The Last Stand (2013)

*Poster Courtesy (www.impawards.com)

The Last Stand (2013)

Genre: Action | Crime | Thriller

Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Forest Whitaker, Johnny Knoxville, Rodrigo Santoro, Luis Guzmán, Jaimie Alexander, Eduardo Noriega, Peter Stormare, Zach Gilford, Génesis Rodríguez

Directed by: Kim Ji-woon

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

Movie Review:
Arny is back after 10 years in a lead role and that too with a Bang! Though he is not the same as he was in Terminator 3 and has grown old. But his passion for action is nonetheless same.

The Last Stand is especially for Arnold Schwarzenegger fans who have been waiting for his comeback since a decade, who even watched The Expandables, just to have a glimpse of him and well Kim Ji-woon is not going to disappoint any of the Arny's fan and that is for sure.

Set in a sleepy border town Sommerton Junction - Arizona, of which, Ray Owens (Arnold Schwarzenegger) is the Sheriff. Soon he comes to know that the leader of a drug cartel has been on a run and going to speed out to the Mexican Border via his town in a sports car faster than any chopper. Now he knows that the only thing that can stop him from crossing the border is he and his rookie staff. How will he do that? The answer is: he has his own means (he always has). But will he be able to? The answer is in the film itself.

The Last Stand is a fast paced action film with some good one liners and has been comic at places, but all in all it is an average action flick with nothing fresh except Arnold who still has his charm and will be loved by his admirers. Moreover this is a genuine welcome to Arnold Schwarzenegger and is fine film for him to have a start all over again. 'Welcome back Arnold, you did a fine job here' - That's all what I have to say.
 
My Verdict: This is not a film for the film lovers who wants something extraordinary and has urge to watch something different or maybe a film crafted for oscar. But if you are an Arnold Schwarzenegger fan and you want to see some decent action film with no nonsense, this film will meet your expectations (just try not to keep them much high). This film has some good action scenes and the pace of the film keeps you engaged. Beside that, it has nothing special to see, oh! wait! it has something special to see and that will be Arny himself.

Why See?: Arnold Schwarzenegger, fast pace, good action

Why Not?: Nothing extraordinary

Rating: 6/10

Watch Trailer:
 
*Courtesy VISO Trailers

Read More...

Aashiqui 2 (2013)

Aashiqui 2 (2013)

Genre:  Drama | Musical | Romance

Starring: Aditya Roy Kapoor, Shraddha Kapoor

Directed by: Mohit Suri

Rated: India: U

Movie Review:
Romance has not been better than this lately. Aashiqui 2 brings back the romantic era of 90s when every other hit film was a romantic one. The dedication, love, passion, emotions, sentiments, sacrifice and the other faces of romance, its all there. Though not so intriguing, Aashiqui 2 is a heart touching romantic musical entertainer.

Aditya Roy Kapoor, at times, looked to me an inconsistent actor, who made some brilliant performances with high end dialogue deliveries but on the other hand was not able to judge his role at few times. But the one who impressed me was the girl we saw in Luv Ka The End - aka Shraddha Kapoor. She justified her role elegantly, she and her expressive eyes were magical to see on the screen.

Aashiqui 2 is a story about a defaming singer Rahul Jaykar whose addiction to alcohol and attitude is the reason of his defame. During this period, he finds a girl 'Arohi' who is a heart touching singer. Rahul decides to make her a superstar and falls in love with her. Soon he realizes that he is going to be a threat to her, but for how, why and what happens after that - Watch the movie.

The film has some brilliant dialogues and one of my favourite was - 'Yeh (Alcohol) to wo biwi hai jo satati bhi hai aur talaak bhi nahi deti.' lol...weird but funny.

The strongest part of the film is obviously the songs, that has already created sensation among the music lovers. But more importantly, all the songs have been rightly placed and timed, makes it more enjoyable. Aashiqui 2 is a decent film in almost every aspects.It is one of those films, which, if not makes you cry, can at least bring tears to your eyes, or make your heart filled with love for your partner.

I believe, Aashiqui 2 does not have the best possible ending for a movie, and if the film with such a simple story which has been beautifully crafted, had to have a better, sensible and possible alternate ending, it would have been much appreciated than it has been now.
   
