MoviemagiK

THE GREY (2012)

2012-01-27T09:19:00.000-08:00

cast: Liam Neeson, Frank Grillo, Dermot Mulroney, Joe Anderson

Director Joe Carnahan

Studio: Open Road Films

Based on Ghost Walker by Ian MacKenzie Jeffers

release date: Jan 27, 2012 (wide)

running time : 1 hr 57 mins

In The Grey, Liam Neeson leads an unruly group of oil-rig roughnecks when their plane crashes into the remote Alaskan wilderness. Battling mortal injuries and merciless weather, the survivors have only a few days to escape the icy elements - and a vicious pack of rogue wolves on the hunt - before their time runs out.-official synopsis

PANEL ROOM

The film has opened to some strong reviews and for a January release, these are certainly impressive. One will have to wait to see if these positive reviews will help the film to rake in some big bucks at the box office.

The Grey is an exciting tale of survival, populated with fleshed-out characters and a surprising philosophical agenda. RottenTomatoes 6.6/ 10 (75%)

The computer-generated wolves have more personality than any of the dull characters in The Grey. Claudia Puig/ USA Today

Despite some cliches, it’s a mostly gripping survival story, expertly shot and anchored by Neeson’s powerful performance. Frank Swietek / OneGuysOpinion B

I sat regarding the screen with mounting dread Roger Ebert 3.5 /4

Call "The Grey" "Deliverance" Lite, with snow, and wolves. And call it a solid January surprise.
Michael Phillips/ ChicagoTribune 3/4

PLAYERS (2012)

2012-01-07T11:02:00.000-08:00

Cast: Abhishek Bachchan, Sonam Kapoor, Bipasha Basu, Neil Nitin, Bobby Deol,OmVaidya, Sikander Kher and Vinod Khanna

Direction by Abbas Mastan

Music by Pritam
Hindi, Jan 2012

I never thought I would say this – but with Players, Abbas Mastan has come up with a better heist movie than what several other big shot directors and stars were attempting in recent past. Make it –very recent!

Oh boy, after the disappointing way a highly anticipated ‘chase’ movie fizzled into a ridiculous heist flick a few weeks back, I was ready for the worst. And it did look like exactly that, when we get introduced to the burglar, Charlie (Abhishek Bachchan) in action with his lady accomplice Riya (Bipasha Basu) in a laughable jewelry robbery. Then it gets even worse when we get to see Aftab Shivdasani make a special appearance and get chased down and shot at, somewhere in the landscapes of Russia, making you wonder how many non-performers have the ‘men in white’ managed to stuff into this one single movie.

Thankfully the film begins to find a footing from thereon. With the tip off from the dead friend in Russia, Charlie gets to discover about a gold bounty that is soon going to be transported from Russia to Romania. Charlie now has to come up with not only a plan to get the gold in his kitty, but also need the best team of specialists that he can (or ‘Players’ as they annoyingly keep referring to themselves throughout). For this Charlie goes to his mentor Victor Dada (Vinod Khanna) who seems to be an acting consultant for the police force while serving his jail sentence.

Victor Dada, though reluctant at first, decides to help out Charlie (as it all for a worthy cause, you see). Thus Victor dada recruits in an illusionist (Bobby Deol), an explosive expert (Sikander), a make up specialist (Om Vaidya) and bombshell with some automechanical skills, (Bipasha Basu). Now all they need is to locate the best hacker in the world – code name Spider (Neil Nitin Mukesh). However thanks to Victor’s ‘computer science post graduate’ daughter (Sonam Kapoor), they manage to locate Spider with relative ‘ease’.

Now with a team in hand, Charlie sets off to pull off what he claims to be ‘the biggest robbery in world history’. And boy, the team does achieve it and would have made off with the booty had it not been for one small problem…..

First things first, Players is an official remake of an otherwise average heist movie in the early 2000s, Italian Job which in itself is a remake of a ’69 British flick by the same name. So it is not like they have got an awesome script as the original base. But yet, they have managed to weave out a 170 minute yarn of good harmless fun as a truck load of gold bars keep changing hands.

Be brave and try not to get deterred by the cameo from Aftab Shivdasani. If you endure it bravely, you will be ready for more predictably inconsistent performances, as expected. Abhishek Bachchan still seems to be in a Dhoom style persona, playing the man under control without exuding much charm or substance. Sonam Kapoor , clearly a misfit, plays her role pitching it to rather annoying levels. Neil Nitin, Bobby, Om Vaidya, Sikander Kher may put in a good scene here or there only to follow it several scenes later with an equally disappointing display of awfulness. Vinod Khanna and Johnny Lever are passable. Bipasha bares a lot through the movie, displaying even her limited acting range. It does not help much either when her skills in the team is to keep a watch on the timer and to keep narrating the oh–so-obvious happenings onscreen – ‘Guys! There is trouble ahead! ‘ Guys! This could be dangerous’, Guys, this ….’ Oh stop it already.

The villain of the piece not only gets something to chew on but plays it deliriously over the top making all Bollywood purists proud. He even gets a Mogambo-like hi tech lair where he can mouth his threatening lines. Little coincidence then, that Li’l Mr. India is the one who gets to walk into the lair first.

Abbas Mastan’s style of approach is quite obvious, post Race. While other directors try to sneak in maximum songs into their narration, these two are content shoving in maximum ‘twists’ into the same. They do run the risk of over-cooking it like ‘Race’ but eventually this time they get more rights than wrong. The film did not feel its length and the writers keep you engaged with one twist to the other.

The writing isn’t exactly out of the world, but at least it does not treat the audience as complete dimwits either. In fact it is a mixed bag. The writing team throws in many a blunder and smartly goes about cleaning up that mess by revealing later it as all deliberate and part of a bigger plot twist. And this twist within a twist game goes on for nearly three hours. So I guess the editor too was on vacation with the crew, shopping away instead of chopping away when required. The soundtrack from Pritam is a total disappointment and deserves to be snipped away as they merely serve as unwanted speed breakers.

Ravi Yadav’s cinematography is praiseworthy, taking us on a package tour via Amsterdam, Russia, Goa, New Zealand.

Though Players , like Don, takes on a world of gadgets and face masks from a Mission Impossible world, and even a plot line from a Hollywood flick, director Abbas Mastan with the writing team of Rohit Jugraj and Sudip Sharma, manages to keep things ‘desi’ in spirit. That eventually works in the movie’s favour. Those already familiar with the original film and such similar heist flicks might find it under whelming, but the film holds enough thrills for the rest of the folks out there.

The action sequences are noteworthy and one can see that there has been lot more pains taken to make the action play out more convincingly. Be it the masks, the voice modulations, the director duo does go about explaining it. I was also impressed to see a variant of the projection technique, used recently in MI4, make an appearance here.

Eventually not all the twists manage to bowl you over, and not all the performances are going to be a hit out of the park. Yet in spite of going beyond the playing time, Abbas Mastan has put on offer a good game laden with twists, and the Players have certainly stepped up to the challenge!

Rating: 3 outta 5

(originally published at Mad About Moviez)

Bolly Buzz This Week

2012-01-02T12:30:00.000-08:00

Tabu shall feature in Bejoy Nambiar's next

Like of hate Shaitan, you cannot ignore the man behind it - Bejoy Nambiar. The director has now announced his next project , David and it already has created a lot of buzz by having South sensation Vikram as the lead man. Now another biggie casting announcement is that Tabu shall feature in a very important role to the film. Two more male leads shall be announced in the coming days, and Isha Sarvani has been signed on as the lady opposite Vikram's character.

Vikram-Tabi-Bejoy Nambiar : The combination is getting deadlier!

Hashmi is the man for K-Jo

Dharma Productions's next project, to be directed by Rensil D Souza has finally roped in Emraan Hashmi to play the lead. This is certainly big news considering the fact that many wrote off Hashmi as a Bhatt boy who will find no luck beyond the Bhatt production house. However 2011 saw him featured in a Madhur Bhandarkar production and an Ekta Kapoor production. And now, he has certainly moved up the ladder associating himself with Karan Johar's Dharma Production.

I am sure he would like to seal his good fortune with a kiss, as always!

Devgn sets up clash with SRK this Diwali

Ajay Devgn has decided to take SRK head on. It was widely assumed that the Yash Chopra-Shah Rukh venture would be the star attraction this Diwali. But now Devgn is so confident of his home production, Son of Sardar that he has decided to push the release dates to clash with the SRK release, giving the media enough to speculate on the rivalry between the two.

I can see the buzz going overdrive by this move from Devgn. But I believe as the date approaches closer, Devgn might just back out! Anyone wanna place their bets?

CHILLAR PARTY sequel for an all -new cast

Director of Chillar Party, Vikas Bahl claims that though they have the scripts ready, the sequel might get delayed as the original cast has grown up over the years and now he will have to look for an entirely new set of cast members to fit the characters. Supposedly the film was shot two years prior to the actual 2011 release and the original cast seem to have outgrown the characters they play.

Vikas....don't ruin the fun...get the original cast members back. So what if they grew up a little?

KKRISH 3 slated for Diwali 2013

Rakesh Roshan seem to be in no hurry to get his ambitious Krrish installment out any time soon. The third film in the series, that follows Koi Mil Gaya and Krrish, will wrap up principal shooting by late 2012, they are putting in a year's worth of post production and FX into the final product. The makers are looking at a 2013 Diwali release date as of now.
The film stars Hrithik Roshan, Priyanka Chopra and Vivek Oberoi in lead roles.

Shahrukh to do a remake ?

Shahrukh Khan is reported to have agreed to do the Hindi remake of the 2002 hit tamil film RAMANA which starred Vijaykanth. It has already been remade into Telugu as the Chiranjeevi starrer TAGORE and in Kannada as VISHNU SENA.

The rights have been acquired by Sanjay Leela Bhansali and he seem to have got Shahrukh's approval for the film. The original director Murugadoss, of Ghajini fame, is slated to direct this remake. MID-DAY

PROMETHEUS (2012)

2011-12-22T12:58:00.000-08:00

Teaser for Ridley Scott's new film PROMETHEUS

FERRARI KI SAWAARI (2012)

2011-12-22T12:56:00.000-08:00

Catch the teaser for the new film from Vidhu Vinod Chopra films - Ferrari Ki Sawaari.

THE HOBBIT (2012)

2011-12-22T12:52:00.001-08:00

Watch the trailer of Peter Jackson's prequel to the Lord of the Rings saga - The Hobbit!

DON 2 :The King is Back : The Review

2011-12-22T12:42:00.000-08:00

Cast: Shahrukh Khan, Priyanka Chopra, Lara Dutta, Om Puri, Boman Irani, Kunal Kapoor

Music by Shakar -Ehsaan - Loy

Directed by Farhan Akhtar

It was back in 2006 that Farhan Akhtar came up with a remake for the Amitabh hit, Don, which according to me, was just a gimmick to sell off a climax which Akhtar Jr. presumed to be a smart one. Not many agreed with Farhan back then, but everyone did seem keen to have the director and his star Shahrukh back for a Don sequel to set things right.

Don 2 therefore, is not only a much anticipated sequel, but also a film which many would believe would be the perfect Xmas gift to an industry that is still waiting for that big hit that would please the fans and the critics alike.

The story picks up nearly five years after the events of the earlier film, where the dreaded ‘Don’ (Shahrukh Khan) finds himself in a tricky position. Not only is he still on the ‘Most Wanted’ List of the international police, he is also put up on the ‘Want Him Dead’ list by the rest of the mafia cartels as well. So our man decides that he needs to scheme out a plan, just enough to get rid of both these problems, and be rich (and also something that would make audiences interested in a sequel)!

Read the full review at MadAboutMoviez

Rating : 2.5 outta 5

THE DICTATOR (2012)

2011-12-19T09:19:00.000-08:00

cast: Sacha Baron Cohen, Ben Kingsley, Anna Faris, Adeel Akhtar, John C Reiley

cameo: Megan Fox

Directed by Larry Charles
Distributed by Paramount Pictures
English, USA
May 11, 2012

The Dictator's teaser has managed everyone to sit up and take notice. Sacha Baron Cohen has known to be the ridiculous talent behind equally outrageous offerings like Borat and Bruno. Now Cohen is ready to test the international waters by playing The Dictator.

