Children of Men (2006)

IMDB rating: 8.2

This PD James novel brings up a seemingly real problem that could affect us in the future and creates fantasy around it. Maybe the book was more evocative, the movie left me cold.

Verdict: Some novels are better left to the reader
My IMDB Rating: 5

Step Up (2006)

IMDB rating: 5.8

The dancing is awesome. Who cares about the script.

Verdict: Channing Tatum is a treat. So is the choreography.
My IMDB Rating: 6

In her shoes (2005)

IMDB rating: 7

Two sisters and their relationship. Made me wish I had a sister, a closet full of nice shoes and a better scriptwriter.

Verdict: Doesn't give you a shoe bite, but isn't a snug fit either.
My IMDB Rating: 4

Ek Chalis Ki Last Local (2007)

IMDB rating: Awaiting votes

Till the intermission, the story goes nowhere except spiraling downwards unable to bear the terrible performances by Abhay Deol, Neha Dhupia, the director and the scriptwriter. After the intermission, I left.

Verdict: Don't cry over missed trains, be thankful
My IMDB Rating: 1

Life in a Metro

IMDB rating: 7.2

I hate Kay Kay Menon. If I see him again, I probably will want to slap him across his face. That's how good he is in Metro. Irfan Khan and Konkona Sen are hilarious and so talented - I'm a huge fan. Shiny and Shilpa have great chemistry. As do Nafisa Ali and Dharmendra. Sharman Joshi shines and Kangana Ranaut is very watchable. The song 'Dil mera' is haunting.

Verdict: Talented stars can elevate an average script
My IMDB Rating: 6

Spiderman 3 (2007)

IMDB rating: 6.9

The graphics were cool, the emotions weren't. Toby was unbearable as the good boy and the bad boy. Can't see what people or spidey likes in the thin-lipped Kirsten Dunst. Sat through the movie only thanks to James Franco and a smattering of good action.

Verdict: After the spider mates, it overkills.
My IMDB Rating: 3

Spiderman 3 ( 2007)

Definitely bigger with a $ 500 million budget,three villains, a briefly vindictive Spidey in a cool black suit,CG effects which make Kirtsen Dunst the best trapeze artist of all time;But suffers from the classic fatigue syndrome of the sequels. The movie spins a yarn too many and doesn't match the high of installments 1 and 2.

Tara Rum Pum (2007)

Fasten your seat belts real tight and dont remove them . That's the only way you are going to sit through this 3 hour ordeal of racer named RV,fondly called Cabbie , his wife Shona and the two kids named Princess and Champ .Watch it at your own risk.

Bheja Fry (2007)

Very little fries and even lesser Bheja. Would have been a better staged as a play. Only redeeming feature is Vinay Pathak's impeccable comic sense. Save a trip to the multiplex . Watch it on DVD.

RIZE

clown. krump. goose bumps.
(mind blowing docu film by david la chapelle. i'll write a detailed mail on it soon, for starters google the trailer)

the namesake 06

not just another NRI movie full of silly 'ABCD' jokes. this one's real. with funny insights and honest moments. most importantly it's 'indian' sans the melodrama. the actors are talented indians (mostly) and not bolly'loud'wood stars. nitin sawhney (music), arjun bhasin (costumes) and mira nair (director) – rooted yet contemporary, indian yet universal. watch it - for our own sake.

The Dirty Harry Collection

Dirty Harry (1971); Magnum Force (1973); The Enforcer (1976); Sudden Impact (1983); The Dead Pool (1988)

Harry Callahan: I know what you're thinking. "Did he fire six shots or only five?" Well, to tell you the truth, in all this excitement I kind of lost track myself. But being as this is a .44 Magnum, the most powerful handgun in the world, and would blow your head clean off, you've got to ask yourself a question: "Do I feel lucky?" Well, do ya, punk?

Harry Callahan: May I make a statement, McKay?
Capt McKay: Go ahead!
Harry Callahan: Your mouthwash ain't makin' it.

Harry Callahan: [daring a crook to shoot a hostage] Go ahead, make my day.

Harry Callahan: We're not just going to let you walk out of here.
Crook: Who's "we", sucker?
Harry Callahan: Smith, and Wesson, and me.

Harry Callahan: Well, opinions are like assholes. Everybody has one.

For more such masterpieces, catch Clint Eastwood as Harry Callahan in the Dirty Harry movies.

