Spectre

Cast: Daniel Craig, Christoph Waltz, Léa Seydoux(Dr.Swann), Ben Whishaw(Q), Naomie Harris(Moneypenny), Dave Bautista(Mr. Hinx), Andrew Scott(C), Monica Bellucci(Lucia),Ralph Fiennes(Gareth Mallory) and Jesper Christensen(Mr. White)
Director: Sam Mendes
Genre: Action, Thriller, Adventure




This film lives by its genre, clear entertainment!




You may look forward to:

• Daniel Craig never been presented as sexy before. He is not just a man of style and courage, but also a big time womanizer :) He delivers you an action packed movie at every step, less dialogues more on delivery. Certain combats and car chases are mind blowing. The insight towards Bond's personal life which attaches strings to the current world threats tried giving the role of Bond a touch which is larger than just an agent. It took time sinking in Daniel Craig as 'Bond', but he earned it
• Sam Mendes delivers as promised. The first half of the film is very engaging, right from the Bond films customary first scene - Mexico, the Day of the Dead, the sets and celebrations are  really grand and not something you would see every day. The action sequence on the chopper is crazy awesome, it lives upto the hype talked about. He presents some breath taking locations of around 5 countries from around the world, just awe inspiring back drop and BOND! I personally loved the credit scene in the beginning of the film too
• Ben Whishaw, Naomie Harris and Ralph Fiennes are the very important positive characters of the film, that are big time supports to Bond
• Dave Bautista and Andrew Scott are the parallel villains, they do a regular job
• Monica Bellucci and Jesper Christensen, are the neutral supports to the film. Monica Bellucci is still hot! :)

What you can sleep over:

• Christoph Waltz feels pretty cliche for a bad man. The same old funda of trying to control the world, doesn't make him look any extra ordinary villain
• Léa Seydoux as the 'Bond Girl' doesn't exactly fit in right. I remember her from 'MI: Ghost Protocol', she can be so much more than just an arm candy whom Bond has to save. She is under utilized

The dampeners you should be aware of:

• Where the movie fails the expectations of its viewers is that this is not anymore a standalone franchise who sells movies highlighting life of a secret agent :) When 007 was launched, there were not many movies featuring 'Secret Agents', unlike today- you've plenty of them, and more or less now it requires a series like 'Avengers' which releases larger than life like characters with interconnected stories more often, staying fresh in the mind of its viewers. Even though they show the same cliche stories, they are still a hit, while Bond is slowly getting lost in the shadows. Nevertheless, this film is still a piece of thrilling entertainment, and is a good watch in the theaters for all the action sequences
• Although, for all the viewers who like films uncut, beware there are many scenes censored out for the heat of the context, in India :P

My Rating: 3.5/5 (Worth for the action scenes)

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

Prem Ratan Dhan Payo

Cast: Salman Khan, Sonam Kapoor,Neil Nitin Mukesh, Anupam Kher, Armaan Kohli(Chirag Singh), Swara Bhaskar(Chandrika), Aashika Bhatia(Radhika), Deepraj Rana(Sanjay),Deepak Dobriyal (Kanhaiya) and Samaira Rao(Sameera)
Director: Sooraj R. Barjatya
Genre: Drama, Romance, Comedy




Keep your expectations low, prepare to be surprised, enjoy and come back :)




You may look forward to:

• Very unlikely of Rajashri films, this one has many English dialogues, quite a few hinting to not so clean jokes and lots of action. I am surprised already :) I was expecting over the top cheezy dialogues, undigestible storyline with every character like an avatar of god himself. But Sooraj Barjatya did surprise me pleasantly
• The story line of the film is not boring, there is a mix of suspense, some thriller, some family time, some drama and a flavor of romance mixed in  a solution of humor. The grandeur of the sets and palaces and forts are worth appreciating and good on big screens
• You get plenty of Salman Khan in this film. He is his usual bubbly self, he exhibits exuberant outlook with an aura of an innocent and charming guy. He makes you laugh at his tinder jokes, he gives you lot of goody moments minus a huge family but all on his shoulder. This film projects Salman at the center, there are not many important roles, except for him, so its him everywhere!
• Sonam Kapoor looks astonishingly beautiful and royal. This is her second film where i like how she looks, this suits her. Her chemistry with Salman is imminent and looks good on screen
• Anupam Kher, Swara Bhaskar, Aashika Bhatia, Deepraj Rana and Deepak Dobriyal have the important supporting roles. Unlike other Sooraj Barjatya family films where the family members are all big castings and equally important, here you have a plethora of supporting roles, all of them does a good job

