raj040492 Reviews

Uttama Villain (2015)

If it fails, I will definitely say ,"The movie was ahead of its time"

[8/10 · 2 May 2015]

Mix a dance form from Kerala, with a parallel storyline on life and death with a legendary director and an equally legendary actor portraying the same on screen and sprinkle few other well known names. The result would look something like the now released Uthama Villain (villain mean archer and not antagonist and thus no tax- issues there).

Storyline: An actor attempts to make his magnum opus when his clock starts ticking.

Very few know that Tarantino's inspiration for the manga comic parts ,in Kill Bill, is Kamal hassan's Alavandhan. Such is KH's talent (acting among many others) that any movie goer will follow Sivaji Ganesan's name with none other than KH himself. This time around too he has done what he usually does best: Experimentation.

This is a rare movie where every cast (despite being such a star studded ensemble cast) is given a sizable role and none of them is there for sake of screen filling.

Several sub-textual beauties (like comparison between a dying person and an immortal in parallel stories) including plenty of wordplay makes it a repeat watch just to make sure that you didn't miss anything during the first time.

After Aayirathil Oruvan, this movie contains an abundance of pure tamil with some Telugu and Malayalam (no subtitles) to show the diversity of an actor's life. So, non-tamils please beware and don't complain later.

If my prediction pans out to be right (and I am not a astrologer by the way), then Uthama Villain might turn out to be another Virumandi or Kurudhi Punal (not received well but will treated as a gem when looked back).Slight slag can be felt in the second half's first half.

Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)

Mad Scientists and Monsters, But not end of the line

[8/10 · 24 April 2015]

If you are reading this review, then 9 out of times you will watch this movie, even if I trash it to the pit. Why? Simple. Because they are "The Avengers" and we love them for that. But, am I going to trash it? Read on.

When one of Tony Stark's haywire experiments goes haywire, the Earth's mightiest heroes are given another excuse to flex their muscles, crash buildings as if they are made of legos, perform insane stunts with all possible modes of transportation, prank each other's style, confront the past, fight amongst themselves, win an unwinnable antagonist and in the process, save the world (again!).

I was one of those (few) who felt that,despite the brilliant attempt, the Avengers (2012) at 8+/10 in IMDb was slightly overrated. But the sheer pleasure of watching so many superheroes within a single frame can be happily overwhelming for anyone. But this time around, the movie is a lot more than just the superheroes.

Where the movie succeeds: Unlike Avengers(2012), this has a much deeper storyline and gives us a good glimpse into the human side of the superheroes. This takes the story of Marvel Universe into the next stage, with the I-stone being clearly explained for the first time in a Marvel movie. Introduction of the twins adds fuel to the fire and the latter burns brightly. Taking cue from any Marvel movie, CGI and wit are the usual stand-outs. SuperHeroes, no matter how super they are , have a past and that past makes a presence here and there in the movie. Hawkeye is actually given a sizable role rather than being a weak link (as in the previous installment).

Where the movie fails: Too much talking in an action movie can be cumbersome for an action- buff especially if he/she doesn't care a penny as to how the characters feel. Loki's wit is definitely missed with the ever- serious Ultron. When our superheroes can't stop fighting among themselves, we doubt if they really deserve the "super" in superheroes. Cheated upon when I hoped for a Post credit scene was the ultimate disappointment. With every passing movie, I am tired of this end-of-the-world-if-we-don't-stop-him scenario. It's time someone took a fresh look at it.

Thus I have presented Black and White of said movie. You can choose either or you can choose grey (like me). But something tells me that you have already made your choice. Let me know what you think of the movie.

PS: Someone else besides Thor lifts Mjolnir (the Hammer) (and not just once).

Kingsman: The Secret Service (2014)

Entertainer. Period.

[28 February 2015]

Manners maketh a man. Gentlemen are always in demand in society, the same way gentlemen spy are in demand for action movie lovers. Inspired by 007, this group of people have set an impeccable standard and taste for foiling plots, saving the world and of course, the state-of-the-art......................suits. (You thought I was gonna say gadgets, didn't you. Ya that too.)

First off, let me start with a statutory warning. This genre is not Oscar material nor it is to satisfy everyone's taste bud. If this movie's trailer made you feel weird, it's best if you stay with the Oscar-worthy movies (No offense).

Kingsman:The Secret Service ,as the name goes, is a secret organization (not related to any governments) that does what it does best. When a top agent's guilt makes him recruit a hot-head youngster, things get interesting. Meanwhile evil draws a projectile which brings Kingsman into the play.

The cast has brought a lot of variety into the movie. Colin Firth (yes, the King from King's Speech) pumps the screen with adrenaline, which is actually unlike him, but enjoyable none-the-less. Michael Caine does what he always does. Samuel Jackson is the icing on cake, with his short-tongued English and allergy to the sight of blood (yes, a villain who can't stand blood) is a fun to watch, right till the end.Michael Caine's lack of character usage is felt , not while watching, but while post-morteming it. Mark Strong is another strong presence.

When a middle-eastern-fort starts blowing, the bricks fall down and forms the words of "20th-century-fox", it's clear that the movie is all about fun, despite the guns and bloods. The beauty of the movie is that it doesn't try to be something else. It sticks with the fun till the end.

An Ex. Sam Jackson shoots a man and starts walking away because he can't stand blood. He, then asks his assistant. Jackson: Is he dead? Assistant: That's what happens when you shoot someone in the head. Feels good, doesn't it. Jackson : No it's feels f**king awful.