My Verdict: They say 'all is well that ends well', and I agree to it because I have found that there has been movies which I liked while watching and hated when it ended. Because end really matter a lot. But this movie is not one of them. Despite of an inadequate ending (which can make you think that was this the best possible ending for this film?), Aashiqui 2 is a well made film which does not bores you, and if Romance is your genre, and you are really in love with the songs, and you would want to see the mesmeric spark between Aditya and Shraddha, and you want to enjoy a good romantic film with you partner, well don't wait and buy the tickets now!

Why See?: Well placed, timed and written songs, good acting by actors.

Why Not?: Ending is not 'quenchy' enough.

Rating: 7/10

Watch Trailer:

*Courtesy T-Series

Read More...

Jack Reacher (2012)

*Poster Courtesy (www.impawards.com)

Jack Reacher (2012)

Genre: Action | Crime | Thriller

Starring: Tom Cruise, Rosamund Pike, Richard Jenkins, Werner Herzog, David Oyelowo, Robert Duvall

Directed by: Christopher McQuarrie

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

Movie Review:
Adapted from Lee Child's 2005 novel 'One Shot', Jack Reacher aka Tom Cruise is a homicide investigator, an ex military, and a super intelligent analyst, who is investigating a murder mystery where 5 people are randomly killed by a trained military sniper. But someone don't want him in the city, neither he wants him to investigate. How will he investigate the case when his own life is in danger?

Literally speaking, this film is watchable because of Tom Cruise who has done a good job as Jack Reacher. The story line is impressive but not well executed. That-bond-girl from 'Die Another Day' aka Rosamund Pike is fabulous. Alas! they don't even kiss (Oh! Spoiler! never mind, it was something worth to know, I so wanted them to, and she so wanted him to.. But Reacher.. how gay of him.. he can analyze every aspect.. but cannot read her mind.. weird.)

From the direction point of view, this movie lacks in many aspects. Except Cruise and Pike, none of the ensemble seemed to be serious about their character. Especially David Oyelowo and Werner Herzog. I did not like David in any scene (wrong expressions to blame). Plus action scenes are not well contained, Jack Reacher lacks in some good action, even car chase was very simplified (not-so-Tom-Cruise eh!)

Maybe Christopher McQuarries should try harder as a director. He is a good screenplay writer and no one doubts that. But Jack Reacher is not that impressive, and if it wasn't for Tom Cruise, I am pretty sure that this film would have gone way down than its position. But this film is not-so-Tom-Cruise in which any good actor would have done a good job.

 Nevertheless, its a smart thriller, and if your genre is a murder mystery and your hero is Tom Cruise, you can give it a go. It has a good script and a good entertainer. So if you have nothing to do on this weekend, or any other weekend that follows, you can Rent this film, and watch it.
 
My Verdict: Despite of not well executed plot, Jack Reacher aka Tom Cruise, did a fine job to keep us entertained if not intrigued. Tom and Rosamund are the only fine actors in this film as other did not seemed so well contained. It is a classic thriller and differs from modern day thrillers. So if you would like to visit 80s thrilling films with modern touch this movie is for you. All in all Jack Reacher is a weekend entertainer and Rental of course.

Why See?: Good plot, well acted by Tom Cruise and Rosamund Pike.

Why Not?: Nothing impressive, other actors acting deficiency.

Rating: 6.5/10

Watch Trailer:

 
*Courtesy VISO Trailers

Read More...

Mama (2013)

*Poster Courtesy (www.impawards.com)

Mama (2013)

Genre: Horror

Starring: Jessica Chastain, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Megan Charpentier, Isabelle Nélisse, Daniel Kash

Directed by: Andrés Muschietti

Rated: US: PG-13, UK: 15

Movie Review:
When I saw the trailer of this film, I was affirmative - "This is the movie I am gonna watch!" It looked so much promising. After all it has Guillermo del Toro written all over it. And when the film started, within few minutes I knew that this is gonna be hell of a ride - like jump-off-the-couch kinda scary. Well It did not happen exactly the same way, blame it to my higher expectations. Nevertheless, Mama is one decent horror movie that has emotions too, which is rare to see in horror films.