Directed by long time associate Larry Charles, the movie is said to be loosely based on Saddam's (or is it Gaddafi's ? ) life and it also draws in inspiration from a novel which is supposed to have been written by Saddam himself, titled Zabibah and the King.

Paramount has pitched this for a summer release, which means it better have the ammo to take on bigger summer threats around.

MADAGASCAR 3: Europe's Most Wanted

2011-12-15T21:13:00.000-08:00

cast: Ben Stiller, Chris Rock, David Schwimmer, Jada Pinkett Smith, Sacha Baron Cohen and Frances Mc Dormand

Directed by Eric Darnell, Conrad Vernon

Music by Hans Zimmer

Written by Noah Baumbach

studio: Dreamworks Animation / Paramount

Alex the Lion, Marty the Zebra, Gloria the Hippopotamus, and Melman the Giraffe set out to return to New York after escaping to Africa. Dependent on the mechanical know-how of the notorious monkeys, their plan inevitably goes awry and they find themselves stranded in Monte Carlo, where they try to escape Europe from animal control by joining up with a traveling circus by chance. Led by the venerable tiger Vitali, the animal-centered circus has seen better days. During the course of a tour through a series of European cities that ends in a fabulous big top in the heart of London, Alex, Marty, Gloria, and Melman help Vitaly, Gia the jaguar, and Stefano the sea lion, rediscover their passion for show business and reinvent circus performance. (official synopsis)

The manic beasts are back and they seem to be as loony as ever. Dreamworks may be pushing their luck with every other installment they try to slide through. But then again the original Madagascar was the fun ride that was not well received by the critics either. But that never deterred the audiences. So I guess this time too it might just click with the audiences.

Also a quick glance on how the series has fared so far. The original Madagascar (2005) has fetched 55 % on Rottentomatoes, while the sequel (2008) did marginally better with the critics at 64%. Box office wise too there is not much difference either. Both the movies may not have touched the 200 million mark at the BO, but the overseas haul has been impressive that the studio has ended up with a haul that is close to $600 million. So yes, they have their audiences and definitely this bunch will sail through this time as well.

ORU MARUBHOOMI KADHA (2011): the review

2011-12-15T20:50:00.000-08:00

Cast: Mohanlal, Mukesh, Bhavna, Lakshmi Rai, Nedumudi Venu, Suraj

Directed by Priyadarshan

Music by M G Sreekumar

release date: 16 Dec 2011

Malayalam

The team of Mohanlal-Priyadarshan is undoubtedly one of the most accomplished of duos in the history of Malayalam cinema. The comedy capers that they have attempted have all went on to rewrite box office records back in the 80s and 90s. But their last two outings – Kakakuyil andKilichundan Mambazham were both commercial duds.

Now with this team back together, viewers anticipate the magic to be recreated once more to usher back the golden age of Malayalam cinema. But the question remains – do they still have that Midas touch?

For starters Oru Marubhoomi Kadha make those earlier mentioned duds look like classics. At least there were some noteworthy scenes or sequences in those movies but Priyadarshan’s latest offering boasts of none even remotely close.

Read the full review at MAD ABOUT MOVIEZ

EXPENDABLES 2 (2012)

2011-12-15T13:48:00.000-08:00

cast: Syverster Stallone, Jason Statham, Bruce Willis, Arnold Schwarzeneggar, Chuck Norris, Jean Claude Van Damme, Terry Crews, Dolph Lundgren

Probables: Steve Austin, Jet Li, Mickey Rourke, Nicolas Cage, John Travolta

Directed by Simon West

release date: Aug 17, 2012

Every other day there is yet another addition to the list of yesteryear macho men drafted in as part of this project, so much so, I wonder if the actor themselves know who is in it and who ain't.

But what changes the equation completely is with the tweet from Arnold on October, 2011 whereby confirming that he is shooting for Expendables 2 with the following pic as well.

Stallone is back with his bunch of expendables..this time on yet another mission in yet another exotic land far away from home.

Plot wise, we do not expect the world, but this time with Simon West taking over the directorial duties from Stallone, we are hoping the movie to have a lot more chunk and the writing improves significantly...because let's face it, the first one was an embarrassment of riches.

UPDATE : DECEMBER 15

The teaser for this has surfaced online and now you can see why this is going to be one helluva cinematic experience.

MISSION IMPOSSIBLE -Ghost Protocol (2011)

2011-12-15T08:10:00.000-08:00

cast: Tom Cruise, Jeremy Runner , Paula Patton, Simon Pegg, Ving Rhames, Anil Kapoor

Directed by Brad Bird

genre: action/ sequel

Distributed by Paramount Pictures

release date: December 16, 2011

IMDB Rotten Tomatoes

This Christmas, Ethan Hunt is back for more piece of the action. Tom Cruise and the rest of the pack are back. Also cast this time around are Jeremy Runner, Simon Pegg and Indian actor Anil Kapoor.

The IMF is shut down when it’s implicated in a global terrorist bombing plot. Ghost Protocol is initiated and Ethan Hunt and his rogue new team must go undercover to clear their organization’s name. No help, no contact, off the grid. You have never seen a mission grittier and more intense than this.

This shall be the first live action movie for Brad Bird, director of Pixar classics like Incredibles and Ratatouille. And with JJ Abrams producing, we expect the franchise to really take it up a notch.

Going by Mission Impossible:Ghost Protocol or MI4, you could state Brad Bird has certainly accomplished the mission of creating a wall to wall action fiesta. Intentions are clear from the very onset. Throw in over the top action spectacle and appeal to the widest audience possible. Even if it means setting the film in asian cities like Dubai and Mumbai. The film may lack depth or even a great script for that matter, but Bird makes up for it with gracefully executed action sequences that tends to make you forget the screen time that it is gulping up. So be it the Russian prison escape, the Kremlin breach, the Dubai hotel fiasco or the Mumbai car park finale, Brad Bird manages to prove his mastery at staging each action sequences with aplomb.

Read the full review at Mad About Moviez

THE DIRTY PICTURE : the review

2011-12-03T11:23:00.001-08:00

Cast: Vidya Balan, Naseruddhin Shah, Emraan Hashmi, Tusshar Kapoor, Rajesh Sharma

Directed by Milan Luthria

Music by Vishal Shekhar
Screenplay/ Dialogue/ Story Rajat Arora
genre: Drama

Hindi/ 2011

To begin with, it is essential to separate facts from fiction. That is why all this talk about The Dirty Picture being a Silk Smitha biopic needs to be thrown out the window from the word ‘go’. Sure, there are a few events taken from Smitha’s life as reference points and to top that, Vidya’s character is given the ‘SILK’ screen name by the producer who discovers her. Barring the few such similarities to the late actresses’ ooh la la rise to fame in the South Indian film circles, the rest of the fillers are the writer’s mere fantasy!

Read the full review at Mad About Moviez

50/50 : The Review

2011-11-25T08:59:00.001-08:00

cast: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Seth Rogen, Anna Kendrick, Bryce Dallas Howard and Anjelica Houston

Directed by Jonathan Levine

comedy/ drama

The minute you attach the term ‘cancer’ to a movie synopsis,rest assured you will find the project usually heading down for direct totelevision movies or daytime soap affairs.

However writer Will Reiser (who based the story on his ownpersonal battle with cancer) comes up with a film that tries to approach thisdisease in a light hearted way. Or let’s say with Rogen involved, in a moregoofed up manner.

Working at a radiostation, Adam (Gordon-Levitt) is a young man in his late twenties living by therule book. Does not smoke, does not drink, and does not even cross the streetsuntil the lights come on. Even the man does not drive a car, because it hasbeen statistically proven to be the fifth major cause of deaths.

So a man living such acalculated lifestyle takes time in coming to terms with the news that hisdoctor drops on him - that he is diagnosed with a rare form of cancer. Adam maynot be able to even pronounce it right, but manages to find out on the net thathis chances of survival are 50/50.

Initially he believeshe can face it alone and shuns people away from his misery. He avoidscalls from his mother who freaks out on learning about her son’s condition. He landsup with a therapist but does not seem confident that the young pretty thingwould be of any significant help to his cause. However he does stick with hiscolleague Kyle, probably because he is the only one who wants Adam to have aball while having cancer. And Kyle also teaches Adam how to use the cancer as apickup line!
Yeah, keeps youguessing as to which is the real disease Adam faces- that of cancer, or that ofRogen’s Kyle.

Levitt- Rogen bonding works great as they provide perfectfoil to each other. Levitt’s restrained and controlled emotions are a perfectcontrast to Rogen’s uncontrolled fits of goofiness. Hand him a pack of marijuana, and Rogen would take anythingand everything to his insane level. 50/50 proves to be noexception either.

Joseph Godon-Levitt (500 Days of Summer, Inception) is not the most expressive of actors aroundand for most of the parts, his emotions are kept in check. However when he letsgo, he can prove to be effective like the hospital sequence where he sobsholding onto his mother.

Seth Rogen is trademark Rogen. He keeps hopping between being thedoofus and the annoyance with equal ease and yet successfully manages to remainin your good books at the end of the ride. How he does that is anyone’s guess. Thankfully,with the help of a single scene (the book scene at Kyle’s apartment), thedirector manages to add a lot more depth to the Rogen character.

The female characters however are more or less caricaturesand there is little either Bryce Howard (the Help) or Anna Kendrick (Up in theAir) can do about it, Only Anjelica Houston manages to make an impact with hercameo as Adam’s overbearing mother sharing a couple of important scenes withLevitt.

Director Jonathon Levine manages to balance out the laughswith the pains for most of the film’s running time, that is until the climaxwhere matters rather fizzes out without going for a bold and broader stroke.

Levine never calls for slapstick or cheap humour to generatethe laughs. Things are kept realistic to a large extent except perhaps when itcomes to dealing with the medical profession. I have never seen weirder doctorsand therapists like the ones on 50/50. As a comedy, one might overlook them butas a drama, they were sci-fi material. So you take your call.

50/50 has a tendency of playing things safe and being toocalculated in its approach. That really keeps the movie from achieving its fullpotential. It remains a decent dramedy, but one that fails to take things anotch above. But it is an attempt that could have gone all awry…but thankfully 50/50manages to survive!

rating: 3 outta 5

THE ADVENTURES OF TINTIN: Review

2011-11-13T05:50:00.001-08:00

Cast: Jamie Bell, Andy Serkis, Daniel Craig, Simon Pegg, Nick Frost

Directed by Steven Spielberg

distributors: Paramount Pictures / Columbia Pictures

Nov/ Dec 2011

Ultimately, the success of this adaptation lies in the fact that the film embodies the adventure spirit that was once relished in the original Indian Jones and Pirates of the Carribbean movies, prior to the studios ruining them for all. Fortunately these are still early days for Tintin, and a sequel should not pose to be a problem for Peter Jackson, now that the base characters have been set up. Going purely by the first installment, surely, an adventure beckons, and with more great characters like the Professor Calculus yet to come, it is bound to be worth ten thousand thunderin’ typhoons! Bring ‘em on!

rating: 3.5 outta 5

Read the full review at MAD ABOUT MOVIEZ

IMMORTALS : Review

2011-11-12T12:50:00.001-08:00

Cast: Henry Cavill, Luke Evans, Freida Pinto, Stephen Dorff, Mickey Rourke

Directed by Tarsem Singh

studio: Universal
Release Date: 11 November, 2011

The visual action fest has a lot of gore and brutality going for it and passes enough muster for a one time watch. We get hammered balls, slit throats, gouged eyes, bashed up skulls, and blood splattering all over. However those looking for a knockout script, and smashing performances need to look elsewhere. REVIEW 2.5/5

You can read the full review at Mad About Moviez

ROCKSTAR : The Review

2011-11-11T13:13:00.000-08:00

cast: Ranbir Kapoor, Nargis Fakhri, Shammi Kapoor

Directed by Imtiaz Ali
music by A R Rahman
cinematography Anil Mehta

release date: November 11, 2011

REVIEW

Ranbir Kapoor’s

Jordan

is introduced to us as arock star at the heights of his career. The opening sequence shows the starcaught up in a tiff with the local police struggling to make it for his own globalconcert. But the minute he steps onto that stage, he takes on a more confidentand irrefutable star persona. This opening sequence, sans any dialogues, isimpressive and bound to hook you instantly. Curious enough as to make us wonderhow an average Joe, Janardhan Jhankar from the campuses of Delhi,reaches the heights of global fame as Jordan.

