Katti Batti

Cast: Imran Khan, Kangana Ranaut, Vivan Bhatena(Rocky), Mithila Palkar(Koyal) and Suhaas Ahuja(Roger)
Director: Nikhil Advani
Genre: Romance, Drama, Comedy



A disappointing movie. The last half an hour of the film is the salvaging part!




You may look forward to:

• Agreed Imran Khan's choice of movies have worked against his career ever since his debut hit. This movie doesn't work much in his favor either. Nevertheless, i count him in plus, because he is not a bad actor after all. He can potentially make you cry in its second half
• Kangana Ranaut is her usual, she gets to don multiple looks, dressing mostly chic or diseased :) She looks old in many places especially where she needed to look her best, old age seems to be dawning on her earlier than expected. She by no means look a college going girl, yet she is the deserving lead of the film
• Vivan Bhatena is quite a common face is recent movies. He has a decent role in this film
• Mithila Palkar and Suhaas Ahuja are the supporting roles, although they don't really have much to play. Mithila Palkar as 'Koyal' confuses more than she does good. Difficult to say she is a positive character or negative, as she is always seen talking rude to 'Payal', before or after recognizing Cancer
• Thanks to the last half an hour, you at least don't come out of the theater hurling tomatoes and eggs on the screen

What you can sleep over:

The music of the movie is so so. It doesn't irritate, nor are any charting numbers




The dampeners you should be aware of:

• I expected a hell lot better from Nikhil Advani. I have no idea what was he upto in its first half of the film. Not that 2nd half was any better, but the story, the direction is very weak. It doesn't qualify for a comedy film, it never made me laugh, a few scenes which are good, were already covered as a part of trailer
• More than an Imran film, it disappoints as a Kangna Ranaut's film

My Rating: 2.5/5 (Only for its last half an hour)

1- Poor  2-Average  3-Good  4-Very Good  5- Outstanding

Black Mass

Cast: Johnny Depp, Joel Edgerton, Benedict Cumberbatch, Dakota Johnson(Lindsey), Jesse Plemons(Kevin),Rory Cochrane(Flemi),David Harbour(Morris), Corey Stoll(Wyshak) and Julianne Nicholson(Marianne)
Director: Scott Cooper
Genre: Biography, Crime




A definitive watch for all those who enjoy gangster movies. Quality film!




You may look forward to:

• Johnny Depp gives out a phenomenal performance as James "Whitey" Bulger. The make up and his get up is pretty rough, character sketch pretty complicated. James "Whitey" Bulger is depicted as someone carrying multiple shades of gray. He is loved by some, but as well hated by many. His behavior random and intentions unclear. He is one of those characters you wish you never met, if you did, your lifeline is cut short with immediate effect :D
• Joel Edgerton again depicts rather uncommon traits. Loyalty over principles. The aspects he  showcases are politically complicated and involving self digging pits. He plays the role of a confused and corrupt FBI agent pretty perfect
• Jesse Plemons and Rory Cochrane, are very significant supporting roles, who has known 'Bulger' in  and out. Been afraid and loyal, but never with any respect
• The ladies Dakota Johnson and Julianne Nicholson have very minuscule roles. But their roles were important to complete the caricature of 'Bulger'
• Scott Cooper does a fantastic job in directing the film. Too many characters, easy to lose. But he keeps the pace of the movie apt so as not to lose interest, as well keep up with the many names and co relations in the film. He presents the wild and ruthless portrayal of James "Whitey" Bulger pretty precisely

What you can sleep over:

• Benedict Cumberbatch more or less wasted. He is just a place holder being the 'Senator' of the State and a brother of a fugitive. There is nothing more he involves himself into
• Amongst the other good actors under utilized are: David Harbour and Corey Stoll

The dampeners you should be aware of:

A few aspects which i am still wondering about is why was James "Whitey" Bulger doing what he was doing. What was the driving factor behind the crimes. He is never shown living a flamboyant life, never socializing or women, which are pretty typical of characters like him. He has no friends, no life. It more or less feels very directionless, why he chose to live a life like that after all!