What you can sleep over:

• Music in the film is just omnipresent, they should as well categorize this movie under Musical genre. The music just never takes a breather, thankfully they are not ear sores, they are doable provided you are already prepared for it :)
• Neil Nitin Mukesh is wasted in the film, he hardly has any role. He looked pretty impressive in his entry scenes, but later he was just lost only to appear in the end where he hardly had anything to perform
• Armaan Kohli and Samaira Rao were more or less wasted too. They could have had better roles. I personally like the personality of Armaan Kohli, Alas! his role couldn't make a lot of impact, blame on the script

The dampeners you should be aware of:

This film is a no brainer, leave your brains back home, if you intend to enjoy the film. There are not very good critical views on this film, but i personally did not hate it. Its very much watchable. Agreed the space that was created for its release in Diwali clearing 2 weekends before its release, raised a lot of hopes on this one, it cant meet the hysteria created around it, but standalone, it qualifies for a good family entertainment






My Rating: 3/5

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

Main Aur Charles

Cast: Randeep Hooda, Adil Hussain(Amod),Richa Chadda, Alexx O'Nell(Richard), Nandu Madhav(Madhukar), Saurabh Sarkar(Bajrang), Sandeep Punia(Satpal), Tisca Chopra and Vipin Sharma(Jailor)
Director: Prawaal Raman
Genre: Biography, Crime



The presentation of the film is questionable but watch the film for its story and Randeep Hooda!




You may look forward to:

• Randeep Hooda is a curious choice to play 'Charles Shobhraj' and very interestingly he does an incredible job at it. He looks hot, smart and very close to the real 'Charles'. His accent is pretty much put up, but he pulls the role with great aplomb! 'Charles' is known to be a Bikini killer, innumerous escapades with women, ever stylish, learned person with notable skills of convincing people. He is as charming as much dangerous. This film belongs to Randeep Hooda!
• Adil Hussain is the next important role in the film, this guy is a good actor, the movie talks a lot about his personal traits as well apart from the legal aspects! He is good to watch :)
• Richa Chadda and Alexx O'Nell, are the two very important supports in the story of 'Charles', in the portion of his life which is captured in this movie. I never liked the weird accent of Richa Chadda, nevertheless both of them do a pretty good job
• Rest of the cast have minor roles, to which they cater well
• This film is all about style. The various filmy dons and criminals you come across seem decorated, to which we generally don't relate, but the story of 'Charles' is am sure very much a dream for every other man barring the end he meets. The second half of the film specially is engaging and an open ending to it prompts you to go google the actual truth about the real guy!

What you can sleep over:

Randeep Hooda's put up accent and Richa Chaddha's natural accent :P




The dampeners you should be aware of:

The first half of the film fails to engage the audience. The direction of the film is not very impressive and it shows up in its first half which is a let down. With Randeep Hooda's put up accent, half the dialogues are unclear, teamed up with slow pace and not many incidents, you are very likely to not last until interval. Although the film catches up a lot in its second half which is in fact the part that earns the film its final rating!