Sarcastic humors is sprinkled all over. A dog with the name J.B (which Michael Caine abbreviates as James Bond, Jason Bourne), an almost direct reference to Obama, sarcasm on Newspapers too (Look out for the paper cutting on the wall with headlines "Brad Pitt ate my sandwich").

Bullets, guns, blood dominate the screen which gets gory at times. So, fair warning.

This isn't a "Wanted" style action movie nor is it Jackie Chan styled. It's somewhere in the middle but makes a mark of its own.

You are bound to enjoy it.

Darling (III) (2015)

Given the genre, Worth a watch

[8/10 · 18 January 2015]

A group of like-minded-suiciders go to a beach house to full stop their life. When intervened by supernatural, things take a turn for worse and the rest is.....

Darling, the first film in the recent Tamil History to come with an English title, falls in the comedy-horror genre, a genre that attained popularity with Yamirukka Bayamey, Aranmanai. Surely this is not the last of this genre and some more can expected from Tamil Cinema.

The movie succeeds on many steps: The humour has been used to such effect that any outside listener would find it hard to believe that a horror movie is being screened inside.. (given the laughs and claps.) But the traditional Horror stereotypes could have been avoided say the 12'O clock sharp-supernatural-appointment , the excessive kajal around the eyes of the supernatural, the cracked plaster make up, closing of doors.

It is pleasing to see Karunas back after a brief hibernation as an avid suicide enthusiast. Noteworthy of his scenes is when he pranks a religious custom (still worried how it will be received). GV Prakash's (yes, the now familiar musician) debut has very little scope for acting given the only expression that he throws at us (while being thrown across the room several times) is "shock". Not shocking at all.

Nikki Gilrani's debut would have been more acting friendly, if we could somehow peer through the plaster make up (which does a good job of hiding her expressions well).

Several movies have been referenced (I, Puthiya paravai, Thuppaki, even a spoof TV show).Most surprising is when a movie referenced (I) runs in the next screen.

The single most whistles in the movie goes to the cameo appearance of "Naan kadavul" Rajendran as Ghost Gopal Verma with an entry , credits to the graphic designers of Ghost Rider (yes, that Nic-Cage movie).With just two scenes he leaves the audiences in splits alongside a strong impression (his "I am waiting" was the first eye- turner for this low profile movie).

On the whole the movie has overwhelmingly satisfied the viewers and is definitely worth a watch. A fair warning though, the comedy- horror genre slowly develops into comedy-horror-romantic genre towards the end. The only flaw (which comes only in the post-movie- post-mortem) is that excess humour can dissatisfy few (not sure of how much) who go in expecting a full- blown horror movie.

Darling: Dear Devil.

I (2015)

I-bro rises for Vikram

[8/10 · 17 January 2015]

An upcoming innocent body-builder is tricked into a lethal injection,without his own knowledge, that turns him into a hunchback. What he does when he discovers is the subject matter of this 4-year-in-the-making movie.

Vikram has given his heart and soul throughout the movie and the result is clearly visible. Right from the mammoth of a body build to the trimmed version of that of a model's to the entirely trimmed version of that of a hunchback, his transformation baffles everyone. Vikram will win the Best Hunchback category and also Best Body Build Category alongside the Best Acting Category.When it comes to being in the wrong place at the wrong time, Lingesan (Vikram) is the "Bruce McClane" of Tamil Cinema. When it comes to loosing and gaining weight, Vikram is the "Christian Bale" of Indian Cinema. In short our I-bro raises for Vikram.

Amy Jackson's lack of inhibition persona perfectly fits the mold of a model. Anyone else would have been just a namesake model. Santhanam, though devoid of a separate comedy track (which I guess is loss in editing) does his best in the last quarter of the movie. Upen Patel, along with the good looks, also has a natural villainous face that will come in handy if he decides to become a full time villain.

Last seen in Dheena, Suresh Gopi is a pleasant surprise (given his absence in trailer and teasers) but his mild persona did not sit along with his stature and before the twist was revealed, I was able to smell a rat.

Released at 189 mins, the editing department would have been put to task and one cant imagine the length of the uncut version.

The S factor in Shankar's movie is missing. The last time , when I felt this emptiness, was with Shivaji-the Boss. Being a Rajni movie absence of S factor was reasoned with Superstar's larger than life image. But this time around, I couldn't find a suitable excuse. Little more trimming would have given a crisper version.

All in all, I is a 3hr Vikram treat. But I cant guarantee that you would like it.

PK (2014)

Worth all those years in making (waiting)

[10/10 · 20 December 2014]

An alien struggles to accustom to human tradition while searching for his stolen remote.

PK- a movie in making for close to five years has overwhelmingly satisfied all its expectations. Gems like these are rare and whether or not it is considered Oscar-worthy, the movie should be preserved as a case study for future film makers.

Just like his production house's logo (puppet show), Raj Kumar Hirani's films are simple in theme yet very attractive by means of its presentation. He has a magical lens that peers into the Indian Diaspora and tears down its misbeliefs elegantly, no matter how high it is held. It wouldn't be an overstatement when I say, " he is one of the very few in the business who consistently satisfies both producers and (global) audience."

Hope was seeded in me during the movie. Every time a religious belief was opposed there was claps and whistles from all around the screen, a clear sign that the general population is becoming increasingly logical rather than being superstitial. With several close-up shots (especially in the Belgium episode), Anushka's pout was hard to miss. Don't be surprised if she wins the Best Pout Award.

