The Place Beyond the Pines (2012)

I believe this movie is one of the most plot changing ones I have seeing lately which came from Hollywood. It’s nearly 2 and half hours long and lot happens in that time frame. And in this if you think it’s going to be a straight bike ride to end you are so wrong. It starts at one point evolves in to something completely different very effectively. And the best thing is the lead character takes a spin and handover the ballet to someone else and leaves the scene completely. And you don’t see that happening in most movies and even it does it never happens this well. And for many it can come as a shock and left hanging in limbo. But from that point the story picks up again like a phoenix and gives a solid ride in a complete different story line. This is what makes this movie different and memorable. Maybe you will like the stunt bike riding outlaw or maybe you will like the guy with the badge who faces the life changing experience. Whatever it is this movie has lot more to present than its poster and tagline. Solid acting cast and flow. I would gladly give it a 4.

The Place Beyond the Pines (2012) 4/5

A Little Bit of Heaven (2011)

Love happens and so does terminal illness. This is not a formula never tested in cinema before. However, it still feels fresh and keeps you loving the plot nonetheless. This one particularly has the charm and sweetness of Kate Hudson that makes it easier to digest. But for some reason it doesn't really make you feel anything much in the romance department as it should be. There are few minutes of really good emotional drama and all but other than that I don't think I will remember it for love. This falls into the mundane heap of romantic movies that comes out of Hollywood year after year.

A Little Bit of Heaven (2011) 2.5/5

The Number Station (2013)

Given the budget it was produced on and the cast I would say this is a pretty darn good movie. The concept is fresh and it creates a unique thrill to be a part of the whole thing going on. It starts like some crime and assassinations thrill ride but effectively comes to the core objective of revealing the whole numbers related mysteries. If given more thought to the script and some bigger budget the story has potential to become a star hit. As of now it looks like a good episode from a TV series and nothing much. John Cusack and Malin Akerman does a neat job though.

The Number Station (2013) 2.5/5

The Liability (2012)

I have seeing quite a bit of British gangster movies. Some of course are gems and this definitely not one of them. It’s quite brutal and at the same time funny but doesn't really serves any purpose. There is crime and bad language and crime once again and its goes on and on. And at times tries very hard to be intelligent but it doesn't really go there. The only thing that kept me going was the cinematography and some interest in the plot. And it had a bollywood ending.

The Liability (2012) 2/5

Stand Up Guys (2012)

It’s obvious that the creators of this movie want it to be funny while it’s being something criminal. But it fails at both departments. Or it’s too mixed up that some crimes seem funny while some funny things looks like crimes. You can take it whichever the way it is but the bottom line is that it’s a time waster. To be honest I didn't watch it till the end. And I recommend that you don’t start it at all. Peace out!

Stand Up Guys (2012) 1.5/5

Unforgiven (1992)

It’s a hell of a thing killing a man. You got everything he had and everything he ever gonna get!! When William Munny (Clint Eastwood) says that you realize that this is not the ordinary western gunslinger movie. It’s a mix of character and emotions that usually not very dramatically concentrated often. For a good two hours Unforgiven is capable of keeping the viewers mind on the edge. And the skillful cast of Clint, Gene and Morgan bring a special kind of vibe to it. There is nothing extraordinary or never seeing in a western movie before in this but all of it presented again with a good flavor. And it’s a tale from once upon a time where life was simple and life has no value than a horse.

Unforgiven (1992) 3.5/5

The Lives of Others (2006) "Das Leben der Anderen" (original title-German)

This movie is 217 minutes long. For the first 15 minutes I thought it’s going to be some military movie with lot of violence (including torture and pain). Then surprisingly it turns away from all of it and becomes a political drama mixed with secret missions and spying. But soon after it becomes a very memorable and heartfelt film that definitely makes any person ponder in the name of love and humanity. The main character which you found to be inhuman and bound by rules at the start become one of the cinemas controversial and touching characters I have seeing by the time the movie ends. The final 20 minutes of this movie could be the greatest ending an any movie can have. It’s that perfect and that gripping. And it leaves the viewer with a tear and that tear is not out of pain or sorrow but in the name of people who choose to do the right thing even that right thing can cost their lives. If you can patiently go through the painfully slow start you will soon realize how wonderful this can be and missing it could have being one the greatest cinema mistakes you have done. Bravo to the fantastic acting, cinematography, music and everything. And a short review like this cannot do justice to it.

The Lives of Others (2006) "Das Leben der Anderen" (original title-German) 4.5/5

Snitch (2013)

Warning! Action lovers don’t get fooled by the appearance of the trailer or the poster and the ROCK. This is no action thriller that you expect to see. And it makes me wonder why Dwayne was casted to play this role where it is just a normal character and requires no wrestling moves to pull off. But what awesome is that this movie is totally watchable and interesting from start to end though we don't really get to see Rock in action. Said to be loosely based on true events at some point it goes from reality to Hollywood pretty fast. But the suspense keeps on growing. Though it is not exactly big as it should be it is not a bad movie at all.

Snitch (2013) 2.5/5

Samaritan Girl (2004) (original title Samaria)

This movie is filled with characters which make you ponder on their behaviors more than you actually agree on them. School girls who involved in prostitution to earn some cash to attain a dream they want, elderly men who goes out with them just to find a fantasy they never got to live, father who blames the world for his daughters mischief’s  are the main people you will discover here. At times the drama is subtle but sometimes it’s more than you can simply digest. Maybe out of Kim Ki-Duk movies this is the one I don’t really agree much about the script and the presentation. Being overly dramatic could be the main reason for it. Apart from being that it has the subtle beauty which all of his movies carry. It’s mysterious, interesting, suspenseful and above all that unique and very different. Fans of Korean cinema and the director specially should not miss it.

Samaritan Girl (2004) (original title Samaria) 3/5

Jack the Giant Slayer (2013)

We all know this story right? But what a sec. It’s not the same story of the Jack and Beanstalk here but far improved and a more heroic one. Still it is a fairly tale and fairly tales tend to have many many plot holes. If you wish to enjoy it there is lot of things which you might have to ignore. Like the enormous stamina humans must have to reach heavens by climbing straight up a tree! But to be honest that’s the beauty of this movie. There are many fears battles, ruthless creatures and daring moments throughout but all seems like a piece of cake at one point. It all ends well just as all fairy tales suppose to be. Technically not the best seeing animation work out there but it does the job. No big deal with character developments or acting mention worthy. Just enjoy it for what it is.

Jack the Giant Slayer (2013) 2.5/5