TERMINATOR SALVATION: THE FUTURE BEGINS.

And here is the plot outline released by Warner Bros and Halycon for the same.

In the highly anticipated new installment of The Terminator film franchise, set in post-apocalyptic 2018, Christian Bale stars as John Connor, the man fated to lead the human resistance against Skynet and its army of Terminators. But the future Connor was raised to believe in is altered in part by the appearance of Marcus Wright (Sam Worthington), a stranger whose last memory is of being on death row. Connor must decide whether Marcus has been sent from the future, or rescued from the past. As Skynet prepares its final onslaught, Connor and Marcus both embark on an odyssey that takes them into the heart of Skynet's operations, where they uncover the terrible secret behind the possible annihilation of mankind.

The film is directed by McG (Charlies Angels) and puts together a cast led by Christian Bale and Sam Worthington.

Kabir Khans' Next

Last we heard was that Kabir Khan of Kabul Express fame has been roped by Yash Raj Films once again for yet another film.

And this time, for the second round Kabir has again opted for John Abraham while Katrina Kaif is slated to play the female lead. Interesting...because we all know that John boy and Katrina's darling Salman do not like to see eye to eye.

Also featuring in the cast is another Johnny boy- Neil Mukesh of Johnny Gaddar fame. Neil also spills the beans that there is no romantic angle for Neil with leading lady Katrina.

The makers of this untitled project looks to start shooting by July in New York.

SEASONS GREETINGS : Tabu in a comedy

Tabu is ready for some more light hearted roles on the lines of Cheeni Kum.

Though a couple of good offers were given thumbs down by this talent, it seems she has finally signed on to star in SEASONS GREETINGS.

SEASONS GREETINGS aims to be a multi-segmented look at suburban relationships. In other words a light hearted version of METRO. UTV is coproducing the movie with Marching Ants production and has got director Vicky Chopra onboard.

Tabu is slated to play the role of a woman who is out to prove that she can be happy without her husband, who suddenly decides to desert her.

INDIANA JONES AND THE KINGDOM OF THE CRYSTAL SKULL: REVIEW

cast: Harrison Ford, Cate Blanchett, Karen Allen, Shia LaBeouf, Ray Winstone, John Hurt, Jim Broadbent

Directed by Steven Spielberg

studio: Paramount

No matter which movies come and go, our trip to the cinema hall is one about nostalgia. For this is where we meet some great characters...while some we wish would land up on our front door and take us on the adventure, the others we certainly do not want to mess around with. While George Lucas gave us Darth Vader to fit the second billing, he also gave an icon like Indiana Jones for the former.

And so, nostalgia and sentimental values rules as cinema screens across the globe welcomes Indy back on screen after twenty years or so.

So yes, we do get back Spielberg to the director chair and George Lucas producing the flick. And the best bit is aged Harrison Ford comes back to play the role once again. So the fourth installment of the grand daddy of all adventure flicks, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull is unleashed. So equip the man with the trademark hat and the whip, and we are ready to go.

With no further delay, we get into the thick of action in pure Indi style, where Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford) is kidnapped by the Russians and taken to the famous Area 51 in order to retreive a mysterious box. And leading the Russian pack is Irina Spalko (Cate Blanchett) in an all dominatrix getup trying to bring as much dimension as possible to this cardboard cutout of a villain.

Once we get that out of the way, we get into the main plot with the arrival of Mutt Williams (Shia LeBeouf) looking for the professor. The two instantly hit a rapport and sets out to the jungles of Peru in order to discover the truth about this 'crystal skull' stories and also to rescue Mutt's mother (Karen Allen) and professor Oxley (John Hurt).

So thus the duo of Indiana and Mutt is out there looking for truth and everyone discovers a lot more than what they bargained for.

All in all, what plays out onscreen before you is an average adventure flick, with the truth glaring in our faces that we get better stuff on TV these days. That is why one is forced to look at this as a disappointing taking into account the big names associated with this.

Instant questions is that how did they find this a worthy script to jump onboard for the fourth time. After all those script rewrites, one expected that they had a winner from writer David Koepp. But this one is disappointing.

