Hugo (2011)

Adventure | Drama | Family  

According to IMDB, Martin Scorsese has won 103 awards! Now that’s a room full of recognition right there. And the latest gift to the movie world from this award winning producer is HUGO. And HUGO is nothing less than a ‘masterpiece’. I don’t have to critic this and that to prove that it’s a great movie.  I will simply rest my case by saying two lines. The attention to detail in sets, costumes and score is utterly insanely spectacular.  And the script speaks a thousand words even in the most silent of moments. BRAVO!

4/5

Synopsis: Set in 1930s Paris, an orphan who lives in the walls of a train station is wrapped up in a mystery involving his late father and an automaton.

The Adventures of Tintin (2011)

 Animation | Action | Adventure

 

It is true that Tin Tin is a wonderful comic. And it is true that the movie goes beyond the 2D capacity and brings a breathtaking closer to life CG and animated Tin Tin to life. It’s again true that the characters look so realistic and the actions sequences are more than fantastic and the animation quality it over the expectation. Yet despite all that what’s not true is that Tin Tin as a movie is better than the comic which I read when I was a kid. Sad to say the movie just doesn’t live up to Herge’s legacy, even after it’s attached to giant names like Spielberg and Peter Jackson. This movie starts from nowhere and ends from nowhere. If there is a sequel I sincerely believe that it will build the characters a bit more and come up with a better script and less with camera moves that makes the viewer dizzy.

 

3/5

 

Synopsis: Intrepid reporter Tintin and Captain Haddock set off on a treasure hunt for a sunken ship commanded by Haddock's ancestor.

Act of Valor - Movie Posters

J. Edgar (2011)

J. Edgar (2011)

Biography | Crime | Drama

 

This could be one of the best of performances seeing by Leonardo DiCaprio on his career. From a young man to and old who doesn’t shift in attitude thus but only in age he portrays it like lightning. The script is attractive. Story flows well which in most times not so slow. Overall a striking drama where you need to get a good look at some passed events and then lives of not well known. Sometimes it makes you wonder, does Eastwood ever make something suck at all. Because he nailed it this time too. But in a bit different way. And if you’re a fan of CSI today, you will definitely find its routes in this.

 

4/5

 

Synopsis: As the face of law enforcement in America for almost 50 years, J. Edgar Hoover was feared and admired, reviled and revered. But behind closed doors, he held secrets that would have destroyed his image, his career and his life.

Immortals (2011)

Immortals (2011)
Action | Drama | Fantasy

Get ready to witness gods and men fight the same war. Men looks dirty while the god’s looks shiny and faster but it all boils down to one red pulp. If you’re a mighty fan of 300 or Clash of the Titans you might actually like this one too. However comparatively this lacks the size of vengeance and the CG. Oh and this has one of the best ‘comic book’ looking ending sequence I have witnessed.

Warning: When gods enter the fighting arena, the faint hearted should leave.

3.5/5

Synopsis: Theseus is a mortal man chosen by Zeus to lead the fight against the ruthless King Hyperion, who is on a rampage across Greece to obtain a weapon that can destroy humanity.

Battleship-Piranha 3D-Frankenweenie movie posters

Check out the latest movie posters on the block. Some looks good eh! Tempting?

The Conspirator (2010)

Crime | Drama | History 

Backed by strong historical facts and events, this movie can easily go miserably wrong. But it does not. It smoothly flows without giving space for too many assumptions. Whatever that happens in it and the emotional value of it cannot be ignored once you start to engulf yourself in the plot. It carries a certain suspense and mystery with a bit of relief and hope time to time. A good watch!

3.5/5

Synopsis: Mary Surratt is the lone female charged as a co-conspirator in the assassination trial of Abraham Lincoln. As the whole nation turns against her, she is forced to rely on her reluctant lawyer to uncover the truth and save her life

We Need to Talk About Kevin (2012)

Mystery, Suspense, Drama

Warning! This movie is highly explosive and might blow right inside your brain. And no precaution will make you less emotionally damaged. Trust me it’s that effective.

