Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom

Cast: Idris Elba, Naomie Harris,Tony Kgoroge(Walter Sisulu),Riaad Moosa(Ahmed Kathrada)

Director: Justin Chadwick 

Genre: Biography, History

It is a good watch. Hold yourself till the end. The movie takes time setting in, in order to appreciate it. :)

You may look forward to: 

• Idril Elba, of course! The only recollection i have of him is his character from 'Thor' :D What a significant transformation and beautiful outbreak. Doesnt quite resemble Mandela, yet the job done was pretty impactful. You dont feel the power or appreciate his role until sometime, only later when you realize the person who was most of his life just played around been used as a pivot while he lay imprisoned adding no value, does have the intellect and the leadership to have a word of his own. To go against his own race and his own beloved wife and make a decision which is completely and solely responsible to him. Takes some capacity doing that. 3 cheers for a role very well played :)
• Naomie Harris, a very strong role. Not just a trophy wife but much more. Woman of substance from the beginning. Raises a question on marital life of a man to a woman. Mandela's first wife didnt work out since she was just not meant for him while the second wife was a very strong support always. But yet, they had to part ways. The theory of how people evolve through the entire life and changes manifolds to only realize the person who suited you the most some time, now doesnt suit you at all. Yet people serve there purpose in life for which they were destined
• Tony Kgoroge and Riaad Moosa, were genuine supports to the character of Mandela. Absolutely, no demands or fighting for stakes

What you can sleep over:

Some sections of his biography may come out to be slightly shocking, specially the womanizer angle of Mandela. Perhaps, that the last thing you would expect to know about a person whom we have known out of respect only :D

The dampeners you should be aware of:

Some sections of the movie almost feels just going on without any impact or purpose. You keep wondering and scrutinizing the role of Mandela in the whole fight for the freedom, his significance, his sacrifice. Not very well depicted. All you grasp is: someone had to give up a life to prison for a better future of a race, so Mandela was the one who volunteered. You dont see the leader in him for very very long. That could be lack of detailed knowledge about the history or blame it on the director. Things move for long without much of any struggle.It is indeed a long and slow walk to freedom for the blacks in South Africa

  

My rating: 3/5

Jai Hoi

Cast: Salman Khan, Tabu,Daisy Shah,Danny Denzongpa,Mohnish Bahl

Extra Credits: Sana Khan,Bruna Abdullah,Mahesh Manjrekar,Aditya Pancholi,Nadira Babbar,Nauheed Cyrusi,Mukul Dev,Sharad S. Kapoor,Vatsal Seth,Ashmit Patel,Yash Tonk,Pulkit Samrat,Tulip Joshi and many more

Director: Sohail Khan  

Genre: Action, Drama

B Grade make, however apt concept to release during Republic Day weekend

You may look forward to:

• Salman Khan only. He is the only character which may help you appreciate whatever content stands good in the flick :) Nothing much to elaborate on Salman Khan, his usual self :)
• Film makers are trying hard to open eyes of general public in several ways. Appreciate Sohail Khan on that count. There are certain picks which is repeated so many times in the movie that they made sure it does reside in your head as you walk out of the theater :D
• Tabu, after a long time. Supporting role, nevertheless, impactful
• Mohnish Bahl was a good support. (I guess we missed him out while broadcasting 'Alok Nath' jokes amongst the sanskari junta :D. Specially when Salman makes a remark in the movie: "Shakal se bhala aadmi lagta hai", or something similar :P )
• Danny Denzongpa, is our regular political bad man
• All the many bad men were good :D And the hell load of star cast, you will not be bored during the length of the movie while you are busy guessing the faces, who and where have you seen them :D I bet, all are Salman's close friends :) The biggest example of that being Pulkit Samrat. Do you remember him!! Fukrey fame! Salman's soon to be in law ;) (Koi Alok Nath ko bulaao!! Ek kanyaadaan on his way!! :D)

What you can sleep over:

Daisy Shah, i guess by far the worst Salman ever introduced. So so average! May be all she can do is to dance. And if you wish to appreciate her, enjoy her minus the head :D She has a good height and good body, almost any attire looks good on her, the only catch is her head(face) :P

  

The dampeners you should be aware of:

• Perhaps Sohail Khan's worst direction. Half of the people doesnt know acting. The entire presentation feels so errand, over done, funny or simply disappointing
• Script is another big time let down! Story point of view, absolute no brainers!
• Too many songs in the beginning. Just too many. Unwanted, unsung, never promoted passe songs! Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!
• A big turn off was Salman trying to enact/become Amitabh Bachchan. Him raising his hands in slow motion in front of a mass, ditto reminds you a scene from 'Sarkar' which became popular one. This is something they shouldnt have attempted on!

My rating: 2.5/5

Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit

Cast: Chris Pine, Kevin Costner(Thomas Harper), Keira Knightley(Cathy Muller),Kenneth Branagh(Viktor Cherevin)
Director: Kenneth Branagh  
Genre: Action, Thriller

Quite an engaging flick. Fair watch!


You may look forward to:

• Very well knitted script, its written pretty well. You know the drill almost from the beginning, yet it manages to keep you interested throughout
• Good work by the director Kenneth Branagh. He presents Chris Pine in a manner that you do quite feel the mixed emotions of an otherwise strong marine guy, trembling and nervous when things go unexpected. Its human to feel anxiety for any normal human, however heroic. He also meticulously took care of all smaller detail in the movie which is much appreciative, besides keeping the audience engaged throughout :)
• Chris Pine did a good job. Something, more than a regular action hero, you can see a regular and soft Financial Analyst in him, and also a well trained marine reflection. He is scared, weak at times, protective about his gal, but also responsible, alert and strong. Good show :)
• Kenneth Branagh was a well played bad man :) Nothing extraordinary here though, yet doesnt disappoint. He is nevertheless a good director than a villain :D
• Kevin Costner, a good support

What you can sleep over:


Keira Knightley, nothing extra ordinary about her. Nor the acting skills, neither the looks. She is just about passe



The dampeners you should be aware of:


A plot pretty strong politically, was very easily defused. I was let down by the climax as things happened very quick and wrapped up short.'Viktor Cherevin' waiting for a blast, to begin monitory transaction was quite a dampener.If not the blast, he could have done something about the parallel move with the economy that he planned, something better than no show. He was no sooner a looser and killed. Disappointing




My rating: 3/5

The Legend of Hercules

Cast: Kellan Lutz, Gaia Weiss(Hebe), Scott Adkins(King Amphitryon),Roxanne McKee(Queen Alcmene),Liam Garrigan(Iphicles),Liam McIntyre(Captain Sotiris)

Director: Renny Harlin 

Genre: Action, Adventure

 

 

Not as bad as rated everywhere. Very much watchable, keeping your expectations low is the key :)

 

 

You may look forward to:

• Kellan Lutz, he looks hot nevertheless :) As well gives you some good fight sequences
• You sure will enjoy those one to one and one to many combats with Kellan (Hercules)
• Some scenes even reminds you the cinematography of 300. Well close!
• Liam McIntyre was a good support, he was more of a sidetrack hero, but there :)
• All the ladies were good support as well, namely, Gaia Weiss and Roxanne McKee

What you can sleep over:

• Scott Adkins is handsome but anarchic ruler. Ruthless at times. But the disappointing truth is that he doesnt look so tyrannical and hateful a leader. He may convince you with his might and looks but not really as an image who desperately needs to be fought over in order to achieve much awaited peace
• Too bad that Liam Garrigan looked like a fool. He aint that bad after all, deserved a little better

The dampeners you should be aware of:

• The script. I am not sure of the original story behind Hercules, but this certainly wasnt very engaging. I guess thats what caused as a dampener to the reputation of this movie. You never see or feel much of any pain of the common people in the villages or within the kingdom which can showcase the drive of Hercules to accept his destiny and fight for the rights of the people as their leader
• The entire presentation again never felt legendary. It is a movie with good budget. Renny Harlin could have done a much better job
• None of the characters ever looked any legendary or larger than life like
• The end was pretty sad again. There could have been a better final fight sequence at the climax. And how bout the loose end of 'Iphicles'. They never show what happens to him!