My Rating: 3/5

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

Burnt

Cast: Bradley Cooper, Sienna Miller(Helene), Omar Sy(Michel), Daniel Brühl(Tony) and Emma Thompson(Doctor)
Director: John Wells
Genre: Drama



A relaxed weekend watch. Watch it for Bradley Cooper :)




You may look forward to:

• This film may seem in the lines of 'Chef', but it is not very related. However, the backdrop is a culinary delight, but the film is more about the caricature and story of 'Adam Jones'. You will love the eye popping presentation of food as well the role of Bradley Cooper
• Bradley Cooper is certainly the face of the film as well the central role of the film :) His story is a lot to deal with 'Adam Jones's' personal  attitude and human behavior, his success and failures, a very self centric role, his hits and his misses, as well his popularity among men and women equally ;P I love this guy Bradley for the way he looks and his every expression! :)
• Sienna Miller is the true female lead of the film. She has a very real life like role, not a smooth one but yet a pleasant character given 'Helene's' spirit which never dampens
• Omar Sy and Emma Thompson, have good and significant roles. Specially that of Omar Sy, surprise element and shrewd attitude, well done!

What you can sleep over:

Although i loved the role of Daniel Brühl, but yet hated the fact that he was under utilized. He is perhaps not meant for petite roles like this. I love this man personally!




The dampeners you should be aware of:

No apparent catch with the quality or direction of the flick. It is a light weekend watch.
John Wells makes a good film :)





My Rating: 3/5

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

Titli

Cast: Shashank Arora(Titli), Shivani Raghuvanshi(Neelu), Ranvir Shorey, Amit Sial(Pradeep), Prashant Singh(Prince), Lalit Behl(Father) and Sumit Gulati(Pintu)
Director: Kanu Behl
Genre: Crime, Drama




This one is a Director's film, a plot which is not meant for entertainment. Quality of the film is the reason why you should hit the theater




You may look forward to:

• A film coming from Dibakar Banerjee and Kanu Behl. The names are enough to raise an interest. They present a gory and depressing reality of the lives of lower middle class gentry of Delhi, particular one family who has criminal background. The film is depressing and it attacks your mind which leaves you with no scope but to wonder if such kind of life does exist in the chawl areas of our country
• Shashank Arora gives out a power pact performance in this film. Not seen in any commercial movie before, but definitely makes an impact with this one. He has a complicated role, which is way too complex. He displays a character who chooses to be the black sheep of the family, at the same time does show various shades of ruthless criminal side of him coming from his family background. He is the kind of example where society churns a good soul to do wrong things. Amazingly played caricature, applauds!
• Shivani Raghuvanshi again, one of the many debutants, giving out commendable performance. Her role is strong enough that she overshadows some known actors in the film. She represents the sort of women who are not fragile, and are mentally strong to take on things that you would yourself never expect happening with you!
• Ranvir Shorey and Amit Sial, have the significant supporting roles. Ranvir Shorey's role is very well defined, his every dialogue and action is beautifully executed. Though there is no definite conclusion to their roles by the end of the film
• Prashant Singh, Lalit Behl and Sumit Gulati are the second level supports in the film. They don't have much of screen presence, yet well written roles and executed good

What you can sleep over:

Couldn't appreciate the fact that the case of Ranvir Shorey and Amit Sial were left unattended as the movie ends on 'Titli'





The dampeners you should be aware of:

This is one category of film which can get you to feel depressed. Certainly not meant for all audience. What i would like to question is, what do the writers and director want to achieve showing stories of such kinds to the multiplex audience!!! This film neither entertains nor does set any social message. This is just another film showing some hard hitting realities of a city's under belly in India. However a quality make, do not quite appreciate plots like this!






My Rating: 3.5/5

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

Paranormal Activity: The Ghost Dimension

Cast: Chris J. Murray(Ryan), Brit Shaw(Emily), Dan Gill(Mike), Ivy George(Leila),Olivia Taylor Dudley(Skyler) and Michael Krawic(Father Todd)
Director: Gregory Plotkin
Genre: Horror



Nothing very different from its early series. Pass time!




