Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters (2013)

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 Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters (2013)

Genre:    Action | Fantasy | Horror

Starring:  Jeremy Renner, Gemma Arterton, Famke Janssen, Peter Stormare

Directed by: Tommy Wirkola

Rated: US: R, UK: 15, India: A

Running Time: 88 minutes 

Movie Review:
Jeremy Renner and Gemma Arterton as Witch Hunters? Sounds fun! So I had to see it, keeping my fingers crossed that it should go head-to-head with the same genre movies like Van Helsing (2004) or Brothers Grimm (2005). And Voilà! It was not that bad but the problem was... It was not that good either. Superior to Brothers Grimm and inferior to Van Helsing though, Hansel & Gratel is a time pass gory entertainer which promises nothing but fun.

A spinoff from German folk fairy tale by Brothers Grimm, Hansel & Gretel casts Jeremy Renner and Gemma Arterton as the duo siblings, who, because of the series of events happened in their childhood, are now the best known Witch Hunters. 11 kids have disappeared from a town of Augsburg, and they are just a part of a ginormous satanic scheme of witches. Hansel & Gratel have been appointed to find out the truth and slay the witches behind this evil act. But witches know them better than they know themselves, and they are more than ready for them so action is guaranteed.

Gemma Arterton is fabulous, and watching her fighting on the screen is enchanting. Jeremmy Renner cracked some nice one liners. The news had been that this film was delayed for 10 months, so that Jeremy Renner can complete his roles in highly anticipated Marvel's Avengers and The Bourne Legacy. Which means that Jeremy was always the first choice for this film and he has to perform real well, which he did. The plot is feeble though, which is really sad as this film had a high chances to be much much better.  Even the way of presenting a scene is mediocre at places. But as Vfx is good and this film is full of gore action which is the first demand of a evil hunting action flicks, this movie does not lack in that and turns out to be an 88 minutes of disappointing fun (A fun filled film which also disappoints simultaneously? Boy was that possible.... All hail to Timmy Wirkola.)

My Verdict:
I had high expectations from Hansel & Gratel: Witch Hunters. Even someone who would see the trailer would say the same. Though this film did not quench my curiosity much, but it did not disappoint me either. You want bloody action where witches are getting killed by some pretty cool gadgets and techniques - you would not want to miss it. But if an unpredictable and sensible plot is what you seek, this film will never meet your expectations. These pros n cons make this film an average entertainer which is fresh as movies of this genre has not been in the spotlight recently. But this film promise a better sequel (no no its not like that the movie does not end here, but a sequel is sure to come), and I will be waiting for the sequel.
  

Why See?: Intense action scene, good performance, good humor at times

Why Not?: Weak Storyline, less humor

Rating: 6/10

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The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012)

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The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012)

Genre: Adventure/Fantasy

Starring: Ian McKellen, Martin Freeman, Richard Armitage, Cate Blanchett, Ian Holm, Christopher Lee, Hugo Weaving, Elijah Wood, Manu Bennett, Andy Serkis

Directed by: Peter Jackson

Rated: US: PG-13, UK: 12A, India: U/A

Movie Review:
Being a true LOTR (Lord Of The Rings) fan, this film did not go up to my expectations. I did not fall in love with this film as I thought I would, because I had this misunderstanding that this movie is going to be on the level where LOTR stands.

The first part of The Hobbit Trilogy, and the prequel to the LOTR, this J.R.R. Tolkien's epic saga has been mishandled at many aspects. Its slow pace (especially in the beginning) gets boring, (I think the idea of making it a trilogy made him to make a slow slithering plot. If only he would have thought to complete the book in two parts, this movie would have been far far better than it is.) Jackson's attempt to connect this film to LOTR again and again without any necessity has made him to add on scenes which were not required at all.

Beside its slow paced plot, major drawbacks had been, the overwhelming (and at few places - inept)  CGI (it was too much to digest sometimes), non - humor screenplay and comparably not to the extent of LOTR cinematography, plus an expected ending which just promises that the second part will be better and if that's the story, I would love to write all the good about it (after all I am an LOTR fan remember?), but not this time.

 But there was one impeccable scene that has been made with extreme care (an eye candy for sure), and that would be the conversation between 'Bilbo' and 'Gollum'. And yes, the mind blowing background score by Howard Shore. He did some really good job there.