  

My rating: 2.5/5

American Hustle

Cast: Christian Bale, Amy Adams, Bradley Cooper,Jeremy Renner,Jennifer Lawrence

Director: David O. Russell 

Genre: Crime, Drama

Worth a nomination to the Oscars. A must watch!

You may look forward to:

• A movie worth watching for the performers. Its always good to see some super heroes beyond their super hero image.And Christian Bale gives you an amazing performance, every inch deserving tons of appreciation. Nothing about style, just the character that he is, nothing overdone, just the right dosage to the audience
• Amy Adams, in a major role. This ones gotto be the best break in her career. She performs flawlessly. The many pros and cons being hot, intelligent and single. You dont get it all, though the movie ends on a positive note, far from reality :)
• Bradley Cooper, this guy is so much more than 'Hangover' shit. He has proved it by now time and again. He comfortably hides his good looks behind those bushy beard and focuses only on the performance, and play a role worth all the appreciations. My heart cried for him by the climax, yet all thumbs up :)
• Jennifer Lawrence, very unusually short role :) She is a good actor, she knows how to irritate you :D Beautiful maiden and a gorgeous one. Never saw her in such a typical girly avatar before, it took me sometime to gasp its actually her :)
• Jeremy Renner, Ohh my what a transformation :) He looks so hot otherwise :D He was more of played high society pivot here. Him more than an action hero, clearly wins you heart
• The script is very well crafted, keeps you engaged through the long duration of the movie. And all the surprises are so well wrapped in subtelty, that you wont even see it coming
• Fab cinematography, you feel you are in the 70's. Most of it so well shot

What you can sleep over:

Robert De Niro's non existent appearance in the movie. The moment he arrives, you only wish you could see more of him. The mafia angle was covered very shallow

The dampeners you should be aware of:

There were areas where you feel, you see nothing beyond Bale and Amy. Other characters do pick up slowly and then suddenly drop. The lead pair overshadows all others by the end of it. Thats certainly not fair, each one of them are such amazing actors after all

PS: You do notice a few instances in Hollywood flicks these days where in you feel the need of songs as well like Bollywood movies :D I think high time they adapt something from Bollywood too :D

  

My rating:4/5

Grudge Match

Cast: Robert De Niro, Sylvester Stallone, Kevin Hart(Dante Slate),Kim Basinger(Sally),Alan Arkin(Lightning),Jon Bernthal(B.J)

Director: Peter Segal

Genre: Drama, Sport

Not a bad watch. If you are fans of the Sylvester and DeNiro, you will like the drama :)

You may look forward to:

• Performances alone! Dont expect a lot of action as it may appear to be, but its more of performance oriented flick. How the oldies earn bread to themselves :)
• Sylvester Stallone, is the good man in the movie. He doesnt have too many gray shades on him. But you would love to see the zeal and stregth in this man with respect to how we remember him from his much younger days :) He every inch of it is convincing as a boxer :)
• Robert De Niro is the bad man here with touch of gray in him. He is rather self centered and hangs out with a dont care attitude, takes life as it comes and has a big ego. This character is much complicated as compared to that of Sylvester's. Though is not convinving as a boxer, but surely as a good performer. Great energy at this age, undoubtedly is a challenge picking up a role like this at his age. Hats off!
• Kevin Hart was the organizer of the match and the funniest character, you will enjoy his short quips here and there. And watch out for the post credit scenes :)
• Kim Basinger, as the common woman between the two. Good support
• Alan Arkin, trainer for Sylvester. Again great energy and enthusiasm. Loved him
• Jon Bernthal, being the only adult and young character in the entire movie :) Good support again :)
• The script was more or less good. I am sure, if it were to be a biography something, would have scored more in the box office. Nevertheless, scripted with care and well presented by Peter Segal, keeping in mind the complexity of interwoven relationships, in and around the same family. Great understanding and awesome combinations :)