It delivers a very unique plot in thundering mystical manner. Most of the time the viewer is kept in the dark with a mix of color red spattered everywhere, making us to figure out the disturbed relationship between a struggling mother and a stubborn child.  You may feel sorry for some people and desperately angry with another but yet it’s not guaranteed who’s wrong and who’s not. There is obviously crime but that crime leads to unimaginable pain and anger.

I must say Tilda Swinton delivers a performance of the year on this film and she deserves lot more attention than this.

“Eva: Mommy was happy before Kevin came along. Now she wakes up every morning and wishes she was in France!”

4.5/5

Synopsis: The mother of a teenage boy who ends up doing a serious crime tries to deal with her grief - and feelings of responsibility for her child's actions.

Punch-Drunk Love (2002)

Comedy | Drama | Romance

This is something coming out from the glorious fine old days of Adam Sandler, one of my personal favorite ‘good’ actors of Hollywood. He just delivers a striking performance as a self obsessed but a very strange individual who grew up in a family with 7 sisters and now manages his own business. His problems is he doesn’t like himself much and in the process don’t get involved with a woman as well. There is a very strange vibe to this romantic movie which I have not experienced before. It’s a mix of psychological thrill and love sandwiched in between two different people. I certainly liked it.

3.5/5

Synopsis: A beleaguered small-business owner gets a harmonium and embarks on a romantic journey with a mysterious woman.

Red Dog (2011)

Comedy | Drama | Family  

I seldom go for movies where animals play the lead role except they are animations! Apart from the ones I have watched most of them had dogs in it (Eight Below, Hachiko) and they were great. And this one is another great addition to such movies where you forget people and fall in love with a dog. Created with super scenic cinematography and brain binding script with fun and frolic this flick will take you a long way. It will make you think like a loyal dog and makes you feel emotions like a dog does. I think it’s good!! Because we humans, do not always think things through. But some dogs do. You will watch this non-stop. Guaranteed!

4/5

Synopsis: Based on the legendary true story of the Red Dog who united a disparate local community while roaming the Australian outback in search of his long lost master.

Seeking Justice (2011)

Action | Drama | Thriller 

In the recent past majority of the movies where Cage appeared were simply ‘boring’. Such a charismatic actor having less and less interesting characters to play was sad. This one is no different, but the movie somewhat quite entertaining. For me it was quite a thrill for about an hour. The plot plays the viewer well and even without much action it gets going. The second half is more of puzzle solving stage. Then onwards it’s quite predictable, but again the action kicks in and keep things going. Overall it’s just another action flick. The grave mistake in the plot is that it’s too good to be true. There is little drama and little thrill in it. But, not a waste of time for anyone who want to try it.

2.9/5

Synopsis: After his wife is assaulted, a husband enlists the services of a vigilante group to help him settle the score. Then he discovers they want a 'favor' from him in return.

Take Shelter (2011)

Drama | Thriller

I’m thrilled to inform that yesterday I have watched one of the most awesome psychological thrillers of recent times and it’s this one – Take Shelter.  I do not compare it with any other flick because for the simple fact that it’s unique. It’s unique in scripts I have seeing and it’s unique in plots I have observed. You will be surprised how well the very slow phased drama turns in to a thriller and still it keeps your wondering and wondering till the end. And it doesn’t stop there. I’m still wondering and coming up with many theories of what must have had happened in the movie. I perfectly understand it but still I can make dozens of assumptions out of it. Isn’t that a sign of a great movie?? Just like great education is not every bit of note in the brain but it’s an ongoing practice and experience. Good movies will give you that.

Great plot, life time performance by Michael Shannon and the rest of the cast, and wonderful cinematography and score.

5/5

Synopsis: Plagued by a series of apocalyptic visions, a young husband and father questions whether to shelter his family from a coming storm, or from himself.

Puss in Boots (2011)

Animation | Adventure | Comedy

No wonder it’s running for the best animation flick for Oscars this year. It’s simply that good. The plot is better than what I expected.  It’s a combo of famous fairy tales (More than Shrek) and there are amusing and very touching moments here and there. And unexpected twists twisting the Puss but it strike back with a sharp sward and a pair of most innocent and cute looking cat eyes. Start to end great animation and great voice acting as well. What else can I say?? Go watch it!