Mama, based on  Mamá by Andrés Muschietti, is a story about two little girls who were abandoned in a forest cabin for 5 years and were found alive by their uncle (who never stopped searching for them) but in a condition that couldn't be imagined. But how did they survive for 5 vicious years alone? Were they really alone? Will they be able to come out of the trauma? Will their Uncle and his girlfriend has the guts to raise them? And most important - Who is Mama and will she led them to raise the girls? This film has all of the answers in a way you may not expect (at least not every part).

Jessica Chaistain - The-Miss-Hot-Pants of this film is surprisingly good. She is indeed a good actress, and with this film, I think she has jumped a step above in her acting skills. But more impressive was the performance of Megan Charpentier as Victoria - the elder of the two girls. A girl of that age, has the potential to captivate you with her acting skills. Her expressions create suspense and intense all the time.

The musical score is the best part of Mama as all the scary moments comes from it. Not many horror movie has a strong story, but Muschietti, has worked hard to make a horror film with a story. He has tried to create scary moments with its story-line but he should have avoided few scenes that are more of a nonsense than being scary.

My Verdict: The best part of Mama is its strong, scary but emotional story which is a combination not many people think to take a risk of. But Muschietti did it, and he did quiet well. The music score is good and it creates enough fright but it has too much of unnecessary Sfx. Mama could have been better than what it is. Few scenes are absolutely illogical. Hence it is not a masterpiece, but is a decent horror. Just do not expect more from this film and than it will definitely surprise you. It has the tendency to catch your curiosity.

Why See?: Strong story-line, Scary Afx (audio effects) and Sfx (special effects), fine acting

Why Not?: Superfluous visual effects at some place and unnecessary effort to add scary scenes which were nonsensical.Having capability of being much more than what it is.

Rating: 6.5/10

Watch Trailer:


*Courtesy VISO Trailers

Read More...

Argo (2012)

*Poster Courtesy (www.impawards.com)

Argo (2012)

Genre: Drama | History | Thriller

Starring: Ben Affleck, Bryan Cranston, Alan Arkin, John Goodman

Directed by: Ben Affleck

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

Movie Review:
Boy! Has not this film created ripples all over the world not only for being among the best directed films of 2012, but also for its historical inaccuracies. Argo is one spine chilling, fascinating film that will make you to stick-on-your-couch-with-the-tub-of-popcorn until it gets over. You can guess what may happen in the next scene, you know that practically it's not possible what has been shown, but then, you also want to see that is it going to happen like you guessed? Or is it the other way round? It has the potential to make you involve with the plot so much that you may start feeling that you are a part of this movie, and with each sequence your heart may pound and blood can gush. But from the start to the end you have to keep one thing in mind, and I quote it - "Do not get your history corrected from this film." Because this film, though worth watching in every expect, is not completely true to what actually happened, though base story is correct.

Argo, dramatized adaptation from The Master of Disguise by Antonio J. Mendez (ex. CIA)  & The Great Escape, the article by Joshuah Bearman, portrays a true incident of 1979 Iran hostage crisis, in which Mendez himself led the rescue of six U.S. diplomats from Tehran, Iran. Ben Affleck has been splendid as Mendez, and his directing skills, which has been impressive in his previous films too, will surely give him a seat among the best directors hollywood has with this drama thriller.Though historically discrepant, this film promises a strong impact on your mind about the situation that was being faced by the hostages during that period.

Argo is astonishingly funny, with some brilliant dialogues that will be quoted year after years. This film won't let you down in any aspect which it promises, unless you don't like histories getting manipulated for the benefit of the film. The movie does not lose its focus for a single second. But sometimes, you can easily guess that the film is unnecessarily trying to create intense which could have been avoided. This is the only point where it lets you down.


My Verdict: Argo is a well crafted, finely acted film whose intriguing plot makes it entertaining from the beginning till the end. And when you know that its a true story, the fun and excitement doubles. I was spellbound with tense, heart pounded when the van with U.S. diplomats was in between the Iranian Procession on the street who were outrageously banging the van and shouting. Gosh! So scary! And many more scenes that will make you glare the screen without a blink.  The only drawback is, sometimes, it looks like, that the intensifying scenes has been intentionally added and were redundant, maybe they were added just to enhance the length of the film.

Why See?: Well plotted, well acted, well narrated and well portrayed film and when it ends, you will feel like a winner and that's guaranteed!

Why Not?: Historically discrepant and few intensifying scenes which looks superfluous. 

