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Reviews
The Adventures of Tintin (2011)
One of this year's most satisfying movie experiences
What happens when 2 Gods of movie making decide to come together. What happens when both decide to try a relatively unexplored style of film making (and move out of their Oscar winning comfort zones). What was going in their minds when they decided to drop the idea of making Tintin in live action and adopt "Motion Capture"....
Simple...the question that Peter "LOTR" Jakson & Steven "needs no introduction" Spielberg asked each other "what can we achieve here, that's impossible in Live action". Brilliant camera work and imaginative visuals. The camera moves in angles, frames and spots that are physically impossible to reach in normal movie making. e.g. Tintin and Snowy's escape from on-coming cars in the middle of a busy street. Haddock's brilliant flashback sequence, and finally one of the most exhilarating chase sequence filmed in a imaginary Arab Port town of "Baggarh". These scenes leave you gasping for more.
But...all this fancy visuals, graphics and pathbreaking animation would have failed if Steven Spielberg didn't have a wonderful script, thanks to Herge's unforgettable characters, and hadn't stuck to the soul of these characters. The Thomson twins are funny, Andy Serkis plays a perfect Haddock and the script gives Snowy lots of chances to prove that he is a very smart pup.
Spielberg doesn't go overboard with the animation and presents us with a perfect blend of Great story with wonderful visuals merged with apt background score by John Williams.
Do not mistake this for a cartoon. It's one of this year's most satisfying movie experiences. DON't MISS IT.
A Wednesday (2008)
Makes you wet your pants with excitement
Now this is how a thriller is made.
Simple plot: - On A Wednesday, a man calls up the police commissioner and threatens to blow up 5 bombs if 4 terrorists are not set free.
The best thing about Director Neeraj Pandey's maiden venture is that it moves really fast. It also does not try to force something unbelievable down your throat. No stupid comedy tracks, no songs, no item number, no romantic track and (just like Mumbai Meri Jaan) no over the top "DeshPrem". This movie, by its sensible storyline & believable characters, kicks some of the best Hollywood thrillers right in their balls.
Acting wise Jimmy Shergill, Amir Bashir, & Deepal Shaw lend apt support to the 2 mammoths occupying the screen.
Naseerudding Shah and Anupam Kher once again prove their status as 2 of the finest actors to grace Indian cinema.
Lets see...... They do not have fancy get-ups, loud hand gestures or body language & for 90% of the movie both of them are stuck to their respective locations.
But still...... Both of them manage to create phenomenal impact on the screen, using only their eyes and voice, truly brilliant.
And the ending...Predictable...Unusual...Abrupt...whatever you say the climax is perfect.
Another aspect which should not be overlooked about this movie is, how quickly this movie was made. Looking at the sets & locations I am sure the whole thing would have been shot in less than 7 working days. That is precisely why this movie gives hope to a lot of aspiring film-makers that if they have a good and clear concept, they will find corporate sponsors and even reputed stars would not mind working in their films.
Spare only 90 minutes, please do not miss one of the fastest, shortest but the best movie of the year.
Rock On!! (2008)
Good....but could have been much more...
I was so....so....so....hoping that this would be another Dil Chahta Hai.
ROCK ON is a nice movie.
It is an honest attempt to make a good film, with good performances. Farhan Akhtar proves how versatile he is by giving a brilliant performance on-screen, his voice lent to most of the songs also fits right into the mood of the film. Arjun Rampal defies the myth that models can't act and handles all the emotional scenes especially well. Everybody else lends able support.
BUT....BUT....BUT....
An upcoming ROCK BAND, falls out due to ego clashes, and after a long time put aside their differences and regroup.
You see thats the story...for a simple and really thin plot-line this movie is very (2 & 1/2 hrs) long, so long that it tends to loose your attention every now & then. It takes a long time trying to point out how happy everybody was while making music, it takes a long time to show us why there was a rift in the band, actually it takes a long time to show everything. It does not grab your attention, doesn't grip you or leaves a long lasting impression. One of the reason for this is the fact that the despite being a musical film, Rock On's music is just mediocre.
Due to a common story-line Somewhere you feel you are watching a mixed version of Dil Chahta Hai & Jhankaar Beats.
Director Abhishek Kapoor handles the camera well. The rock concerts do look like rock concerts & not some thakela extras crowd waving their hands, but the screenplay should have been a little more tight & zippy.
This one is a one time watch.
Mumbai Meri Jaan (2008)
It will form an emotional bond with Mumbai crowd
Lets get one thing straight.
This movie is about terrorism...but it is not patriotic. In the second half it very subtly (without any heavy handed drama) points out that terrorism is a global threat, against which we have to stand united and also be ready to accept any collateral damage that is bound to come our way.
The story consists of 5 mini sub-plots about how the "11 Jul 06 train Blasts" affected the lives of the key characters of the film.
The strongest point of the story is the "Character Arc" it gives to each of the 6 key characters. Each character travels from one end of the spectrum to the other throughout the course of the movie, causing a substantial change in their personality and mentality.
MUMBAI MERI JAAN touches your heart, without getting preachy and without displaying Bollywood's trademark animated jingoism. Certain scenes leave their mark even after you have exited the theater.
Noteworthy are:
The actual shot of the blast & the way numbers 7 & 11 are displayed on the screen.
Soha's interview outside the hospital & the story made on her tragedy by a news channel.
Irrfan's visit to Centre One mall.
Kay Kay's "conversion" scene near the end.
Madhavan's conversation with his friend about USA being "Safe".