My Rating: 3.5/5

1- Poor  2-Average  3-Good  4-Very Good  5- Outstanding

She's Funny That Way

Cast: Owen Wilson, Imogen Poots(Izzy), Kathryn Hahn(Delta), Will Forte(Joshua), Rhys Ifans(Seth),Jennifer Aniston, Austin Pendleton(Judge) and George Morfogen(Harold)
Director: Peter Bogdanovich
Genre: Comedy, Drama



A confused comedy drama. No harm nor any gain watching this film. Pass time!



You may look forward to:

• Owen Wilson gives out what he is best at- Comedy. Adage- "Nuts to the squirrels" / "Squirrels to the nuts" :D
• Imogen Poots performs really well for this drama. She is mostly a free soul, living life on her own terms, as if she doesn't care about the rest of the world. Carefree Izzy!
• Kathryn Hahn and Rhys Ifans have important supporting roles. The entire circus around the story wouldn't be as funny without them in it
• Will Forte, Austin Pendleton and George Morfogen, were additional funny elements to the film

What you can sleep over:

Jennifer Aniston pretty much wasted. She has a rather petty insignificant role

The dampeners you should be aware of:


The story is an ongoing drama without any direction. There is practically no story, only some bunch of people doing bunch of stupid things for no apparent reason or alignment





My Rating: 2/5

1- Poor  2-Average  3-Good  4-Very Good  5- Outstanding

Hero

Cast: Sooraj Pancholi, Athiya Shetty, Aditya Pancholi, Tigmanshu Dhulia, Vivan Bhatena(Ranvijay), Sharad Kelkar(Radha's Brother), Chetan Hansraj(Changhezi) and Anita Hassanandani(Radha's Bhabhi)
Director: Nikhil Advani
Genre: Romance, Action, Drama



Appropriate platform to launch new kids, but the movie is more or less of an average make!



You may look forward to:

• Sooraj Pancholi is promising. He gives his best, in terms of looks, freshness, dance and expressions. He doesn't fumble and gets a good launch with this film, specially with the title song to his favor :)
• Aditya Pancholi and Tigmanshu Dhulia, have strong supporting roles. The face off between the two is not too impactful but yet, they have a good amount of screen presence
• Vivan Bhatena is a surprise element as a bad man. He is hot and looks like a good opponent to Sooraj
• Sharad Kelkar, Chetan Hansraj and Anita Hassanandani were in the additional supporting roles, both as good people and bad ones. Notable
• Music of the movie is good. Not all of them are chartbusters, but they sound good to the ears

What you can sleep over:

Athiya Shetty is very average. She looks more of a man than a woman. She is given a role of a woman with an interest in dancing, but she just cant move her body, complete failure. Her expressions weren't as natural. Especially when you have a hero who possesses it all, ripping muscles and abs and dance moves along with action, how will you appreciate a heroine who does nothing, not even dress sexy!





The dampeners you should be aware of:

• Launching an action hero requires good quality action scenes. Flying in the air and blowing thugs left and right, doesn't help making an impact. I do no like the action director of the film. Action  scenes should have been more real
• I did not really understand what was the final conclusion to the unending clash between Aditya Pancholi and Tigmanshu Dhulia at the behest of the love story. After all its a matter of legal concern over social! That aspect never saw a conclusion
• The film has a decent story, but it lacks a punch. The film feels a lot draggy in its second half, you will tend to lose interest. The movie doesn't really present the crazy in love couple much in the limelight, very few romantic scenes, it fails as a love story to have that kind of influence over the audience. I expected more of Nikhil Advani

My Rating: 2.5/5

1- Poor  2-Average  3-Good  4-Very Good  5- Outstanding

The Transporter Refueled

Cast: Ed Skrein, Ray Stevenson(Ray), Loan Chabanol(Anna), Gabriella Wright(Gina), Tatjana Pajković(Maria), Wenxia Yu(Qiao), Radivoje Bukvić(Arkady), Noémie Lenoir(Maissa), Yuri Kolokolnikov(Yuri) and Lenn Kudrjawizki(Leo Imasov)
Director: Camille Delamarre
Genre: Action, Crime, Thriller




This movie strikes a delicate balance with good action but making no hard promises. Given the odd releases this weekend, this flick qualifies for a watch