Gosford Park (2001)

A smorgasbord of British aristocrats and their servants gathers for a weekend shooting party at a country estate called Gosford Park. What follows is a series of interesting interactions and gossip as the camera moves between the ‘upstairs’ (where the guests live) and the ‘downstairs’ (the servants’ quarters). Then one of them is murdered.

The casting and sets are superb, and manage to beautifully recreate a 1930’s England. The whodunit angle is incongruous. The movie is overstuffed with too many characters and subplots jostling for screen space.

It’s a light likeable film, though. And Maggie Smith as the old, biting Countess is outstanding.

Water (2005)

Here’s the real story behind Water. Some smart chap in Shiv Sena saw rushes of this film and realised how bad it was going to be. So he quickly drummed up support against it and tried his level best to ensure it never made it to the marquee.

He was unsuccesful. And we were left with the worst film I have seen this year. With a subject matter so powerful, it could well have been a poignant film. But Mira Nair managed to make it a pretentious, slow and shoddy film. John Abraham tries to give quiet ones even as Lisa Ray sleepwalks through the film.

And we are left with an embarrassment that gets nominated at the Oscars.

My IMdb rating: 2

The Marine (2006)

This one was made by the WWE, so don’t expect meaningful dialogues and sensitive characters.

The 'plot' is simple. A group of stuntmen kidnap a stuntman’s wife and spend the rest of the movie stumbling through expensive stunts and getting their a***s kicked.

The movie may enter the record books for putting the hero through the highest number of explosions on screen.

Boiler Room (2000)

Inspired by Oliver Stone’s Wall Street, this one’s old wine in old bottle. However, an exceptional performance and a miracle manage to lift it above the average fare.

The performance – Giovanni Ribisi, who does a fine job as he moves from home casino owner to smooth-talking cold-caller in an upstart brokerage firm.

The miracle – Ben Affleck and Vin Diesel actually act in the movie.

Ghost Rider (2007)

In a complicated yet clever climax sequence, the bad guy Blackheart is made to feel the pain of a thousand souls and thus vanquished. A simpler solution would've been to make him watch the movie.

My rating: Minus 18.7, only because I'm feeling generous just now.

Namastey London (2007)

IMDB rating: Awaiting Votes

Namastey London is an enjoyable time pass Hindi film. The dialogues and situations are current and funny. Rishi Kapoor is very good. Katrina Kaif is very pretty. Akshay Kumar carries off the role well, but not hair color.

Verdict: One movie that was better than the trailer
My IMDB Rating: 4

300 (2006)

IMDB rating: 8.3

I did not go in expecting historical accuracy from the guy who hooked us onto Batman, Daredevil and Sin City. I went in expecting drama and stunning visual imagery. Both of which I got in plenty. The background score was fascinating. Did not like the hyped characterizations of the Persians and their blundering Sauron-like army, but loved the Spartans. Gerard Butler and Lena Headey were a treat to watch.

Verdict: As great as the trailer
My IMDB Rating: 7.0

happy feet 06

For someone who doesn't dare to sing even in the bath, meeting mambo (i.e mumble) and his tap dancing buddies was a sure delight. (song in head - ' i'm not alone'). I love this movie! I love it for it's 'feel good' factor, imagination, fresh animation (and the way human insights are woven in) and choreography. Remember - keep a song in your heart, it'll make you dance.

fast food nation 06

this book-made-into-a-movie shows things about your favourite burger you don't really want to know! cinematically it's honesty lies in docu-style filming, well executed 'conversation' scenes and big names (like yum ethan hawke) doing small roles.

The Pursuit of Happyness

IMDB rating: 7.4

Will Smith puts in a good performance, but the rest of the crew seemed too busy pursuing the promo guys to do a good job since the movie guys didn't - especially the monkey they hired to do the background score.

Verdict: All the kings horses and all the kings men could not put Humpty Dumpty together again.
My IMDB Rating: 4.0

300 (2006)

MisEntropy Meter: 4/10

The Sentence: 300 celluloid Spartans meet a heroic death while attempting to defend Frank Miller's glorious past against the mighty juggernaut of his current work.

Black Friday (2004)

MisEntropy Meter: 3/10

The Sentence: Not every bomb explodes as intended; this is one of them.

The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)

MisEntropy Meter: 6/10

The Sentence: I was told it was a story about one man and his dogged pusuit of happiness - but when I watched it, there were about 300 of us in the theatre joining in the pursuit on his behalf.

300

a masterpiece!

scoop 06

woody allen continues to romance london, scarlet j and witty one-liners. but this mystery-love story failed to fill me with any butterflies.