From a broader perspective it's not just an alien who would struggle in this world. For the sake of argument, imagine bringing back one of the early humans to the present world. He would face the same dilemma that Aamir does in this movie. Clearly it's our evolution (with plenty of revolutions in it) that is to be blamed (or praised).

Despite being a sci-fi "based" movie with love and emotion it is humour that persists till the end. Be it the dancing cars that act as Aamir's ATM cum wardrobe, his search for God, the slipper that he steals when his own are missing, his questions to god-men, all of them no matter how serious an issue, are presented in a humorous enjoyable way. But irrespective of how much the movie takes upon god-men it doesn't hurt the basic ideology of religion.

Various modulations of accha ("Good"), I love Chicken, Anushka'a analogy of PK with child are worth mentioning among many such beautiful lines.

But tell us Aamir, why did you settle for an outdated transistor radio when there were plenty of other cool devices.

AAA: Despite being a U-rated movie, three A's ruled the movie. Aamir, Alien, Atheism. Enough said.

PS: A surprise cameo awaits you at the end.

The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies (2014)

It all Ends (starts) here

[8/10 · 13 December 2014]

After rescuing Erebor from Smaug, it's now up to Thorin and Company to defend it, come what may.

Where the battle was lost: 1. Bilbo throwing stones at Orcs and stopping them. 2. Thorin Oakenshield becomes Middle Earth's second psychiatric patient (first being his grandfather). 3.The end which never ends. Jack Nicholson quoted after the LOTR trilogy,"What happened at the end?" referring to the lengthy end. There's something similar here but not as long as the former. 4. Despite being a battle it was uncomfortable looking at the bleeding face of Tauriel who went left and right through the same set of Orcs a few days ago (as per the movie). 5. Lack of a scenic change (battle ground throughout)is another low note in this finale. 6. I am not in for spoilers. So,here's the thing. It's a pity that something like this should happen to someone so big, so soon (Go figure).

Where the battle was won: 1. CGI stands apart, be it when Smaug ravages Dale, or when elves gather outside Erebor in their shining golden armor, or when Galadriel and co fight shadow monsters it's CGI that makes the 3D glasses worth its while. 2. Unlike its predecessors this one goes easy on the viewers with a runtime of just 131 minutes(excluding the credits). 3. Legolas' duel stands apart for its choreography while Thorin's physical balance act with Azoc is another memorable moment. 4. Most impressive of all is how the Hobbit was placed in the middle of all this mess. He is, after all that he has been through, still a hobbit and not a hero. Peter Jackson could have just given him a blade (not the letter opener that he already has) and made him fight orcs. But rather the Hobbit is moving between camps, using the ring to the fullest and playing a vital part in the battle without actually fighting and thus justifying the title.

Having presented the pros and cons of the battle, I leave it to your better judgment to decide whether or not this battle is worth fighting (watching).

PS: People die, People with a capital P (duh it's a battle, what do you expect?).

Interstellar (2014)

Einstein would have loved this

[9/10 · 10 November 2014]

By the time you are reading this, there is a good chance that you have watched Interstellar. Hence, I will refrain from explaining the story-line and rather jump directly into the review itself.

Christopher Nolan's tenth work on screen and his first work off earth is as big as the journey (taken by the crew in the movie) itself.That is only if you agree that $165,000,000 (the movie's budget) is actually a huge dough.

Just like Necessity is the mother of Invention, Imagination is the power of Cinema. But there are many fellow movie-buffs who felt that Nolan had taken it too far under the cloak of imagination.When the question of whether all we see is possible arises, the answer comes from the McConaughey himself , "It is not Possible, but it is necessary". Now go back to the beginning of this para and read the quote (to understand the pun).

I am from India, where we have our own flourishing movie industry and our moviegoers are second to one. In taste of good cinema we treat Hollywood as one of our one but it has been too long since I hear applause from the crowd once the credits started rolling. Now if it was FDFS, I wouldn't be surprised. But I watched it a good 3-4 days after its scheduled India release which tells us a lot about the way the common moviegoer perceived the movie. Applause may have stemmed from the Hope that was injected at the end or the brilliance of Nolan, I leave that your better judgement.

My only grunt was that Einstein wasn't hear to see this venture. For it was he who wrote the ABCs on which the movie's foundation was laid.

The character that impressed me the most, others may not feel the same way, was Dr.Mann. It wasn't Matt Damon's performance but the way it was penned that added grace and Drama to the story. It has proved that typical Human Survival instinct takes front seat no matter how far from earth we are. Before we start judging Dr.Mann (those who have watched the movie), we should ask ourselves the same question, "Would I have done the same?"

The cast has done its role, but let's be frank, they won't get Oscars for their performance. But they can settle down with a satisfying performance and for many in the crew, working with Nolan, is one off the bucket list.

Interstellar: Stellar Indeed.

Gone Girl (2014)

"Good" is an understatement

[8/10 · 2 November 2014]

How far will you go to hurt the one's you love and when will you know that you have crossed the point of no return? And what will you do, once you know that you have crossed it. Does Mercy have limits? If so, how much Mercy before it is seen as weakness. These questions might seem random but after watching the movie you will understand, why I have asked them in the first place.

When a suburban house wife goes missing, the detectives begin their investigation which catalyzed by an intense media-circus turns into a national sensation and at one stage turns against the husband who becomes the prime accused. But, the truth is buried several layers deep.