There is old school written all over and Spielberg should be commended for it. Sticking to the tone of the originals, modern day audiences might find a lot of them silly. But probably not to the true Indy fans. However whenever the makers try something new from the template, things go wrong. Especially when you have Spielberg resorting to CGI territory for unwanted moments (yes, I am referring to the swinging episode!).

However on the positive we do get some of the sequences that we all love about Indy movies...like the over the top initial sequence in hangar 51, followed by the chase in the college premises ending right up in the library. Also watch out for the quick sand scene where Jones learns about Mutt's identity.

On the casting front, Shia Le Beouf is the surprise package. Actually we all thought that he was going to be worst thing about the movie, but Le Beouf brings a lot of that innocent charm to the table and his chemistry with Ford hits the right notes.

Karen Allen makes a lovely return to the franchise as Marion Ravenwood while Hurt also shines as the professor Oxley who seems to have lost it in his head. We all know that Cate Blanchett is capable of much more than what is given to her. However one must say, in these days, we expect a better villain for someone as invincible as Indy.

But the villain aint the issue. A better script was required. Sure we could have Indiana Jones return any time of the day, but the makers is said to have waited for the right scipt which all could agree upon. But unfortunate that after all those script talk, this is the best one they could come up with?! This compromise of a script is just a poor cousin of the Raiders of the Lost Ark episode with a deja vu of all the other adventure flicks that Hollywood has churned out over the years. Yeah, it was like watching one of those Pirate of the Caribbean sequels where you know that they are wasting our time with a second grade script that fails to deliver us on the levels of the original. Now you know why the first time will always remain special?

And finally the man - Harisson Ford. Twenty years later he is senior citizen and obviously we do not mind him doing all that he does on screen. And for a great deal, he carries the franchise well on his shoulders. And he goes on to proves that the hat fits no other head but his.

Hence the fourth installment of the Indiana Jones franchise surfaces as an average product. And that is evident when the only thing you retain from the movie is that theme track that just keeps ringing in the head. Everything else is just an excuse designed around it!

MoviemagiK rates it 2.5 outta 5

PANEL ROOM

Well, even the general view from my regulars is that it seems to be a train missed. An attempt that really does not take off the way it was expected. Maybe that is the reason...huge expectations that find many being dissatisfied. What is your take on it? How well does Indy 4 fare..?

the film doesn't work on the most basic level : getting viewers on the edges of their seats REELVIEWS 2/4

the old ingredients don’t make for a particularly tasty meal even though they’ve been manipulated by the same hands. ONE GUYS OPINION C+

it's hard not to have fun on this adventure, and it's good to see that Indy, though slightly weary, still has the goods. USATODAY 2.5/4

'Indiana Jones 4' full of action, but forgets to have a good time CHICAGO TRIBUNE 2 /4

And though it falls well short of the greatness that is "Raiders," it may be my favorite of the sequels. FILMTHREAT 3.5/5

THE ALCHEMIST

cast: Laurence Fishburne

The highly successful book THE ALCHEMIST is now going to get the Hollywood treatment, and that dream takes one step closer with actor Laurence Fishburne showing up to buy the rights from Warner Bros.

Fishburne plans to act and direct the book to movie adaptation of Paolo Coehlo novel which went on to sell about 40 million copies worldwide and eventually translated to over fifty langauages.

So what makes the tale of young shepher boy Santiago and his pursuit to find the treasure beneath the Egyptian pyramid, so special? No one would suggest to wait for the movie to find that out. But then again, reading a book ain't your cup of tea, then this one could be on your watch out list.

They are looking at a late 2009 release for this film if things go as planned.

Trailer Zone: LOVE GURU

THe Love Guru is the latest from funny man Mike Myers who has been entertaining us as the green ogre from SHREK. But now with this one, he looks back to going to the Austin Powers days. The question is ...are there still takers??

Mike Myers is ready with his latest comedy LOVE GURU which just looks like another Austin Powers influenced rehash. Looks like the same jokes, same lines, thrown in a different scenario.....

Trailer Zone: MUMMY 3: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor

Take a look at the third installment of The MUMMY franchise.