The dampeners you should be aware of:

Rober De Niro's body :( His shoulders sulking, he doesnt look even an inch of a boxer, how much ever, they try justifying, no use. When he stands in front of Sylvester, its a known fact, he is done with! Could have chosen someone better, may be Arnold Schwarzenegger against Sylvester Stalone :P

  

My rating: 3/5

Dedh Ishqiya

Cast: Naseeruddin Shah, Madhuri Dixit, Arshad Warsi,Huma Qureshi,Vijay Raaz,Manoj Pahwa

Director: Abhishek Chaubey 

Genre: Drama, Comedy, Romance

Good watch!Though doesnt live upto the hype created by the media!

PS: Be aware of the dialect used, you may tend to loose patience after a while!

You may look forward to:

• Those who like Shayari and Urdu, this movie is a pleasure to watch! Never made a movie in Bollywood with such usage of Urdu and continued mode of 'Mehfils and shayaris'
• Cinematography worth mentioning, beautiful old ruined havelis and grandeur, lights and sets, and the way its shot
• Naseeruddin Shah undoubtedly, this man can give the new age actors a run for money :) The way this man delivers dialogues and enacts the characters, leaves an imprint on your mind. You tend to forget who Naseeruddin Shah really is :) You remember only the character :)
• Arshad Warsi, is the only one character which binds you to your seat until the movie ends. After a certain point of time, when things starts getting monotonous, is when you just know 'Babban' is gonna breathe some life into it. Without him, the entire picture is not complete
• Madhuri Dixit, ohhh boy! She looks very old! Clearly accepted her age, which is good for her and her fans :) Yes, she looks royal and very much into the character. Those of original Madhuri fan, wont be disappointed. You got all the classicial dancing and her priceless many expressions and also not just a showpiece by the end of it.She has a relevant and good role as well
• Huma Qureshi is her usual self. Bold open lady in typical Indian avatar. There is nothing new of her, though she as usual looks fab and doesnt fall short of entertaining you :)
• Vijay Raaz is my personal favorite in the movie. He is one actor who just finds suitable roles to himself in some way or the other :) You will love watching his screen presence :)
• Manoj Pahwa is a good support, more or less, thanks to the climax, this fella wins the job :)
• Comical angles were sewn in between, and mostly to the credit of Arshad Warsi. Was a light entertaintment through out

What you can sleep over:

• Watch the movie mainly for the performances and less for the script. The story is better than 'Ishqiya' though, yet lacks the punch. The characters of this series are really beautiful, all it falls short of a block buster status is for the script. They really need to work more than on characters for this series ahead
• Music, is debatable. Some may like it, while some may choose to just overhear it. Certainly, not a music which will appeal to all!

The dampeners you should be aware of:

What may cause a concern is the dialect used- Urdu, or rather over used :) This movie comes with sub titles, so you may understand most of it! But shayaris and urdu in general has a certain flow, the essence of it best understood when you dont have to refer to its english sub titles. In fact, those subtitles were so much distracting, that you would loose the many expressions on the actors faces, you will simply be lost in translation :(




My rating: 3/5

47 Ronin

Cast: Keanu Reeves, Hiroyuki Sanada(Oishi), Ko Shibasaki(Mika),Tadanobu Asano(lord Kira),Rinko Kikuchi(Witch)

Director: Carl Rinsch

Genre: Action, Fantasy

The usual time pass Japanese flavored item relating to fantasy! Time pass!

