Boy (2010) rating 3/5

The beauty of this movie is not only in the characters, acting and the setting which it takes place. There is something fresh and appealing about the plot too. A small boy who idealizes his father to be a hero who he have spent very less time with is finally gets to spend enough time with him, but to realize that his father is far from his imagination. This ‘Boy’ the main character of the movie is skillfully played and wonderfully crafted. And the small yet informative imagination he has always centers around his father and his idol Michael Jackson is vividly represented in cinematic genre. And the scenic landscapes of New Zealand completely make this movie visually beautiful. And it’s somewhat a different experience as we don’t get to see many movies out of this region. Movies with kids hardly go wrong. And this one goes in to that success lot.

Boy (2010) rating 3/5

After Earth (2013) Rating 2.5/5

It’s no surprise that many who had high expectations of this movie to be another Oblivion got quite unhappy. Though it’s not a breakthrough cinematic experience it doesn't suck as much as many critics say it is. For me it was a decent, visually beautiful and straight forward movie that obviously starts and ends with point to point predictability. There is no surprise that all of us knew what’s gonna happen next (Except for the first half hour where the plot it being built). Surprisingly there is some kind of a comfort in knowing that what you predicted was correct after all. Being a bit of a drag still it was good enough to keep the momentum between events. The future tech was interesting though it had no guns to my amusement. Seems like humans have decided to go Stone Age style and hunt with spears (Or I didn't get the explanation). Both Smiths does a good amount of decent acting. Nothing worthy of Oscars or to be golden among the great dramatic science fictions here. But all in all thrilling, interesting and new.

After Earth (2013) Rating 2.5/5

The Frozen Ground (2013) Rating - 3/5

I almost skipped this movie. Not for another reason but because Cage was in the cast. But proving me wrong after many failed and unworthy roles under his belt in a row Cage finally has made a comeback with The Frozen Ground. Though this is not big budget or filled with twists and what not which the usual thrillers has this movie is very much capable of keeping the viewers attached. What’s catchy is how the plot it laid out. Unlike in other movies this puts the killer on the police plate from the start itself. But he is in the lose and free for the moment due to lack of evidence. The true story is how he is actually gets caught and proven guilty after tedious attempts made by the investigators. What strike the most is the end credits where everything real related to the true events that the movie based on unfolds. And for a moment you freeze just like the Frozen Grounds. It indeed is a very good thriller.

The Frozen Ground (2013) Rating - 3/5

Star Trek Into Darkness (2013) - Rating 3/5

Star Trek has come a long way. From its TV debut in 1966 and after the movie that followed the legend still lives strong. Though the TV series has ended in 2005 the movies that lived up to its expectations keep the flame burning and its latest movie installment Star Trek Into the Darkness is a value adding one no doubt. Here you will meet the famous characters once again portrayed by new talent yet the charisma very much intact. And the mind blowing CG recreation of the USS enterprise, the most beautiful spacecraft the world has seeing in the movie. Though Star Wars has epic star ships larger and sophisticated the Enterprise has its own beauty and memories. This movie indeed is a treat for the Star Trek fans around the globe. It has sufficient amount of action and twist filled plot that keep the fans attention. And definitely the brilliant job done in the CG department is outstanding. For a movie that has nothing new to offer than its predecessors this one grips things quite well. Long live the Starfleet.

Star Trek Into Darkness (2013) 3/5

Pain and Gain (2013) Rating 2/5

This is a true story? Yep it is. But maybe this is how a movie can give a hilarious face to dark criminals (no pun intended) and unspeakable crimes which can actually makes you feel like its joy to be a criminal. By all meaning this is not a drama or even closer to it. It’s a comedy filled with mainstream action and mundane acting with a story that doesn’t fall either to extreme nor weak. But at one point you might feel like it’s not getting anywhere and it’s just too lame. Can’t really blame you for feeling that way because it is pretty dumb. Could be because of that the true story element has to be reminded once again in the middle of the story. Because, it is very easy to forget. People who like fitness might have something to like about the characters but for the rest I’m not sure if there is anything to offer. There is true potential for this story if it was done with more passion.

Pain and Gain (2013) 2/5

Mud (2012)

Mud is not the usual type of drama that you come across. It’s a special kind of one. What makes it special is for few reasons. To start with it’s a coming of age story from one side which involves 2 teenage boys looking for adventure and finds it in very strange circumstances. From another side it’s a story about manhood, dumbness followed by blinding love which involved adults and revenge and betrayal. Though it seems blending these two sides might not work in a single story line Mud does the impossible. And it’s done so well that you cannot even see the two separately after a while. Another reason why Mud is special is Matthew’s wonderful performance. Truly he is not the same fun loving, playboy type actor that you might remember from Magic Mike, Surfer Dude or in Failure to Launch. He is doing a darn good job playing the leading role who is Mud an emotionally spell bounded character that truly believe that love will make him free. Maybe Mud is correct but not entirely. Combination of all these major plus points along with the minor yet eminent dozens of factors Mud is a highly watchable movie that keeps the viewer right there all the time. And ladies and gentlemen we have witnessed a brilliant movie.