The first one lived to its promise of the fun adventure it was, while the second was simply buried beneath all that extravaganze. But the MUMMY does not stay buried forever...and so rightly so, the studios got it revamped and the result is Brendan Fraser is back. This time though he has bigger things to worry...in other words, Jet Li!

Trailer Zone: MUMMY 3: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor

Hot Pix: HELLBOY II

OOh, that is a wild looking one sheet for the return of the bad boy...and click on him and you shall be greeted with more amazing one sheeters from HELL BOY II , courtesy Empire Online.

And for all who still think that Mike Myers can still redo his Austin Powers show and get away with it...here is the poster for his next ..LOVE GURU!

Trailer Zone: ADA

As you wait eagerly for the release of the soundtrack, BIG MUSIC have decided to tease us with tids and bits of the music from the film ADA , which has been in the making for quite some time.

Check it out!!

THE GREATEST : Sarandon and Brosnan pairs up!

Here is a flick that will bring together the talents of Susan Sarandon and Pierce Brosnan together.

The film is a drama that focuses on a couple who is struggling to get over the loss of their son. And into this scenario, walks in a young girl who brings more chaos in their life.

The film marks the debut of screenwriter Shana Feste and is scheduled to go into production this summer.

AUSTRALIA: Trailer out !!

cast: Hugh Jackman, Nicole Kidman

directed by Baz Luhrmann

studio: 20th Century Fox

release date: November 14, 2008

While everyone was busy asking where is Baz Luhrmann, this man was busy working his way around with the epic movie, which he took the easy way out and named AUSTRALIA.

Baz goes ahead and casts his Moulin Rouge lady - Nicole Kidman to play the lead and ropes in Hugh Jackman to get things kicking and moving. And together they look a pretty promising combination. Obviously Russell Crowe was the original choice of the makers for the role, and it was only when Crowe did not agree on certain terms that Jackman came on board.

And while toying with other titles such as Faraway Downs , and Great Southern Land, filmmaker Luhrmann opted to go for a simple one like AUSTRALIA. (yes ,for those curious...Luhrman is an Australian).

AUSTRALIA is a 150 million epic project financed by 20th Century Fox.

The film tells the tale of an english aristrocrat Lady Sarah Ashley (Nicole Kidman) who inheritus a huge ranch. Together with an Outback drover (Hugh Jackman), they set about to protect the property from a takeover plot. However as the drive the cattle over the landscape, they are caught up in the bombing of Darwin by the Japanese forces during World War II.

ARASANGAM (tamil) : MoviemagiK e-valuates

Surprise! Surprise! Finally after a long time here comes a Vijaykanth movie that does work, just for the mere reason that it is anything unlike the typical formula fare that Vijaykanth was dishing out. Surely it has traces but things have been kept to the bare minium. The lack of any intolerable comedy track, hard to digest song sequences, and over the top hero praising has eventually made this product a much better one than anything we usually associate Vijaykanth with.

Arivarasu (Vijaykanth) is a senior trainer at the police academy and is having a happy married life.

His normal life goes for a toss with the disappearance of his best friend and brother in law, Manoj (Biju Menon). Also the fact that he is currently investigating the murders of a few top notch scientists working on a path breaking research programme does not help the cause.

The sudden circumstances forces Arivarasu to head to Canada in order to get to the bottom of all this. Here with the help of a Canadian cop Lara (seril Brondo) , he gets more clues and moves closer to crack the group of terrorist baddies (headed by Rahul Dev).

PANEL ROOM

Not the best bet, but at least not the typical Vijayakanth package BEHINDWOODS 2.5/5

Madesh has struck to the basics of making an engrossing thriller and succeeds in his attempt. INDIAGLITZ

The film has everything packaged as masala entertainment, and for a change Vijaykanth is engaging and enjoyable SIFY

"Arasangam" is a treat for diehard Vijaykanth fans thanks to a passably decent screenplay. NOWRUNNING 2/5

Valuating the film on whole, it’s a great surprise for all from Vijaykanth and hats off to Madhesh for making an excellent movie CINEFUNDAS

HOW THE GARCIA GIRLS SPENT THEIR SUMMER

cast: America Ferrera, Elizabeth Peria, Lucy Gallarda

Directed by Georgina Garcia Riedel

genre: Comedy

rated : R running time: 2 hr 08 m

What does female desire look like? And how do self-inflicted limitations and social expectations shade and color it? In her tenderly comic, richly textured feature debut, Georgina Garcia Riedel lovingly explores the terrain of longing, loneliness, and self-realization among three generations of single women in a Mexican American family as they grapple with romantic drought.