You may look forward to:

• The second half of the film is a lot more happening than its 1st half. This film wont bore you, but at the same time i wont say its very spooky and a good entertainer
• The main character of the film is the kid Ivy George and she does a pretty commendable job at it, although nothing extraordinary
• The male cast of the film viz, Chris J. Murray, Dan Gill and Michael Krawic are more of supporting roles, amongst which Chris and Dan do the significant jobs

What you can sleep over:

The ladies in the film Brit Shaw and Olivia Taylor Dudley are more or less wasted, they don't have much to do in the movie





The dampeners you should be aware of:

The first half of the film feels draggy with low or no content from one incident to another as they divide the film in terms of nights spent and recordings. The story tends to repeat itself, although this one still has a quantifiable conclusion, if at all they make a continuation to this film, i may have something to look forward to. Else, this is more or less a passe movie, nothing very interesting to drag you to theaters





My Rating: 2/5

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

The Last Witch Hunter

Cast: Vin Diesel, Rose Leslie(Chloe), Elijah Wood(Dolan), Michael Caine(Dolan),Julie Engelbrecht(Witch Queen), Ólafur Darri Ólafsson(Belial) and Isaach De Bankolé(Max)
Director: Breck Eisner
Genre: Fantasy, Horror, Action



Weekend pastime watch!



You may look forward to:

• Vin Diesel is sexy as is! Immortal over ages, i love his every look in the film. Though he doesn't have all that many scope of action, he is anyway the star of the film, without whom no one would hit the theater for this film! :D
• Rose Leslie is technically the female lead of the film, she has some decent content for her
• Michael Caine and Isaach De Bankolé were in short but significant supporting roles
• Julie Engelbrecht and Ólafur Darri Ólafsson are the real essence of the film :D Without the evil, this film is nothing but trash. I like the get up of the witch :)
• Content of the film is very passive. The pace is normal and doesn't bore. A typical sit back, relax and forget kind of film :)

What you can sleep over:

Elijah Wood after a long time, he is more or less wasted. I expected a little more significant role for him!




The dampeners you should be aware of: 

These films never aim high on box office, they are built for an average entertainer. No visible dampener as such, except for the fact that the fantasy was not stirring enough





My Rating: 2.5/5

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

Shaandaar

Cast: Shahid Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, Pankaj Kapur, Sanjay Kapoor,Niki Aneja Walia (Vipin's Wife), Sanah Kapoor(Isha), Vikas Verma(Robin), Sushma Seth(Mummy Ji) and Karan Johar
Director: Vikas Bahl
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance



Absolute waste of time and money. It doesn't fit in any of its proclaimed genre!




You may look forward to:

• Shahid Kapoor looks refreshed. Do not exactly remember which was his last movie, but in this one he definitely returns his boyish charm back with a pinch of manhood with that beard :)
• Alia Bhatt is the only good reason to watch this film. Not for her acting skills, but for her bubbly appearance. She is like a fresh wave after all the mature movies she has been doing, this one certainly puts her back on the list of teenage boys :)
• I liked the pairing of the duo Pankaj Kapur and Niki Aneja Walia. Pankaj Kapoor is undoubtedly cute oldie. Niki Aneja bearing uncanny resemblances to Madhuri Dixit, every inch a flavor of a rich woman :D
• Sanah Kapoor and Vikas Verma are in the category of sweet casting :) Sanah is adorable while Vikas Verma is exactly as the caricature for him, a dumb-ass!
• Sushma Seth and Karan Johar, are appealing appearances, don't have elaborate roles but are good to the eyes. I personally loved the cameo of Karan Johar :)
• Music of the movie may not be chartbusters, but they look pretty grand on screen, as well the costumes and choreography, along with amazing cinematography, is a treat to the eyes! After all, when the movie is based on wedding theme, music of the film gotto be looking good :)

What you can sleep over:

One cast of the film, which on the face of it is a dampener is that of Sanjay Kapoor. Although i wont count him as one, since he doesn't appear to be a difficult bite to digest given the fact the story itself is trash!





The dampeners you should be aware of:

The biggest and the only reason why you shouldn't go for this movie even after all those pluses is the lack of a story. With all the star cast and grand sets and loads of money wasted, this film fails to entertain. There is not much chemistry or romance between the lead couple which would make them stand out! There are certain scenes in which you actually would want to kill yourself for watching it! This film is a classic example of how can things go wrong if you forget to add content!






My Rating: 2.5/5 (Only for fresh faces and music)

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