Time and again Hollywood comes with movies on How to lead a matrimonial Life? Here's a movie that tells us How "not" to lead a matrimonial Life? The stress that everyday couples meet, along with perversions, secrets, dis-communication and lack-of-trust built up to a point where, all it takes is a single match to turn everything else to ash.

Rosamund Pike, as the titular "girl" is anything but a girl. A detailed description would spill beans on the storyline. But let me say this, she's not what it seems and her performance is easily the front- runner for the next year's Oscar. (Note that smile towards the end that she sheds on Affleck).

Ben Affleck, as the husband, is always on the receiving end until the end. His helplessness tickles us nine out of ten times, but rarely do we feel sorry for him. It's going to be hard to digest that he will be playing Batman in his next, when people are gonna say "Hey he's the guy who got messed up by his own wife in the previous movie".

Tyler Perry and Neil Patrick Harris are the other notables in the movie, each playing a role that has a weight of its own and also add sheen to the overall glow of the movie.

David Fincher is back with a bang and, he like Pike, is another front-runner for the next year's Oscar. No Bullets, No shape- shifting robots, No Government conspiracy, No Tom Cruise jumping from Burj-Khalifa and yet we are presented a gripping thriller which goes from good to too-good to too-damn-good.

Major Kudos to Gillian Flynn without whose Novel (and screenplay) this would have never happened.

Watch it and if you are married, there is a good chance that you will sit down and talk with your wife and if you are not, you will think twice about getting married.

GONE Girl: Here to STAY.

Annabelle (I) (2014)

Victim of its own success

[6/10 · 10 October 2014]

Story: How a raggedy Ann Doll turns into something more than just raggedy and the trouble it creates in the lives of a couple pretty sums up the plot line of "Annabelle".

Horror Elements: Let me begin by saying that I am one of the millions who went in expecting a conjuring-par movie. But what I found was a horror movie which became a victim of its own success. The hype created around its making was not completely satisfied as the best scenes were revealed in the teasers and trailers and some of other horror elements turned out to be, for the lack of better word, predictable (like injury from a sewing machine, baby being the centre plot and some more).

But I am not going to deny, yes the movie did have some of its own horror elements (the carpet-moment, noises-on-top moment) but they were just not enough to satisfy the thirst. Lack of too many characters, lack of an in-depth into the cult mentioned, lack of in- depth about the said demon, presence of demon in very few frames all let to an ending which felt more like abrupt than like an end. If anything the popcorns jerked inside the tub but none of it overflew while for "the conjuring" almost all of it spilled with some of them flying to the back seats.

The absence of the stewardship of James Wan was felt on the whole. With a few more gripping elements in the early half, the movie would have become more likable but still far from the conjuring-effect.

In short Conjuring-2: Victim of its own success.

Yaan (2014)

Yaan = Yawn

[4/10 · 2 October 2014]

Storyline: A happy-go-lucky unemployed youth after being insulted by his girlfriend's father takes up a job in a foreign nation and lands in deep trouble.

What should have been a pointless entertainer has turned to be just pointless. Entertainment, if any, was only in the director's mind. Filled with numerous cliché this is just another movie made for the sake of making a movie and nothing more.

Flaws begin in the first half (love-at-first-sight, US return who messes with the hero) where the protagonist's immaturity haunts us. What should have been a riveting fun filled episode (like in Endrendrum Punnagai) is nothing more than passing cloud which just won't pass and keep pestering us. Only when we shift into the second half do we realise that it is not the hero's immaturity but the director's (in particular script writer) immaturity that shines on screen.

Two-thirds into the movie, most of us were busy doing things other than watching. I was praying (for the credits to roll down soon), my counterparts were snoring and other were creating memes.

Some of the flaws which I find worth mentioning: Lack of a gripping screenplay, logic has been thrown into the sea, powerful actors not being properly utilised (Nasser and Thambi Ramaiaah) and other flaws that I don't even want to recollect.

PS:My friends who woke after sleeping never felt like they missed a scene despite missing minutes together.

In short Yaan=Yawn.

A must avoid.

Transformers: Age of Extinction (2014)

New Doors have been opened

[7/10 · 28 June 2014]

When a nomadic transformer with a mobile prison and a rogue CIA black- ops division descend upon a common target, Optimus Prime , who has taken refuge with a struggling inventor ( that's what he calls himself but I don't agree) things become chaos and Michael Bay has tried to bring order out of the aforementioned Chaos with helping hands from CG department.

Transformers:Age of Extinction is the continuation to the Transfomers Saga which happens to keep going on and on and on. Movie starts five years after Chicago where everyone is anti-alien thanks to the goliathic ego of one CIA top brass who has convinced the world that both Autobots and Decepticons are injurious to health. When Optimus wakes from his brief siesta he is forced to go gun-blazing and then, well that part is obvious. People die. Accidents happen. Humans make mistake and ultimately repent. Autobots save the day after destroying countless skyscrapers in the process. End of story. Oh sorry about that. The story ends only so that another sequel can be made. Yes, with few untied loose ends there is bound to be a sequel and it's only a matter of time before the official announcement is made.

The franchise has reached a saturation point where it does what any other franchise would do. Explore the emotional side of the characters. Till now, Autobots were nothing but mean fighting machines that always end up on top. But this time around the story has been scripted with their conscience as center-stage. Every time an innocent metal is broken, Optimus pains as if it was his own and reaches a point where he no longer cares about the humans but is ultimately talked out of it.