You may look forward to:

• Watching Keanu Reeves, i liked his avatar in this one,he looks better as this :) A few good sword fights there to enjoy :)
• Rinko Kikuchi was a good attraction. She is the only character which brings in all flavors in the  movie and you wait for her best to appear all through
• Good support from Hiroyuki Sanada

What you can sleep over:

• Tadanobu Asano, the actual bad man of the movie, was just about fine! The king here never feels any powerful without the witch beside him
• Ko Shibasaki, just there being a female lead, both leading men ought to have something to fight over :)
• Script nothing much that you should look forward to watching. Its the regular fantasy drama

The dampeners you should be aware of:

• Movie lacks punch. You cant compare it with LOTR or Harry Potter league of movies. These movies are just made for the heck of it!
• I didnt like the ending of the movie. Clearly tyrannical and stupid

My rating: 2.5/5

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty

Cast: Ben Stiller, Kristen Wiig

Director: Ben Stiller

Genre: Adventure, Fantasy,Drama

You gotto have a different frame of mind in order to enjoy it! Its debatable to like it or not!

Why should you watch it:

• Scenic Greenland,Iceland and Afghanistan. If you are bored of watching hustling and bustling London and New York everytime, this is your piece. :) Clean, fresh and beautifully shot, not so popular locations on earth!
• Ben Stiller done a good job for what he is known best. Silly, imaginary, yet simple portraiture :) Oh!! and some awesome skating there by the way :)
• The last half an hour, is the best loved moments of the movie. Simple things of life, presented with simplicity :)
• Kristen Wiig, is pretty :) If you are a middle aged single man, you would want her to be your bride :)
• And do watch out for the beautiful photographs during the ending film credits, post movie

What you can sleep over:

Dont curse yourself, if you feel why have you come to watch this movie,for some random events keep happening. Just enjoy the cinematography :)



The dampeners you should be aware of:

Script! Dont go with an expectation to find a story! Its just nothing, its crazy and makes no sense. But the locations helps you sit through it :) If you are a little adventurer out there, you may not mind it :)

  

My rating: 3/5

The Wolf of Wall Street

Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio(Jordan Belfort), Jonah Hill, Margot Robbie

Director: Martin Scorsese 

Genre: Biography,Comedy,Crime,Drama

Easily movie of the month in its first week of January! A must watch! The best Caprio ever delivered :)

Caution: Choose your company right, they quite mean its rating aptly to be adult :)


Pluses:

• The starcast is huge, but Caprio comfortably manages to steal the show without undermining the roles of others even by a bit. Yes, he is the man! What a portraiture. I sure would want to go through the actual biography of Jordan Belfort. Nevertheless, this character was a sheer genius, at the same time a maniac, and nothing gets it better, as he is hilarious too! He is in a shade of gray, he is not the usual good or the bad guy in here, but rather a guy whom you can believe to be true! You will love to see Caprio making statements, addressing people, delivering dialogues! And enacting more than just the dialogues, every facial expression so awful, yet so lovable! You dont wanna miss it if you are a Caprio fan, period! :)
• I am not really in a position to comment on the script, cos it did look a lot exaggerated! However, it was an absolute pleasure watching it. The length of the movie is 3 hours. But you dont ever get bored, not even for a second! Very well edited and presented
• Martin Scorsese did a fab job. Caprio seemingly his favorite, he does surely know how to get the best outta him. And keep the audience entertained and bedazzled all through. 3 Cheers! Worth the celebrations :)
• Another major facet of the story gotto be Jonah Hill. He is like one of the consistent partner of Jordan Belfort in rhyme and crime. Inseparably friendly partner and a faithful one! You do fall in love with this character :)
• Margot Robbie covers the personal aspect of Jordan Belfort, in an amazing way! Much against your expectations, is a positive role in here:)

Lukewarm:

There were times when you may feel, that more than business, there is too much focus on his personal life! The name of the movie clearly doesnt suggest so! You might want to watch more business over sex

Minuses:

Debatable to call it a minus or not! But the adult content was way too much than probably required. Especially, one scene in which Caprio apparently records his wife's mischievous act and is simultaneously broadcasting it! Not relatively explained why he would do that and how so strategically placed camera :P In short, unwanted and redundant

  

My rating: 4/5