Trust the Man (2005)

IMDB Rating: 5.7

David Duchovny and Julianne Moore are married with kids and have reached a rut in their relationship. Julianne Moore's brother (in the film) and girlfriend are at crossroads too. The movie looks at relationships and things that go wrong with them. Of course, everyone comes together in the end, everyone except the director and the script.

My Verdict: Don't blindly trust movies you've never heard of
My IMDB Rating: 3.0

Dreamgirls (2006)

MisEntropy Meter: 2/10

The Sentence: The snoring from the row behind was not only more musical than the movie, I also suspect it had a more interesting plot.

Nuit américaine, La / Day for night 73

Nuit américaine, La / Day for night 73

i love the charming world of Truffaut's cinema. 'day for night' is the director's (and for the first time actor) ode to the art of film making. the film's original (TM truffant), filled with talented actors, fun, romantic and ooh!so-very-french! muaah muaah on each cheek

Flags Of Our Fathers (2206)

MisEntropy Meter: 7/10

The Sentence: The only saving grace for war is that such powerful and moving cinema can result from it.

Paheli (2005)

IMDB rating: 7.3

I shudder to think that this was our nomination for the Oscars, or to any other award show for that matter. Badly directed, and based on a very thin plot, Paheli is a mediocre attempt at storytelling.

My verdict: The less said, the better
My IMDB Rating: 3.0

The Queen (2006)

IMDB Rating: 7.7

Diana died, and left behind questions of conspiracies and the silent treatment meted out to her by the monarchy. Writer Peter Morgan takes us on a recreation of what he thinks really happened post Princess Diana's death. Through the eyes of Buckingham Palace and 10 Downing Street. The movie is a very personal peek at the stoical queen and the enthusiastic Tony Blair and how that week changed so much in their lives. Stephen Frears does a marvelous job of containing the emotions in the film and keeping it real and simple by using actual footage and intermingling it with the film. If one were to be cynical, one would wonder if this was possibly just a very well executed royal PR stunt. Nevertheless, Helen Mirren shines through as the tormented queen, as does Micheal Sheen as the young good intentioned Tony Blair. The cast is well picked and the story is thankfully handled with much elegance and dignity.

My Verdict: Long Live the Queen
My IMDB Rating: 7.0

Beauty and the Beast (1991)

IMDB rating: 7.8

Beauty and the Beast, the story of a prince who is cursed, and a beautiful girl, who lifts his curse, is a very elegant piece of Disney animation. The songs are choreographed charmingly, esp the 'Be our Guest' piece. The humour is witty rather than slapstick, which is a relief.

My Verdict: And everyone lived quite happily ever after
My IMDB Rating: 6.0

The Break Up (2006)

IMDB Rating: 5.8

A film that starts off promisingly but ends up being another stupid tit for tat drama rather than a deeper understanding of what brings people together and what pulls them apart.

My Verdict: Too broken to be salvaged
MY IMDB Rating: 3.0

Casino Royale (2006)

IMDB Rating: 7.9

From the word go, you know that this is not a regular Bond film, and Daniel Craig is not going to be the normal dapper Bond. The physical energy that he exudes, the dark edges that the story has, the sudden spot that it leaves you at, makes this one of my favourite Bond flicks so far.

My Verdict: When's the next one releasing?
My IMDB Rating: 7.0

The Departed (2006)

IMDB Rating: 8.4

The set-ups, the shoot outs, the moles, the bugs - they're all there. Jack Nicholson, Leo, Vera Farminga and Matt Damon play their parts well. But it's at best a CSI TV series, not a Scorcese movie.

My Verdict: Crime doesn't pay, neither should an average film.
My IMDB Rating: 5.0

Blood Diamond

IMDB Rating: 7.8

Blood Diamond is a Hollywood formula film, with appropriately placed wise cracks and emotional scenes. Leo is good - does his thing, delivers his dialogues, accent and all. Djimon Hounsou has brilliant moments. Jennifer Connelly is the most arresting visual effect in the movie and does a very good job. Yes, I will probably never jump to buy diamonds again. If raising that doubt was the intention of the movie, it worked.

My Verdict: American Diamond
My Rating: 5.0

Blood Diamond (2006)

MisEntropy Meter: 6/10

The Sentence: This is a diamond indeed, but not the 'pink' one the producers of the movie were hoping it would be.