It is however ironic to see Optimus Prime as a wretched truck with the bumper sticker that says "Got Ammo?" while Bumblee bee occupies less screen time than he did last time. However there are new additions at the end, one of them being the Dinobot (strange name, given the fact that spits fire. Might as well call him Dragobot).

At 164 minutes, this is easily the longest movie in the franchise. This could be a downfall for those who are not used to watching lengthy movies. The usual cast is replaced by the new ones who are more of a supporting cast when things go south. Mark Wahlberg is the protective dad who, even in the middle of intense crossfire, is more worried if his daughter's boyfriend gets close to her . He calls himself an inventor, yes he is very much similar to Tony Stark except that none of his tech works or works in the opposite direction.

As usual, CG is the hero with all kinds of aerial craziness alongside some kick-ass robots who literally live up to the said adjective.

On the whole, a better writing than the previous three which has opened new doors to the next set of money-making sequels.

Edge of Tomorrow (2014)

Edge of your seat

[7/10 · 7 June 2014]

A scared-of-the-war soldier (No, that wasn't a typo error) is forcibly thrown (literally) on a battle field where he has to play tag with aliens and bullets and you can guess the rest. Along the way he meets a girl whom everyone fondly calls "Full-metal-B**ch" (That wasn't a typo either). Together they are put in a time loop where they play the same day again and again and again until the director decides to call it a day (No extra points if the movie "Groundhog day" comes to your mind).

Based on novel "All you need is kill", there is nothing much for the story department and to some extent the screenplay department can relax a bit for the same reason. But flavoring it in the Hollywood crucible with some star-powered cast, this movie has essentially become one of the best sci-fi in the recent times.

Before you decide to vote against me, let me make my stand clear. I go into a sci-fi movie not expecting an Oscar performance or a classy screenplay. On the contrary I expect entertainment with some good-to- recall moments that will make my money worthwhile. Did the movie tick all the boxes, YES.

Tom Cruise, as we all know, is Hollywood's go-to-guy when it comes to saving the world. Be it the Russians (in MI-4) or killer drones (in Oblivion) or the "mimics" (in this movie") he has seen them all and killed them all. When the Academy decides to offer an award on the "most kill category", we know who the front-runner is.

OK, enough deviations. Edge Of Tomorrow (EOT) is nothing short of an adrenaline drive which doesn't take itself very seriously (which is a good thing) with its own light-hearted moments (For ex. The hero must die each time to reset the day and guess who does it most of the time). Though this dries up a bit towards the end, the story fills in the vacuum with touch-ups from the CG department.

Some of you might be confused towards the end as to how the story shaped itself. But then it's the writer freedom to decide how his story must end. So, that's forgiven.

Edge of Tomorrow: Will leave you on the edge of your seats.

X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014)

(hey) days of an all star cast

[7/10 · 22 May 2014]

In the trail of "X-Men: First Class", this is also a period movie of superheroes taking on their differences with humanity and finding the right path in due process except that this is mashed up with the cliché of science fiction, Time Travel.

Logan is sent back in time to change a particular event in history that will forever alter the course of history for worse (I mean big time worse). In order to do that he must confront Professor-X at the worst stage of his life and convince him of the time travel theory and bring the best out of him.

The lump some of the story is revealed through the trailers and teasers which makes the story monotonous. So, there are no surprises in that area. The lack of any sort of twist adds woe to the story department. The complexity of weaving the future and past together is managed well by the screenplay team.

If First class changed the Cuban Missile crisis history, this movie has altered the JFK assassination and if that surprises you, then wait until Magneto explains the truth behind it.

An eerie bit of seriousness prevails throughout the movie. This was a trademark of X-men movies but "First Stand" tried to add fun into the potion. It looks like we are back to default. But occasionally we do have a few one-liners but nothing on par with the other Marvel Cinematic Universe.

The cast have filled in the suits and done what was asked for. Nothing superlative but nothing worse either. Blink, Quicksilver are valuable additions to the line-up with their powers brilliantly lit up on the screen, thanks to CG team. The prison break sequence is a standout example.

A meaty role is bestowed upon Mystique. Whether J-Law's fame added to the character's weight or vice versa is something that only the director can answer. Word on the street was Bryan Singer had long discussions with James Cameron to make the concept of time travel more relatable to the audience. It seems that the discussions have paid off.

Magneto's stunt with the submarine and the missiles was what I considered as ultimate. The teasers made me rethink (baseball stadium). But the execution of it could have been more majestic i.e. there is very little frame of the stadium being held on air.

Another significant addition to be noted is Peter Dinklage as the mutant-hating scientist. He is good as always with the 70's look adding more gravity to his role.

My final word: Entertaining but slightly (very slightly) disappointed. Stay until THE end for a post credit scene. For more reviews, visit my blog: triviafactsandmovies.blogspot.in

Godzilla (2014)

Godzilla walks tall

[8/10 · 16 May 2014]

This movie is the best case study (after Dark knight trilogy) of how amazing a director's perspective can change within a decade and half. No offense to Roland Emmerich, his version was a pure entertainer firing on all cylinders (some may have a different opinion on this), but the reboot has made the Roland version seem like an amateur's first documentary. Comparisons will only garner more positives for the newer version.

C-G stands out. Oh let me correct, "walks tall". Despite repeated Dejavu's of Pacific Rim, this movie has an unique impact of its own. And these action sequences are brilliantly balanced by the father-son angle along with the husband-wife angle which only makes the movie more realistic rather than just a tell-tale of how a monster ran havoc on earth.