All in all, this movie is okay on its own level but it is shallow if compared to LOTR. Hope Peter Jackson comes up with a blast in 'The Hobbit - The Desolation of Smaug'.

My Recommendation: Well, the second part looks promising, so you have to get yourself equipped by watching this one. And if you are an LOTR fan, you cannot miss it no matter how shallow it is if compared with its predecessors. So, anyhow, watch it, just for the sake of it.

Why Should I See?: To get yourself acquainted with the plot as the second part looks promising, some high end background scores and high - end CGI at some places.

Why Should I Not?: Slow paced plot, non-humor as compared to its predecessors

Rating: 6/10

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The Lovely Bones (2009)

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The Lovely Bones (2012)

Genre: Drama/Fantasy

Starring: Saoirse Ronan, Mark Wahlberg, Rachel Weisz, Susan Sarandon, Stanley Tucci, Michael Imperioli

Directed by: Peter Jackson

Rated: USA: PG-13, UK: 12A

Review:

If Peter Jackson would have thought to make a suspense thriller by keeping this story in mind, he would have aced it. But The Lovely Bones, though good at times, does not get hold of Peter Jackson's magic. The plot is strong which makes me believe that 'The Lovely Bones' by Alice Sebold must have been a great book. But its depiction, does not inspires much of creativity.

Peter Jackson should have thought that CGI is more important part of film, but the truth is, it was the plot that was heart winning. There are some really intense scenes and nail biting sequences that has been well shown. But the afterlife plot has been inappreciably stretched too much and sometimes goes incoherent.

The Lovely Bones has some brilliant piece of acting by Ronan, Wahlberg and Weisz. But if it had been more of  a killer mystery rather than a fantasy, I would have loved the movie more.

My Recommendation: Its not boring, but can be confusing at times, so watch if you like fantasy and Ronan or Wahlberg or Weisz. An above than average movie.

Why Should I See?: Plot and Good Acting.
Why Should I Not?: Incoherent afterlife scenes.

Rating: 3/5

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The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 2 (2012)

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The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 2 (2012)

Genre: Adventure/Drama/Fantasy/Romance

Starring:  Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, Taylor Lautner, Peter Facinelli, Elizabeth Reaser, Ashley Greene, Mackenzie Foy, Michael Sheen

Directed by: Bill Condon

Rated: USA: PG-13, UK: 12A, India: U/A

Review:

Finally, Stephenie Meyer's Saga has come to an end. And I gotta say - "This movie is far better than its predecessor". Breaking Dawn - Part 2, at some places goes nonsensical as Condon might wanted to focus on the concluding half rather than its first half. But anyhow, he deserves the praise for the way he showed the concluding half an hour of movie which is quiet intense and well presented.

For first half, the movie goes in such an irregular pace as director seems to cover up everything from the book and he failed to co-relate things with proper dialogues and scenes. The next scene goes without covering its previous and so the scene after that. Hence it may become difficult for people to co-relate who have not read the book. And the people who have read it, well they will not like the way Bill Condon depicted the half of it.

Everything good in this movie resides in its last half an hour. But I would still say, do not fast forward to see the ending, just have patience, and let it reach to its destination, and it won't disappoint you for its 'The Half an Hour'

For half of the part, I felt, Renesmee was an animated child (which was really weird - an animated child? C'mon Bill, you could have done better!) I never found Kristen Stewart act good in any of her movie and her performance in this film did not change my perception about her. Rest are good and suitable for the role given to them.

My Recommendation: If you like the Twilight Franchisee, this maybe the best part for you to see. And if you are not so keen of Twilight, well you can give this one a try. It is, better than Part 1 in every way.

Why Should I See?: Good Effects, Spellbinding Conclusion
Why Should I Not?: Irregular Pace, Dull First Half.

Rating: 3/5

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Ramona and Beezus (2010)

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Ramona and Beezus (2010)

Genre: Adventure/Comedy/Fantasy/Family

Starring: Joey King, Selena Gomez, John Corbett, Bridget Moynahan, Ginnifer Goodwin, Josh Duhamel

Directed by: Elizabeth Allen

Rated: USA: G, UK: U

Ramona and Beezus is a smooth adorable family entertainer that will not disappoint you in any expect. It has emotions, humor, drama and everything a family entertainer should have, in short, it is a movie for all the ages.