We are curious but Imtiaz does not want to play the game.Instead what Imtiaz Ali, the director, chooses to narrate is the reason for therockstar’s perennial pain and agony. Jhankar, in his college days, is that aspiring musician unable to impress the onesthat matter. He is a wannabel desi Jim Morrison, but made to realize by hisconfidante and friend Khatana, the college canteen owner, that what JanardhanJhankar aka JJ misses is genuine ‘pain’.

The search for instant pain, believed to be a source ofcreativity, is what sets up the meeting of JJ with the campus chick-list topperHeer. Heer as expected is irked by the Haryanvilad’s initial advances, but then one fine day, the neat and clean, hi-fi Heerdecides to make JJ her partner in crime, as she goes about embracing her ‘junglee’side as one last pre-marriage burst. JJ is so smittenwith her that all his musical aspirations take a backseat, while he goes aboutentertaining his new found friend all across Delhi. He even sneaks out to Kashmir to attend Heer’s wedding.

With the fun, frolic and wedding done and dealt with, theprotagonists go their separate ways. Heer settles down at Praguewith her husband, while JJ (now rechristened Jordan by Heer) rides back to Delhi, to continue on hismusical soul searching.

He bags a lucrative contract, and an album later he becomesthe name that can launch a thousand CDs. But happiness eludes Jordan despiteall the success, and yet the singer knows not why. But he is quick to realize thatwhen he gets an opportunity to travel to Praguefor a Euro tour. He lands up at Heer’s door step and rekindles the good ol’times. Except the rockstar and the married woman decides to take things to thenext level.

Technically one would not find faults with this production.The cinematography from Anil Mehta is top notch and the mesmerizing locales arewell captured on screen. The editing, given the material is also serviceable. The trio of jewels comes up with a soundtrackthat really needs to be treasured - Mohit Chauhan, A R Rahman and Irshad Kamilemerges as the gems without which this musical journey would head nowhere. The enchanting songs, the voice and the words take the film to greater heights. You know that the songs are effectively used when tracks like ‘Kun Fana Kun’, ‘Naadhan Parindey’ and ‘Tum Ho’ refuse to leave your thoughts even after the screening.On that same note, the way the ‘Sadda Haq’ track plays out is unfortunately, akinto the Rajni cameo in Ra.One – over hyped, and largely inconsequential to thenarration. Still, with 14 songs, this is a guilty pleasure trip for everyRahman fan out there, and these fan boys shall not be complaining about havinga song too many. All said and done, hat off to Imtiaz Ali’s attempt to stick itout and narrate the film in such a manner, believing in the strength of themusic and the lyrics.

However the flip side is that Imtiaz Ali also needs to takethe brunt of things that has gone awry with the movie. The lackluster writing that is on displayhere is appalling because that was one of strengths of the film maker. Firstand foremost, it is a demanding script. It demands the viewers not to askquestions. It demands us to believe that Jordan is so gifted that a debutalbum is enough for him to click as a singer. It demands us to believe that hemay sing in Hindi, but is a phenomenon that is hugely successful as much as in Prague, as much as he isloved by the masses in Mumbai or Himachal Pradesh. It demands us to take thesinger seriously when he rants about environment and social issues. It demandsus to sympathize with the characters and wish for them a utopian life away fromthe society and the media even though we are never shown these factors to bethe obstacles faced by the couple. The demands keep coming, and as a helpless viewer,the least you can demand for are good performances.

Ranbir Kapoor, however does not come up with a goodperformance but a brilliant one. He carries the entire film on his shouldersand raises his game to overcome the wobbly inconsistent nature of the script. Strikingthe right chords and strings, Ranbir goes through the gamut of emotions of thelead character Jordan.He also finds able support in the form of Kumud Mishra, who is a genuinepleasure to watch. The rapport between the two onscreen is ‘lajawaab’ and makessequences like the heartbreak one in the canteen an instant winner. Also anoteworthy cameo from a true legend, Shammi Kapoor’s character comes with a certain graceand aura that acts as the perfect foil to the manic impulses of

Jordan

. However, the ‘Tareef Karun’boat show by Ranbir, seemed like an unnecessary last minute addition.

Ali’s writings, as mentioned earlier, have issues. But thebiggest folly from the director is not what he wrote, but his choice of theperformer to bring his words to life. Whatever Imtiaz wanted to say, seem to be ruinednot by any ‘alfaaz’ but by the leading lady’s inept attempt at emoting. For anintegral character like Heer, in a love story like Rockstar, you would expectan equally strong performer and a director like Imtiaz could bring in any onehe wishes to. Hence it baffles me to find Imtiaz settling for a novice likeNargis Fakhri. A similar misdeed wasdone last time around too by having Deepika Padukone for Love Aaj Kal, and themistake gets repeated here too. Nargis may be mouthing dialogues in Hindi, butshe clearly is emoting in a different language altogether. So we hardly get tofall in love with the plastic character like Jordan does, yet Imtiaz demands thelove story must touch our hearts.

Ranbir’s acting and Rahman’s music might have done justabout enough to save the film and make it deserving of a watch. But Imtiaz Ali’sRockstar also is a wasted opportunity for it had a potential to touch all of usdeeply. It had the potential to be a timeless tale with a soul in the rightplace. In its current flawed form, a soul it does have, but unfortunately, one tieddown by the shackles of inconsistent writing and imbalanced performances.

Rating: 3/ 5

SONG 1: KATIYA KAROON

SONG: SADAA HAQ

SONG : KUN FAYAA KUN

TAKEN 2 (2013)

2011-10-14T08:07:00.001-07:00

cast: Liam Neeeson, Famke Janssen, Maggie Grace, Rade Sherbedgia

Directed by Olivier Megaton

studio: Fox / Europa Corp

release date: 2013

This is exactly what you call pushing your luck too far. Agreed, TAKEN was a big surprise hit and featured a bad ass Liam Neeson. But frankly, they should have left it at that. But no...producer Luc Besson has other ideas, which is nothing...but make (what many would consider) an unnecessary sequel.

The plot features the kidnapping of Bryan Mills (Liam Neeson) and his wife (Janssen), which means the daughter (Maggie Grace) is now taking the challenge of returning the favour by saving her parents. The villain for the sequel shall be Murad, the father of the baddie that Mills killed in the original film.

Obviously it looks strange that Neeson shall be playing a hostage as all would be expecting to see the same kick ass character that we saw the first time around. But if they are going to relegate him to the back seat, we know that this would have 'disaster' written all over it.

THOR 2 (2013)

2011-10-13T14:17:00.000-07:00

OCT 13, 2011

Marvel and Disney studios have come to an agreement to proceed with the sequel for this year's big summer comic hero THOR. The film though initially was slated for the summer of 2013, might be pushed out to November as per the latest reports. However promising the franchise is, it is rather odd to have a super hero flick during the holiday season. We do see further shuffles with the date of this one.

The other big news is that Kenneth Branagh shall not be directing the sequel, instead only serving as one of the producer. And this is where Marvel seem to be making a rather odd choice of settling in for Patty Jenkins. One will have to wait and see if this gamble of throwing in the director of Monster into the world of geek boy comic book would pay dividends or not.

RA ONE (2011)

2011-10-13T13:44:00.000-07:00

cast: Shahrukh Khan, Arjun Rampal, Kareena Kapoor

cameo: Rajnikanth, Sanjay Dutt, Priyanka Chopra

Directed by Anubhav Sinha

Music : Vishal Shekar

AMERICAN REUNION (2012)

2011-10-13T13:41:00.000-07:00

cast: Jason Biggs, Tara Reid, Sean William Scott, Mena Suveri, Chris Klien

Directed by Jon Hurwitz, Hayden Schlossberg

Studio: Universal Pictures

April 6, 2012

Guess who is back? In fact, guess who ALL are back ?

Check out more exclusive stills at Coming Soon

THIS MEANS WAR (2012)

2011-10-13T13:26:00.000-07:00

Cast: Reese Witherspoon, Tom Hardy, Chris Pine

Directed by McG

studio: 20th Century Fox

Release date: February 17, 2012

This Means War is a romantic comedy that has two buddy spies going at each other once they they realise they both have fallen for the same girl. Now the two try to go one up against each other....and well, as you can see, this just means ...silly!

With McG (Charlies Angels, Terminator Salvation) as the director, you can expect those snazzy shots and visuals, but we fear that there would be nothing that. Check out for yourself with the trailer below:

THE MUPPETS (2011)

2011-10-13T08:22:00.000-07:00

cast: Jason Segel, Amy Adams, Chris Cooper
Directed by James Bobbin

Distributed by Walt Disney

release date: September 23, 2011

IMDB Rotten Tomatoes

On vacation in Los Angeles, Walter, the world’s biggest Muppet fan, and his friends Gary (Jason Segel) and Mary (Amy Adams) from Smalltown, USA, discover the nefarious plan of oilman Tex Richman (Chris Cooper) to raze the Muppet Theater and drill for the oil recently discovered beneath the Muppets’ former stomping grounds. To stage The Greatest Muppet Telethon Ever and raise the $10 million needed to save the theater, Walter, Mary and Gary help Kermit reunite the Muppets, who have all gone their separate ways: Fozzie now performs with a Reno casino tribute band called the Moopets, Miss Piggy is a plus-size fashion editor at Vogue Paris, Animal is in a Santa Barbaraclinic for anger management, and Gonzo is a high-powered plumbing magnate. With secret, signature, celebrity cameos, “The Muppets” hits the big screen Nov. 23, 2011.

UPDATED OCT 13: After all the fun spoofing everything under the sun, the Muppets seem to be getting into the main event - we have a movie to promote. And so, a more straight forward trailer of things to come

The dudes promoting The Muppets have scored yet another slam dunk with the latest promo spoofing the Fincher Dragon Tattoo teaser. Enjoy!

SHERLOCK HOMES : A GAME OF SHADOWS (2011)

2011-10-12T14:06:00.000-07:00

cast: Robert Downey Jr, Jude Law, Naomi Rapace, Stephen Fry

Directed by Guy Ritchie

Studio: Warner Bros

Release Date: December 16, 2011

TOWER HEIST (2011)

2011-10-12T13:59:00.000-07:00

cast: Ben Stiller, Eddie Murphy, Casey Affleck, Matthew Broderick, Tea Leoni, Alan Alda, Gabourey Sidibe

Directed by Brett Ratner

Studio: Universal Pictures

Release date: November 4, 2011

First things first....this is one of the funniest that Eddie Murphy has managed to be in a long long time. Besides the Shrek movies, there was nothing else that was working for him...but this might just change it. And he should be sighing a relief, because he is in some good company , all right. With the rest of the cast including names like Ben Stiller, Casey Affleck, Broderick, Murphy can sit back and have a ball while he is at it.

Brett Ratner directs this comedy that pits Stiller and his gang doing an Ocean eleven on their employers. A comedy that is getting a positive buzz all around look all set to be a giant killer this November before the box office gets flooded with family flicks, right left and center.

When Wall Street titan Arthur Shaw (Alan Alda) is put under house arrest after being caught stealing two billion from his investors, a group of workers at his luxury Central Park condominium discover he lost all of their pensions in a Ponzi scheme. Now, they are out to take a revenge. Led by Josh Kovacs (Stiller) and with the help of petty crook Slide (Murphy), they plan a heist to reclaim what he took from them. Though amateurs, these rookie thieves know the building better than anyone. Turns out they've been casing the place for years, they just didn't know it.

THE AVENGERS (2012)

2011-10-11T13:33:00.000-07:00

cast: Robert Downey Jr, Chris Hemworth, Chris Evans, Jeremy Renner, Mark Ruffalo, Gwyneth Paltrow, Samuel L Jackson, Tom Hiddleston

Directed by Joss Whedon

Studio: Marvel / Paramount / Disney

Things seem to have kicked off on the right foot, judging by the first trailer. Though one can see the promo relying heavily on Downey Jr/ Tony Stark to pull in the crowds, one hope that the movie plays out much more balanced.