Eklavya (2007)

MisEntropy Meter: 2/10

The Sentence: Unlike his inspiration from the Mahabharatha, this Ekalavya is in fact the Dronacharya of the plot - extracting unfair gurudakshina from all the characters, and even from the movie itself.

Casablanca (1942)

MisEntropy Meter: 5/10

The Sentence: If you are planning to watch this movie hoping to discover why it's an all-time classic, my advice would be to look for the answer elsewhere.

Nishabd (2007)

More American Beauty than Lolita, Nishabd has a leisurely & charming build up with the chemistry crackling between the odd ball couple. Jiah Khan is stunning,brings in the adolescent irreverence and Big B continues to age gracefully. The camera truly feasts on Jiah and the lush green tea gardens of Munnar as the romance is poignantly set up.

However all this comes to a naught when the movie takes a hurried, safe and a coming together of the pieces ending. And what was the need to have screeching loud background music trying to elevate every scene to a "climax"! Worse, the Rozanna number which truly rocks is not even featured during the titles.

Honeymoon Travels (2007)

Half baked stories , bizarre sub plots, super heroes , gay triangles , a tango number to hoot at, and more . The ride is bumpy and goes no where , but KK's dance jig & Raima's para gliding makes you wish the movie had more of such genuinely hilarious moments .

the prestige 06

the movie's like magic - full of wonder. enjoyed every moment of it. i love hollywood for doing a superb job of a period film! great acting and screenplay and amongst them performs christian bale - the 'more talented one' :)

the life of david gale 03

Alan Parker's (director) film questions capital punishment. It'll hit you straight at the gut and leave you choking. Great performances by Kate Winslet ,Kevin Spacey and Laurra Linney.

eklavya 07

eklavya brings great camera work & crisp storytelling to the fresh wave in bollywood. watch it to support the much needed change! warning: for those with digestion problems, get ready to belch as vidya balan rolls her eyes & does yet another heavy bossom, heavy breathing and heavy sighs act!!!

Black Friday (2004)

IMDB Rating: 9.5

Black Friday is not the most brilliant movie I have seen. But it is the bravest. Not just for its choice of subject and actors but also for its personal, 'this is how I see it' narration and its very non-movie grammar. It was a film that needed to be made. That needed to be shared with people. Mumbai jumps back and reclaims its life too quickly to realise what happens to it. This movie compels it to stand still and watch, and face what happened. To question what happened. The facts in the film are not as important as the questions in the viewers mind about why it happened or was allowed to happen at all. The futility of religious dogmatism, of politics, of the failure of police and state, of the people in not having enough faith in common sense. (Long review here)

My Verdict: Some viewpoints are best expressed through the lens of a camera.
My IMDB Rating: 7.0

300 (2007)

I am breaking the rules of this blog with this one. This film has not been released. But trailers of this film are out. Hence, a preview.

The film is a story of how 300 Spartans held back a million Persian invaders led by Xerxes the First. It’s based on a graphic novel by Frank Miller (Sin City). I bought the book, and I was quite impressed by how well the director (Zack Snyder) has managed to capture the novel on celluloid.

Yes, the movie sounds like an overdone Hindi movie. Yes, there are clichés. Yes, the dialogues are in your face. But what the heck?! The photography looks amazing and grand. The war sequences are choreographed like a ballet. And it brings a part of Greek folklore to life.

URL: www.300themovie.com

Black Friday (2004)

The best part about this film is, it put the Bombay Bomb Blasts in perspective for me. Shot like a docu-drama, the film is taut in the first half and then, loses it a wee bit in the second half. Maybe the director, Anurag Kashyap, had too much to say and didn’t know how to put it. There are some goof ups, but I guess the intentions were honourable.

The acting is good (Kay Kay Menon, Pavan Malhotra and Aditya Srivastava). And all characters get equal importance. Perhaps the reason lies in the fact that there is no central character in the film. The music by Indian Ocean is fantastic (Badshah in Jail). My IMDb rating: 7

Eklavya (2007)

IMDB Rating: 7.6

Vinod Chopra looked like he worked hard to pay homage to guru Shakespeare and the pathos of Othello in Eklavya. But unlike the true Eklavya, Chopra lacked the devotion to be strong willed and maim his protagonist to make it truly poetic. Cinematically different from any Hindi film Ive seen in the past with some very beautiful portraits, it lacked intensity and soul. Hated Boman Irani. And the fact that it had too many stars for a script that would have been more real with some unknown faces.

My Verdict: Style cannot make up for substance.
My IMDB Rating: 5.0