The entire cast (notably Cranston, Wantanbe, Aaron taylor) have played their parts. No Oscar winning performances, just swimming with the tide and helping the screenplay.

The other notable fact is that Godzilla is painted as a savior rather than a destructor. Though he roars like a T-Rex and is even referred as a dinosaur (by Aaron taylor's son) his sheer volume would make any other T-Rex run away in search of shelter.

The camera crew have well complimented the C-G. Be it the HALO jump visualized through the helmet or revealing Godzilla through flares or the sequence on the railway track, the lords of the lens have proved their mettle again.

Watching it in Inox (3D) was an added bonus.

Godzilla: Stands Tall.

Yaamirukka Bayamey (2014)

Two thumbs and two toes up

[9/10 · 10 May 2014]

A newly inherited property-turned-hotel brings in all sort of trouble wherein every guest who rents dies before sunrise.

"Yaamiruka Bayamey" is loosely based on a Korean movie with the same premise. Nonetheless it performs exceedingly well and is worth the time and money.

Kiran is a happy-go-lucky cum good-for-nothing teenager who barely survives each day with a girlfriend of equal qualities. When fortune bangs on their door they quickly grasp it only to realise later that there is more to their good fortune than meets the eye.

Their newly acquired property is renovated into a resort with a manager and his sister to help them run the business. But when the first guests arrive, the problem starts and gets worse with each passing moon.

The success of this project lies in the way it had intelligently blended horror and humour, the two most contrasting qualities that can be brought on screen. Still, the screenplay has done a fine job to give you a stomach ache via laughter. The laughter quotient is so huge that even when the horror elements arrive, you are still laughing because of the preceding joke.

Given the fact, the film is shot almost in its entirety inside a guest house, it is appreciable that there are no loose or uncanny moments. We are kept deep within our seats laughing at every possible joke the movie can offer.

With no heroism, no unnecessary songs, it's movies like these that gives me the confidence that the future of Tamil cinema is in safe hands.

Naan Sigappu Manithan (2014)

His Sleep keeps us wide awake...

[8/10 · 11 April 2014]

In the footprints of Ghajini, Chandramukhi, Anniyan we have in our hands another well made disorder-based-thriller. Though the grandiose, as in the case of the former movies, is missing the plot has been kept simple and to the point and hence strikes a chord among the viewers.

Vishal's "Nan Sigappu Manithan" is the third venture from Vishal Film Factory and also the third film in Vishal-Thiru combination. Indiran (Vishal) suffers from Narcolepsy, a disorder that puts people to sleep at the slightest excitement of emotions. When his love life with Meera (Lakshmi Menon) is affected by this disorder he finds a temporary solution after which a tragedy strikes which forever alters his life.

Vishal with the tinted, and often cracked, glass is well suited for the role of a narcoleptic patient. Be it his innocence during the job-hunt or the shyness during his love-life or the anger during the revenge episode, he has very well distinguished his expressions and has lit up the screen. Though his disorder initially tickles the viewers, "the scene" totally shakes everyone to the core.

Lakshmi Menon as Vishal's Juliet has done her part with no blemishes. If Vishal sleeps in the first half, she takes over the job during the second.

Besides the lead, the art director deserves appreciation for his well made backdrops during the desert number and also for looking into the tiniest details (the mirror in the Vishal's home with a lot of stains is an example).

Nevertheless, Thiru's script is the first and foremost hero for spinning a web around a disorder and making it into a full length entertainer.

The only flaw that I found out: Indiran's mother initially thinks that her son falls unconscious. Later Indiran uses water as a recovery strategy. In any normal situations the first thing we do is to use water to wake up an unconscious person. But it took Indiran over two decades to discover that water-idea. Does it add up??

Still, "Naan Sigappu Manithan": Green Flag.

Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)

Captain meets Mission Impossible

[8/10 · 4 April 2014]

When an adversary, long thought to be dead, crops back and takes complete control of SHIELD, Captain becomes the mole and finds himself at the receiving end of a manhunt. Captain digs deeper to find out that there is more to SHIELD than meets the eye.

"Captain America: Winter Soldier" is a fully packed explosive, much similar to those that go blazing on screen, that ignites at the start and keeps blasting its way until the end. The movie has all the proper ingredients for a full on entertainer (nefarious villain, evil plot, hero who rises, couple of sidekicks and finally the CG to help things up).

Chris Evans, as the misplaced-in-time superhero, is slowly getting accustomed to the new world (he watches SAW, Rocky) and finds new friends who later lend a helping hand. But the righteousness still prevails inside him that makes him pop out of the crowd like a 3D screen. One of the downfalls is to have not kissed since 1940s.

Scarlett Johansson is the red-haired sidekick who kicks and fires in the meanest way possible in some not very nice places and keeps the action sequences alive.

Samuel Jackson goes easy on the swearing but no so on the bad guys and maintains his macho status that the character deserves. Anthony Mackie does his part and so does Robert Redford (he was almost unrecognizable without the glasses).

Like every other Marvel movie this one is no short for witty one-liners. A sample below:

In the middle of an ambush scene, Computer voice: Window Integrity failing ;Fury : Restart the car; Computer voice: Propulsion system offline; Fury : Switch to flight mode ; Computer voice: Flight sensors damaged ; Fury : Then what's not damaged? ; Computer voice: Air Conditioning is fully operational.