As sweltering summer stretches over a sun-bleached Arizona border town, Doña Genoveva (Lucy Gallardo), the Garcia family matriarch, decides to buy a car. The only catch is that she doesn't know how to drive. When she enlists Don Pedro's pedagogical skills, sparks begin to fly--at her house and beyond. Her daughter, Lolita, played with deadpan poignancy by Elizabeth Peña, seems to have hit a dry spell until things start to sizzle at the butcher shop where she works. Meanwhile, Lolita's teenage daughter, Blanca, a radiant America Ferrera (Real Women have Curves), engineers an awakening all her own. It's as if the languid heat wave has thawed everyone's defenses and jump-started a sexual revolution.

Like the folks in the story, Riedel's camera never hurries, savoring the poetic vistas and lazy rhythms of the rural Southwest without resorting to sentimentality. Her three heroines are utterly human--full of idiosyncrasies and unexpected charms. In each of them is a distinctive, newly discovered sensuality, an engine that drives them forward, kicking up dust as they go.

JANNAT (Hindi, 2008)

cast: Emraan Hashmi, Sonal Chauhan

directed by Kunal Deshmukh

music by Pritam

Here is yet one more flick from the stables of the Bhatts. In Jannat though, the moral dilemma plot is pasted on a cricket theme backdrop. And as usual, Bhatt looks at giving us a decent product with a fabulous soundtrack, just enough ingredients to keep lead man Emraan Hashi afloat.

And Emraan Hashmi has enough reasons to smile. He is coming on his own with notable performances in recent flicks like Gangster and Awarapan. The man is growing with each film for sure and is living up to the promise that he showed with his debut in Footpath.

And then there is the USP of how every Emraan Hashmi film ends up having a blockbuster soundtrack. And this time Vishesh Films is giving a break to a new director - Kunal Deshmukh.

Arjun Dikshit is the typical care free man who makes the fast buck at the card table. And that is also when he happens to set eyes on a bigger purse- a pretty call centre executive Zoya (Sonal Chauhan). So Arjun sets about gambling and getting gifts for the Zoya that he wants to woo.

However Arjun's small time life gets bigger when he realises that he is good at predicting cricket match results. Thus he sets foot in toe world of bookies. And his success story gets him a new employer - the Don(Javed Sheikh) himself.

Now Arjun is left to chose between his ladylove or the big money that he is minting. All this while he stays away from the cops that are after to nab him.

PANEL ROOM

The film is opening up to mixed reviews. As usual Taran Adarsh seems to be seeing a different version of the final product. So while Taran finds the movie a well made product, Khalid Mohammed is quick to realise that Emraan deserves something better than all this.

JANNAT is a well-made film with lilting music, gripping script and excellent performances as its mainstay. IndiaFM 3.5/5

Really, if this is Jannat, what could Hell be? HindustanTimes 2/5

for the most part, it coasts along smoothly without really boring you. Rediff 2.5/5

If you are an Emraan Hashmi fan, go watch it. The film belongs to him If not give it a pass. BUZZ18 2/5

DO NOT DISTURB : Govinda-Riteish teams up!

Shooting is to begin for this project that shall bring together producer Vashu Baghnani, director David Dhawan and the king of comedy Govinda.

The film tentatively titled DO NOT DISTURB shall go on the floors and the other members in this comic caper shall include Riteish Deshmukh, Lara Dutta and Sushmita Sen.

WOODSTOCK VILLA: Coming This Friday!!!

Cast: Sikander Kher, Neha Uberoi, Arbaaz Khan, Boman Irani, Anupama Verma

special appearance: Sanjay Dutt

Director: Hansal Mehta

Music : Anu Malik

Yet another star son comes onboard the Bollywood wagon and this time it is the son of Anupam and Kiron Kher - Sikander. Also making debut with this movie is Neha Oberoi who looks to make a mark in tinsel town.