Based on Ramona series of novels by Beverly Cleary, Ramona and Beezus has Joey King aka Ramona who is so adorable that her innocence will win your heart. She is the main protagonist of the film and the whole film revolves around her and her elder sister Beezus aka Selena Gomez.

Selena Gomez and Joey King's bond in the film is quite a charm. If you are looking for a family entertainer, this movie is surely made for you and you are gonna love every part of it.

Why Should I See?: Brilliant acting by adorable Joey and beautiful Selena.
Why Should I Not?: None, only if you are not into a family entertainer.
 
Rating: 6.5/10

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Ted (2012)

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Ted (2012)

Genre: Comedy/Fantasy

Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Mila Kunis, Giovanni Ribisi, Joel McHale

Directed by:Seth MacFarlane

Rated: USA: R, UK: 15, India: A 

Don't melt your heart for this cute Teddy, he is one brat that cannot be tamed. Ted is a hilarious Adult Comedy about a tale of romance and bro-mance.

The best part of this movie is the dialogue it emits and that too at the right time and the right place. The teddy is outstanding. This movie is far beyond moral and ethical values, so if you are easily offended by the profanity, stereotyping, sexual humors, dopes etc this movie is a strictly No for you. But if you are a no-matter-what and bring-it-on kinda person then do not and I say again do not miss on this one.


Mark Wahlberg has one profound comic side that we have seen earlier in other comedy movies too and Mila Kunis has done a pretty job (well of course she is pretty what can do...) and Seth MacFarlane aka Ted, is simply superb. Once you start enjoying the movie, you won't even treat Ted as a bear.


My Suggestion: Its a not-for-everyone movie so only watch it if you are fine with Adult Comedies.

Why Should I See?: Hilarious Dialogues
Why Should I Not?: Vulgarity
 
Rating: 7/10

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Avatar (2009)

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Avatar (2009)

Genre: Action/Adventure/Fantasy/Sci-fi

Starring: Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Stephen Lang, Michelle Rodriguez, Giovanni Ribisi

Sigourney Weaver 

Directed by:James Cameron

Rated: USA: PG - 13, UK: 12A, India: U/A 

Avatar is not a movie, but a vision of the critically acclaimed director James Cameron, who was holding this vision since before he even made Titanic. The only thing that was holding him back was the technology needed to make this movie which was not up to the mark that time. So he decided to enhance the technology himself, waited for years to come and finally completed his vision and made this heart throbbing epic we know today as 'Avatar'.

The planet Pandora and the 'Blue-tiful' Na'vi people all made out of Live Action CGI  makes the movie you would like to see open mouth. All the effects take you to the realms which only can be imagined in dreams. And with 3d effects it shows, it brings the dream to reality. In short Cameron showed the dream with open eyes which you will not forget for a lifetime.

Avatar is a beautiful epic which shows the vision of James Cameron. It has all the essence of a blockbuster movie, superb casting, mind blowing action sequences, well made plot and more importantly a well executed one. Its a world beyond world and a zenith of beautiful imagination.

In short - Avatar is more than a movie, it is an example to show that a movie can be beyond the expectations. It will set an example for the movies for years.

Why Should I See?: Everything
Why Should I Not?: None
 
Rating: 10/10

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Life of Pi (2012)

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Life of Pi (2012)

Genre: Adventure/Fantasy

Starring: Suraj Sharma, Irrfan Khan, Tabu

Directed by:Ang Lee

Rated: USA: PG, UK: PG, India: U 

Some movies are made to cherish, and Life of Pi is one of them. An astounding story of adventurous journey for survival, which may not bring tears to your eyes, but the smile on your face - is guaranteed.


Some really beautiful CGI & VFX, some highly intensed cinematography, some nail biting sequences, some praiseful dialogues, some meaningful lessons and above all the story of Piscine Patel and Richard Parker, together they made a movie you would love to watch.

Life of Pi is a finely crafted masterpiece that you would not want to miss. The film as we know, is based on Yann Martel's 2001 (novel of the same name) but the end is not as ambiguous as the book's.
And oh! if you can watch it in 3d, then do not miss some amazing 3d effects this movie has for you.


Why Should I See?: See it and you will know
Why Should I Not?: Some unnecessary effects, but that does not spoil anything at all.
 
Rating: 9/10

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