A word of Caution: If you are the kind that finds the artistic movies entertaining then please avoid this one. This is for the people who enjoy action movies and seek entertainment by neglecting a few logical flaws.

Captain America: Winter Soldier, will withstand the "summer".

Noah (2014)

Couldn't Be Better..

[8/10 · 28 March 2014]

Right from the teaser, Noah had my attention for it was a Crowe- Aronofsky project based on one of the first stories ever told. And did I come out disappointed? NO...

Story-line: That part is obvious. Noah is given the task of building an ark to shelter creatures that would restart the world after a flood destroys the present-but-sin-filled-world.

Russell Crowe, in the titular role, is all in. The whole movie shoulders on him and he has carried it all the way with ease. With a supporting cast that includes Connelly, Watson, Lernman, Winstone, Hopkins, this movie could well be one of the front-runners next year in the Oscars in the Acting category.

Next to Crowe what deserves the biggest applause is the visual department. Be it the black soil scenes or the deluge that destroys the world or the "watchers", the CG have given a huge hand (a rarity in Aronofsky's projects) to render an epic status to this epic story. Crowe's narration of how God created the world in six days is a must watch CG-experience, probably one of the best of all time.

At 130+ minutes, this story might create a stretched feeling, especially after the deluge, but this was essential for Noah's character and for the story to take shape.

I am a non-Christian and hence had a slight hesitation if my lack of biblical knowledge would wreak havoc to my movie experience. But, fortunately I was wrong and everything went like clockwork.

Noah- Visually beautiful, Stunning Cast and thus A MUST WATCH..

300: Rise of an Empire (2014)

Thumbs up but not both of them

[7/10 · 13 March 2014]

Eight years and a spoof (Meet the Spartans) later, we have in our hands not a prequel or a sequel but a side quell.

Noam Murro's "300 Rise of an Empire" is the story of how an Athenian General, Themistokles, launches a naval sabotage against the Persians causing distress much similar to what Leonidas does on land. This is perhaps the first time that I have come across a period movie based on naval warfare. As queen Gorgo puts it "the war takes place on the tidal waves of the soldier's blood".

Athenian general Themistokles ends the Battle of Marathon with a single arrow and becomes a legend over night. Ten years later he gathers a navy against Persian invasion led by Artemisia (Eva Green) who is as ruthless as Xerxes is. In the meantime Leonidas marches to the hot gates with his brave 300 and wages his own battle. All hell breaks loose after the slaughter of Leonidas and his "abs"tastic 300.

"Seize the glory" might seem catchy but the true undertone of the movie is "vengeance". Xerxes avenges his father, Artemisia avenges her family, and off course Queen Gorgo avenges Leonidas and the 300.

Despite being a different take with a different lead cast, the movie has its similarities to 300(2006) thanks to Zack Snyder's effort behind the screenplay. If Leonidas' red cape was an indication to the bloodshed that follows, the Athenian's blue cape is an indication of the naval fight that lies ahead. No matter how well the two stories are connected the towering presence of Gerard Butler is deeply missed. Eva Green appears to have taken the major shouldering. The occasional flashbacks cause a somber effect in the screenplay (Artemisia's for example).

The major credit goes to cg team that has made a nothing but green- background-studio-set into a thousand year old floating battlefield. Despite the gut wrenching, blood pilfering, bowel squeezing moments during the war, the movie lacks the substance that made 300 a special movie. Yes, this time too there is a father-son angle but that doesn't engage us as much as it did the last time. Perhaps it was the Spartan's death wish of a climax or the 300 times 6 abs or Zack Snyder at the helm or all of it together, it was missing this time around.

By itself, "Rise of Empire" is a good Greek-naval-period movie, but as a sequel to the "300" it falls short of the expectations that it garnered. It's still a good piece of entertainment but some fans of "300", like me, will feel hollow when they exit the screen.

Nimirndhu Nil (2014)

Dream of 125 crore on a Celluloid

[9/10 · 12 March 2014]

I accidentally stepped inside the premiere of "Nimirndhu Nil" (NN) instead of "Thekkidi". But at the end of the day, I didn't regret the decision because NN is worth the money and the whistles.

Aravind Sivasamy (Ravi) is an straightforward-modern-day-Harichandra who sticks to the rules to the last inch. When his actions rub several people on the wrong side, they strike a major blow, literally, which forces Aravind to take a drastic step that alters the face of nation, as we know it, completely.

NN is a typical Shankar movie plot handled by Samuthrakani in his own style. When Ravi goes through a single day experience similar to Ambi (Anniyan) he wages a one-man-stand quoting ancient Tamil quotes and ends up facing the modern day wrath. Therein starts the cat and tiger (not mouse) game that hooks us till the end.

Ravi & Ravi with his big-right-eye and tall-stature has made the most of the responsibility on his shoulder. His naive attitude turned villainous gives the actor lots of scenes to flex his acting muscles. Though the film handles the serious issue of corruption it has its light moments too. Every character has a funny bone inside them that pokes out even in the middle of a very serious scene.

Amala Paul has little to contribute as does Suri. Gopinath is second best to Ravi with his Neeya-Naana Charisma mirrored through his role as a TV Anchor in the movie too. Songs, though only 4, are a let down. Nasser and Sarath Kumar are breezy cameos. 11 member committee of the "147" are good comic reliefs. The biggest tickler was off screen, when the on screen characters chanted "Aravind", few naughties behind me screamed "Kejriwal".