But how much of a splash can these newcomers really make is one that is to be seen in the coming weeks?

Getting back to the movie, this one is produced by Sanjay Gupta, Sanjay dutt and Ekta Kapoor, while directed by Hansal Mehta. It is the last of the Sanjay Dutt-Sanjay gupta combinations as they have parted ways ever since.

The film is one of the noir genre and is expected to boast of everything associated with this genre- shocks, thrillers, murders, mystery, suspense etc. Yes that is what the makers claim. And with this coming from the house of Sanjay Gupta, we can sit back and start guessing its 'international' inspirations.

The thriller is about a businessman who suddenly finds his wife missing. What follows is a demand for ransom, and the cat and mouse game that ensues.

The story focuses on Samir (Sikander Kher), an unemployed Punjabi boy. Street-smart, Samir has a weakness for beautiful women, easily falling in love with them. So it's not very difficult to imagine Samir falling for Zara's charms. But what makes Zara even more attractive is her proposal – asking him to kidnap her.

But little does he know that he is being trapped in a web that is going to change his life forever!
Samir needs answers before he gets sucked further in the whirlpool he has created.

Beautiful and seductive, Zara (Neha Oberoi) is a charming and wonderful wife in husband Jatin's (Arbaz Khan) eyes. But she can also be totally wild when on her own.

Changing personalities on a whim, Zara plans her own abduction to test her husband's love.
Jatin is a rich, suave businessman of few words. He zealously guards his social position and values the respect he enjoys from his peers and the media. He also loves his wife Zara.
But after her abduction he fears the worst. Is it was too late to express all the feelings he nurtured for her?

So when Jatin's wife disappears, a hostile and taunting ransom demand follows.

If the makers are to be believed, Woodstock Villa is contemporary entertainment that breaks new grounds with every twist. Hmm, that scares me...When they say ..every twist, it reminds me of how overboard filmmakers get (like the recent RACE).

The film is a week away but news is pouring in that the film has upset a lot of ladies associated with it. Well, not to get me wrong here, it seems that lead actress Neha Oberoi is upset that her voice is being dubbed over which Sanjay Gupta maintains will only help her in the long run.

The other lady that is not so pleased seemed to be mama Kiron Kher who was shocked when she saw the portions that Hansal Mehta shot. So news doing the buzz is that she got Sanjay Gupta to reshoot several portions.

The music of the film from Anu Malik has failed to create any ripples, so it has made it difficult to the promos to catch any eyeballs. Probably why the lead pair has to resort to all those skinshow. Surprisingly, even that is failing to create any interest so far.

THE PANEL ROOM

WOODSTOCK VILLA has decent merits and holds appeal for those with an appetite for hardcore thrillers. INDIAFM 2/5

Do be sensible and give this film is a miss BUZZ18 1/5

Directed by Hansal Mehta, this purported noir thriller is a killer waste of your time and physical tolerance. HINDUSTAN TIMES 1/5

GULAL (Hindi) : Anurag has a reason to smile!

If the Mumbai mirror deal is to be taken seriously, then Anurag Kashyap have reasons to be happy.

For it seems that yet another of his stuck-in-the-can projects will be revived and released finally. The film titled GULAL was shelved years back and now it looks like with the backing of Zee Films, Kashyap will start work on the film and wrap it up by this year end.

The film stars the talents of Ayesha Mohan, Jesse Randhawa, Kay Kay Menon and Adity a Srivastav and is 80 per cent complete.

Marvel announces their forthcoming slate!!

All they required was the highly impressive opening weekend to the well received IRON MAN. As a result,what we have is Marvel Studios announces a forthcoming slate which looks nothing short of impressive. IRON MAN is the first feature film of

IRON MAN 2

April 30, 2010

THOR

June 4,2010

THE FIRST AVENGER: CAPTAIN AMERICA

May 6, 2011

THE AVENGERS

(will see Iron Man, Hulk, Thor and Captain America rolled into one)

July 2011

ANT MAN

in development