The characters need to prove the mettle and we really hope the screenwriters do full justice to that , rather than piggy ride on the back of the Downey charms to get their way around.

Also many do miss not having Edward Norton this time around as many were keen to have Norton square off with Downey. That would have been a major high point, but alas....

Let us know what you think of the Avengers juggernaut?

WAZZUP 'FILMISTAN'?

2011-10-10T13:09:00.000-07:00

Shahrukh on Rajni, South and of course, RA ONE at HINDU

Rahman, Imtiaz and the magic behind the music of Rockstar . Read it here

Salman and his love for the boring, silent types . Read it at OUTLOOK

YOUNG ADULT (2011)

2011-10-06T23:41:00.000-07:00

cast: Charlize Theron, Patrick Wilson, Patton Oswalt, Elizabeth Reaser, J K Simmons
Directed by Jason Reitman
Written by Diablo Cody
Studio: Paramount Pictures
release date: December 16, 2011

Jason Reitman ...Diablo Cody...another comedy....enough said!

The trailer gives enough reasons for you not to miss this one.

J. EDGAR (2011)

2011-10-06T23:09:00.000-07:00

cast: Leonardo Di Caprio, Naomi Watts, Josh Lucas, Arie Hammer, Judi Dench

Directed by Clint Eastwood

studio: Warner Bros

Release Date: November 9 2011

J.Edgars is the latest directorial offering from Clint Eastwood which explores the controversial life of the very first FBI director , John Edgar Hoover.

The movie is expected to be a major front runner this Oscars with the amount of talent involved and with the Eastwood name attached, making it one of the hottest films of the season.

HAPPY FEET TWO (2011)

2011-10-06T22:14:00.000-07:00

voice cast: Elijah Wood, Robin Williams, Hank Azaria, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Sofia Vergara, Pink, Hugo Weaving and John Goodman

Directed by George Miller

studio: Warner Bros
release date: November 18, 2011

Dancing penguins will always make the kids go happy. Happy Feet proved it once and they are back, to drive home the point once again.

This November, the flap bunch shall dance back to the screens promising to be a bigger better sequel to the original. And this time the makers go beyond the singing and dancing to hit the notes on global warming.

The movie is sure to get the cash registers ringing, but they have a week to put up all their dance moves since The Muppets open the following week.

;

Yahoo Movies have released the full length trailer. Check it out

Mumble, The Master of Tap, has a problem because his tiny son, Erik, is choreo-phobic. Reluctant to dance, Erik runs away and encounters The Mighty Sven — a penguin who can fly! Mumble has no hope of competing with this charismatic new role model. But things get worse when the world is shaken by powerful forces. Erik learns of his father’s “guts and grit” as Mumble brings together the penguin nations and all manner of fabulous creatures — from tiny Krill to giant Elephant Seals — to put things right.

WAZZUP HOLLYWOOD ?!

2011-09-25T00:49:00.000-07:00

THIS WEEK

Find out the hot stories doing the rounds of Tinsel town this week...

Johnny Depp = Dr Seuss ?? HOLLYWOOD REPORTER
Zemeckis might take on CHARLES FORT - a ghostbuster style period flick /FILM

Sony Animation to get POOCH CAFE to the big screen ....SUITE 101

Disney might still give THE LONE RANGER a 'go' ... DEADLINE reports

Fassbender becomes top candidate to fill in the ROBOCOP shoes - Collider

Dreamworks has picked up rights for Roald Dahl's BFG. So says THE WRAP

Captain America will only have a sequel in 2014 : Chris Evans PLAYLIST

Writer John Logan hints that Blofeld might be Bond 23 villain - WHATCULTURE

Drew Stuzan and some chit-chat with Spielberg . Interesting read at AICN

We all love the characters, don't we. An interesting NYTIMES article on character actors!

SNEHA VEEDU (Malayalam, 2011)

2011-09-24T12:53:00.000-07:00

cast: Mohanlal, Padmapriya, Innocent, Biju Menon, Mamukoya, KPAC Lalitha and Sheela

Directed by Sathyan Anthikad

Music by Illayaraja

Mohanlal has taken a rather safe option by choosing a Sathyan Anthikad flick as his 300th film. With this Aashirvad production, you can expect the typical Anthikad brand of family entertainer in Sneha Veedu as the director brings back his regular cast team of KPAC Lalitha, Innocent, Mamookoya. Also music shall be by Anthikad's go-to man - Dr Illayaraja.

Sneha Veedu tells the tale of the character of a middle aged man Ajayan (Mohanlal) who has returned home to look after his aged mother (Sheela). Just when he thinks that the house is in order, walks in a boy claiming to be Ajayan's son. How Ajayan and his close ones deals with this new forms the crux of the film.

Ideally everyone is hoping that things work out for Lal's sake as he is once again at that point of his career where he could use a genuine box office winner. With bad script choices, he has been walking into one bad project after another much to the dismay of his fans. Sathyan Anthikad is the right choice cause he is one of those few directors from the 'golden days' who does not seem to have lost that touch. But then again, there is always that 'been there seen that' feel to his flicks and the same does apply here too. While in Rasathantram, it was Lal looking after his father (Bharat Gopi) this time it is him teaming up with Sheela. Obviously that is going to instantly remind viewers of the Jayaram-Sheela combination that was used by Anthikad to good effect in his Manassinakare. And even if not on the same comical vein, you cannot deny that there is no strains of a certain Minnaram element in this. However at the end, the audience are suckers for a well made cinema and one certainly hopes this team can deliver something of that nature.

Check out the promo of the film below...

DESI BOYZ (Hindi, 2011)

2011-09-22T23:03:00.000-07:00

cast: Akshay Kumar, John Abraham, Deepika Padukone, Chitrangda Singh

Directed by Rohit Dhawan

Distributed by Eros International

release date: November 25 ,2011

Oh god...now the Garam Masala duo of John Abraham and Akshay Kumar continues from where they left off when they return to the new comedy caper Desi Boyz.
The film which pits them as male dancers in a night club (oh gosh!) will be directed by David Dhawan's son Rohit.
Keeping the desi boys company will be hot gals Deepika and Chitrangda. So given the acting gonna suck big time, atleast the hot bods gonna scorch the screen this November. Also starring in the flick is 'silencer' Om Vaidya, Anupam Kher and Sanjay Dutt puts in a special cameo.

THE THING (2011)

2011-09-20T08:57:00.000-07:00

Featuring the RED BAND trailer for THE THING.

THE RAID (2011)

2011-09-20T08:49:00.000-07:00

THE RAID...TRAILER..

I guess enough said!

Deep in the heart of Jakarta's slums lies an impenetrable safe house for the world's most dangerous killers and gangsters. Until now, the rundown apartment block has been considered untouchable to even the bravest of police. Cloaked under the cover of pre-dawn darkness and silence, an elite swat team is tasked with raiding the safe house in order to take down the notorious drug lord that runs it. But when a chance encounter with a spotter blows their cover and news of their assault reaches the drug lord, the building's lights are cut and all the exits blocked. Stranded on the 6th floor with no way out, the unit must fight their way through the city's worst to survive their mission. Director Gareth Evans (Merantau) and rising martial arts star Iko Uwais reunite in this adrenaline-fueled action film.

THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO (2011)

2011-09-20T08:16:00.000-07:00

Unleashed is the new trailer for the Hollywood version of the best selling trilogy - THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO series that made waves with its original movie versions. Now ace director David Fincher gives it the Hollywood treatment but promising to keep it wicked...at least the promos does drive that point home.

CONTAGION (2011)

2011-09-09T08:21:00.000-07:00

cast: Matt Damon, Gwyneth Paltrow, Laurence Fishburne, Marion Cottilard, Jude Law, Kate Winslet

Directed by Steven Soderbergh

Distributed by Warner Bros

release date: September 09, 2011

running time: 1 hr 46 mins

IMDB Rotten Tomatoes

Now that the summer and all the fun popcorn are out of the way, it is time for the serious dramas to roll in. And it seem the bio-thriller Contagion will start things off this fall.

With an all star cast at his disposal, Steven Soderbergh is back after a hiatus with a thriller of sorts. However with Soderbergh around, you know the treatment is going to be a lot different from other movies of similar nature. Then again one have to keep guessing which Soderbergh are you going to get - the slick (Oceans 11) or the gritty (Traffic). Whichever it is, Soderbergh is a name that keeps one interested.

Contagion follows the rapid progress of a lethal airborne virus that kills within days. As the fast-moving epidemic grows, the worldwide medical community races to find a cure and control the panic that spreads faster than the virus itself. At the same time, ordinary people struggle to survive in a society coming apart.

THE PANEL ROOM

Tense, tightly plotted, and bolstered by a stellar cast, Contagion is an exceptionally smart -- and scary -- disaster movie. ROTTENTOMATOES 7.2/10

"Contagion" is a realistic, unsensational film about a global epidemic. Roger Ebert 3 /4

After this summer's onslaught of highly variable superhero fodder, "Contagion" arrives as a welcome antidote. Michael Phillips 3 /4

While potent and well-paced, Contagion doesn't come together as the fearsome bio-thriller it starts out to be. Claudia Puig 2.5 /4

While it certainly succeeds as a semi-documentary account, it fails to deliver a strong emotional punch. Frank Sweitek C+

WARRIOR (2011)

2011-09-09T08:17:00.000-07:00

cast: Joel Edgerton, Tom Hardy, Nick Nolte, Jennifer Morisson, Kevin Dunn

Directed by Gavin O’ Connor

Distributed by Lionsgate

release date: September 09, 2011

running time: 2 hr 19 mins
IMDB Rotten Tomatoes

What if you could throw in all the melodrama and all that family tension seen in The Fighter and combine it with pulsating action of Rocky? I think you will truly find out when you check out Warrior that opens this fall.

Gavin Connor’s follow up to Miracle and Pride and Glory is a mixed martial arts mash em up that promises to leave an impact who is looking for a solid ‘fight movie’ list of yours.

Haunted by a tragic past, Marine Tommy Conlon (Hardy) returns home for the first time in fourteen years to enlist the help of his father (Nick Nolte) to train for Sparta, the biggest winner-takes-all event in mixed martial arts history. A former wrestling prodigy, Tommy blazes a path toward the championship while his brother, Brendan (Edgerton), an ex-fighter-turned teacher, returns to the ring in a desperate bid to save his family from financial ruin. But when Brendan's unlikely, underdog rise sets him on a collision course with the unstoppable Tommy, the two brothers must finally confront each other and the forces that pulled them apart, facing off in the most soaring, soul stirring, and unforgettable climax that must be seen to be believed.

THE PANEL ROOM

Warrior relies on many of the clichés that critics of the genre love to mock -- and it transcends them with gripping action, powerful acting, and hear. ROTTENTOMATOES 7.4/10

This is a rare fight movie in which we don't want to see either fighter lose. . Roger Ebert 3 /4

It’s a cinematic sucker punch, sure, but one that hits home. Frank Sweitek B

Warrior is a relentless, emotionally engaging family drama and underdog saga with touches of Rocky mixed with The Fighter. Claudia Puig 3 /4

Every time you start resisting, somehow the film makes the sale, again. Michael Phillips 2.5 /4

THE BEAVER (2011)

2011-09-05T02:39:00.000-07:00

cast: Mel Gibson, Jodie Foster, Anton Yelchin, Jennifer Lawrence
Directed by Jodie Foster
Distributed by Summit Entertainment

release date: May , 2011 (limited release in US)

Rotten Tomatoes
IMDB

Many of you have a different stand when it comes to Mel Gibson as a person. But The Beaver manages to put to the fore Gibson the actor, and we do get to see how good that part of him truly is.

THE BEAVER tells the tale of Walter Black, a man suffering from extreme depression making him a failure both at home and at work. With his company at an all time low, and with his wife asking him to leave the house, Black knows that his life is totally in the dumps. That is until he picks up a beaver hand-puppet from the dumpster.