You may look forward to:

• Ed Skrein doles out some good action scenes on the Transporter branded wheels of Audi. He doesn't look very great like lead heroes usually do, but he certainly does the job!
• Ladies bandwagon :)  Loan Chabanol, Gabriella Wright, Tatjana Pajković and Wenxia Yu. These 'Transporter' is actually a lady's muse :) The main playing character being Loan Chabanol. Although that may sound like a dampener to many, but trust me it isn't as bad a movie to be ruled over by these women. They are only impersonating a bimbo, they ain't one in here! :) All the girls do a commendable job and do keep us entertained :)
• My personal favorite is Ray Stevenson. He is much sexier than his young son ;) Be it his attitude or the role that he plays, i absolutely loved this man, no less than a hero himself!
• I like Radivoje Bukvić. He is a man enough to be called a bad man! Though he is only branded so, he isn't shown doing many bad things apart from doing business
• The story is well thought of, executed fine, plenty action and babes which can pull you to theaters, but overall it gives a lukewarm feel! 
• Transporter Refueled makes South France look alluring. Covered in detail and presented breathtakingly beautiful. You are gonna plan your next vacation in here after watching the film :)

What you can sleep over:

• Ed Skrein cannot match Jason Statham. He is not even half as strong in his attitude as Jason
• Noémie Lenoir pretty much a muse, and wasted
• Yuri Kolokolnikov and Lenn Kudrjawizki dont have a lot of screenplay either

The dampeners you should be aware of:

This Transporter doesn't look as convincing a character as stamped by the Jason Statham. I miss him! Besides the story is not as fast and gripping as it should have been. Given the brand name of 'Transporter', it certainly isn't refueled :(






My Rating: 3/5

1- Poor  2-Average  3-Good  4-Very Good  5- Outstanding

Hitman: Agent 47

Cast: Rupert Friend, Hannah Ware(Katia), Zachary Quinto(John Smith), Ciarán Hinds(Dr. Litvenko) and Thomas Kretschmann(Antoine)
Director: Aleksander Bach
Genre: Action, Crime, Thriller



Agent 47 Disappoints! It is an average watch, nothing special or new about this action thriller!




You may look forward to:

• Rupert Friend carries a no non sense attitude from the beginning till the end. He never falls in love, nor does he display any emotion, which is very consistent for a programmed Hitman :) He is assigned a job, and he delivers at it!
• I loved Zachary Quinto, quite a steady antagonist :D Does never give up!
• Ciarán Hinds has a very minor role, but notable
• This movie does qualify for an action flick, doesn't bore you, has a pace. These are the reasons why you can yet go and watch Hitman, provided you are a fan :)

What you can sleep over:

• Rupert Friend somehow doesn't look very convincing for a Hitman. He has a lot of potential for some better action scenes, but apparently he wasn't utilized well
• Hannah Ware again is just about fine. All along the movie, she is told she has to learn to tap her potential, but barring one scene, she doesn't really use much of her programmed skills
• Thomas Kretschmann is not given much power, only titular role. He is recognized but not far reached

The dampeners you should be aware of:

This film lacks a punch. Not many notable action scenes, nor the story that will engage you. I believe what it really lacks is a good direction. It has all the elements of an action thriller, but has no impact!





My Rating: 2.5/5

1- Poor  2-Average  3-Good  4-Very Good  5- Outstanding

Ricki and the Flash

Cast: Meryl Streep, Kevin Kline(Pete), Mamie Gummer(Julie), Rick Springfield(Greg),Audra McDonald(Maureen),Sebastian Stan(Joshua), Nick Westrate(Adam) and Hailey Gates(Emily)
Director: Jonathan Demme
Genre: Family, Drama, Music



A typical Hollywood family drama, not a bad watch for a lazy Sunday!