3.5/5

Synopsis: A story about the events leading up to the sword fighting cat's meeting with Shrek and his friends.

Tower Heist (2011)

Action | Comedy | Crime

First of all I must say this. This is a funny movie. Not a serious movie. This is a movie about a robbery but still it’s not a serious movie. You expect Oceans 11 or the Bank Job from this you will be utterly disappointed. Just go with the plot, forget all the plot holes (There are like 100 of them) and enjoy the funny performances by the actors. It took me a while to really start enjoying it. Maybe the real turning point was the main appearance of Eddie Murphy and then the blah blah goes on.

Any way this is a quite entertaining flick. Not the best but somewhat there. Enjoy!

3/5

Synopsis: When a group of hard working guys find out they've fallen victim to a wealthy business man'sPonzi scheme, they conspire to rob his high-rise residence.

The Rum Diary (2011)

 Comedy | Drama | Romance

Boozing your brains out is one thing. But hooking up with a rich nasty man’s girl friend who apparently offered you a deal of a life time is another. But your allowed to do both and get away clean by becoming a journalist in the 1950s. And that’s what I like about Rum Diary and its extraordinary plot. The script is fantastically interesting and creative while acting is flabbergasting good. I mean from the main to the support.  Cinematography is top notch while the rides are so sweet. I mean those vintage Chevy’s are to die for. Period.  This flick might start slow but hang in there. You will not be disappointed. And hay its not entirely fiction. It’s based on true events ;)

4/5

Synopsis: American journalist Paul Kemp takes on a freelance job in Puerto Rico for a local newspaper during the 1950s and struggles to find a balance between island culture and the expatriates who live there.

Please Give (2010)

This movie reminds of principle human values and things and how the modern society is smoothly drifting away from it, while a few still struggle to keep things going in the right direction. Actually this is a sad movie. IT speaks of old people, death, people with terminal illnesses, husbands that cheat wives, merchants that cheat clients. Though it defines itself as a comedy there is nothing to laugh about in here. It’s all tragedy. That itself shows how of social values are deteriorating now. . We think laughing at some old woman, or death is funny?? Think deep after watching this and you might cry at yourself.

4/5

Synopsis: In New York City, a husband and wife butt heads with the granddaughters of the elderly woman who lives in apartment the couple owns.

Breaking Bad – TV series

2008 on going

Crime | Drama

Created by Vince Gilligan

This is going to be my first ever review of a TV series on this blog. And I’m certainly glad that it’s ‘Breaking Bad’. Obnoxiously disturbing at some episodes and filled with drugs, drugs and more drugs this series at times will make you disgust. But yet the plot is so strong that you will hold on it no matter what.

The plot goes like this – When an 50 year old overqualified chemistry teacher Walter White is diagnosed with terminal cancer he realizes that all his future expectations is about to end in a jiffy. And that by being a good father and a husband and a loyal citizen has not made him to save anything for the family once he perishes. By luck or by fait he makes a drastic decision and a dramatic change of attitude. He decides to produce high quality Chrystal meth. His partner in this crime is a drug addictive and pathetic yet loyal and kind hearted small drug dealer named Jesse Pinkman who was once a student of Walter. 

The story starts right there and the series spread wide and fast just like the cancer in Whites lungs fast and furiously. There are so many twists and turns the duo faces and close calls they ditch in their illegal drug business. Without a doubt each and every episode is a new and exciting experience for the viewer and White and Pinkman both. So far after 4 seasons it’s so gripping and run the charts like hell. 

And as a series its busting my ratings of some other good shows I have seeing. If you have the spare time and the guts to enjoy this show I’d say go for it. If not the regrets are on you.

4/5

Johnny English Reborn (2011)

Adventure | Comedy | Thriller

For anyone who watched the first movie there is no requirement of further explanation of the funniness!! IMHO the second installment was better and bigger. I thoroughly enjoyed the witty facial expressions of Rowan Atkinson and the brilliantly funny script. Watch this and laugh a lot. Perhaps you will gain some weight.