Soon enough, the man who was contemplating suicide finds a new friend and mentor in a puppet beaver and his life begins to make a drastic change for the better. Though it helps Walter Black to move forward with his life, he begins to realize that there is no turning back at this point.

Also addressing the issue of how depression runs in the family, we have a subplot involving Walter’s older son Porter (Anton Yelchin). Porter, though very much like his father, spends his time trying to be anything but like Walter. But when he begins to face setbacks in his own personal life, he begins to struggle against his own depression and grief.

This subplot featuring Yelchin and Jennifer Lawrence, as Porter’s love interest, is obviously the weak link to the whole enterprise. It really does not play out as strong when compared to the rest of the movie despite the screen time given for it to evolve. As a result, the struggle of the son and the equation with his father all gets lost somewhere in the translation. However both Yelchin and Lawrence put in their earnest bits.

Barring this glitch, the rest of the movie is all wonderfully mounted, led by an engaging performance from the lead man. The strength of Gibson’s portrayal lies in how as we go along we do see the puppet turning into a character by itself, so much so that we begin to forget that it is only the actor talking to his hand. He does pull a darn good job here bringing out the anguish and pain to his depression- laden character hiding behind the zeal of his new found alter ego.

Foster, on the director’s chair, pull this off with great confidence treading along the lines of the different moods carefully. Switching on and off from dark comedy to melodrama is not everyone’s cup of tea and can easily go awry if not dealt right. But Foster the novice, goes about her job with the self-assurance of a veteran. And despite the strong presence she can cast on any movie, here the performer in her stays in the backdrop giving more of the focus to the father and the son tracks.

Eventually the movie manages to look at the illness of depression under a fresh approach without all the usual sappiness. With a prodigious performance at the helm of things, THE BEAVER is a flick that is strongly recommended.

Rating: 3.5 outta 5

THE PANEL ROOM

Jodie Foster's visual instincts and Mel Gibson's all-in performance sell this earnest, straightforward movie. ROTTENTOMATOES 6.2/10

a flawed, erratic comedy-drama that nonetheless remains fascinating because of Gibson’s frenziedly committed performance Frank Sweitek B-

"The Beaver" is almost successful, despite the premise of its screenplay, which I was simply unable to accept. Roger Ebert 2.5 /4

Whatever you think of "The Beaver",director Jodie Foster's film reasserts the feverish, defiant, often gripping talent of actor Mel Gibson. Michael Phillips 2.5 /4

the story lacks honesty. For a film about the real problem of mental illness, it never feels authentic. Claudia Puig 2.5 /4

THE WHISTLEBLOWER (2010)

2011-09-03T08:00:00.000-07:00

cast: Rachel Weisz, Venessa Redgrave, David Strathairn, Nikolaj Lie Kaaas, Monica Bellucci, Jeannette Hain
Directed by Larysa Kondracki
Distributed by Samuel Goldwyn Films

release date: August 5, 2011 (limited release in US)
June, 23, 2010 (release in Denmark)

Rotten Tomatoes IMDB

Think twice before dismissing The Whistle Blower as just another movie based upon the sex-trafficking trade. This is more real and unfortunately you will not have a Liam Neeson coming and kicking ass to save the day like TAKEN.

But this is a movie designed to unsettle you and hopefully infuriate you as you realize this is based on true events as put down by Kathyrn Bolkovac in her book called THE WHISTLEBLOWER, based on her experiences while serving for the UN in Bosnia.

Rachel Weisz plays the role of real life Bolkovac, a Nebraska based police offier who finds herself short of finances to keep herself with her daughter after divorce. So when she is offered a six month offer to join a UN peace keeping force with a good pay, she takes up the job immediately.

But once in Bosnia, she takes up her job as seriously and dutifully as she always does resulting in her getting promoted and an extended stay. But her investigation soon falls on a local seedy bar and things take a turn for the worse.

Single handedly she beings to discover truths behind missing and tortured under aged girls and unravels a whole network of sex-trafficking that is going on. Shockingly, she discovers that this is being carried out by several of her own colleagues and despite all the evidences she manages to gather, it ends futile since the high officials are keen to keep matters under wraps. Yet Bolkovac refuses to give in, clinging onto a faint thread of hope.

Rachel Weisz nails the lead role totally bringing in the apt vulnerability into her portrayal. She captures the helplessness brilliantly as she goes about her crusade in a losing battle yet surfaces constantly as a character of mettle.

The rest of the cast never really gets to impress, except for Jeanette Hain as the mother of one of the abducted girls and Vanessa Redgrave as a senior UN official. Monica Bellucia is present in a rather bland cameo of sorts.

Larysa Kondracki’s effort in the director’s chair is quite commendable, but not without leaving room for improvement. To start off with, the sexism is a little too blatant for realistic tastes. Everyone out there seems a big bad wolf in this version and that does makes things a little too far fetched.

Several scenes seem to be shot out like the average B-grade exploitation flicks and one wonders whether it was a conscious move or just plain ol’ bad lighting. The pacing is a lot uneven and does not exactly meet the thriller standards. What it does manage though is to achieve its primary objective, that is to throw the light at the issue on hand. It does manage to unsettle the audience by exposing the murky truths about these peacekeeping forces and on how far the contracting companies would go to keep matters hush-hush when you have lucrative contracts at risk. But one would certainly not be shocked when they learn that US still continues to maintain contracts with these companies even after several accusations and law suits. You can be angry to a point, because, ultimately what the Whistle Blower exhibits is matters that have been exposed. You can be rest assured that what really goes out there, could be only far worse.

Rating: 3 outta 5

THE PANEL ROOM

Rachel Weisz puts on a compelling smoldering act though the film suffers from a literal-minded approach to the material.. ROTTENTOMATOES 6.5/10

“The Whistleblower” comes off as an earnest but sluggish tale of corruption in the aftermath of the Bosnian war. Frank Sweitek C-

The movie, constructed as a relentless and frightening thriller stars Rachel Weisz in one of her best performances " Roger Ebert 3.5/4

...a classic example of a film that doesn't trust the strength of its source material-or the intelligence of its audience. Michael Sullivan 1/4

IRON MAN 3 (2013)

2011-08-23T00:07:00.000-07:00

cast: Robert Downey Jr.

Directed by Shane Black

Release date : May 3, 2013

With THE AVENGERS out of the way, Marvel is now setting back their focus on their prime titles. Which means Iron Man gets all geared to strike back in his solo form. The makers have already locked the 2013 Summer opening slot with a release date of May 3, 2013.

The surprise choice for directing the third installment of this heavy metal franchise has been handed to Shane Black. Black, the writer of Lethal Weapon, is pretty much a fresh hand at the directors chair (having only directed Kiss Kiss Bang Bang with Downey Jr ). But Black is keen to give the Iron Man a more realistic 'Nolan-like' treatment to the Iron Man persona. Obviously that will all go well, until the execs at Marvel throw in some metal busting action sequences to make it fitting for the summer billing.

The studios also confirms that the film will no longer be having any crossover characters as it was a build up strategy for THE AVENGERS.

Initial thoughts from Downey Jr on how he sees the new installment playing out HERE

JONAH HEX

2010-04-02T22:49:00.000-07:00

cast: Josh Brolin, Megan Fox, John Malkovich

Directed by Jimmy Hayward

Distributed by WARNER BROS PICTURES

release date: JUNE 18,2010

Jonah Hex (Josh Brolin) is a scarred drifter and bounty hunter of last resort, a tough and stoic gunslinger who can track down anyone... and anything.
Having survived death, Jonah's violent history is steeped in myth and legend, and has left him with one foot in the natural world and one on the "other side." His only human connection is with Leila (Megan Fox), whose life in a brothel has left her with scars of her own. But Jonah's past is about to catch up with him when the U.S. military makes him an offer he can't refuse: in exchange for his freedom from the warrants on his head, he must track down and stop the dangerous terrorist Quentin Turnbull (John Malkovich). But Turnbull, who is gathering an army and preparing to unleash Hell, is also Jonah's oldest enemy and will stop at nothing until Jonah is dead.

Based on the legendary graphic novel, "Jonah Hex" is an epic adventure thriller about one man's personal quest for redemption against the vast canvas of the battle between good and evil.

THE PANEL ROOM

A formulaic weepie that might find a few takers , especially among the lady folks. Yet for many, this look like an easy miss or probably be something that they shall save for a rainy day's home viewing.

Built from many of the same ingredients as other Nicholas Sparks tearjerkers, Dear John suffers from its cliched framework, as well as Lasse Hallstrom's curiously detached directing. ROTTENTOMATOES 4.5/10

As far as “Dear John” is concerned, the best advice is just to mark it “Return to sender." Frank Sweitek C-

You're more likely to roll your eyes than swoon over this slow-moving and far-fetched love story. Claudia Puig 2/4

"Dear John" exists only to coddle the sentiments of undemanding dreamers, and plunge us into a world where the only evil is the interruption of the good. Ro ger Ebert 2/4

I truly wish "Dear John" were a better, less shamelessly manipulative movie, but a couple of the actors got me through it alive. Michael Phillips 2 /4

Nothing to write home about Michael Sullivan 2/4

KNIGHT AND DAY

2010-04-02T22:36:00.000-07:00

cast: Tom Cruise, Cameron Diaz
directed by James Mangold

Distributed by 20th Century Fox

release date: JUNE 25, 2010

This summer, we have Tom Cruise returning after a hiatus, with an action comedy KNIGHTS AND DAY in which he shall reteam with his Vanilla Sky co-star Cameron Diaz.

An action-comedy that begins when a small-town woman has a chance encounter with a mysterious man. He is either the man of her dreams or, perhaps… of her nightmares. Amid shifting allegiances and unexpected betrayals, they are swept up in a whirlwind of globe-hopping adventure and world changing secrets.

THE SORCERER'S APPRENTICE

2010-04-02T08:19:00.000-07:00

cast: Nicolas Cage, Jay Baruchel, Alfred Molina
Directed by John Turteltaub
Distributed by DISNEY PICTURES

release date: JULY 16 2010

Walt Disney Studios, producer Jerry Bruckheimer and director Jon Turteltaub, the creators of the 'National Treasure' franchise, present 'The Sorcerer's Apprentice' -- an innovative and epic comedy adventure about a sorcerer and his hapless apprentice who are swept into the center of an ancient conflict between good and evil.

Balthazar Blake (Nicolas Cage) is a master sorcerer in modern-day Manhattan trying to defend the city from his arch-nemesis, Maxim Horvath (Alfred Molina). Balthazar can't do it alone, so he recruits Dave Stutler (Jay Baruchel), a seemingly average guy who demonstrates hidden potential, as his reluctant protege. The sorcerer gives his unwilling accomplice a crash course in the art and science of magic, and together, these unlikely partners work to stop the forces of darkness. It'll take all the courage Dave can muster to survive his training, save the city and get the girl as he becomes 'The Sorcerer's Apprentice'. The screenplay is by Matt Lopez and Doug Miro & Carlo Bernard from a screen story by Matt Lopez and Larry Konner & Mark Rosenthal.

THE PANEL ROOM

As far as “Dear John” is concerned, the best advice is just to mark it “Return to sender." Frank Sweitek C-

You're more likely to roll your eyes than swoon over this slow-moving and far-fetched love story. Claudia Puig 2/4

"Dear John" exists only to coddle the sentiments of undemanding dreamers, and plunge us into a world where the only evil is the interruption of the good. Ro ger Ebert 2/4

I truly wish "Dear John" were a better, less shamelessly manipulative movie, but a couple of the actors got me through it alive. Michael Phillips 2 /4

Nothing to write home about Michael Sullivan 2/4

THE A-TEAM

2010-04-02T07:21:00.000-07:00

cast: Liam Neeson, Bradley Cooper, Jessica Biel, Quinton Jackson, Sharlto Copley

Directed by Joe Carnahan
Produced by Ridley Scott/ Tony Scott
Distributed by 20th Century Fox
written by Skip Woods

release date: JUNE 11 ,2010

Yet another popular show of the 80s gets a big screen treatment from the Hollywood bigwigs. But what really keeps this one interesting is the fact that this has been produced by Ridley and Tony Scott. Surely when these film makers put their name to a project, one expects something beyond the ordinary Tv-to-cinema trash.