In an attempt to skin out corruption,the screenplay has slightly exaggerated here and there with a few logical slip ups. But, ultimately Aal izz Well.

Rummy (2014)

This Rummy lacks a "trump card"

[1 February 2014]

When a couple of youths fall in love with girls from orthodox families thing turn for the worse and plays mishap with their lives in the worst possible manner.

"Rummy" sounds like the name of a modern day thriller-drama but what we have in our hands is a love story set in a 1980s village. The storyline has been chewed like a used tobacco, countless times and hence the biggest surprise in the movie is that there are still takers for this Paleolithic story filled with sickles, blood and of course, love.

The story leads to a lazy screenplay which in turn is filled with weak characters, (including Vijay Sethupathy) numerous plot holes and a very average acting that lends nothing but trouble to the audience. Many, including me, went in for Vijay Sethupathy but believe me, this is one Vijay Sethupathy movie that you should miss.

Till the end, the question has been left unanswered: Why is the movie titled "Rummy"??? May be the director was looking for a trump card which he never found but instead found a "joker" through the audience.

Songs play havoc to the already slow moving screenplay.This is not the water-tight Vijay Sethupathy that we expected. But instead a movie in which he was cast just to add publicity and bring in an otherwise hesitant audience.

Bottom line: Gambling (in the name of "Rummy") is injurious to your time and money.

Lucia (I) (2013)

Finally, a movie of international standards!!!!!!!!!

[10/10 · 31 January 2014]

I can use all the best adjectives in English and still someone will describe my review as "under-appreciative". In the time of troubled Indian cinema especially regional cinemas, with Hero-centric, songs- filled (though unnecessary), heroine-exploited (though they can act) films, this is a ray of hope. In the middle of such a Saharan cinema, "LUCIA", is an oasis.

Psychological thriller, if taken proper care, can turn into an artistic marvel and Pawan Kumar (Director) has done precisely the same. Lucia is the story of an insomniac who seeks the need of a sleep inducing pill that confuses him between dream and reality causing life-threatening danger.

Touch of sheer brilliance glimmers throughout the movie, with the director leaving clues to the audience which a sharp-eared fan can capture to understand "the twist" before it is revealed. The alternate usage of color and black-n-white adds depth and clarity to the movie. Songs, though present, move along with the screenplay aiding the pace. The satirical comedies are also sprinkled throughout (result of illiterate meeting foreigners).

The director deserves credit for multiple reasons: usage of an epic production idea, bringing the movie as close to reality as possible, usage of minimal characters in the maximum possible extent, drawing wonderful comparisons between dream and reality. The cast, though I am not familiar with Sandalwood, has done exactly what was needed: neither did they under-act nor did they over-act.

Lucia is definitely the kind of movie that we can recommend to International audience.

Let this attempt be an example for everyone else will follow.

Jai Ho (2014)

3 x 3 x 3 x..........= Good Plot but could have been better Execution

[24 January 2014]

A court-martialed soldier tries to change society by his "don't-thank- but-help-three-people-formula" which rubs several people on the wrong side and hence faces heat from a highly placed political power.

Jai-Ho cannot be classified in either the "leave your brains out" or "take you brains in" category because the crux is very thoughtful while execution is flickered. What should have a serious movie with lasting impact has turned out into nothing more than a pot-boiler thereby losing the purpose of the plot.

As usual Salman Khan punches, smashes, bashes, bites (yes he indeed does) and above all screams as if he had a lion-casserole for breakfast. With a button popping shirt, funny coloured eye gears he has his fans on nimble feet but not everyone feels that way.

The action sequences are typical Salman. Every raging goonda falls like a domino in front of him and not even one has audacity to carry a gun much less use it. The bad guys are not the only weakling but also the doors and walls. Salman in most scenes breaks the door instead of opening it. After 130 minutes of fasting the shirt finally comes off.

But the film has its moments. The chain of events that Jai (Salman) starts comes around a full circle and ultimately saves his own life. Just when we were able to appreciate the beauty of it, an army tank comes in the middle of traffic cutting off the hero from the bad guys to save his life. This is what I mentioned earlier about take or leave your brains.

Daisy shah is a brilliant dancer not so much a scope for acting (What else to expect in an action movie). Tabu charms the screen with her silent-yet-deep presence. Songs are a letdown and in the flow of the movie they are misplaced and mistimed. The movie would have been better off without it.

There are umpteen logical flaws but by this time you would have pasted a critic label on my forehead and hence I will leave it your better judgement if whether, they are or not logical flaws.

Good theme but not so good of an execution.

You're Next (2011)

Blood, Blood, Blood.....

[7/10 · 20 January 2014]

I came across a few bad reviews for this movie, but frankly anyone upset with this movie is bound to hate "I spit on you grave" (First one, Not the Sequel) and SAW. If you are that kind of person then I can't argue with you. Blood-shed-Horror is not a genre of everyone least of all gentle souls. If you want calm movies watch Romedy and if you are artistic watch Oscar winning box office bombs.

You're Next is a decent Horror flick set inside a single house and yet as gripping as possible. No star cast makes the sequences more realistic. Excessive blood gushing in the latter half could have been limited but even that stands testimony to the survival instinct of "the character". In the middle of usual horror flicks filled with characters that do mistakes which a 3 year old would call "silly", this is a fresh breath of air wherein the character performs what we except and sometimes better than we expect.

A decent plot, good twists throughout, lots of blood and hence a definite feast for all Horror cum thriller fans.