3.5/5

Synopsis: Johnny English goes up against international assassins hunting down the Chinese premier.

The Hunter (2011)

Drama|Thriller

The Hunter speaks of humanity left in a cruel man who was sent on a different mission. This time he is to hunt down an endangered animal and then he comes in touch with a wonderful family with kids where he finds his softness in heart. Film rather starts and moves bit slow but it just gives the total freedom for the viewer to wonder about. The plot is unique and I’m sure I have not come across anything similar before. The landscapes are amazingly beautiful and the story line keeps you going. I like Dafoes performance on this. And the sweet little kids.

3.2/5

Synopsis: Martin, a mercenary, is sent from Europe by a mysterious biotech company to the Tasmanian wilderness on a hunt for the last Tasmanian tiger.

Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (2011)

(You don't get Life a Second Time)

Adventure | Comedy | Drama 

Being a super hit in 2011 I had no doubts to watch this. I was certain that it will be a mind and eye pleaser as well as the music since I was listening to the OST for a while. This film is somewhat magical thought it’s not fantasy. It shows you stuff that you have being through or you want to try out or things you know that you will face some day. Its filled with unlimited fun starting from deep sea diving, sky diving, throwing tomatoes and running with the bulls. Yes all that in one flick. Apart of all the adventure it creates a fantastic mood of friendship and most importantly, love. Love is what Bollywood specialized in and they did it well this time too. A fantastic performance by all the cast yet Hrithik is exceptional from the facial expressions to the dance moves.

p.s Cinematography and art direction is exceptional. Get ready to travel across Spain.

4/5

Synopsis: Three friends decide to turn their fantasy vacation into reality after one of their number becomes engaged.

The Devil's Double (2011)

Biography | Drama | Crime

Though the western critics don’t seem to be favoring this movie that much for some reason, for me it’s totally ‘Oscar worthy’.  The plot is all about one word and that cruelty. We all have seeing fictional evil men starting from Darth Vadar to Saruman and Lord Voldemort. But in this movie you will come across the father of all evil Uday Saddam Hussain, the sadistic son of late Saddam Hussain. A very disturbing yet downright perfect movie making based on real life events that took place in Iraq before the republic fell in to ashes. More than fantastic performance by Dominic Cooper doing both Uday and Latif’s characters.

Every movie cannot be in the Oscar nomination top 10 list. But it can be in your mind forever.

5/5

Synopsis: A chilling vision of the House of Saddam Hussein comes to life through the eyes of the man who was forced to become the double of Hussein's sadistic son.

The Amazing Spiderman trailer released

The long awaited official The Amazing Spiderman trailer is released. Awesome or what??

Battleship - official posters

Battleship based on the game with the same name is one of the most anticipated movies to hit the screen this year. Below are two official posters. Peter Berg produces and directs the May 18, 2012 release, an epic action-adventure that unfolds across the seas, in the skies and over land as our planet fights for survival against a superior force.

Find more info at the official site www.battleshipmovie.com/

Chloe (2009)

For the simple fact of curiosity and mildly steaming skin show this film will keep you glued to it. You will want to know what’s going to happen next and what moves the characters will take until one big twist hits you on the head hard and say ‘Hay wake up’. I favor the plot, acting, glamour except the fact that the unpredictable situation miraculously solving itself at the end. Kindly ‘Bollywoodish’ for that matter.

2.9/5

Synopsis: A doctor hires an escort to seduce her husband, whom she suspects of cheating, though unforeseen events put the family in danger.

Million Dollar Baby (2004)

 

Drama | Sport

When you say that a movie is beautiful, most of time what comes straightly to your mind can be a romantic movie filled lovely people and a happy ending. But in a very strange way this hardcore dramatic boxing flick redefine the beautiful movie perception. It speaks of determination, courage, and the sweet taste of conquering dreams and the most hurtful bitterness of defeat. Yet all this mixed up so well that once you finish it you will know that you have watched one of the greatest movies you will ever see while you’re alive. Gracias to Clint Eastwood and Hilary Swank for their creativity and for working the miracle. 

Synopsis: A hardened trainer/manager works with a determined woman in her attempt to establish herself as a boxer.