Mud (2012) 4/5

The Great Gatsby (2013) - 3.5/5

I’m not a reader of fiction. Therefore I don’t compare the movies with it adapted novel. While some say The Great Gatsby has not kept its expectations in par with the novel I would say it’s a marvelous piece of cinema that dazzle the viewer with it unimaginably beautiful glamour and visual beauty. The story though it may seems is takes a slow phase to grow and hit the climax the sheer amount of multi-colored 3D worthy CG and set developments along with the marvelous details in the costume department keeps viewers attention quite well. At times it’s as if these people and places are made out of heaven and that’s exactly what the director wants us to believe. And that imagination pours in the screen from minute to more noticeable elements alike. Speaking of the plot it is not a letdown either. And the brilliant portrayal of Gatsby by Caprio is the strength of the cast which obviously what he does remarkably with each and every challenging role he seems to sign up for. All in all The Great Gatsby is a visually stunning joy ride to the pain.

The Great Gatsby (2013) 3.5/5

World War Z (2013)

After seeing many movies and one of the most fantastic TV series about the zombies up to the latest season, I though zombies cannot get better. But I was wrong. World War Z takes the zombie plague to a whole new level coupled with a strong plot, great acting and never before seeing zombie action not by hundreds but by in millions. And these zombies are a totally different breed to any you have witnessed before that are faster, filled with stamina and chases down the pray with any cost. And boy they are hunters. But their sole purpose is not eating you whole. It’s something else! World War Z simply could have being just another zombie movie if it was not for these innovative additions. And it runs solidly for two hours without a bit of relaxation and keeps the viewer on the edge of their seats. If you're yet to see this, get ready for the zombie chase of your life.

World War Z (2013) 3/5

What Maisie Knew (2013)

When you read the title of this movie it generates kind of a curiosity. Knowing obviously the kid is Maisie and she is the lead character the viewer would expect some kind of a mystery to reveal itself. But in reality there is no mystery here. It’s all plain and simple. And as simple it is the truth is somewhat unbearable to realize in this deep detail. Adults being adults and the children who become objects of their ego and big life expectations are the underlying reality that unveils here. Maybe Maisie actually realized that but she has no way to change anything. Love is all what she wants and seems like it does comes in many forms but not in the form she actually expects it. For most part of the movie you feel sorry for her. And rarely for a moment you actually feel happy for her. And come to think of it that can be the exact way she feels about herself, left out and unhappy most of the time. This is a good movie that targets a very real situation.

What Maisie Knew (2013) 3/5

Furious 6 (2013)

Being the latest addition to the already insanely famous but very overrated movie franchise this movie is also about supercars and super heroes. Oops! Did I make a mistake there? Nope these guys are seriously not less than superheroes. They can fly, dodge bullets and even walk through fire and cannot be crushed by a tank or a cargo plane. And the wonderful thing about Furious 6 is that this movie reinvents most of the theories about physics and it still looks amazingly workable. Being said all that if I mention the seriously breathtaking points of the whole deal is none other than the lineup of freaking awesome cars and fast driving. Isn't that all you actually expect from this movie? And it delivers just that to the satisfaction of the adrenaline junkies out there who are wannabe street car racers and kings of heists. Finally it feature the awesome Vin Diesel and Dwayne Johnson neck to neck with their deep voices sometimes more convincing than the ramming v8 engines. And to end this short review I must mention the already much talked about runway. It indeed is very very very very long. But to my amusement it does had an end point.

Furious 6 (2013) 2.5/5

The Hunt (2012)

One thing I know is that it’s nearly impossible to explain the feelings I got when I watched this mesmerizing piece of drama. It’s no doubt one of the most powerful storyline unfolded on a movie and definitely very hard to witness for any person who has even a bit of wetness in their hearts. At times there is no pleasure in watching this but it’s just mere pain and that pain you share with the main character that is brilliantly portrayed by skilled Mads Mikkelsen. Combined with the touching storyline and the performances Jagten is not just a drama about adults and children. It’s a story of a man wrongfully accused of a heinous act and the ruthlessness of the society that falls in the same path. We being the majority and the part of that very society become victims of our own belief system and reactions which is terribly wrong even to admit. Once you’re done with this movie you will be shocked and that shock is not delivered via blood or violence. That’s the beauty of this drama that in my opinion is incomparable to any.  Must watch!!

 The Hunt ("Jagten" original title) 2012, 5/5

Iron Man 3 (2013)

The universe of superhero movies are growing and its becoming stronger and steadier by the day. Each movie comes with spectacular work of animation and stunning stunts surpassing its predecessor. This goes equally towards the promotions and ever growing expenditure for marketing years ahead of the release of the movie. Iron Man 3 was one of such movies made bigger than it actually is through promotions. But in real the movie doesn't deliver that much entertainment. But don’t get me wrong the usual CG extravaganza and the superhero flavor is very much intact. But it fails to deliver the punch through an effective story line. The reason being Iron Man is not exactly a superhero but a machine driven hero who has to abide to the laws of physics and technological advancements of the time seems a bit too overwhelming in its performance. ‘Maybe’ even a superhero cannot deliver some of the stunts in this. I know I can't be serious here but it does bother a bit.

Apart from that as mentioned earlier the sheer amount of action in the final sequence and the breathtaking amount of small details that gives energy to the scenes this movie is totally watchable from start to end. However for some reason it failed to get my full attention. This stage of the movie is a good addition to the already popular franchise but… it’s more effective in its humor than its true emotional value. Yet it ends with some big hopes in horizon for a larger and better sequence.

Iron Man 3 (2013) 2.5/5