Rating: 7/10

Watch Trailer:

 
*Courtesy VISO Trailers

Read More...

Limitless (2011)

*Poster Courtesy (www.impawards.com)

Limitless (2011)

Genre: Mystery | Sci-Fi | Thriller

Starring: Bradley Cooper, Abbie Cornish, Robert De Niro

Directed by: Neil Burger

Rated: US: PG-13, UK: 15

Movie Review:
What will you do if you find a pill that can make you super brainy? How much can you think to go beyond your limit and be limitless? But wait... what if it is super deadly at the same time? Sounds intriguing? Well this film promises you more than that.

Limitless is an intelligent film based on 2011 techno-thriller novel 'The Dark Fields' by Alan Glynn and probably is one of the best sci-fi thriller of the year 2011. The whole credit goes to Bradley Cooper for making it captivating till the end. The story narration style of the film is astounding and cinematography is impressive. I must say that Neil Burger has done a good job here.

The film has enjoyable humors and impressive storyline. The plot is intelligent and dialogues are well placed. The film, though entertaining, has more potential to be, than what it is. The execution is a bit slipshod but when this movie ends, you won't be having any complain regarding that.

All in all, though this movie has a far fetched concept, but, is brilliant in many aspects and is entertaining and thoughtful.

My Recommendation: Bradley Cooper, sci-fi, thriller, if any of them clicks your mind, well this film is for you then. Its an intelligent film which would be liked by people of any genre.

Why Should I See?: Intelligent plot, good acting, impressive cinematography

Why Should I Not?: sloppy execution at times.

Rating: 7.5/10

Watch Trailer:
  
 
*Courtesy VISO Trailers

Read More...

Apocalypto (2006)

*Poster Courtesy (www.impawards.com)

Apocalypto (2006)

Genre: Epic/Action/Adventure/Thriller

Starring: Rudy Youngblood, Raoul Trujillo, Mayra Sérbulo, Dalia Hernández, Ian Uriel, Gerardo Taracena, Rodolfo Palacios, Bernardo Ruiz Juarez, Ammel Rodrigo Mendoza, Ricardo Diaz Mendoza, Israel Contreras

Directed by: Mel Gibson

Rated: US: R, UK: 18

Movie Review:

Mel Gibson is one brilliant director who has always left me mesmerized by his charismatic direction. Braveheart, The Passion of the Christ and now Apocalypto. I am not a profound fan of him, but the way he daringly takes concepts for direction has always acquired my attention.

Apocalypto, an Epic produced and written by Mel Gibson himself, depicts the struggle and fight of a man to return and save his family. And it is not a normal fight, he has to fight with the one of the most intelligent yet ferocious civilizations of time - The Mayans. Yes, they fooled us that world was gonna end, but this time they are serious.. :P. We may have survived the apocalypse but will this meso-american survive the Apocalypto? If yes, than how?

Apocalypto is a well crafted film which is ruthlessly bloody and highly intriguing  from start to end. This surely is not for faint heart people who do not enjoy gore much. But nevertheless, Apocalypto is a masterpiece of film that will be remembered as a 'cult' in the history of cinema. If you can bear the savage rampage this movie has, then do not miss it, because this film is more than violence, this film has every emotion you can think of. Its a keeper's edition that will entertain you always.

At few times, I almost forgot that I was watching a film, got so involved that it looked to me like I am seeing a real life story going on live in front of me. I did not find a single point which looked to me fake. The whole film being in Yucatec Maya dialect rather than English has made it more realistic and natural (hard coded English subs are available). The Vfx is amazing and the plot is heart throbbing.

Mel Gibson must have been called insane to direct such gory yet enthralling film but he must be highly appreciated, for all that movie is worth watching for, comes from the mind of Gibson himself. It will be in my library among the best movies I have seen and would love to see it again and again.


My Recommendation: If you can, for once, let go off your aversion for violent films (if you have any). Do watch this one, this film promises more than that, its a film that will clearly imprint a mark and will make you proud that you saw it. And if you are okay with violence in films, well don't miss this one.

Why Should I See?: Adrenaline rushing sequences, highly intriguing plot, brilliantly acted.

Why Should I Not?: Only if you cannot withstand violence at extent level.

Rating: 9/10

Watch Trailer:
  
 
*Courtesy TrailerPlayground

Read More...