The finale of the movie & ALL SCENES FEATURING PARESH RAWAL.
Relatively new director, Nishikant Kamat, extracts stellar performances from his cast. The critics will have a tough time choosing "Best Supporting Actors" nomination cause Irrfan, Kay Kay and R Madhavan have provided flawless performances. But one actor stands above all else, be it his jokes, or his advice to Kay Kay about trying to stop the "Chain", or his speech in the end. Paresh gives one of his best performances till date. His HAWALDAR TUKARAM PATIL will be remembered for decades to come just like his BABURAO APTE.
Special mention for the dialogs of this movie... realistically penned they hit bulls eye, and you will find people cheering and clapping to most of them.
Not that this movie is perfect, many questions are left unanswered. What happened to Kay Kay's money lender? What about Madhavan's wife? apart from these loose ends the movie also feels a bit long in certain sections where the story moves slowly. But all these flaws are minor.
One of the best movie to come out in 2008, it might not have the same emotional impact on audiences of other cities. But it will form an emotional bond with Mumbai crowd. A must watch for all Mumbaikars.
Singh Is Kinng (2008)
KING of the SCREEN
Move over David Dhawan,
Move over Priyadarshan,
Anees Bazmee the new KING of "Leave-Your-Brains-At-Home-Comedy" has arrived....Big Time.
The story is based on a lesser known Jackie Chan film called "Mr. Canton & Lady Rose" (a.k.a Miracles). It focuses on how a villager thru strange coincidences becomes a reluctant underworld don and then uses the opportunity to try and change the goons into good people.
An interesting plot sprinkled with your typical Desi Masala of Akshay's comedy + Kiron Kher's emotion + Pritam's music + Firangi Action + that special Punjabi Tadka, brings the movie pretty close to it's pre-release hype (but doesn't surpass it).
When it comes to performances, Kiron Kher performs her fav mother/old lady in distress act to the "T", Sudhanshu Pandey, Manoj Pahwa, Om Puri etc give good support as Akshay's side-kicks. Neha Dhupia and Katrina Kaif are shown to be NRIs hence their pronunciations are excused, they both have been given minimal dialogs...which helps. Sonu Sood, who till date has done intense roles, doesn't get to "talk much" but entertains by becoming the butt of all jokes & thus shows that he can carry comedy pretty well. Jaaved Jaffrey stands out of the crowd, shows awesome comic timing, and also gets a small dance number in the end to show his real talent.
What can be I say about the "KING of the SCREEN" - Akshay Kumar, as of today their is no actor who could have carried off this role as good as Akshay does. He has been used really well, his goofy smile, his crazy eye movements & facial expressions, his trademark dialog delivery style...anything and everything he does on-screen turns out hilarious...
The songs were already a hit, the real test, for the director, was how they look on the screen. As expected Jee Karda & Bas Ek King are energetic, Teri ore doesn't loose your attention, except for Tali Hua all songs fit in the screenplay. Special mention must be made about Bhootni Ke, if you found the lyrics hysterical, the picturisation does full justice to them. With comedy champions Guggi & Khayali to support Akshay this one Rockks on-screen.
Watch this one with a big gang of friends, as a full-to Bollywood masala flick - you will not be disappointed.
The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor (2008)
They come and they go...
A little less funny than the previous 2
A little less thrilling than the previous 2
The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor rests on a wafer thin, twist-less (still have TDK hangover) ridiculous plot.
Acting: Maria Bello held her own to play a decent "eve", but the producers really chose the wrong guy to play Rick's son "Alex". This kid looks old somewhere in late 20s(as per the movie he is supposed to be 16). Brendan Fraser looks forced and tired, John Hannah gets very few witty one-liners and finally... Jet Li's role should be credited as a "CAMEO" coz he is there only in first 10 and last 10 mins, rest of the time we have to do away with a CG character, which slightly resembles Jet Li.
They messed up the music: there is not a single theme which lingers in your mind post the movie (unlike the catchy Mummy Returns theme)
There weren't enough jokes: the only time I laughed was when Jonathan's backside catches fire...and that's one of the few funny moments...so you can guess how juvenile is the humor.
Thrills...: The chase sequence is not "hold your breaths / edge of the seat" types, and whats with those ridiculous Kung-fu Yetis. The avalanche was not as exciting as Rob Cohen's previous one in XXX.
The climatic battle,"Good Dead guys v/s Bad Mummys", looks good on screen but seems like a rehash from the Pirates and LOTR series. The 3 headed dragon again looks good but stays on-screen for just 1 minute and actually does nothing...Useless dragon.
You can give this one a slip... Its just one of those highly expensive, special effects laden completely forgettable movies.
They come and They go...
The Dark Knight (2008)
Heath "Joker" Ledger
This movie is one of the best movies I have seen in recent times. A lot has been said bout the the length, but coming from India (wher almost all movies are 2 1/2 hour long) I really enjoyed it. Again, I would not want to comment of Heath Ledger's performance as Joker except that it was a acting masterpiece. Not since Jhonny Depp's Jack Sparrow, I have been so awestruck and spell bounded by a character.
1) The make-up & Attrire - Just awesome, perfectly suited for the part.
2) Mannerism - the way of speaking, the body language was perfect.
3)One liners - Aaah....those killer one liners, just brilliant. When u r good at something, never do it for free. Madness is like gravity, all u need is a little push.
This movie requires you complete attention, so as not to miss even minutest detail. Its a brilliant screenplay, equally beautifully shot by Nolan.
Worth watching a hundred times, and a sure-shot DVD collectors dream.