You may look forward to:

• Meryl Streep is the lead of the film. Though its kinda sad that she is not the one singing or playing, she was just enacting. But she earns full points for her acting :) She not only plays multiple roles in the film quite beautifully, but also carries off a rock star look at her age with aplomb :) Criticized yes, but not fooled around
• Mamie Gummer dons very convincingly a disastrous outlook, like an animal just out of a zoo :D She outperforms her role in depression owing to divorce :D
• Kevin Kline and Rick Springfield have very delicate roles in the film, converging into Meryl Streep down under :) They are good respectively :)
• Audra McDonald and Hailey Gates on the other hand are in a gray shade, not vamps neither angels
• Sebastian Stan and Nick Westrate are in short but good supports
• You can enjoy some good rock music, quit a few retro numbers with a different visual of course
• This movie does stand on to its genre of music, family and drama :) You have just enough music and no over dose of drama, that of which makes it a good relaxed watch

What you can sleep over:

It is to quite an extent a feminine flick, not sure if male audiences can admire such plots as much!





The dampeners you should be aware of:

What makes this an average flick is lack of a strong script. The story is just about fine, but the content neither is much twisted nor anything to withhold your interest






My Rating: 2.5/5

1- Poor  2-Average  3-Good  4-Very Good  5- Outstanding

Welcome Back

Cast: John Abraham, Nana Patekar, Anil Kapoor, Shruti Hassan, Paresh Rawal, Dimple Kapadia, Naseeruddin Shah, Shiney Ahuja, Ankita Shrivastava, Supriya Karnik(Mrs. Ghungroo) and Rajpal Yadav
Director: Anees Bazmee
Genre: Comedy, Action, Crime



This movie is not worth your time and money for a theatrical watch. It meets your expectations when you have none :)




You may look forward to:

• As contrary to beliefs, John Abraham doesn't under deliver. He isn't trying to act funny, he is very much himself, the rough and tough guy, placed in a comedy film :) Aptly written for John Abraham, he works good :) He delivers more action than comedy :D
• Paresh Rawal maintains low profile in this one. Works for him, as there is not much in the script anyway for him to offer
• I like the way Dimple Kapadia is aging. She looks only more hotter with every passing film
• Contrary to all lead actors, the comic villain per se isn't as bad, Naseeruddin Shah is cute as 'Wanted Bhai' :)
• Supriya Karnik and Rajpal Yadav have short but decent support
• If you can manage to sit through its first half, you may as well survive the second half!

What you can sleep over:

• Nana Patekar and Anil Kapoor, are not worthy of these kind of roles. I don't doubt their capability to act in a comedy film, its the script which failed them
• Forgive Shiney Ahuja for all the over acting in his first appearance on screen after an eon

The dampeners you should be aware of:

• Shruti Hassan just cannot act. Her voice needs serious dubbing. Its very sad how a damsel looking lad is completely wasted in acting coming from a family of veteran actors.
• Again Ankita Shrivastava is a disaster, she just doesn't fit in. All she does in the movie is to change costumes, good for nothing else
• Music of the film is beyond pathetic. There are just too many songs and when the songs happen, you so wish you had a remote to change the channel. Simply unbearable!
• The script of the film is so lame, that nothing can really salvage it. Icing on the cake being lame set of dialogues. There is absolutely nothing so catchy in the film which can draw you to a theater

My Rating: 2/5

1- Poor  2-Average  3-Good  4-Very Good  5- Outstanding
            

No Escape

Cast: Owen Wilson, Lake Bell(Annie), Pierce Brosnan(Hammond), Sterling Jerins(Lucy) and Claire Geare(Beeze)
Director: John Erick Dowdle
Genre: Action, Crime, Thriller



Nail biting thriller. Its disturbing but a quality watch!




You may look forward to:

• Owen Wilson is breath taking in this film. I have always seen him in light headed drama, he carries out the terror driven role perfectly well in this film. He is the one to watch out for
• Lake Bell is equally good shoulder to shoulder with Owen Wilson
• Pierce Brosnan has an intriguing role, he delivers some rather controversial dialogues while being heroic in saving the lead family
• What really works for the film is the script which at all times keeps you at the edge. There are continuous incidents one after another, much in despair where you hardly see any way out. Some desperate moments and actions very carefully handled by John Erick Dowdle. Most of the nitty gritties of a war torn country are well thought about and presented with a steamy outlook. Even though you know its a movie, you still are never sure what would the next scene be or how will the family meet its end

What you can sleep over:

Sterling Jerins and Claire Geare are pretty irritating in the first half, gets better by the second half




The dampeners you should be aware of:

No apparent lose ends, except for the fact that this movie can leave your mind disturbed on multiple grounds





My Rating: 4/5

1- Poor  2-Average  3-Good  4-Very Good  5- Outstanding

The Man from U.N.C.L.E.