And with Scott bros at the helm, FOX studios seemed only glad to present to us the revamped A TEAM with Joe Carnahan directing the flick. Carnahan ofcourse known for gritty flicks like NARC and SMOKIN ACES hopes to provide the same gritty feel to this one as well, rather than make it one of those traditional summer blow-em-ups!

No wonder then you have Liam Nesson leading the team, but thanks to the hangover, Bradley Cooper might be getting all the limelight.

SALT

2010-04-02T07:00:00.000-07:00

cast: Angelina Jolie, Liev Schreiber, Chiweter Ejiofor
Directed by Phillip Noyce

Distributed by COLUMBIA PICTURES
Written by Kurt Wimmer

release date: JULY 23 ,2010

Not many actresses are handed down scripts that was originally written for top billing actors. So cares if it was originally a Tom Cruise project when you have someone like Angelina Jolie walk in and make the flick hotter and bolder.

That is exactly what Jolie seem to have done with her big summer release SALT which is all set to the most 'wanted' actioneer of 2010, if the trailers are any indication.

Salt is a CIA officer who swore an oath to duty, honor, and country. But, when a Russian captive accuses her of being a Russian sleeper spy who is on a mission to kill the president in Manhattan, she is forced to go on the run. Being hunted down by her colleagues, she must use all of her covert operative skills and experience to elude capture and protect her husband or the world's most powerful forces will erase any trace of her existence

THE EXPENDABLES

2010-04-02T06:30:00.000-07:00

cast: Stallone, Jet Li, Jason Statham, Dolph Lundgren, Micky Rourke, Stone Cold Steve Austin, Rany Couture, Eric Roberts and Charisma Carpenter
cameo: Bruce Willis and Arnold Shwarzenneger

Directed by Sylverster Stallone

Distributed by LIONSGATE
written by Dave Callaham and Stallone
release date: AUGUST 13, 2010

Ever since Stallone announced this project, THE EXPENDABLES has been just growing bigger and bigger, promising to be the mother of all action flicks.

How else you would describe an action flick that would throw in names like Stallone, Jason Statham , Jet Li, Dolph Lundgren, Mickey Rourke together. If those were not enough, the scene of a lifetime would feature action kings Stallone with buddies Arnold and Bruce Willis. Trust me, you cannot ask for more...(oh yes, they did ask Van Damme to hop on board, but that he declined).

The Expendables is a hard-hitting action/thriller about a group of mercenaries hired to infiltrate a South American country and overthrow its ruthless dictator. Once the mission begins, the men realize things arent quite as they appear, finding themselves caught in a dangerous web of deceit and betrayal. With their mission thwarted and an innocent life in danger, the men struggle with an even tougher challenge one that threatens to destroy this band of brothers.

Barney Ross (Sylvester Stallone) is a man with nothing to lose. Fearless and void of emotion, he is the leader, the sage and the strategist of this tight-knit band of men who live on the fringe. His only attachment is to his pickup truck, his seaplane and his team of loyal modern-day warriors. His is a true cynic who describes what he does as removing those hard to get at stains. The team behind him is made up of Lee Christmas (Jason Statham), former SAS and a savant with anything that has a blade; Yin Yang (Jet Li), a master at close-quarter combat; Hale Caesar (Terry Crews), who has known Barney for ten years and is a long-barrel weapons specialist; Toll Road (Randy Couture), a skilled demolitions expert and considered the intellect of the group; and Gunnar Jensen (Dolph Lundgren), a combat veteran and an expert in precision sniping who struggles with his own demons.

When the mysterious Church offers Barney a job no one else would take, Barney and his team embark on what appears to be a routine mission: overthrow General Gaza (David Zayas), the murderous dictator of the small island country of Vilena and end the years of death and destruction inflicted on its people. On a reconnaissance mission to Vilena, Barney and Christmas meet their contact Sandra (Giselle Itie), a local freedom-fighter with a dark secret. They also come to learn who their true enemy is: rogue ex-CIA operative James Monroe (Eric Roberts) and his henchman Paine (Steve Austin). When things go terribly wrong, Barney and Christmas are forced to leave Sandra behind, essentially giving her a death sentence. Haunted by this failure, Barney convinces the team to return to Vilena to rescue the hostage and finish the job he started. And to perhaps save a soul: his own.

Surely for a flick like this, the plot or the script aint going to be the highlights. But for all those who love to watch their 80s action heroes go wham bam one more time on the big screen, here is your big chance. THE EXPENDABLES are anything but that this August.

With sequel talks already on, lets just hope this one proves to be the explosive mayhem that it ought to be.

MY NAME IS KHAN (Hindi)

2010-02-13T09:58:00.000-08:00

cast: Shahrukh Khan, Kajol, Jimmy Shergil, Zarina Wahab

Directed by Karan Johar

Distributed by FOX SEARCHLIGHT

music by Shankar Ehsaan Loy

release date: FEB 12 ,2010

Rizvan Khan, a Muslim man from India, moves to San Francisco and lives with his brother and sister-in-law. Rizvan, who has Aspergers, falls in love with Mandira. Despite protests from his family they get married and start a small business together. They are happy until September 11, 2001 when attitudes towards Muslims undergo a sea-change. When tragedy strikes, Mandira is devastated and they split. Rizvan is confused and very upset that the love of his life has left him. To win her back, he embarks on a touching and inspiring journey across America.
'My Name is Khan' is the triumphant story of an unconventional hero overcoming obstacles to regain the love of his life.

MY NAME IS KHAN, the latest offering from director Karan Johar, kicks off on the right note indeed with the security check sequence showing us what makes air travel disturbing and nightmarish to many post 9/11. But it also gives us the first insight into Rizwan (Shahrukh), the man who is on a mission to personally deliver a message to the President of the USA.

Read the full review at Passion For Cinema

THE PANEL ROOM evaluation 3.75

Looks like SRK's performance not only wins the hearts of the nation, but also has the critics eating out of his hands. They just cannot seem to stop going ga-ga over this one.

It not only entertains, but also mesmerises, enthrals and captivates the viewer in those 2.40 hours. Taran Adarsh 4.5

Karan Johar comes of age. He tells a complex story with sparkling simplicity, without forgetting that cinema is primarily meant to entertain. Nikhat Kazmi 5

Aided by solid camerawork, tight editing and a layered story, Johar crafts an engaging, stirring saga that is earnest and noble. Rajeev Masand 3.5

The film itself is too uneven to give us the emotional high we were waiting for. Anupama Chopra 3

is a grandiose Johar project, with the added mix of the two recently discovered ingredients in Bollywood, a handicapped star and post 9/11 terrorism Minty Tejpal 3

Shah Rukh Khan makes up for every minor inconsistency in the film. My Name is Khan is worth a watch on his name alone. Gaurav Malani 3.5

Other notable reviews:

Khalid Mohammad, Raja Sen, Sukanya Verma, Subhash Jha

Trailer Watch- Jaane Kahan se Aayi Hai

2010-02-13T09:30:00.000-08:00

cast: Riteish Deshmukh, Jaqueline

Directed by Milap Zaveri

Distributed by WARNER BROS.

release date: APRIL ,2010

Some love stories are truly out of this world. Rajesh Parekh (Riteish) shall learn it the hard way when he meets the love of his life Tara. Except Tara happens to have fallen from the skies, or to be precise the planet Venus. JAANE KAHAN SE AAYI HAI is a funny, crazy, heartwarming comedy that takes things to new heights...a little too high, perhaps!

PRINCE

2010-02-13T09:28:00.000-08:00

cast: Vivek Oberoi, Aruna Murthy, Nandana Sen, Niroo Singh, Sanjay Kapoor, Mohit Chauhan, Dalip Tahil

Directed by Kookie Gulati

a TIPS film release

music by

release date: 2010

One of the savviest thieves in the world commits the biggest heist ofhis life. He wakes up next morning to realize he has a gunshot wound onhis arm that he doesn't remember getting.

In his quest to findanswers he discovers his name is Prince, he used to work for a mannamed Sarang and his girlfriend's name is Maya.

He is beinghunted by the secret service of India- I Grip, the CBI and the biggestwhite collared criminals in the world. He is the most wanted man in thecountry because only he knows the whereabouts of the heist, whichcontains a secret that is linked not only to his loss of memory butthreatens the future of the Human Race.

Prince can rely only onhis razor sharp instincts to salvage himself. The web of deceptionspins and Prince gets even more entangled.

Nothing and no one can be trusted.

.

Looks like we have Vivek Oberoi's make or break flick right here. After a long time, Oberoi returns to the big screen as the solo lead, and the success is going to be very crucial if Oberoi needs to stay afloat and be taken seriously in the industry. The promos looks like a mish mash of quite a few recent Hollywood actioners, with a Bourne Identity like storyline as its base.

But will the slick action be enough to save this movie? Afterall, being a Vivek Oberoi film, nothing can be exactly trusted!

Trailer watch: KITES

2010-02-13T07:14:00.000-08:00

cast: Hrithik Roshan, Barbara Mori, Kangana Ranaut. Kabir Bedi
Directed by Anurag Basu

music by Rajesh Roshan

In the harsh terrain of the Mexican desert, a mortally wounded man is left for dead in the heat of the desert sun. This is J (Hrithik Roshan) - once a street smart, carefree, young guy and now a wanted man.

The only thing that keeps him alive is the quest to find the love of his life, Natasha (Barbara Mori). A woman, engaged to another man, but surely destined for J. A woman, who comes into his life like a bolt of lightning, and changes it forever.

Kites is a story of love that goes beyond barriers, boundaries and cultures. It is a story of passion that defies every rule, of a relationship that takes two lovers on a thrilling journey filled with precious moments and unexpected betrayal.

STRIKER

2010-02-05T07:25:00.000-08:00

cast: Sidharth, Aditya Pancholi, Anupam Kher, Padma Priya, Vidya Maldave

Directed by Chandar Arora

release date: FEB 5 ,2010

Striker movie is set in Bombay, in the mid '80's and based on true life accounts of the people of Malvani, Striker is a story of triumph of human spirit over indomitable odds.Its the story of Surya (played by Siddharth of Rang De Basanti Fame) and his triumph.
It is a story of Surya, a Carrom player from Bombay, who lives on the fringes of a criminal existence, but who does not succumb to it.
It is a story of a man's passion for a game that gave him strength to triumph over all those who took the easier path.

THE PANEL ROOM e-valuation 2.5

The general feel we get from most of the reviews is the 'could have been a lot more' note. Yet the film is well received and the performances are winning appreciations. Box office wise it may not be a strong performer, but this one is sure to grab the attention of many.

Don't believe the lack lustre promos. The film has more meat -- and meaning -- than it promises. Nikhat Kazmi 3/5

Striker never becomes the film it could have been Anupama Chopra 2.5/5

It's not a bad film by any measure, but it most definitely could've been better. Watch it for some excellent acting and for its gritty realistic feel. Rajeev Masand 2.5/5

Chandan keeps a tight rein on the storytelling, only to falter in the screenplay, especially post interval. Minty Tejpal 2 /5

falters because the story doesn't arrest your attention in entirety Taran Adarsh 1.5/4

Other Notable Reviews
*** Sukanya Verma, Khalid Mohammed, Mayank Shekhar, Subhash Jha

FROM PARIS WITH LOVE

2010-02-05T07:21:00.000-08:00

cast: John Travolta, Jonathan Rhys Meyers
Directed by Pierre Morel
Produced by Luc Besson

Distributed by LIONSGATE

release date: FEB 5 ,2010

A personal aide to the U.S. Ambassador in France, James Reese (Jonathan Rhys Meyers) has an enviable life in Paris and a beautiful French girlfriend, but his real passion is his side job as a low-level operative for the CIA. All James wants is to become a bona fide agent and see some real action. So when he’s offered his first senior-level assignment, he can’t believe his good luck – until he meets his new partner, special agent Charlie Wax (John Travolta).
A trigger-happy, wisecracking, loose cannon who’s been sent to Paris to stop a terrorist attack, Wax leads James on a white-knuckle shooting spree through the Parisian underworld that has James praying for his desk job. But when James discovers he’s a target of the same crime ring they’re trying to bust, he realizes there’s no turning back…and that Wax himself might be his only hope for making it through the next forty-eight hours alive.