 

Cast: Henry Cavill, Armie Hammer(Illya), Alicia Vikander(Gaby), Elizabeth Debicki(Victoria) and David Sylvester Groth(Uncle Rudi)

Director: Guy Ritchie

Genre: Action, Crime, Comedy

 

 

 

This is one of those cult spy movies. Easily the best watch of the week!!

 

 

 

You may look forward to:

  

• I have seen many other branded super heroes trying something different out of their regular avatar, but nothing like Henry Cavill. His choice of movies are excellent. He maintains the suave dapper style, with a look to die for and a serious job profile of a spy and yet deliberately doling out comedy. I am in love with this man, more than that of his 'Superman' avatar!
• Armie Hammer has finally got what he deserves. I always had an eye on him since his 'Social Network' days. In here he rips it off with his killer stature and a no non sense attitude, he is more of the rugged spy, than a style icon. But its still very appreciable the way he delivers comedy
• Now this lady is no less impressive,  Elizabeth Debicki, as the sassy 'Victoria', beauty with brains and ambitions, rightly said. She fits every inch in the role, as if this caricature is written keeping her in mind
• David Sylvester Groth has a brief supporting role, notable!
• There are many good releases this week, but this one fits in perfectly for a weekend quality entertainer. This movie speaks action, oozing style when it comes to its lead men and classy jazzy humor. You can't ask for more :) Its a Guy Ritchie film after all! :)

What you can sleep over:

Alicia Vikander is nice in her given role. Though honestly, she doesn't really look like a spy

  

The dampeners you should be aware of:

Barring a few directorial blemishes here and there, not really many notable flaws. And absolutely no dampeners :)

My Rating: 4/5

1- Poor  2-Average  3-Good  4-Very Good  5- Outstanding

        

The Gift

Cast: Jason Bateman, Rebecca Hall(Robyn), Joel Edgerton(Gordo), Allison Tolman(Lucy) and David Denman(Greg)
Director: Joel Edgerton
Genre: Mystery, Thriller



It is a thrilling watch provided you don't go by the hype created around it. A subtle psyche is the key to enjoy this film




You may look forward to:

• It is difficult to say who is the lead in the film, but as 75% of the movie has it, Jason Bateman is the one leading :) It was a little startling for me to see him in a serious mode after the last i remember him from 'Horrible Bosses' :) He is quite a brilliant actor. The way his character is unraveled slowly and the way he tenaciously upholds himself, is worth appreciations
• Rebecca Hall gives out a serious performance with a grim outlook. She is the female lead, around whom much of the story does the round. She does a commendable job too
• To me Joel Edgerton is the star of the film. Didn't know he could so well direct a film too. He is this suspicious guy throughout who can give you chills. He wears this cold attitude in the film which is spooky and crazy, only to know how the table turns by the end of the film. He gets into your head gradually but effectively
• Allison Tolman and David Denman are short but good supports, amongst the other characters starring in the film
• The story of the movie is interesting, suspicious and chilling. The way the entire story flips by the end of the film leaves you cold. The end is only suggestive and not conclusive, which is the best part of the film. It leaves the audience distraught

What you can sleep over:

The pace of the movie is pretty slow. For those coming with great expectations, the first half will get the better of you, where you keep wondering where is the story after all headed to!





The dampeners you should be aware of:

• One lose end that kept my attention held up was absolutely no attention paid to this detail that 'Gordo' faked his residential address, why would he do so! While 'Simon' always raised a flag of suspicion, but 'Robyn' is shown heavily empathetic towards 'Gordo' even when there were too many reasons to be suspicious about
• The build up of the story is pretty weird, not many would really appreciate. The movie drags for quite some time until it starts picking up in final half an hour. I am not convinced by the much hype created around the quality of the movie

My Rating: 3/5

1- Poor  2-Average  3-Good  4-Very Good  5- Outstanding