You could safely assume that 'tis the season for the studios to dump a bunch of non starters to fill up the date sheets. And one would not hold that against you. Yet, FROM PARIS WITH LOVE stands out from the crowd. This one is a little action flick from director Pierre Morel. The name exactly might not gets the bells ringing...atleast not until we mention that he directed that gem called TAKEN. There goes the ding dongs! :-)

So would it be too much to expect yet another flick atleast close on the heels of TAKEN from the production house of Luc Besson. I guess not...I hope not!

THE PANEL ROOM

Hmm, so certainly got off the wrong foot here with all the early reviews hinting that this is going to have one bumpy ride at the BO. Travolta therefore would need to do a re-re-re-invention of himself if things need to go his way.

Thought not without its charms -- chief among them John Travolta's endearingly over-the-top performance -- From Paris with Love is too muddled and disjointed to satisfy. ROTTENTOMATOES 5/10

a buddy-spy thriller that exudes Euro-trashiness from first frame to last. Frank Sweitek C-

The preposterously silly and bullet-riddled From Paris With Love is so leaden and obnoxious that it actually makes you long for the John Travolta of Old Dogs. Claudia Puig 1.5/4

it's mostly bang bang and not kiss kiss; as an actress once asked Russ Meyer: What's love got to do with it? Roger Ebert 2/4

Stoopid fun,... doesn't do much for Paris or love, or your brain cells, but it flies like a crazed eagle on uppers. Michael Phillips 3 /4

DEAR JOHN

2010-02-05T06:56:00.000-08:00

cast: Channing Tatum, Amanda Seyfried

Directed by Lasse Hallstorm

Distributed by SONY PICTURES / SCREEN GEMS

written by Nicholas Sparks

release date: FEB 5 ,2010

Directed by Lasse Hallström and based on the novel by best-selling author Nicholas Sparks, DEAR JOHN tells story of John Tyree (Channing Tatum), a young soldier home on leave, and Savannah Curtis (Amanda Seyfried), the idealistic college student he falls in love with during her spring vacation. Over the next seven tumultuous years, the couple is separated by John’s increasingly dangerous deployments. While meeting only sporadically, they stay in touch by sending a continuous stream of love letters overseas--correspondence that eventually triggers fateful consequences.

THE PANEL ROOM

As far as “Dear John” is concerned, the best advice is just to mark it “Return to sender." Frank Sweitek C-

You're more likely to roll your eyes than swoon over this slow-moving and far-fetched love story. Claudia Puig 2/4

"Dear John" exists only to coddle the sentiments of undemanding dreamers, and plunge us into a world where the only evil is the interruption of the good. Ro ger Ebert 2/4

I truly wish "Dear John" were a better, less shamelessly manipulative movie, but a couple of the actors got me through it alive. Michael Phillips 2 /4

Nothing to write home about Michael Sullivan 2/4

AASAL

2010-02-04T22:10:00.000-08:00

cast: Ajit, Sameera Reddy, Bhavana, Prabhu. Kelly Dorjee, Suhasani

Directed by Saran

Music by Bhharadwaj

Sivaji Productions

Release date: FEB 5, 2010

Jeevanathan (Ajith) is an arms dealer in France dealing legally and directly with the French Government. However things are not cosy within the family as his sons (Sampath, Rajeev) cannot stand their step brother Shiva (Ajith). The hatred is fuelled even further by their maternal uncle. Eventually with Jeevanathan's death, Shiva finds himself thrown out of the family business.
The brothers however get into a lot of hot water due to their shady deals and now it is upto Shiva to step in and save the family.

Ajit is back with yet another offering which seem yet another BILLA spinoff. The promos look slick but not much can be gathered from the promos except a lot of Kill Kill Bang Bang.

Releasing across cinemas on Feb 5, let us hope this can do the action genre a lot of good.

THE PANEL ROOM

Yet another superstar offering for the hardcore superstar fans. This time it is for the so called Ultimate star Ajith fan club. Yet another style over substance flick which makes you wonder....when will these superstars get back to basic acting?

If you keep your expectation meter low, then it is a good ride. SIFY

Ajith, Saran and Bharadwaj have the struck the right chord again- for 'Asal' in an unpretentious entertainer.Old wine brewed fine. IndiaGlitz

Visually pleasing with about 2.5 hours of running time, Asal is will not have you yawning, nor will it have you asking for more. BehindWoods 2 /4

die-hard Ajith fans will have plenty of reasons to rejoice. For the others, leave your brains at home. Rediff 2/4

OSCARS 2010

2010-02-02T07:47:00.000-08:00

And here you are, the nominations for the 2010 Oscars. As expected AVATAR and HURT LOCKER seem to have had it good. And as expected, animated flick UP has proved its worth cracking into the Best Film category.

Best Picture

Avatar

The Blind Side

District 9

An Education

The Hurt Locker

Inglourious Basterds

Precious

A Serious Man

Up In the Air

Best Director

James Cameron, Avatar

Kathryn Bigelow, The Hurt Locker

Quentin Tarantino, Inglourious Basterds

Lee Daniels, Precious

Jason Reitman, Up in the Air

Best Actor

Jeff Bridges, Crazy Heart

George Clooney, Up in the Air

Colin Firth, A Single Man

Morgan Freeman, Invictus

Jeremy Renner, The Hurt Locker

Best Actress

Sandra Bullock, The Blind Side

Helen Mirren, The Last Station

Carey Mulligan, An Education

Gabourey Sidibe, Precious

Meryl Streep, Julie & Julia

Best Supporting Actor

Matt Damon, Invictus

Woody Harrelson, The Messenger

Christopher Plummer, The Last Station

Stanley Tucci, The Lovely Bones

Christoph Waltz, Inglourious Basterds

Best Supporting Actress

Penélope Cruz, Nine

Vera Farmiga, Up in the Air

Maggie Gyllenhaal, Crazy Heart

Anna Kendrick, Up in the Air

Mo’Nique, Precious

Best Animated Feature Film

Coraline

Fantastic Mr. Fox

The Princess and the Frog

The Secret of Kells

Best Foreign Film

El Secreto do Sus Ojos (Argentina)

Un Prophete (France)

The White Ribbon (Germany)

Ajami (Israel)

The Milk of Sorrow (Peru)

Best Original Screenplay

Mark Boal, The Hurt Locker

Alessandro Camon & Oren Moverman, The Messenger

Joel Coen & Ethan Coen, A Serious Man

Pete Docter, Bob Peterson & Tom McCarthy, Up

Quentin Tarantino, Inglourious Basterds

Best Adapted Screenplay

Jesse Armstrong & Armando Iannucci, In the Loop

Neill Blomkamp & Terri Tatchell, District 9

Geoffrey Fletcher, Precious

Nick Hornby, An Education

Jason Reitman & Sheldon Turner, Up in the Air

Best Documentary Feature

Burma VJ

The Cove

Food, Inc.

The Most Dangerous Man in America: Daniel Ellsberg and the Pentagon Papers

Which Way Home

Best Original Score

Avatar, James Horner

Fantastic Mr. Fox, Alexandre Desplat

The Hurt Locker, Marco Beltrami and Buck Sanders

Sherlock Holmes, Hans Zimmer

Up, Michael Giacchino

Best Original Song

“Almost There” from “The Princess and the Frog,” Music and Lyric by Randy Newman

“Down in New Orleans” from “The Princess and the Frog,” Music and Lyric by Randy Newman

“Loin de Paname” from “Paris 36, Music by Reinhardt Wagner, Lyric by Frank Thomas

“Take It All” from “Nine,” Music and Lyric by Maury Yeston

“The Weary Kind (Theme from Crazy Heart)” from “Crazy Heart,” Music and Lyric by Ryan Bingham and T Bone Burnett

Best Film Editing

Avatar, Stephen Rivkin, John Refoua and James Cameron

District 9, Julian Clarke

The Hurt Locker, Bob Murawski and Chris Innis

Inglourious Basterds, Sally Menke

Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire, Joe Klotz

Best Cinematography

Avatar, Mauro Fiore

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Bruno Delbonnel

The Hurt Locker, Barry Ackroyd

Inglourious Basterds, Robert Richardson

The White Ribbon, Christian Berger

Best Costume Design

Bright Star, Janet Patterson

Coco before Chanel, Catherine Leterrier

The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus, Monique Prudhomme

Nine, Colleen Atwood

The Young Victoria, Sandy Powell

Best Art Direction

Avatar, Art Direction: Rick Carter and Robert Stromberg; Set Decoration: Kim Sinclair

The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus, Art Direction: Dave Warren and Anastasia Masaro; Set Decoration: Caroline Smith

Nine, Art Direction: John Myhre; Set Decoration: Gordon Sim

Sherlock Holmes, Art Direction: Sarah Greenwood; Set Decoration: Katie Spencer

The Young Victoria, Art Direction: Patrice Vermette; Set Decoration: Maggie Gray

RANN

2010-01-30T10:10:00.000-08:00

cast: Amitabh Bachchan, Riteish Deshmukh, Mohnish Behl

Directed by Ram Gopal Verma

genre: Drama

Release date: JAN 29, 2010

Vijay Harshvardhan Malik (Amitabh Bachchan) has over years been the embodiment of trust, honesty, ethics and responsibility to the entire nation. India’s first private news channel, founded by Vijay, is the temple of ‘true’ journalism. He believes that while everyone is entitled to their opinion, they are not entitled to their own facts!
Pitted against him in the battle for corporate supremacy is Amrish Kakkar (Mohnish Bahl), a former employee at Vijay’s channel. Amrish has, in a way, ‘revolutionized’ the business of delivering news. For Amrish, the media is a vehicle that he rides upon and maneuvers to deliver baseless entertainment. His channel is ruling in terms of viewership numbers.
Vijay is aware of his battle with Amrish’s channel, but what hits Vijay is something he wasn’t prepared for…
Jay Malik (Sudeep), Vijay’s son and CEO, is desperately seeking a way to resuscitate his channel and get it back to the top slot. Jay is a go-getter who looks at his father’s channel as an enterprise that must make profits. He cannot digest his rival’s channel racing ahead and is set to hatch a major plan that would catapult his channel to the top.
Mohan Pandey (Paresh Rawal), a politician yearning to take the prime post of the country takes advantage of Jay’s ambition. But the fulcrum of his plan rests on using Vijay’s robust credibility!
They say that wars are won through deception…and this war was no different. Vijay’s channel regains the number one slot with panache, as he ends up unearthing one of the most scintillating exposes in the history of Indian news.
Purab (Riteish Deshmukh) has always idolized Vijay as the epitome of truth and turns to a career in investigative journalism at Vijay’s channel. The tension soars when he uncovers the truth behind the story that had taken Vijay’s channel to the pinnacle. What happens when he confronts the Vijay with the real truth?
Does Vijay have the strength of character to fight between his principles of truth and the corrupt convenience that surround him? Will he be able to undo what he had mistakenly done?
Will Vijay fight the battle to expose the truth…even if it means fighting his own son?
In this fast paced drama from Ram Gopal Varma, the master director of Satya, Company, Sarkar and Sarkar Raj, one sees a canvas of conflicting yet fascinatingly powerful shades of human character. This heady cocktail of suspense, high intensity and no-frill emotions, makes Rann an edge-of-the-seat drama-thriller that’s not to be missed!

PANEL ROOM e-valuation: 2.5/ 5

RANN was to have catapulted RGV back to his glory status. Yet that do not seem happening any time soon with RANN also receiving the usual flak, especially from the subject of the film - the media folks. Barring the extremely positive reviews from Taran and Nikhat, the rest of them finds it to be an over cooked item stuffed with the usual RGV spice and ham-fillers!

On the whole, RANN is truly a well-made film. No two opinions on that. The film should be patronised by viewers of serious, sensible cinema. Recommended! Taran Adarsh 3.5/5

Where it does score is the way it tells the story: thriller-like, taut and testy. Nikhat Kazmi 4/5

Raan is poorly written, badly researched, and deafeningly sensationalist. Anupama Chopra 2/5

a messy climax, witless and uninspired writing and shoddy, detail-free narrative. Sukanya Verma 2/5

Instead of a sharp well-nuanced expose with fresh insights, we get just another Rann of the mill Bollywood movie, suitably rehashed. Disappointing. Minty Tejpal 2/5

What ultimately comes in the way of Rann achieving the potential of its premise is the over-use of cliché in the absence of original writing Rajeev Masand 2/5

The film does run out of steam, sporadically, in the second half but otherwise Rann is a riveting drama. Gaurav Malani 2.5/5

ROAD TO SANGAM

2010-01-29T06:39:00.000-08:00

cast: Paresh Rawal, Om Puri, Pawan Malhotra

Directed by Amit Rai

genre: Drama

release date: Jan 29, 2009

A simple story of a God fearing, devout Muslim mechanic named Hashmat Ullah (Paresh Rawal) who has been entrusted the job of repairing an old V8 ford engine, not knowing the historic significance that it once carried the ashes of Mahatma Gandhi which were immersed in the holy river 'Sangam'. He is caught in a complex situation after a powerful bomb explosion rocks his town leading to the arrest of innocent Muslim youths of his locality. A strike to work is called by the prominent Leaders played by Om Puri and Pavan Mallhotra, of his community to protest against the unjust treatment meted out to those arrested youths by the police. Will he support the protest and abandon the repair of the engine or go against the wishes of his community.

Thus begins his journey. A journey of Gandhian values and principles. A journey of patriotism. A journey called 'Road To Sangam'.

THE PANEL ROOM e-valuation

With Mahatma Gandhi's death anniversary around the corner, the makers of ROAD TO SANGAM opted to release it on Jan 29. However it seem everyone is too busy debating over the other releases (ISHQIYA vs RANN) to actually consider giving this one a proper look.

Most of the usual suspects are yet to post their reviews, but here are the few out there:

A simple, thought-provoking story, ROAD TO SANGAM has some brilliant moments and also some sequences that you carry home. Taran Adarsh 3/5

Watch the film for Paresh Rawal's retake on his Mumbai Meri Jaan act. And for its topical message. Nikhat Kazmi 3/5

ISHQIYA

2010-01-28T23:49:00.001-08:00

cast: Vidya Balan, Arshad Warsi and Naseerudhin Shah

Directed by Abhishek Chaubey

genre: Drama/ comedy

Release date: JAN 29, 2010

Khalujaan (Naseerudhin) and Babban (Arshad) are con men on the run with a bounty. But with the rightful owner Mushtaq saab (Salman Shahid) hot on their heels, the duo decide to cross over to Nepal. The journey comes to a halt at Gorakhpur though when they learn that the acquaintance who was to have been their ticket across the border is no more. Hence they have to be content with the shelter offered by his widow Krishna (Vidya Balan) while they sort things out. The two soon learn that there is more to this lady of the house than what meets the eye.

Ishqiya undoubtedly is a movie that is fuelled by the performances. It is a fine example of a great ensemble performance that shines through. Each and every cast member has put in their best efforts, irrespective of how quirky the characters may seem.

Ishqiya is a charming, enticing flick that commits the mistake of biting a little more than what it could actually chew. In the process, ISHIQIYA, like its lead protagonists, digs up its own grave!
Read the Complete Review only at PASSION FOR CINEMA

THE PANEL ROOM e-valuation : 3.6/5

ISHQIYA impresses them all. With appreciations consistent across the board, this flick looks to have set the benchmark early in the year. The performances, music, and writing seem to have overpowered all the other shortcomings that the film may have.

The film has a riveting plot, great performances, soulful music, an absorbing story and skilful direction to make the viewer fall in ishq with it. Taran Adarsh 4/5

Unapologetically adult in its relationships, its language and its humor, the film sparkles for its inspired writing and uncompromised direction. Rajeev Masand 3.5/5

Ishqiya is highly performance oriented and each actor from the cast is superlative. Ishqiya certainly is a film you will fall in love with. Gaurav Malani 3.5/5

In Ishqiya lingo, the film is a sutli bomb (firecracker) that tickles and explodes. But for the hurried and harried end. Go, have a blast. Nikhat Kazmi 3.5/5

Rarely are grace and profanity cited in the same breath. Debutant filmmaker Abhishek Chaubey's Ishqiya, however, is a privileged exception. Sukanya Verma 3.5/5

I think its safe to say that Ishqiya is the most crackling film you’ll see this year. It’s feisty and sly and very, very sexy. Anupama Chopra 3.5/5

Wooooah. What a fun and fabulous film, totally naughty and wicked. Minty Tejpal 3.5/5

GOA

2010-01-28T09:00:00.000-08:00

cast: Jai, Vaibhav, Premji, Piaa, Sneha

Directed by Venkat Prabhu
music by Yuvan Shankar Raja
production: OCHRE STUDIOS

release date: JAN 28 ,2010

Saamikannu (Premji), Vinayagam (Jai) and Ramraj ( Vaibhav ) three friends who have never seen the world beyond their small village near Theni. They loot the local temple of its jewellery and set off initially to Madurai where they encounter a long lost friend who got married to a foreigner he met in Goa and is leaving for London!

Our mad caps change their plans and leave for Goa, thinking that they too can fall in love with a white woman and settle abroad! They reach the promised land of beaches and ladies in bikinis and soon get entangled with Jack (Aravind Akash) and Danny (Sampath) two gays who run a resort in Goa. Saami fall hook line and sinker for a white girl (Melanie Marie), Vijay for a night club singer Roshni (Piaa) and Ram for Suhasini (Sneha) a very rich girl who runs a casino.

Director Venkat Prabhu looks for his hatrick after coming up with CHENNAI 60028 and SAROJA which went on to become huge success stories.

However the first production of Ochre Studios, the production house owned by Soundarya Rajnikanth, have already faced its share of controversies. Now with an A rating, it comes to the Tamil screens hoping to keep the Prabhu success story going.

THE PANEL ROOM

The film seem to have not lived up to the huge expectations that viewers now have from Venkat Prabhu. The primary reason seem to be ofcourse the lack of story. If the sole purpose was to lampoon a few tamil movies, the other release of the week TAMIZH PADAM seem to have done a better job of it. So does this mean Venky misses out on that hatrick ?

Venkat Prabhu seems to have lost his Midas touch and misses his hat trick! Harmless Fun Behindwoods 2

The laugh is on us. Venkat Prabhu simply has no story to tell, SIFY

what Goa's is all about.-There's practically no story to speak of; it's just every guy's fantasy come true, with babes, beaches and endless bathing. REDIFF 3

Venkat has probably erred here in his assumption that if the film is youthful and joyful, viewers will ignore faux pas. Now running 2

TAMIZH PADAM

2010-01-28T08:01:00.000-08:00

cast: Siva, Disha Pandey, M S Baskar, Vennira Aadai Moorthy
Directed by C S AMudhan

music by Kannan

release date: JAN 28 ,2010

TAMIZH PADAM is the spoof that promises to give you a crash course in Tamil cliches. Siva (Siva) is born on a rainy night in a village that is notorious for killing all male babies. The reason is that they flee the village for the cities. Siva however survives it all and decides to do what he was not meant to - go to Chennai and become a star. However to fulfil that , he needs to perform several rites of Tamil movies which include growing up with a cycle spin jiffy, hangout around college premises with buddies aging in their 40s, fall in love in filmi style, impress the girl's father by being rich overnight, seek family members with help of family theme song, and ofcourse serve undercover cop duties by destroying the mobs that threat the city.

THE PANEL ROOM

A spoof flick was always around the corner when it came to formula ridden Tamil cinema. And the makers of TAMIZH PADAM have gone all out to come with a winner , with everyone applauding the brave attempt. A surprise package of the season!

You oughta watch it. If not for anything, you might get a hint at how stereotyped our movies are. Behindwoods 3.5

A brave new attempt for which there will be many followers in the future.IndiaGlitz

If you want a hearty laugh, go for it! NowRunning 2.5

Rollicking Comedy . SIFY 3

EDGE OF DARKNESS

2010-01-27T09:35:00.000-08:00

cast: Mel Gibson, Ray Winstone, Bojana Novakovic

genre: Thriller/ Drama

Directed by Martin Campbell

studio : Warner Bros.

Release date: JAN 29, 2010

Based on the BAFTA Award-winning BBC mini-series of the same name, "EDGE OF DARKNESS" is an emotionally charged thriller set at the intersection of politics and big business.

Thomas Craven (Mel Gibson) is a veteran homicide detective for the Boston Police Department and a single father. When his only child, twenty-four year old Emma (Bojana Novakovic), is murdered on the steps of his home, everyone assume that he was the target. But he soon suspects otherwise, and embarks on a mission to find out about his daughter's secret life and her killing. His investigation leads him into a dangerous looking-glass world of corporate cover-ups, government collusion and murder -- and to CIA operative Darius Jedburgh (Ray Winstone) who has been sent in to clean up the evidence. Craven's solitary search for answers about his daughter's death transforms into an odyssey of emotional discovery and redemption.

In what is his first starring role since 2002, it would be interesting to see Gibson return to the big screen.. However he seem content picking one of the trademark veteran roles of the avenging father ala the TAKEN mode for his comeback. Easily the plot is the most disappointing bit considering that we have Martin Campbell (Casino Royale, Zorro) directing it and William Monahan (THE DEPARTED) writing it.

But Gibson is one man who knows how to kick ass on the big screen. He has been doing a wonderful job of it since his MAD MAX days and probably there is nothing better that he does than going after the baddies when he lose someone dear to him. This is one man you should not get pissed off or its seriously PAYBACK time!

One would wonder why Gibson chose this project after such a long hiatus. The answer could be in the fact that Robert De Niro was cast in Winstone's role which meant Gibson would have been looking forward to sharing screen with De Niro. But with De Niro walking off due to creative differences, this suddenly becomes yet another plain ol' action flick!

THE PANEL ROOM awaits

PRINCE OF PERSIA

2010-01-23T07:31:00.001-08:00

INCEPTION

2010-01-23T07:19:00.000-08:00

cast: Leonardo Di Caprio

directed by Christopher Nolan

If you think the first looked cool, wait until you see the second one....

CLICK : Trailer Watch

2010-01-23T07:13:00.001-08:00

After making a mess with EK-The power of One, director Sangeeth Sivan is back with his next offering. A horror flick titled CLICK starring Shreyas.

A spooky trailer that looks unintentionally funny at times. Check it out...

PAATHSHAALA

2010-01-23T07:05:00.000-08:00

The promos of Shahid Kapoor's next has come out and from the early promos, this look like yet another dud in the making. After the debacle of CHANCE PE DANCE, Shahid really needs this one to work though.

From the following trailer though, PAATHSHAALA just looks to be a sorry version of TAARE ZAMEEN PAR meets MOHABATTEIN. Nana Patekar and Ayesha Thakia are the other members of the cast.

56th NATIONAL AWARDS for 2008

2010-01-23T06:08:00.000-08:00

NATIONAL AWARDS for 2008

ANTAHEEN (bengali), FASHION (hindi) and JOGVA (marathi) turn to be big winners.
Priyanka Chopra, Arjun Rampal, Kangana Ranaut grab one each at 2008 National Awards.
THIRUKATHA-Best malayalam feature film, VARNAM AAYIRAM- Best Tamil
Bala wins best director award for NAAN KADUVAL
Bengali feature film ANTAHEEN wins best film award
Upendra Limaye wins best actor award for marathi film JOGVA

Click here for the complete LIST of winners

How the still decide the winners each year is a mystery in itself. If you are curious as to who picks these, click HERE to find out this year's culprits.

IRUMBU KOTTAI MURATTU SINGAM

2010-01-23T00:10:00.000-08:00

A rocking desi interpretation of the western flicks from our very own Tamil industry. Looks like we are in for a bit of fun. Move over Quick Gun Muruga, make way for the Singam!

DHRONA

2010-01-22T22:17:00.001-08:00

Trailer for Shaji Kailas' next DHRONA

cast: Mammooty, Thilakan, Manoj Jayan